What's the best camera for TikTok? While any phone that supports the app will do just fine for catching up with trends and goofing around, if you want to produce TikToks that stand out from the crowd, you'll need something better. That may simply be a better smartphone with a more powerful camera array, or it may be a 'proper' camera that will provide the extra production value to take your TikToks further.
We've put together this guide to help you find your TikTok camera, whatever it ends up being. We've split this guide up into two sections; first, we deal with the smartphones we reckon are best for TikTok right now, including the latest from Apple, Samsung and Google. Next, we handle the cameras that work well for TikToks, including mirrorless models, compacts, action cameras and more.
TikTok creators who shoot on dedicated cameras have all sorts of advantages, most notably the ability to change lenses (or use an optical zoom in the case of compact). Having a larger sensor also improves the dynamic range and low-light performance, and makes it easier to shoot with shallow depth of field, which means a sharp main subject and an artfully blurred background.
Still, let's not count out the convenience of a good smartphone, as beign able to shoot, upload and post your TikToks all on the same device is an idea with a lot going for it. We've rounded it all up in this guide, and come up with a list of phones and cameras we reckon represent the best value for TikTokers right now.
So, no further ado: let's get started!
Best camera or phone for TikTok
Best camera for TikTok: Best phones
If you're looking for a handset with an excellent camera, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could be exactly what you're looking for. This camera phone features four rear cameras, including a 108MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera and two 10MP telephoto cameras – one with an f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom and one with an f/4.9 aperture and a huge 10x optical zoom. It's worth noting that the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is pretty big, offering a 6.8" screen size that users with smaller hands might struggle to maneuver. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming experiences, HDR10+ support, 1500-nit peak brightness and a 1440 x 3200 resolution.
In full: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
Apple's latest iPhone did not reinvent any wheels, bearing a very similar camera array to its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Pro. However, the iPhone 13 Pro is an excellent evolution of smartphone videography, fine-tuning what's gone before to make for one of the best cameras for TikTok you can get right now. Its array sports an ultra-wide camera, a standard lens and a telephoto (extended to 78mm equivalent), giving you a good deal of versatility, and close focusing has been improved to put close-up shooting in play. While smartphones are less versatile than cameras, they do have the obvious advantage for TikTok of allowing you to do everything in-app, or at least on a single device.
Also worth noting – the camera array on the iPhone 13 Pro is the same as on its bigger brother, the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The advantages of the Max are in its bigger display and longer battery life, neither of which are essential for TikTok. That's why this is our pick for one of the best TikTok cameras you can buy right now.
In full: Apple iPhone 13 Pro review
If you're looking for a fuss-free and capable point-and-shoot camera phone, then the Google Pixel 5 might be the handset for you. While the Google Pixel 5 might not have the most up-to-date tech, what it lacks in innovation it makes up for with reliability and usability. The rear dual camera unit on the Google Pixel 5 features a 12.2MP 27mm f/1.7 camera and a 16MP ultra wide f/2.2 camera, but it's the software that really elevates this camera to excellence. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 765G chipset works well with the Android 11 OS for a lag-free camera phone experience. The Google Pixel 5 also has some exciting flagship features to offer, such as a 90Hz refresh rate display, water resistance and wireless charging.
In full: Google Pixel 5 review
Best camera for TikTok: Best cameras
A camera with a built-in gimbal stabiliser is the best way to create video that looks professionally smooth, even in motion. One such camera, available for a great price, is the DJI Osmo Pocket. It may be small, and as the name implies, pocketable, but it packs in an impressive three-axis mechanical gimbal that keeps footage smoother than smooth when shooting. If your TikToks involve a lot of handheld camera work, this is a really smart choice. Its sensor is a 1/2.3-inch type, so you don't get any dynamic range advantage over a smartphone, but as long as you're shooting in good light this won't really be a problem. One disadvantage of the Osmo Pocket is that it can't livestream, so if you like to go Live on TikTok, you'll need a smartphone or another camera in your back pocket. But plenty of users never bother with this feature – if you're one of them, this is an excellent choice.
In full: DJI Osmo Pocket review
Sony's excellent vlogging camera makes for an ideal buy for anyone who wants to make their TikToks look a little better. The Sony ZV-E10 is a mirrorless camera, meaning you can swap out Sony E-mount lenses at will, and it shoots excellent 4K video for a pretty reasonable price tag. While it does have a jack for an external mic, it's one of the few cameras where the built-in mics do a pretty reasonable job, augmented by the included clip-on windshield, which provides an easy way to block out unwanted noise. There's no built-in stabilisation, so you don't get the super-smooth effect of the DJI Osmo Pocket. However, having an APS-C sensor really expands your shooting versatility in different light conditions, and having an articulated screen makes it really easy to film from all sorts of different angles.
Read more: Sony SV-E10 review
The best current action camera from the kings of action cameras, the GoPro HERO10 Black is an ideal choice for those who want to capture adventurous TikToks outdoors and in the wild. Waterproof, shockproof, heatproof and more, GoPro HERO cameras have acquired a reputation for being able to stand up to pretty much any form of punishment. The other half of the picture is that they capture fantastic video, with the HERO10 capable of 5.3K resolution. The Quik app has also been dramatically improved, making it much easier to edit on the fly, and the extra Mods introduced with the HERO9 offer excellent scope for customisation, allowing you to add an extra-wide lens, or an external microphone.
Read more: GoPro HERO10 Black review
One of the biggest bugbears vloggers and video makers have with Canon is the crop factor when shooting 4K on many of its cameras, but the G7 X Mark III bucks the trend – thank goodness. This high-end compact packs a similar body and an identical lens to the G7 X Mark II, but includes a new sensor and no 4K crop.
It was also the first camera of its kind with a microphone input – vital if you want clean audio, not to mention the ability to livestream straight to YouTube. This means that even if you’ve got an expensive cinema camera, if you also have a G7 X Mark III you can create a fuss-free live setup without any expensive capture cards and a PC.
With its flip-out screen, the G7 X III also gives vloggers a clear view of themselves when they shoot, and thanks to its 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and Digic 8 processor it’s also able to capture great stills, so your custom thumbnails can pop nicely.
In full: Best cameras for streaming
Read more
Best mirrorless camera
Best camera for 4K video
Best cameras for vlogging
Best LED light panels
Best video lights
Best Fujifilm camera
Best cheap cameras
Best camera deals
