Best Camera for Podcasting 2023: 8 Top Picks [December]
- By Sebastiaan van 't Hoog
- Updated 7 december 2023
Podcasts are becoming more popular every day, everyone listens to a podcast at some point and with so much choice it’s hard to be different from the competition. A good podcast camera goes a long way, everyone prefers to watch a professional-looking podcast.
With years of experience as a professional photographer, I have owned countless cameras and therefore I know exactly what to look for if you want to buy a camera.
In this article, I’ll tell you exactly what the best camera for podcasting is, and not only that, I’ll also give you the best price. This way you can test your new camera and record podcasts as quickly as possible.
Best cameras listed
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. You can support me without any additional fees. I used some of the products mentioned, not all.
What is the best camera for podcasting?
I have years of experience with cameras, I have bought dozens of them and know exactly what to look for. Of course, I didn’t pick every random camera and put it on the list, because then it is of no use to you.
I want you to buy the best camera for your needs, if you have never bought a camera before I will certainly not recommend the most expensive camera, but rather a more cheaper beginner camera for podcasting. My goal is for you to make the best podcasts and I will help you with that.
While selecting the cameras I looked at video resolution, 4K24p is good enough because you won’t play it in slow-motion and this gives you the most cinematic look, precisely what we’re looking for.
The additional functions such as autofocus and overheating are also requirements that I have placed on the cameras, so you can expect them to all be good in this area.
Once you find a camera for podcasting, I recommend some lenses. After all, a good camera is not much use without a lens!
Let’s start right away with the first camera.
Best video camera for podcasting
Sony FX30
Sebas' take
To produce professional quality podcasts you need a good camera that does not overheat quickly. Now the Sony FX30 is the perfect camera for that. It is a Sony cine camera, which means it has internal cooling.
You can film up to 4K120fps, which is nice for a while. You don’t need more than 4K24p during podcasts, the FX30 can do that without a problem. It also has built-in stabilization, you can get some cool handheld footage without too much shake.
All in all, I think the FX30 is the best video camera for podcasting.
Outstanding features
- 26 MP sensor
- 4K 120p video
- Oversampled 4K video
- Deep learning autofocus
- Internal cooling
What I like/dislike about the Sony FX30
Like
- I’ve got many great things to mention about the FX30, let’s start with the first one. It is a video-centric camera, meaning the buttons are well-placed for filmmakers and podcasters. You can take photos, but you don’t have the unnecessary viewfinder.
- With so many mounting options you can mount accessories to the FX30, such as an XLR module for extra microphones. This is a unique feature of the FX30, making it the best video camera for podcasting.
- Battery life is great, you can shoot up to 2 hours of 4K24p without overheating. After that, the battery died. I suggest using a wall charger with a USB-C cable to charge the camera while shooting.
- The autofocus is great, it recognizes eyes without any problem. Even when over or underexposed to 6 stops, it can track the eyes of your guests.
- A small detail that I like is the red light on the front of the camera, you can always see if it’s recording or suddenly stopped recording.
Dislike
- When shooting in 4K120p mode, you get a large crop. Your lens can seem a lot tighter with this mode, compared to the 4K24p video mode.
Best camera lens for podcasting
There are many lenses available for the Sony FX30, but I’ve picked a few that are the best camera lenses for podcasting. They are not the most expensive lenses, but as I indicated, you don’t need those.
Sony 10-20mm – This lens is very wide so you can capture a lot. If you want an overview shot with all the guests, you need this lens.
Sony 18-105mm – This is an all-round lens, allowing you to get both wide and zoomed shots. This way you can also get close to the guests.
Sony 70-200mm – With this telephoto lens you can get really close to the guests, without the camera being in the view of the other cameras. You know those TikToks where the guest is in the spotlight? That’s done with this.
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Best budget camera for podcasting
Panasonic FZ300
Sebas' take
You may not want to buy a ton of equipment and I totally understand that. A compact camera is the solution, especially one that can zoom in far and maintain the best quality.
The Panasonic FZ300 is the best budget camera for podcasting, might even be my go to camera for under $1000. With the ability to record 4K videos with stabilization it becomes a challenge to record unprofessional podcasts. The lens is also very good, I’ll talk about that in a moment.
Outstanding features
- 12 MP sensor
- Image stabilization
- 4K30p video
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- 24x optical zoom
- HDMI output
What I like/dislike about the Panasonic FZ300
Like
- If you shoot 4K videos, the image looks great. It was actually a surprise to me, as this is a budget camera for podcasting and most other cheap cameras are terrible quality.
- The FZ300 has a constant aperture of F2.8, which means the image doesn’t get darker if you zoom in. In low-light situations, such as a studio, the image will also be crispy and sharp.
- It has a 600mm zoom range, which makes it easy to create a focused shot on your guest, you know, those we see on TikTok.
- The 4K video mode is great, the sharpness is spot on and the colors look vibrant and vivid.
Dislike
- The FZ300 does not have the best autofocus, you don’t have these fancy ai technology. I recommend using manual autofocus so you’re sure that the shot is in focus.
Best hybrid camera for podcasting
Fujifilm X-S20
Sebas' take
For a host that has slightly higher standards, the Fujifilm X-S20 is a great device. You don’t often need a 6K video mode, but when you do, the X-S20 can at least do it.
You can of course also record 4K videos without recording limits. To ensure that the camera does not overheat, you can purchase an external cooling fan, which you can place on the back.
All in all, the X-S20 is the best hybrid camera for podcasting.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Fujifilm X-S20!
Outstanding features
- 26 MP sensor
- Image stabilization
- 6K30p video
- 4K60p video
- External cooling fan
What I like/dislike about the Fujifilm X-S20
Like
- Autofocus is fast and accurate. It tracks the eyes perfectly in video mode, which is most important for podcasting.
- You can shoot up to 6.2K30p video, which is the most outstanding feature of the XS20. The image looks great and you have a lot of detail. It is perfect for cropping (Reels/TikTok).
- You can shoot F-Log2, which is one of the best profiles on the market. It looks natural and gives you lots of creative options in post-processing.
- When setting the warning temperature to ‘high’, the X-S20 can film for a long period. You have an external fan option if you want to shoot hours of podcasts.
- The battery life is great too, you can get about 2.5 hours of continuous recording on one battery, which is outstanding for a camera like this.
Dislike
- If you want to record for a long time, you should connect the external cooling fan, which can be annoying after a while.
Best camera lens for podcasting
There are many lenses available for the Fujifilm X-S20, but I’ve picked a few that are the best camera lenses for podcasting. They are not the most expensive lenses, but as I indicated, you don’t need those.
Fujifilm 8mm – This lens is very wide so you can capture a lot. If you want an overview shot with all the guests, you need this lens.
Fujifilm 16-80mm – This is an all-round lens, allowing you to get both wide and zoomed shots. This way you can also get close to the guests.
Fujifilm 50-140mm – With this telephoto lens you can get really close to the guests, without the camera being in the view of the other cameras. You know those TikToks where the guest is in the spotlight? That’s done with this.
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Best full-frame camera for podcasting
Lumix S5 II
Sebas' take
You may need to record in a dark environment or simply want a full-frame sensor. Then the Panasonic S5 II is the camera for you. The full-frame sensor is very good in dark conditions and high ISOs.
With the 6K video function, you can zoom in a lot, but for unlimited podcasts, you should record in 4K. This way you know that the camera does not overheat and therefore does not suddenly stop recording.
Overall, the S5 II is the best full-frame camera for podcasts.
Holidays: Get $300 off your Panasonic S5 II!
Outstanding features
- 24 MP full-frame sensor
- 6K30p video
- 4K60p video
- No video limit (8-bit)
- Pretty affordable
What I like/dislike about the Lumix S5 II
Like
- The S5 II has a full-frame sensor, which is the first camera on the list with such a sensor. This ensures much better image quality in the shadows and at high ISOs
- With the 6K video function, you can digitally zoom in while maintaining 4K quality, but you do need a super-fast SD card for this and it is really not necessary for podcasting
- You have no video limits if you record 4K in 8-bit, so you can film for an unlimited amount of time without any problems. An hour-long podcast is therefore a piece of cake
- In terms of specs, the S5 II has a good price-quality ratio, you will not easily find a better camera for this price
Dislike
- If you want to record 6K videos or 10-bit videos, the camera has a limit of 30 minutes per recording, so keep this in mind
Best camera lens for podcasting
There are many lenses available for the Panasonic S5 II, but I’ve picked a few that are the best camera lenses for podcasting. They are not the most expensive lenses, but as I indicated, you don’t need those.
Panasonic 14-28mm – This lens is very wide so you can capture a lot. If you want an overview shot with all the guests, you need this lens.
Panasonic 24-105mm – This is an all-round lens, allowing you to get both wide and zoomed shots. This way you can also get close to the guests.
Panasonic 70-200mm – With this telephoto lens you can get really close to the guests, without the camera being in the view of the other cameras. You know those TikToks where the guest is in the spotlight? That’s done with this.
Today's best deal
Best compact camera for podcasting
Canon G7X III
Sebas' take
Just like the FZ300, the Canon G7X III is a compact camera or rather a point-and-shoot camera. This is useful if you want to record something quickly without too much hassle in advance. I wouldn’t want to spend half an hour setting up the cameras while you should be focusing on the podcast.
With the 4K video function, the G7X III is at least good enough for podcasts, and the lens on it is also not bad. You can’t change it, but you don’t have to. I’d get the G7X III if you want the best compact camera for podcasting.
Outstanding features
- 20 MP sensor
- 4K30p video
- 4x optical zoom
- F1.8-F2.8 aperture
- Lightweight & compact
What I like/dislike about the Canon G7X III
Like
- The camera is very small and compact, so you can put it in any pocket. You often have to take a whole setup with you, but you know what I mean.
- With a 4x optical zoom, you can shoot both wide shots and telephoto shots, then you don’t have to buy any other cameras and a pair of G7Xs should be enough.
- An aperture of F1.8-F2.8 is excellent, this lets in a lot of light so you don’t have to set the ISO so high; in short, the image quality remains very high.
- Of course, you can record 4K videos at 30fps, you don’t need more than that so you don’t have to spend money unnecessarily on a better camera.
Dislike
- You don’t have professional features like C-Log3 for an improved post-processing process, you really have to buy another camera for that.
Best camera for YouTube podcasting
Sony A7 IV
Sebas' take
Sony has always been good with video cameras, the first camera on the list is also from Sony. With the Sony A7 IV, you can increase the quality a bit, it is not a cinema camera, but you don’t necessarily need that.
You can record 4K videos, which is of course a must. You also have built-in stabilization, external connectors, and very good noise performance. All in all, the Sony A7 IV is the best full-frame camera for YouTube podcasting.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Sony A7 IV!
Outstanding features
- 33 MP full-frame sensor
- 4K60p (S35 mode)
- 4K30p oversampled
- Built-in stabilization
- Professional log format (S-Log3)
- Deep learning autofocus
What I like/dislike about the Sony A7 IV
Like
- Just like the other cameras, I have a ot of good things to say about the A7 IV. The quality seems to be perfect for podcasting, with the full-frame sensor, the image seems to be crisp and vibrant. You can shoot S-Log3, which is widely used by other podcasters to get a cinematic look.
- With the 4K30p function, you have an oversampling of 7K, which means that the image of the entire sensor is reduced to a 4K format. This gives you better sharpness and a lot of less noise when using a higher ISO.
- The autofocus is of the highest level, the camera tracks the eyes perfectly, even in darkly lit environments. I shouldn’t worry too much about this feature, you can focus on more important aspects of running a podcast.
Dislike
- You can’t record 4K60p videos using the entire sensor, so that can be quite a disadvantage if you want to record any type of slow motion in 4K.
- If you don’t set the overheating option to ‘high’, the A7 IV will overheat quite quickly. You can fix this by changing this setting and not putting the camera in the sun.
Best camera lens for podcasting
There are many lenses available for the Sony A7 IV, but I’ve picked a few that are the best camera lenses for podcasting. They are not the most expensive lenses, but as I indicated, you don’t need those.
Sony 12-24mm – This lens is very wide so you can capture a lot. If you want an overview shot with all the guests, you need this lens.
Sony 24-105mm – This is an all-round lens, allowing you to get both wide and zoomed shots. This way you can also get close to the guests.
Sony 70-200mm – With this telephoto lens you can get really close to the guests, without the camera being in the view of the other cameras. You know those TikToks where the guest is in the spotlight? That’s done with this.
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Best podcast camera for professionals
Canon C70
Sebas' take
If you really want to do it professionally, you need the Canon C70. This is truly one of the best cine cameras for podcasts. It is very large and bulky, but most often, it is still on a tripod.
With the sensor specially developed for video, you get the quality that you can expect in the cinema. In fact, the C70 is on Netflix’s list as an accepted camera. Well, that says it all, all in all, the best podcast camera for professionals.
Outstanding features
- 4K super 35MM sensor
- 4K120fps slow-motion
- C-Log2 and C-Log3
- Internal ND-filters
- 16 stops dynamic range
- Internal cooling fan
What I like/dislike about the Canon C70
Like
- With a 4K120p video function without crop, the C70 is truly unique in its kind, no camera on this list can do that (not that you use slow-motion often, but oh well).
- Internal ND filters are very useful if you want to keep the shutter speed at 1/50 for that cinematic frame rate, you don’t have to reduce the aperture. This is what makes videos look professional.
- You don’t have to worry about overheating, with the internal cooling fan the C70 really doesn’t overheat, especially when you record 4K24p.
- Because the C70 is a cinema camera, there are plenty of ports with which you can connect additional equipment, such as microphones or monitors.
Dislike
- The camera is very large and has quite a learning curve, so not every beginner can handle it. So a little experience is required unless you like a challenge.
Best camera lens for podcasting
There are many lenses available for the Canon C70, but I’ve picked a few that are the best camera lenses for podcasting. They are not the most expensive lenses, but as I indicated, you don’t need those.
Canon 14-35mm – This lens is very wide so you can capture a lot. If you want an overview shot with all the guests, you need this lens.
Canon 24-105mm – This is an all-round lens, allowing you to get both wide and zoomed shots. This way you can also get close to the guests.
Canon 70-200mm – With this telephoto lens you can get really close to the guests, without the camera being in the view of the other cameras. You know those TikToks where the guest is in the spotlight? That’s done with this.
What should you look for in a camera for podcasts?
Video quality & resolution
Of course, the most important thing to look at is the image quality of a camera for podcasts. You want a professional appearance and everything must be sharp. You may also have to zoom in digitally, which means you need a high resolution.
Cameras that can record at least 4K videos are preferred, so you can easily zoom in to maintain 1080p quality. That is more than sufficient for social media such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
You also need a good lens, because without a good lens, you can shake things. Of course, I have already recommended some lenses for each camera, the more expensive lenses are often of better quality. Because you post podcasts on the internet, the lens does not have to be of the best quality.
That difference in sharpness is hardly visible. So look for a camera that can record at least 4K videos.
Autofocus
This is a not entirely unimportant part, because you can have the best camera with a good lens if the image is not in focus you can throw the image away. Therefore, you can choose two ways to focus.
The first is simple, you put the camera on a tripod and you set the lens to manual focus. This way the camera cannot focus incorrectly and your subject is always sharp. This is not always useful, if your subject moves (left, right, front, or back) it will no longer be in focus.
That’s why I recommend you look at a camera that has good tracking. If the camera can recognize faces, it is actually good enough. This way you don’t have to focus manually and if the subject moves, you don’t have to worry.
Connection options
Thirdly, this is very important because you probably use more than one camera if you have a podcast. With multiple guests, one camera is not enough.
To ensure all cameras are in sync, you can connect it to a computer, so an HDMI out is very important. Most cameras have a mini HDMI or micro HDMI, so they meet this requirement.
Battery life
Something that many people forget is the battery that you put in the camera. We all know that podcasts can sometimes last for hours and a camera that suddenly shuts down is not useful. Most mirrorless camera batteries are not good for long hours of filming.
That’s why you can buy an extra battery that has a power cable. This way you can charge it while you are recording a podcast.
There are cameras that can be charged using a power bank, most Nikon cameras are known for this. This is of course also an option in addition to a power cable.
Budget
I think it is important that you do not spend too much money unnecessarily, which is why I do not recommend the most expensive camera. There are plenty of cameras that are affordable and perfect for podcasting.
Determine your budget in advance and use that to start looking. I recommend cameras in every price segment, so there is certainly a suitable camera for podcasts.
Don’t forget that you also have to buy a lens with the camera, otherwise, it won’t be of much use. Microphones or studio lights may also be added. So you have to buy much more than just a camera.
Ease of use
Finally, ease of use is of course an important point to raise. You don’t want to spend half an hour setting up the cameras for every podcast episode. If you record in a studio that has the same lighting conditions all the time, you only have to set the camera once.
If you don’t know anything about cameras, the cheaper beginner cameras for podcasting are better. These have a user interface that is more aimed at beginners.
Best camera for podcasting FAQ
What is the best video camera for podcasting 2023?
The best camera for podcasting is the Sony FX30. This is a cine-line camera, which means the video features are a top priority. It can shoot up to 4K120p and shoots 4K24p oversampled.
With so many mounting options for external devices, such as microphones or monitors, it’s perfect for podcasts. The internal fan is pretty unique too, which makes shooting hours of video content much easier.
What is the budget camera for podcasting?
The cheapest camera for podcasting is the Panasonic FZ300, which costs under $500. Even though it has a low price, you can shoot up to 4K30p video, which really surprised me. It is by far the best 4K podcast camera under 500 dollars.
What is the best camera for YouTube podcasting?
The best camera for YouTube podcasting is the Sony A7 IV. It does have a full-frame sensor, which ensures a lot better quality, especially in poorly lit conditions. You can shoot up to 4K60p but with a crop.
If you shoot at 4K24p, you will have oversampled 7K footage, which gives you the crispest footage there is.
What is the best frames per second for a podcast?
In my opinion, the best framerate to use for podcasts is 24fps. This is the same framerate as practically any cinema movie and not without reason. It is the slowest framerate to us, with the most motion blur. This makes it natural for us to watch, but keep in mind to use a shutter speed of 1/50 for the best result.
Your podcast will immediately look more cinematic if you adapt these two settings, so I would take a second or two to change it.
What is the best podcasting camera setup?
If you’re looking to buy multiple cameras, I would choose the Sony FX30. With many options like S-Log, you can give every camera the same cinematic look. You won’t notice any difference between the two models. You can charge each camera with a USB-C cable, so you don’t need multiple batteries which is a must for me.
What is the best webcam for podcasting?
The best webcam for podcasting is the Logitech BRIO Ultra HD Pro. This webcam provides great quality and can shoot up to 90 frames a second. This is by far the best 4K webcam for podcasts, it even has features like autofocus and digital zoom.
With a field of view of 90 degrees, you can focus on yourself without too much of the background showing. It is also a plug-and-play webcam, making it great for any beginner out there.
Conclusion
Now it’s your turn to make a choice. There are many cameras for podcasting that you can choose from. Now that you know the pros and cons of each camera, you can make a choice.
Important aspects are of course the video quality, sensor size, framerates, autofocus, and mounting options. Every camera on this list is very good on these points in particular, although they are not all the same.
Take your time to read the reviews I have written for most cameras and then make the choice, I want you to choose the right camera based on this blog!
Let me know through a comment which camera you’re going to buy and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write a comment too.
Who is Sebastiaan?
Hi! I am Sebastiaan, the writer of this blog. With years of experience as a professional photographer, I want to share my expertise with you. From recommending cameras and lenses to giving tips that make a world of difference, that’s what I enjoy doing most.
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