Hey, that's a solid budget for getting started with vlogging and photography! The Sony ZV-E1 is a fantastic camera, but it's full frame and can get pricey once you add good lenses, potentially pushing past your 3000 USD. For someone new looking for ease of use but still a professional look, you might get more bang for your buck with an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds system, which are often more beginner friendly and let you invest more in lenses, which are super important for that professional look.

Consider checking out cameras like the Sony A6700 or ZV-E10. The A6700 is a great hybrid for both photos and video, while the ZV-E10 is more video focused. Both are easier to handle than the ZV-E1 for a beginner and can still give you amazing quality. Another strong contender is the Fujifilm X-S20, which is also excellent for both video and photos and has a great user experience. Canon's R50 or R10 are also good entry points into their mirrorless system.

With any of these, you could get a versatile zoom lens and maybe a fast prime lens (like a 50mm f/1.8 equivalent) within your budget, which will make a huge difference for that professional, blurry background look.

Lumix s9 perfect 1500 and it gives you, to buy a 24-70 2.8 and some microphones and you will be super good 6k open gate excellent sensitivity 10 bits of everything camera for years.

So much depends on what you want to video, and how. If you intend to walk around a lot then something like the DJI Pocket 3 is ideal because it's mechanically stabilised and produces great results in good and bad light, plus the optional microphones are great for easy audio. If you're doing static talking heads stuff indoors, then a mirrorless camera will give you the best (and cleaner) images. If you're doing action stuff or attaching a camera to a bike or car etc, then an action camera.

But to second other comments, get content up first with the gear you have. Then if your story and ideas gain subscribers, look at improving your gear in areas you think will make a difference.

I use my iphone 16, a DJI Mini 4 drone, a GoPro 10, and a dash cam for all my content. Don’t waste money on a fancy mirrorless until you NEED to. (I made that mistake, and never use that camera).

If you don't know anything, hold off on buying a camera. You can 100% make good, compelling content with your phone. And lots of vloggers prefer their phones for vlogging (even if they have nice cameras). And it's not unprofessional, it just means they're prioritizing speed/convenience/weight over image quality. Also, if you don't have any interest in learning how to use a camera, your image will probably look worse on a professional camera.

I recommend buying a microphone. A lavalier that can plug directly into your phone.

And then maybe use the idea of buying a nice camera as motivation to hit some milestone. 20 videos, or 1000 subscribers or something like that. Once you've made 20+ videos, you'll have a better idea of what you want/need in a camera, you'll know if you actually even like vlogging, and you might even decide you love how lightweight and convenient your phone is for vlogging.

What you need to do for vlogging is really really focus on your storytelling. The image quality comes last. Story! Story! Story!

I've built my entire channel with just a smartphone

I sent you a dm regarding something important

Check out the new Canon V1 or R50V.

Phone camera is the best. Or else get a Go pro.

cannon m50 works good and you'll get used to using cameras over a phone

Start with phone camera

Been using my phone for a year. Get just as much views and reach as someone i know who invested in a $1k vlogging camera. Start small.

I do have both ZV-1, had the osmo pocket 2 and have also insta 360

Let's start with osmo pocket, very very nice, not worth it tho, totally not worth it. It has limited use case and a camera definitely do it better once you are ready to step up the game, plus it's very simple to break it

ZV-1 for me it's a game changer. It's a professional masked as point and shoot. Raw pics that have soooo many information, videos are incredible, can use log and you integrated nd filter, what are we talking about? Plus you can do super slo mo video, have the sony autofocus and basically can work in any conditions (I usually use it during hiking, winter too). The limit is that the sensor isn't that big so, for pictures in low light it's not that good, for videos is fine (I also own a Sony A7III so that's my comparison)

Insta 360 X5 it's not in your list but definitely I suggest it. You have soooooo many options for vlogging (timelapse hyperlapse, starlapse, one lens like action cam, 360 etc) and you really have your imagination as limits. Mic are super nice, works super well in low light, you can use it underwater and I really can go on all day long.

For me, the choice is: how many time do you have in one place and are you willing to spend it to make vlog? If you have a looot of time, want to really think about the composition etc then ZV-1 is absolutely a must. If you want to not think about composition, want things to be more spontaneous, then a 360 allow you to record everything and then select what you want and need. If you have any specific questions just ask :)

Take this from someone who has both been an videographer, editor and also done quite a bit of vlogging as well:

For vlogging speed and convenience is king. You can honestly go with either of the cameras, but if I were to recommend something, I would go with the DJI Action 4 or 5 and then a second camera for everything else (Sony, canon or Lumix).

Why I would go with the DJI Action:

It fits in your pocket, shoots log (so you can colour grade it to match everything else), has amazing stabilization, is cheap, has an amazing in build microphone, easily pairs up with a DJI mic, handles lowlight surprisingly well, can be used in also extreme conditions, long battery life, but most importantly you can have it in your pocket and bring it out to film in under a few seconds. Even the Osmo pocket takes at least half a minute to have ready, while the DJI Action can be ready to film from pocket in under 5 seconds.

Now for all detail shots and everything else, I recommend you get a second camera such as any of your other options other than the pocket, since you want something with a bit more zoom for details.

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/06/01/lenovos-69-digicam-with-4k-video-and-a-built-in-ring-light-is-perfect-for-vlogging-and-podcasting/

I had the pocket 3 and hated it, terrible quality! I saw so many reviews saying it’s amazing but the iPhone takes significantly much better quality than the DJI - don’t recommend that

How much do you want to spend, and how large of a camera do you want to carry?

If you want maximum autofocus low light and sharpness, you could totally vlog with a canon r5ii

More compact but similar low light and results, Sony zv-e1 (not zv1)

For more reasonable options, see other comments

Sony ZV-E10

What makes it in your opinion the iPhone camera isn’t good enough out of interest ? An iPhone 12 recording in 4k will give you plenty good enough video (depending on what you want to do). Learn a bit of Color grading in davinci resolve and as someone else said use the Blackmagic camera app.

Start vlogging with what you have, learn what works and doesn’t and youpl avoid the trap of (like me) “if I only had this camera or that attachment “.

Don’t forget your audio as well and what you’ll use :)

DJI mics. I think audio at first is more important. Only because for myself, if I watch a video and the audio is subpar I will click away. But if the visual is subpar I will typically give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that’s just personal preference though. The DJI mics comes with two and has great features… you can check out my channel. There is a few where we are outside on windy days and you can’t tell at all. We use a Sony V10 like what someone else commented.

If you're doing any sort of moving, an action camera is the way to go. Otherwise, you will need a gimbal. I use gopro 12, it's got a really good picture, imagine stabilization, good mic, and it's waterproof. They are easy to use and cost less than half of a camera body.

Before you drop money, grab the blackmagic cam app off the app store. It's the company behind Da Vinci Resolve.

The app gives you a lot more control over how your iphone camera records. If it's still not what you want out of a camera then you can spend some money with confidence :D

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