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The Best Cameras for Filming on TikTok

TikTok is an aspirational place on the internet for many. Its addictive style of short-form video content makes it appeal to entertainers, creators, artists and businesses across the globe, and its algorithm is hugely rewarding to consistently quality content.

Running a successful TikTok page is a professional endeavour, and if you look to reach the heights of social media stardom then production value is crucial. Luckily, photography manufacturers are releasing a wealth of hybrid and video-focused cameras for all kinds of creators, especially tailored towards the rise of TikTok and other short-form content platforms.

If you want to explore the best cameras for shooting on TikTok, then keep reading, as we discuss the perfect professional tools to help your social media presence grow, and produce videos that you’re proud of!

What makes the best camera for TikTok?

As TikTok and other social media platforms have skyrocketed, brands have tried their hardest to assist creators by tailoring their cameras towards them. The last 10 years have seen the true advent of the ‘hybrid camera’ – that is, one that is at the top of its class for both photography and video, thought of as all-rounders.

Beyond hybrid cameras, even more specialised cameras have been released for video content creators. These are known as vlogging cameras in the industry, but don’t let this new-age term fool you into thinking they’re a fad. They combine the best of modern video specs with excellent usability, making them the best cameras for TikTok.

All modern mirrorless cameras offer professional resolutions. Entry-level and compact video cameras are now capable of filming high frame rate 4K, with the best hybrid options and professional vlogging systems reaching up to 8K video. Autofocus performance too is in a better place now than it ever has been, with both stills and video sharing the benefits of deep-learning autofocus algorithms.

Versatility of use is also crucial. This is why a lot of vlog and hybrid cameras make their compact form factor a big marketing point – having a light system that requires little to no setup streamlines your entire process. Automated features and quality-of-life tweaks like vari-angle screens and creative video features are also important to look for, as they improve your recording experience greatly.

Best compact video camera

For those looking to get started with filming professional TikTok content, a compact vlogging camera will work wonders. These offer a comfortable entry point for those starting, but they transcend the reputation of a budget video camera with specs that enable high-end footage.

To get started, beginners should look towards the tiny Sony ZV-1F, the best budget video camera on the market. This fixed lens option is a vlogger’s perfect companion, with its 20mm equivalent lens complementing run-and-gun style video. 

Whilst being a cheaper alternative to other vlogging cameras, it still provides 4K/30p footage whilst remaining easy to use. And, while it lacks certain amenities like a headphone jack or in-body image stabilisation, it makes up for it with useful features like a vari-angle screen.

If you’re looking for versatility beyond the fixed lens of the ZV-1F, then you’re in luck! The Sony ZV-1 II takes a step up from the former with an 18-50mm equivalent zoom range, and extra features like a much improved internal microphone and the Cinematic Vlog setting. Internal timecode support means using an external microphone instead (like the street interviewer’s favourite, the DJI MIC 2) is seamless in post-production.

Best professional camera for TikTok

The recently released Sony ZV-E10 II is an improved iteration of the incredibly popular ZV-E10. It’s easy to see why this Sony video camera is a fan favourite – it introduces interchangeable-lens capability to a relatively inexpensive vlog camera, allowing for a widely accessible introduction to the offerings of the Sony E-Mount.

This iteration has an improved processor in the BIONZ XR, which combines perfectly with almost 80% more autofocus points for exceptional performance. In the resolution department, 4K60p video is improved from a previous maximum of 30p. Shooting is surprisingly simple, with an impressive new intelligent on-camera microphone which foregoes the need for an external mic.

While this may not be relevant to most TikTokers, anyone looking to branch out into more artistic video production will love Sony’s new S-Cinetone and Creative Look modes. It even enables user LUT import to apply a custom aesthetic preset to all of your videos. 

For more detail, too, the ZV-E10 II can now oversample from 5.6K to compress huge amounts of information into beautiful 4K footage. This means that the ZV-E10 II is Sony's best camera for vlogging behind the ZV-E1 professional video camera (which, for the purpose of TikTok, may be a little bit overkill!).

What TikTokers will love is the seamless integration of the vertical format. The layout of the display automatically switches orientation when it detects that it’s being used vertically, marking a surprising improvement in ease of use for short-form content creators. With the vari-angle screen enabling selfie-style recording, the ZV-E10 is truly a great vlogging camera.

Lens kits with the Sony E 16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom lens are available for both the ZV-E10 II and its predecessor. This focal range enables your video camera to become a vlogging workhorse, with an optically stabilised standard zoom. At such a small size, too, handholding your system is a breeze.

Compatible with all Sony vlogging cameras, the Sony GP-VPT2BT video camera tripod grip triples up as a support, a handle and a remote control for versatile content on the go.

Hybrid cameras for TikTok

Lots of creators are drawn to hybrid cameras as they don’t want to paint themselves into a corner with their content. While dedicated video cameras are incredible performers in their way, cameras are a serious investment. This leads creators tempted by photography (whether as a hobby or for their brand) to look towards hybrid cameras.

Due to this popularity, the number of hybrid cameras on the market now is immensely large. Almost all of the big brands’ full-frame mirrorless flagships are capable of resolutions beyond 4K, to the point where virtually all leading models in the industry act as all-rounders.

For TikTok, however, the onus on having flagship performance in either field isn’t necessarily strong. All you’ll need is standard performance and ease of use. For this, we’ve listed some of our favourite cameras which combine video and photography excellence under the umbrella of accessibility.

• Canon EOS R50: the perfect entry-level mirrorless camera for both photo and video enthusiasts. Vlogging performance is notably impressive, and its 24MP APS-C sensor balances quality, size and price. Social media-friendly features make it perfect for a TikTok creator.
• Sony A6700: another APS-C option; this slightly pricier model builds on the video benefits of the ZV-E10 II with beautiful 26MP stills. Its compact design makes it handy for versatile content creation.
• Panasonic Lumix GH5 II: the Micro Four-Thirds sensor in this camera gives room for 6.5 stops of IBIS, enabling universally steady footage and stills.
• Fujifilm X-S20: Fujifilm X Series cameras are perfect for enthusiasts – this model in particular enables extremely detailed 6.2K video in a classy, light design.

Best action cameras for TikTok

An action camera can help you to capture perspectives that wouldn’t be possible with either a vlogging camera or a smartphone. By being designed for unique conditions and filming on the go, action cameras produce the same beautiful footage seen from other 4K video cameras but manage their size and durability to widen the scope of their use.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is an exemplary action video camera, in that it boasts a built-in gimbal whilst remaining smaller than a TV remote at 176 g and only five inches tall. It records 4K video at an impressive 120 fps and has a rotatable screen which switches between true vertical and horizontal video, perfect for TikTok content creators looking to produce thrilling content.

The Insta360 GO 3 Action Cam is the smallest of its kind in the world, which, amazingly, is capable of ultra-wide 2.7K video. It’s vastly versatile, being both wearable and waterproof up to 5m. For social media, it enables a wide variety of both vertical and horizontal aspect ratios and automated AI editing, too.

If you're looking for more traditional action video cameras, choices like the Insta360 Ace Pro 8K and the DJI Osmo Action 4 are incredibly popular for the paradoxical performance they provide in such a small package. Both of these are weather-sealed and can be paired with an abundance of action camera accessories for mounting almost anywhere. The opportunities are boundless!

What lens do I need for TikTok videos?

If you're choosing interchangeable lens cameras for filming TikToks, then your choice of lens is just as important. Whether it’s a leading hybrid option like the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, or a more video-focused choice like the Nikon Z30, then it’s important to know which lens will complement your style of video the best.

For talking-head style videos, which make up the majority of content on TikTok, a wide-angle lens would make a lot of sense. If this is all you’re doing, then it may make sense to pick up a prime lens. A 35mm prime lens is arguably the best lens for TikTok as its wide angle means you can minimise the distance between yourself and the camera. 

The wider aperture of a prime lens will also allow you to blur your background beautifully, giving your footage a premium quality. Without having to accommodate for a zoom mechanism, optical quality can be emphasised – something that the third-party Sigma Art Lens line shows off brilliantly.

For run-and-gun style vlogs, you may be tempted to go wider. A 20mm lens for instance will capture a vast field of view, so handheld vlogging becomes simple. In this case, you may want to look for optical stabilisation in a lens. While this is more important with telephoto lenses, it can help to circumvent the need for a gimbal when shooting handheld.

General vlogging may also be suited to a zoom lens. For this, a standard zoom is perfect. The 24-70mm range gives control over both wide angles and more long-range video.

Wider zoom ranges complement the previously mentioned run-and-gun style. The added versatility of a variable focal length may streamline your content creation process a surprising amount.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you pick out the best camera for social media - TikTok or otherwise - and will help you grow your online presence. On our blog, we have plenty of articles dedicated to helping you cultivate a following with photography and video under our Tips and Inspiration category. New, varied content is uploaded regularly, so stay tuned!

At Park Cameras, we stock a leading variety of new and used video cameras, along with all the video equipment needed for a professional production. Feel free to discover our range of digital cameras, lenses and more today, along with exclusive, limited-time offers.

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By Thom Pyle on 10/08/2024