The 5 Best Vlogging Cameras With Flip Screens - Black Friday 2021 Reviews

The best mirrorless camera that we've tested for vlogging with a flip screen is the Fujifilm X-T4. This APS-C model feels very well-built and comes with a fully articulated touchscreen that's bright enough to overcome glare in sunny conditions. It has a full array of inputs and outputs, along with a hot shoe to mount an external flash or auxiliary mic. It can also record 10-bit video internally and outputs exceptionally high-quality video files.

It delivers incredible video quality in more controlled lighting conditions, making it a great option for sit-down vloggers or those with studio setups. It's more grainy in low light but still decent overall. Its autofocus is also exceptional and is capable of both eye and face tracking to ensure you're always in focus. The camera also has in-body image stabilization and does a fantastic job smoothing out camera shake when walking at a moderate pace, great for on-the-go vlogging.

That said, it's not the most portable camera and can feel somewhat heavy depending on what lens you use. It's decently comfortable to use, although the shoulder strap attachment points may get in the way when using it handheld. On the upside, it has a great battery life, although this can vary depending on settings and usage habits. Overall, it's among the best mirrorless cameras we've tested and is a good choice for vlogging if you want a more advanced video and stills camera.

If you'd rather use a DSLR, the best vlogging camera with a flip screen among the DSLRs we've tested is the Canon EOS Rebel SL3. This APS-C camera is compact and lightweight relative to other DSLR cameras, so it's easy to take with you on the go and makes it a good choice for vlogging. It also has a fully articulated screen that you can flip around to face you and ensure you're always in frame.

The camera feels comfortable to use and has a remarkably easy-to-navigate menu system, so you can easily adjust settings on the fly. It records video in both 4k and 1080p, with excellent video quality in brighter lighting conditions. It comes with an array of inputs and outputs, including a mini HDMI port and both headphone and microphone jacks. Its autofocus system also does a superb job keeping moving subjects in focus when shooting in 1080p.

That said, the autofocus performs poorly in 4k, and the camera is limited to shooting 4k at a 24 fps frame rate with a severe 1.54x crop. You also can't shoot at 24 fps in 1080p, leaving only 30 fps and 60 fps options in that resolution. It also lacks in-body image stabilization, so you have to rely on your lens for optical stabilization to reduce camera shake. Still, this is one of the best DSLR cameras we've tested, and most vloggers should be satisfied with it.

If you'd rather use a compact point-and-shoot for vlogging, the best compact vlogging camera that we've tested with a flip screen is the Sony ZV-1. It's remarkably lightweight and portable yet still features a fully articulated touchscreen as well as a small handgrip for a more comfortable grip. It's designed with vloggers in mind and comes with a detachable windscreen for its built-in microphone to reduce wind noise when shooting outdoors.

The camera comes with several vlogging-friendly features, including a dedicated 'Background Defocus' button meant to quickly toggle between a shallow and wide depth of field, along with specific autofocus settings like 'Product Showcase', which is supposed to shift focus to objects held up in frame. Its autofocus system is incredibly effective, reliably tracking moving subjects in both 4k and FHD. The camera also delivers excellent 4k video quality and decent FHD video quality when shooting in brighter lighting conditions.

That said, its battery life is disappointingly short when recording video, and it tends to overheat and shut down frequently when recording continuously for longer periods at its highest settings. However, battery performance and overheating risk can vary drastically with settings and usage habits. All in all, this camera's vlogging features, consistent autofocus, and good video quality make it a great choice for vlogging.