If you fancy getting into the world of social media influencing, you'll need a bit more than just a camera phone if you want to make really professional-looking content – and with so many Black Friday camera deals to be had, now is a good time to invest!
Whether you want to be an influencer in the world of beauty, cooking, fitness, lifestyle or something entirely different, a decent basic set-up would require a ring light, a mini tripod or selfie stick with tripod feet, a microphone, a smartphone gimbal and, if you can stretch to it, a camera for vlogging – specifically designed with content creation in mind.
If you already have one of the latest smartphones such as the iPhone 15 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, you will be able to get away without investing in a camera, as they are capable of recording really crisp, high-quality video. But the benefits of getting a dedicated vlogging camera are the flip-out screen (so you can see yourself when recording), a dedicated mic-port, even better quality video and a much bigger sensor so it works better in low light.
Something like the fixed lens Sony ZV-1F would be perfect for someone who doesn't want to spend any extra on lenses but is looking to up their content creation game. It shoots in 4K, has a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor, and can send photos and video straight to your phone thanks to WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
1: Camera
2: Lights
Can't quite stretch to a camera yet? You can still start your content creation journey on a budget, so long as you can create videos that are well-lit!
Ring lights are perfect for social media influencers - not only are they much cheaper than some other video lights, but they also create beautiful circular-shaped catch lights in your eyes, which work especially well with beauty influencers.
3: Tripod
With your lightning sorted, it's time to think about a tripod to hold your camera (or smartphone as most come with a phone adapter). A tabletop tripod should be sufficient depending on what type of stuff you want to shoot, but this flexible tripod from Joby will allow you to shoot in loads of different places. Secure it by wrapping the legs around around a bar, or bend the legs to make sure it's really sturdy.
4: Microphone
The final thing to think about is sound quality - it makes such a big difference to the overall quality of your video, so investing in a decent microphone is very important. There are lots of different types – but to start with, a shotgun mic you can place in front of you or attach to the camera's hotshoe will be perfect. It will help minimize the sound of the wind when you shoot outdoors, and make your voice crisp and clear.
With these amazing Black Friday deals, so long as you already have a decent camera or smartphone you can get started for under $100 - we think that's something worth shouting about!
