Live streaming video is becoming increasingly popular amongst online content creators. It allows you to make a real connection with your audience, allowing you to get closer to your followers than with a traditional prerecorded video. They can send you their reactions, and you can respond to them moment-to-moment as they happen.

To live stream like a pro, you’ll need to have a camera that gives you excellent video quality. And you’re in luck! In this article, we’re going to give you a rundown of the best cameras for live streaming. While there are a number of different platforms out there that allow you to live stream, we’re going to focus on just three of them: Twitch, Mixer, and Facebook Live.

Jump to Webcam Recommendations

Jump to DSLR Recommendations

Jump to Camcorder Recommendations

 

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a live streaming service mostly focused around gaming. Users come here to watch their favorite gamers live-stream themselves playing a variety of different video games. With over 15 million daily active users, Twitch is the original go-to platform for gamers looking to build an audience.

What is Mixer?

Mixer is another video game live streaming platform. Touting itself as the next generation in live streaming, Mixer provides an interactive experience in which viewers can actually help the player to make in-game decisions. It’s also said to have more of a community feel than its direct competitor, Twitch.

What is Facebook Live?

It’s doubtful that there’s anybody out there who hasn’t heard of Facebook. In the last few years, the social media giant’s live streaming service, Facebook Live, has been rocketing in popularity. Facebook Live is more of a general-topic streaming platform, allowing social media influencers to share snippets of their daily lives with followers.

The Best Camera for Live Streaming

Now that you’re familiar with the platforms we’ll be focusing on in this article, let’s get down to the real question: What is the best camera for live streaming on these channels? This all depends on a variety of factors, for example, your budget, your level of comfort with technology, what you’ll be streaming, and so on. There are three main categories of cameras out there that we’ll cover: webcams, DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex)/mirrorless cameras, and camcorders.

Webcam Recommendations

Budget-friendly and easy to use, webcams are a popular option for live streaming. Your computer most likely has a built-in webcam but, for better video quality, we recommend buying an external one. Some of the best options for an external webcam are listed below.

Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

If you’re just starting with live streaming, then the Microsoft Lifecam HD-300 is a savvy choice. It has a lower price tag, making it affordable for beginners, but you can still shoot bright and colorful video content with it using its TrueColor technology. The noise-canceling microphone also helps to reduce background noise, giving you good audio quality. Simple to use and budget-friendly, this camera will allow you to get started with sharing your videos to social media without a large upfront investment.

Logitech C920 HD Pro

At 1030p resolution, compared to the Microsoft LifeCam’s 720p, the Logitech C920 HD Pro comes at a slightly higher price point but can produce more high definition video. This enables you to share quality video with your followers for a price that’s still affordable. With its automatic light correction, the camera will also adapt to different light levels, meaning that you can produce clear video even when you’re shooting in a more dimly lit setting. This all makes the Logitech C920 HD Pro a solid choice for a live streaming webcam.

Logitech C930e Full HD

The Logitech C930e Full HD could be described as a higher-end version of the C920. Like the C920, it adjusts to low light settings, but it also comes with a higher resolution (1080p) and a wider field of view. This means that you can shoot quality video while sharing more of your environment with your audience. With the ability to pan, tilt, and 4x digital zoom, you can also tweak the camera view to be exactly what you need. If you’re serious about live streaming, then the Logitech C930e Full HD webcam is a great option.

DSLRs/Mirrorless Camera Recommendations

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are standalone cameras with which you can produce photos and videos of extra high quality. Bear in mind that unlike webcams, which come with built-in video encoders, you will also need to buy a video encoder (in addition to a lens) to be able to share your content on live streaming platforms. The extra cost is worth it, though, if you don’t want to compromise on video quality.

Panasonic Lumix GH4

The Panasonic Lumix GH4 mirrorless camera is at the lower end of the pricing scale for DSLRs/mirrorless cameras, making it a good choice if you want the quality of this camera type without the usual expense. Allowing you to shoot in 4K resolution, the GH4 will produce a cinema-quality video for you to share with your audience. With a hardy magnesium alloy body and exceptionally long shutter life, this camera is popular with live streamers.

Panasonic Lumix GH5

Following on from the GH4, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the next step up in mirrorless cameras. In comparison to the GH4, which has a 16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS-brand sensor, the GH5 has a 20.3-megapixel version of that sensor for improved image resolution. Although its higher-end video capabilities would not be feasible for live streaming due to bandwidth limitations, these would come in handy if you shoot vlogs too.

Sony A7 III

The Sony A7 III is the most expensive DSLR/mirrorless camera on this list, but that’s because it comes with a 24.2-megapixel Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor (which is a significantly higher number of megapixels than the other two cameras). Its high-performance BIONZ X image processor also helps to reduce noise for clearer images. Compact and stylish, the A7 III is a great option for a DSLR/mirrorless camera for live streaming.

Camcorder Recommendations

While webcams and DSLRs can be used for filming video, camcorders are designed for it. If you want to produce live stream videos of the highest quality, then a camcorder is the obvious choice. They’re easy to set up on a tripod or hold onto for handheld streaming, making it super simple for you to connect with your audience.

Panasonic HC-V770

At the lower end of the price range for camcorders is the Panasonic HC-V770. This camera will provide you with a 1080p video for not too hefty a cost. It has a 20x optical zoom so that you can capture clear video even from a distance, and its clean HDMI output means that you can feed a live stream from your camera to social media without any of the onscreen information that you have displayed in your viewfinder or on the LCD screen at the back. This all makes the HC-V770 an excellent, affordable option for a camcorder for live streaming.

Canon XA15

More advanced than the HC-V770, the Canon XA-15 will allow you to produce documentary-quality footage to impress your audience. Its lightweight design means that it’s suitable for handheld footage. It also has an HD/SD-SDI terminal, making it super convenient for live streaming because you won’t need to compress your videos first. If you’re looking for the best camera for live streaming, then you can’t go wrong with the Canon XA15.

Panasonic AG-UX180

With an evolved Optical Image Stabilizer and intelligent autofocus function, the Panasonic AG-UX180 is designed for high-end users looking to shoot professional-quality video in 4K resolution. Unlike most camcorders, it also comes with a 16-axis color correction functionality for precise color adjustment, so that you can tweak the color of your videos to be exactly as you want. The Panasonic AG-UX180 is the best camcorder for you if you want to get serious about live streaming.

Honorable Mention: Action Cameras

One type of camera that we didn’t cover here, but that deserves mention, is action cameras. Action cameras are small, portable devices that you can easily mount onto your head, sporting equipment, or anywhere else that you can think of. This allows you to stream yourself at an event or on the go.

GoPro Hero 7

GoPro is the maker of the original action camera, and their GoPro Hero 7 can be paired with an app on your phone to live stream whatever you’re up to. It doesn’t compromise on video quality, meaning it’s a still viable choice for positioning on a tripod for more traditional live streaming. But, the camera is also waterproof and tough, making it popular amongst skiers, snowboarders, and other extreme sports enthusiasts. If you want a camera that’s going to give you the versatility to stream whatever you’re doing, then the GoPro Hero 7 could be the best option for you.

Accessories

So we’ve covered the cameras, but you may also want to consider some accessories to power up the quality of your live streams. An external microphone will help you to keep your audio quality high, and a battery power system will mean that you can charge your camera while streaming (vital if you’re going to be doing longer broadcasts). Finally, a tripod or mount will mean that you won’t need to hold the camera the whole time and can position it exactly as you want for steady footage.

Conclusion

We hope that this article helped you to find the best camera for live streaming for your needs. Whether you’re just getting started and need a good webcam, or you’re a live streaming professional looking for the perfect camcorder, there’s something here for everybody. Happy live streaming!