One of the most important investments any stylist can make is a great camera.

If you own a salon and you take pictures and videos for YouTube and social media then you know the quality of what you produce is dependent on the equipment you use.  

These days you really cannot afford to just grab any camera and start shooting. You need something very functional, less bulky, and can produce pictures that don’t lead to over-editing.

Clients do not want to see a version of what you can do, but a realistic visual of what they can look forward to when they book with you. 

Buying a camera is something you should put a lot of thought and research into because the investment will be well worth the work.

If you don’t know where to start, here are a few things to consider: 

What kind of camera do you think is best for you?

DSLR.

 A DSLR is a digital single-lens reflex camera.

These cameras have a small mirror inside of the body that reflects light coming from the lens into the viewfinder so you can see what you’re shooting right through the lens.

DSLRs are best if you want more control over small details, need longer battery life, and want to take clear, high-quality pictures as well. The drawback is that they tend to be expensive and on the heavier side, which may make you kinda iffy about carrying it around. 

Mirrorless.

A mirrorless camera is exactly what it sounds like: a camera that doesn’t include a mirror. Different from a DSLR, mirrorless cameras don’t have an optical viewfinder. Instead, they give you a digital preview.

They tend to have better video quality for better prices than DSLRs, but if you want to take high-quality pictures, you’ll have to shell out a little bit more money.

Mirrorless cameras are best for short video shoot sessions considering that their battery life doesn’t last long. However, they’re great to travel with because they’re on the smaller, lighter side. 

Point and Shoot.

Point and Shoot cameras are just your average digital camera. The drawback is that they’re not as flexible as DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

You can’t change the lens and they aren’t as advanced on average. However, they still offer high-quality videos and photos, come with built-in menus with features that are easy to learn, and don’t take much finesse to use.

These cameras are the best for amateurs who don’t want to skimp on quality but also don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars either. 

What about the camera sound quality?

This is super important if you have a YouTube channel that complements your salon.

Image and video quality is one thing, but most people aren’t going to care about that if they can’t even hear what you’re saying in the video!

All camera types have the potential to pick up audio, but it won’t be the greatest audio. You do, however, have some options:

• Select a camera with an external mic input so you can plug in a mic. This is the best option for those of you who don’t know how to sync audio to your video with editing software. 
• Buy a microphone that plugs into your phone and attaches to your body so you can get clear audio while you record. This is cheaper, but you’ll have to sync the audio later. 
• No external input, no problem! Get an off-camera shotgun mic and/or an advanced audio recorder. 

What’s your budget?

If you have a budget that’s $300 or less, point and shoot is your best option. With DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, you get exactly what you pay for.

And oftentimes, the right camera for you is going to be $400 and up—and that’s honestly on the low side.

If you’re an amateur with cameras or simply do not have $800 laying around for something more advanced, start with a good quality compact and then work your way up. 

Now that we’ve covered some basics, here are 6 recommendations to make your search a little easier!

Canon EOS M50 

Sony ZV-1 

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

Canon T7i

Sony A6600

Sony Alpha a7s III

What camera options have you been looking at for your salon? Comment below!

And if you need more mirrorless options, we covered this over on our guy’s blog! They have a post titled: 5 Best Mirrorless Cameras You Can Buy Today. check it out as well!