This guide covers the hardware that you will need (some required and some optional) to create high quality videos by yourself! It includes video camera options at various price points and some gear that will help improve your video quality. While this guide does make recommendations, you should test out any hardware you have first - you do not necessarily need to purchase new items for good video quality.
This guide contains information and recommendations about non-vetted tools. These tools are not part of the academic toolbox and are not supported. If you are implementing a non-vetted tool in your course, we encourage you to review our guide to safely implementing un-vetted tools in your course. It helps to ensure that you are implementing these tools according to U of T's guidelines for third party tools. We want you to use great tools in your course - but safely, securely, and thoughtfully.
Grabbing a dedicated video camera separate from your webcam to record course content is a great option for upping your video quality. It allows you to record from multiple angles if you have more than one camera and generally achieve greater visual clarity and detail. In many cases, you can even use the video camera to replace your webcam.
After you've selected your camera, you will also want to think about your microphone and your other recording accessories.
Jump to:
- Phone Cameras
- Compact Cameras
- Interchangeable-lens Cameras
Phone Cameras vs Compact Cameras vs Interchangeable-lens Cameras
| Phone Cameras | Compact Cameras |
Interchangeable-lens Cameras |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $600-$1,000 | $1,000+ |
| Easy of use | Easiest | Beginner | Intermediate+ |
| Video quality | High (for phones above $700, released in the last 5 years) | High | Best |
| Filming in low light | Grainy footage | Grainy footage | Clean footage |
| Background blur | Least | Some | Most |
Phone Camera
Phone cameras have come a long way. Depending on which phone you have, your phone's camera might rival with professional cameras at the same price point, or more. If you have a phone that was released within the last 5 years, and it retailed for $700 or more, your phone can likely record high-quality videos.
Depending on your comfort level, you can either just point the camera and hit record, or, to get the best quality out of the camera, use a 3rd party camera app that allows you to manual control exposure, focus, and recording format.
The "Point & Hit Record" Way
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Using 3rd Party Camera App
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Notable 3rd Party Camera Apps
These 3rd party camera apps will allow you to fully customize your phone's camera settings. Some of these settings include:
- Exposure
- Video codec
- Focus
- Guides
| Android | iOS |
|---|---|
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Avoid using your phone's built-in microphone to record the audio, as it often picks up lots of room reverberation and ambient noises. Use wireless earbuds with a mic or lavalier mics to capture better audio quality if you can.
Compact Cameras (Point & Shoot)
1. Sony ZV-1F
The Sony ZV-1F ($649.99) is a great, entry level compact camera that is designed for self-capturing. It offers up to 4K recording resolution with many convenient features for self-capturing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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2. Sony ZV-1
Aimed at content creators, Sony ZV-1 ($999.99) is a pocketable camera that is great for recording video with its shallower depth of field, and snappy autofocus.
| The Pros (Upsides) | The Cons (Downsides) |
|---|---|
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3. GoPro Hero 12
While the GoPro Hero 12 ($479.99) is aimed for action, it packs impressive hardware that can produce high quality videos.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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1. Interchangeable-lens Cameras (ILC)
These are for people who already have intermediate knowledge of camera equipment or who are interested in becoming knowledgeable in videography. These cameras typically offer the most customization and video quality compared to phone cameras and compact cameras. That said, ILCs are often an expensive investment because you will need to research and buy the lens separately.
This guide won't be able to cover enough information to help you decide on which camera and lens to buy, but it will provide an example of an ILC.
1.1. Panasonic Lumix GH6
The Lumix GH6 ($2,899.99) is a mirrorless ILC with advanced features tailored to video creators. Key features include:
- Up to 5.7K recording
- RAW, 12-bit video recording
- Internal ProRes recording
- Direct recording to SSD
- 7.5-stop image stabilization
During COVID-19, many items are being sold for much more than their original price (especially by resellers). Please use your due diligence to investigate the seller before purchase - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is (see How-To-Geek's article on How to avoid fake and scammy Amazon sellers).