Which Cameras Are Best For YouTube? Live Q&A

This month marks my channel's 7th anniversary and one of the most common questions I get is "what camera do I need to start KZbin?" So I thought it'd be fun to go through the timeline of the different cameras I've used over the years and the why's behind them.
We can also do a more general Q&A too!
This stream was broadcast using Ecamm Live. That's how I added all of the graphics, scenes, and comments on screen. It's the best streaming app ever.
geni.us/ecammtom
🔊Audio gear for this stream:
•Shure Mv7+: geni.us/45VaI6
•DocPopp windscreens from docmerch.com
💡Learn Something Awesome:
•My Final Cut Pro editing course: learnfinalcutp...
•My podcast production course: podcasterplayb...
Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Tech Talk
11:04 - Colorful Conversations
22:32 - KZbin Channel Camera Evolution
37:24 - Camera Evolution and KZbin Growth
45:09 - Full Frame Camera Evolution Journey
52:45 - Camera Evolution Retrospective and Learnings
1:03:59 - Tech Chat and Camera Recommendations
1:07:32 -Global Shutter and Gear Recommendations
1:20:35 - Canon 5D Mark II Impact
1:25:04 - AV Equipment Obsession and Gear Recommendations
1:37:27 - Future Livestream Plans
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---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ----------
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----------- CONNECT -----------
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Instagram: @sodarntom
Main Site: himynameistom.com
Podcasts: himynameistom....
----------- MUSIC -----------
•Artlist.io (2 Extra Months Free): geni.us/Artlis...
•Epidemic Sound (30 Day Free Trial): share.epidemics...
----------- VIDEO GEAR -----------
•Sony FX3: bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
•Sony a7IV: bhpho.to/33mOGZo (B&H)
•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
•Tamron 20-40 2.8: bhpho.to/3sTzIDy (B&H)
•Zeiss 85 1.8: geni.us/zeissb... (Amazon)
•Sirui Anamorphic Lens: bhpho.to/309H0rV (B&H)
•GoPro Hero 11: geni.us/zXnTsh (Amazon)
•DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone : geni.us/I2e0AB (Amazon)
•ATEM Mini Video Switcher: bhpho.to/2RVGI42 (B&H)
•Elgato CamLink: geni.us/vddHN (Amazon)
•YoloBox for Mobile Streams: bhpho.to/3pc8qHU (B&H)
----------- AUDIO GEAR -----------
•Rodecaster Pro II: bhpho.to/3wCwaqI (B&H)
•Earthworks Ethos: bhpho.to/3CthFs4 (B&H)
•Shure SM7B: geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
•Sennheiser MKH 50: geni.us/mkh50 (Sweetwater)
•Sony Video Mic: bhpho.to/3ztb6Vb (B&H)
•Rode VideoMic NTG: amzn.to/2ZKrHTh (Amazon)
•Sennheiser Profile (USB Mic): bhpho.to/3JDWGrh (B&H)
•Rode Boom Arm: geni.us/shr0 (Amazon)
•Sennheiser Wireless System: bhpho.to/43JgqkL (B&H)
•Rode Headphones: bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
•Blue XLR Cable: geni.us/bluexlr (B&H)
---------- LIGHTS & SUPPORTS ----------
•Nanlite Forza 200 (Key Light): geni.us/9Ofr (Amazon)
•Aputure Light Dome Mini: geni.us/vf5O (B&H)
•Small Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: geni.us/nanlite (Amazon)
•Big Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: geni.us/pavotubes (Amazon)
•Aputure MC RGB Light: geni.us/IuE4 (Amazon)
•Rolling Camera Stand: bhpho.to/3PbJGg3 (B&H)
•Big Tripod: bhpho.to/3lRoTyz (B&H)
•Small Tripod: geni.us/oQOh3Az (Amazon)
•Travel Tripod: geni.us/nlUBm (Amazon)
•Motorized Slider: bhpho.to/3ztKMJA (B&H)
•Camera Backpack: geni.us/aEH2 (Amazon)
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🎥 Check out my full gear list here:himynameistom....
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- Who Am I? -
Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.
It's my goal for each video to be interesting/helpful/atleastmildlyentertaining, but I'm an enthusiast and not an expert. You can take a look at my About page to know more about my background, both personally and professionally: himynameistom....
•My channel is open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. I’m glad you’re here.
•Read my Ethics Statement about objective reviews, sponsorships, and brand partnerships: himynameistom....

[@Mohajerhub]

Thanks Tom! Canon 6D mark II was my first camera for my KZbin channel. One of the limitations was the 30 minutes video recording limit 😁

[@Mohajerhub]

ah I see someone mentioned it in the comments!

[@tombuck]

It's a great camera! But yeah, that limit is annoying. Heather uses it to record directly into Ecamm, so thankfully that bypasses the limit altogether.

[@codeandcomponents]

Thanks Tom, enjoyed the camera chat and looking forward to tomorrow’s video editing review

[@tombuck]

Really hope you enjoy tomorrow's video! I'm excited to stick up for FCP, but also share some realistic thoughts about when it isn't the right choice for someone.

[@JMillerGaming]

great video and you have a great channel for someone to learn from thats getting into starting a channel... keep up the great work bud

[@tombuck]

And thank you!

[@45KevinR]

Hey Tom, had to watch the final 1/3 tonight, as I left to visit my son (also) Tom. Good content as usual and I for one appreciate that you will say "I'm not sure" rather than making some random opinion. It will be interesting to hear if you encountered the odd quirk(s) with the MV7+ that Bandrew/Podcastage did. He literally bought a second one to check that he didn't have a one off! I commented there that it shows that combo mics are a tricky thing to engineer, the scope for electronic interactions or differences between the 3 channels (usb, xlr, headphone) is far greater than we give them credit for. Those that hit the sweet spot on a budget like the Samson mics and the Fifine and Maono mics (with other trade offs) are real achievements. I have a theory that the reason the podmic usb doesn't do dual mode output is because Rode couldn't do it well enough to satisfy themselves.

[@tombuck]

I should ask Bandrew for more specifics on his, but my guess is that it was one of the first ones out and needed a firmware update (which I believe only came out in the last week or two). I've been using mine as much as possible and haven't had any issues, so I hope that holds true! And yes, I learned long ago that it's better to just say, "I don't know" rather than try and pretend you know something you don't. People are usually happy to help too!

[@baileystone8395]

Hey Tom! Loved the stream and all the camera chat! Brought me back to the days of the Cameranundrum Podcast episodes! I was wondering if the B&H Appearance will be livestreamed on anyone's channel? Would love to watch all the way across the world!

[@tombuck]

It should be live on the B&H channel! They're starting a new series and this is the first of hopefully many episodes!

[@baileystone8395]

@@tombuck Awesome can't wait!

[@clintedmonson]

I’m having great success with a Canon R50 + RF28mm f2.8 pancake lens. Outstanding picture quality and flexible output options.

[@GuilDormeus]

@1:16:08 I definitely have been using your Tenba bag and Hollyland bags I got from your 1 Buck sale and man I really take care of those things. I use the Tenba literally everyday 😅 I more than appreciate it.

[@tombuck]

That's so awesome! Glad you're taking care of it, but honestly, it's so tough that it can handle anything!

[@johnpapalonishow]

@Tom - Global Shutter basically uses all the sensor all at once vs rolling shutter where it scans like a scanner to take the shot

[@tombuck]

Total brain fart moment there- thanks for helping to clarify!

[@johnpapalonishow]

@@tombuck I've had those moments too lol

[@nicktayloriv310]

Team Restream... I got the graveyard shift tonight so I'll get in some T.B. time! 🎙🎤

[@leonardboyer7601]

Hi Tom, I really need your help and advice. I just tried installing the new Elgato FaceCam Pro onto the Elgato Prompter and it doesn't work. There is no way to attach the cable from the Webcam to the Prompter and I downloaded the software for the Webcam but couldn't upgrade the software for the Prompter. I'm sure other people will also have this problem. Also on a Neewer Brand desktop tripod it's unstable. Thanks for any help you can provide. Leonard

[@tombuck]

The came and the prompter each get connected to the computer separately. The Prompter requires A LOT of juice, so it needs the big high speed cable it comes with. 👍

[@leonardboyer7601]

@@tombuck Hi Tom, thanks so much. I found out that I have to get an adapter to connect the Elgato Webcam Pro 4k.

[@cayman2010]

Hey Tom the Bain of my existence is getting decent mic audio for Facebook LIVE using an iphone. What would you recommend for mics? Wireless don’t work.

[@tombuck]

Definitely tricky! I would start with something simple that can go directly into the phone. Lots of mics can work if you have the little Lighning to TRRS adapter (maybe not necessary if your phone has USB C). The Rode Wireless Go/Wireless me are probably a good place to start. Or even the DJI wireless mic.

[@mrelmoresmusiclab]

Great stuff Tom. I have a Canon EOS 50 and would love to get a lens that has more of a wide view for my guitar instruction videos. Would love to know if you have any cool recommendations. Thanks so much.

[@JMillerGaming]

wats ur opinion on the Canon EOS M50 Mark II w/ EF-M 15-45mm lens for face cam for streaming?

[@tombuck]

I haven't used the Mark II myself, but my wife has the original M50. It's a great camera! The only downside for streaming is that it doesn't have clean HDMIP out, but the Mark II DOES 👍

[@jamiehayes6714]

Hi Tom, Link to your FCP course?

[@tombuck]

HTTPS://learnfinalcutpro.com 😎

[@abennett]

Best for streaming cam? Curious about the R6c. I’m a Sony guy but thinking of changing bc the Canon skin tones just look so much better?

[@tombuck]

I haven't used the more modern Canon cameras, so I can't speak from personal experience, but everyone seems to absolutely love the R6 models.

[@trendyboymx]

Is the FX3 a good purchase in 2024? It is 3 years old and commands a significant premium. Any thoughts on the LUMIX lineup? Or newer full-frame cameras for KZbin?

[@tombuck]

Heck yes! The FX3 has become pretty ubiquitous in productions of all sizes because it's such ha good workhorse. I'm sure Sony will update it at some point in the next year or two, but it's a wonderful camera. I haven't used a LUMIX, but they seem neat. Nikon is really the dark horse in the camera race that suddenly caught up and made things interesting.

[@timgraham2942]

There seems to be a delay in the audio based on what I'm seeing in the video. What would cause that?

[@tombuck]

I may have needed to adjust the audio delay in Ecamm a bit.

[@kxngcharlesiii8458]

2 questions Tom... first how the hell do you get that awesome comment overlay? and A7iii/A7iv or Fx30 for 90% talking head and zoom?

[@tombuck]

1. Ecamm live! 2. FX30 💪

[@kxngcharlesiii8458]

@@tombuck I had no idea ecamm could do comments that custom! Do you have a video on that? And what lens would you pair with the fx30

[@janbogosyan909]

Is this Shure MV7+ mic good ?

[@tombuck]

I've been liking it quite a bit! I share most of my thoughts in the stream here, but am working on a more polished/focused review that hopefully will be out next week.

[@mopsca]

How do you get your colors so good in camera for streaming?

[@tombuck]

Thank you! I've been using the default "PPOFF" picture profile in my Sony cameras and then adjusting the colors a little bit with Ecamm.

[@Jake12399]

Do you live in PHX?

[@tombuck]

Close! Southern California