Before you become a vlogger, listen up! Camera matters as much as content. Yes, really! While you need great content to build a large following, if the video quality is poor, your ratings will also be poor.

Bad video quality is a huge distraction and comes off as amateurish. Investing in the right camera for videos should be at the top of your list of what to do to become a great vlogger. Read on for some important things to consider.

Video Resolution: It matters as we just said. There's 720p, 1080p, and 4K in most descriptions for video recorders today. They escalate in quality starting with HD ready, Full HD, to Ultra HD.

Microphone: Part of video quality is sound. You can't have a great video quality and then not care about the sound. Choose a camera that lets you connect an external mic so you can upgrade whenever you want.

Built-In WiFi: Save yourself some time by getting a camera with built-in WiFi so you can easily or automatically send a video to your smartphone or PC. Otherwise, expect to spend the time to transfer files via a USB cable. Why waste time on that?

Stabilization: Built-in optical image stabilization is a must, no matter what kinds of video you plan to shoot. It helps ensure that videos come out smoothly. So do tripods, so we think it's worth investing in one of those as well!

There are a few less critical features. If the camera you're buying has them, great. But if it doesn't, that's fine too:

Flash: Skip the worries associated with using flash. We suggest shooting in well-lit environments using as much natural light as possible. Not only will the video probably look better, but it also saves you needing to worry about fussing around with lighting.

Megapixels: A video isn't quite the same as a picture, so don't worry about megapixels unless you're also shooting photos with the camera.

Zoom: Assuming that as a vlogger you'll be filming yourself from relatively close-up, you don't necessarily need an extensive zoom.

Here are some of the best-ranked cameras for vlogging by genre or category

BEST DSLR: Nikon D5300

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This is Nikon's first DSLR with WiFi. If you're shooting your vlog on the go, this is a great choice. It has an ultra-high resolution Vari-angle display that swivels to nearly any position. It has an exceptional 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor.

Key features:

24MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
5 frames per second continuous shooting
ISO 100 - 12800 (Expandable to 25600)
3.2" Vari-angle LCD with 1,037,000 dots
1080 (60p, 30p, 24p) and 720 (60p, 50p) HD video (H.264/MPEG-4)
Built-in Wi-Fi (for sharing and remote camera control) and GPS
Raw and Raw+ JPG shooting
SD/SDHC/SDXC memory

QUICK-FOCUS CAMERA: Canon EOS Rebel T7i

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It offers advanced imaging capabilities along with a convenient range of controls and connectivity. It uses a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor for excellent high-resolution stills and video.

The sensor's design facilitates Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which uses phase-detection autofocus for fast, accurate, and smooth focusing performance when recording movies or shooting stills in live view.

Key Features:

24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens
Top LCD and Rear Quick Control Dial
Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC, Bluetooth
Up to 6 fps Shooting and ISO 51200
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
45-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
DIGIC 7 Image Processor

BEST MID-RANGE CAMERA: Fuji Film XA5

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This newly developed mirrorless camera can film in full 4k video and use Bluetooth to send it to your smartphone. This is a very good mid-range camera ideal for the entry-level beginner. Its newly developed image processing engine is 1 ½ times faster than previous models. Fuji is known for its image quality thanks to its proprietary color reproduction technology.

Key Features:

Newly developed 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor which outperforms previous models in its scene recognition accuracy.
Newly Developed XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS Power Zoom Lens
Bluetooth technology means a quick, easy and automatic transfer of still images and videos.
Large rear LCD monitor that can rotate 180 degrees
High resolution and high Definition 4K video recording

BEST POINT AND SHOOT: Sony a5100

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This is actually better than point and shoot but without the bulk of a DSLR. It’s very fast autofocusing (179 AF points and 6 fps) makes it very attractive to anyone looking for a superb point and shoot. Share photos to your smartphone through built-in Wi-Fi.

Key Features:

Ultra-fast autofocus with 179 AF points and 6Fps, Video Format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
High resolution with a 24MP APS-C sensor
Instant sharing via smartphone with Wi-Fi and NFC1
Record Full HD 1080/24/60P video3 up to 50MB/s.
Operating temperature range of 32°-104°F / 0-40°C

BEST FOR OPTIMAL STABILIZATION: Sony 4K HD Video Recording FDRAX33 Handy-cam Camcorder

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This Handy-cam comes chock-block full of features you'll appreciate. To start with, there's an extremely high resolution that produces superbly vibrant and realistic images. The equally impressive image processor is fast and the same one found in professional Sony models. You'll be able to record 30p movies in 4k and 60p in full HD 1080 resolution. This camera offers the ultimate in image stabilization.

Key Features:

Capture 4k/24p/30p video that far exceeds HD resolution
ZEISS lens w/ Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
Direct Pixel Read Out for smooth edges and color gradation
Manual Control ring (Iris/Shutter/Exposure/White Balance).Manual Iris Control: F1.8-F9.6,
Shutter Speed: Manual Iris Control (Photo Mode) 1/30–1/10000
Versatile shooting w/ XAVC S3, AVCHD, and MP4 codecs
0.27” EVF (201K) and touch screen 3" Xtra Fine LCD (921K)
5.1ch surround sound mic w/ manual audio controls