So you want to record a vlog but can’t decide which camera to use? I’ve done a side-by-side comparison of 3 popular vlogging cameras – iPhone X, DJI Osmo+ and GoPro HERO5 Black to determine which is the best vlogging camera. The results may surprise you.
First, check out my short video showing the comparisons between these three amazing video cameras.
Why is the iPhone X So Awesome?
As you can see on this comparison chart of iPhone Cameras, the iPhone X actually uses the same camera as its successors the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. About the only difference, you will find is slightly better optical image stabilization on the iPhone XS Max.
So iPhone X vs XS is a close battle indeed when it comes to video camera capabilities. Note that the iPhone X does not record in stereo audio, whilst the iPhone XS does. Not what I’d call a show stopper for the iPhone X.
Comparing the iPhone 8 vs iPhone X, the iPhone 8 only has a single wide-angle camera and no telephoto camera. So the iPhone X is far superior in the video camera department, with better zoom capabilities. Note the iPhone 8 Plus does have the telephoto lens, but the camera is obviously a lot bigger in size.
What is a VLOG?
A VLOG is a video blog or a blog with a video attached. Generally, there are 3 types of vlogs:
- Action – Videoing some sort of action like a holiday activity.
- How To – Documenting how to do something specific, like how to use a camera.
- Talking Head – Videoing yourself talking about a topic.
Equipment Required for Vlogging
Camera
Duh. A camera is the one item you cannot do without when creating a vlog. Thankfully the iPhone X has 2 great video cameras built in. Actually, 3 if you count the front camera, which is not too shabby at 7MP.
Microphone
Whilst the iPhone X internal microphone is sufficient for recording reasonable vlogs if you’re serious about making quality vlogs you need to invest in an external microphone. This will take you to professional quality in one swift move, it’s just a matter of connecting this bad-boy to the iPhone X.
The best external microphone currently on the market for the iPhone X is the Shure MV88, which plug right into the lightning port of the iPhone X.
Stabilization
Video Cameras normally come with inbuilt stabilization features, and the iPhone X is no exception. The iPhone X stabilization is awesome compared to previous iPhones and is awesome enough to produce great quality vlogs.
Still, the iPhone X stabilization is far from perfect. And that is where your editing software comes in. Professional software like iMovie and Final Cut Pro X have amazing stabilization capabilities, which can transform iPhone X video into a perfectly stable video. The downside is that the software generally zooms in to enable proper stabilization, so you lose some video around the edges of the frame.
If you want to take it to the next level and produce truly professional video then you can’t go wrong with hand-held gimbal stabilization. The best on the market for the iPhone X is the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. This will help you achieve sensationally smooth cinematic style video.
The downside is that iPhone X has no 3.5mm microphone jack, thus if using a gimbal like the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 you will not be able to use an awesome external microphone like the Shure MV88.
Video Editing Software
This is required to make your raw video footage polished enough to present on YouTube. Generally, I recommend iMovie, which is free with your iPhone / iMac and can do all the basic functions to produce a quality vlog.
If you want to invest some serious money into your vlogging and get the full professional video editing software, you can’t go past Final Cut Pro X. This is the software I use, and there is literally nothing you can’t do.
iPhone X Video Results
Color Grading
The color is sensational on the iPhone X, it really pops. It is far superior to the GoPro Hero 5 Black in artificial lighting and comparable to the DJI Osmo+.
Good for Indoor Conditions
The iPhone X shoots superbly in artificial lighting, as can be seen in the foyer of the Conrad Hotel. Previous iPhones performed fairly poorly in dimly lit conditions, however, there has been a stellar jump in quality with the iPhone X.
Image Stabilisation
Once again the image stabilization is vastly improved over previous iPhones, however, it is still little jittery. Especially when compared to gimbal stabilized cameras such as the DJI Osmo+. The iPhone X performs well in panning at 30 fps.
Back Lighting
The iPhone X does struggle with strong lighting behind the subject, as do most cameras. You end up with an overexposed background, however, it does a great job with applying correct compensated exposure to the ‘talking head’ in the foreground.
Comparing iPhone X / DJI Osmo+ / GoPro HERO5 Black
The Go-Pro is my least preferred camera for vlogging. The color grading is very washed out in low light conditions and requires high levels of saturation in the video editing software. Also, the sound is terrible through the GoPro HERO5 Black internal microphones. Also, it is not easy to adapt external microphones to the GoPro HERO5 Black to correct the sound.
The DJI Osmo+ is awesome. This is a high-end (albeit still relatively cheap) 4K video camera. It has an external microphone supplied with the camera which produces excellent professional quality audio. This DJI Osmo+ is hard to rival, it’s the best video camera I’ve had the pleasure of using.
The iPhone X is overall far superior to the GoPro in both video and audio quality. The iPhone X comes close to the DJI Osmo+, however, the DJI camera is still slightly better quality. I believe it is possible to make the iPhone X as good or better quality than the DJI Osmo+ with the addition of hand-held gimbal stabilization and external microphone, for the camera itself is just as good if not better than the DJI Osmo+.
11 Reasons Why iPhone X is the Best Vlogging Camera
1: Easy Access 24/7
You have your iPhone X in your pocket or next to you 24/7 right?
2. Fast Set-up Time
You can quickly whip out your iPhone X and begin filming professional video in the blink of an eye. Other cameras like the DJI Osmo+ require some setup time to make them operational.
3. No Additional Equipment
You can shoot with no additional equipment. You don’t absolutely need a gimbal or external microphone, you’ll do just fine with a naked iPhone X.
4. Easy Upgrade to Pro Audio Quality
You can easily do a minor upgrade to enhance the sound. Adding a Shure MV88 external microphone will give you pro audio quality.
5, Easy Upgrade to Pro Video Quality
You can upgrade to enhance stabilization simply by adding a DJI Osmo Mobile 2. In an instant, you will have pro image stabilization.
6. Sensational Color
The video camera is sensational in the iPhone X, much better than most of its rivals. The colors really pop and easily compete with other popular video cameras.
7. Easy IOS Settings
The IOS settings are so easy to figure out. Forget complicated menus and settings, you have one single menu which is child’s play to figure out.
8. Phenomenal Slo-Mo
You can slow down 4k with 60 fps to produce a stunning slo-mo video. Or you can use 1080p resolution at an incredible 240 fps!
9. Efficient File Storage Using the New HEVC Format
The file sizes are drastically reduced using the new High-Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC) file format. This will save you a ton of space on your hard drive.
10. Great Optical Zoom
GoPros and older iPhones are so frustrating in that they don’t have optical zoom. Problem solved with the iPhone X. Just tap the screen and you instantly get 2 x Optical Zoom.
11. Phenomenal Specifications:
Check these specs out from the Apple website
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video
- Optical zoom; 6x digital zoom
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Body and face detection
- Noise reduction
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Video geotagging
Need More Convincing?
Check out this awesome footage shot on the iPhone X.
So there you have it. iPhone X truly is the best vlogging camera. But don’t take my word for it. Go out and see for your self. You too can take amazing video using your iPhone X.
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