Here’s every piece of gear I use to vlog – the good and the bad. I wanted to be brutally honest and as straight forward about this, because it can be really tricky figuring out whether a piece of gear is suitable for you, not to mention expensive too!
Please note that this article does contain affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you, and more information is available at the end of this article.
iPhone 11
I use my iphone 11 to film the majority of my ‘sit down in a room’ type of vlogs. Audio-wise the microphone is okay if you’re in a quiet room and sat quite close by, but otherwise it’s best to use a separate microphone (see later).
PROS
My phone is almost always on me.
Quick and easy to start filming.
Ability to film 4K 60fps videos.
CONS
Normally need a separate microphone.
Limited battery life given the phone is used for other purposes as well.
Hard to get stable footage on the move.
Need to have enough storage space on the phone.
It’s slightly larger and heavier than some other iphone models.
Here is a link to the iPhone 11 - https://amzn.to/3r5BdOV (Amazon NL)
DJI Pocket 2
The main reason I purchased the DJI Pocket 2 was because I was concerned about using my phone excessively in public; specifically getting it stolen or constantly draining the battery. I use the DJI Pocket 2 for filming predominately outdoors. Paired with a bag clip (see later), this device is fantastic for getting footage whilst you are walking and even cycling. Audio-wise it’s okay. (NB There is also the DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo set which basically comes with extra accessories. I did purchase this, but hardly ever use these accessories).
PROS
Compact and light.
Inbuilt gimbal which allows for camera rotation and smoother footage.
Quick and easy to start filming.
Robust (I’ve dropped mine twice whilst cycling, and it’s still going strong!).
Ability to film 4K 60fps videos.
CONS
Steep learning curve (the DJI manual and instructional videos didn’t cut it for me. I used YouTube instead to learn from other creators).
Selfie style footage is sometimes blurry.
The touch screen is tiny (approx. 2 x 2.5cm) which gets frustrating to use sometimes.
Whilst you can review footage taken on the device, it is incredibly hard to see it in any meaningful detail given the size of the screen. Footage will need to be reviewed on a larger screen.
Here is a link to the DJI Pocket 2 - https://amzn.to/3AAi5LS (Amazon NL)
Bag clip
I wanted to film smooth footage whilst cycling, but I was getting no joy from mounting the DJI Pocket 2 onto my bike. Eventually I worked out that the camera mount had to be on my body (to absorb the shock) and not on my bike! I now use this bag clip to film footage whilst walking and cycling.
PROS
Clip has a firm grip both on the bag and camera.
Produces decent footage.
Lightweight.
CONS
Fiddly to fit.
Need to remove part of the DJI (eg the control stick) to prevent the camera from automatically turning on.
Here is a link to the bag clip - https://amzn.to/3G6yVmI (Amazon NL)
Microphone
I previously had the pricey Rode Video MicMe, but not only was it tricky to consistently record good audio (this is related to the fact that it’s a ‘shot-gun’ microphone and how sound is captured), it also broke pretty quickly too. I now use the BOYA BY -M1 lavalier microphone.
PROS
Relatively inexpensive.
Good audio quality.
Small and light.
Robust.
Doesn’t need batteries if you’re using it with a smart phone.
CONS
Long cable gets tangled easily.
Realistically would be difficult to use outdoors on the go.
Can only capture audio of 1 person.
Here is a link to the microphone - https://amzn.to/34di7NI (Amazon NL)
Tripod
I’ve had quite a few tripods in the past, but I keep coming back to Joby Gorrilapod mainly because of the flexible ball head.
PROS
Robust.
Adjustable height.
Flexible ball head allows for different camera angles.
Flexible legs mean the tripod can be hung off a small column or branch.
Mini spirit level is handy.
CONS
With flexible legs, it is not quick to set up. (Realistically I rarely need to hang the tripod off a small column or branch).
Not very portable and bulky.
Here is a link to a very similar tripod - https://amzn.to/3rYJL9o (Amazon NL)
Adapter and tripod phone mount
As I use an iphone 11 to film a lot - I also have to use a ‘lightning to headphone jack’ adaptor in order to plug in my microphone. This is an irritating additional piece of equipment and sadly unavoidable.
For the phone mount, I use one that has two adjustable knobs allowing you to 1) change the orientation of filming from landscape to portrait and 2) secure your phone. I previously used the type of phone mount that ‘stretched’ to hold my phone, and this would drive me insane because it was so fiddly. This is a much better option. I could not find the exact products I use on Amazon, but here are similar ones below:
Lightning to headphone jack adaptor - https://amzn.to/34UNQ6x (Amazon NL) Tripod phone mount - https://amzn.to/33nlXE4 (Amazon NL)
Summary
In summary, I hope the above list has been helpful to you. My best piece of advice is not to buy a new camera and to start vlogging with your smart phone instead. It doesn’t have to be the latest smart phone either and in fact, I started vlogging on an iphone 6s which was perfectly acceptable. Please do get in touch if you have any questions about the above gear, and I shall try my best to answer them. Good luck!
Disclaimer
All the above gear, tools and services are ones that I use on a regular basis and would recommend. Wherever possible I use a referral or affiliate link, which means that if you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you, and it won’t cost you any more than if you bought the item directly on the same website instead. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and related sites. I also take no responsibility for any loss or damage you suffer based on any of the recommendations I have made, or any third party links that have been provided. Thank you.
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