Best Camera & Microphone Options for Live Streaming

Let's talk about gear that works best with Ecamm Live. 

If you're already in the Ecamm Fam and you're ready to start creating your contents with Ecamm, let's make sure first that you're comfortable with the gear that you'll going to use.

If you haven't tried Ecamm yet, I highly encourage you to try it.

Click here for a 2-Month free trial! Use the code Diana2MOS as you register. 

In this post, I'm going to share with you simple and advance gear options that you can use with Ecamm Live. 

These are all user-friendly and even if you're a beginner, you can pick them for your video contents.

Let's dive in!

 

 

Camera Options for Ecamm Live 

When it comes to content creation, one of my favorite topics is camera options. 

Aside from your audio, your choice of camera will make or break the quality of your video. 

Here are the best camera options whether you're a beginner or you're creating videos for a while and wanting to upgrade your camera.

 

Camera Options for Beginners

1. Smartphones

If you are just starting to create videos and do live streams, your smartphone is a great camera option to begin with.

Smartphones are upgraded every single year not to improve and provide better communication tools but to improve the camera features and other video functions. 

The greatest update made on any modern smartphone is always the cameras' video and photo capabilities. This includes both the rear and front-facing cameras.

Most new creators getting started in video and live streaming default to using the front-facing cameras on their smartphones but for video, this isn't the best camera to begin with.

 

 

It's fine if you're just creating Instagram stories or TikTok videos but for live streaming, I highly recommend using the rear camera on your smartphone. 

 

 

 

The rear camera on your phone has the best video and photo quality compared to the front facing camera. 

A best practice when creating any kind of video on your smartphone is making sure you're looking into the camera directly versus looking at yourself, especially on the front-facing camera. 

Always look into your camera lens to give your audience the feeling of eye-to-eye contact just like you're talking to them face to face.

 

How to connect your smartphones to Ecamm Live?

 There are different ways to connect your smartphone to Ecamm Live.

•  Use a Cable

 

The best way to connect your phone to Ecamm is using a wired connection. 

A wired connection gives a better result with the transmission of data between your phone and your computer. 

You don't need to download any application in this setup. 

The best cable to use is your phone's charging cable.

It allows you to charge your phone while livestreaming or just recording a regular video.

You can avoid running out of battery life and camera block-out, and you don't need to buy another cable just to connect your phone to your computer.

 

• Use an Application

If a wired connection is not possible on your setup, you can use downloadable application available online.

One application that you can use to connect your phone to Ecamm is NDI HX Capture.

 

NDI HX Capture application is avaible for iOS and android users.  

It is currently free and it can transmit video up to 4k and above. 

It converts your phone into a webcam. You can go live without the need of a capture card. 

 

 

 

Inside the NDI HX app, there are tools that you can use to customize your show.

The NDI logo will tell you if you're already live or not. 

You can flip your camera into a rear or font facing camera using the camera icon. 

You can also manage your audio. 

Personally, I haven't tried the NDI HX app.

If you plan to use a wireless connection, I highly encourage you to spend some time to research and learn about the apps that will work best on your set up.

Wireless connection may cause a delay in your audio and no body wants to watch a video with distracted audio. 

 

2. Webcams

Aside from smartphones, webcams are also an easy camera option that beginners can use to create videos. 

Yes, you can use webcams but expect a lower video quality.  

A Macbook Pro computer only has a 720p which is a lower quality HD resolution. 

Your video tends to have a grainy image but there are ways to improve your video quality even if you're using a webcam.

You can still produce a good-looking video.

How to create good-looking videos using a webcam? 

When you're using a webcam for recording especially when you're in a recording room, make sure that you have access to a good lighting source. 

 

 

 

Record next to a window where you can have natural lighting or have a dedicated lighting setup in front of you to help your webcam produce a better quality video. 

It is also best to invest in a reliable webcam.

I highly recommend these webcams:

• Logitech BRIO $160

      

• Elgato Facecam $169

        

These are good webcam options that are easy to use. 

Sometimes, webcams come with software that you can download on the manufacturer's website but most of the time they come in a plug and play options.

Just connect the webcam to your computer via USB and you're good to go!

After setting up your webcam, you'll be able to see it on your camera sources inside Ecamm Live and you can choose to use it across any of your scenes. 

 

Advanced Camera Options for Live Streaming

1. Mirrorless Cameras

Camera manufacturers gave us the opportunity to connect our cameras to computers and use them for live streaming through the use of a USB cable. 

Though the type of USB cable that you need to use will depend on the type of camera that you invest in, there is a lot of budget-friendly but reliable USB cable options that you can use to get started.  

Ecamm Live also makes our lives easier. 

Whatever camera that you plan to use, whether it's a Canon, Sony, Fuji, Olympus, or Nikon camera, you don't need to download any application or software in order to connect your camera to Ecamm Live. 

You may only need to change a few settings to your camera and you can use it as a webcam without needing any additional tools or accessories. 

 

How to select the best camera for live streaming? 

Though you can connect any camera to Ecamm Live, I still want you to take into consideration these 2 main camera specifications that you need to be able to create a good-looking video. 

 

1. Your camera should have a Clean HDMI

It is a little port located at the side of your camera.

It allows you to connect a capture card. 

A capture card makes your camera and computer work together seamlessly. 

It captures the image from the camera and shares that with your computer ensuring a high-quality video. 

 

2. Your camera should have Good Auto Focus

If you got the opportunity to watch the video that came along with this blog, you'll notice that even if I move my hands or my body a lot, the camera focus stays on my face. 

There are two primary camera brands that I highly recommend when it comes to auto focus features. 

• Sony Mirrorless Cameras
• Canon Mirrorless Cameras

 

Should you invest to DSLR Cameras?

My honest answer is NO. 

 

If you already own a DSLR camera, you can connect your camera to Ecamm Live via USB, often without the need to use any additional webcam software.

However, if you're looking to invest in a dedicated camera for video and live streaming, I wouldn't recommend investing in a DSLR camera.

Here are a few reasons why:

• Most DSLR carmeras are build for photography and not for livestreaming. Their livestreaming capabilities are very low. 
• Older DSLR cameras can't auto focus
• DSLR cameras don't have clean HDMI

 

Should you buy a new camera?

Sometimes in order for you to achieve the best quality content, you need to invest in a good camera. 

Taking the risk and trying to save money by using your old camera like a DSLR camera introduces you to many issues and will cost you even more.

Investing in a good camera saves you time, money, and effort.

If you plan to invest in a new camera make sure that it's clean HDMI and has good autofocus. 

If you plan to use your old camera, check out your manufacturer's website and look out for your specific model.

Check if it's good for live streaming or if you really need to invest in a new one.

 

Sony Camera Options

My most recommended mirrorless camera brand is Sony.

Which is better, the Sony ZV-E10 or the Sony ZV-1?

 

The Sony ZV-E10 and the Sony ZV-1 are both amazing cameras for video. 

Sony ZV-E10 cost $698 on Amazon while Sony ZV-1 also cost $698 on Amazon at a 7% discounted rate. 

But for me, the Sony ZV-E10 is really fantastic because it meets the clean HDMI and great autofocus feature requirements that we're looking for in a camera dedicated to video. 

It also has a face detection autofocus not just for humans but also for animals.

It records 4k and has a flip-out screen that is loved by content creators.  

How about the Full Frame Sony Cameras?

Full frame cameras are also great for live streaming.

Some of the latest Sony camera full-frame models are:

• Sony A7C $1,798 Body only
• Sony A7 Mark IV $2,498 Body only
• Sony A7S Mark 3 $3,498 Camera only

Not to mention the latest APSC camera from Sony - the Sony FX30.

It was release on October 2022 at a recommended price at $1,798 base camera only.

It's a small camera that you can carry anywhere and can give you a real cinematic look on your videos.

 

Canon Camera Options

Another mirrorless camera brand that I would recommend is Canon. 

There are a lot of Canon cameras that you can use even if you're just getting started. 

• Canon R7 $1535 Body only
• Canon R10 $979 Body only
• Canon M6 Mark 2 $849

 These are all good options but the Canon R7 and R10 are the best Canon cameras for beginners. 

 

Which one is better, Canon or Sony?

Both of these camera brands are amazing. However, this ultimately comes down to brand preference, your needs, and which brand offers the features and lenses you want to use. 

I've used both brands but I've really found a home with Sony branded cameras versus Canon cameras long-term. This is because of the lens options from Sony and third-party brands like Tamron and Sigma, there's no combination of work I would desire to create that wouldn't be possible and fun to do on the Sony line-up of cameras.

The only difference between these 2 camera brands is the unlimited recording features. 

Canon doesn't produce any camera that has unlimited recording features.

When it's connected to a computer, you will not worry that it will shut down. 

But, if you're recording a video or a podcast using your Canon camera, you're stuck at 29 minutes and 59 seconds. 

This means you need to restart your camera every 30 minutes.

You might need a remote or someone to watch over your camera so you won't need to get up and get distracted just to restart your camera. 

However, most latest Sony cameras have unlimited recording making them a better camera option for any kind of content. 

There are a lot of cameras on the market.

I know it's overwhelming to choose which one is best for your content. 

Remember, always look for a camera that will meet your requirement and will fit the kind of content that you plan to create. 

If you're looking for camera tutorials for live streaming setup, I highly encourage you to check out some of my videos.

I have created a step-by-step guide that will walk you through how to set up your camera for video. Check the video here. 

 

Audio Options

Audio is the most important investment for your content, especially when doing a live stream. 

One reason why your audience leaves your live sessions is because of bad audio. 

You must give your audience the best experience. It is not enough that they can see you. It is not enough that they can hear you.

They should experience the best audio quality. You should deliver clear and undisturbed audio.

You need to invest in a good microphone. 

I have two recommendations for good microphones. 

• USB Microphones
• XLR Microphones

The USB-based microphones do not require you to use any software to connect the microphone to your computer. 

They are built as plug-and-play and the only tool that you need is a USB port that will allow you to connect your microphone to your computer. 

Some recommendations for the USB-based microphones are:

• Shure MV7
• Samson Q2U
• Technica ATR 2100

You can also use these microphones as XLR-based microphones depending on the setup that you want. 

For me, the best USB-based microphone option that you can use is the Shure MV7.

It's a great investment that you can use for a long period of time.

It's compatible with any set up so you don't have to worry if you've decided to make some changes to your setup in the future. 

On the other hand, XLR-based microphones have a traditional three-prolonged tip that will go into an audio interface. 

I highly recommend that you check out these audio interfaces that you can use for your XLR setup:

• RodeCaster Pro II 
• Scarlett 2i2 USB Interface
• Behringer 404 HD USB Interface

Most content creators go for XLR-based microphones because they want to have the audio set up wherein they can play around with their sound effects.

 

You can also connect up to 5 devices including your phone with an XLR setup. 

 

What type of microphone is best for live streaming? 

Honestly, both of these microphones are great. The only thing to consider will be your preference. 

If you want a plug-and-play option, invest in a USB-based microphone.

If you want something that allows space for growth in your audio capabilities, invest in an XLR-based microphone.

 

⚡️ Pro-Tip ⚡️

Position our microphone out of the camera shot.

Don't hang them overhead or in a place where they can look distracting. 

Place them near you but make sure they're not blocking anything on your screen and you can move freely without worrying that there is a microphone near you. 

 

Did you pick the Sony ZV-E10 to record your video content? 

I did a video that will walk you through on the best live stream settings for Ecamm Live using the Sony ZV-E10.

Watch the video here. 

 

Up Next: The Best Live Stream Camera Settings for Ecamm Live