How to Choose the Best Camera for Live Streaming Video in 2024

Live-streaming video content today is essential for growth. Brands and businesses everywhere are connecting with their target audiences and providing more value through live-streaming video. Live-streaming video content is part and parcel of a great marketing strategy. It enables anyone from anywhere to connect with brands and allows them to build a large audience.

However, building a large audience requires more than just simple video capture. With competition fiercer than ever, broadcasters need the right live-streaming video camera, and content quality must be exceptional. A high-quality digital camera with great image quality and camera sensors All this and more can be achieved with the right professional camera for live streaming.

In this article, we break down why you need professional-grade live-streaming video equipment. We’ll cover the essentials and types of cameras necessary for better image quality. Finally, we’ll help you choose the best camera for your particular live-streaming needs.

Table of Contents

• Why You Need Live Streaming Equipment
• Essential Live Streaming Equipment Needed
• Types of Cameras for Live Streaming Video
• Choosing the Right Camera for Live Streaming Your Content
• Conclusion

Why You Need Live Streaming Equipment

Creating video content has never been easier. Most consumers can begin streaming anytime they want simply by pulling their phones out of their pockets.

However, just because your business can make do and create streaming content with easily accessible equipment doesn’t mean you should not invest in higher-quality, more professional equipment.

The video content you create should be part of a larger digital content strategy for your business. Regardless of whether you’re making videos for internal use or external use, it’s important that your content is clear and looks professionally produced. This gives off a polished impression of you as a business, increasing confidence in your business and making customers more likely to buy from you.

Additionally, utilizing higher-quality live streaming equipment such as a camera makes recording and producing your video much easier.

Professional-grade cameras have special features such as image stabilization, decreasing the risk that your shots will be shaky and need to be re-done. Even though you will pay more money upfront for higher-grade live-streaming equipment, what you’ll save in time and frustration will help make up for the extra expense.

Next, let’s look at what type of equipment you will need to get your live streaming set up for success.

Essential Live Streaming Equipment Needed

To get yourself set up to properly livestream your content, here are six of the important pieces of equipment that you should plan to invest in to make your operation as professional as possible.

1. External Microphone

Great sound quality can’t be left to your camera’s built-in microphone; an external microphone is necessary for live streaming. 

Sound quality is important in your streaming content. Relying on the built-in microphone on your phone or camera isn’t going to cut it when producing professional video.

Instead, invest in an external microphone to suit your production needs.

If you’re planning largely stationary streamed content, such as podcasts or presentations, a traditional stand microphone will suit your needs. For content that will be more dynamic, such as event coverage, it’s probably best to invest in some Lavalier microphones to clip onto your participants’ clothes or an on-camera microphone that can be mounted to the video camera.

2. Video Encoder

To live stream your content directly from your camera, you will need to get a video encoder involved in the process.

Encoders take the RAW files directly from your camera and turn them into a streamable, playable format. If you do not utilize a live streaming platform such as Dacast, which automatically takes care of encoding live streams for you, you will need to purchase a separate encoder to take care of the process.

When shopping for an encoder, look for one that’s compatible with as many major live-streaming platforms as possible to cause you the least headache when you attempt to share your content.

3. Internet Connection Device

Part of providing high-quality live streaming content is to be able to quickly and reliably stream that content over the internet.

If you’re filming a video but the internet connection from which you’re uploading is spotty, your viewers will get frustrated with slow load times and missed content.

To avoid this, be sure to purchase a top-notch internet connection device. If you’re planning to stream in HD, look for at least 3 to 5Mbps; for 4K or UHD video, you will need at least 25Mbps.

4. Battery Power System

Switching out batteries mid-live stream will interrupt your content, causing you to lose viewers.

To maintain consistent battery power without worrying about switching out your packs, purchase a battery system. These devices allow you to power your equipment with either an external battery pack or wall power, giving you constant power and keeping you from draining all your available batteries too quickly.

5. Tripod or Mount

A tripod keeps your camera stable and steady for long, continuous live streams.

Longer live streams, especially those where your camera will be largely stationary, require a good tripod to save your arms from holding the camera all the time.

Look for something that has smooth-telescoping legs and stable feet, giving you a sturdy base for your camera that won’t topple over too easily.

6. High-Quality Video Camera

The most important piece of your live streaming equipment setup is to get a high-quality camera with enough features to support your live streaming needs.

Next, we’ll take a look at some of the types of cameras for live streaming available on the market.

Types of Cameras for Live Streaming Video

There are a variety of different types of cameras that are suitable for live-streaming content. Each type has its bonuses and its drawbacks.

Let’s learn a little more about each type:

Webcam

Webcams are great for live-streaming content you create while seated, such as podcasts and video game streams.

Webcams are popular choices for live streaming, especially those who stream podcasts, video games, or other streams where the camera can be trained on the subjects in one place.

These cameras hook directly into your computer and come with a built-in microphone. Because webcams connect directly to your computer, you won’t need a separate video encoder when using this type of camera.

To get better audio quality, however, purchasing a separate microphone is ideal.

DSLR or Mirrorless Camera

A DSLR camera, smartphone, photos, and memory card on a wooden background

DSLR cameras provide exceptional video quality, high photo resolution, and great low-light performance. If you’re planning to film in dynamic situations where the light is changing often or your distance from your subjects will change frequently, a DSLR is probably the best choice.

To get a similar video quality but a more compact camera, such as if you’re live streaming sporting events, a mirrorless camera will be necessary.

When selecting a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it’s essential to make sure your model can accommodate longer recordings and a clean output that hides the statues and icons of your viewfinder. Depending on your setup, you may also need to connect a DSLR or mirrorless camera to a video encoder.

Camcorder

Video camera camcorder operator working at live event broadcasting blue color tone.

Like their old-school tape-driven cousins, modern camcorders are built specifically for recording videos.

They’re easy to set up and ergonomically designed, making them more comfortable for handheld shooting. They also offer great video resolution and frame rates with clean HDMI outputs.

Action Camera

Action cameras give an immersive video experience and are great for high-action live streams.

If you’re planning to live stream immersive video content, such as travel videos or high-action content, an action camera is a great choice.

These compact pieces produce great footage with wide-angle lenses, giving your viewers exceptional first-person video. They’re great for mounting helmets, bicycles, and other gear for easy streaming while making viewers feel as if they’re part of the action.

Fixed lens cameras

Fixed-lens cameras are perfect for street, documentary, travel, and everyday photography. Often compact cameras, are easy to transport.

These are for anyone creating videos that require in-the-moment and quick-to-react scenarios. And despite their small size, fixed-lens camera models can come in high spec.

Choosing the Right Camera for Live Streaming Your Content

Different types of streaming content require different cameras for the best results. Here are the best options for a variety of business niches:

Best Camera for Broadcasting Live Sports

Live streaming sports require lightweight design and crisp picture quality.

For sports, you need a camera that’s lightweight enough to follow the action when it’s moving fast but also has enough picture clarity to capture all the movement.

When selecting a camera for live streaming sports, look for compact, ergonomically designed cameras that pack high-resolution quality in a small body.

Best choices: Action cameras (for first-person sporting streams such as mountain biking and skateboarding) or camcorders (for more traditional court sports)

Best Camera for Live Streaming Events

A professional camcorder is a great choice for recording and broadcasting live-streaming shows such as a concert.

When live streaming an event, look for a camera that offers a long recording time and can produce exceptional picture quality.

For most events, ergonomic design and compact construction are not going to be as much of a necessity, as the camera will largely be located in one place

Best choices: A professional camcorder, a high-quality DSLR, or even a mirrorless camera, along with a sturdy tripod or mount will be suitable for most live event setups.

Best Camera for Mobile Live Streaming Events

Streaming events means you want something that has a long recording time and excellent video quality.

If you’re planning to livestream an event for mobile viewers, your choices are very similar to those for a traditional live event. You do want to make sure that you have a solid video encoder, either within the camera setup itself or externally that connects to a computer, so your video is easily playable on all devices

However, if you’re planning to livestream an event where your video will be shot more dynamically and requires the person operating the camera to move around a lot, a compact camera that also offers great video quality is essential.

Best mobile live streaming equipment choices include A smartphone such as Apple’s new iPhone 12 Pro, a DSLR mirrorless camera, or a camcorder with a tripod, depending on your setup.

Best Camera for Live Streaming Church

A live streaming camera setup can bring your sermons to your parishioners’ smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Similar to live streaming a concert or conference, live streaming a church service will only require the camera to be located in one place for the majority of the service.

For this purpose, you want to make sure you have crisp picture quality and something that can capture sound well, such as an external microphone or even lavalier microphones on speakers and singers. A great tripod is also essential to keep the shot steady throughout the service.

Best choices: DSLR, mirrorless camera, camcorder, or a good-quality webcam for small services and lower budgets.

Conclusion

As we’ve outlined, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right camera for your live-streaming needs. Creating successful live-streaming content today requires professional, high-quality equipment.

By investing in the essentials we’ve listed, you can shoot videos that will wow your audience. Combined with entertaining and valuable video capture, you can create content that will grow your viewership. Once you’ve got the right video equipment, you can then take your live-streaming to the next level.

Using Dacast’s professional live streaming platform you can organize, store, stream, and share your content with the world. Dacast’s platform enables you to do all this quickly and easily in the highest quality.

You can try Dacast free for 14 days by signing up today.

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