best video camera presentation

The best video camera 2024: finest choices for filmmakers and videographers

The best video cameras you can buy in 2024

• Best overall
• Best budget
• Best premium
• Best hybrid
• Best for vlogging
• Best for filmmaking
• Best all-rounder
• Best compact vlogging
• Best stabilized pocket
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best budget 4. Best premium 5. Best hybrid 6. Best vlogging 7. Best for 8K 8. Best for filmmaking 9. Best all-rounder 10. Best compact vlogging 11. Best stabilized 12. Best drone 13. How to choose 14. How we test

Whether you’re shooting for YouTube or directing a feature film, the best video camera will instantly upgrade your production values. To help you find it, we've tested all of the top options and listed our favorites in the expert guide below.

Based on our in-depth reviews, we think the best video camera for most people is currently the Panasonic S5 II . An update to one of our previous favorites, it produced excellent 6K footage in our tests. Together with phase detection AF and a compact form factor, we think it offers excellent value for videographers.

For solo content creators, we also highly recommend the Sony ZV-E1 . AI-powered framing features put it at the cutting edge of what's possible when working alone. Or if you want stabilized video that fits in your pocket, take a look at the compact DJI Pocket 3 , with its neat rotating screen and effective gimbal.

Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned cinematographer, you’ll find a video camera here to suit your needs and budget. Each entry has been extensively tested against our objective criteria to ensure it delivers in the real world. If you're not sure where to start, check out our buying tips at the bottom of this page.

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. Tim notes, "there's no one-size-fits-all video camera. In putting together this list, we've tried to cover a range of shooting styles and requirements. That includes premium 8K cameras for high-res cinematography, compact options for run-and-gun videography, and pocket-friendly cameras for quality vlogging."

The quick list

Want a shortcut to the best video camera for your shooting needs? The summary below gives you a quick overview of our favorite video cameras for every kind of buyer. You can read more about each model using the links underneath.

The best value video camera overall

Neat proportions, uncropped 6K and effective phase detection AF make the S5 II a fantastic value tool for quality video.

Read more below

The best budget video camera

The GH5 was already a great choice; the Mark II adds new tricks like wireless live streaming to make it an even better video camera.

The best premium video camera

With big pixels that unlock class-leading low-light results, the A7S III is a 4K champion that’s great in the hand, if a little pricey.

The best hybrid video camera

With a stacked sensor and impressive AF, the X-H2S offers strong stills skills and top-tier video, including internal ProRes recording.

The best video camera for vlogging

Pairing a full-frame sensor with a compact build and AI smarts, the Sony ZV-E1 is the most capable vlogging cam you can buy.

The best 8K video camera

Built like a sturdy DSLR, Nikon’s landmark Z9 joins the select list of mirrorless cameras capable of shooting 8K/30p video.

Load the next 5 products...

The best video camera for filmmaking

Unforgiving for beginners, the Cinema Camera 6K delivers superb 6K video with boundless editing possibilities for pros.

The best all-rounder video camera

Canon’s best ever stills camera is also a strong option for video, with support for 8K recording (subject to time limits).

The best compact vlogging camera

If you don’t need a touch menu and can look past rolling shutter, the ZV-E10 is a powerful little tool for vlogging on the go.

The best stabilized pocket camera

A 1-inch sensor and bigger display are welcome upgrades to DJI’s compact gimbal cam, which now offers a useful portrait mode.

The best drone for video

The world’s first triple-camera drone is the most versatile Mavic to date, provided you’re happy to deal with its weight restrictions.

• ^ Back to the top

The best video cameras in 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best video camera picks in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

1. Panasonic Lumix S5 II

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You shoot for social: The S5 II can open gate video, so no unnecessary loss of detail when shooting in narrower aspect ratios than 16:9.

✅ You work handheld a lot: Superb image stabilization, phase-detection autofocus, a lightweight a durable body, the S5 II suits run-and-gun filming.

❌ You like slow-motion effects: The S5 II's 4K /60p incurs a 1.5x crop, which can be limiting for shooting wide angle.

❌ You care what your camera looks like: We'd describe the S5 II as functional over fashionable.

A timely update to one of our favorite video cameras , the Panasonic Lumix S5 II cements its status with a fleet of improvements. Despite compact proportions, we found it reassuringly solid yet comfortable to use during our review, with plenty of dedicated dials and buttons. Video is where the S5 II excels: in testing, we found the quality of its 6K/30p footage excellent, with rich colors and wide dynamic range. Usefully, 10-bit recording is available across almost all resolutions and frame rates. The S5 II can also record uncropped footage using the sensor’s full 3:2 aspect ratio, which offers welcome versatility when cropping content for social.

The S5 II is Panasonic’s first mirrorless model with phase detection AF for video, and it works dreamily. Paired with image stabilization that’s superbly effective for handheld work, it’s a great choice for run-and-gun videographers, even if the 1.5x crop on 4K /60p video can be limiting. Serious filmmakers will find the Lumix S5 IIX even more compelling, but features like unlimited recording times mean the S5 II is a fantastic tool for high-quality video.

Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix S5 II review

2. Panasonic GH5 Mark II

✅ You want bang for buck: The GH5-series offers excellent value for money if video is your focus.

✅ You want the bells and whistles: An excellent choice of 4K video codecs and features, plus live streaming capabilities.

❌ You need the best autofocus: The GH5 II predates Panasonic rolling out its more effective phase detect autofocus, as found in the S5 II.

❌ You own a GH5 already: For most people there isn't enough reason to update from the GH5 to the GH5 II.

The original Panasonic GH5 was arguably the first mirrorless camera to do both 4K video and stills photography well, but its successor faces much stiffer competition. While it doesn’t represent a huge upgrade, the Mark II stands out by virtue of its built-in wireless live streaming capabilities. At the time of writing, you won’t find these on any other mirrorless camera. While its sensor may be relatively small (which does limit its low-light capabilities), our tests also revealed it to be a mighty video camera.

In our review, we found its overall video skills remain strong: 10-bit 4:2:2 footage can be recorded internally or externally, there’s a wide variety of frame rate options and various anamorphic video resolutions, plus Panasonic’s flat V-Log profile gives you 12 stops of dynamic range to play with in post-production. We think the fact that the GH5 Mark II includes all this in a compact, lightweight and weatherproof body with effective IBIS makes it all the more impressive. Consider it if you don't have the budget (or perhaps the need) for the GH6 .

Read our in-depth Panasonic GH5 Mark II review

3. Sony A7S III

✅ You shoot in low light: The 12MP sensor offers some of the cleanest looking video in any light.

✅ You record lengthy clips: You can now get 6K cameras for similar money, but the 4K resolution puts less strain on the hardware during longer shoots.

❌ You also shoot photos: Video makers sometimes need to shoot photos too, and the A7S III's 12MP resolution could be limiting.

❌ You're on a budget: Despite its age, the A7S III remains a pricey option for filmmakers, and its legendary sensor is also in the newer ZV-E1 for less.

The video star of Sony 's A-series line, the A7S III uses a back-illuminated full-frame sensor to deliver best-in-class 4K video in a range of lighting situations. With 15 stops of dynamic range and an expandable ISO of 40 to 409,600, not to mention an effective in-body image stabilization system, we discovered in our review that it’s able to capture beautiful videos in conditions that would thwart most of its competitors. The sensor’s relatively low resolution of 12.1MP does rule out 6K and 8K recording, but the powerful Bionz XR processor allows 4K footage to be recorded at up to 120fps for smooth slow-motion playback. 

We were also impressed by the strength of its feature set: a full-size HDMI output, class-leading autofocus, support for several picture profiles (including the popular S-Log) and the ability to record clips longer than 30 minutes with no overheating issues were all signs of a serious video camera. In terms of usability, we think that the A7S III boasts many improvements over its predecessors. The touchscreen is now fully articulating and able to flip, while boosted battery lets you capture over 75 minutes of 4K footage on a single charge. The simplified UI is much more intuitive, too.

Read our in-depth Sony A7S III review

4. Fujifilm X-H2S

✅ You shoot photos and video: 26MP stills up to 40fps, 6K video and 4K up to 120fps, the X-H2S is a true all rounder.

✅ You want incredible speed: To date, the X-H2S is the only APS-C camera with a stacked sensor that delivers incredible speed and rolling shutter suppression. 

❌ You want the best autofocus: Fujifilm has improved its autofocus chops, but there are more capable alternatives.

❌ You want good value: It's hard to get away from how much the X-H2S costs for a camera with an APS-C sensor.

The Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the most powerful hybrid cameras you can buy. It’s expensive for an APS-C camera and lacks the retro charm of recent Fuji models. But it also delivers pro-quality video performance without the full-frame bulk. Pairing a stacked CMOS sensor with Fuji’s X-Processor 5 gives it a huge spec sheet boost: you can record 6.2K/30p video internally with 4:2:2 10-bit color depth. Grapple with the endless menus and you’ll find countless profiles for color grading in post, while using a CFexpress card also unlocks three Apple ProRes codecs. 

With no recording limits, we were able to shoot in 4K for more than two hours before the battery gave out. While we were disappointed by the 1.29x crop on 4K/120p footage, video quality otherwise proved clean and crisp. And though autofocus isn’t class-leading, subject-tracking is nevertheless impressive. Other familiar features only sweeten the deal, including in-body image stabilization and an articulating touchscreen. For filmmakers, the Fujifilm X-H2S is fantastically capable but objectively overkill. But if you want an outstanding video camera that also has superlative stills abilities, no other APS-C camera can match its skill set.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-H2S review

5. Sony ZV-E1

✅ You work alone: Equipped with the latest AI-tech, the ZV-E1 is the ultimate camera for content creators who operate solo alone yet want a high-quality output.

✅ You want the best 4K video in any light: The ZV-E1 inherits the Sony A7S III sensor tech which remains one of the best 4K camera around, yet it costs much less.

❌ You shoot long videos: Cameras like the FX3 or A7S III feature cooling vents, unlimited record times and dual card slots. The ZV-E1 does not.

❌ You need a robust camera: The ZV-E1 is made out of recycled plastics, whereas pricier models are made out of tougher materials that will stand up better to heavier use.

Combining compact proportions with class-leading video, the ZV-E1 is a fantastic pick if vlogging is your genre. It's the lightest Sony camera with in-body image stabilization, which means it’s comfortable to work with when vlogging alone. On the other hand, we were a little disappointed by the vari-angle display in testing, finding it difficult to see outdoors. It’s also a shame that the ZV-E1 has only one card slot and no cooling vents.

Still, the ZV-E1 is undeniably a winner for video. In our tests, its excellent 12.1MP sensor produced clean 4K/60p footage in all lighting scenarios. We also found that its S-Cinetone color profile looks fantastic straight out of the camera, without any post-production. Its image stabilization proved excellent as well, smoothing out handheld footage. AI smarts help to keep shots reliably in focus, while a neat Auto Framing trick tracks subjects so effectively that you might believe that a manual operator was responsible – a big help for vloggers shooting solo.

Read our in-depth Sony ZV-E1 review

6. Nikon Z9

✅ You need a dependable camera for most situations: Built like a tank and good for lengthy record times, the Z9 offers the kind of reliability demanded by video pros.

✅ You want excellent 8K: Following a firmware update, the Z9 boasts 8K/60p with internal RAW – that's a first for a mirrorless camera.

❌ You want a lightweight tool: Compared to almost every other camera in this guide, the Nikon Z9 is both heavy and bulky. 

❌ You only shoot video: The Nikon Z9 could be overkill if you only shoot video and don't need the high-end build quality and performance. 

Nikon’s full-frame flagship is a landmark model: it’s the first pro camera to ship with no mechanical shutter. And while its bulky, rugged DSLR styling felt comfortably familiar, our testing confirmed that the Z9 is a truly modern machine. One of a select few cameras that can record 8K/30p footage, the Z9 also offers filmmakers a candy store of capabilities. Besides 4K slow-mo at 120fps, it serves up sharp oversampled 4K video, together with lengthy 125-minute recording times and reliable Eye AF tracking. We found that image quality from the 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor was superlative, with huge cropping potential, aided by superb image stabilization. 

And it’s only going to get better: a firmware upgrade is set to unlock a host of recording skills later this year, including the option to shoot raw 8K/60p video internally – a first for any mirrorless camera. Its abilities might be overkill for many, but with rapid performance, a two-way tilting touchscreen and video enhancements already inbound, we think the Z9 is a seriously impressive, competitively priced tool for professional videographers. That said, if you don't need the long video record times and battery life of the Z9, the Nikon Z8 offers the same video quality in a smaller body that costs a lot less. 

Read our in-depth Nikon Z9 review

7. Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K

✅ You want superb cinema footage from a handheld: Blackmagic’s excellent 12-bit codec and workflow are perfect for serious filmmakers who demand impeccable raw video quality. 

✅ You’re operating on a tight budget: For the video spec you get, and the cheap L-Mount lenses available, you're getting excellent bang for buck. 

❌ You want a video-first hybrid camera: The Cinema Camera 6K is practically useless for still photography. 

❌ You're into run-and-gun filming: The Cinema Camera 6K lacks user-friendly features like tracking autofocus and in-body stabilization.

Lacking many of the niceties most users would expect, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K requires a high degree of video knowledge. But the pay-off for this barrier to entry is an impressive set of capabilities: in our review, we found it produces superb raw video quality at 6K resolution. Its big sensor and dual native ISO also allow the Cinema Camera 6K to capture clean footage in dark conditions, while Blackmagic’s proprietary 12-bit codec offers the potential for endless tweaking in post. 

Factor in L-mount lenses and ND filters and it quickly becomes a chunky camera. It’s not cheap, either, and you don’t get user friendly features such as tracking autofocus or in-body image stabilization. That said, the price is relatively low for the pro-grade video spec. You need to know how to color grade to unlock its best, but serious filmmakers will appreciate the flexibility. If you want sublime 6K from a handheld camera and you have the requisite editing skills, the Cinema Camera 6K is a serious contender.

Read our in-depth Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K review

8. Canon EOS R5

✅ You shoot handheld: Superb image stabilization and build quality with vari-angle screen – the EOS R5 works a treat in the hand. 

✅ You do small and quick shoots: It's a great 8K lead camera on small shoots plus for pro B-roll or behind the scenes footage. 

❌ You need compromise-free video: Despite firmware upgrades, the Canon EOS R5's high-resolution sensor suffers overheating limitations.

❌ You're video focused: We'd describe the EOS R5 as a photographer's camera that shoots excellent video rather than the other way around. 

Canon ’s prosumer mirrorless camera is hugely powerful. With a 45MP full-frame sensor, supremely sticky autofocus, solid IBIS, great battery life and the ability to shoot continuously at 20fps, we think the EOS R5 is the best camera stills Canon has ever made. An unqualified recommendation is a little trickier for video. For starters, while the R5 offers a lot of higher-end video modes (8K ALL-I or RAW, 4K at 120fps, 10-bit 4K HEVC), they require an expensive CFexpress card. We also found that the more intensive video modes also cause the camera to overheat, not only limiting recording time but requiring a long cool-down before you can record again.

If you can work within these limits, you’ll find the R5’s video quality to be excellent: pin-sharp with bags of flexibility when it comes to colour grading. If the price puts you off, consider sister camera the Canon EOS R6 , which has a 20.6MP sensor and is limited to 4K video, but costs considerably less.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 review

9. Sony ZV-E10

✅ You want a compact interchangeable lenses vlogging cam: The Sony ZV-E10 is a tiny 4K vlogging camera with a fully articulating screen and a host of compact lenses.

 ✅ You want a high-quality streaming camera: The Sony ZV-E10 is a fine webcam or live-streaming camera with plug-and-play ease.

❌ You rely on a touch screen: You can't scroll and navigate menus via the ZV-E10's touchscreen.

❌ You want 4K video capture at 60fps: The Sony ZV-E10’s 4K capture caps out at 25/30 fps.

Want a capable video tool that fits in your pocket? Sony’s ZV-E10 isn’t perfect, but it’s an impressive portable package for videographers. Despite its compact, lightweight build, the ZV-E10 packs a 24MP APS-C sensor that can shoot sharp 4K footage (albeit limited to 30fps) and Full HD slow-mo at up to 120fps. Mic-in and headphone ports give welcome audio flexibility, while the Multi-Interface hot shoe mount means you can readily accessorize your setup. 

We felt that the fully articulating touchscreen also makes framing a cinch, and UVC/UAC computer connectivity unlocks easy live-streaming. Besides the lack of a 4K/60p setting, its major limitation is rolling shutter when panning. This jelly effect puts paid to quick pans, which will discourage run-and-gun recorders. If you can live with this, Sony’s ZV-E10 remains an affordable video-focused hybrid.

Read our in-depth Sony ZV-E10 review

10. DJI Osmo Pocket 3

✅ You shoot handheld solo vlogs: The three-axis gimbal offers unmatched stabilization, while ActiveTrack works like a virtual cameraman. ✅ You switch between vertical and horizontal video: The neat LCD screen swivels to instantly switch between video formats.

❌ You shoot a lot of photos, too: The Pocket 3 shoot OK photos, but you're getting it for video really.

❌ You’re happy with your smartphone: If you prefer shooting with your phone, a gimbal mount like the DJI OM 5 might make more sense.

The Pocket 2 was one of our favourite tools for solo videographers. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 upgrades the shooting experience. A larger 1-inch sensor and battery make it heavier than before, although we actually think this gave it a sturdier feel in the hand. The former generally produced great dynamic range and color in testing, as well as better results in low light. The latter means the Pocket 3 can record 4K video for a solid two hours.

Its overall design remains the same, with a gimbal-stabilized lens sitting atop a pocket-friendly body. One of our favorite features in testing was the new 2-inch OLED display. It’s still on the small side, but felt like a great improvement over the Pocket 2 and much more accessible. Together with portrait filming, faster slow-mo frame rates and live-streaming support, we think these skills make the Pocket 3 a fantastic choice for content creators filming alone.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 3 review

11. DJI Mavic 3 Pro

✅ You need telephoto lenses: If you can make use of its two telephoto lenses, the Mavic 3 Pro is more versatile than any single-camera drone.

✅ You need an excellent main camera: The 24mm Hasselblad camera with Four Thirds sensor, 5K video and adjustable aperture combine to great effect.

❌ You only need a wide-angle camera If one camera is enough, the Mavic 3 Classic is better value.

❌ You’re a drone beginner The Mavic 3 Pro is easy to fly and offers excellent safety features, but it comes with flight restrictions given its weight.

Not every aerial filmmaker will need three cameras on a drone. For those that do, the Mavic 3 Pro pushes the boundaries of creative potential: equipped with a 20MP Four Thirds main camera (with adjustable aperture), as well as 70mm and 166mm telephoto cameras, it’s the most versatile Mavic drone to date. In testing, video results proved predictably impressive, with the 70mm camera hitting the sweet spot between quality and functionality. 

Our review also found that the Mavic 3 Pro flies extremely well, with a suite of safety features making it intuitive enough for even beginners to pilot. The Bypass setting in particular is highly effective at keeping flights smooth and safe while avoiding obstacles. It's much easier to transport than the DJI Inspire 3 too, although its European C3 weight rating means it is subject to restrictions. If you only need a wide-angle camera, there are more affordable and accessible alternatives. But if you want a consumer drone with maximum flexibility for airborne videography, the Mavic 3 Pro delivers.

Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 3 Pro review

How to choose the best video camera for you

As you’ll find in our list above, the best video cameras come in a range of shapes and sizes. Our guide covers everything from full-frame flagships to compact vlogging cameras, as well as smaller mirrorless models for shooting on the move. Which is right for you will depend primarily on what and where you plan to film, as well as your production budget.

It can be tempting to focus on flagship cameras, which usually offer the highest resolutions and frame rates, plus comprehensive options when it comes to color profiles and video modes. However, you’ll often pay a significant premium for these models. Some pro-grade options are also bulky and heavy, like the Nikon Z9, while others – such as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro – assume a certain level of expertise, which means they’re only worthwhile for seasoned amateur filmmakers or pros with the means and skills to make the most of their capabilities.

Luckily, you don’t need to spend thousands to secure a versatile video camera. Alternatives with APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors are generally smaller and more affordable than their full-frame rivals. They might perform less well in low light, but cameras such as the Panasonic GH6 can still capture outstanding detail at resolutions of 4K and above, with the benefit of a more convenient form factor. The best also feature a full complement of video modes, giving you added editing flexibility.

Other aspects to consider include articulating touchscreens, which make it easier to frame your footage from different angles. If audio is particularly important to your project, consider a video camera with microphone and headphone ports. Recording time limits will be crucial if you’re producing lengthy clips, while the smoothing abilities of in-body image stabilization are a key consideration if you’re planning to shoot handheld.

What’s the best video camera for those on a budget?

While the very best, cutting-edge video cameras will inevitably cost a lot of money, you don’t need to blow thousands on something to shoot excellent footage. There are plenty of affordable camera models available which allow you to record sharp, stable video in a range of scenarios.

If you’re looking for an accessible camera that can capture steady shots on the go, something like the DJI Pocket 3 could be just what you need. Small enough to slip in your pocket, its three-axis gimbal can capture shake-free 4K shots while you walk. You get a lot for your money – including subject tracking with the motorized head. So for solo vloggers on a budget, it’s well worth considering.

Alternatively, a rugged action cam like the GoPro Hero 11 Black puts a lot of video performance in a small, sturdy and relatively affordable package. While it can’t capture the same cinematic depth of field effects you’d get from a more expensive model, it can record rock-steady results in sharp, bright 5.3K. It can also go anywhere, connect readily to your smartphone for live streaming and produce creative results thanks to its range of preset shooting modes.

Looking for a little more manual control? Sony’s ZV-E10 combines a compact form factor with plenty of video versatility, at a very fair price. 4K frame rates are limited to 30fps and there is an issue with rolling shutter when panning. But it also features a fully-articulating touchscreen, ports for external audio gear and the option to swap lenses to suit the scenario.

If your budget can stretch a little further, the Panasonic GH5 Mark II offers outstanding value. It builds on what was already one of the best mirrorless cameras for shooting 4K content, offering a wide variety of 4K frame rates, resolutions and color profiles in a compact, lightweight body. What really gives it an edge is the inclusion of built-in wireless live streaming skills. It can send footage in real-time to the likes of YouTube, without any additional kit, which makes it a brilliantly accessible option for streamers.

How we test video cameras

The key features for a good video camera are its autofocus, stabilization and audio options, as well as the outright quality of its footage. These are the core areas that we focus on in our real-world tests.

To review video quality, we record at a camera’s highest available resolution and frame-rate in a range of handheld settings, to cover the kind of scenarios that many videographers might shoot. We shoot walk-and-talk clips to test how each camera handles aspects such as detail and rolling shutter. We also shoot in high-contrast conditions to check how well the auto-exposure adapts to lighting changes.

These tests are also a good way to test how a video camera’s Face and Eye tracking autofocus performs, as well as the reliability of its image stabilization, if available.

Many of the best video cameras include features such as flat color profiles, 10-bit video, articulating touchscreens and, in the case of the Panasonic GH5 Mark II, wireless live-streaming. 

We test all of the functions offered by a video camera to see how they match up to their closest competitors, then draw informed conclusions based on our overall impression of the camera’s construction, design, features and the quality of its output.

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Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other. 

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The best video cameras for 2023 as chosen by experts

The best video cameras for filmmakers, vloggers, and content creators.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Having a quality video camera will upgrade the production value of whatever you may be shooting. Whether working on a short film, a YouTube channel, or video content for social media, having more than your phone to capture your footage will ultimately make your final product look more professional. Although most modern cameras can shoot 4K video, when selecting a video camera, you should also consider specs like resolution, frame rate capabilities, sensor size, and bit-depth. The video cameras in this buying guide should appeal to a diverse group of videographers and fit various budgets. Of course, you can spend Michael Bay money and get true cinema rigs, but those fall outside the scope of this article because of their cost and complexity. Keep reading to learn more about the best video cameras currently available.

• Best overall: Sony FX30
• Best for filmmaking: Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
• Best for photo and video: Canon E OS R6 Mark II
• Best for vlogging: Sony ZV-1
• Best compact: DJI Pocket 2

How we chose the best video cameras

When selecting the cameras that appear in this buying guide, we considered video cameras that fit a variety of budgets, experience levels, but also a variety of needs based on the kinds of videos that might get created. We evaluated cameras that would be a good fit for filming documentary films, capturing events, and for YouTube creators. The cameras in this buying guide were selected through hands-on experience, user feedback, and trusted editorial reviews.

The best video cameras: Reviews & Recommendations

Your phone has a video camera baked into it, but these dedicated cameras all offer something the device in your pocket can’t. Here are our specific picks to meet your cinematic (or social media) needs.

Why it made the cut: This 4K APS-C sensor camera is optimized for video and offers a wide variety of capture formats, making it our pick for best overall video camera.  

• APS-C sensor 
• 10-bit 4:2:2 S-Log3 capture
• Shoots oversampled 4K up to 60p
• In-body image stabilization 
• S-Log3 capabilities with uploadable custom LUTs and S-Cinetone color profiles
• Rig-ready body 
• No mechanical shutter 

The compact Sony FX30 was built with small-scale filmmakers in mind. The 4K APS-C camera features excellent in-body image stabilization, five thread holes for attaching mounts, and three command dials for straightforward operation. The FX30 can shoot oversampled 4K up to 60p, features the same Log shooting modes found inside Sony’s high-end cinema cameras, and can upload customized LUTs (Look Up Tables, which work like visual styles you can apply to footage) to judge what final image quality will look like. Although it can technically shoot stills, the lack of a mechanical shutter doesn’t make it the ideal camera for the job because moving subjects can look distorted due to sensor readout. However, since it’s a camera designed with filmmakers in mind, we wouldn’t count that as a drawback. 

Why it made the cut: Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera combines a high dynamic range, excellent low light performance, and a massive sensor to offer Hollywood-style production value at a fraction of the price. 

• Super 35 sensor
• 13 stops of dynamic range
• Records in 12-Bit Blackmagic RAW 
• Built in ND filters
• External controls make it easy to adjust settings while rolling
• USB-C port allows you to record to external drives
• EF lens mount makes it compatible with Canon lenses
• Have to build out with accessories 

The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera makes it easy to capture Hollywood-style video thanks to its high dynamic range capabilities and ability to record in 12-bit  Black Magic Raw. Although it’s pricey compared to many of the 4K and 6K mirrorless cameras currently on the market, it’s a much more affordable option than the ARRI and Red rigs typically found on big-budget film sets. You can shoot 50 fps at 6K and 120 fps at 2.8K. USB-C expansion ports allow you to record directly to external drives. The external controls make it easy to change settings while rolling, plus it has an extremely intuitive interface for easy operation. 

The integrated Canon EF mount gives the camera native access to Canon’s DSLR lenses. Since Canon is phasing out cameras with that mount, there are a ton of great deals out there on the secondary market for extremely high-end lenses.

• Best for photo and video: Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Abby Ferguson

Why it made the cut: This second-generation Canon EOS R6 is an excellent choice for shooting stills and video, thanks in part to a design that keeps video and still settings clearly separated from one another. 

• Full-frame 24-megapixel CMOS sensor 
• 10-bit C-Log3 
• Supports ProRes RAW workflow with an Atomos recorder
• Dedicated switch for stills and video settings
• Offers false color displays

 Cons 

• Unreliable AF in video mode
• Histogram unavailable when recording video 

The Canon EOS R6 II made some substantial improvements to video features compared to the original, which is why it’s our pick for best hybrid camera. It’s built around a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, a comfortable hand grip, and an intuitive control system that keeps video and photo settings separate. It can shoot oversampled 4K video up to 60p and has an improved system for thermal management—meaning it won’t overheat while shooting. Although the autofocus isn’t always reliable when shooting in video mode, this is still an excellent option for the creator looking for something that can shoot both video and stills.

Why it made the cut: A compact camera designed specifically with vloggers in mind, the SV-1 has excellent autofocus and a simple touchscreen interface that makes it easy to control while doing a walk and talk. 

• 20-megapixel 1” BSI CMOS sensor
• Shoots 4K up to 30p
• 8-bit Log and ‘HLG’ shooting modes
• Has a directional 3-capsule mic for audio 
• Supports HLG and S-Log2/3 for easy color grading
• Real-time Eye AF 
• No headphone jack for audio monitoring
• Limited zoom range

The ZV-1 is a compact, easy-to-use camera that makes it easy to start vlogging without much technical know-how. It has a clever directional three-capsule mic that makes it easy to capture quality audio while recording. It can shoot 4K up to 30p and Full HD video up to 120fps. There is a giant record button on the top of the camera and a simple touchscreen interface that makes operating the ZV-1 extremely intuitive. 

Its autofocus is fast and accurate, and settings like background de-focus and product-showcase mode are aimed specifically at content creators. If you are looking for an easy-to-use, compact camera with 4K capabilities, the ZV-1 has much to offer. 

Why it made the cut: This pocket-sized all-in-one gimbal and 4K camera is great for capturing stabilized footage. 

• 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor 
• Shoots 4K video at 60fps
• Built-in 3-axis gimbal for smooth, stabilized footage
• Pocket-sized and easy to travel with
• Offers 140 minutes of recording time on a fully charged battery
• Fast f/1.8 lens 
• Difficult to operate when attached to smartphone
• Subpar zoom quality 

This clever all-in-one gimbal and camera makes it easy to capture 4K stabilized footage. As the name suggests, the DJI Pocket 2 is compact enough to fit inside a pocket easily. The Pocket 2 features four mics with directional audio and a feature called soundtracking. The Pocket 2 is great as a secondary camera on a shoot or for capturing BTS footage from the day. Ultimately the Pocket offers an extremely easy way to grab some stabilized footage while shooting video.

Things to consider before buying a video camera 

Before purchasing a camera, it’s important to consider what your goals are and what kind of videos you are trying to create. You should also consider where your final video will be displayed. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have specific requirements for video specs that often require shooting on higher-end cameras. If you want to create video content primarily displayed on YouTube or other social media platforms, a mid-range video camera might be a more appropriate choice. Ultimately a person working on a full-length film or a short documentary will have very different needs than someone creating video for a YouTube channel. 

Camera types

One of the most important things to understand before buying a video camera is the different types of cameras available on the market. At the high-end, there are cine-cameras. Cine-cameras are some of the most expensive and largest cameras on the market because they often have the largest sensor, can shoot at very high resolutions, and allow for more flexibility when color grading. 

There are currently several mirrorless cameras aimed at videographers who don’t necessarily need a high-end cine camera. These cameras are great for creating videos that will primarily live on YouTube, making them a nice choice for vloggers, event videographers, and content creators. The nice thing about this set of cameras is that they also can shoot high-quality stills. 

You’ll likely want to export 4K footage when you’re done editing, and you’ll need at least 4K capture for that. That’s table stakes at this point. Some cameras offer higher-res shooting which allows creatives to shoot over-sampled 4K footage to provide more detail.

If the camera doesn’t have an integrated lens, you’re going to have to provide some glass, and that plays a huge part in how your productions look. Camera manufacturers (like Sony and Canon) typically offer their first-party lenses to go with their bodies. Other manufacturers like Blackmagic equip their cameras with mounts that can accept lenses from a third party. Many filmmakers also use vintage manual focus lenses on their video cameras because they provide a unique look, and they typically cost a lot less than their modern high-end counterparts.

Heat management

True cinema cameras offer robust cooling because the electronics inside can get very hot as they pull in high-res footage. Dedicated video cameras are better equipped to deal with these issues than most hybrid-oriented mirrorless cameras. Manufacturers often indicate in the specs how long you can expect a camera to go before it runs into heat issues. It’s also worth noting that some modes heat things much more quickly than others. If you’re maxing out resolution and framerate while capturing a data-hungry format, things will get toasty a lot faster than if you’re shooting basic 4K footage.

Q: What cameras do YouTubers use for videos?

YouTubers use a variety of cameras to create their videos, but most opt for compact mirrorless cameras when shooting. If there is a particular YouTuber whose style you want to emulate, take a look at the description of their videos, it’s not unusual for YouTubers to explicitly say what gear they are using and include affiliate links to purchase it.

Q: Do I need a 4K video camera for filmmaking?

Having a camera that can shoot 4K is a great tool for filmmaking because it gives you more flexibility with your footage. If your end goal is to have your film streaming on a platform like Netflix, it’s best to shoot in the highest resolution possible. For example, Netflix currently requires content streamed on the platform to be shot on a camera with a true UHD 4K sensor with a minimum of 3840 photosites across.

Q: What cameras do professionals use?

Professional filmmakers working on big-budget projects will typically be shooting on a high-end cine camera. A professional YouTuber is more likely to be shooting video on an advanced mirrorless camera. Professionals who are filming events might use a mixture of the two. Ultimately, the camera that a professional is using on the job depends a lot on the delivery requirements of said job.

Final thoughts on the best video cameras

Choosing the best video camera ultimately depends greatly on what you are shooting and where the final video will end up. It’s not unusual for videographers to shoot on various gear, depending on what a project calls for. When selecting the best video camera, you should always consider what type of gear is the best for getting the job done. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio, to video games, to cameras, and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Best video conference cameras you can buy in 2024

Looking to add a webcam to your meeting room or small office? We’ve rounded up the best video conference cameras

• 1. Best for most people
• 2. Best for big groups
• 3. Best premium choice
• 4. Best basic camera
• 5. Best 360 view
• 6. Best Dell
• 7. Best for the boardroom
• 8. Best for big meetings
• 9. Best affordable
• How to choose a conference camera

BEST CONFERENCE CAMS 2024: JUMP MENU

00. The list in brief ↴ 01. Best for most people : Poly Studio P15 02. Best for big groups : Jabra Panacast 50 03. Best premium : Logitech Rallybar Mini 04. Best basic : Konftel Can20 05. Best 360 view : Owl Labs Meeting Owl Pro 06. Best Dell : Dell Ultrasharp Webcam 07. Best for the boardroom : Logitec Rally Bar Mini 08. Best for big meetings : Kandao Meeting 09. Best affordable : Microsoft LifeCam Studio 10. How to choose :

The best video conference cameras have to offer are extremely high resolution and are designed to make video conferencing a breeze. If you work from home and have a lot of Zoom, Teams or Skype calls, then investing in a good quality video conferencing camera is going to be worth your while. Just because you work from home doesn't mean you can't present yourself in the best way, and show off that you're not just wearing your pyjamas. In an office meeting room too, these cameras can be invaluable to doing business properly, even when far away. 

Laptop cameras just don't seem to cut it these days, with poor audio and resolution, and so if you want to come across as extra professional, then an external camera is the way to go. 

Now, some of these are on the premium end when it comes to pricing. These are more for office conference rooms and boardrooms, but there are individual cameras here too. If you want something a little cheaper, you can also check out our guide to the best webcams for home workers . 

Conference cameras offer better video quality than your average consumer webcams , and are ideal for low-light environments or larger office calls. Check them out below...

The quick list

Best for most people Provided you're not more than a few people, this is the best video conference camera you can get. Capable of Ultra HD 4K, the image and audio quality is top notch with face-tracking to keep you from looking blurry. You will need a laptop or computer for it to sit on top of, but you can't argue with the results. Read more below

Best for big groups If there's more than a couple of you, then the Jabra Panacast is probably the best choice you can make. It combines a super-wide 180 degree view across three 1080p cameras with high-quality audio. This wall mounted camera is a top tier option, we just wish that the remote was included and not an optional extra.   Read more below

Best premium choice If money isn't a factor, here you go. The Logitech Rally Bar Mini is an audio and visual treat with 4K video resolution. An AI camera tracks faces, so if you have a demonstration or like to walk and talk, this is the perfect choice for you. No laptops are required either, it works directly with Microsoft Teams.   Read more below

Best video conference cameras to buy

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

• Back to the top ⤴

Best for most people

1. Poly Studio P15

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Poly (formerly Polycom) describes the Studio P15 as a personal video bar, and that’s an apt description. This conferencing camera isn’t designed specifically to go in a conference room, but instead to sit on top of your monitor, replacing your cheap webcam with a high-end camera, speakers, and noise-canceling microphone setup. 

The combination works extremely well. The quality of the video and audio is impressive, which means it can also double as a music speaker. The captured video is sharp and clear, and the auto face tracking works very well.

It isn’t as small as a regular webcam, though, so it won’t work with smaller monitors or laptops using the included clip-style stand. Instead, a tripod-style socket on the base provides an easy way to mount it.

Overall, the Studio P15 is impressive. It is missing the higher-end features of some of the other models (such as HDMI pass-through, cable security, and a stand-alone mode that doesn’t require a computer), but for most home workers or small offices, it will do pretty much everything they might need. 

Best for big groups

2. Jabra Panacast 50

Why have one camera when you can have three? That seems to be the approach of the Jabra Panacast 50, which looks like a soundbar that’s been attacked by a 1970s robot. Three cameras mean that the Panacast can see a full 180-degree field of view, which it then combines into a single 1080P video image. Alternatively, it can use the three cameras to track you and zoom in on your face as you move around the office. 

The video and audio quality of the Panacast 50 are excellent, although this camera only outputs a 1080P image. In the wide-angle view, this is letterboxed into a 1080P image that lacks the detail of 4K cameras. However, most people don’t use 4K for video conferencing as it uses an awful lot of bandwidth, so it is an acceptable compromise. 

There are a couple of other odd choices, here. There is no included remote control and it comes with a wall-mount instead of a table mount. An optional remote is available, but it is kind of essential for these devices, so it is an odd omission. Most people want a table mount to start, as you usually want to test the device out before you screw it permanently into the wall. Again, this is available as an extra-cost option. 

Best premium

3. Logitech Rally Bar Mini

The Logitech Rally Bar Mini offers a lot of features for its considerable price. It has excellent video and sound quality from the large, loud speakers, so it should be at home in all but the largest conference rooms and offices. 

The camera on the Rally Bar Mini pans and tilts, and an AI camera tracks you and moves the camera automatically, so you can move around the office or conference room and still be seen and heard. 

The system can also be expanded so that no computer is required. With an optional touch-screen controller it can work with Microsoft Teams directly, so you can have meetings without the distracting laptops. Additional microphones are also available, but the built-in ones do an excellent job of picking up sound from around the small office already. 

4. Konftel CAM20 Conference Camera

If you simply want a better webcam than the one built into your laptop, the Konftel CAM20 offers that, capturing pin-sharp 4K video with excellent color and detail. In addition to offering excellent video quality, the CAM20 comes with a remote control that allows you to pan, tilt and zoom without touching your laptop. 

Combine this with the wide 123-degree angle of view, and you’ve got a great way to show yourself or the things around you. You can save presets to the remote, so you could, for instance, switch from you to a view of a product you are presenting or another speaker quickly and smoothly

Konftel also offers a package with a USB hub and a Bluetooth speakerphone that expands it into a more fully-featured video conferencing system. So, if you want to start off small and low-cost, but with the option to upgrade later, it’s a great pick. 

Best 360 view

5. Meeting Owl Pro

This Strigiforme-inspired camera is designed to sit in the middle of a table or room, providing a 360-degree view, while picking out the person speaking with eight microphones. If you don’t want to show the whole room, the view of the Meeting Owl Pro can automatically zoom in to show just one or two people. It connects to a computer over Wi-Fi and can work with any standard video conferencing app.

The Meeting Owl Pro comes with a 6.5-foot USB cable, but the premium pack version adds a 16-foot USB cable, so the camera can be well away from the power socket. You can also connect and control the camera over WiFi, so the person making the connection can be across the room. 

6. Dell UltraSharp Webcam

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam is one of the best webcams on the market, with a solid build with a handy magnetic mount system. The large sensor and lens array creates a crisp, detailed image with natural-looking color and well controlled noise. AI tracking also helps you stay in the frame, and it works with all video conferencing apps without needing drivers installed. There is no sound, though: this camera lacks microphones and speakers.

Make sure you check our Dell discount codes to bag a great deal. 

Best for the boardroom

7. Logitech Rally Bar

The big brother of the Logitech Rally Bar Mini, the Rally Bar is bigger, pricier and more complex. It also adds larger speakers and more microphones that help it pick out speech in larger rooms. The lens is also better, with a 15x zoom that allows you to zoom in on one person from a distance. In addition, you can also add up to three external microphones that can be spread around the room. This larger version supports two external displays, one of which shows the view from the camera. 

Like the Mini version, it can be used as a USB device, or turned into a standalone system with the addition of the Tap device. 

Best for big meetings

8. Kandao Meeting

The Kandao Meeting is another video conferencing system that combines two into one: the image from two wide-angle cameras is stitched together inside the device to provide a full 360-degree view of the conference room. In addition, eight microphones around the edge of the device pick up voices from all angles, ensuring that everyone gets heard. 

The camera has three modes to present the video. In discussion mode, the Kandao presents a whole 360-degree view of the room on the top of the transmitted image, plus up to four close-up videos of the speakers, with the person speaking highlighted. In Presentation mode, the camera will detect the speaker and use facial recognition to zoom in on them. In Global mode, the camera shows the entire 360-degree view in two halves. That’s a sophisticated selection of modes for different types of meetings. 

In addition, the Kandao Meeting camera offers a pop-up camera mount. When it is not in use, pushing the cameras down into the camera body turns the device off, so it can’t be used to listen in. When the meeting starts, pressing the camera mount again makes it pop up, ready for use. 

Best affordable

9. Microsoft Lifecam Studio for Business

The business version of Microsoft’s own webcam offers a decent range of features for an affordable price. You get decent video quality and a microphone that picks up decent sound. There is no 4K video, though, and there are no face tracking or other features that help keep you in the frame. It’s a bare bones option, but one that is portable and low cost. 

How to choose

When deciding which video conference camera to get, there are a host of factors to consider. Budget is the most obvious, but also very important. How essential is a great video conferencing experience to your company or job? If it's not that necessary, try one of the best webcams instead. Once you've decided that a conference camera is the way to go, think about how many people will be using it, and how big the conference space is. If it's likely to be just yourself and one or two others, try the Dell Ultrasharp Webcam or Poly Studio P15 Personal. If it's a large square room and there are a group of you, then you might be better suited to the Jabra Pancast 50 instead, while for a 360 view in circular rooms, try the Owl Labs Meeting Owl Pro for a head-turning meeting.

Even if you do have the budget to spare, don't waste money on an ultra-high-spec set-up if you aren't going to use it very often. If it's an essential part of your job, however, you can't put a price on crystal clear video conferences, especially if coming across well to clients is a key part of your business. 

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Richard Baguley has been writing about technology since the 1990s, when he left a promising career in high finance to work on Amiga Format magazine for Future. It has been downhill for him ever since, writing for publications such as PC World, Wired and Reviewed.com. He has tested gadgets as diverse as 3D printers to washing machines. For T3, he covers laptops, smartphones, and many other topics. He lives near Boston in the USA with his wife, one dog, and an indeterminate number of cats.

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The best camera for video in 2024: find the best model for you

The best camera for video will depend on who you are, what you want to shoot and how much you want to spend

• Our top picks

Best overall

Best action camera, best for aerial video, best for 360 video, most versatile camera, best phone for video, best for live streaming, best camcorder.

• How we test
• Common questions

Quick List ↴ 1. Best overall 2. Best action camera 3. Best for aerial video 4. Best for 360 video 5. Most versatile camera 6. Best phone for video 7. Best for live streaming 8. Best camcorder Common questions How we test

If you ask a professional or any camera expert about which is the best camera for video, you'll probably get a different answer every time. It all comes down to what you want to use it for. The best camera for streaming won't be the same as a camera you'd choose for shooting a movie, your next vacation, or for launching your career as an influencer!

This guide is for anyone just starting out in video that doesn't know what camera to get. If you already know what you're looking for, you can jump straight to our dedicated buying guides to the best camcorders , the best cameras for filmmaking , the best action cameras , and more.

Here at Digital Camera World our experts have tested and reviewed a huge range of camera types and price points. I will walk you through all the options available, whether it's a camera phone , mirrorless camera , or one of the best cinema cameras – and tell you our favorites. They all shoot video in completely different ways and some are much better all-rounders than others, so if you want to take pictures too it's worth keeping that in mind. 

Video doesn't have to be difficult, so don't be put off by all the accessories, technical terms, or complex-sounding techniques. Remember, your first project doesn't have to be a masterpiece, the more you do, the more you'll learn…

Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. With several years of experience as a photographer and videographer, shooting for some household names, he has learned a thing or two about working with cameras and the photography industry. Outside of this, expect to find him cycling around London, or deep in a Netflix binge.

Best camera for video: our top picks

Best overall Mirrorless cameras are the most popular choice for serious video shooting – offering you an interchangeable lens system that means you can pick the right lens for what you are shooting.  Read more below

Best action camera If you're looking for a great camera that can capture all the action on your latest adventures then you really can't beat a GoPro, especially the Hero11 Black with its 27MP stills and 5.3K video. Read more below

Best for aerial video If you simply want the best video from the air, with all the modern tech then DJI is THE name in drone, with the DJI Mini 3 Pro taking the crown for 4K aerial video. Read more below

Best for 360 video if you want to record the world in stunning 5.7K resolution in mind-bend 360 video then look no further, the Insta360 One X2 is the best in the business. Read more below

Most versatile If you want a compact camera that's great for video, but also not too shabby at taking stills either then the X-S20 from Fujifilm is the best versatile camera on this list. Read more below

Best phone for video While the iPhone 14 Pro is a generation old, for the price, performance, and of course convenience, it is the best phone for video on the market. Read more below

View more options ↴

Best for live streaming Most cameras can be set up for live streaming, but this Canon compact can do this without the need for a capture card - and unlike your webcam it has a quality built-in 4x zoom. Read more below

Best camcorder The big advantage of a camcorder is that it comes with a big zoom built-in - making it great for subjects such as sport. Another plus is that the form factor is custom-made for videomaking. Read more below

• Back to the top ⤴

Best camera for video in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1. Panasonic Lumix S5II

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Mirrorless cameras are the most popular choice for serious video shooting – offering you an interchangeable lens system that means you can pick the right lens for what you are shooting. 

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is our top pick for videographers - but its full-frame sensor make it a great camera for shooting stills too. It builds on the original Lumix S5 ’s tough compact frame, class-leading 5-axis in-body image stabilization, and excellent color science.

In my review, the most significant new addition to this camera is the Phase Hybrid autofocus system that combines PDAF with Contrast Detect AF to provide 779-area metering. The S5 series was always a favorite,  but this newer model is now much, much better at getting the focus right on low-light and moving subjects.

We were also impressed that the Lumix S5 II gives you truly unlimited 4K/60p 4:2:2 10-bit recording internally - and FHD/180p for slow-motion effects-  making it a highly versatile camera for content production. And at $2500/£2000, we think the Lumix S5 II is astonishingly good value for money.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix S5 II review for more details

2. GoPro Hero 11 Black

Action cams are one of the simplest ways to get into video. There’s almost nothing to know. Apart from a handful of basic settings for the video resolution and frame rate, you just press a button to record and press it again to stop. What action cams lack in finesse they make up for in immediacy, impact, and their bulletproof go-anywhere attitude – and one name stands above all the others: GoPro . 

It looks very similar to earlier GoPros but what we love is that it has an 8:7 - that makes it much easier to edit your videos for vertical TikTok use, as well as for standard 16:9 platforms. What's more it produces stunning 5.3K video, and 27MP stills. 

There is a more recent GoPro Hero 12 Black - but we don't recommend this as not only is it more expensive, it also has stripped out the GPS feature, which is great of adding things such as a speedometer display in post production

If you shoot a lot of slow motion, it can record at 240fps in 2.7K making it perfect for those smooth action shots. This is hands down the best GoPro on the market - but its fixed lens means it does not give you the range of angles of view of alternative video cameras.

Read our full GoPro Hero 11 Black review for more details

3. DJI Mini 3 Pro

The DJI Mini 3 is one of the best sub-250g camera drones -  and the first to come with collision sensors as found in some of the more expensive models - making it easier to fly than many of its rivals. We also love that it includes a new camera gimbal capable of turning to capture images in portrait orientation (handy for TikTok). 

The new 'DJI RC' remote is also now available, allowing customers to use the remote's built-in screen rather than connecting via their phone. Choose from heavier batteries with longer fly time (although this will make the drone heavier) or stick to the classic batteries that ensure it weighs below that magic number. 

With all the added benefits that come with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, it is considerably more expensive than previous models so if you're on a budget we suggest considering the DJI Mini 3 , which offers stunning image and video quality but lacks sensors and pilot assist. 

Read our full DJI Mini 3 Pro review for more details

4. Insta360 One X2

This is another variation of the action cam design that takes video into whole new areas. 360 cameras are essentially two 180-degree cameras fixed back to back that film simultaneously – and the camera merges both sets of images in real-time to produce seamless 360-degree ‘spherical’ footage. It’s amazing and disorientating at the same time. It doesn’t matter where you point the camera (!) because it captures everything around you.

Viewers can look around the full 360 scene in 360 viewers ( YouTube can do this). More usefully you can edit the video to produce a regular ‘flat’ movie where you can pan the camera and control where it’s pointing as you edit the movie; this feature is brilliant for single-camera productions, allowing you to present to camera and also show what you are looking out. 

Our favorite 360 camera right now for new users is the Insta360 One X2 , which we love as it small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. 

Read our full Insta360 ONE X2 review for more details 

5. Fujifilm X-S20

In our field test, I found that Fujifilm X-S20 is the perfect camera for most people. I love its very straightforward controls, excellent fully automatic modes, it’s small and compact size, and its deceptively powerful processor capable of 6K video and subject recognition tracking. Photo enthusiasts, content creators, and vloggers will find a lot to love - making it such a great all-round choice. 

The price is a little higher than the previous version, which might put some people off, although, for the cost, you are getting a considerably capable mirrorless camera that is more than enough for most users’ needs.

Read our Fujifilm X-S20 review to find out more

6. Apple iPhone 14 Pro

You don't have to invest in a dedicated video camera to shoot great video. Like other flagship smartphones, the iPhone 14 Pro can shoot incredibly well-stabilized 4K video of a quality that's perfect for vlogging and even indie filmmaking. 

And if you mostly shoot video for social media, a camera phone makes recording, uploading, and sharing content very efficiently. The iPhone 14 Pro is one of the best. We found the macro mode really usefu - and we noticed an improvement to low-light shooting with the ultra-wide camera.

New picture styles are worth experimenting with, while the Cinematic video mode is a clever feature and nice to have if you're a budding movie-maker. As for camera hardware, Apple has gone for a quadruple-lens setup on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max which include a 48MP 24mm f/1.7 lens, and an ultra-wide 12MP 13mm f/1.78 lens, a 2x telephoto 48mm f/1.78 lens and finally a 12MP 3x telephoto 77mm f/2.8 lens. But it does lack the longer lenses of some its rivals, including the more recent (and more expensive) iPhone 15 Pro .

Read our full Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max review  | Best phones for video

7. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Streaming is become an increaingly popular way shoot and share video. 'Streaming', whether it's to Facebook or YouTube or some other video-sharing platform, is sharing video live, as you shoot it, whether that's out in the field or in front of your computer hooked up to a camera.

Streaming from a phone is the simplest solution, but if you want a proper camera that's easy to carry around, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III is ideal. It was also the first camera of its kind with a microphone input – vital if you want clean audio, not to mention the ability to Livestream straight to YouTube. 

This means that even if you’ve got an expensive cinema camera if you also have a G7 X Mark III you can create a fuss-free live setup without any expensive capture cards and a PC. And unlike with mirrorless cameras, the zoom lens is built-in - offering a 4x zoom range at no additional cost.

With its flip-out screen, the G7 X III also gives vloggers a clear view of themselves when they shoot, and thanks to its 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor it’s also able to capture great stills, so your custom thumbnails can pop nicely.

Read our full Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III review for more details | Best cameras for streaming

8. Canon Vixia / Legria HF G70

Camcorders peaked in popularity in the 1990s, but it is a mistake to think they don't have their advantages for videomaking in the modern era. Unlike mobile phones or mirrorless cameras, camcorders have huge built-in zooms - making them great for shooting sport, wildlife and current affairs. What's more they are designed for the needs of the moviemaker - so the electronic viewfinder and the screen fall naturally to your eye and eyeline.

The Canon HF G70 is one of the best camcorders around right now with an impressive 20x zoom that will take you from 29mm wideangle to 600mm telephoto using the motorized rocker switch so you can frame up each shot as tightly as you need it. 

Read our full  Canon Vixia / Legria HF G70 review

How we test the best video cameras

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and, for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our team of reviewers have tested hundreds of different cameras, of different types - and for us we are looking for great looking video footage, something that is designed well so that its features can be used easily, and something that offers good value compared to its rivals. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides. Action cameras, phones, compacts and camcorders are assessed using our field tests alone, but footage is assessed by our expert reviewers in a variety of different lighting conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Do i need 4k video.

All of the video cameras in this guide can shoot 4K video - and some can even shoot video in even higher resolution. 4K is a measurement of the maximum detail that can recorded - very roughly 4000 dots across (but usually slightly less). As many people play back footage on screens with lower resolutions, 4K is not essential. However, the higher the resolution, the more scope you have to crop the image during editing – and it is also a useful to help future-proof you for the ever-improving quality of screens. A 6K camera can shoot video with a horizontal resolution of approaching 6000 pixels. All cameras also allow you to record at a lower resolution - such as 1080P or 2K (which gives you a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels) - to allow you to achieve smaller file sizes, or allow you to use faster frame rates (for slow-motion effects).

Are DSLRs good at shooting video?

All recent DSLR cameras can shoot video - and the best SLRs for videos can do this well. But the design of DSLRs means that more modern mirrorless cameras are better adapted to shooting video, making these the obvious choice over DSLRs for anyone starting out. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras both allow you to change lenses - so you can choose your lens to shoot your subject. But this does mean that the lens is a separate purchase - which can easily cost as much as the camera body itself.

Isn't my phone good enough to shoot video?

Recent phones can shoot video to a very high standard - and some people even use them professionally. However, the size and shape of phones does not make them particularly easy to use for serious videomaking. They also provide fewer lens options than mirrorless cameras with their interchangeable lenses - or camcorders with their big built-in zooms. 

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You might also like the best laptops for video editing and the best video editing monitor . These are the best video tripods .

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Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.

• Hannah Rooke Staff Writer

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• Table of Contents
• Best Camera
• Best For Action
• Best For Low Light
• Best Mid-Range
• Best Budget

Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 6 best cameras for videography and filmmaking - spring 2024 reviews.

Investing in a mirrorless or DSLR camera is an increasingly viable option for amateur filmmakers who want to produce high-quality videos without spending a fortune on professional video gear. In fact, consumer stills and hybrid cameras now offer more and more advanced video capabilities, with many cameras now supporting features like internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording and high-quality recording formats, codecs, and picture profiles. Generally speaking, when looking for a filmmaking camera, you should consider the camera's video resolution and frame rate options, whether or not you need in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and design features like dual memory card slots and ports to attach peripherals like microphones or external recorders. Of course, budget and ergonomic preferences also play a big role in determining which camera is best for you.

We don't currently test cinema cameras, and because dedicated cinema cameras run the gamut from affordable prosumer models to astronomically expensive professional models, this article focuses primarily on consumer stills and hybrid cameras. Note also that your chosen lens will significantly affect your camera's performance, including its stabilization and autofocus performance.

We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best hybrid cameras for aspiring filmmakers and videographers to buy. If you're looking for simpler options to create videos for online media platforms, check out our recommendations for the best cameras for YouTube  or the best cameras for vlogging . If you like to film sports videos, you can try the best video cameras for sports , too. Otherwise, check out our  best cameras  overall.

Best Camera For Videography

The Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is the best camera for videography that we've tested. It's loaded with features that match up to and, in some ways, surpass more expensive options, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck cameras if you're interested in videography and filmmaking. That includes 6k open gate recording, a wide range of frame rate options, including 4k at up to 60 fps (albeit with an APS-C crop), and internal 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, with support for a wide range of codecs and recording formats. Video quality from its full-frame sensor is also excellent, and its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) works very well.

The S5 II is also the first LUMIX camera to feature phase-detection autofocus, giving it significantly improved subject tracking compared to its predecessor, particularly in video mode. It's worth noting that native L-mount lenses can be expensive, although you can get around that by going for third-party options or using a lens-mount adapter. Of course, if you want to save even more money, the original Panasonic LUMIX S5 is a steal, particularly if you buy used and don't need the more advanced autofocus of the S5 II.

See our review

Best Micro Four Thirds Camera For Videography

If you already have a stable of Micro Four Thirds lenses, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is a no-brainer. This is one of the most capable Micro Four Thirds cameras on the market, and its video-centric design makes it one of the best cameras for filmmaking and advanced video work. Unlike the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II above, the GH6 supports features like external RAW video output and internal ProRes codecs out of the box (the S5 II can do those things too, but you need to buy an upgrade key at an additional cost). It also has built-in heat vents to prevent overheating and a unique screen that can both tilt and fully articulate, making it easier to shoot at various angles.

The biggest drawback here is that the GH6 uses Panasonic's older contrast-based autofocus system, which isn't as effective and can create pulsing artifacts in the background of your videos. Ultimately, if you're a single operator who tends to shoot in less controlled lighting conditions and relies on autofocus, the full-frame S5 II will likely suit you better. On the flip side, if you're a more advanced videographer who needs RAW video output and doesn't mind pulling focus manually, you won't be disappointed by the GH6.

Best Camera For Action Videography

The Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the best hybrid cameras in its price range for videographers who need high frame rates and speed. That's because of its 26-megapixel stacked sensor, which keeps rolling shutter to a minimum and makes it a great fit for fast-moving subjects and sweeping action videography. It also supports 6.2k open gate recording, 4k at up to 60 fps without a crop, and a slow-motion recording mode that can capture 4k at up to 120 fps.

Aside from its superb internal recording capabilities, it also has all the inputs you'll need for video peripherals, including a full-sized HDMI, making it easy to connect to an external recorder or display. The camera also supports RAW video output to a compatible external recorder. Even without an external recorder, the camera's internal codec support is fantastic, with Apple ProRes formats to capture higher-quality video with less compression.

Best Camera For Low-Light Videography

The Sony ZV-E1 is one of the best low-light video cameras we've tested. It features a 12 MP full-frame sensor optimized for low-light shooting, fantastic noise handling, and plenty of dynamic range for great results in even the trickiest lighting conditions. It's the same sensor found in the pricier Sony α7S III and Sony FX3—though we haven't tested them, they're known to be some of the best videography cameras in their respective classes. The ZV-E1 is billed as a vlogging camera, so it's more accessible to newcomers, with a relatively compact body. It also comes with in-body image stabilization, Sony's ever-reliable autofocus, and 4k recording at up to 60 fps.

The Panasonic LUMIX GH5s is another great option for low-light videography. Though it uses a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor, the sensor's low resolution and dual-native ISO design optimize the camera for low light. The MFT system also features more compact lens options, and the camera has more effective IBIS, but its autofocus is much less reliable than the ZV-E1. That may not be a dealbreaker if you prefer to focus manually, so the GH5s is a good choice if you want to save some money. Otherwise, the full-frame ZV-E1 offers a ton of value for its price for solo operators who frequently shoot in uncontrolled or dim lighting conditions.

Best Mid-Range Camera For Videography

Another great option for aspiring filmmakers is the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II. It's the predecessor to the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 above and uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor, albeit with a slightly lower resolution. However, it still delivers excellent overall video quality, and the Four Thirds system has a vast library of lenses to choose from, including plenty of compact and relatively affordable options.

The GH5 II has a wide range of resolution and frame rate options, including anamorphic modes to get a wider, more cinematic aspect ratio and 4k recording at up to 60 fps. You also get Log profiles and 10-bit 4:2:2 4k recording (up to 30 fps) to capture more color information and give you more flexibility in post. Unlike the GH6, however, it lacks a CFexpress card slot, can't shoot in Apple ProRes formats internally, and is a bit more limited in frame rate options. For the price, however, the GH5 II is a fantastic choice.

Best Budget Camera For Videography

The Sony ZV-E10 is the best camera for filmmaking on a tighter budget. This entry-level APS-C vlogging cam is ideal for beginner videographers and filmmakers who don't want to spend a fortune on a camera. It doesn't have a viewfinder like the cameras above, making it less versatile for hybrid shooters, but the fully articulated screen is ideal for video work. The camera's portable size also makes it a breeze to take it on the go, and you have plenty of great E mount lenses to choose from.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have in-body stabilization, but you can pair it with optically stabilized lenses or use a cage to get steadier camera movements. You'll also miss out on internal 10-bit capture and 4k 60 fps recording compared to higher-end options. For the price, though, the camera is quite feature-packed, with a fairly wide range of frame rates, including 4k at up to 30 fps and 1080p at up to 120 fps. Overall, it's a great choice for the budget-conscious filmmaker.

• Canon EOS R6 Mark II: The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is an excellent full-frame option for filmmakers. It supports internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording in 4k at up to 60 fps but doesn't offer as many recording formats and codecs as the Fujifilm X-H2S and has worse rolling shutter effect. See our review
• Fujifilm X-T4: The Fujifilm X-T4 is an excellent upper mid-range option for hybrid shooters, with 4k recording at up to 60 fps. While its APS-C sensor is better suited to low light than the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II, it has fewer recording format/codec options and is limited to 4:2:0 subsampling internally. See our review
• Sony α6700: The Sony α6700 is an excellent mid-range option for hybrid shooters. It can capture 4k video at up to 120 fps, though with a notable crop, and has a reliable autofocus system. However, it's less video-centric than the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II, with fewer supported recording formats and lacking quality-of-life touches like a full-sized HDMI port. See our review
• Sony α7 IV: The Sony α7 IV is another fantastic hybrid option with advanced video specs. However, it can only record 4k / 60 fps video with a Super35 crop, and unlike the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II, it lacks some video-centric features like vectorscope functionality and RAW video output. See our review

May 06, 2024: We looked over the picks, including their price and availability, to ensure the article is up to date; the recommended cameras remain the same.

Apr 09, 2024: We've updated some of the product photos in the article to be more relevant to videography and filmmaking and checked that the picks were still the best options for users.

Mar 14, 2024: We've reviewed the article to ensure the picks and text are still accurate and relevant.

Feb 16, 2024: Added the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 as the 'Best Micro Four Thirds Camera For Videography'.

Jan 17, 2024: Renamed the Fujifilm X-H2S to 'Best Camera For Action Videography' because of its stacked sensor and high frame rate options, and moved the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II from the upper mid-range spot to the top spot because of the value it offers to most consumers. Removed the SIGMA fp L from Notable Mentions.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best videography cameras for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for video-capable cameras. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.

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Best Webcams for Zoom Meetings (User Tested Reviews)

What are the best webcams for Zoom? Find out, so you can look and sound your very best during your next meeting or conference call!

Camera Gear Guides | Webcam Guides | By Greg Cromie | Last Updated: January 30, 2024

Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.

This guide to the best webcam for zoom meetings is indispensable for anyone working from home.

In our tests, we found that investing in one of the web camera models reviewed below will ensure you look and sound your best during your video chats.

(There are plenty of cheaper webcams available, but we recommend avoiding them since most feature mediocre video quality and lack essential features.)

4K studio-quality webcam with AI software to make you look your best on Zoom calls. Simple and fun to use.

Zoom is the world’s most popular video conferencing platform, and the web cameras below are optimised for top performance, whether you’re using Zoom for work or for talking to the family during lockdown.

All the best webcams also excel at  video streaming  to other platforms, including Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, YouTube and Twitch.

Let’s take a look at the results of our webcam tests.

Table of Contents

Best Webcams for Zoom in 2024

1. lumina | overall best webcam for mac, windows.

• Amazing 4K picture quality
• Auto-framing for tracking your face
• Wide angle camera
• Background blurring
• Adaptive colour correction
• Great-looking
• Simple setup
• Magnetic privacy cover can get lost
• Not compatible with Facetime

This cute little device is our pick of the best webcam in 2024. From the moment you unwrap the iPhone-like packaging, you know that this is an HD video webcam like no other.

Lumina’s headline feature is its AI-powered depth-sensing technology, which can help hide distractions with a configurable background bokeh (blurring) effect.

When I tested the Lumina last month, I found it to be the best webcam for Zoom.

This is great for anyone using Zoom at home since it stops the viewer from seeing your messy dishes or kids playing in the background, and is much better than Zoom’s built-in background blurring effect.

The 4K ultra-wide camera on the Lumina webcam provides DSLR-like image quality, and there’s even an auto-focus feature that follows your face around the call, making sure you’re perfectly centred in the frame while video chatting.

Lumina’s adaptive colour correction system, auto light correction and Deep Fusion technology (to light up low-light scenes), make sure everything looks great during your Zoom video calls, even if you don’t have the best lighting.

Lumina offers 4k video streaming, which is the best way to use a webcam for optimum video clarity. If your connection isn’t fast enough, you can change the settings to a lower quality, like 1080p.

Lumina comes with everything you need to start your video call.

Set up is refreshingly simple – just plug it in and configure your look exactly as you want it, or simply click on Auto to let the AI do its work. The software is compatible with Mac OS, Linux and Windows.

All in all, Lumina is the best web camera for Zoom for those who are ready to invest in the latest technology to ensure you look your best while video conferencing.

• Lumina webcam review

2. Logitech BRIO | Best Webcam for Business

• Stereo audio
• 5x digital zoom
• USB-A and USB-C
• Face recognition for Windows Hello

If you work in a business that conducts regular Zoom video conferences or team meetings, the Logitech BRIO Ultra is the best choice of webcam in 2024.

You know it’s a serious product when it captures 4K video on a 1-inch image sensor for high-quality webcam video footage. If your colleagues are having trouble streaming 4K video, you can also drop the resolution to 1080p or 720p.

The BRIO Ultra is a serious and sturdy piece of tech that mounts securely to a laptop, monitor or even to a tripod mount. As a result, you can mount this to a table-top tripod in the boardroom or dining room.

Its lens has a glass construction for optimal picture quality, and the webcam features a 5x digital zoom that’s easy to control.

Thanks to the zoom function, the field of view ranges from 65 to 90 degrees – you can sit at your desk or the head of the meeting room table and remain in view.

The BRIO webcam features Logitech’s RightLight auto light correction technology. Along with HDR imaging, it will ensure your video content looks crystal clear regardless of the lighting conditions.

As for audio quality, the Logitech BRIO Ultra has a pair of stereo microphones that are omnidirectional and noise-cancelling. Your peers or family members won’t miss a word of your video recording.

The BRIO is a professional webcam for business with impressive features suited perfectly to the work environment, but can equally be used in a home office.

If you’re running Windows Hello, face recognition permits you to rejoin your video meeting or meeting rooms without typing in a password.

While the price is high, it’s one of the best webcams to conduct meetings on Zoom and gain valuable face time with colleagues.

• Best Mac Webcam

3. Meeting Owl Pro | Best 360 Degree Webcam

• Full High Definition
• 1080p 360-degree webcam
• 360-degree audio
• Smart focus tech
• Unique design

If you’re looking for a Zoom HD webcam solution with some incredible tech features, look no further than the Meeting Owl Pro. Of all the webcams you can buy, this one certainly stands out, both in appearance and functionality.

The Meeting Owl Pro is a free-standing cylindrical 360-degree webcam that sits upon a desk rather than connecting to your laptop or monitor.

What’s unique about the Owl Pro is that it captures 360-degree video in Full High Definition 1080p. Plus, it captures 360-degree audio up to 18′ away from the unit – see also:  what does a 360 camera do?

But how does it know where to look and listen? That’s the fascinating part about the Meeting Owl Pro; it uses voice and motion detection to know where to focus the camera from the 360-degree footage. The same applies to how it captures audio.

Despite its odd appearance, the Meeting Owl Pro has won multiple awards for its unique design and performance. It’s also one of the few webcams certified by Zoom for use with their platform.

The Meeting Owl Pro is excellent for those that hold calls with more than one person in the room. It detects who’s talking and only streams the video content with that person in it rather than all the 360-degree footage.

Anyone in the meeting can control it with the Meeting Owl mobile app for Android and iOS. We recommend opting for the Premium Pack, which includes an Owl Lock Adapter, a 16’ USB Extension cable and Owl Care support for peace of mind.

This is a premium HD webcam best suited to companies looking for a serious business device to conduct regular Zoom meetings in a boardroom with multiple participants.

• Best YouTube webcam

4. Insta360 Link | Best Face Tracking Webcam for Zoom Meetings

• Excellent video quality
• Fast AI face/body tracking keeps you in shot
• Whiteboard mode for presentations
• Show your work with desk view
• Hand signals allow control
• AI zoom feature focuses on face
• Gets confused with multiple faces when tracking

Insta360 has taken all its wizardry from making 360-degree action cameras and applied it to the Link, an innovative AI-powered 4k webcam for Zoom.

With its AI technology, the Link tracks your every move as if you had a personal cameraman filming.

(While other premium webcams may have this feature, its implementation with the Link is by far the most impressive.)

The Insta360 link only points towards you when it’s active. Otherwise, it will ‘hide’ the camera downwards to prevent accidental recordings.

If you’re looking for a computer camera for Zoom which will make your viewer think you’ve got some kind of professional DSLR set up, this is definitely the one to choose.

To use the Insta360 Link only for Zoom meetings would be a waste – this powerful webcam is perfect for YouTube content creators, streamers and anyone needing the best quality face-tracked video.

The Link’s perfect for standing Zoom meetings – the type when you need to present ideas and gesticulate with your hands or move to a whiteboard to explain concepts.

There’s even a feature that tracks the content of a whiteboard, zooming in on your text and cropping the talker out of the frame.

If you need to show a ‘top-down’ shot of a document on your desk, there’s a feature called ‘desk view’, which drops the camera 90 degrees to show exactly that.

The auto-tracking features make the Link the best camera for Zoom meetings that involve movement.

The only hesitation in not recommending the Insta360 as the best all-around webcam for Zoom is its price, which may be too steep for some users.

However, if you use your webcam every day and value great video quality and useful features, it’s an investment you definitely won’t regret.

• Insta360 Link Webcam review

5. NexiGo 930AF | Budget Webcam for Zoom

• Full HD 1080p
• Privacy slider
• White Balance correction
• No stereo audio

The NexiGo FHD is futuristic-looking and one of the best webcams available at this price range. It’s compatible with all operating systems and perfect for applications such as Zoom.

As the FHD title suggests, it captures Full High Definition 1080p video recording at 30fps, ensuring that your next webchat with family is of the highest quality.

What’s more, it features white balance correction much like a photography camera, ensuring that colours appear accurately and your skin tone isn’t too grey or orange!

The NexiGo FHD delivers an intuitive and straightforward installation with a plug-and-play mentality of simply connecting the camera to the computer via the included USB cable.

As a result, you can take it out of the box, plug it in, and you’re all ready for your business call.

What we love most about the FHD are its autofocus features which ensure you always appear in sharp focus. It also offers an adjustable focal range from 7cm to infinity.

If you need to present away from your desk, you can set the camera to infinity for optimal picture quality – the 65-degree field of view is perfect for this.

The NexiGo FHD features a single built-in noise-cancelling microphone to reduce ambient and background noise, making it great for use at home if others are present.

The FHD is one of the best budget webcams for personal or business Zoom video calls and it’s easy to see why it has so many positive reviews and happy users.

• Best Zoom microphones

6. Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam

• Privacy shutter
• Dual microphones
• Light correction
• Tricky installation on Windows

The Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam is another one of the best webcams for Zoom calls when working at home or in an office. The perfect webcam for laptops to bring with you on the go.

It has an impressive list of features kicking off with a Full High Definition 1080p video camera that captures stunning resolution at 30fps (frames per second).

As a result, you’ll show up in your next Zoom call looking true-to-life – remember to get out of your pyjamas!

The glass lens on the Logitech C920 S features an accurate and responsive autofocus system that keeps you front, centre and in focus during your critical Zoom call.

The lens has a wide 78-degree field of view, meaning you can present away from your desk or have more than one person in sight.

The Logitech C920 S features a rigid build quality plus a functional clip to attach it to the top of your monitor or open laptop.

I love that it has a little privacy shutter that can drop down over the lens for when the kids walk in screaming and fighting during your work Zoom call!

In terms of audio, the Logitech webcam features dual multidirectional microphones to capture authentic stereo sound and optimal audio quality, even if you’re not placed directly in the centre of the computer.

Overall, the Logitech C920S HD Pro is one of the best webcams in this price category. It’s a great-looking product and perfect for your next Zoom call, video recording or streaming session.

7. Logitech C270

• Budget price
• Lightweight
• Perfect laptop webcam
• Ageing tech
• No privacy cover
• No autofocus

Logitech is a household name in computer accessories, and the Logitech C270 webcam is a brilliant example of their consumer products.

The C270 Logitech camera is a no-fuss and highly affordable webcam for PC ideal for taking Zoom calls on a laptop or desktop.

The compact size and minimal weight (2.65oz) mean it will not put undue pressure on your laptop screen, or topple over when you type. It also has a 60-degree field of view.

It’s robustly built and folds up compactly(for a webcam), so you can drop it in your laptop bag without any issues for those that work on the go.

The C270 delivers 720p video, but while the image quality is excellent in good light, things get less clear when there’s less light available.

It includes a single microphone plus a little LED indicator when the camera is live and capturing your every action – there’s nothing worse than wiping breakfast from your beard only to realise that the whole boardroom is watching you!

Audio quality is good as long as you don’t stray more than a few feet from your computer.

While the Logitec C270 is definitely not the best webcam for your video calls, it’s actually one of the cheapest. Plus, it’s compact, lightweight and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb on top of your monitor or laptop.

If you need a wallet-friendly option for personal use and face time with family, the C270 is one of the best webcams for the money.

8. Vitade 960A Pro

• Ring light brightness not adjustable

I would describe the Vitade 960A Pro as the best webcam for influencers, streamers, contentment creators, vloggers and web presenters.

It features an HD webcam that captures 1080p resolution 30fps video via its primary camera. Surrounding this – and the reason for my recommendation – is a built-in ring light.

A ring light is a unique face-lighting tool that delivers flattering results and a tell-take ‘ring’ of light in each iris. They’re great for those that want to deliver high-quality video content live to an audience.

Ring lights are also the preferred lighting accessory of YouTubers, to ensure presenters look their best.

With the Vitade 960A Pro attached to your laptop or monitor, you’ll appear in high resolution and well lit on your next presentation.

It’s quick and easy to set up and compatible with all current-generation operating systems. Plus, the 960A Pro uses H2.65 encoding to compress video data for faster streaming over platforms like Zoom.

The lens has fast and accurate autofocus and a low light correction feature to optimise video quality and appearance from this HD webcam.

The Vitade 960A Pro is an affordable and brilliant product – pardon the pun! It’s not the best webcam for Zoom, but it’s probably the only one that delivers flattering light on the subject.

9. Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

• Build and design quality
• Auto sharpness
• Low light correction
• Aluminium body

Microsoft has been in the computer tech game for a long time now, and we expect their products to be ahead of their time.

The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is one of the best webcam products available – despite it not being a 1080p camera.

The LifeCam captures crystal clear 720p HD widescreen video at 30fps via the stylish-looking digital camera, making it ideal for work or family calls.

Constructed from aluminium, it’s compact and lightweight with a retro feel thanks to its unique tubular design.

With a 5MP sensor and a glass element lens, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema utilises precise and quick autofocus and a low light correction system perfect for your next video call regardless of the lighting conditions.

Despite only being a 720p camera, it automatically applies sharpness and TrueColor correction to outgoing videos.

The lens has a field of view of 73 degrees, a minimum focal distance of 5″, and it features a 5x digital zoom controlled to work seamlessly with the autofocus function.

A single noise-cancelling built-in microphone captures audio and does a good job of reducing background murmurs.

All in all, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is just the right price and has all you need for a video chat with family or game time with the family streamer.

10. Razer Kiyo Pro

• Bespoke design
• Full HD 1080p at 60 fps
• Stereo microphones
• Pricey but worth it!

This is one of the best webcams for streaming that you can get.

Razer is a name best known to gamers and streamers as they’re the producers of top-spec gaming PCs and accessories.

True to its design ethos, the Razer Kiyo Pro looks more like a bespoke retro camera lens than a webcam.

Its barrel lens design connects neatly with a laptop or gaming PC to deliver 1080p video resolution at a staggering 60 fps!

By far the best in the class in terms of image quality, the praise doesn’t stop there.

With professional imaging features more akin to a dedicated camera than a webcam, the Razer Kiyo Pro is almost overkill as a webcam for Zoom!

What makes the Kiyo Pro one of the best webcams is its Type 1/2.8 CMOS sensor and Razer’s STARVIS technology to manage image quality and adapt in real-time to low light conditions.

If you drop the frame rate down to 30fps, you can enable the HDR function allowing greater video quality, colour density and exposure compensation across the dynamic range of this impressive 1080p webcam.

If you’re using this camera for dynamic video feed in a range of spaces, it features an adjustable field of view up to an ultra-wide 103 degrees. Also, the precision glass lens has an f/2 aperture, allowing you to blur the background behind the subject, and use it in low light.

Image quality of this level is unusual for a webcam – you’ll be wanting to use it for much more than simple Zoom calls!

In terms of audio, the Razer Kiyo Pro has a pair of omnidirectional stereo microphones to capture the best audio clarity on your next call.

Despite the price, if you need the best webcam for Zoom with unparalleled image quality and video quality for video calls or gaming, the Razer may just be what you’re looking for!

How do I Choose a Webcam?

Here’s what to look for when buying a webcam for Zoom or any other live streaming or video conferencing application:

• Video Resolution – measured in pixel width x pixel height, this will affect the clarity of the video. The 3 most common webcam resolutions are 1280 x 720 pixels/720p (HD Ready); 1920 x 1080 pixels/1080p (Full HD); and 3840 x 2160 pixel/4K (UHD).
• Field of View (FOV) – measured in degrees, this relates to the width of the area being captured by the webcam. The greater the FOV, the more of your background will appear in shot. The best webcams allow you to alter the FOV from wide to narrow, such as with the Lumina . A wide angle camera for Zoom meetings is generally preferable to be able to include some background for presentation purposes.
• Plastic Lens vs Glass Lens – If you want to use your webcam for video streaming 2K/4K, you need a webcam with a glass lens since clarity will be better than one with a plastic lens. All the best webcams will have glass lenses, and consequently, are more expensive. That’s the trade-off for better video quality.
• Webcam with optical zoom – most webcams offer some sort of zoom capabilities, but it’s almost always digital, which can result in some pixelation, particularly in low light. If you need an optical zoom on your webcam, you should consider using a separate interchangeable lens digital camera or a camcorder.
• Frame Rate (FPS) – measured in how many pictures (frames) your webcam is taking a second. Higher frame rate means a smoother streaming experience. All the best webcams are capable of streaming at 30fps or more.
• Autofocus – webcams should focus on the person or subject in the frame, with some of the better ones able to follow or lock on focus to give the effect that a cameraman is filming you.
• Low-light level adjustment – many of the best webcams offer low-light boosting features which add back detail to shadow areas in the frame, expanding the dynamic range. The result is more clarity and better exposure in low light.
• Green Screening/Chroma Key Effects – modern web cameras allow you to do green screening without an actual green screen – this allows you to change your background or simply block it all out.
• Wired vs wireless – Most external webcams interface with your computer via a miniUSB, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, or Thunderbolt connection, although some webcams connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. You can also create your own DIY wireless camera for Zoom meetings if you purchase a wireless USB hub and receiver.
• Tracking – Many users would prefer a tracking webcam for Zoom, which keeps your face in focus even if you move around the screen.
• Size – While models such as the Meeting Owl are perfect for a permanent office room setup, other users may be looking for a portable camera for a Zoom meeting. Models such as those above are small enough to be carried around easily, even attached the top of a laptop lid.

Overall, there are numerous benefits to upgrading your laptop’s built-in webcam to an external webcam or buying one of the recommended models we tested on this list.

Zoom Web Camera FAQs

What Equipment Do I Need to Zoom?

Essential equipment for Zoom is a computer or an Android or iOS smartphone. In most cases, a computer or mobile device has all you need – a microphone, speakers and camera. You should also consider external speakers, Bluetooth headphones, a built-in microphone, and a high-quality webcam for the best experience.

Can I use an external Webcam with Zoom?

Yes, you can use an external webcam with Zoom meetings. There are purpose-built webcams that clip to the top of your computer monitor. Plus, photography cameras can also be used in place of a webcam.

Are Webcams better than laptop camera?

The cameras built into a laptop or computer monitor are usually small with low image quality or resolution. Webcams have a larger lens and capture higher quality video footage. Plus, many have built-in autofocus to ensure you’re always in focus.

Are cheap webcams any good?

Cheap webcams generally have lower quality parts and can’t capture high-resolution video. However, there are some amazing budget-friendly webcams available, like the Logitech C270.

Can I have two cameras in Zoom?

You can have two cameras in a Zoom call thanks to its software allowing this feature. Using the Advanced options in Screen Share, you can opt to include content from a second web camera.

Is 720p webcam good enough?

A 720p webcam is suitable for a web call – plus they’re usually are cheaper in price than 1080 and 4K. However, we recommend that you step up to a 1080p webcam for full High Definition performance and the best resolution.

How much should I spend on a Webcam?

The best webcams vary in price from $15 up to several hundred for professional conference room webcams. For home use, determine your budget and how often you need to use it. Plus, decide whether you need a low resolution, full HD or 4K webcam.

Is autofocus important for webcam?

More and more webcams have autofocus technology for good reason. Autofocus means that you’ll always be in focus even if you move around during the call. While not essential, it’s worth investing in a webcam with autofocus for the best outcomes.

Does Walmart sell webcams?

Yes, Walmart has a wide range of webcams in the electronics department, starting from as little as $8.98 to over $250.

How can I improve my zoom video quality?

There are a few ways to improve your zoom video quality, including:

• Enabling HD: This option allows you to stream your videos in 720p or 1080p. To turn it on, click on your profile picture and open Settings. Then, select Video, locate the word HD and check the box beside it.
• Enabling Low Light Adjustments: You can do so from the settings tab. Select Video, and toggle on the “Adjust for Low Light” option.
• Sitting in a Well-lit Room: Light plays a huge part in the video’s quality. So, try to relocate your zoom meetings to a brighter room.

How much does a webcam cost?

The price of a webcam depends on its quality and what features you’re getting from it. The higher the price of a webcam is, the more it costs.

For a webcam with reasonable quality, you can expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $100. Of course, you can find a webcam for less than $30, but those don’t provide a good image or sound quality.

If you’re looking for a 4k webcam, on the other hand, you’ll end up paying around $200 for decent quality.

Final Words

At some point in the past, we’ve all endured work or study from home. Most of us have been in lockdown and distanced from close contact with family and friends.

Having the ability to jump on a Zoom call with our loved ones and colleagues has made all the difference .

What’s more, having the best webcam for Zoom makes the experience all the more real and valuable – you can’t put a price on that.

Just remember that whatever webcam you choose, setting up the best lighting for Zoom  will make the biggest difference to how you look on calls.

What have been your experiences with the use of webcams on video conferencing calls? Have you upgraded from your laptop’s embedded camera, or are you planning to do so?

Share your experiences, thoughts and questions below to join the conversation.

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I’m a Melbourne-based street photographer and blogger. I love to travel to Japan to photograph and document its dynamic people and culture.

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The 11 Best Long Recording Video Cameras for Classrooms, Lectures, & Meetings (2023 Guide)

Published on: 10/30/2023

By Scott Winstead

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In this era of video lectures , virtual conferences , blended learning, and interactive experiences, long recording video cameras for classrooms and meetings have become an indispensable tool for the modern teacher, instructional designer , and even business owner. The most common scenarios include classroom filming, talking heads, lab/whiteboard recording, and more.

In an attempt to help you find the right video recording equipment for your environment, I’m mapping out the tasks with versatile video camera types – webcams, consumer camcorders, professional devices, document cams, and GoPro gadgets. As a longtime instructional designer who’s tested dozens of different models, I’ve come up with a list of what I believe are the 11 best video cameras with long recording time that you can use in classrooms, meetings, lectures, and other such settings ( click here to learn about our entire Editorial Process & Methodology for product reviews ).

This guide has been fully updated for 2023 to include the best current options so you can make an informed buying decision.

My Quick Suggestions for the Best Video Cameras

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time reading this whole article where I go in depth on each product, you can opt for one of my top picks:

• Best Webcam: Logitech Pro Webcam C920 – my top choice is also one of the more affordable webcams for online teaching, Zoom, and has a strong autofocus feature
• Best for Long Recording Video Camera: Panasonic HC-V770 – suitable for those with a little more money to spend, this long recording video camera has a smart zoom and picture in picture,
• Best High-End Camcorder: Canon XA11 Professional Camcorder – my top choice for a high-end camera, this one features a lightweight design and dual card with 1080p recording

The Best Video Camera for Classrooms & Meetings

Here are my picks for the top long recording video cameras to use in classrooms, lectures, meetings, corporate trainings, and other environments:

Webcams for Talking Heads

Aside from embedded cameras of dubious quality, there is a wide selection of external cams employed in webinars and video lectures. If you have a talking head scenario in mind, that’s your soft option. A typical webcam is compact, yet feature-packed. Some specimens – like a Logitech I recently used – provide live stereo and wide-angle lenses, as well as multiple features to tweak and tune: frame rate, color, brightness, resolution, and more. Here are a few samples that I’ve laid my hands on or seen in action.

1. Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam →

What’s inside:

• Widescreen full HD 1080p video recording and calling, functions as a desktop or laptop webcam
• H.264 video compression, dual stereo mics with noise reduction, and low-light correction
• Video and photo capture tools, face and motion detection
• 1080p HD Skype calling and full HD recording for Windows
• Works on Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and Android
• Tripod-ready clip for laptops and LCD monitors.

Here’s a brief video review of the cam. This clip also recommends a mike to go with the Logitech C922x for improved sound quality:

Downside: You might want to get closer to the video camera for noise-free sound, so if the audio part is critical it’s advisable to use an external mic. Interested to learn more about standalone sound recorders? Read on in my microphone review .

Best for: Professional and amateur talking heads, video bloggers, Zoom lecturers and frequent video conference attendees.

2. Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam →

What’s inside:

• 720p and 1080p video recording (between 30 and 60 frames per second)
• 5600K balanced light ring that provides ample lighting
• A rotating bezel for quickly adjusting the brightness level on the spot
• Compact and folding webcam designed for those on the go
• Custom and preset features for saving your favorites
• Built-in microphone

Check out some of the top features of the Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam in the following video review:

Check out this camera on Amazon →

Upside: Thanks to the presents, you can easily choose the right settings before you start filming. I like that it also has the option of creating custom settings and saving them under unique profiles for multiple users. I’m also a fan of the rotating bezel that quickly adjusts the brightness settings and the built-in microphone. It also has a low-light setting that works well in rooms that are dark or lack natural light.

Downside: The biggest downside to this webcam is the quality of the stream. Despite the low-light feature, it can still produce videos and streams that are either so dark or grainy that others cannot follow along, which is a serious issue in a virtual classroom.

Best for: Interior filming, whiteboard presentations, live classroom streaming, quiet spaces.

3. Microsoft LifeCam Cinema →

• High precision lens for sharp quality
• Accurate face tracking
• TrueColor Technology™ for bright and colorful video
• 720p HD video chat
• Smooth sound recording
• 360 degree rotation

Here’s a video piece emphasizing the wide angle features of the camera:

Upside: Great choice for small room webcasts. The TrueColor features keep this device ahead of the game in the 720p range. It’s totally plug-and-play – and yes, it runs smoothly on PC and Mac. Also, LifeCam includes an awesome mic for this price range.

Downside: The cam’s autofocus is too sensitive, in my opinion. It keeps re-focusing when the slightest movement occurs.

Best for: Teachers and lecturers, whiteboard recordings, sound-sensitive lectures and webcasts, distance learning.

4. Logitech Conference Cam BCC950 →

• Noise-canceling microphone
• 1080p video capture
• Bright resolution from a high-precision lens
• Compatible with Macs and PCs
• Built-in speakerphone
• Remote control for adjusting the video camera and its top features t

Check out this review of the Logitech BCC950 auto-tracking video camera to see the quality that it provides and its top features.

Check out this camera on Logitech’s site→

Upside: Thanks to the wide and sturdy base, this video camera can record you for hours and focus on your face or anything in the background such as a whiteboard. The built-in noise-canceling microphone blocks out noises that might interfere with your recording and allows watchers to hear only the sound of your voice. With the included remote, you can move freely around the room. The remote lets you change the position of the video camera and make other basic adjustments if you want to focus on different areas or objects. I also like the 1080p resolution, which is what you need when recording on the web. It provides good clarity for the work that you edit and share with your watchers.

Downside: Don’t expect as much from this video camera as you do others. Despite the high price tag, it doesn’t have as many features as some cheaper cameras do. You might find that it produces an echo that plays over your voice or that you have problems connecting it to audio equipment.

Best for: Interior filming, conference recording, auto-tracking of teacher lectures, tutorials.

5. Coolpo AI HUDDLE PANA →

• A 360-degree video camera and webcam
• Video capture resolution of 1080p, 720p, and 4K Full HD recording
• Four built-in microphones that have a 15-foot pick up range.
• This smart, self-adapting video camera tracks and focuses on people according to their voice and movement
• Self-controlled video pan and zoom with a 60-degree vertical field of view
• Split screen
• An easy-to-use USB plug and play system

This video produced by the HomeAutomationX channel demonstrates the Coolpo AI Huddle Pana 360 Video Conference Camera showing the features and how it works when in use.

Upside: This 360-degree conference camera is much better than a webcam. It ranks in the top five best conference cameras for 2023. It has smart technology that can follow a person based on their voice and movements. The video camera automatically tracks the current speaker.

Downside: This video camera is high-quality and at the top edge of the mid-price-range group. No matter what you pay, it is worth buying one if you regularly hold video conferences with multiple participants.

Best for: Capturing conference calls quickly and easily with a plug-and-play highly portable system. In addition, the video quality gives participants a strong immersive experience for your students.

6. Mevo Start Live Streaming Camera →

• Remote control to access camera settings via an Apple or Android device
• 1080p streaming and recording (up to 30 frames per second)
• A rechargeable battery that lasts for up to six hours
• Built-in microphone connection
• Connections for using the video camera with USB-C and 3.5mm cords
• Low distortion lens to improve video quality

The following YouTube video makes it easy for you to check out the top features of the Mevo Start All-in-One Streaming Camera and see how it performs in real life:

Shop this camera online→

Upside: I like that this video camera is compatible with both Android and Apple devices and that it lets you access the camera’s settings via the included remote. You can use either a wireless or Bluetooth connection and access the video camera from up to 100 feet away. With an included battery that lasts or up to six hours, you don’t need to worry about running out of steam in the middle of a lecture or presentation. It also has a good built-in microphone as well as built-in ports that work with all of your favorite accessories, including speakers and camera equipment.

Downside: I had a few issues getting the video camera to connect to Facebook Live. It also has some issues filming in low light situations.

Best for:   Lecturers, student presentations, online teaching at home, outdoor filming.

Consumer Camcorders for Whiteboard Recording and Beyond

Portable video cameras, or camcorders, work great for almost any recording scenario, be it talking head, whiteboard recording, or other specific cases. Camcorders store video on internal SD cards. Many portable cams have nice lenses and optical zoom, praiseworthy video quality, and are sometimes bundled with tripods, which are great for self-recording and lecture filming. More often than not, camcorders can’t do live streaming or conferencing without extra software or hardware, thus most of them can’t serve as webcams.

Here are a few of the best video cameras that will help you capture the training process or pretty much anything you like.

7. Panasonic HC-V770 →

• An impressive 20X zoom
• High-dynamic range feature to eliminate bright spots
• Wireless Twin – connect your smartphone’s camera for a PiP video effect
• Full-HD Slow Motion Video
• High quality sound recording with a Wind Shield Zoom Microphone

This video test was made by theSmartReview.com crew at Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015) where the model was first introduced to the market:

Upside: The standout feature of this cam is what they call ‘WiFi twin’, which enables the user to shoot a separate scene with a phone/tablet camera, and add it to the recording as Picture-in-Picture. What I also like about this device is the smart zoom and night vision functionality. For shooting outside, you get a wind-shielded mic to reduce the noise.

Downside: Like other Panasonic cams, this one reveals some white balance issues in low light conditions, so you’ll need to tweak color manually in exceptional cases.

Best for: Long video lecture recording, PiP webinars, experiment/lab shooting, filming outside.

8. Sony HD Video Recording HDRCX405 →

• 26.8mm wide-angle ZEISS Lens
• 1920×1080 resolution at 60P, AVCHD and MP4
• 30x Optical / 60x Clear Image Zoom
• Automatic video compilation from multiple clips
• Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilizer
• Face tracking, noise reduction.
• Smart Auto mode with 60 various scene combinations.

A feature review and field test of this Sony camcorder, pointing out usual scenarios and semi-pro applications:

Upside: The video quality is on the high end, with obvious depth improvements in XAVCS-HD compared to MP4. This cam lets you join video automatically from multiple clips, but you’ll need additional software to make extra edits.

Downside: This cam doesn’t allow external microphones, but its original sound quality is pretty good.

Best for: Video lecture recording, PiP webinars, experiment/lab shooting, filming outside.

Professional Cams for Classroom Lectures

Professional cams provide similar or identical portability compared to consumer camcorders, with the benefit of exceptional video quality and extended connectivity. Needless to say, the ‘pros’ are costly pieces of equipment that may sticker-shock an average user. As such, pro cameras will appear ‘overqualified’ for talking head recordings and the like. Using a cannon to kill a fly makes no sense here. That said, grabbing classroom lectures – both the instructor and students – with a pro cam is one of the justified scenarios. Now, let’s see what the options are in this segment.

9. Canon XA11 Professional Camcorder →

• 20x high-definition optical zoom
• Improved HD CMOS Pro image sensor with greater low light performance
• Full HD 1920×1080 recording
• Two SD card slots
• Highlight Priority Mode
• Wi-Fi and FTP transfer capabilities
• 3.5-inch OLED screen with 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• DR gamma of 600%

Here goes a short B&H review of the cam outlining its basic features and controls:

Upside: The dual card here is a real tradeoff since you can always split 1080p and, say, 480p, and avoid further transcoding for web publishing. That’s what makes this cam a multi-scenario device. And yes, the light is real good for this prosumer option. I had my test run of this cam on a broad selection of dim bunkers of lecture rooms and dark outside locations – it passed with flying colors.

Downside: There’s hardly anything I can think of. Perhaps the input/output section is a little messy and could be better organized. Otherwise, it’s the real deal.

Best for: Shooting classroom events, interviews, and presentations with no worries about low light conditions.

Document Camera for Live Modelling

What are document cameras for? Well, they basically demonstrate papers like a digital projector. However, these devices also provide a nifty way to stream oneself working on a project in real-time, solving math problems, making graphs and mockups, or whatever floats your boat.

Document cameras have certain features to consider like resolution, zoom lens, focus, start-up time and many other aspects you can find in this article .

Although IPEVO doesn’t grab video itself, you can use any freely available software to make a screencast, and then upload it online or share with your audience. Here comes the model that I used.

10. IPEVO V4K Document Camera →

• VGA document camera for capturing live images to your projector
• Stream images and videos to PC or Mac via USB
• Quick seamless captures with a multi-jointed swing arm and swiveling head
• Built-in LED to throw some light on your subject
• High-density, and considerable space advantages
• IPEVO Presenter software with the toolkit.

Upside: It’s an instructor-friendly tool that lets you showcase anything from textbooks to 3D models and artwork. The dual mode ensures certain flexibility – if your computer shuts off, you can always leverage the direct projector connection. Other perks involve small footprint, ease of use, and smart design.

Downside: If only it were a video recorder… But you can’t have everything in a single device.

Best for: Class demos, unravelling the creative process, text annotation, visual analysis, and more.

Action Cameras Re-Purposed, or GoPro for Recording Lectures

You might think of GoPro and the like as mere action & sport camera manufacturers, but their products also find the perfect application in blended learning, lab demos, and online tutorials. This type of camera mounts almost anywhere and may even offer water-resistance, should you be filming a school video underwater 🙂 Action cams are generally small, handy and high-definition (1080p HD, more often than not). Here are the bestsellers in the category:

11. GoPro HERO5 →

• 4K video and 12MP photos
• Single, Burst and Time Lapse mode.
• Durable and waterproof up to 33ft (10m) without casing
• Preview and playback, trimming functions and adjustable settings.

This video review from VideoMaker.com guides you through the main features of the market leader HERO5 Black, shows test footage and shares relevant recommendations:

Upside: This GoPro model is highly portable, yet stable, with dramatic sound improvements compared to the older siblings. Perfect Android and iOS connectivity also adds to the plus side.

Downside: The ubiquitous digital grain may turn up in low light conditions.

Best for: A wide range of users, from videographers with an active lifestyle to creative teachers; works great for grabbing lectures, complex experiments or labs.

Other Must-Haves for Long-Recording

Flash device →

When shopping for a Flash storage device, pay attention to performance and reliability so you don’t miss a single frame. Needless to say, you always need to check for compatibility.

Wireless microphone →

Check out this video and find an overview of video lecturing techniques from college professor Vincent Racaniello, who uses a laptop, wireless mic and screencasting software to deliver video materials to his students:

I hope this will help you find your way in the videography jungle. If you’re all set with hardware and are now looking for video presentation software, check out my article on the subject.

Any questions or suggestions for long recording video cameras for classrooms or meetings? Give me a shout!

Podia Pricing: Plans, Free Trial Info, More (2023)

Kajabi pricing & plans: is it worth the cost (2024 guide), 10 thoughts on “the 11 best long recording video cameras for classrooms, lectures, & meetings (2023 guide)”.

Thanks for the article! To be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed. My goal is to find a mid-priced non-pro or semi-pro camera that I could use for various applications in the classroom, from video lecturing to whiteboard recording and beyond. So once I stumble upon two-grand shoulder mounts on the one hand and document cams on the other hand, I get confused. What would be your recommendation?

Peter, thanks for the comment! I believe you should go with a plain camcorder from any of the top manufacturers. Make sure the one you pick has a spacious Flash drive and long battery life. Also, if you can get a tripod for this cam, even better. It’s as simple as that.

Hope you´re doing great! just to come to say…What a great job you´re doing with your website, for sure helping hundreds like me who want provide/disseminate educational content .

Taking this opportunity to wish you a wonderful 2018.

Thank you soo much! Francisco Rodrigues Gomes | Sao Paulo | Brazil

Thank you very much, Francisco

Hi, thanks for the great review! I am working in classrooms, and am interested in capturing video of students working on collaborative activities using apps on tablets while in small groups . They are 7th graders, so something sturdy, that could sit on the desk while they are working and capture their activities and their discussion, is what I am after. It seems like the Go Pro might be a way to go. I also have 15 old flip cameras that I was thinking about repurposing–I have them I might as well try video capture with them too…I’d sure appreciate your ideas. Thanks!

Hi Susan, thanks for the feedback! The biggest potential problem I see with using older cameras is that you likely won’t get the resolution that you need. Modern webcams stream and record at 720 and 1080p to produce a clear video. Your older cameras might be fine if you aren’t concerned about clarity. I would recommend the Go Pro though as you can buy accessories to carry it on your body and you walk around and talk with your small groups.

Thank you for your article… There are so many cameras out there on the market, I wasn’t sure which way to go. I am required to have 2 cameras the same for live broadcasting for my company, and your review just cost me $3000 (LOL). After extensive searching, and watching/reading reviews, I went with the Sony HXRMC2500 for several reasons… I like the look of them (have that professional look), I like Sony, they are not needed to be transported, instead staying in my newly built studios, they were just within budget and they have HDMI output. Keep up the great work in helping keep the web full of great content!

I much appreciate the review, Rick. It’s always nice to hear that I helped one of my readers, though I’m sorry that I cost you so much money! Sony cameras are a nice option for many people. You can’t go wrong with a brand backed by so many years of experience. Let me know what you think once you get it into the field.

Hi Scott, Great review! How do I know which videocameras I can connect an external mic to? The Panasonic HC-V770’s spec sheet doesn’t list an external mic input. I think for good audio one needs an external mic, along the lines you have suggested. Thanks, Shankar.

Hi Shankar. Using an external microphone cancels background noise and provides better sound quality. The best way to see which cameras work with external microphones is with a look at the descriptions written by the manufacturers. I made a note where I could of which cameras have this feature.

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Top 6 Cameras for Recording Classroom Video Lectures and eLearning Courses

Thanks to the growing popularity of the e-Learning industry, video lectures are becoming available to more people around the world. Video lectures that feature speaking instructors provide better learning engagement than just plain slides.

In this article, we will review cameras (webcams and camcorders) for close-up filming of an instructor’s head at an office desk, also called a talking head. Picking the right recording gear is the lion’s share of the overall success in creating an effective video lecture.

Quick suggestion: Logitech HD Pro C920 . It’s all you need for capturing video narrations. If you want to learn more about your other options, such as camcorders, keep reading.

Camera types

There are several camera types that can be used for filming talking heads:

Built-in webcams

External webcams.

• Professional HD cameras

We are not going to look into professional TV/movie cameras because they cost thousands of dollars and won’t improve the effectiveness of your video lectures. Your video should be clean and natural like it was shot at one of your lectures or presentations.

Most built-in webcams are good enough to make video calls, but maybe not as good for video lectures. Usually, these cameras are very compact, and so are their lenses. This sets a limit on the amount of light that can be captured and doesn’t work well in low-light conditions.

Built-in cameras can be used in bright rooms, and produce average quality. If you are going to use a video-lecture layout with minimized video area, this might be the easiest option, and is also free!

Here is how the recorded talking head will appear in an iSpring Suite course on the sidebar:

External webcams can give you better performance than tiny built-in cameras. They are widely used for webinars and video conferences, because they give better quality. Some webcams feature wide-angle lenses or dual microphones for live stereo sound.

An external webcam will do a great job of recording a talking head! If you are going to use a video-lecture player, which shows video on one side and lecture on the other, this will be the best choice for you. Plus, external webcams have drivers and settings to adjust resolution, frame rate, color, brightness, etc.

Especially for hi-res videos (720p, 1080p), we developed a player layout with an enlarged video area:

Good webcams under $60

Logitech HD Pro C920 — $59.99

Best webcam! Shoots in 1080p at 30 fps, dual microphones.

Logitech HD C615 — $42.99

Portable and versatile. Shoots in 720p at 30 fps

Genius WideCam F100 — $30.29

Best wide-angle webcam. Dual microphones.

Microsoft LifeCam Cinema — $47.97

Auto focus, high-precision glass element lens

There are many reviews and comparisons of these cameras with a bit more details on the Internet, but all of them strongly suggest Logitech.

Consumer camcorders

Portable video cameras, also called camcorders, are universal video capturing devices that can be used for virtually any kind of video recording task, including recording a talking head.

Camcorders run on a battery and save captured video to an internal storage (SD card). Many digital cameras can work as a webcam for live streaming, and come with webcam software (e.g., action camera GoPro). However, most camcorders are not capable of working in a webcam mode, so you won’t be able to make calls and use it for conferences without special equipment and additional setup.

Many cameras in this category feature good lenses with optical zoom, great image quality, and tripod mounts, which are great for self-recording.

Canon VIXIA HF R52 — $299.00

Professional camcorders

These professional cameras fall into a different price range, usually costing 5-10 times more than consumer camcorders. With the same portability, they produce exceptional video quality and provide more connectivity options for plugging in external microphones and synchronizing with other equipment, such as lights, etc.

If you need a camera for recording just talking heads and nothing more, this is probably not the best choice for you. However, if you are planning to film interviews, events, or classroom lectures, this might be the best choice!

Here is what we use for ALL purposes at iSpring, including talking head recording:

Canon XA30 Professional Camcorder — $1,799.00

Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens

Improved Low-light performance

Full HD 1920×1080 Recording Capabilities

Superb Image Reproduction

This camera should be used with a tripod or steadicam (avoid shooting with hands). Also, it has XLR inputs to plug in professional microphones, including condenser ones that require additional +48V power.

What other equipment will you need for recording lectures?

• a PC or a laptop
• a microphone 
• a light kit

Insert a Talking Head into your lecture

You can use any iSpring desktop authoring tool and utilize the Manage Narration feature to record a webcam or insert a video recorded by an external camcorder. 

If you liked the article, please let us know by clicking the  Share button.

If you have any ideas what kind of e-Learning topics you’d like to see discussed, feel free to leave a comment; we’re always happy to write new content for you.

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Passionate about design and tech, Paulina crafts content that helps customers delve deeper into iSpring products.

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How to Create Pro-level PowerPoint Videos with Audio

Senior Marketing Manager at Loom

The power of a presentation lies in its ability to educate and inspire.

But why limit access to inspiring ideas because of the time slot in which they were presented? Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote slides have become the go-to formats for delivering supporting content to help audiences from classrooms to boardrooms engage with ideas. But once the content is complete, what happens to it? 

Getting used to the sound of your own voice can take some time, but the benefits of using Loom to record PowerPoint presentations are worth it.

Depending on the content and intended audience, a few will be published, stored, or made available on a marketplace. However, many will be lost, all your hard work never to be seen again. PowerPoint slides that aren't accompanied by a presentation are incomplete and don't do a sufficient job of expressing the author's ideas.

If you want to get ahead of the curve and preserve the integrity of your hard work, learn how to record a presentation by recording your screen .

Loom is one of the most popular choices for recording a video presentation—and for a good reason. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use. Mastering it requires little effort.

The benefits of presenting a PowerPoint in video

There are several reasons someone would want to learn how to record a PowerPoint presentation. Whether they’re explaining the quarterly statistics in a sales meeting , creating a webinar as a marketing tool , or recording training sessions for onboarding new hires, communicating ideas clearly and succinctly via video becomes more crucial every day. 

With Loom, you can engage directly with your audience, allowing you to interact with a large group of people in a small, intimate environment. Let's look at some advantages of knowing how to record slide show presentations and the procedure for doing so.

Scheduled attendance is not guaranteed

Unless your presentation is a mandatory work meeting or you're teaching a paid course, many individuals will drop out before or during the presentation. However, by providing a presentation recording for them, you can still interact with those people, and they’ll feel supported by your accessibility.

Provides on-demand access to your presentation

Using Loom's video recording capabilities, you provide access to your material long after you've presented it. Giving your audience access to resources is one of the best ways to build trust and support. 

Enhances your search engine optimization (SEO)

If you don't want to make your recorded presentations available on-demand but want to reap the benefits of SEO-driven traffic, you may post all or part of it on YouTube as a free resource in the future to attract new prospects. 

Practice makes perfect

Another reason to learn how to record a presentation is that you can review your work before showing it to a live audience. By recording yourself before a meeting or lecture, you can review the footage to ensure you cover every aspect of the topic, make improvements, and eliminate those pre-performance jitters. 

Tips for video recording yourself presenting a PowerPoint

While technology and practice are your two best allies in confidently presenting PowerPoint video presentations, a few extra tips can make yours even more effective and professional. Consider following these best practices:

Choose the right equipment

Video communications technology has flourished in the last few years. There are more options than ever to record presentations and deliver them digitally to a worldwide audience. A tool like Loom makes it easy to record webcam videos, screen captures, and recorded narration quickly and easily. This lets you present your PowerPoint or any other content to a digital audience without extensive and time-consuming video editing.

Include direct-to-camera (DTC) content

Personalization is the heart of every good video—nothing builds a personalized experience like a friendly face. Use a simultaneous webcam and screen capture to record yourself explaining the slides and information on the screen. Adding picture-in-picture DTC elements creates rapport and trust with your audience and ensures they stay engaged with your presentation.

Slide text: Less is more

Text is great for outlining the major themes of a presentation and adding context to discussions, but with a PowerPoint presentation, treat text as the seasoning in a recipe. Use what you need to enhance the experience, but don’t overwhelm. 

Build your slides as an outline for each discussion topic and a home for visual elements like charts, infographics, and embedded video clips. But you, as the presenter, should do most of the talking. Building your presentation this way keeps viewers focused and engaged instead of hurrying to keep up with the reading. 

Structure your presentation

Well-structured content is vital to the flow and digestibility of your presentation. When building your slides and video script, organize your information similarly to a blog post or an ebook. Start with an introduction to share your personal info and a general topical overview. Create segments that logically lay out each point or step in the process. Wrap things up with a conclusion and (if needed) a call to action that invites the viewer to take the next step—booking a call, downloading a resource, or signing up for a service.

Keep videos concise and skimmable

Digital fatigue is real. With so many videos and messages competing for our attention, creating a streamlined presentation results in longer view duration . The average view duration of a YouTube video may be as short as 40 seconds, with the median watch time averaging just over a minute and a half . 

Another trick to increase viewability is to make it easy for viewers to skim. A well-structured presentation offers natural segments to help viewers zero in on the information they need. YouTube offers a Chapters feature that lets you insert a linkable outline so viewers can easily skip to specific timestamps. 

Basic recording in PowerPoint

Microsoft offers basic tools to start recording your PowerPoint presentation. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to recording a simple presentation:

Step 1: From PowerPoint, open the slide with which you want to start your presentation. 

Step 2: Select Record from the upper right hand corner of the PowerPoint window.

Step 3: Make sure your recording and voice settings are set properly, then click the round Record button. Begin your presentation.

Step 4: Click through your slide presentation and record your audio. Be sure to pause during slide transitions, as PowerPoint will not record audio during slide changes.

Step 5: Save your finished PowerPoint video to your local device and share it through email or upload it to sharing platforms like Vimeo, YouTube, etc. 

An important note: PowerPoint’s native recording features offer some editing and highlight features. You’ll need a screen recorder app like Loom to film direct-to-camera or make substantial edits. 

How to use Loom’s presentation recording software

It's simple to record yourself and your screen presentation side-by-side using only your laptop, a built-in camera, a mic, and Loom. Using Loom to record presentations on a computer is a fantastic way to save time and guarantee that your presentation goes precisely as planned. Loom's basic version is free to use and provides users with different options to meet their unique needs best. You may record the material on your screen and even take a video of yourself presenting alongside your screen capture.

Loom is available as a PC screen recorder , Mac screen recorder , iOS screen recorder , and Android screen recorder . The two primary methods are through the Desktop Client or the Chrome Screen Recorder . The desktop versions offer a higher recording resolution (4k compared to 1080p in the Chrome extension) and additional features like camera frames and backgrounds.

In either case, learning to record a presentation is simple with Loom’s easy-to-use presentation recorder. Here’s some information to help you get started. 

You can create a Loom account using a variety of methods. Users may log in with their Google account information, or connect their Slack account information, email address, password, and name. You must first complete the registration process to have access to the program.

What is the Loom desktop client, and how can I use it?

Search for Loom in the Windows search box or click the red pinwheel Loom logo to launch the Loom Desktop Client. After you've opened it, choose the type of video recording you wish to make. Cam Only, Screen Only, and Screen + Cam are the three possibilities for the basic Loom version. As their names suggest, Cam Only and Screen Only allow you to record the material on your screen or yourself through a camera. Screen + Cam will enable you to make a presentation recording with both yourself and the information in real time, allowing others to watch your reactions to the material and connect with you as the presenter.

If you wish to record your screen, the presentation recorder has three options for defining the parameters of your video: Full Screen, Window, and Custom Size. 

Full Screen captures everything on your monitor or display, allowing others to watch and follow along. 

You may use the Window option to record a single computer application if you want to construct a more restricted lesson without interruptions. 

Custom Size is exclusively available to Pro account holders, allowing users to build custom windows to capture particular areas of their screen.

To record your Loom videos, use the built-in webcam and microphone on your smartphone or computer or additional devices as needed. Loom recommends using high-quality microphones for better audio.

Using the Loom Google Chrome Extension to capture videos

First, download and install the Loom Google Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store. Then launch the extension's user interface by clicking on the red pinwheel Loom logo in the browser's top right corner. You can choose Cam Only, Screen Only, and Screen + Cam, the same as the desktop client. Unfortunately, users of the Google Chrome Extension can only record their entire screen or the contents of a single tab.

The Video Control menu differs from the desktop extension, appearing in the bottom left corner of the browser window. Users may only utilize three buttons: Start/End Recording, Pause Recording, and Delete Recording.

Using the Loom desktop client to record videos

Each option lets you use Loom's camera bubble , which allows you to see and record yourself as well as a video. There is no set limit on the duration of the video, but Loom will provide you alerts to ensure you don't keep recording by accident. Once you've decided on your selections, go to the four-button Video Control menu on the left side of your screen. To start your video, press the Recording button at the top of the menu. This button has two purposes: When the button is red, it indicates that you’re currently recording, and it stops the recording when clicked a second time.

The Pause button is located beneath the Recording button and is used to pause your video. However, depending on your computer, you may alternatively use Alt + Shift + P or Option + Shift + P . The Delete option is represented by a garbage can icon, which pauses the recording and completely deletes the video once you confirm your decision via a dialog box.

How to use the speaker notes feature

Loom makes presentations easier with speaker notes , an on-screen cue card feature visible only to you. Speaker notes are bullet points or full scripts written by you and activated during recording. These prompts allow you to deliver your message with confidence, without the need to remember your whole script or utilize physical note cards. 

From the desktop app, open Loom and click Speaker Notes. Use the pop-up window to type in your notes, then resize the notes window to suit your needs before recording. Speaker notes are always presented on top, so there’s no need to switch windows during your presentation.  

How AI-generated chapters work

Want your viewers to be able to skip to the most useful portion of a presentation? The AI-generated chapter feature allows viewers to select important topics within your presentation and navigate to them easily. These time-stamped chapters also allow users to link and respond to content. 

How to use the drawing tool

Finally, the drawing tool , symbolized by a pen icon and available with the Pro subscription, can assist you in focusing on certain facts and numbers. Using this button, which includes picking a preset color, lets you make graphics that will draw your viewer's attention to key information.

Preserve your ideas with Loom’s Presentation Recorder

If you’re just starting out, learning to record a presentation with Loom is an excellent tool for creating quality content. As the world continues to move towards remote work environments, the ability to give an online presentation (and record it for posterity) becomes more essential every day.

Loom is free, so don’t wait to see how you can enhance your video presentation with video capture software.

Jan 8, 2024

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Jeong Lee works in Marketing at Loom.

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19 Video Presentation Tips to help you give a great presentation (even if you hate the way you look on camera)

by Kolarele Sonaike

I know you don’t want to hear it, but video is eating the world!

Video is everywhere. it’s taking over everything. video even killed the radio star.

Vlogging; sales promo videos; skype; online video workshops; Facebook feeds; Youtube; Instagram; Facetime; webinars; Periscope; video conferencing. There’s no getting away from the video presentation (or the video presentation tips you’ll get from friends and family).

At some point, you’re going to have to get comfortable giving a video presentation – even if you hate the way you look on camera and you cringe listening to the sound of your voice played back to you.

Fortunately, like most things public speaking, you can go a long way with some careful techniques, eliminating silly mistakes, and good old fashioned practice.

To warm things up, how about a short clip in how not to do video. Take a minute to watch ‘Little’ Marco Rubio’s painful delivery of the official Republican response to Obama’s State of the Union address in 2013. It’ll make you feel better about your own struggles.

(Keep the FREE CHECKLIST – 19 Video Presentation Tips to hand for the next time you’re on camera)

(or And you’ll definitely want to take my Free Video Workshop Series: Why most speeches suck and how to make sure yours wont’.

So, now that you’ve had your own sip of water, let’s begin with my own video presentation tips:

There’s basically three key aspects to giving a great video presentation:

• The Technicalities.
• What you say.
• How you say it.

The Technicalities

So, you’re going to speak on video. Just pull out your camera or smartphone and start recording, right? Wrong!

Before you even think about hitting the record button, there are a whole load of technicalities you should sort out first.

1) AUDIO – Get a damn good microphone

As counterintuitive as it may sound, the single most important factor in a good video, is the audio quality. People will readily watch a shaky, grainy, amateur video with good sound, but force them to struggle to hear what’s being said and they’ll switch off in seconds.

A good mic is a great investment.

For video, a lavalier lapel mic is excellent as it sits close to your mouth so picks everything up strongly. I personally use the Rode Smartlav+ Lavalier Mic as it’s pretty cheap, plugs into my iPhone, but still gives good sound. For a USB mic to record straight to computer, I love the Blue Yeti USB Mic , which has great sound and a cool old school look.

2) ELIMINATE AMBIENT NOISE – Close the windows

Still on sound, you want to find a quiet spot to do your recording. Close all the windows, and ask your neighbour to turn the music down or suspend the lawn mowing whilst you record. You’d be surprised how much environmental noise gets picked up.

3) DON’T OVER WORRY ABOUT THE CAMERA

Despite the fact that people often get consumed by the type of camera to be used, this is actually one of the least problems you will have. Nowadays cameras are just so damn good you are almost always guaranteed to get decent HD footage.

I do all my recordings with my iPhone 6 and it’s sufficient for my needs. Any half-decent smartphone, or camera, now records nearly as well as the highest spec video recorders of yesteryear. So, unless you need to shoot at Hollywood blockbuster levels, just find a camera that isn’t too old and consider that box ticked off.

4) LIGHTING – not overhead!

Do think about lighting.

Next to good audio, it’s another one of those big technicalities that can have a big impact on the quality of your video. (Amazon have some good options like this one )

Don’t put any lights or windows behind you. They’ll mess with the light levels on your video. Don’t stand under your room spotlights – especially if the top of your head gets really shiny like mine!

Go for bright, soft lighting coming from behind the camera to light up your beautiful face.

5) BACKGROUND – not just a white wall, please!

White walls are boring. Have something innocuous but discernible in the background. Don’t be afraid to show your natural environment e.g. bookcases, plants, painting – as long as they are not too distracting.

I love my podcasts and video blogs, especially anything done by Pat Flynn of the Smart Passive Income .

He does his videos in his office with books, pictures and files in the background.

6) FRAMING – don’t put yourself dead centre.

You may want to be the centre of attention, but don’t put yourself bang in the centre of your video. It’s a neuroscientific thing, but basically, you want to be slightly off centre to the left or right, rather than directly in the middle of the frame – again check out my man Pat above. He’s ever so slightly to the left of centre. It also leaves a nice space for any text overlay you want to do.

7) CAMERA HEIGHT – don’t show us the inside of your nostrils

Your frame should be slightly off centre, but the camera height can be dead centre.

Be careful of the angle though. The lens should either be directly level or be pointing ever so slightly downwards towards your face.

Try to avoid the Blair Witch Project ‘up the nostrils’ approach.

It’s just not a great look.

So, those are the technicalities. Now for the sexier stuff.

(Did I mention the video presentation tips checklist that goes with this article?)

WHAT YOU SAY

8) preparation – yes, you’ve heard it before but i’m saying it again.

What can I say? If you take one thing from all my articles combined (though I hope there are other things of value that I’ve said), it will be this: PREPARATION. PREPARATION. PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING. Fortunately, I’ve got you covered with this handy checklist called the Ultimate Speech Preparation Checklist

Don’t start speaking til you know exactly what it is you want to say.

9) KEEP IT SHORT

If people are watching you on video, chances are they have many other distractions competing for their time and attention – that YouTube clip of the baby biting his brother’s finger; facebook notifications popping up every 30 seconds; that email from their boss that has to be answered.

Keep it short. Keep it engaging. If it’s going online, remember that anything longer than 3 minutes will experience a sharp drop off in audience viewing.

10) HAVE A POINT – the video will be around for eternity

Most speeches last minutes. Unless someone erases it, your video presentation will last a lifetime, so be sure to have a point to what you’re going to say or people will be watching your pointless video for generations to come.

Don’t ramble. Don’t waffle. Get to the point.

11) USE A STRONG STRUCTURE

However compelling the content of your speech, it will fall flat if it is not set within a strong structure that carries your audience towards a strong climactic conclusion.

And, you guessed it, here’s a Speech Structure Checklist to help you work out a great structure for your presentation.

12) SIMPLE WORDS

Video is no place for tongue twisters so use short simple words.

Don’t forget to sign up for my Free Video Series Workshop on how not to give a speech that sucks  and download the free checklist on my video presentation tips to help with your next video presentation

HOW YOU SAY IT

In the iconic scene of one of my favourite films, Broadcast News, journalist Aaron, finally gets the chance he has been angling for his entire career, to present as a news anchor. What follows is movie gold, as he nervously sweats his way through the news segment to learn that there is a vast difference between writing and presenting.

Here are the things to consider about how you present on video.

13) WHAT YOU WEAR

No need to over-worry about what you wear as long as you avoid some basic mistakes. Don’t wear stripes or overly bold patterns (they look odd on camera). Don’t wear clunky jewellery. Do try to match your appearance to the impression you want to project about yourself i.e. dress formally if trying to convey a sense of professionalism; dress down if trying to look casual.

I don’t know enough about makeup to say what you should or shouldn’t do about it. If you suffer from shiny head and shiny face syndrome like me, then some powder apparently will dampen that down – never tried it personally despite my wife’s urging – so this is just what the internet suggests!

14) CONSIDER A TELEPROMPTER

How do you remember what you’re going to say? There are techniques you can use ( as I’ve talked about before ) but the great thing about video is that you can have an entire script in front of you, if you so wish.

I tend to forget my words when in front of a camera, so if recording at home, I love the Teleprompter app on my iPad , which just eliminates that particular worry.

Another trick I’ve used is to stick talking points up on a wall behind the camera in the right order to help keep me on track. And of course, there’s always editing if you are in charge of the video.

15) BE YOURSELF – only more

The camera is a microscope. It reveals authenticity and exposes fakeness. So be yourself, and no one else. But, be even more of yourself than you are in real life (if that makes sense). Dial it up a few notches so your true personality fills the screen.

Keep your energy levels up.

16) TALK TO THE CAMERA LIKE IT’S YOUR FIRST DATE

If memory serves me right (it’s been a very long time) you are on best behaviour on a first date, and you make every effort to look into the eyes of your date. Your own eyes are lively and smiley and you speak with an earnest intensity, as you try to interest and impress your date. (Ah, the fun of youth.)

You basically want to do that!

17) GOOD POSTURE – Sit up straight (like your mama told you)

What feels odd in person, looks good on camera.

Think about the way people pose for red carpet shots (like the ladies of the wonderfully uplifting Hidden Figures movie). No one stands like that in real life, but on camera it looks great.

Sit or stand straight, even if it’s uncomfortable. Don’t hunch over, don’t use odd angles.

I have sloping shoulders (again according to Mrs S) so when recording on camera I actually lift my shoulders up ever so slightly. It feels odd, even fake, but it works.

We are psychologically wired to be more accepting and attracted to symmetry. So aim for clear, straight lines where you can.

18) USE YOUR HANDS – but not too much

Movement is fine, but too much is distracting.

Don’t be afraid to use hand gestures (studies show that complex thinkers use more hand gestures). Just don’t over do it. The camera is a microscope remember. It amplifies everything.

19) PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE

The other half of Preparation is Practice. There is no substitute for it. If you asked for my personal #1 of all the video presentation tips, it would be this one.

Record yourself on camera and force yourself to watch it back (but leave a week between recording and reviewing it as you can’t be objective immediately afterwards).

Send it to a trusted friend and get their feedback. If you really want to go for it, give them a questionnaire to complete to get some dispassionate commentary e.g.

On a scale of 1 – 10:

How engaging was I?

How clear was my message?

How good was the sound?

How sharp was the video image?

How naturally do I come across on camera?

There you go! 19 Video Presentation Tips (and one Checklist)

Now, in case you are wondering whether I really do practise what I preach (and I seem to do a whole load of preaching), the answer is: I don’t! Got to be honest. No one gets everything right, however much we try. So here’s a video I recorded for a crowdfunding campaign I worked on for the charity The 100 Black Men of London.

Can you spot how many of the 19 steps I didn’t apply?

If you’ve got this far, why not keep going with “How to make an audience love you. Give them a car”

Kolarele sonaike, the great speech consultancy, p.s. i’m running some free 1-2-1 coaching sessions on communication skills. this is a deep coaching session so grab your spot now https://www.greatspeech.co/book-a-call/, pin it on pinterest.

How to Record a Presentation with Webcam, Narration, and More

Everyone has, at some point, put a load of time and effort into creating the perfect PowerPoint presentation, only to use it once or twice. But isn’t it a shame for all that hard work to be discarded so quickly? Is every slide deck destined for deletion after just a couple of uses? 

Isn’t there a better way to make the most out of your presentations? Well, yes. Yes, there is. 

Rather than simply creating and presenting your work once or twice, recording your presentations can give them a new lease of life. Whether it’s a data report or a self-recorded PowerPoint, you can record a presentation in real-time, or in advance to make it available on-demand.

In this guide, we’ll explore two distinct ways of recording your presentation. First, we’ll discuss how to record a presentation from PowerPoint with audio and webcam, and then we’ll look at how to turn your .ppt slides into a video.

Benefits of Recording a Presentation 

As well as there being many different ways to record a presentation, there are also many benefits of recording them. So, before we show you the ‘how,’ let’s talk about the ‘why.’ 

• Encouraging asynchronous communication : One key benefit is fostering asynchronous communication . By recording presentations, you’re letting your audience engage with the content in their own time, breaking the constraints of time zones and scheduling conflicts. This also ensures your viewers can absorb information at their own pace, and revisit it as needed.
• Boosting SEO : You can use your presentation to create a YouTube video and share it on your website to increase your online visibility and attract prospective customers. This can be a great way to expand your audience, increase web traffic, and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
• Perfecting your presentation : Whether it’s in-person or over Zoom, you don’t get second chances with live presentations. However, a pre-recorded keynote lets you perfect the content and the narration before anyone sees it. This is a great way to combat stage fright while honing your presentation skills and building confidence.

With this in mind, turning your slides into a video is a no-brainer. It’s an easy way to grow your audience and make the information you’re sharing more accessible and easier to digest.

Record your presentation today!

Download a free trial of Snagit to quickly and easily record your presentation.

How to record your presentation (with Snagit)

Depending on your audience and the type of presentation you need to deliver, TechSmith’s Snagit could just be the perfect tool for recording your PowerPoint. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Snagit is ideal for capturing top-notch presentation videos, in just a few clicks. 

Now, there’s no denying that presentations are better when you can see the presenter… Fortunately, Snagit lets you capture your screen and webcam at the same time to create a Picture-in-Picture video.

In this section, we’ll guide you through the steps to record your presentation and webcam with Snagit. 

Step 1: Open video capture 

First, open Snagit and navigate to the Capture window. Select the Video tab, and start by clicking the big red Capture button.

Step 2: Select a recording area

Next, you’ll be prompted to choose which parts of your screen you want to record. Use Snagit’s orange crosshairs to select a specific region, window, or your entire screen. 

Step 3: Configure recording settings

With the Video Recording toolbar, you can set options like Cursor Capture and Effects, System Audio, and Webcam. 

If your webcam isn’t showing, click on the webcam icon. If you have an external webcam, select the one you want to use by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the webcam icon. 

Step 4: Adjust your webcam

Next, adjust your webcam options to ensure your Picture-in-Picture recording looks how you want it. Here you can change the Picture-in-Picture placement as well as the shape and size of your webcam recording. You can even toggle between Picture-in-Picture and fullscreen webcam modes as you like.

The best part? You can make these adjustments even while recording.

Step 5: Manage recording

When you’re ready to roll, hit the Record button and click the Stop button when you’re finished. It’s that simple! 

And remember, if there’s an interruption (like an unexpected visit from the mailman), just hit Pause. It’s okay to take a break — your video won’t be ruined by a little interruption.

Step 6: Edit your video

Once you’ve finished recording, Snagit will automatically open your video in the Snagit Editor, which is super easy to use. From here, you can make light edits to the footage as needed. 

For example, if you need to cut or trim your footage , you can! Here’s how: 

• Set Start Point : Drag the Start handle (green) on the timeline to your desired starting point.
• Set End Point : Similarly, drag the End handle (red) to where you want to end the cut.
• Review the Segment : Before making any cuts, you can review the segment by dragging the Playhead (white) left and right across the timeline. This ensures you’re only cutting the footage you intend to.
• Make the Cut : Once you’re satisfied with the selection, click the Cut button, which will pop up once you’ve made a selection.

And that’s all there is to it! If you want to go the extra mile, you can also use Snagit to save individual frames of your video as images , which can be used to create a thumbnail for your video . 

How to record a presentation from PowerPoint with audio and webcam

Now, Snagit is great for recording less formal videos in a flash, but if your presentation is intended for a particularly large or important audience, you might be looking to create something more polished. This is where TechSmith’s Camtasia comes in. 

Camtasia is one of the smartest and most intuitive pieces of editing software out there, but it also makes for a pretty nifty screen recorder too. Camtasia is great for recording presentations when you need more control and editing powers over the final product. 

But best of all, Camtasia streamlines the process by letting you record your presentation and voice over directly within PowerPoint. 

Step 1: Set up your presentation video recording

If you’re a Windows user, you’ll have the option to include a PowerPoint Add-in Toolbar when you install Camtasia. While this feature isn’t currently available on MacOS, the Camtasia Add-in Toolbar allows you to start, stop, and control your recordings from within PowerPoint — so you don’t need to switch between applications.

Just open the presentation you want to record and locate the Add-in toolbar under the Add-ins tab. 

Don’t see the add-in toolbar? Go to File > Options > Add-ins, to enable it. Click on the Manage drop-down, select Disabled Items, then click Go. If the Camtasia Add-in is listed, select it, and click Enable.

If you’re an Apple user, don’t panic! You can still record your screen (with audio) on a Mac using Camtasia, and it’s just as easy. Alternatively, you can skip ahead to the next section and import your slides directly into Camtasia. 

Step 2: Customize your recording options

Now let’s walk through each of the options on the toolbar before we begin recording.

Record audio

The microphone button controls whether or not audio is recorded as part of your presentation. When you enable it, you’ll be able to record your narration using a microphone.

If you are planning to record audio, this is where you’ll select your microphone. If you want to record great audio , we suggest using an external microphone, rather than the one that’s built into your laptop. 

Some of the best microphones for recording video are likely to be less expensive than you think. But, if you’re on a shoestring budget, even the mic that’s built into your headphones could produce better audio than your laptop. 

Once you’re set up, be sure to test the mic and adjust the volume slider as needed. You’ll also need to decide whether or not to record your system audio, which is any sound that comes out of your speakers, such as email notifications. 

Record webcam

If you have a webcam, you can also record your camera during the presentation to create a Picture-in-Picture clip — just as you can with Snagit! 

To customize even more of the recording settings, click the Recording Options button. Here you’ll find settings that let you record with a watermark and adjust your video frame rate . There are a few more options too, but the default settings should work just fine.

When you’re ready, click OK to close this window and save any changes made.

Step 3: Record your presentation

The final step is as simple as clicking the Record button in the toolbar. This will launch your slides into the Presentation Mode and start recording.

When you exit Presentation Mode or reach the end of your slideshow, you can either continue recording your screen, or stop recording and save your file. Pretty easy right? 

Before you get started, let us show you another way to turn your presentation into a video, without recording your desktop . 

How to turn your PowerPoint presentation slides into a video

Another way to create a video from your presentation is to import your PowerPoint slides into Camtasia. This way you can adjust how long each slide appears on screen, as well as add Behaviors and Annotations to personalize your presentation and highlight important information. 

By importing your slides into Camtasia, and recording your voice over separately, you get a lot more flexibility with the editing process, which means you have more control over the finished article. 

If you do decide to record your audio separately, you might want to take a look at TechSmith’s Audiate . This advanced audio recorder will transcribe your voice over in real-time and let you edit the audio file as if it were a text-based document. We don’t want to brag, but it’s probably the best way to add a voice over to a PowerPoint . 

Regardless of how you decide to narrate your PowerPoint, here’s how to turn your presentation into a video: 

1. Import your PowerPoint slides

First, start by importing your PowerPoint slides directly into Camtasia. Once your media is imported, you can edit it by dragging your slides into the Editing Toolbar.

You can now add the images to the Timeline, and edit them like any other media in a Project. 

If you drag your slides to the Timeline, the slides will be placed in the order of the presentation, each with a default 5-second duration.

With your presentation on the timeline, use Ripple Move to create space in between slides to adjust the timing of each one. To do this, hold shift, then click and drag.

Once you’ve imported your slides and adjusted the duration of each one to correlate with your voice over, it’s time to start editing. 

How to edit a presentation video (in Camtasia) 

Add behaviors.

Firstly, add some visual interest with Camtasia Behaviors . A Behavior is an animation that brings movement to your slides, making them stand out on screen. This is a great way to bring parts of your presentation to life and take it from ordinary to extraordinary — because nobody likes a boring presentation . 

To add a Behavior, click and drag the Behavior you wish to use onto the slide you want to animate. Once added, you can adjust the Behavior using the Properties tab.

Add annotations

Another good way to grab and direct your audience’s attention is to add some Annotations, which are great for highlighting important information.  

To insert an Annotation, click the Annotation tab on the left side of the screen and drag it into the designated slide. You can then re-position and edit the Annotation in the Properties tab as needed.

Recording a PowerPoint Presentation, the FAQs

Absolutely! Both Snagit and Camtasia are excellent choices for recording a professional and polished presentation. Snagit is perfect for no-fuss recording and editing. If you require more sophisticated editing capabilities, Camtasia is the ideal choice, offering the added convenience of recording your slideshow and voice over directly within PowerPoint.

Click the Record button in the toolbar to launch your slides into the Presentation Mode and start recording. When you exit Presentation Mode or reach the end of your slideshow, you can either continue recording your screen or stop and save your file.

If you’re planning to record audio, select your microphone in the recording options. The microphone button controls whether or not audio is recorded as part of your presentation. If you have a webcam attached to your computer, you can also record your camera to create a Picture-in-Picture clip, perfect for showing the presenter during the presentation.

With Snagit, you can conveniently record your voice over as you go through your presentation, capturing both the audio and visuals in one go. If you’re looking for more advanced recording and editing options, you might also consider using Camtasia, which allows you to record your voice over while presenting. For even more control, use Audiate to record your audio separately and then import it into Camtasia for fine-tuning.

Justin Simon

Global Content Strategy Manager at TechSmith. I play a lot of golf and watch a lot of football.

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Home » Teacher Supplies » Discover the 9 Best Cameras for Recording Lectures that You Can Use in Your Classroom and at Home

Discover the 9 Best Cameras for Recording Lectures that You Can Use in Your Classroom and at Home

As teaching online continues to be a common occurrence, it’s important to make sure teachers have high quality equipment for recording their lectures. If you’re planning to work with students or upload lectures online, you might want to look into the different cams you can use to get the job done.

As someone who has been both a teacher and a student in online classes, I can tell you firsthand that recording equipment makes a huge difference in teaching a quality lesson. Even if your content is good, it can be hard to get the message across if you don’t have a good setup.

If you’ve been looking for insight into what the camera for classroom recording lectures might be, you’ve come to the right place! After reading this article, you will know all about:

• How to choose a classroom cam →
• Logitech StreamCam →
• Logitech C920x Pro →
• IFROO FHD →
• NexiGo N60 →
• Microsoft Lifecam Cinema →
• NexiGo N660E  →
• Kimire Digital Recorder →
• Sony FDRAX53/B  →
• Sony HXR-NX100 →
• Tips for creating engaging video lectures →

No one can deny the importance of a good camera, even if you’re making some educational TikTok videos!

This kindergarten teacher is going viral on TikTok for her videos about online learning ? pic.twitter.com/B2s9kYepP7 — NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 3, 2021

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13 Best Video Presentation Software in 2024

By Eva Williams 10 days ago, Software reviews

With proper video marketing strategy and the best video presentation software, your brand and business will be developing. There is a strong demand for bringing personalized content to education and business training. The best choice for creating screencasts and authoring is animated educational videos and informative webinars.

Top 13 Video Presentation Software

• Powtoon - Free animated presentation software
• Prezi - Free non-linear live video presentation software
• Microsoft PowerPoint - Slideshow video presentation software for Windows
• Biteable - Universal presentation maker
• Google Slides - Free presentation software for all Google account holders
• Keynote - Free software for Mac and iOS
• Animaker - The best video presentation software
• TechSmith Camtasia - Supports screen recording
• Pitch - Beautiful presentation templates
• iSpring Suite - For video courses development
• Vyond Studio - For DIY animated video presentation with characters
• Wideo - The easiest online tool for creating video presentations
• Animoto - Simple video presentation maker from photos

Presentation video software helps you create a presentation that effectively tells your story without your participation. Video presentations can also be formatted as video ads in email newsletters, video graphics in social networks, video stories and video banners: you only need to change the size.

Video presentations provide a visual and compelling way to deliver content for commercial, educational and technological purposes. The best way to engage your audience is with eye-catching visuals and smooth animations that can unleash your creativity and produce a vivid presentation.

1. Powtoon – Our Choice

• Free and intuitive with Drag’n’drop
• Ready-made templates
• Easy content sharing
• Customizable characters, animations
• Media without license fees
• Limited free version

Verdict: This cloud-based online tool creates animated slides with audio, comments and embedded videos. Slides are used to control and drag elements from the image library (dynamic transitions, shapes, backgrounds, speech bubbles). The familiar Powtoon interface has an editor with content settings in the template and a creator with many other options.

This video presentation software integrates with Google Disc and Fiverr to hire a professional composer. It is suitable for voice-over or recording music directly in the software. There are thousands of animated characters and graphics, icons, shapes and video clips.

You can use charts as data visualization tools and import PowerPoint presentations. Videos can be embedded and uploaded in MP4, PPT or PDF formats, published in social networks or shared.

• Animated or live presentations
• Easy and smooth to use
• Collaborative video editing
• Unique dynamic formats
• Talking head video
• No chat for co-authors
• Makes it difficult to visualize structured data

Verdict: Prezi suggested an alternative to the slide show format for correcting a typical corporate presentation. This live video presentation software gives you one giant canvas in a mind map style.

If you need to jump around a lot of content, Prezi lets the speaker easily proceed to any part of the presentation by moving around the canvas and zooming in with the virtual camera. The difference is in adding animated paths from one part of the canvas to another.

Some viewers may find the flight animation style unusual. You can use it to create interactive presentations, talking head videos and more. You can add blocks of text and images, or create miniature slides, record your speech and add graphics. Prezi is an excellent alternative to traditional slide decks.

3. Microsoft PowerPoint

• User-friendly interface, QuickStarter
• Collaboration, cloud storage
• Detailed analytics
• Corporate identity with logo and template
• No restrictions on the duration
• Doesn’t correspond to the formats compatible with LMS
• No sharing via social networks or email

Verdict: It is a robust multi-functional platform for digital slide show presentations with various design themes, collaborative real-time editing, as well as an array of creative transition tools, animated titles and glossy effects. Use any of the classic templates or download them from specialized sites. You can manage access rights and permissions, track statistics via filtering by slides, views or tasks.

In this free presentation software you can save the presentation as an mp4 or .mov video. The output is played in a browser that supports HTML5. There are many visual elements: shapes, images, text animations, tables, charts, graphs and 3D models.

You can import data from Excel or enter it. Import audio files or voice-over recordings directly into the platform. The smart design section offers visual element templates: flowcharts, loops and other types of layouts.

4. Biteable

• Professional video templates
• Easy-to-use helpful guide
• Ready-made templates, media library
• Unlimited video duration
• Integration with social networks
• Restrictions in the free version
• No undo, redo, or data visualization tools

Verdict: Biteable refers to its cloud-based software as the easiest creator of marketing video presentations and animated infographics from your materials or hundreds of pre-designed templates.

The library of images and videos offers thousands of ready-to-use photos and clips from Unsplash. Styles range from animated graphics to live performances, covering ads, presentations, invitations, logo animation and slide shows.

This online video maker is divided into text, video and music tracks. A simple drag-and-drop timeline is easy to set up. It is possible to add a watermark, upload fonts and brand colors. Biteable offers a standard sound, but you can upload your own. Videos can be published on the Internet or uploaded in .mp4 format to social networks.

5. Google Slides

• Free in Google Docs
• Import of new templates
• Reliable collaboration features
• Ability to send questions to the audience, integrated chat
• User-friendly
• Without importing audio, exporting to video
• Limited templates, transitions and effects

Verdict: Being a part of the Google G Suite cloud office package, it helps you edit and collaborate on presentations. This video presentation software supports embedding videos, creating charts and adding animation to slides. You can import hundreds of additional templates or create your own ones. Several people can work on a slideshow at the same time. Besides, there is an integrated group chat.

One of the strengths of Google Slides is that you don’t need to install, pay or learn much. With a Google account, you can create a slideshow, collaborate with others on it, present it quickly and easily. Also, Slides offers several bonuses, such as the ability to generate a unique URL where the audience can send questions to the speaker in real time.

• Appealing, customizable templates
• Intuitive UI
• Tight integration with macOS
• No restrictions on duration
• Cancellation and refund options
• MP4 isn’t supported for export
• No library or integration with social networks

Verdict: This video presentation app comes free for all Apple devices. Windows users can get Keynote with an Apple iCloud account. Great templates and close integration with Apple apps cover a simple, no-frills interface. There are several templates available, and you can import any template from third-party sites, such as Envato.

Visual elements in Keynote are icons, graphs and charts in three different styles: flat, three-dimensional and interactive. All available visual effects can be animated. Images, audio and video can be downloaded from your device. There are no audio files available within the app, but you can record a voiceover using a microphone. You can upload video presentations in .mp4 or animated GIF format.

7. Animaker

• No time limit
• Two versions of the interface
• Many templates, tools and resources
• Extensive character animation options
• Animated or live video
• No data visualization, branding, undo and redo tools
• Not the easiest video editing process

Verdict: Animaker provides a platform for corporate teams to create professional video presentations using the drag-and-drop interface. It has a full and lightweight version of the interface with switching: all the tools for creating scenes, parameters for animated characters, and frame editing. With 8 visual tools, multi-user collaboration features and the largest animated library, it is the best video presentation maker for businesses.

Animaker offers millions of image templates and animated video clips, audio files, shapes, icons, text layouts, customizable characters and scene effects in animation or live-action format. The video can contain music or voiceover. You can also upload audio files.

With one of the best YouTube intro makers , video presentations can be published on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, uploaded to certain social networks, such as Slack and Flickr, with optimization for each channel.

8. TechSmith Camtasia

• No duration limit
• Multiple video editing options
• Integration with PowerPoint, social networks
• Support for major media formats
• Interactive video, built-in hyperlinks
• No web option, heavyweight
• No digital camera support

Verdict: If you need to record your actions on a monitor, consider Camtasia as the best video presentation software. The function of capturing and displaying screen activity is powerful and convenient, with high-quality recording. For presentations, there is a special add-in panel that lets you control the recording process: open the file in PowerPoint, launch the presentation and start recording. Then you can add graphics and music, titles, animations, transitions, edit audio and video.

Camtasia offers an expandable multi-track timeline that, thanks to the drag-and-drop approach, can include screen content, recordings of streaming webcams , multiple audio tracks, effects, callouts, etc.

When recording is finished, Camtasia will mark the output so that you can edit the system sound by removing background noise and adjusting the levels; video, cursor and microphone separately. The software provides open and hidden subtitles. Also, you can export captions for translation.

• Feature-rich
• Web, desktop, and mobile versions
• Impeccable security
• Limited storage
• Some features are unavailable in a free version

Verdict: Using Pitch , it is possible to make bite-size clips and add them to presentations to attract more viewers. The best part is that you can create slides on any device and at a convenient tempo.

There is a library replete with stylish presentation templates that you can use to embed your videos. Just choose a suitable template and start customizing it. It is great that you can alter pre-designed elements and even set the playback speed.

Another advantage of Pitch is that it comes with multiple integrations, even if you use a free plan. Besides, all processes are straightforward, so even beginners will understand how to make a catchy presentation. You can insert tables by providing links to Google Sheets, or metrics by linking Google Analytics. Moreover, it is even possible to add video content from YouTube and Vimeo, as well as images from Unsplash and Giphy.

10. iSpring Suite

• Converts PowerPoint to Flash/HTML5
• Integration, support for PowerPoint effects
• Detailed reporting on grades and courses
• Easy publication in social networks
• MS PowerPoint is required for recording
• No advanced video editing, screen recording features

Verdict: If you need to improve your slides with a speaker, iSpring Suite is an effective way to convert PowerPoint slides into an interactive video presentation. It expands the possibilities of video communication and interaction with the audience.

The integrated editor lets you add videos from the Internet or a live presentation using webcams for YouTube , record voiceover or import audio files, and sync it with slides and effects.

In this presentation video software, you can add tests, Flash videos, web pages with navigation, files, documents and links to your slides. The output file is converted to a browser-friendly Flash, HTML5, MP4 or LMS-compatible format.

11. Vyond Studio (GoAnimate)

• Excellent combination of video and infographics
• Customizable charts, font import
• Online guide, integrated learning
• Lip auto-sync, camera movement
• Undo and redo, preview
• Limitations of the free version
• Requires some skills

Verdict: Vyond offers cloud-based features for creating custom animated videos using drag-and-drop tools. The main visual effects are characters, props, backgrounds and music. Characters are customizable, including the face angle and animated actions. The software includes libraries with numerous backgrounds, characters, interactions, props, tracks, sound and video effects.

When you select a template, Vyond opens the start scene with an expandable timeline editor that lists scenes, frames and objects in the order of animated settings. There are hundreds of props and scenarios that can be infinitely combined with characters and backgrounds. If you want to make a flipbook in addition to a presentation, have a look at the tool by Flipsnack .

• Preview of a single scene or the entire video
• Unlimited length video in the premium version
• Horizontal, square, vertical orientation
• Detailed control of animations and transitions
• Ability to embed
• Restrictions in the free trial
• No data visualization, branding

Verdict: Wideo is a simple cloud-based video presentation software that lets you activate social media campaigns using professional videos. The interface of the video editor appears neat and has enough space to work from a template or from scratch. At the bottom, there is the timeline editor, which controls one scene at a time, and there are undo and redo controls.

You have a choice of about a hundred video presentation template options. If that isn’t enough for you, head to the TemplatesWise resource and download more cool templates there. You can still add slides to the selected template. Besides, Wideo offers visual effects and elements – backgrounds, images, videos, text effects, and scenes with animated text.

13. Animoto

• A quick way to make a video from photos
• Simple drag and drop interface
• Access to over a million stock assets
• Universal professional templates
• You can’t control the properties of a video
• You can’t edit one section of a video separately

Verdict: Making a short family video will require a few photos and minutes, as well as your creativity. You don’t need to know anything about video editing, because Animoto will do everything for you. Just mix the photos, add a soundtrack and click the “Create video” button. If you aren’t satisfied with the results, the software offers other mixing options.

This online slideshow maker meets the needs of the business. You can add video frames and text frames to your photos, making your project more attractive, and quickly apply styles.

In addition, you can create video clips for marketing purposes with minimal effort and cost. This lets any video creator work productively in social networks.

• Top video presentation software
• With free trial

• Video Editing Services
• Virtual Staging Services
• Outsource Photo Editing
• Retouching Tips
• Photo Editing Freebies
• Free Raw Images for Retouching
• Free Photoshop Actions
• Free Lightroom Presets
• Affiliate Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

PowerPoint Recorder

Record your PowerPoint presentations online

Powerful Online PowerPoint Recorder

Make your presentations look professional using VEED’s online PowerPoint recorder. It’s fast, easy to use, and gives you access to video editing tools to make your presentation stand out. You can upload your slides or record your screen while you are presenting. Add yourself to the scene by recording your webcam and audio as well.

No need to install software. Open your browser and start recording! Choose from different layouts and customize your video after you record. You can also edit your recording using our professional video editor.

How to Record Your PowerPoint Presentation:

1 upload slides and select a layout.

Select from our list of layouts (you may need to click to ‘Allow’ permission to access your screen, camera, or microphone). You can record just your screen, your webcam, or both at the same time! You can either upload your slides or record while you’re presenting.

2 Start recording

Click the red button to start recording! You'll see a countdown before the recording starts. Don't worry if you mess up. You have unlimited time and unlimited retakes. You can navigate to other pages, and don't worry, you are still recording.

3 Review, edit, and export

You can playback your recording to review it, click ‘Share’ to share with friends and colleagues, or ‘Edit’ to edit your video (perfect for adding text, subtitles, and professional touches to your screen recording)

‘PowerPoint Recorder’ Tutorial

Highly customizable PPT recording software

VEED lets you easily customize your Microsoft PowerPoint presentation recordings. Select from different layouts and backgrounds. You can record your screen, webcam, audio, and upload your PowerPoint slides to present while recording. If you choose to record your entire desktop, you can easily switch the view between your presentation slides and other windows. When you’re finished, edit your video using our free video editor, where you can also add royalty-free music from our Stock Library.

All the things you need in a screen recorder

Our video capture software is packed with features that will help you create professional-looking recordings. When you press record, the countdown timer will appear to prompt you when your recording starts. To make sure that your audio is being picked up, check the little microphone icon on the bottom of your screen. It should be animated to indicate that your audio is being recorded. It only takes a few clicks. It’s the best app to record your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

Fast, free, and easy-to-use screen recorder software

Our screen recorder and video editor are free to use and beginner-friendly. However, if you need to record longer videos, you may need to subscribe to our premium plans. Check out our Pricing Page to see which plan suits your needs. It is super easy to use. It only takes a few clicks!

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft does allow you to record your presentation as well as your voice or audio. But you might be limited because you can’t switch screens. Use VEED to record your entire desktop and switch between windows.

With VEED, you can record your audio, webcam, screen, and presentation slides all at the same time!

To add yourself or your camera to the recording, select the layout that includes “webcam.” Choose the size and positioning of your camera feed and start recording!

Although there are many screen recorders out there, VEED is your best choice when it comes to recording your PC screen! It’s free and online. No need to install software. Plus you can use our free video editor to enhance your recording even more.

What they say about VEED

Veed is a great piece of browser software with the best team I've ever seen. Veed allows for subtitling, editing, effect/text encoding, and many more advanced features that other editors just can't compete with. The free version is wonderful, but the Pro version is beyond perfect. Keep in mind that this a browser editor we're talking about and the level of quality that Veed allows is stunning and a complete game changer at worst.

I love using VEED as the speech to subtitles transcription is the most accurate I've seen on the market. It has enabled me to edit my videos in just a few minutes and bring my video content to the next level

Laura Haleydt - Brand Marketing Manager, Carlsberg Importers

The Best & Most Easy to Use Simple Video Editing Software! I had tried tons of other online editors on the market and been disappointed. With VEED I haven't experienced any issues with the videos I create on there. It has everything I need in one place such as the progress bar for my 1-minute clips, auto transcriptions for all my video content, and custom fonts for consistency in my visual branding.

Diana B - Social Media Strategist, Self Employed

More than a PowerPoint recorder

VEED is a complete browser-based tool that lets you do so much more than just record and share your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. You can annotate your videos to make your presentation more informative. Edit your recording to add images, subtitles, and more. It is a professional all-in-one video-creation and editing software that’s great for beginners and pros alike. Create professional-looking videos in just a few clicks. You don’t need any video editing experience. Create stunning videos that you can share on social media in just minutes. Try VEED to create professional PowerPoint recordings today!

Apple unveils stunning new iPad Pro with the world’s most advanced display, M4 chip, and Apple Pencil Pro

Thinnest Apple Product Ever

World’s Most Advanced Display

Only Possible with M4

Outrageously Powerful Device for AI

Pro Cameras

Pro Connectivity

Apple Pencil Pro

All-New Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio

Powerful iPadOS Features

Logic Pro for iPad 2

Final Cut Pro for iPad 2

iPad Pro and the Environment

• Customers can order the new iPad Pro with M4 starting today, May 7, at apple.com/store , and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S., with availability in stores beginning Wednesday, May 15.
• The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro will be available in silver and space black finishes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
• The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at  $999  (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and  $1,199  (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at  $1,299  (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and  $1,499  (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Additional technical specifications, including nano-texture glass options, are available at apple.com/store .
• For education, the new 11-inch iPad Pro is available for  $899  (U.S.) and the 13-inch iPad Pro is $1,199 (U.S.). Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels. For more information, visit  apple.com/us-hed/shop .
• The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available for $129 (U.S.). For education, Apple Pencil Pro is available for $119 (U.S.).
• Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available for $79 (U.S.) and $69 (U.S.) for education.
• The new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available in black and white finishes. The new 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $299 (U.S.) and the new 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $349 (U.S.), with layouts for over 30 languages. For education, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $279 (U.S.) and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $329 (U.S.).
• The new Smart Folio is available for $79 (U.S.) in black, white, and denim finishes for the new 11-inch iPad Pro and $99 (U.S.) for the new 13-inch iPad Pro.
• Logic Pro for iPad 2 is available on May 13 as a free update for existing users, and for new users, it is available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month, or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial. Logic Pro for iPad 2 requires iPadOS 17.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro-for-ipad .
• Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will be available later this spring on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month, or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial.
• Apple offers great ways to save on the latest iPad. Customers can trade in their current iPad and get credit toward a new one by visiting the Apple Store online , the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth, and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in .
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all upfront.

Text of this article

May 7, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Featuring a new thin and light design, breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, and outrageously fast M4 performance with powerful AI capabilities, the new iPad Pro takes a huge leap forward

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the groundbreaking new iPad Pro in a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability and performance to the next level. Available in silver and space black finishes, the new iPad Pro comes in two sizes: an expansive 13-inch model and a super-portable 11-inch model. Both sizes feature the world’s most advanced display — a new breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display with state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology — providing a remarkable visual experience. The new iPad Pro is made possible with the new M4 chip, the next generation of Apple silicon, which delivers a huge leap in performance and capabilities. M4 features an entirely new display engine to enable the precision, color, and brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR display. With a new CPU, a next-generation GPU that builds upon the GPU architecture debuted on M3, and the most powerful Neural Engine yet, the new iPad Pro is an outrageously powerful device for artificial intelligence. The versatility and advanced capabilities of iPad Pro are also enhanced with all-new accessories. Apple Pencil Pro brings powerful new interactions that take the pencil experience even further, and a new thinner, lighter Magic Keyboard is packed with incredible features. The new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard are available to order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Wednesday, May 15.

“iPad Pro empowers a broad set of pros and is perfect for anyone who wants the ultimate iPad experience — with its combination of the world’s best displays, extraordinary performance of our latest M-series chips, and advanced accessories — all in a portable design. Today, we’re taking it even further with the new, stunningly thin and light iPad Pro, our biggest update ever to iPad Pro,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, the next-level performance of M4, incredible AI capabilities, and support for the all-new Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, there’s no device like the new iPad Pro.”

The new iPad Pro — the thinnest Apple product ever — features a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability to a whole new level. The 11-inch model is just 5.3 mm thin, and the 13-inch model is even thinner at a striking 5.1 mm, while both models are just as strong as the previous design. The 11-inch model weighs less than a pound, and the 13-inch model is nearly a quarter pound lighter than its predecessor — allowing pro users to extend their workflows in new ways and in more places. The new iPad Pro is available in two gorgeous finishes — silver and space black — both with 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosures.

The new iPad Pro debuts the Ultra Retina XDR, the world’s most advanced display, to provide an even more remarkable visual experience. The Ultra Retina XDR display features state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology that uses two OLED panels and combines the light from both to provide phenomenal full-screen brightness. The new iPad Pro supports an incredible 1000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR content, and 1600 nits peak for HDR. No other device of its kind delivers this level of extreme dynamic range. Tandem OLED technology enables sub-millisecond control over the color and luminance of each pixel, taking XDR precision further than ever. Specular highlights in photos and video appear even brighter, and there’s more detail in shadows and low light than ever before on iPad — all while delivering even more responsiveness to content in motion. For pro users working in high-end, color-managed workflows or challenging lighting conditions, a new nano-texture glass option comes to iPad Pro for the first time. 1 Nano-texture glass is precisely etched at a nanometer scale, maintaining image quality and contrast while scattering ambient light for reduced glare. With its breakthrough tandem OLED technology, extreme brightness, incredibly precise contrast, brilliant colors, and nano-texture glass option, the new Ultra Retina XDR display is the world’s most advanced display, giving iPad Pro customers an unparalleled viewing experience.

The incredibly thin and light design and game-changing display of the new iPad Pro is only possible with M4, the next generation of Apple silicon that delivers a huge leap in performance. M4 is built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology that’s even more power efficient, which is perfect for the design of the new iPad Pro. With an entirely new display engine, M4 introduces pioneering technology for the stunning precision, color, and brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR display. The new CPU offers up to four performance cores and now six efficiency cores, 2 with next-generation machine learning (ML) accelerators, to deliver up to 1.5x faster CPU performance over M2 in the previous-generation iPad Pro. 3 M4 builds on the GPU architecture of M3 — the 10-core GPU includes powerful features like Dynamic Caching, and hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, which come to iPad for the first time. Coupled with higher unified memory bandwidth, pro rendering apps like Octane will see up to 4x faster performance than M2. 3 M4 also delivers tremendous gains and industry-leading performance per watt. Compared to M2, M4 can deliver the same performance using just half the power, and compared to the latest PC chip in a thin and light laptop, M4 can deliver the same performance using just a quarter of the power. 4 A new advanced Media Engine includes support for AV1 decode, providing more power-efficient playback of high-resolution video experiences from streaming services.

The new iPad Pro with M4 features Apple’s most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second, which is 60x faster than Apple’s first Neural Engine in the A11 Bionic chip. Combined with next-generation ML accelerators in the CPU, a high-performance GPU, more memory bandwidth, and intelligent features and powerful developer frameworks in iPadOS, the Neural Engine makes the new iPad Pro an outrageously powerful device for AI. With iPad Pro with M4, users can perform AI-enabled tasks even faster, like easily isolate a subject from its background in 4K video with just a tap with Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro. With this advanced level of performance, the Neural Engine in M4 is more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today.

iPadOS also has advanced frameworks like Core ML that make it easy for developers to tap into the Neural Engine to deliver phenomenal AI features locally, including running powerful diffusion and generative AI models, with great performance on device. iPad Pro also supports cloud-based solutions, enabling users to run powerful productivity and creative apps that tap into the power of AI, such as Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Adobe Firefly.

The updated camera system on the new iPad Pro delivers even more versatility, and with its rich audio from four studio-quality mics, users can shoot, edit, and share all on one device. The 12MP back camera captures vibrant Smart HDR images and video with even better color, improved textures, and detail in low light. It also now features a new adaptive True Tone flash that makes document scanning on the new iPad Pro better than ever. Using AI, the new iPad Pro automatically identifies documents right in the Camera app, and if a shadow is in the way, it instantly takes multiple photos with the new adaptive flash, stitching the scan together for a dramatically better scan.

On the front, the TrueDepth camera system moves to the landscape location on the new iPad Pro. The Ultra Wide 12MP camera with Center Stage makes the experience of video conferencing in landscape orientation even better, especially when iPad is attached to a Magic Keyboard or Smart Folio.

iPad Pro includes a high-performance USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4, delivering fast wired connectivity — up to 40Gb/s. Thunderbolt supports an extensive ecosystem of high-performance accessories, including external displays like the Pro Display XDR at its full 6K resolution, and external storage, all connected using high-performance cables and docks. iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E for super-fast Wi-Fi connections for pro workflows on the go. Wi-Fi + Cellular models with 5G allow users to access their files, communicate with colleagues, and back up their data in a snap while on the go. Cellular models of the new iPad Pro are activated with eSIM, a more secure alternative to a physical SIM card, allowing users to quickly connect and transfer their existing plans digitally, and store multiple cellular plans on a single device. Customers can easily get connected to wireless data plans on the new iPad Pro in over 190 countries and regions around the world without needing to get a physical SIM card from a local carrier.

Apple Pencil Pro features even more magical capabilities and powerful new interactions that take the Apple Pencil experience even further. A new sensor in the barrel can sense a user’s squeeze, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process. A custom haptic engine delivers a light tap that provides confirmation when users squeeze, use double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape for a remarkably intuitive experience. A gyroscope allows users to roll Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of the tool they’re using. Rotating the barrel changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools, just like pen and paper. And with Apple Pencil hover, users can visualize the exact orientation of a tool before making a mark.

With these advanced features, Apple Pencil Pro allows users to bring their ideas to life in entirely new ways, and developers can also create their own custom interactions. Apple Pencil Pro brings support for Find My for the first time to Apple Pencil, helping users locate Apple Pencil Pro if misplaced. It pairs, charges, and is stored on the side of iPad Pro through a new magnetic interface. iPad Pro also supports Apple Pencil (USB-C), ideal for note taking, sketching, annotating, journaling, and more, at an incredible value.

Designed for the new iPad Pro, an all-new thinner and lighter Magic Keyboard makes it more portable and versatile than ever. The new Magic Keyboard opens to the magical floating design that customers love, and now includes a function row for access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. It also has a gorgeous aluminum palm rest and larger trackpad that’s even more responsive with haptic feedback, so the entire experience feels just like using a MacBook. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth. The machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. The new Magic Keyboard comes in two colors that perfectly complement the new iPad Pro: black with a space black aluminum palm rest, and white with a silver aluminum palm rest.

The new Smart Folio for iPad Pro attaches magnetically and now supports multiple viewing angles for greater flexibility. Available in black, white, and denim, it complements the colors of the new iPad Pro.

iPadOS is packed with features that push the boundaries of what’s possible on iPad. With Reference Mode, iPadOS can precisely match color requirements of the Ultra Retina XDR display for tasks in which accurate colors and consistent image quality are critical — including review and approve, color grading, and compositing. Stage Manager enables users to work with multiple overlapping windows in a single view, resize windows, tap to switch between apps, and more. With full external display support of up to 6K, iPad Pro users can also extend their workflow, as well as use the built-in camera on an external display for enhanced video conferencing. Users can take advantage of the powerful AI capabilities in iPad Pro and intelligent features in iPadOS, including Visual Look Up, Subject Lift, Live Text, or Live Captions and Personal Voice for accessibility.

With iPadOS 17 , users can customize the Lock Screen to make it more personal — taking advantage of the larger display on iPad — and interactive widgets take glanceable information further with the ability to get tasks done right in the moment with just a tap. The Notes app gives users new ways to organize, read, annotate, and collaborate on PDFs, and working with PDFs is also easier with AutoFill, which intelligently identifies and fills fields in forms.

Logic Pro for iPad 2 , available starting Monday, May 13, introduces incredible studio assistant features that augment the music-making process and provide artists help right when they need it — all while ensuring they maintain full creative control. These features include Session Players, which expand on popular Drummer capabilities in Logic to include a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player; ChromaGlow, to instantly add warmth to tracks; and Stem Splitter, to extract and work with individual parts of a single audio recording.

Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 , available later this spring, introduces Live Multicam, a new feature that transforms iPad into a mobile production studio, allowing users to view and control up to four connected iPhone and iPad devices wirelessly. 5 To support Live Multicam, an all-new capture app also comes to iPad and iPhone, Final Cut Camera, 6 giving users control over options like white balance, ISO, and shutter speed, along with monitoring tools like overexposure indicators and focus peaking. Final Cut Camera works as a standalone capture app or with Live Multicam. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 also allows users to create or open projects from external storage, giving editors even more flexibility, and offers new content options. 7

The new iPad Pro is designed with the environment in mind, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards. The new iPad Pro meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is 100 percent fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from all packaging by 2025.

Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to be carbon neutral across the entire manufacturing supply chain and life cycle of every product.

Pricing and Availability

• Nano-texture glass is an option on the 1TB and 2TB configurations of the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models.
• iPad Pro models with 256GB or 512GB storage feature the Apple M4 chip with a 9‑core CPU. iPad Pro models with 1TB or 2TB storage feature the Apple M4 chip with a 10‑core CPU.
• Testing was conducted by Apple in March and April 2024. See apple.com/ipad-pro for more information.
• Testing was conducted by Apple in March and April 2024 using preproduction 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) units with a 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM. Performance was measured using select industry‑standard benchmarks. PC laptop chip performance data is from testing ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405MA) with Core Ultra 7 155H and 32GB of RAM. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of iPad Pro.
• Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 is compatible with iPad models with the M1 chip or later, and Logic Pro for iPad 2 will be available on iPad models with the A12 Bionic chip or later.
• Final Cut Camera is compatible with iPhone X S and later with iOS 17.4 or later, and iPad models compatible with iPadOS 17.4 or later.
• External project support requires iPadOS 17.5 or later.

Press Contacts

Tara Courtney

[email protected]

[email protected]

Apple Media Helpline

[email protected]

Images in this article

How WWE 2K25 Can Take Advantage of the Company's Recent Production Changes

• WWE 2K needs to evolve like WWE shows to keep fans engaged and excited for new features and changes.
• Embracing Triple H's realistic approach in WWE production can enhance the game's experience for players and fans.
• Implementing new elements like unique entrances and camera angles can create a more immersive and dynamic gameplay for WWE 2K25.

WWE embracing major changes for the better on the television product has fans of the WWE 2K24 video game hoping to witness that crossing over. Triple H replacing Vince McMahon (after McMahon's allegations put the company in a negative light) is what many fans and pundits credit for the improvement of the WWE shows over the past year. WWE 2K24 even felt a positive momentum shift with fans enjoying the most recent game after years of ups and downs.

However, it is important for the game to continue evolving to match what the WWE product is doing to appease wrestling fans. There are some consumers who just buy the game to win matches against their friends or play as their favorite legends of the past, but WWE obviously wants the active die-hard base to love the game every year. Recent records set with ratings, ticket sales, and a new TV rights deal with Netflix starting in 2025 will put a bigger spotlight on the game to mirror what fans love about the shows.

WWE 2K24: How to Get VC

Presentation changes could help boost games features.

One of the common complaints about the annual WWE 2K release is that the game feels too similar every year. Other sports games like NBA 2K, Madden , and MLB: The Show will see roster changes each offseason and new legends added to various modes to at least offer something new. WWE typically has a few new names on the roster, but most of the top stars and legends remain the same.

• WWE 2K Gets Compared To Other Major Sports Games
• Making Changes Will Help Keep Up With Competition
• Triple H's Sports Presentation Is Helping WWE Improve

New features or things to improve the established aspects of the game can be achieved by taking what fans are praising about WWE’s production changes. Triple H’s history of running WWE’s developmental NXT brand and now the main roster shows he likes to add realism to the show and that’s met with production feeling less hokey or scripted as usual. These changes to the TV product can only help the video game franchise.

Creating Entrances in WWE 2K Can Add A Major Upgrade

WWE is starting to change up entrances with some talents getting one camera shot following them from the backstage area to the ring. Sami Zayn getting his walk from outside the building where he grew up attending WWE shows as a fan to the ring for a massive match in his hometown had fans praising WWE’s new production . WWE 2K25 should find ways to implement entrance changes allowing the wrestler to show off new areas before entering the ring.

Fans have loved the visual of watching wrestlers walk past the “gorilla position” of the final area where Triple H and other big wigs are running the show before walking through the curtain for their entrances. A wrestler getting attacked or having a “falls count anywhere match” in that area with Triple H present would provide the realism now associated with the television show.

New Elements To Creating Entrance Can Add Excitement To Game

However, the bread and butter of this would be giving gamers a chance to add their own creativity. Creating wrestlers and downloading other WWE 2K fan-made creations have each been a staple of wrestling video games for years. Some customers buy the game just to create their favorite wrestlers outside of the roster. Another dynamic of creating an elaborate entrance from the backstage area would create a new world for those loving the creative side of the games.

New Camera Angles Could Add To Match Stipulations

Another positive change to WWE’s production is the use of motion graphics coming in and out of commercial breaks. WWE often uses drone cameras to give the television viewer a feel that they are in the arena themselves. Video game play can benefit from this and even enhance a few match stipulations. The idea of a battle royale having one direct view of the ring and bodies everywhere makes it a hard match to enjoy in video game form. Multiple angles or a moving view of different parts of the ring would enhance the annual Royal Rumble match in WWE 2K.

WWE 2K24 Unbans Popular Community Member

WWE has also benefited from the more violent matches going into the crowd to showcase their production upgrades. The WWE 2K25 game making the crowd part of the game for matches and having a more realistic view for “falls count anywhere” or hardcore matches would add instant excitement rather than having a generic view of background fans like any other sports games.

Keep Adding New Things That Work for WWE On TV

The best thing about WWE’s changes is that the new management core keeps experimenting with things after years of feeling stuck with a lackluster production and product. WWE 2K25 should represent that mindset more than anything else. The time is now to keep adding while the overall business is hotter than ever, and that should be adopted by the video game creators.

Smaller things like wrestlers celebrating with fans, certain talents interacting with commentators, and everything backstage related on-screen can be used to enhance the game. WWE 2K25 will have some pressure after the WWE 2K24 success created higher expectations moving forward for the franchise.

Next Game Could Benefit From An AEW Video Game Mode

WWE’s competitor AEW had their first Fight Forever game released to mixed results and lost most of its luster quickly, but there was one interesting idea WWE could copy. The Stadium Stampede mode mimicked Fortnite ’s battle royale of one person standing at the end. WWE’s television production changes and new backstage visuals could implement that kind of mode into their game for strong fan interest.

The overall takeaway from the recent positive upgrades in WWE is that there should be no ceiling on the creative ideas for WWE 2K25 . Triple H’s product is taking risks and implementing new things to provide a fresh product after many years of feeling stagnant. WWE 2K25 would be foolish to not adopt the same mindset and utilize the new feel of production changes to give fans an immersive experience with the next game.

2K and Visual Concept's WWE 2K24 highlights a few of WrestleMania's greatest moments through a Showcase dedicated to the legendary event. The game also has MyRise, MyGM, MyFaction, and many new and returning modes and features.

Franchise WWE 2K

Platform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One

Released March 8, 2024

Developer(s) Visual Concepts

Publisher(s) 2K

Genre(s) Fighting, Sports

ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Metascore 81

Split Screen Orientation N/A (Shared Screen)

PS Plus Availability N/A

Local Co-Op Support 1-4 Players

The 4 Best Smart Bird Feeders for Identifying Species and Feeding Your Flock

Experience nature close up, while still sitting inside.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Seeing a bird land in your yard and perch near your porch is thrilling—especially if you own a bird feeder filled with seeds and nuts that draw in new species every day. But in order to enjoy the benefits of your bird feeder, you need to wait, watch, and wait some more. Smart bird feeders notify you of every bird that comes to visit, recording highlights so you never miss the action, even when you’re working or out of the house.

For the ornithology expert and amateur enthusiast alike, we tested out and researched smart bird feeders that turn your yard, porch, or patio into the biggest hotbed of local wildlife in your area.

The Best Smart Bird Feeders

• Best Overall : Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder
• Best Value: Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder
• Most Durable: Soliom Metal Bird Feeder with Camera
• Best for Hummingbirds: Netvue Birdfy Hummingbird Feeder

What to Consider

Camera quality.

Most smart bird feeders on our list come with built-in cameras. These cameras offer high definition videos and photographs of birds as they land on the feeder. Most smart bird feeder cameras shoot footage in 720p or 1080p resolution. During the daytime, this quality provides clear, crisp images of all birds as they fly by.

At night, many bird feeder cameras have built-in night vision features, so if any creatures visit in the dark, you’ll still have a clear view of them. Some cameras even have full-color night vision, so no birds must be captured in the muted black and white of a traditional night-vision camera.

What makes the cameras on smart bird feeders unique is that they function similarly to security cameras. With so much time in the day spent without birds at the feeder, most of the cameras switch off to conserve power. When a bird lands, the camera detects the motion and immediately begins taking photos and recording.

If you already own a security camera , you can use it with an option like this Wasserstein bird feeder , which has a cutout for your camera and rings in much cheaper—but you’ll miss out on AI features and app-based perks.

App Interface

Many smart bird feeders have apps that work in tandem with the camera. When the camera senses motion, it sends a notification to the app, so you can check in on the birds in real time. Beyond this, many apps store and log each bird landing throughout the day. You can watch footage you missed from earlier in the week or save photos and videos to your phone.

Some apps even have community features where you can share notable footage from your own backyard or follow along with popular public feeders around the world.

Feeder Design

Smart bird feeder design has an effect on the amount of food it can store. Some come with large internal storage areas while others just have a small reservoir on the bottom that birds can pick through. Most bird feeders also come with bars or branches that serve as perches. Feeder design also protects the food from other animals. many have small fences over the bird seed that keep squirrels or chipmunks from taking handfuls.

Some bird feeders have perches and food storage specific to hummingbirds. These have fake flower blooms with small holes for hummingbird beaks. They also have large cylinders for nectar or sugar water.

Identification Features

Some smart bird feeders offer more than just photos and videos. Through artificial intelligence or specific recognition software, the feeder cameras can identify the species of bird and provide you with the species name and information about them. While for many smart bird feeders this feature is included, others require a fee or monthly subscription to access it.

Power Source

Smart bird feeders are typically powered by solar panels or batteries. Some bird feeders, like our top pick Bird Buddy, have integrated solar panels on the roof, while others have panels that must be set up separately from the feeder and connected through a power cord.

Battery-powered bird feeders set up easily and don’t need any separate mounting systems, though you’ll need to replace the batteries or recharge the entire feeder every few months. Most smart bird feeders rely on solar panels for power, including all the options on our list.

How We Tested

To make our final selections, we tested out multiple smart bird feeders, including our best overall, Bird Buddy. In order to properly test their functionality, we installed them, set up the apps, and filled them with bird seed. From there, we let nature take its course. We paid close attention to app functionality and user experience as well as camera quality. We compared photo and video quality between devices and how easy they were to mount on trees and poles. We also left them out in the rain, which gave us a chance to test durability and how well each protected the camera and seeds from the weather.

For selections we did not test ourselves, we read through customer reviews and looked through major key specs such as seed capacity, camera quality, and weather resistance. We made sure to include options at different price points as well as ones with different design styles meant for specific bird species. There are also multiple bird feeders without cameras, so you can slide in your own security camera , reducing the overall cost.

Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder

With built-in AI software that recognizes over 1,000 species of birds, plus a weather resistant exterior, this smart bird feeder is the option that offers everything.

In our testing, senior manager Sean Abrams was most impressed by the camera and app interface. Abrams says, “As soon as I set it up I was peering out the window like a true birder waiting for the birds to come. While I waited for my own ‘postcards’ to appear in the app, I was able to check in on bird houses around the world. The app is user-friendly, modern, easy to navigate, and just fun.”

The perch provides a large opening for the birds to access the seeds, and most importantly, is close to the camera. The relative distance from the camera leads to close, detailed images and videos of the birds. It also masks the camera quality—in fact, it initially fooled us into thinking it had a superior picture resolution in comparison to other models we tested.

As for the AI recognition, each bird was identified accurately and logged properly in the app, creating a record of the species in our backyard.

Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder

Built with a powerful HD camera, this Birdfy smart bird feeder offers smooth functionality and crisp images. While the 1080p camera provides clear footage during the day, the most notable feature is the night vision. Unlike other bird cameras that swap to a grainy, black-and-white feed, the Birdfy offers color video for all your late night snackers.

During our testing, Abrams particularly liked the straightforward mounting design: “There were a bit more pieces to put together than the Bird Buddy, but what I did appreciate was all the mounting hardware it came with. I used the included strap to mount the Birdfy to a tree, so I could start using it immediately.”

A noticeable feature for this smart bird feeder is the porch. With long bars that stretch out on each side of the feeder, the porch can hold multiple birds at the same time. The size also attracts birds to rest on it, even when they aren’t eating. You can even expand it further with the Birdfy Pro Perch , which comes with extra length and a few unique toys.

The Birdfy solar panel must be mounted separately, unlike the Bird Buddy, which has its solar panel built directly onto the roof.

SOLIOM Metal Bird Feeder with Camera

Built with a metal exterior treated to prevent rust and corrosion, this is the smart bird house you can feel comfortable leaving out in the rain. The feeder has a whopping 2.7-liter seed capacity, which reduces the need to refill as often, plus drainage holes beneath the seed tray so rain or water doesn’t accumulate over time.

The camera itself shoots high definition footage and comes loaded with AI recognition software for species identification. The camera also comes with a light and speaker built in to its frame. These added features help ward off squirrels and chipmunks.

If one crawls up for food, the lights begin to flash and the speaker will sound an alarm to scare it off.

The bird feeder does require a monthly subscription to access the full suite of features on its app and camera, so keep that in mind when accounting for price.

Netvue Birdfy Hummingbird Feeder

Forget seed bags and common beaks. Grab this smart bird feeder and start attracting hummingbirds to your home. With a large cylinder for nectar and multiple flower-style openings, this feeder can support multiple hummingbirds at the same time.

It also notably comes with two cameras. One sits straight on and shows footage from a similar angle to most other options on our list. The other is on the side at a slight angle, providing you with a side profile of the birds as they feed.

The smart feeder also comes with a built-in speaker that plays out bird calls or, the more melodic chirps of bird “songs” to attract new flyers to the porch. These sounds can be played anytime you want through the Birdfy app. The calls and songs are even categorized based on which species of hummingbird they are specifically designed for.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling . He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website .

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

This subscription-less video doorbell is one of my best smart home investments

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 is available now for $180.
• This doorbell features two cameras to give you complete visibility of the person at your door and any packages left on your porch, all with no monthly fees.
• Although the doorbell comes with 8GB of built-in local storage (enough for up to 60 days of event recordings), you need to add a Eufy Security HomeBase to get the most out of it. 

If you're looking for a reliable video doorbell that can help protect your home and packages and comes with the bonus of local storage, let me introduce you to the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 .  

Also: Eufy's new Floodlight Cam E340 is the hardest-working security camera I've tested

This doorbell has two cameras: One camera gives you the traditional visibility of who's at your front door, and another is pointed downwards to let you know when a package has been delivered. 

The latest E340 video doorbell's two cameras deliver real-time notifications to your mobile device when a person is detected and a package is delivered. 

Also: The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best wireless video doorbell for Ring fans

This doorbell camera will also send real-time notifications of motion to your mobile device, and it offers the option to use two-way talk to communicate with whoever is at the door from your mobile phone or use quick replies to automatically respond when they ring the doorbell. 

The camera above the doorbell button records events in 2048 x 1536 resolution to deliver 2K footage that is clear and gives you a detailed view of whoever is at the door. The doorbell itself has two motion-activated lights, one at the top and a second one below --  where the other camera is -- to light the way in the dark, alert visitors or would-be intruders that the camera has been activated, and support the camera's color night vision recording. 

The biggest improvement I've seen after replacing my old Eufy Security video doorbell with this dual E340, aside from the package detection, is night vision recordings. The doorbell can correctly determine what motion is a person, animal, vehicle, or just the wind, with very few false alerts. For example, we put pirate skeletons all over the porch for Halloween, and the doorbell only had issues mistaking one for a person a few times. 

Add the HomeBase 3 and the E340 dual doorbell can also confidently identify who's at the door by name. This is powered by AI  technology within the HomeBase 3 that allows users to name the faces the camera detects to let you know when "Maria" is detected at the front door instead of just "a person." 

Also: This smart security camera impressed me in the most unexpected way

Eufy's Delivery Guard technology notifies you when packages are delivered and picked up and lets you set up zone restrictions to avoid false alerts. You can also set up the Eufy video doorbell E340 to trigger an alarm- a siren or a voice response- when someone approaches a package at your door, with the option to activate it at custom times. I also have mine set to alert me each night of uncollected packages at the front door, reminding me to bring them in before bedtime. 

On the left, both video doorbell cameras show a package was delivered. The activity history is on the right. 

The doorbell's local storage means you don't have to pay cloud storage fees and can easily access your video recordings. With the addition of a HomeBase 3, you could expand that storage by 16GB and later add SSDs to expand that to 16TB if that's more your speed. 

ZDNET's buying advice

You can get the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 for $180 right now. It features 2K-resolution video recording, 8GB of local storage, color night vision with a clear viewing distance of up to 16ft, and, my personal favorite, no monthly fees. The video doorbell E340 is perfect for anyone who wants a doorbell camera to be on the alert when any visitors arrive and one to help protect their packages. 

This doorbell has helped alert us when a package arrives so we can bring it inside promptly. Most drivers don't ring the doorbell during delivery, which we appreciate with three young kids and an excitable dog. 

Also: The waterproof Blink Mini 2 is the best Wyze Cam alternative available

Now, I get an alert on my phone or smartwatch when "A package was delivered," which is much better than finding a heavy package when I'm in a hurry out the door. This video doorbell isn't helpful for my situation but for anyone living in a place that porch pirates often target, as this can prevent packages from sitting out overnight and deter strangers from approaching it. 

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Better than ring this video doorbell has all the benefits and no subscription fees, the ring battery doorbell plus is the best wireless video doorbell for ring fans, this smart security camera impressed me in the most unexpected way.

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Solar Storm Intensifies, Filling Skies With Northern Lights

Officials warned of potential blackouts or interference with navigation and communication systems this weekend, as well as auroras as far south as Southern California or Texas.

By Katrina Miller and Judson Jones

Katrina Miller reports on space and astronomy and Judson Jones is a meteorologist.

A dramatic blast from the sun set off the highest level geomagnetic storm in Earth’s atmosphere on Friday that is expected to make the northern lights visible as far south as Florida and Southern California and could interfere with power grids, communications and navigations system.

Tonight’s storm is the strongest to reach Earth since Halloween of 2003. That storm was strong enough to create power outages in Sweden and damage transformers in South Africa.

The effects could continue through the weekend as a steady stream of emissions from the sun continues to bombard the planet’s magnetic field.

The solar activity is so powerful that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which monitors space weather, issued an unusual storm watch on Thursday for the first time in 19 years, which was then upgraded to a warning on Friday. The agency began observing outbursts on the sun’s surface on Wednesday, with at least five heading in the direction of Earth, the first of which reached the planet’s atmosphere on Friday.

“What we’re expecting over the next couple of days should be more significant than what we’ve seen certainly so far,” Mike Bettwy, the operations chief at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said at a news conference on Friday morning.

For people in many places, the most visible part of the storm will be the northern lights, known also as auroras. But authorities and companies will also be on the lookout for the event’s effects on infrastructure, like global positioning systems, radio communications and even electrical power.

While the northern lights are most often seen in higher latitudes closer to the North Pole, people in many more parts of the world are already getting a show this weekend that could last through the early part of next week.

As Friday turned to Saturday in Europe, people across the continent described skies hued in a mottling of colors.

Alfredo Carpineti , an astrophysicist, journalist and author in North London, saw them with his husband from the rooftop of their apartment building.

“It is incredible to able to see the aurora directly from one’s own backyard,” he said. “I was hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of green on the horizon, but it was all across the sky in both green and purple.”

Here’s what you need to know about this weekend’s solar event.

How will the storm affect people on Earth?

A geomagnetic storm watch or warning indicates that space weather may affect critical infrastructure on or orbiting near Earth. It may introduce additional current into systems, which could damage pipelines, railroad tracks and power lines.

According to Joe Llama, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, communications that rely on high frequency radio waves, such as ham radio and commercial aviation , are most likely to suffer. That means it is unlikely that your cellphone or car radio, which depend on low frequency radio waves, will conk out.

Still, it is possible for blackouts to occur. As with any power outage, you can prepare by keeping your devices charged and having access to backup batteries, generators and radio.

The most notable solar storm recorded in history occurred in 1859. Known as the Carrington Event, it lasted for nearly a week, creating aurora that stretched down to Hawaii and Central America and impacting hundreds of thousands of miles of telegraph lines.

But that was technology of the 19th century, used before scientists fully understood how solar activity disrupted Earth’s atmosphere and communication systems.

“That was an extreme level event,” said Shawn Dahl, a forecaster at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. “We are not anticipating that.”

Unlike tornado watches and warnings, the target audience for NOAA’s announcements is not the public.

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The goal of the announcements is to give agencies and companies that operate this infrastructure time to put protection measures in place to mitigate any effects.

“If everything is working like it should, the grid will be stable and they’ll be able to go about their daily lives,” Mr. Steenburgh said.

Will I be able to see the northern lights?

It is possible that the northern lights may grace the skies over places that don’t usually see them this weekend. Your best bet to see them is in a place outside the bright lights of cities.

But Friday night could pose weather struggles in some places. The Northeast is likely to be blanketed in clouds.

There is a chance the skies may cooperate in the Midwest, but the hour would be closer to sunrise on Saturday. A storm system will be moving through the region, and if it swings through, there will be clear skies behind the storms. Your ability to catch a view will depend on your location and the exact timing of the storm system.

If the aurora reaches as far south as Alabama, which may happen this weekend, night skies will be relatively clear in northern Alabama and Georgia. Areas in the southern Plains and Rockies might have relatively poor viewing conditions.

Farther west, the coastal states will remain relatively cloud-free, which could provide good viewing conditions. There may be high-level clouds in the mountains of Washington, but there is still a chance of clear skies.

If you are in a clear area, even well south of where the aurora is forecast to take place, snap a picture or record a video with your cellphone. The sensor on the camera is more sensitive to the wavelengths produced by the aurora and may produce an image you can’t see with the naked eye.

Another opportunity could be viewing sunspots during the daytime, if your skies are clear. As always, do not look directly at the sun without protection. But if you still have your eclipse glasses lying around from the April 8 event, you may try to use them to try to spot the cluster of sunspots causing the activity.

How strong is the current geomagnetic storm?

Giant explosions on the surface of the sun, known as coronal mass ejections, send streams of energetic particles into space. But the sun is large, and such outbursts may not cross our planet as it travels around the star. But when these particles create a disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field, it is known as a geomagnetic storm.

NOAA classifies these storms on a “G” scale of 1 to 5, with G1 being minor and G5 being extreme. The most extreme storms can cause widespread blackouts and damage to infrastructure on Earth. Satellites may also have trouble orienting themselves or sending or receiving information during these events.

The current storm is classified as G5, or “extreme.” It is caused by a cluster of sunspots — dark, cool regions on the solar surface — that is about 16 times the diameter of Earth. The cluster is flaring and ejecting material every six to 12 hours, with the most recent activity occurring around 3 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.

“We anticipate that we’re going to get one shock after another through the weekend,” said Brent Gordon, chief of the space weather services branch at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

Why is this happening now?

The sun’s activity ebbs and flows on an 11-year cycle, and right now, it is approaching a solar maximum. Three other severe geomagnetic storms have been observed so far in the current activity cycle, which began in December 2019, but none were predicted to cause effects strong enough on Earth to warrant a watch or warning announcement.

The cluster of sunspots generating the current storm is the largest seen in this solar cycle, NOAA officials said. They added that the activity in this cycle has outperformed initial predictions .

More flares and expulsions from this cluster are expected, but because of the sun’s rotation the cluster will be oriented in a position less likely to affect Earth. In the coming weeks, the sunspots may appear again on the left side of the sun, but it is difficult for scientists to predict whether this will cause another bout of activity.

“Usually, these don’t come around packing as much of a punch as they did originally,” Mr. Dahl said. “But time will tell on that.”

Jonathan O’Callaghan contributed reporting from London.

Katrina Miller is a science reporting fellow for The Times. She recently earned her Ph.D. in particle physics from the University of Chicago. More about Katrina Miller

Judson Jones is a meteorologist and reporter for The Times who forecasts and covers extreme weather. More about Judson Jones

What’s Up in Space and Astronomy

Keep track of things going on in our solar system and all around the universe..

Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other 2024 event  that’s out of this world with  our space and astronomy calendar .

A celestial image, an Impressionistic swirl of color in the center of the Milky Way, represents a first step toward understanding the role of magnetic fields  in the cycle of stellar death and rebirth.

Scientists may have discovered a major flaw in their understanding of dark energy, a mysterious cosmic force . That could be good news for the fate of the universe.

A new set of computer simulations, which take into account the effects of stars moving past our solar system, has effectively made it harder to predict Earth’s future and reconstruct its past.

Dante Lauretta, the planetary scientist who led the OSIRIS-REx mission to retrieve a handful of space dust , discusses his next final frontier.

Is Pluto a planet? And what is a planet, anyway? Test your knowledge here .

Body camera video shows fatal shooting of Black…

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Body camera video shows fatal shooting of black airman by florida deputy in apartment doorway.

This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, shows Senior Airman Roger Fortson in a Dec. 24, 2019, photo. The Air Force says the airman supporting its Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was shot and killed on May 3, 2024, during an incident involving the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

FILE – Civil rights attorney Ben Crump speaks in the Audubon Ballroom, now part of The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, in New York, on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida sheriff’s deputy announced himself as law enforcement just before fatally shooting a Black U.S. Air Force airman inside his apartment in the state’s Panhandle, according to body camera video shown to reporters Thursday.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden presented the video hours after the family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson and their attorneys held a news conference in which they disputed that the deputy acted in self-defense. Aden rejected assertions made by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortson’s family, that the deputy had gone to the wrong apartment, covered the door’s peephole and did not announce himself.

The video shows the deputy arriving at a Fort Walton Beach apartment building on May 3 and speaking to a woman outside who described hearing an argument. The deputy then went up an elevator and walked down an outdoor hallway.

The video shows the deputy banging on the door and stepping aside, seemingly out of view of the door. Twice he shouted: “Sheriff’s office! Open the door!”

Fortson opened the door and could be seen holding what appeared to be handgun pointed down toward the floor. The deputy shouted, “Step back!” and fired off shots. He then shouted, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!”

“It’s over there,” Fortson said.

“Drop the gun!” the deputy yelled back.

“I don’t have it,” Fortson said, lying on the ground.

The deputy then called paramedics on his radio.

The sheriff’s office has declined to identify the responding deputy or his race. The deputy was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Crump released a statement later noting that the officer did not tell Fortson to drop his gun before shooting “multiple times within a split second of the door being opened.”

“We remain adamant that the police had the wrong apartment as Roger was on the phone with his girlfriend for a substantial amount of time leading up to the shooting, and no one else was in the apartment,” the statement said.

Crump also told reporters earlier that Fortson was talking to his girlfriend on FaceTime and that he grabbed his gun because he heard someone outside his apartment. He said that the deputy burst into the apartment, citing the account of the girlfriend, who has not yet been identified.

“The girlfriend acknowledges that even though she initially thought the door was forced open by the police that she stands by her emotional recollection of what happened,” Crump’s later statement said.

In a clip from the FaceTime video captured by Fortson’s cellphone, the airman can be heard groaning and saying, “I can’t breathe.” A deputy can be heard yelling back at him, “Stop moving!” The phone is pointed at the ceiling and does not show what is going on in the apartment.

Aden said he had met with the family Thursday and extended his deepest condolences.

“This result is one we never hope to encounter,” Aden said. “These investigations take time, but I want to assure you that we are not hiding or attempting to cover anything up.”

Officials have said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger told The Associated Press on Wednesday that it is unlikely the agency will have any further comment until the investigation is complete.

The sheriff said the probe was being handled as a criminal investigation and that no determination had yet been made on whether the deputy’s actions were justified or not. However, the initial news release from the sheriff’s office that described the shooting said that the deputy “reacted in self-defense after he encountered a 23-year-old man armed with a gun.”

Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, walked into the morning news conference with Crump holding a framed portrait of her son in his dress uniform. She burst into tears as Crump spoke about her son’s death.

“My baby was shot up,” she said.

Crump called the shooting “an unjustifiable killing.”

“For whatever reason, they thought he was a bad guy, but he was a good guy. He was a great guy. He was an exceptional guy,” Crump said. “They took a patriot from us.”

Crump said Fortson, originally from Atlanta, was shot six times.

Fortson enlisted in the Air Force after graduating high school, Crump said. He was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field. As a special missions aviator, one of his roles was to load the gunship’s cannons during missions.

Crump, based in Tallahassee, Florida, has been involved in multiple high-profile cases of Black people in fatal encounters with law enforcement and vigilantes, including those of Ahmaud Arbery , Trayvon Martin , Tyre Nichols , George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , who was also killed in her home during a no-knock police raid that targeted her ex-boyfriend in 2020.

Fortson’s death draws striking similarities to other Black people killed in recent years by police in their homes.

In 2018, a white Dallas police officer fatally shot Botham Jean, who was unarmed, after mistaking his apartment for her own. Amber Guyger, the former officer, was convicted of murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In 2019, a white Fort Worth, Texas, officer fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson through a rear window of her home after responding to a nonemergency call reporting that Jefferson’s front door was open. Aaron Dean, the former officer, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison.

Crump represented families in both cases as part of his effort to force accountability for the killings of Black people at the hands of police.

Schneider reported from Orlando, Fla.

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the name of Fortson’s mother to Chantemekki instead of Chantimekki and to reflect that some of the cases Crump has been involved with were encounters with vigilantes, not just law enforcement.

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