10 Best Cameras For Beauty Blogging in 2021 [Expert Choices]

Beauty and fashion have dominated the industry forever and if you’re a beauty blogger/vlogger, it’s more important than ever to get the proper setup to get the best quality photos and videos possible. Coming here looking for the beauty video camera was one of the smartest things you could have done as I have made sure there is something for everyone.

Things like sheer quality, colors, exposure, lighting, etc., are extremely important when it comes to beauty blogging. This is why full-fledged cameras are more suited compared to something like your smartphone. Cameras provide you with more control over all of those things I’ve mentioned above and help you get exactly what you need.

In this article, I’ve selected the top 10 cameras for anyone, from beginners to professionals. Multiple price segments have been covered and I’ve made sure that there are proper devices to cover all types of beauty blogging. This applies to websites and blogs, as well as videos, for those on YouTube on other digital platforms.

Best Cameras For Beauty Blogging in 2021

All of the cameras listed here have gone through a thorough evaluation and only after qualifying based on multiple factors, the final ones have been listed out here. Cameras from some specific brands didn’t make the cut because of how they process colors or simply because they cost too much money, but were targeted towards a totally different type of audience.

1. Best Overall: Sony ZV-E10

Sony’s mid-range cameras have gotten really good at handling photos as well as videos on a semi-professional level. The Sony ZV-E10 has to be one of the most interesting additions to this category. It has some mouthwatering features for a very attractive price and it is also targeted towards creative professionals such as yourself.

Design & Build

The design of the ZV-E10 is highly influenced by Sony’s ZV-1 and A-series Mirrorless cameras. The squared-off shape remains while it gets a grip and Alpha branding while still lacing an EVF because it’s a ZV series camera. Other than that, you also get a 3-inch vari-angle flip LCD touchscreen that helps if you want to film or shoot yourself.

The build quality has seen some improvements over its predecessor and it’s pretty great for the price. The camera feels more premium in hand and it’s slightly more solid too. The grip adds a nice touch and a weight of just 0.75 lbs makes it easily operable using just one hand. The improvements without any significant hike in price is remarkable.

Photo & Video Capabilities

The company is using a 24.2MP APS-C sensor which brings some massive improvements for videos as well as photos in the ZV lineup of cameras. Thanks to the bigger sensor size, you get better low-light performance and there is a 1.52x crop which is the default for APS-C sensors.

Coming to photos, the ZV-E10 takes excellent quality shots in daylight and it even does really well in low-light compared to its predecessor. The colors look accurate, the dynamic range is good and you can even shoot in a manual setting if you’re into that. The depth-of-field will be dependent on the lens, but the sensor does seem to handle that better too.

For video, Sony has laid all the cards on the table with support for up to 4K 30 FPS for regular and up to 1080P 120 FPS for slow-mo video, HDR video recording in HLG, RAW video recording in Slog2 & S-log3, and creator-focused modes like Product Showcase & Beautification mode. So, you won’t be missing out on features on this camera.

Battery Life

The NP-FW50 isn’t crazy when it comes to capacity, but on a smaller camera like the ZV-E10, it performs impressively well. It pulls 440 images on a single charge or 80 minutes of 4K video recording (125 minutes with Continuous recording), which is pretty good battery life in this segment.

Should you get the ZV-E10?

For the majority of users looking to get the best they can without breaking their wallets, the Sony ZV-E10 is the best camera for makeup tutorials and pictures. It has all the features that you’d expect from much pricier cameras and it’s pretty good for shooting both photos and videos.

2. Best All-rounder Under $1000: Canon EOS M6 II

There is a lot of talk about how Canon processes color and the Canon EOS M6 II is a great option for putting all of that into beauty blogging without breaking the bank. It’s an all-rounder performer from the company which fits perfectly for both clicking high-quality photos and videos. This is one of the finest mirrorless cameras under $1000 that I can recommend.

Design & Build

Being the top of the line camera in Canon’s APS-C clan, the EOS M6 Mark II takes a more professional approach to the design while still maintaining that compact form factor. You get all the necessary on-body control that you may need, and there is also a 3 inch LCD touchscreen that flips around. The display is moderately bright and shouldn’t be a problem for shooting outdoors.

Build quality is also a major focus for this camera. It feels way more premium compared to the cheaper M50 II and it’s also a bit heftier at 0.9 lbs while still being considerably lightweight for handheld use. The overall build quality is really nice and it feels solid in the hand as well.

Photo & Video Capabilities

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is the best APS-C camera the company currently makes and that huge 32.5MP sensor does show that. It holds out really well in good lighting, as well as in low lighting situations and it really produces those photos and videos in super high quality.

Speaking of the photos in general, they come out with excellent colors, great dynamic range, good separation between shadows and highlights, well-controlled noise levels in low-light, and you can also shoot in heavy manual customization if you want. Indoors or outdoors this works great for beauty blogging.

For video, you get up to 4K 30 FPS and 1080P 60 FPS regular alongside, 1080P 120 FPS slow motion. You do not have the option to shoot in HDR but you can shoot RAW video in Canon’s log profile. The video quality is great for beauty blogging with vivid colors, really good dynamic range, and surprisingly impressive low-light performance.

Battery Life

The company is using an LP-E17 Battery which provides somewhat medium-span battery life with up to 410 shots in Eco mode and up to 305 shots in regular mode. For video, you get up to 80 minutes of recording time in 4K. You can do it with just a single battery but I will still recommend keeping an extra one around.

Should you get the EOS M6 Mark II?

If you need something from Canon that is more professional yet compact, then the EOS M6 Mark II is the perfect mid-range camera for you. It shoots great photos and videos and it ups the quality from slightly more beginner options that may not be as good for beauty blogging as this one is.

3. Best Compact Nikon Camera: Nikon Z50

In the past, Nikon would have been a not-so-good choice when it came to fashion and beauty. However, with the shift to mirrorless, they have improved a lot. With the Nikon Z50, you can get better photos and videos under that $1000 price point, while retaining that familiar Nikon color science.

Design & Build

There was a huge shift in design for Nikon when they decided to switch from DSLR cameras to Mirrorless cameras and that acts as a much-needed advantage for the Z50. Although it borrows some design elements from the past, it is now much more compact, and modern looking. It also has a 3-inch display on the back, but it is a flip-down display which is a pretty weird choice.

The build quality is actually very similar to the other mirrorless cameras from the company in this segment. It has a nice, hard, and premium feel to it while maintaining a weight of just 0.87 lbs which is amazing considering how heavy Nikon cameras seemed to be in the past. You wouldn’t be able to shoot yourself, but it’s a bit tricky on a tripod.

Photo & Video Capabilities

Nikon has gone with a 20.9MP APS-C sensor for the Z50 and it works really great for beauty blogging. It can hold up really well in different types of lighting conditions including challenging ones, and it produces accurate skin tones for both photos and videos. This is a huge advantage over previous Nikon cameras in this price range and this certainly comes in handy while capturing human subjects.

Speaking of the photos, they look true to life, with realistic colors, good dynamic range, proper retention of detail, and good low-light performance as well. You get proper manual control which is also something pretty rare for mid-range Nikon cameras and thankfully you can also adjust the color temperature according to your needs.

Another area where Nikon used to compromise a lot was video. But this has changed drastically with their new mirrorless cameras. You can now shoot up to 4K 30 FPS video, 1080P 60 FPS video, or 1080P 120 FPS video if you are shooting slow motion. The video quality is also really crisp, with realistic colors, natural-looking skin tones, and you also finally get faster autofocusing.

Battery Life

Nikon is using an EN-EL25 battery which is again somewhat a medium performer with up to 300 shorts or 60 Minutes of 4K video on a single charge. How you use the camera Will definitely make an impact here, but definitely keep an extra battery around.

Should you get the Z50?

For those who always wanted a Nikon camera, but weren’t sure about the skin tones and color rendering for beauty Blogging, the Nikon Z50 doesn’t have any of those problems and it is actually much more sophisticated for the beauty industry. So, this is the perfect Nikon camera to get under $1000.

4. Best For Outdoor Shoots: Fujifilm X-S10

Fujifilm has always been a Photography first company and although the situation hasn’t fully changed the X-S10 is great for those looking for the Fujifilm camera for beauty blogging. The Fujifilm X-S10 is relatively affordable, great for taking photos, and finally, it even records good quality videos with realistic colors.

Design & Build

Fujifilm has made a huge design overhaul with the X-S series of cameras. The X-S10 has a slightly more professional look compared to the X-T series cameras and it’s also a little more ergonomic to hold. There is a 3-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen and you also get simplified control dials on the top.

The build quality is pretty good for the price and it’s nice to see Fujifilm maintaining their standards on this one. The camera weighs around 1.02 pounds which is pretty light and thanks to that, it’s comfortable to shoot photos and videos handheld. I really liked the new approach Fujifilm has taken with the X-S10.

Photo & Video Capabilities

The company is using a 26.1 MP APS-C sensor for this camera. This is a really nice upgrade compared to their last generation of cameras and the sensor is capable of handling difficult situations more effectively. Combined with Fujifilm’s processing, this sensor can take great photos, but finally, there are some cool video capabilities as well.

Talking about the photos, Fujifilm has always been excellent in this department, and the X-S10 is no exception. It takes realistic-looking photos with a lot of details, excellent dynamic range, and surprisingly good low-light performance in this segment. Combine that with Fujifilm’s color science, and you get great photos of both human subjects and beauty products from the same camera.

The bigger surprise is in the video Department. Just like the competition, this camera can also shoot 4K 30 FPS video and 1080P 60 FPS video in the regular mode. However, in the slow-motion department, it takes things a step further and shoots up to 1080P 240 FPS video which no one else is offering in this segment. You can even shoot 10-bit 4:2:2 RAW video with this camera.

Battery Life

The NP-W126S battery from Fujifilm does 325 shots on a single charge and it can do up to 40 minutes with regular recording and 55 minutes of continuous recording. That’s not a lot to be honest, so this is again one of those situations where you should keep extra batteries just in case.

Should you get the X-S10

Cameras from Fujifilm have improved a lot and the X-S10 captures colors of both objects and human subjects pretty precisely. Even if you need to shoot videos, this camera does great. However, do keep the short battery life for video in mind if you will be shooting a lot of video with this camera.

5. Best Compact Full-Frame: Sony A7C

Coming to the full-frame segment, the Sony A7C is one of the most compact options out there. It comes with high-end features while fitting inside an APS-C scale body. It is great for those looking for a camera that won’t take all the space inside a camera bag, but won’t crop into photos & videos either.

Design & Build

Sony has fused the form factor of their compact APS-C cameras with a large full-frame sensor to create the A7C. That means the design is a lot more compact, muted, and you still get a full-sized grip. The 3-inch touch display is in fact a vari-angle unit, which is still pretty rare in the A-series cameras.

The build quality as you would expect is great. It feels a bit different in the hand compared to other cameras in this series, but The quality of the materials still remains excellent. It is still lighter however at just 1.12 lbs, so shooting handheld isn’t a problem. The build quality is actually somewhat similar to the A7 III.

Photo & Video Capabilities

Even though Sony had to fit in that big 24.2MP full-frame sensor inside that compact form factor, they didn’t compromise on the quality of the photos and videos though. The A7C is probably the best compact camera for beauty photograpy.

The photos turn out to be great. There is a lot of fine detail, true-to-life colors, excellent dynamic range, great separation between highlights and shadows, and the camera holds all of this even in low light and other challenging light situations. This is truly flagship quality photography for a somewhat reasonable price.

When it comes to videos, the Sony A7C has up to 4K 30 FPS or 1080P 60 FPS video support in regular mode, and up to 1080P 120 FPS support in slow motion mode. You can also shoot HDR video in HLG and 10-bit RAW video in S-log2 and S-log3. That means you are in no way limited while shooting human and non-human subjects.

Battery Life

The large NP-FZ100 battery on the A7C pulls in excellent battery life with up to 740 shots with the display and a remarkable 680 shots with the EVF. It also gets 140 minutes of 4K video with regular recording and up to 220 minutes with continuous recording. So, it should be enough for longer sessions.

Should you get the A7C?

If you need a compact camera but you also need the full flexibility of a full-frame sensor, the Sony A7C is the best camera for you. It is packed with industry-leading features and it also has great battery life for both photos and videos. If you have the money, get this camera.

6. Best Affordable Nikon Full-Frame: Nikon Z6 II

If you are looking for a higher-end Nikon camera, the full-frame Z6 II is an excellent option. Compared to traditional full-frame DSLRs from the company, the Nikon Z6 II is way more compact, easy to handle, and more capable. So, if you need a flagship Nikon camera for your beauty blogging needs, this is the one to get.

Design & Build

Nikon has made a massive change in the design with the new Mirrorless cameras. Compared to their DSLRs, these are much more compact, a little more squared off, and modern-looking. You get a 3.2-inch touchscreen on the back, but it’s a flip-down display, and there are all the necessary on-body controls you’d need.

The build quality has always been a plus side for Nikon cameras, and the Z6 II also carries that tradition. The build quality is great with a great in-hand feel and heft. It weighs just around 1.55 lbs and although that’s not super-light, it’s still a significant improvement over their full-frame DSLRs of this segment.

Photo & Video Capabilities

The Z6 II sits close to that starting point for Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras, but it doesn’t compromise on photos or videos when it comes to features or sheer quality. The 24.5 MP full-frame sensor does really well in different situations and although it has some limitations, it is mostly a great sensor.

As you may expect, the photos come out to be great with excellent dynamic range, realistic colors, accurate skin tones, a lot of detail, and great low-light performance. You also get full manual control for customizing the look of the photo as you like. The photos are really high-quality and that’s something you would expect from Nikon.

We don’t generally expect Nikon to excel at video recording, but the Z6II doesn’t make any huge sacrifices here. The Autofocusing speed is really good which was hard to say for their previous DSLRs in this price segment. You get 4K 30 FPS video recording with up to 120 FPS slow-motion in 1080P and the quality is really good with accurate color reproduction.

Battery Life

The EN-EL15c battery provides pretty good battery life. It can go up to 410 shots with regular and 450 shots with energy-saving mode. For video, you get up to 100 minutes with 4K recording. This is good enough for moderately long sessions, so maybe you can get by with a single battery, but keep an extra anyway.

Should you get the Z6 II?

In case you need a better Nikon camera than the Z50, then the full-frame Z6 II is a significant step up. It has a better photo and video quality with no cropping and it is still priced relatively well. For beauty blogging, this is one of the best Nikon cameras you can get. The higher-end models will have better performance, but this one has a better price-to-performance ratio.

7. Best Performer Under $2000: Sony A7 III

Coming back to the Sony side of things, they make some excellent cameras in the full-frame category and if you need something more capable compared to the A7C, the Sony A7 III is the one to get. Yes, there are some even higher-end models, but the A7 III has the perfect middle ground between photos and videos when it comes to beauty blogging.

Design & Build

The Sony A7 III looks like all the other Sony full-frame Mirrorless cameras in that line-up. That means the body is compact, has all the necessary controls, and has a flip-up 3-inch LCD display which is plenty bright outdoors. The camera does look premium and it’s also pretty minimal for a professional camera.

The build quality is great as you would expect. Sony is using similar quality materials as pricier models and that makes for a great in-hand feel. It weighs around 1.43 lbs which is pretty good for a full-sized Mirrorless and shooting handheld isn’t an issue at all. 

Photo & Video Capabilities

The company is using a 24.2MP full-frame sensor for the camera and it might easily be the same one used in the A7C. That being said, the performance is also very similar with the camera excelling at both photos and videos. However, I do feel that the processing on this one is slightly better, and the autofocusing a tad faster.

Speaking of photos, you get true-to-life colors, great dynamic range, good separation between highlights and shadows, and even the low-light performance is really great as well. The skin tones look really good on this camera which makes it perfect for beauty blogging and fashion photography.

As far as video is concerned, you get up to 4K 30 FPS and 1080P 60 FPS. There is also support for HDR video recording, RAW video recording, and 120 FPS slow-motion video at 1080P. The quality of the video is great with consistent performance in the day and at night. The color reproduction really helps out here with overall consistent performance.

Battery Life

The NP-FZ100 battery is high capacity and it can go up to 600 shots on a single charge. In the video department, you get around 80 minutes of 4K with regular recording and up to 95 minutes with continuous recording. If you are shooting with the EVF though expect these numbers to be a bit lower.

Should you get the A7 III?

For those who are fans of the most traditional Sony alpha look, the Sony A7 III is the perfect alternative to the A7C. It has a very similar photo and video capabilities with a very similar price, So, if you are a fan of the slightly different approach that Sony is taking with this camera then go with this one instead.

8. Best Premium Flagship: Canon EOS R6

Canon has also made some major advancements in their full-frame mirrorless line, and although the R5 is the flagship model, I’ll recommend the EOS R6 over it. It has more consistent performance and it also doesn’t have any overheating issues either. So, for beauty blogging, this is the most suitable high-end Canon camera you can buy right now. 

Design & Build

The EOS R6 follows the same design approach as its other R-series counterparts and that means being compact while housing everything that PROs may need. You get all the on-body controls with a monitoring display on top and a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen with enough brightness to combat sunlight.

The build quality is top-notch as you’d expect from a flagship Canon product. However, it is still just around 1.5 lbs which is pretty light compared to the DSLRs from the company. That means even with a slightly hefty lens, you should be able to shoot handheld. You also get IBIS for stabilization. 

Photo & Video Capabilities

Being the most expensive camera on the list means that the R6 is a giant leap ahead compared to all the other cameras here. The 20.1MP full-frame sensor is a full-flagship grade unit with top-notch features and both photos and videos captured on this camera look borderline professional.

You get crisp photos with a lot of detail, top-of-the-line dynamic range, rich colors, properly exposed highlights with a lot of detail in the shadows, and the low-light performance is excellent as well. If you want to shoot RAW, that’s perfectly fine, but you also get full-manual control while shooting.

Videos are great too as you get up to 4K 60 FPS and 1080P 60 FPS video support alongside 1080P 120 FPS slow-mo. You don’t have direct HDR recording, but it does shoot in 10-bit RAW in CLog-1 and CLog-3. The quality is top-notch with rich colors, excellent dynamic range, and a lot of detail. Video quality has no compromises on this camera.

Battery Life

You get an LP-E6NH battery in the box, but the camera also supports LP-E6N batteries. With the supplied battery, you can get up to 510 photos on a single charge. For video, you get almost 2 hours of 4K recording which is pretty great. If you want to shoot long videos on a single charge, this camera kinda handles that nicely.

Should you get the EOS R6 

If you need a Canon full-frame camera, and you want zero compromises on quality for both photos and videos, then the EOS R6 is the best option for you. It has excellent color processing with industry-leading elements and features. It costs a bit more, but if you can spend that money you will get a lot better results than any other cameras on this list.

9. Best Point & Shoot (Videos): Sony ZV-1

For those looking to get great quality videos & photos, but don’t want the hassle of switching lenses, the Sony ZV-1 would be my top recommendation. It is probably the most feature-rich point & shoots out there and it’s relatively affordable too. This is also a creator-focused device from Sony, so you get some of those exclusive features as well.

Design & Build

Sony has combined the design approach for their mirrorless and point & shoot cameras to create the ZV-1. It is flat, muted, and unlike the ZV-E10, it doesn’t have a grip. It does come with a 3-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen, which is great for taking photos or videos of yourself. The on-body controls are basic, and there is no EVF on this camera.

The build quality is pretty good for the money. It feels nice in the hand and has a weight of just 0.64 lbs. It is made to be used handheld, so it really great if you’re shooting tutorial videos it’s not a problem to hold the camera for a long time. There is nothing too special about the build, but for the price, I really liked this one.

Photo & Video Capabilities

One of the biggest hurdles you face in point and shoots is the small sensor. The ZV-1 is using a 1-inch sensor which is actually pretty capable, But when it comes to quality, it doesn’t quite compete with the bigger full-fledged cameras in some departments. However, it’s still pretty good in its segment.

The photos come out good in daylight and proper indoor lighting with natural colors, nice skin tones, and you can also shoot in a software simulated portrait mode. When the lighting isn’t very good though, the colors can look a bit washed out at times, So if you’re shooting indoors with not-so-great lighting, I’ll avoid this camera for photos.

Videos are a totally different story though. There is a lot going on with support for 4K 30 FPS video, 1080P 120 FPS slow-mo, HDR video recording, software simulated Portrait Video mode, and an auto focus-switch mode called Product Preview. You also get tap-to-focus using the display and the quality is actually pretty good for the price.

Battery Life

The NP-BX1 battery cell isn’t huge in capacity either, and it has somewhat average battery life. For photos, you can get 410 shots with auto-screen off, set to 2 seconds or 260 shots in regular mode. For video, you get 45 minutes which isn’t a lot. This isn’t a camera that lets you shoot for a very long time, so maybe keep an extra battery around.

Should you get the ZV-1?

For those looking for a budget camera for YouTube, the Sony ZV-1 is unbeatable in the segment. It has top-notch features like HDR video and it even comes with specific features that can be really helpful for beauty blogging. This camera is a great value for the money.

10. Best Point & Shoot (Photos): Canon G7 X II

The Canon G7 X II is a great alternative to the Sony ZV-1. If you prefer Canon’s color science, or you’re primarily buying the camera for taking photos, the G7 X II is actually the better choice out of the two. It still records great video, but it does lack some of the high-end features that the ZV-1 has.

Design & Build

The design inspiration behind G7X Mark II follows a similar idea as the ZV-1. This is also a vlogging-focused camera, so it is actually somewhat a hybrid between Canon’s Point & Shoot and Mirrorless cameras. It’s a muted look with no EVF and a 3-inch flip touchscreen. The display isn’t vari-angle though, but a flip-up style instead.

The build quality is good for the money and it is somewhat similar to the M50. It’s a bit more soft-feeling though, but it feels solid in the hand. It weighs around 0.7 lbs which makes it easy to shoot with one hand.

Photo & Video Capabilities

The tables turn with the Canon G7 X Mark II as the 20.1MP 1-inch type sensor handles photos better than the ZV-1, but falls a bit short when it comes to video features. Now, it is still a wonderful sensor with excellent capabilities, but this should definitely be your choice when photography is your first preference.

So, starting on that point, the photos look really good in both daylight and indoor lighting situations. There is no major shift in color when the light drops and seems like this camera is more capable of taking advantage of that wide aperture while capturing photos. You also get a nice depth of field thanks to that.

For videos, the general quality is pretty good and it’s almost on par with the ZV-1. However, what it does lack is some crispiness and the capability to shoot HDR. If that’s not a huge deal for you, it still has 4K 30 FPS and 1080P 120 FPS slow-mo support. It also supports live streaming directly through the camera.

Battery Life

The Battery life on the G7 X II is medicare as well. Canon’s NB-13L battery can do up to 240 shots or around 40 minutes of 4K video on a single charge. So, you should keep extra batteries around if you’re getting this camera. This is one of the disadvantages you have to deal with in a lot of point & shoot cameras as they come with smaller batteries.

Should you get the G7 X Mark II?

If you want a point-and-shoot camera with the primary focus being mostly photos, then the Canon G7 X Mark II is the perfect option for you. It has all the advantages that you would generally expect from Canon and the skin tone rendering is accurate. Also, if you prefer Canon’s color science over Sony‘s, then go for this one as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Beauty blogging is an area where the competition is getting really fierce and you trying to stand out using a great camera, is definitely a step in the right direction. Having an advantage in this department always pays off in the long run. Hopefully, the detailed reviews above were enough to help you find the perfect camera.

However, in case you are still not sure about what to get or you just skipped to the end, here’s a summarised version for the same.

• If you want the best value for photos and videos with modern features on your camera, the ZV-E10.
• In case a compact yet powerful Canon camera is what you need, get the EOS M6 II.
• If you want Nikon’s color science and image processing under $1000, get the Nikon Z50.
• In case photos are your major focus and you like how Fujifilm handles skin tones, get the Fujifilm X-S10.
• If a compact, yet feature-packed full-frame camera is what you need, get the Sony A7C.
• For those looking for a full-frame no-compromise Nikon canmera, get the Z6 II.
• If you need a professional full-frame under $2000, get the Sony A7 III.
• For those who need a no-compromise full-frame with the best photo and video quality and price isn’t a barrier, get the Canon EOS R6.
• If you want a point & shoot that records amazing videos and good photos, get the 1.
• For those looking for a point & shoot with photos being the primary use, get the Canon G7 X II.

The interesting thing about cameras these days is that you no longer have to spend a ton of money to get great quality photos and videos. You can if you want, but it’s no longer necessary. So, even with a mid-range budget, you can take some impressive leaps in beauty blogging. I hope this article was helpful and keep coming back for more camera goodness.