Simeon Quarrie is a successful video storyteller with more than 9,500 YouTube followers. His day job involves enabling major international brands such as Barclays, Unilever and Burberry to engage with internal and external audiences, while his YouTube playlists range from business advice for production companies to educational videos for filmmakers and behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos from his shoots.
FILMMAKING
The best cameras and lenses for YouTube video success
For Simeon, the most important feature of a camera for online video is that it produces output that looks good – quickly. "To get the best out of YouTube, you need to produce regular content, so setting the look in-camera is key," he says.
"Whether I'm recording content or livestreaming on YouTube Live, I want files that are easily manageable – I want to be able to press record, take the MP4 file, drop it on the timeline and I'm done." Resolution is another key consideration. "I shoot everything in 4K, so I can use the full shot and punch in for my secondary shot. That variation in framing gives me two cameras for the price of one, but importantly it keeps the audience engaged."
Do you own Canon kit?
If you're a professional content creator like Simeon, a travel vlogger making videos on the move, or have a fashion and beauty channel, what's the essential kit you'll need to make engaging video content for your audience? Here, Simeon reveals what's in his own YouTube kitbag, while Canon product specialists John Maurice and Paul Atkinson also offer their technical insight.
Canon EOS C70
For the kind of polished, on-brand YouTube content that Simeon produces, he finds the Canon EOS C70 perfect for his needs. It offers 4K 120fps video, over 16-stops of dynamic range using Canon Log 2 and up to 225Mbps internal recording in MP4.
"The weight and image stabilisation, particularly when paired with an RF lens, is great and I can shoot with it handheld," he says. "I do a lot of my filming in my studio, but its compact size means I can shoot in the street without becoming the focus of an environment. Being quite small but still being able to get a high level of production value is really useful."
Canon EOS C70
The EOS C70's built-in ND filters also ensure that Simeon can shoot outdoors on a sunny day while still achieving the shallow depth of field he prefers.
Paul Atkinson, Canon Europe Professional Video Product Specialist, says: "Self-shooters using the Canon EOS C70 can be confident the autofocus is always going to follow you. You also have two XLR mic inputs and the option of four-channel audio, so combined with a massive dynamic range, you can really push up your production values with this camera."
Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播5 and 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II
A hybrid video and stills camera, the Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播5 shoots up to 8K DCI RAW video and its smaller size makes it very discreet when shooting in busy areas. "Sometimes a video-capable mirrorless camera is exactly what you need," says Simeon. "For example, you could be on a stills shoot then switch to video and shoot a BTS for YouTube.
"I love the AF system's subject tracking, which is really powerful, but I especially love being able to flip around the vari-angle touchscreen to film yourself," he continues. "The In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) is great and even better when paired with the RF lenses."
Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II
John Maurice, Canon Europe Senior Product Marketing Manager, adds: "The 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播5 and 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II are full-frame cameras, which give a higher production quality than APS-C models. They also open up a wide range of lens choices, including RF lenses, and EF lenses with an adapter. You can shoot 4K movies at 120fps on the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播5 (60fps on the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II) and use the resolution to re-frame and provide a punch-in."
The 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II introduces several video upgrades that are beneficial for creating YouTube content. The reliable Dual Pixel CMOS AF, for example, has an updated algorithm for improved subject tracking. If you're presenting a piece to camera, then the autofocus will keep you sharp as you move through the shot. Detect only AF, which is a variation of the EOS C70's Face only AF, can also be activated to ensure the camera won't refocus on the background if you walk out of the frame.
"Another useful feature for presenters is what we call recording emphasis," adds John. "This displays a red box around the screen to show that the camera is recording. It serves the same function as a tally lamp on a video camera and is very reassuring."
John highlights the benefit of the camera's recording emphasis frame marker as well: "YouTube is predominantly known as a 16:9 format, but it also supports vertical video. The 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II will detect if you're shooting vertically, but the aspect marker will allow you to frame appropriately if you're shooting a different format for social media, such as 1:1 or 9:16."
Content creators can also take advantage of the Canon Camera Connect v3 app to start and stop recording remotely, as well as changing shooting settings – perfect when you're presenting to a camera that isn't within reach. Connect the smartphone or tablet to the camera via a USB cable, and you can enjoy video control and playback in the app with minimal lag.
Canon EOS C200 and EOS C300 Mark III
Simeon also turns to his Canon EOS C200 when shooting for YouTube, especially when working in a controlled studio setting. "I love it for all the reasons I love Cinema EOS cameras," he says. "It produces movies with a high production value and, like the EOS C70, it can shoot on two video cards at the same time.
"For me, one of the key reasons I use the EOS C200 is the ability to use monitors; if I'm talking to camera, I want to see myself large on a screen. I've got a small HD 17-inch monitor which I connect to the camera and put right next to the lens, so I can make sure the camera's rolling and that I'm in focus."
Canon EOS C200
Paul says that YouTubers who create short films or music videos would benefit from this professional quality. "With the EOS C200, you're shooting in a really high-resolution format, Cinema RAW Light – therefore you've got maximum control and dynamic range.
"The EOS C300 Mark III takes image quality, colour depth and colour reproduction to another level," Paul adds. "Plus, the 4K Super 35mm DGO sensor is a game-changer when it comes to filming images in situations with a wide dynamic range. Both these cameras shoot footage that needs post-production work, but some people prefer to do that for a higher quality result."
Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50
If you're looking for a simple but effective way of creating content to share, then the Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 is ideal. It's a practical camera for YouTubers: not only is it small and light, but it also offers excellent video and audio quality, is equipped with a vari-angle screen and features an APS-C sensor that enables 4K 30p video to be recorded without a crop oversampled from 6K.
The 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 shares similar functionality to the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II and 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播7, adds John. "It has the recording indicator, so you know when you're recording, and the clip recording limit has been increased to an hour.
Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50
"You've got a mic input, so you can attach an external microphone to the hotshoe, and it's also got an electronic viewfinder. A lot of content creators are hybrid shooters who take pictures as well as video, and the viewfinder provides that traditional camera experience while also allowing footage and images to be reviewed."
A dozen scene modes ensure that the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 is an easy first step for content creators who are upgrading from a smartphone. It also features Hybrid Auto, a mode which enables a short movie to be created just by shooting stills.
The 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 introduces a new movie feature for close-up product demos, which is perfect for recording 'unboxing' videos on YouTube, suggests John. "If you're speaking to the camera and hold the product near to the lens to point out some details, the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 will prioritise and focus on the object. When the camera detects that the object has been removed, it will go back to focusing on your face."
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II offers a host of features for YouTubers in a small package, including resolutions of Full HD at up to 50 or 60fps (and 4K at 25fps), Live YouTube streaming1, great low-light performance and auto video transcoding that enables you to quickly transfer movies from your camera to a laptop or phone.
"Flexibility is what you're choosing with this camera," says John Maurice. "It's an interchangeable lens camera that uses the compact EF-M range of lenses, and is compatible with EF and EF-S lenses when used with an adapter. For a versatile lens that gives you lots of options, there's the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, which has an optical Image Stabilizer for steady handheld shooting."
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
The EOS M50 Mark II has a 3.5mm socket for connecting an external microphone and a hotshoe on which you can mount it. It also has a vari-angle touchscreen that enables you to shoot from different angles, or to see yourself while shooting vlogs.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
"The core proposition of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is that it's small, compact and very versatile," says John. "For many YouTubers, it will be the first step into taking video semi-seriously, because it enables you to have greater control over your filming than a smartphone would typically allow, and includes an optical zoom and large sensor – giving you control and quality together."
The camera, which weighs just 304g with battery and card, shoots Full HD at up to 120fps and 4K at up to 30fps. It also offers a fast, built-in 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens and a large 1.0-type sensor. "The combination of those factors means that if you're speaking directly to camera, you'll look better in more challenging conditions and it allows some separation between subject and background," John continues.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
It has a 180? tilting screen and, like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, a 3.5mm microphone jack, which enables you to get good audio quality. The camera supports vertical video and has the option of Face Select and Track autofocus, which keeps you and your other subjects sharp in the frame.
Over its lifetime, functions have been added to the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III through firmware updates including Video Blog Recording Mode, which specifically tunes the AF mode to be more responsive to changing scenes and dynamic capture. Zebra, level and aspect marker overlays are available, allowing you to assess the framing and exposure of your footage, and 24fps has been added for users preferring this frame rate.
Livestreaming functions
If you're looking to host a live event on YouTube, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II and the PowerShot G7 X Mark III both support a high quality 'Clean' HDMI output, which can be plugged into video capture cards or HDMI to USB adapters for a clean or graphic-free video feed directly into your streaming software. If you don't have an adapter, both cameras are supported by the Canon EOS Webcam Utility software, which enables you to plug them directly into the USB port of your PC or Mac. Direct streaming is also possible from both cameras, but you need a YouTube account with at least 1,000 subscribers.
As well as providing a clean HDMI feed, the Canon 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播6 Mark II, 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播8 and 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播50 all support the industry-standard USB Video Class (UVC) and USB Audio Class (UAC) for livestreaming. "This means they too can be plugged directly into a computer and operated as a webcam, streaming video and audio via USB-C," adds John.
Discover the full range of cameras that offer clean HDMI output in our regularly updated guide on which Canon cameras have which features.
Canon RF & Cine lenses
Lens choice depends to some degree on personal preference and the 'look' individual YouTubers want to achieve. "We have prime lenses such as the RF 16mm F2.8 STM, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM, the RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and the RF 50mm F1.8 STM, which are affordable and light, and suit people who want to get a cinematic aesthetic on a budget," says John.
"Alternatively, a standard zoom lens such as the RF 24-50MM F4.5-6.3 IS STM, which is the kit lens for the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播8, is a practical proposition. This lens in particular is a great match for compact full-frame bodies such as the 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播8, because it's lightweight, affordable and covers everything from landscapes to portraits with its 24-50mm focal length range."
Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
Paul adds, "Some people will want a wide-angle view if they want to show a lot of context – a travel vlogger, for example. If so, consider the ultra-wide RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM or the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM."
You can find out more about what Canon RF lenses have to offer today's filmmakers, with our guide to the best RF lenses for shooting video.
Simeon personally likes a focal length of 35mm when talking to camera. "The RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM is great, because you've got wide context, you can use 35mm or 50mm for talking heads and you have the ability to go to 105mm for detail shots."
When shooting with the EOS C200, Simeon's go-to lens is the CN-E35mm T1.5 L F, a premium cinema lens that offers exceptional 4K image quality and a very shallow depth of field.
If you're only shooting for YouTube, Paul recommends lenses such as the CN-E18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S and the CN-E70-200mm T4.4 L IS. "They're eminently suitable because they're compact, lower-cost lenses with a reasonably wide maximum aperture and absolutely outstanding optical quality," he says.
The growing range of Canon Cinema EOS equipment and 球探体育比分_欧洲杯足球网乐¥在线直播 System cameras and lenses presents professional vloggers and content creators with the perfect way to upgrade the production values of their YouTube content. Removing the technical barriers of shooting, recording and streaming high-quality video means that filmmakers can focus on what really matters: creating engaging content for audiences around the world.
1 Requires an internet-connected wireless network with a speed of at least 6Mbps plus a YouTube account with at least 1,000 subscribers.
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