Key Factors to Consider Before Buying Your Video Podcasting Camera

When it comes to the technical side of podcast production, choosing the right camera is among the direst of considerations to take. Before making any kind of hurried purchase, it is important to be aware of the many factors that should go into your choice. With that said, be sure to go through the following:

The Budget for the Camera

Perhaps the most limiting factor for anyone in need of podcast production equipment would be their available budget. Those who are new to this may not want to go all out with their spending until they can either secure greater funding for their endeavor or until the podcast itself manages to produce a steady stream of revenue. At the start, it makes more sense to buy equipment that are serviceable for one’s needs before eventually upgrading to better equipment down the line.

The Camera’s Recording Limit

Take note that there are cameras with set limits as to how much it can record. This is due to the specific onboard memory that a camera has. Thirty minutes of recording is looked at as the limit by industry standards. However, there are ways one can bypass that specific limit. For example, one can always link an external storage device to a camera. Choosing to do so will lead to more expenses on your end, but the option remains available nonetheless.

The Camera’s Battery Life

Filming for extended periods of time can consume a considerable amount of any battery’s life. For those with the intention of regularly recording lengthy podcast episodes, this is a significant factor to take into account. There is also an alternative choice of searching for a camera that can still operate just as well while it is plugged in.

The Camera’s Resolution

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, camera resolution refers to how many pixels a camera can display on any given screen. In layman’s terms, the higher the resolution, the clearer and better pictures your camera can produce. When it comes to podcasting, the best recommended resolution would be 1080p or 1920 x 1080. Having a camera that can provide that much resolution is, nowadays, thought of as a minimal requirement, with anything else being considered low-quality output.

The Camera’s Frame Rate

Frame rate is the term that is used to describe the number of still photographs or individual frames a camera is capable of capturing per second. FPS, or frames per second, is the term that describes the exact number of frames that is captured per second. Today, most video recordings are commonly shot at either twenty-four or thirty frames per second. However, take note there are even higher quality cameras that are capable of recording as much as sixty frames per second, should that option be preferable to you.

The Camera’s Autofocus 

It is to be expected that even those who simply record their podcasts from their desks or sitting down will still have to move around quite a bit. Keep in mind that there will be even more motion in the event that there are several people featured on the screen. Choosing a camera with autofocus can make sure that the focus will be self-adjusting based on what movement the camera captures. 

The Camera’s Image Stabilization

Beyond that, there is also image stabilization, which is a feature intended to eliminate any blurring whenever the camera itself is in motion. Any podcast editor would be able to relate to moments when, for example, a large vehicle passes by and its movements cause rumblings that will, in turn, create motion for cameras that are position on stable ground. Having image stabilization can help keep everything comfortable as far as the output is concerned.

As tempting as it can be to buy the first camera that catches your eye, there is always room for proper discernment. The factors listed above are just some key considerations to take into account when buying your podcasting equipment. For get more in-depth tips on the art of podcasting, you can always book a free discovery call with your friends at Podcast Engineers! Do not hesitate to do so today, so that you can reap the considerable benefits as soon as possible!