Hey there YouTubers! I’m a former daily vlogger on YouTube, and I think the best vlogging camera with flip screen is the Panasonic Lumix GH5. And for what it’s worth, so does Casey Neistat.
After initially vlogging with my cellphone for over 100 days, I switched to the GH5. Based on my daily vlogging experience and my ample research into vlogging cameras, here’s why I chose the Panasonic GH5 to vlog with.
In my opinion, the five most important factors when choosing a vlogging camera in 2019 are flip screen, external audio, image stabilization, 4k resolution, and slow motion.
- Flip screen: You can certainly vlog without a flip screen, but a flip screen makes your life so much easier—believe me, I did struggled without one for over 100 days.
- External audio: Audio is hugely important when vlogging, so having an external audio interface is critical for plugging in a quality microphone.
- Image stabilization: Unless your camera is going to be stationary on a table, you’re going to need image stabilization for buttery smooth motion shots.
- 4k resolution: While 1080p is the dominant video resolution in 2019, the future of video is 4k—future proof yourself now.
- Slow motion: Having the ability to smoothly slow down time in your videos will take your vlogs to the next level with that cinematic look.
Now that we know the most important factors for selecting a vlogging camera, let’s see how the Panasonic Lumix GH5 camera fits the bill.
GH5 Is the Best Vlogging Camera with Flip Screen
Based on my vlogging experience and countless hours of research, the Panasonic GH5 is the best vlogging camera with flip screen. The GH5 has it all: a flip screen, external audio port, image stabilization, 4k resolution, and slow motion capability. Let’s go through each one of these must-have features.
1. GH5 Flip Screen
First and foremost, the GH5 has a fully articulating flip screen. As we all know by now, a flip screen will take your vlogs to the next level. Having a flip screen allows you to monitor your shots in real-time while vlogging.
Without a flip screen, you’re pretty much just guessing what’s in frame at the moment. This can lead to some pretty terrible shots and multiple retakes. Take it from me, I’ve done that countless times when vlogging on my cellphone.
The GH5 flip screen is also a touch screen that measures in at 3.2 inches. Not only can you monitor your shots with the flip screen, but you can also navigate the settings menu and playback your pictures and videos.
2. GH5 External Audio
Don’t overlook audio when vlogging. It’s a mistake a lot of noobie vloggers make. You can have some of the best looking video, but if it sounds like crap, then your audience might lose interest.
The GH5 has a 3.5mm microphone terminal where you can plug in your favorite external microphone. I personally use the Rode VideoMic Pro+, a compact directional on-camera shotgun condenser microphone.
As you can see from the video above, an external microphone makes a world of difference in audio quality, especially in windy or noisy conditions.
The bottom line here is that a good vlogging camera must have an external microphone port because using the camera’s built-in microphone just isn’t going to cut it.
3. GH5 Image Stabilization
Vlogs, especially the kind where you’re holding your camera, require image stabilization. Without image stabilization of some sort, the video will most like be shaky and probably hard to watch.
The Panasonic GH5 has a built in 5-axis dual image stabilizer which does a fantastic job of stabilizing video when there is motion.
In addition, the GH5 supports lens stabilization. I use the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm Lens which has an optical image stabilizer and dual image stabilization that minimizes the appearance of camera shake.
The combination of the GH5’s built-in stabilization and the lens’s stabilizers results in minimal camera shake, even when vlogging handheld.
4. GH5 4k Resolution
My rule for recording video is to always capture video in the highest quality available to you at the time. Future-proof yourself by getting a vlogging camera that records in 4k resolution. When 4k screens are everywhere, you don’t want your 1080p content appearing stretched out and pixelated.
The Panasonic GH5 records 4k video at a variety of frame rates…we’ll get into frame rates next.
When recording video in 4k, you are capturing four times as many pixels as 1080p. This allows you to zoom and pan in post without a noticeable loss in video quality.
5. GH5 Slow Motion
Not only can the GH5 record in 4k, but it can record in 4k at 60fps. This means you can slow your 4k footage down to 40% of real-time.
Slow motion is great in vlogs to achieve a cinematic look. In addition, slow motion allows those somewhat shaky shots to appear smooth during playback.
For those super slow motion shots, the GH5 can record 1080p at 180fps! In post, you can slow your footage down to 13.33% assuming a playback of 24fps.
Panasonic GH5 Vlogging Camera with Flip Screen
Take it from me, the best vlogging camera with flip screen is the Panasonic Lumix GH5. In addition to the five important features of a vlogging camera, there are a ton more that makes the GH5 the best vlogging camera.
- No recording duration limit so you can record beyond 30 minutes
- No sensor cropping
- 20.3 megapixel high-resolution images
- Electronic viewfinder and fully articulating flip screen
- Splash, dust, freeze-proof rugged design
- Full size HDMI output
- Dual SD card slots
- Mirrorless micro four thirds sensor
- Continuous autofocus and 225 selective focus points
If you have any questions about the GH5 camera before you buy it, let me know in the comments below.