So you want to start on your journey as a creator and after looking around the Internet you see there are plenty of amazing choices out there at various different prices. What we are planning on doing here is highlighting some options you can find under $1000 Australian Dollars to get you started.
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Mobile Phone Cameras
iPhone X?/iPhone 11
Everyone needs a phone and the price of phones these days are not going down. So by considering a phone that also has a great camera, you are really getting the 2-for-1 you need if you are budget consciencous.
These are two phones with decent enough cameras to get you started, especially if you are going to focus on producing content in portrait instead of the traditional landscape views.
The reason why we have included two different iPhones here is purely down to the internal storage. If you tend to keep everyone on your phone and don't have another computer/tablet/device, you are going to need as much space as possible, hence the older XR phone. But if you already have somewhere to transfer the video, go with the better camera found in the iPhone 11 and move the files over at the end of your filming.
Find out more and buy these phones by visiting these links:
• https://www.apple.com/au/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-xr
• https://www.apple.com/au/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-11
Samsung Galaxy S20/Google Pixel 5
Going through the huge list of phones from Samsung is a bit of a task, so we did the heavy lifting for you and for under $1000AUD, the S20 and its variations (they are constantly on discount so keep an eye on it) is a great choice if you prefer Android over iOS. We haven't used one as much as we have Apple's range of products, but at this price on these devices, it is really personal preference. When you are scrolling through social media you would be hard pressed to see the different in device.
Likewise with the Pixel phone, if you are not a fan of Samsung, this is another great choice, especially to for still photography. The only thing you need to be aware of with Pixels is that various users have noticed the battery doesn't perform as well as in other devices. So if you are planning on filming for a long time or taking a bunch of photos, might want to choose another option.
Find out more and buy these phones by visiting these links:
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Samsung Galaxy S20FE 5G Smartphone 128GB (affiliate link)
•
Google Pixel 5 (affiliate link)
Action Cams
GoPro Hero 9 / 360 Max
Tried and tested for many years, you cannot really go past GoPro if you are the outdoors type that is going to be creating content that is in perpetual motion. The reason why we are only recommending the 9 is because of the front-facing screen so you can see exactly what is in shot.
Due to the wide angle, you could even use it in a studio/room environment and get a pretty good image out of it for all the times you are recording in just a stationary position. It wont have the blurry background you will get from other cameras, but its just to get you started at a fair price.
And if you wanted to splurge a little bit more, then the 360 will give you the best options when it comes to editing since you are capturing everything around you. So if your editing skills are up for it, then this will be a great choice too, for not much more money.
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:
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GoPro Hero 9 (affiliate link)
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GoPro Max 360 (affiliate link)
Insta360 R - One Inch
This is an interesting take on the action cam category because by getting the camera body and this lens (or mod as they call it), it gives you the same size sensor as other point and shoot cameras out there on the market - and one that is almost double the size of the normal action camera sensor found in GoPro/etc.
There are plenty of reviews and soon we will have some feedback on comparing shots from our ZV1 and this (stay tuned). But if you want the portability, and do a lot of night time shooting, this could be the perfect device for those walking around the city and showing where to hang and eat type vlogs that are extremely popular.
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:
•
Insta360 One R - One Inch (affiliate link)
Fixed Lens Camera
Sony ZV-1
For us this is a no brainer. For the price you get all the tech that is the same as some of Sony's higher end cameras (auto focus, eye tracking, picture profiles, stablisation, 4K), with a sensor and lens combo that is good enough for almost any situation, at a price just under $1000AUD. We don't really need to say anymore because you can read our thoughts on the ZV-1 review post.
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:
•
Sony ZV-1 (affiliate link)
Interchangeable Lens Camera
Canon EOS M50
For us, this M50 recommendation and the GH4 are the ones you should really consider if you want this device to last you into when your skills match the gear you have. Canon in particular has a long history in delivering a quality body that can survive quite a lot of abuse. The crop sensor is the biggest out of all the cameras in this list, so it in theory perform the best in most circumstances. The camera is quite old, and there is a second version of it, but if you spend some time looking around on Youtube and other places, many still prefer the original one.
The flippy screen and microphone jack also give you the ability to add a better mic and frame yourself correctly, which is what is missing from others recommended.
The only catch is that the mount of the lenses isnt the full EF mount, meaning whatever lens you buy for this, will need to be adapted if you move up to a bigger camera.
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:
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Canon M50 (affiliate link)
Panasonic GH4
We have saved the best for last. This camera is the camera you should get for under $1000AUD that will last you right through your content creating career. In fact, if you wanted to make the jump, it even shoots "cinema 4K" - incase netflix gives you that call wanting you to film their next documentary.
The other great thing is that the micro 4/3 mount that comes with this camera means that whatever lenses you buy can work with any other camera that has the same mount later on (for example, there is even a micro 4/3 cinema camera made by Z-Cam).
There are some downsides that come with Panasonic, such as the auto-focus isn't the best, the stabisation either), but as you learn and grow, the skills you acquire with this camera will be transferable as you go on.
Find out more and buy these cameras by visiting these links:
•
Panasonic GH4 (affiliate link)
Conclusion
So if you are in it for the long haul, start with the GH4, keep it for as long as possible. If your needs change or evolve, then picking up one of the other cameras in this list as a secondary camera wouldn't be a bad choice either.
We hope that we have helped out here in understanding exactly what camera you should start with on your content creator journey.