Guide to Equipment Selection for YouTube Creators

YouTube Video Shooting Equipment List: What You Need to Start Recording Videos

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Shooting a video has never been easier because there are so many different cameras you can use to capture the footage for your YouTube video. In the past, professional video equipment has been expensive and difficult to operate, but all of this has changed with the invention of digital cameras.

On the other hand, buying the most expensive microphones, lighting equipment or cameras doesn’t guarantee that your videos will be a major success once you post them on YouTube. Instead, you should look for the equipment that is best suited for the type of videos you want to create. Let’s explore the equipment that is necessary for running a successful YouTube channel.

What Equipment Will You Need to Start Your New YouTube Channel?

The process of creating a video can be divided into three different stages, the pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage has its own tools, without which completing a video would be impossible. In this article, we will be covering the equipment that will make the production stage of the process much smoother, and it will also help you to go through post-production much faster.

Equipment 1: Camera

You can’t shoot a video without a camera, but which camera you’re going to use depends on the type of the video you want to produce. Sometimes the camera that offers the most shooting options is not the best choice, and different factors like size or the weight of the camera can be much more important than the sheer quality of the footage.

1. Cellphone Cameras

If you own a smartphone , you already have a camera you can use to create a YouTube video. Mobile phone cameras are easy to operate and they are perfect for shooting videos while you are on the go. However, most phones are incredibly light and holding the device in your hand while shooting may produce camera shakes that ruin the video. You’ll also need a third-party app in order to control all of the camera settings manually.

You can also make YouTube videos with just your phone , check this video for more details.

2. Action Cameras

If you are a fan of outdoor activities and you want to shoot your YouTube videos while you’re having an adventure action cam may be your best choice. The GoPro and all similar types of cameras are small, lightweight, and they can produce videos in high resolution. Most of these cameras come with mounts and accessories that enable you to shoot perfectly stable footage while you are climbing, running or walking.

We have composed some useful tips and trick of buying and using action camera, in cast that you want to buy an action camera for shooting videos, do check out this ultimate action camera guide .

3. Camcorders

YouTubers that often shoot videos on different locations, can hardly go wrong if they decide to capture their videos with a camcorder. The best models on the market enable you to shoot 4K videos, even in less than perfect light conditions and you can also adjust the camera settings manually. Camcorders are a great choice if you want to make sure that your footage always looks great, regardless of the location on which you recorded it.

If you want to buy a camcorder to shoot your YouTube vlog video, please do check this list of best 4k camcorders that you can buy.

4. Mirrorless Cameras

Besides offering superb image quality, mirrorless cameras also let you change lenses so you get the best shot in every scene you want to include in your video. These types of cameras are a popular choice for vlogging or capturing footage for all types of YouTube videos because they feature professional video recording options while remaining relatively lightweight and easy to carry around. However, the best mirrorless cameras on the market can be quite expensive, and you must be prepared to invest money in lenses and other equipment.

If you want to buy a mirrorless camera to shoot your YouTube vlog video, please do check this list of best 4k mirrorless cameras.

5. DSLR Cameras

Seasoned professionals, as well as the newcomers to the world of video production, can benefit from using a DSLR camera for shooting the content for their YouTube channel. These types of cameras allow you to change lenses, pull focus manually, shoot at different frame rates or capture the footage in 4K and Full HD quality. What’s more, you can use a DSLR camera even in challenging light conditions, because most models support ISO sensitivity values that enable the camera to produce remarkable image quality even when the amount of light in a shot is far from perfect.

With a DSLR camera, you can also use it a webcam for recording your face and your desktop screen at the same time, check how to use a DSLR camera as a webcam .

Equipment 2: Microphones

Moving images are less effective without sound, which is the reason why you should pay close attention to this aspect of the video making process. All cameras have built-in microphones, but the audio quality they produce is often not good enough to actually use it in a YouTube video. That’s why recording sound with an external microphone is a common practice among the most successful YouTubers.

The location at which you’re shooting the video will help you determine which microphone you should use for that project. If you are recording your YouTube video in the exterior an omnidirectional microphone is your best choice because it will eliminate the wind noise. Furthermore, as their name suggests these microphones can pick up sounds from all directions so people in your videos don’t have to speak directly into the microphone.

Shotgun or unidirectional mics are frequently used in studio conditions when you want to eliminate all other sounds except the narrator’s voice. Gamers, tutorial makers and all other YouTube content creators that rely heavily on narration in their videos use shotgun mics because they produce great audio quality. Even though it is easy to overlook the importance of sound for the overall quality of the video you’re working on, a video with great audio quality may actually help you attract more followers on YouTube.

Check: best microphones for YouTube vloggers.

Equipment 3: Video Stabilization Equipment

Holding a camera in your hand while shooting a video is often not the best idea, because even breathing may cause the camera to move and produce camera shakes. That’s where tripods , steadicams, gimbals , rigs and other video stabilization equipment comes in. As a matter of fact, you should only shoot handheld videos when you want to achieve this effect, while all another camera movement should be avoided without the use of appropriate equipment.

Shaky videos are not very pleasant to watch and they can reduce your chances of attracting more followers on YouTube. The video stabilization equipment offers a great solution, and you can get a professional tripod or gimbal at a very reasonable price. However, which video stabilization equipment you are going to use depends on the camera you have and the type of shot you want to get.

Check our list of best camera stabilizer for YouTubers in 2018 .

Equipment 4: Lighting Equipment

Instead of struggling with natural light sources and having to deal with shadows, you can simply use the lighting equipment to equalize the light values in a shot. Of course, whether or not you will use artificial light in your video depends on a number of factors, including the location and the visual style you’re trying to achieve.

Whether you will use an on-camera LED light, ring light or softbox video lights is yet another creative decision you will have to make during the process of shooting your YouTube video. The great majority of video lighting equipment produces the best results in controlled, studio-like conditions, so before you go ahead and buy an on-camera light or a softbox make sure that you know how the equipment will perform on the interior and exterior locations.

Conclusion

Producing YouTube videos on a constant basis requires you to have the right equipment for the job. You don’t have to shoot your videos with the most expensive camera out there or have the best microphone on the market in order to create a great YouTube video, but having the equipment capable of delivering a professional level of video and audio quality won’t hurt your chances of becoming a successful YouTuber.

We’d love to hear all about the gear you’re using to capture your videos, so leave a comment and let us know.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Calculating YouTube’s Income Potential with CPM Rates

YouTube is a great way to make money online through sponsorship and selling merchandise and sponsorships. However, a big chunk of the creator generates their revenue from Google ads. The YouTube monetization rates defines how much you can make from the ads. In this article, we talk about YouTube monetization rates and what you need to start making money.

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Part 1. How Much Do YouTubers Make Per View?

Are you curious about how much YouTubers make per view? Most people are. The Influencer Marketing Hub estimates that the average YouTuber makes $0.018 per view. These rates vary from $0.10 to $0.30 per ad view depending on the type of video and location.

The YouTube monetization rates vary significantly because of various factors:

• The number of views a video receives
• The number of clicks an ad receives
• Ad blockers
• Ad Quality
• Video length

Part 2. How Much Do YouTubers Make Per 1,000 Views

A YouTube channel is a great way to generate revenye. Quality content attracts a large audience, enabling a way to generate ad revenue. Although it may be difficult to grow a YouTube channel, the revenue generated is worth. The youtube monetization rates determine the amount you can earn for every 1,000 views on your videos.

Allowing advertiser to run their ads on your channel through Google AdSense is an effective way of monetizing YouTube Content. The advertisers pay YouTube to display their products on the platform. YouTube then pays YouTubers for displaying the ads on their videos. Although the YouTube monetization rates may vary, overall revenue generated is usually substantial.

Each view will generate $0.10 to $0.30 or an average of $0.018. The YouTuber will be paid $18 on average for a video with 1,000 ad views. The amount paid depends on the CPM (Cost per Mille), which is the cost of advertising to 1,000 people. Brands will incur between $4 and $24 on YouTube to advertise on YouTube. However, the revenue generated by the Youtuber will be lower because not all the 1,000 views will be ad views.

Most YouTubers report to earn around $5 to $7 from 1,000 views of their videos. Here is a breakdown of the earnings from this:

• Top talent on YouTube will likely earn $5 per 1,000
• Garnering 1 million views will earn the YouTuber $5,000
• Garnering 1 million views with 5 videos will earn the YouTuber $25,000

The figures above are just estimates. YouTubers often make more or less this amount.

Part 3. How Many Views Do YouTubers Need to Get Paid?

To get paid from revenues, you need to be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). The following is the eligibility criteria.

The specific eligibility criteria include the following:

• Subscribers - At least 1,000
• YouTube Reach – At least 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months or at least 10M public Shorts views in the last 90 days
• YouTube Shorts Reach -
• Sign and agree to the terms and conditions
• Have an AdSense account
• Get reviewed and approved

Once approved for the YPP, you have the potential to start earning through ads. The revenue-sharing program allows you to earn income for the ads that show on your channel. Specifically, Google will pay you 68% of the revenue from the ads displayed with AdSense. For instance, a video that generates $1,000 from AdSense revenue will pay the YouTuber $680.

Part 4. The Top 6 Highest Paid YouTubers

YouTube creates a clear path for the birth of a new breed of celebrities. They have a huge following, and grow their wealth by sharing content with them. Let’s have a look at the top 6 paid YouTubers right now:

• Beast (Jimmy Donaldson) - $54 Million
• Jake Paul - $45 million
• Markiplier - $38 Million
• Rhett and Link - $30 million
• Unspeakable - $28.5 million
• Nastya - $28 million

1. Mr. Beast (Jimmy Donaldson) - $54 Million

Ranked first among the highest-paid YouTubers, Jimmy has the most popular channel. With more than 150 million subscribers, he creates videos about challenges, pranks, and giveaways. The videos have accumulated billions of views, contributing to his estimated net worth of over $100 million. Another important source of income is the Mr. Beast Burger app and menu that lets fans order MrBeast-banded meals from over 1,600 restaurants across the country.

2. Jake Paul - $45 million

Jake Paul is a renowned American professional boxer. Widely famous on social media, his YouTube is also one of the most highly ranked. He shares different kinds of videos from his boxing games. He also does pranks and reviews about different products.

3. Markiplier - $38 Million

Markiplier makes videos about playing games. The YouTube channel, which started in 2021 is renowned for moving merch. In addition to ad revenue, Markiplier records high sales of T-shirts, hoodies, and other items tied to the Unus Annus series.

4. Rhett and Link - $30 million

This YouTube channel started as the duo hosting a nerdy daily talk show called Good Mythical Morning. It quickly grew into an empire with brand extensions and spinoffs that boosted its views and earnings on YouTube.

5. Unspeakable - $28.5 million

Unspeakable talks about Minecraft in the channel. Nathan Graham posts videos of himself playing this and other games. He also posts other kinds of entertaining content such as filling a room with live alligators. His creativity has allowed him to collaborate with brands in making different ads and promotions.

6. Nastya - $28 million

Nastya immigrated from Russia with her parents. With over 88 million subscribers on her channel, she chronicles her life in prosaic installments. In 2021, she did a Spotter deal and added other brand extensions like merchandise and NFT collection that contributed added income.

Part 5. Edit Your Videos for Monetization with Wondershare Filmora

The amount of money a YouTuber earns depends on several factors. However, the amount can be increased by uploading quality videos. YouTube will quality and engaging content attract more audience, increasing the opportunities for revenue generation. Wondershare Filmora is one such software, that allows you to tell your story in a better way.

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With the integration of AI, Filmora now offers a wide range of editing features that you can use to automate editing. Instantly generate images, remove image background, and now. These features help create visually appealing and engaging videos that will increase the chances of monetization on YouTube. One of the AI features that stands out is Instant Mode.

Filmora Instant Mode

The Instant Mode helps beginners design slideshow videos with minimal effort. You probably have no video editing experience or a professional content creator with no time to make more videos. With Instant Mode, you can create a video within minutes. Let’s have a look at the steps involved:

Step 1 – Start Instant Mode on Filmora

After opening Filmora on your device, click on Instant Mode. This feature is on the left side of the screen.

Step 2 – Choose a Template

From the Instant Mode window, choose the video template you want to use. Click on it and play to preview the Video. Once satisfied, click om the Download Slideshow button to start editing your video.

Step 3 – Import Media Items

Click on the Import Your Media icon, and add all the media files you want to use for the video. Make sure to import more media files for better use, and press the Auto Create icon to move to the next step.

Step 4 – Implement Text Titles

From the top-left corner of the screen, click the “Titles” category. Then choose from the options available for the required title template.

Step 5 – Replace Needed Media Items

Review all the media items in the timeline, and replace any that you want with another option. The Replace icon allows you to seamlessly achieve this. You can also import new files to replace it with.

Step 6: Add Project to Timeline

Once you are satisfied with your slideshow video, click on the Timeline button. This will take you to Filmora’s editing environment where you can add effects and other elements to enhance the video.

Step 7 – Preview and Export Your Video

Click on the Play icon to preview the edited video. Then export it in MP4 format for quick upload to YouTube.

Other Useful Filmora Video Editing Features

• AI Portrait – Remove the background of your videos with high accuracy and choose over 70 portrait and sticker effects.
• AI Copywriting : Get inspiration for your video through AI-generated scripts, and automatically generate text during video editing.
• AI Image – Generate an image automatically by typing what you want. Choose from 3 resolutions and use the image directly for your video project
• Auto Reframe – Automatically resize your videos within minutes to use on both YouTube and Shorts.
• Auto Beat Sync – Automatically match the footage with music, giving your video a smooth flow with the music you choose.

Conclusion

Running a YouTube Channel is lucrative. Although it may take time to build a following, YouTube is a great platform for generating revenue. Most YouTubers have monetized their channels through the YPP program. The program allows you to earn revenue from the ads that show up in your videos. This means that a successful YouTube needs high-quality videos. We recommend Wondershare Filmora for editing your videos and improving their rate of engagement with the audience. This is a key step in building recurring revenue with YouTube monetization options.

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