Cheap Vlogging Camera With Flip Screen - Best Options Reviewed (2022)
Feb 3, 2022
Looking for a cheap vlogging camera with a flip screen? If so, you've come to the right place.
There are plenty of cameras available that feature a flip screen, but many of them are expensive. Luckily, there are a few great budget options available for those who do not have a significant amount of money to spend.
In this article, you will learn:
Best Cheap Camera for YouTube With Flip Screen
Which One Should You Buy?
Read on and discover the best cheap cameras with a flip out screen.
Best Cheap Camera for YouTube With Flip Screen
There are many vlogging cameras available on the market today. But which one is the best cheap camera for YouTube with a flip screen? Well, through our testing, we discovered some great affordable options for creators looking to record high-quality video footage.
1. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II might be the most popular vlogging camera on YouTube. For years now, many large content creators have used it. Since this is the case, it's easy to see why so many prospective creators gravitate towards it. But is this camera the right choice?
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 1.64" x 2.40" x 4.14"
- Weight: 0.99 lbs (0.44kg)
- Video Quality: 1080p Full HD (60 FPS)
- Screen: 3.0" 180 Degree LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
What can be said about the G7 X Mark II that hasn't already been said. It's helped thousands of content creators create high-quality videos for years now and it still holds up to this day. However, some of the shine has worn off with time, and there are some negatives against it.
Let's get this out of the way- 1080p HD video capture is more than good enough to create videos that look great. With this said, however, this camera is beginning to fall behind others, as it cannot capture 4K footage. So, it might not be the most future-proof option.
The biggest flaw with the G7 X Mark II (aside from the lack of 4K recording) is the battery life. You will need to have batteries handy if you plan on using this camera for a long duration outside of the house, or else you'll run into issues.
Pros
- Proven track record
Cons
- Low battery life
- No weather-sealing
- Capped at 1080p HD
2. Olympus PEN E-PL9
A lesser-known camera that has started to gain a decent amount of attention is the Olympus PEN E-PL9. It has a unique design and has some features that make it an attractive option. But this begs the question- is it better than most of the popular vlogging cameras available?
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.6" x 1.5" x 2.7"
- Weight: 0.8 lbs (0.36kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" 180 Degree Flip-Down Touch
Our Thoughts
Testing this camera was an interesting experience. It was incredibly easy to use and it was very portable. The footage this camera was able to capture looked great, which makes sense, as it can capture 4K footage.
Unfortunately, there are a few minor issues with this product, mainly being the price and the large screen bezel. Sure, they aren't the biggest issues in the world, but they do need to be acknowledged.
This camera is a great product overall (even with minor issues) but it does have one big flaw- the flip-down screen. A tripod is essentially impossible to use with the screen flipped down. So, if you're a tripod user, this might not be the best product for you.
Pros
- 4K video recording
- Ease of use
Cons
- Large screen bezel
- Difficult to use with a tripod
3. Panasonic LUMIX GX85
While it might not be the most beginner-friendly camera price-wise, the Panasonic LUMIX GX85 is still a great option for vloggers. With an abundance of features, this camera is more than capable of capturing stunning footage.
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.8" x 2.78" x 1.73"
- Weight: 1.09 lbs (0.49kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" Side Flip-Out Tilt and Swivel LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
Before going over our experience with this camera, we must acknowledge that it's on the cusp of falling out of the budget category. In fact, that's one of the biggest cons of this product- the price is quite high.
Even though it has a relatively high price, however, it's still a great option for vloggers. It can record video footage in 4K, it has a tilting touchscreen, and it has a compact design which makes it easy to handle.
By far, the biggest issue with the GX85 is the lack of mic input. For a camera with this price tag, having a mic input should be a given. Oh, and the 4K recordings are slightly cropped, so the footage is more zoomed-in than in 1080p HD.
Pros
- 4K video capture
- Compact design
- Tilting touchscreen
Cons
- No mic input
- 4K recordings are cropped
4. Canon EOS M3
The Canon EOS M3 has been around for many years now. As time has gone on, the price of this product has dropped significantly, making it an attractive budget option. However, one has to wonder- does it still hold up today?
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.37" x 1.75" x 2.68"
- Weight: 0.81 lbs (0.36kg)
- Video Quality: 1080p Full HD (30 FPS)
- Screen: 3.0" Flip-Up 180 Degree Tilt LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
Overall, the Canon EOS M3 is a great product. The build quality is great, it's easy to use, and it has a great price. Even better is the fact that there is a significant number of these cameras available to purchase second-hand due to their popularity.
Not everything about this camera is perfect, however. Like with other cameras, the EOS M3 runs the risk of falling behind due to its lack of 4K recording. Of course, 1080p HD is more than acceptable currently, but what about 3 or 5 years from now?
While minor, some other issues present with this camera are slow menus and a limited lens selection. Depending on your needs, these issues might not matter to you, but it is good to be aware of them.
Pros
- Build quality
- Ease of use
Cons
- Slow menus
- 1080p HD video recording
- Limited lens selection
5. Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K is a lesser-known budget camera with a flip screen among content creators. Many creators tend to gravitate to other products- but should they? Or, should they give this camera a chance?
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 1.62" x 4.4" x 2.64"
- Weight: 0.71 lbs (0.32kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" Flip-Up 180 Degree LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
This camera comes equipped with all the features of a great budget vlogging camera. It can record footage in 4K, it has a long battery life, and it has a decent price. For many creators, this is a product worth considering.
With all of this said, however, it is important to acknowledge that this camera can perform quite poorly in low-light situations. Since this is the case, a learning curve is present with regards to finding how to best use lighting to capture footage.
Even with the lighting issue, however, this camera should still be looked at closely. Sure there are some other minor issues, such as no environmental sealing being present, but for most people, this is a non-issue.
Pros
- 4K video recording
- Long battery life
Cons
- No environmental sealing
- Poor low light performance
- Learning curve
6. Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 was made for content creation. Seriously, look at how the camera is presented in advertisements- everything is geared towards content creators. But one has to wonder- is this just a marketing gimmick? Or, is the camera truly a great option for YouTubers?
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.15" x 2.36" x 1.7"
- Weight: 0.65 lbs (0.29kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" Side Flip-Out LCD
Our Thoughts
This camera is good- very good. The marketing materials for this product are not just gimmicks- it was made for content creators. Since this is the case, it's easy to see why every feature you'd need to create YouTube videos is present.
4K video recording is present on the ZV-1, along with a mic port. The design of this camera makes it easy to transport and handle, which is a big plus for people who record videos away from their desks.
Some minor issues of this product include average video stabilization (which isn't that bad) and a limited touchscreen. Overall, the biggest issue is the price. But, the price might be worth it seeing as this camera is future-proof and will be usable for many years to come.
Pros
- 4K video recording
- Mic port
Cons
- Average video stabilization
- Limited touchscreen
7. Panasonic LUMIX FZ300K
It's easy to write off the Panasonic LUMIX FZ300K as a decent vlogging camera when you see it, but you shouldn't. Just because it doesn't have a small and compact design, it doesn't mean that it's not a great option.
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.61" x 5.18" x 3.6"
- Weight: 1.52 lbs (0.68kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" Side Flip-Out Tilt and Swivel LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
Don't let the appearance of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ300K scare you- it's a great budget vlogging camera. Using this camera is easy, and it also comes equipped with 4K video recording capabilities. Oh, it's also waterproof (to a degree) so that's a plus too!
Something that must be addressed is the bulkiness and weight of this camera. Some people won't find this to be an issue (we didn't in our testing) but some might. Put simply, this camera is not compact. So, if you need a compact design, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Another issue with the FZ300K is the battery life. Unfortunately, this camera has poor battery life. This means that you'll need to have some batteries on hand if you're going to be using this product outside of your home for a long time.
Pros
- 4K video recording
- Ease of use
Cons
- Bulky design
- Battery life
8. Samsung NX Mini
While it is an older product, many claim the Samsung NX Mini still stands up today. It's easy to see why this might be the case, as it shares many of the qualities of a decent camera for vlogging. However, everything is not sunshine and rainbows with this product.
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.35" x 0.89" x 2.44"
- Weight: 0.35 lbs (0.15kg)
- Video Quality: 1080p Full HD (30 FPS)
- Screen: 3.0" Flip-Up LCD Touch
Our Thoughts
Based on the name, you probably guessed that this camera is meant to be portable, and it is. Whether you have a pocket or a bag, you'll have no issues finding somewhere to store this camera when you're moving around.
Battery life and ease of use are two other benefits of this product. Chances are, you'll have no issues using this camera for many hours without replacing the batteries. Also, you can tell that a lot of thought was put into making this product as beginner-friendly as possible.
Unfortunately, not everything is perfect when it comes to the NX Mini. 1080p HD video capture is the best option available, and the display on the camera is relatively low-quality. Along with this, due to its design, there are few lens options available.
Pros
- Ease of use
- Battery life
Cons
- 1080p HD video capture
- Low-quality display
- Restricted lens options
9. Samsung Multiview MV800
The Samsung Multiview MV800 has been around for ages. Seriously, this camera was released in 2011. However, while it might be old, the age won't matter if it's able to perform well as an affordable vlogging camera.
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 3.62" x 0.41" x 2.21"
- Weight: 0.27 lbs (0.12kg)
- Video Quality: 720p HD (30 FPS)
- Screen: 3.0" Flip-Out LCD
Our Thoughts
Where do we begin with the Samsung Multiview MV800? It's portable, easy to use, and affordable. You'll have difficulties finding a camera with a flip-out LCD screen from a big brand that costs less than this one.
Now, things have changed a lot since 2011. Nowadays, people like to see clear, crisp 1080p or 4K video footage. Knowing this, it's easy to see how having a maximum recording quality of 720p HD would be a problem.
Aside from the poor recording quality, the MV800 also has an unresponsive touchscreen and a low-quality display. Essentially, when using this camera, you can tell that it's from over a decade ago- it's just too old.
Pros
Cons
- Low-quality display
- Unresponsive touchscreen
- 720p HD video recording
10. VETEK 4K Digital Camera
Possibly the most interesting budget vlogging camera on the market today, the VETEK 4K digital camera is worth looking at. For the right person, this camera could be a fantastic entry point based on the features it presents.
Specifications and Features:
- Measurements: 4.5" x 1.5" x 3.2"
- Weight: 1.32 lbs (0.59kg)
- Video Quality: 4K
- Screen: 3.0" 180 Degree Flip Screen
Our Thoughts
Let's get this out of the way- this camera is a cheap product from China and you can tell. Many people have claimed that this camera can be purchased in bulk from AliExpress, which should sum things up for you.
Even with its poor build quality, however, it's easy to see why some might be attracted to this product. Heck, it can capture 4K footage (though, it's on the lower end of the 4K spectrum), it can be used as a webcam, and costs less than $200 brand new!
Ultimately, the choice to purchase this camera will come down to the individual. You might be able to use this camera and combine it with good lighting and audio and create high-quality videos. Or, it might be better to spend more money on a proven product.
Pros
- 4K video recording
- Webcam capabilities
Cons
- Build quality
- Lack of brand recognition
- Poor audio quality
Which One Should You Buy?
At this point, you're probably wondering- which of these inexpensive vlogging cameras with a flip screen should you buy? Should you spend a bit more money and get one of the more expensive options? Or, can you purchase a lower-priced product with confidence?
If we had to give you 3 suggestions, these are the 3 we'd give you:
The DC-ZS70K is an affordable option with 4K recording capabilities, the ZV-1 is future-proof and made for content creation, and the G7 X Mark II is a proven product. Any of these 3 cameras would make for a great purchase.
With this said, maybe you like the EOS M3 the most- it is very affordable after all. Or, maybe you're able to spend more money, which makes the PEN E-PL9 an attractive option. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.
Conclusion
Finding the best cheap vlogging camera with a flip screen is no easy task. Many cameras, while on the cheaper side, are still relatively costly. However, the price is often worth it, as cameras that are too cheap often end up having major flaws.
