If you are getting into the world of YouTubing, you might wonder what the equipment requirements are. 4K cameras give a great picture, but they can be expensive. Some users may wonder if they really need one to be successful on YouTube.
4K cameras are not needed for YouTube. While the picture can be better, many YouTubers do just fine with standard cameras and even smartphone cameras. The camera that is needed will depend on the content of a channel’s videos, but 4K cameras are almost never required for a successful YouTube video.
Let’s take a look at what 4K cameras have to offer.
4K Cameras
The first thing that should be understood is what a 4K camera is. A 4K camera is any camera that can capture video at a high enough resolution that there are 4 thousand pixels in the horizontal direction. The increased number of pixels means that you can fit greater detail and color into your video image, enhancing the quality of your productions. (Source)
Most cameras and videos these days are filmed in the standard of 1080p. 1080p means that the camera creates images that are 1080 pixels wide, as opposed to 4 thousand pixels wide. Because 4K images are almost four times the size and depth of 1080p images, you might assume that 4K images are of a significantly higher quality. However, the reality is that while the image is better, there is only so much you can do to improve standard images.
This is because most of the videos that you shoot don’t require high-resolution images in order to notice details. If a YouTuber’s videos mostly consist of them talking into a camera to make a vlog or some other informational video, there isn’t a lot of detail required. More detail might be wanted for a YouTube channel that captures cooking videos or that showed more complex images (like of a city, for example), but generally, 4K isn’t required because not a lot of detail is required.
Most people can’t notice the difference between 4K and 1080p images. That being said, there are plenty of times that 4K video quality is noticed and preferred over the standard 1080p images.
Advantages of 4K Cameras for YouTube
The biggest advantage of getting a camera that shoots in 4K is that the picture is simply better. Your content will be more noticeable to viewers, and if you ever take wide shots, the details will be more distinct. However, even though having a higher quality of images isn’t always needed, 4K cameras offer a lot more to a YouTube channel. (Source)
For one thing, 4K images make editing your videos a lot easier while letting you maintain a high level of image quality. For example, if you frequently zoom in on video shots that you have taken, you will notice that the quality drops a lot on 1080p videos. Edges might get fuzzier and the video won’t have the same definition that your viewers might be used to.
Furthermore, 4K images are easy to crop and edit because there is quality to spare. With a 4K camera, you never have to worry about how your videos will look after going through post-production. 1080p videos that start out looking clean can quickly become rough and washed out after editing.
Another reason that cameras that shoot in 4K are helpful is that these cameras are generally full of helpful features that can do more to enhance your image and your content than just shooting higher-quality video. This includes having a full suite of video capture options such as lighting, perspective, and more. 4K images might also one day become the standard, so shooting in 4K will ensure that your content is appreciated in the future.
Disadvantages of 4K Cameras
The first reason that 4K cameras are not preferred to standard cameras (like the one on your phone) is that 4K cameras are much more expensive. You can find standard cameras practically for free, while it is rare to find any camera capable of shooting in 4K for less than $500. Most quality cameras capable of shooting in 4K will cost upwards of $700.
In addition to having to spend more on the initial purchase of your camera, 4K cameras also demand more expensive equipment to complement them. For one thing, you will need larger and more expensive SD cards to contain 4K footage, as 4K footage takes up a lot more storage space. You will also need a computer that is capable of handling 4K footage. This means finding a computer with a high-end graphics card, which can be extremely expensive in today’s market.
4K footage also takes much more time to process. Because there are as many as 4 times as many pixels for a computer to analyze, you could be waiting a long time for your video to load, whether you are editing or uploading. 4K footage can also require specific software in order to edit clearly. All in all, 4K cameras will cost you much more time and money than just shooting in 1080p would.
Cameras for YouTube
Thankfully, 4K cameras are not required in the world of YouTube. Though some YouTubers use 4K to try to stand out or compete with other channels, the majority of YouTubers don’t use 4K videos. The time and money that they save on their equipment can go to making more videos instead.
However, if you are looking to get a quality 4K camera to film with, Canon is generally regarded as the best maker of quality cameras. These cameras have dozens of helpful features, and they take great pictures and images. The G7 lineup is considered to be a good pick for YouTubers who are looking for a 4K camera.
Alternatively, you can record in 1080p using your smartphone, a webcam, or another camera (like a GoPro). These options each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but all of them will work for a YouTuber who is just getting started. Whichever camera you choose to use, focus on making high-quality content before you worry too much about making a high-quality video. As long as what you are filming is good enough, what camera you are using to film won’t matter.
