Best Makeup Camera of 2024

Makeup showcases and tutorials rank among the most popular video types on social media. These videos have the potential to significantly boost self-esteem and can generate a decent income if you excel at them and build a large following. However, not every camera can accurately capture your makeup artistry.

While there isn’t a camera specifically designed for makeup artists, knowing what features to look for can help you find the perfect one. Accurate color rendition is crucial for makeup cameras, ensuring viewers can recreate the looks at home. Additionally, sharp image and video quality is essential to highlight subtle color transitions and the transformative effects of makeup.

Here are our top five camera picks for makeup enthusiasts this season. These cameras come in various sizes and price ranges, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Choose a camera that appeals to you and start sharing your beauty with the world.

1. Sony ZV-1

Sony’s ZV-1, a top choice for vloggers, is also ideal for makeup artists looking to showcase their skills. This compact, video-first camera offers user-friendly controls, exceptional autofocus, and various video options for professional results.

Built around the RX100 V, the ZV-1 features a bright red REC button, an articulating screen, and a three-capsule microphone with a deadcat, all designed for video optimization. Its advanced algorithm recognizes faces regardless of skin tone, with hybrid autofocus, Real-time Tracking, and Eye AF ensuring sharp focus even in challenging lighting.

The 24-70mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.8 is perfect for wide shots and detailed close-ups. Customizable buttons allow for quick adjustments, creating beautiful bokeh effects. The Product Showcase mode disables tracking, letting you focus on specific makeup products effortlessly.

Recording 4K video at 30fps, the ZV-1 ensures crystal-clear quality with focus peaking and zebra stripes for precise framing. It includes a 3.5mm microphone jack and hotshoe mount for additional accessories. However, the touchscreen is limited, and the battery lasts only 45 minutes, with a Micro USB instead of USB-C for charging.

2. Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm’s recent focus on video quality is evident in the X-T30, a camera that’s both a pleasure to handle and highly customizable. It boasts reliable autofocus, 4K video capabilities, and Fujifilm’s signature film simulation modes.

The X-T30 combines traditional angular edges with a modern control layout, available in all-black or a black and silver/charcoal gray combo. Though its grip is minimal, a deep thumb rest compensates. The camera features a general control dial, drive settings, EV compensation, and shutter speed dials.

The small viewfinder with 0.62x magnification is less prominent as the bright, responsive touchscreen is often used. The Q menu can be customized with sixteen frequently-used settings for quick adjustments.

Sophisticated autofocus ensures the APS-C sensor captures erratic subjects, excelling at face and eye detection. Autofocus speed varies with the lens, but the 18-55mm kit lens provides fast and accurate results.

The X-T30 offers flexibility with auto settings for neutral tones or Fujifilm’s film simulation modes and dynamic range settings for vivid colors. It records 4K video at 30fps and 200Mbps, with an F-Log color profile for later adjustments. The Movie Silent Control overlay allows for soundless setting adjustments.

Recording limits include 10 minutes for 4K and 15 minutes for 1080p. The tilting LCD is great for various angles but not ideal for selfies or continuous vlog monitoring.

3. Canon EOS 90D

Makeup vloggers often work from home or a studio, making Canon’s 90D an ideal choice. This DSLR offers uncropped 4K video and extensive options for tweaking clips. Excellent autofocus and ports for both headphones and external microphones enhance its appeal.

Compact for a DSLR, the 90D retains great ergonomics and comfort. It features several customizable buttons and two fully tweakable shooting modes on the dial. An 8-way joystick speeds up AF point selection, a notable improvement from the 80D.

While the optical viewfinder is less useful for makeup artists, it’s bright and displays extensive shooting data. The 3-inch touchscreen flips to the side, has a 1-million dot resolution, and offers logically laid out menus for easy touch selection.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF keeps faces in constant focus. The Face+Tracking mode recognizes and tracks faces reliably, even with head movements or multiple people in the frame.

The 90D shoots 4K video at 30fps but lacks a 24p option, which might be a drawback for those wanting a cinematic look. However, HD quality is excellent without cropping.

The 90D doesn’t support in-camera battery charging and lacks optical image stabilization, relying on lens stabilization or electronic stabilization, which crops the image significantly.

4. Canon G7X Mark III

The Canon G7X Mark III, designed with vlogging in mind, is perfect for makeup artists. This portable compact camera features premium build quality, a versatile lens, and a flip screen. It also includes a sharing system for broadcasting makeup sessions live to various social media platforms.

Compact yet robust, the G7X Mark III fits in your pocket, making it ideal for travel. Its controls are well-built and customizable, with five remappable options and a multi-use focus ring around the lens. While it lacks a viewfinder and a prominently placed REC button, its touchscreen LCD is bright and remains visible in sunlight, flipping up 180 degrees for vlogs and selfies or down 45 degrees.

Powered by the 8th generation Digic processor, the G7X Mark III features a new sensor and a lens with a 24-100mm equivalent focal length, great for close-ups. It produces beautiful bokeh and blurred backgrounds, although the footage isn’t as sharp as some competitors.

The Face+Tracking autofocus mode keeps subjects in focus, switching accurately between faces. Despite initial autofocus issues, a firmware update has improved reliability.

However, the camera’s streaming feature can be unreliable, requiring a Canon cloud service account and linking to YouTube or other platforms, which can cause connection issues. Additionally, the G7X Mark III has the weakest battery among the reviewed cameras but includes a USB-C port for use with a power bank.

5. Canon EOS M50

Our budget pick, the Canon EOS M50, features the Digic 8 imaging processor and offers impressive autofocus inherited from higher-end Canon models. It’s one of the most affordable cameras with 4K capabilities, making it ideal for beginners. Most of its limitations don’t impact makeup videos, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.

Resembling a small DSLR with its central viewfinder, the EOS M50 is lightweight at just 17 ounces. Despite its plastic body, it feels durable. The camera’s physical controls are minimal, with a single control dial and a small REC button conveniently located behind the shutter release.

The viewfinder is small, mainly useful for still photography, and works with the LCD for assigning AF points. The vari-angle touchscreen can rotate to face inward for protection. Canon’s intuitive menus are enhanced by a guided mode, offering a simplified interface with explanations for beginners.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF is effective for stills and videos, performing well in bright and dim conditions. It’s ideal for stationary subjects, maintaining quick response times and reliable tracking.

While not the sharpest in video quality, the EOS M50 excels in color fidelity and detail, ensuring accurate representation of makeup shades and skin tones. However, its 4K output is subpar due to additional cropping, contrast-detect autofocus, rolling shutter, and a limited 24fps frame rate.

For best results, record in 1080p. The battery depletes quickly, so keep spares handy.

Conclusion

Choosing the best makeup camera hinges on several key factors, including accurate color rendition, sharp image quality, reliable autofocus, and ease of use. Makeup artists need a camera that captures the nuances of different makeup shades and skin tones, ensuring viewers can appreciate and recreate the looks. Among the top contenders, cameras like the Sony ZV-1, Canon 90D, Fujifilm X-T30, Canon G7X Mark III, and Canon EOS M50 stand out, each offering unique features tailored to various needs and budgets.

The Sony ZV-1 excels with its video-first design and advanced autofocus, making it ideal for detailed tutorials. The Canon 90D provides versatility with 4K video and customizable settings, suitable for a more hands-on approach. Fujifilm’s X-T30 offers excellent color profiles and a sleek design, appealing to those who appreciate aesthetics and performance. The Canon G7X Mark III, designed for vlogging, provides real-time broadcasting capabilities and portability. Lastly, the budget-friendly Canon EOS M50 offers impressive autofocus and ease of use, perfect for beginners.

Ultimately, the best makeup camera enhances the ability to showcase makeup artistry in vivid detail, making it easier for viewers to follow along and achieve similar results.