So you’ve decided to introduce video into your podcast but are overwhelmed by the hundreds of high-quality cameras available to you. Fear not, because even though specific brands and models change each year, there are some time-tested concepts that are worth discussing no matter which flashy features are the talk of the town. Today, we’re diving into four important tips when choosing a video podcast camera.
1. Consider the Space
Are you typically recording inside or outside? In a tiny closet, a massive warehouse, or a studio that’s somewhere in between? Are you in the same spot each week or is it constantly changing? Let’s say you’re in an incredibly small space where every inch matters–you’ll want compact cameras. Maybe consumer camcorders or mirrorless cameras with a built-in lens. If you’re traveling around to different locations, sticking to smaller cameras will also be good for ease of travel. These smaller cameras are also usually easier to use and require less fiddling with settings.
You may be tempted to stick your talent in the corner of a space and fill up the rest with lights and cameras, but that won’t get you a pleasing image, as there will be no separation between the subject and the background, and the viewer’s eye won’t know where to focus. The better technique is to get your talent at least five to fifteen feet away from the background, even if that means cutting back on extra equipment. Cameras with a built-in zoom or interchangeable lenses can help with this separation as you’ll be able to adjust to spaces on the fly.
2. Evaluate the Lighting
If you’re shooting inside, overhead house lights might be the easiest to use, but they’ll also look worse, with inconsistent color temperatures and harsh shadows. Focus instead on bringing in larger standalone lights that can be placed outside the frame, typically softened with softboxes or silks, as well as some controllable practical lights in the frame that can add contrast and separation, as well as help motive the larger unseen lights. Mirrorless cameras typically perform better in low light than smartphones and camcorders, and also require less powerful light to achieve high-quality results.
Be careful about distracting shadows that might crop up, especially if you have multiple people in the podcast. If you see shadows, play around with light placement. If the space is tight, try raising or lowering the light stand, or even bouncing it off a nearby wall instead of shining it directly onto subjects. Table mounted or lavalier mics are nice for avoiding shadows, while boomed overhead mics can be trickier and require more space. This is another area where some zoom can come in handy, as you can more quickly frame out errant shadows.
3. Draw Up a Budget
The most important part of creating this budget is making sure that not all the money goes to the camera (or cameras). If you’d like the flexibility and shallower depth of field of an interchangeable lens camera, make sure to set aside money for the lens (or lenses). Many can be bought with a kit lens, but these kit lenses typically have an f-stop of 4 or above and don’t produce quite as flattering an image as a lens that’s an f/2.8 or lower. If you have the money, f/2.8 zoom lenses get you flexibility and light sensitivity. If you can afford multiple cameras and lenses, that can make your video podcast more dynamic, but a strong single camera setup is a great place to start.
Another chunk of the budget must be set aside for accessories like memory cards, tripods, lights, and set dressing to make a unique background for your podcast. A popular formula is to break your total budget into thirds: 1/3 for cameras, 1/3 for lenses, and 1/3 for additional accessories. If the camera has a built-in lens, combine those first two thirds. These numbers are flexible though, and people willing to put thought and research into lighting and set dressing will find they can get away with spending much less on cameras.
4. Double-Check Camera Specs
Just as the aperture of the lens matters, so do the specs of the camera. The most important thing to ensure, especially with smaller cameras, is that there is no recording limit. This can typically be found in the Specs tab on the B&H item page and in the camera’s manual. Many older, lower cost cameras were saddled with thirty-minute recording limits that made them unusable for long form podcasts. If you’re filming yourself podcasting and monitoring your own cameras, a flip out screen is also incredibly useful for framing shots and making sure the cameras are good during a record.
As far as features that are useful but not essential, many higher-end cameras have dual memory card slots so that you can record to a backup card at the same time, or have the camera start recording to the second card after the first is filled. Some cameras will also be able to record in 8K, which allows you to crop into the image and still maintain a sharp 4K output. Another key feature for podcasting is the great autofocus on many modern mirrorless cameras and camcorders, ensuring the image will stay tack sharp even if your subject shifts around.
It’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all for podcast cameras, but there are some guidelines. Tighter spaces and travel shoots demand smaller gear. The ability to zoom can really help you out in a pinch. Lighting and lenses matter just as much as the camera, so put money aside for them. And double checking a camera’s specs helps you ensure you won’t hit any recording limits.
For personalized advice on which cameras are ideal for your podcast setup, give us a call, start a live chat, or come into the store.
