Essential Equipment for Shooting Vlogs and Short Videos at Home

A beautiful photo or an impressive video does not come from the most expensive equipment. There are creators who only use an old phone and still attract millions of views, while there are those who own cameras worth tens of millions of dong but their videos are still dull and lack highlights. So what is the difference? It is the ability to make the most of the tools you have, understand the features and exploit them thoroughly to tell a compelling story. A camera that has gone through several generations but is still "cool", an old lens but durable, or even just the smartphone in your pocket. In this article, let's go deep with SaDesign to learn the core elements to create a professional, creative and affordable vlog, TikTok, YouTube or Reels shooting setup at home.

1. Choosing a camera for content creators

The camera is the heart of the entire creative system. Choosing the right equipment depends not only on budget, but also on creative style, editing needs and long-term vision.

For many vloggers today, the name Sony ZV series is always on the list of most mentioned. This is a line of cameras designed almost specifically for vlogging. Sony ZV-1, ZV-1 II or ZV-E10 brings a professional feel thanks to a series of supporting features. The most outstanding feature is the large built-in microphone with the ability to record clear, clear voices even in noisy environments. In addition, smart designs such as the recording indicator light on the front, the prominent red recording button make it much easier for users to self-record. The eye and face focusing system is also the "trump card" of this line of cameras, helping you rest assured that no matter how you move, the frame will always maintain the sharpness of the main character.

Along with Sony, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is another example of the trend of compact yet powerful cameras. With a design so small that it can fit in your pocket, this device is still equipped with a 1-inch sensor, enough to shoot sharp video in 4K standard. More importantly, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has an extremely smooth 3-axis anti-shake system, bringing a cinematic feel to every movement. The rotating touch screen makes it easy to operate when shooting selfies, while the ActiveTrack subject tracking feature ensures that the character is always in the frame. This is the perfect choice for those who like convenience, move a lot and need stability.

In addition to dedicated cameras, smartphones are indispensable. High-end phones such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Google Pixel 9 are now powerful enough to shoot high-quality content. Smartphones have the advantage of being compact, convenient, and easy to share directly to social networks with just a few taps. If your budget is limited, this is a reasonable start and you can completely upgrade after you get used to creating.

2. Choose the right lens

The lens determines the image quality, frame width and emotion that the video brings. For vloggers, a wide-angle lens is almost an indispensable choice. You need a frame that covers enough to see both the face and the surrounding space, especially when filming in a small room or a home studio.

One of the popular choices is the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G. This lens is compact, lightweight but delivers sharp image quality. With a moderate wide angle, this lens is suitable for situations where you are shooting at a desk or in a fixed setup. If you want images with beautiful background blur, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is a very popular name thanks to its large aperture, giving a smooth background blur effect, suitable even in tight spaces.

Prime lenses, which are lenses with a fixed focal length, are also a great choice. Although they are not as flexible in changing the shooting angle, the image quality is much sharper than a zoom lens in the same price range. For those who like to set up a fixed shooting space, such as at the desk, a compact prime lens is an economical and effective solution.

Meanwhile, for vloggers who like to change compositions, move around, or shoot a variety of situations, wide-angle zoom lenses offer great flexibility. You can easily switch from wide shots to close-ups without changing lenses, saving time and creating a more seamless experience when shooting.

3. Accessories needed to shoot Vlog

A setup is never complete without accessories. This is the factor that helps you turn your video from basic to professional.

3.1. Audio support equipment

Sound is often overlooked by many people, but it is actually just as important, if not more so, than the image. Viewers can accept a slightly underexposed video, but will be annoyed if the sound is distorted, quiet, or noisy. Therefore, investing in a microphone is necessary. If your budget is limited, a simple wired lapel microphone is enough to significantly improve the recording quality. Later, when you want to upgrade, you can choose a wireless microphone like the DJI Mic 2 or Rode Wireless GO II, which are both compact and easy to use for outdoor vlogging or when you need to move a lot.

3.2. Stabilizer

Keeping your camera steady is key to smooth footage. If you’re just starting out, you can get by with a cheap mini tripod, which is enough to keep your camera steady on a table. But in the long run, a sturdy tripod or gimbal stabilizer will open up more creative possibilities. A three-axis gimbal, like the DJI RS 3 Mini, makes for smooth, almost cinematic-quality footage.

3.3. Choose suitable lighting equipment

Lighting directly affects image quality. Indoor lighting often has an orange-yellow tone, making the video look unnatural. If you only rely on natural light, you will be limited in recording time. The best solution is to use continuous LED lights, which will help you be more proactive in all conditions. A Bi-Color LED light allows you to change the color temperature to suit the environment, creating a harmonious and natural frame. If you want a more sparkling image, you can add decorative lights, but the most important thing is to ensure that the main character is clearly illuminated.

3.4. Connection cables and converters

A professional recording set cannot lack the necessary cables and adapters. HDMI, USB-C, mini-HDMI cables or capture cards are all supporting tools to connect the camera to the computer, live stream or transmit images to the big screen. This is a small detail but brings convenience and professionalism in the content production process.

4. Take advantage of smart modes

Modern camcorders today incorporate many smart features that make content creation easier. For example, Product Showcase mode allows the camera to automatically focus on the product in front of the lens without manual operation. This feature is extremely useful for those who make review videos or unbox products.

Some models also have Auto-Framing mode, using AI to automatically zoom and align the frame so that the character is always in the best position. This helps you have vivid frames as if shot by a professional cameraman, even though in reality you are just shooting alone. In addition, Face/Eye Tracking technology also helps greatly in keeping the face and eyes sharp, especially useful in moving scenes.

These smart features not only save time and reduce errors during filming, but also improve the quality of the final product, providing a smoother and more professional viewing experience for the audience.

5. Pre-designed equipment for Vlogging

If you don’t want to bother putting together each individual piece of equipment yourself, you can choose pre-designed products to serve vloggers. Names like the Sony ZV-1 II, DJI Pocket 3 or Fujifilm X-S20 are all complete packages, making it easier for you to get started. In the higher segment, the Sony FX30, FX3 or FDR-AX43A offer a professional experience, cinema-standard image quality, suitable for those who are serious about content production.

The advantage of these devices is optimization: you don't need to worry much about coordinating the equipment, everything has been fine-tuned by the manufacturer to serve the exact needs of vlogging. This is especially useful for beginners or those who want to focus on content creation instead of technical tinkering.

6. Conclusion

A professional setup for Vlog, TikTok, YouTube or Instagram Reels at home doesn’t have to be a huge investment. The key isn’t to own expensive equipment, but to know how to choose the right one and get the most out of it.

Start with the basics: a compact camera, a wide-angle lens, an external microphone, and good lighting. Then gradually upgrade with a tripod, gimbal, wireless microphone system, multi-function LED light, and take advantage of smart modes. With each step, you will see a clear difference in the quality of your content.

Most importantly, the equipment is just a tool, the real value of video lies in how you tell stories, convey emotions and build connections with your audience. With a reasonable setup, you can completely turn your small room into a creative studio where all ideas can take off, thereby bringing your personal brand closer to the public.