How much does a video camera cost?

Video cameras range in cost depending on their features and the intended user. Cameras designed for kids, like the Suziyo Kids Camera and VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam , retail for under $50 and have simpler features. Many options that are suited for family videos cost under $500, but high-end cameras, fitting for serious hobbyists or professionals, can cost up to $1,000 or more. Pricier examples on our list include Canon EOS M50 Mark II Camera and Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII M7 Digital Camera , which are more decked out with features than other options.

Do people still use camcorders for home videos?

While some people have swapped out traditional camcorders for smart devices to capture their family moments, traditional video camcorders prioritize video shooting exclusively and may offer higher-quality results. “The camcorder is an excellent tool, both functionally and ergonomically,” Chin says. “Its design is still beloved by many video creators, enthusiasts, churches, pro videographers, and even news gatherers." If you're looking to buy a device entirely for capturing video footage, "a camcorder is a tool specifically designed and optimized to capture it," he notes. However, if you’re also looking to capture still photos, many video cameras, such as the GoPro HERO9 , offer that option as well.

What is the best brand of video camera?

The best video camera brand for your family depends on your intended uses. Canon, Sony, and Panasonic are among the most well-established, big-name brands in the field, offering top-of-the-line versions of traditional video cameras. However, there are many newer brands on the market with exciting, innovative options, like GoPro’s action cameras and devices designed specifically for vlogging, like the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera .

The 12 Best Family Video Cameras of 2023

The Best Family Video Cameras — Courtesy of Merchants / Photo Illustration by Alli Waataja for Verywell Family

Gone are the days when using a family video camera meant balancing a huge VHS recorder on your shoulder. These days, the options are nearly endless for high-tech video cameras that produce polished results for teens, toddlers, and anyone in the family.

Whether you’re using a video camera as a hobby, to vlog, or to document family events, the video cameras on our list suit every purpose—and every budget. As you search for your ideal match, consider durability, video quality, memory and storage, and overall ease of use.

To find the best video cameras for families, we interviewed Brandon Chin, a senior technical advisor at Canon, and Rene Gonzalez, CEO of Absolute R Production, for their feedback. We also researched popular, highly reviewed products at the top of their respective categories to ensure that you can capture your favorite family memories.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

GoPro Hero11 at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Kicteck Full HD Camcorder at Amazon

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Best for Kids:

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam at Amazon

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Best for Home Videos:

Panasonic Lumix ZS80 Digital Camera at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Teenagers:

Insta360 One X2 at Amazon

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Best for YouTube:

Sony Vlog Camera at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Photo and Video:

Canon EOS Rebel T7 at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Suziyo Kids Camera at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best 4K:

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII M7 Digital Camera at Walmart

Jump to Review

Best for Sports:

GoPro HERO9 Black at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

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Pros

High-resolution photo and video
Vast field of vision
Water-repelling lens

Cons

Storage card not included

GoPro is one of those names like Kleenex: just about synonymous with the product itself. In this case, the product is the action video camera, and GoPro’s latest version has so many features that make it a top-performing family video camera in a teeny tiny package.

This version has a new image sensor with the most expansive field of view ever on a Hero camera, and you have tons of control over your shot: You can zoom in, crop, change digital lenses, adjust aspect ratios, and more. Plus, the image quality is incredible, with 5.3K video and 27 MP photos.

A water-repelling lens cover helps eliminate lens flare and liquid to keep your images clear. Record high-resolution video that can be played back in 8x slow motion to catch incredible details you might miss at normal speed. The camera’s ultra-smooth (and Emmy-winning) image stabilization technology keeps your footage straight even when your camera rotates 360 degrees.

In addition to the camera, you get a battery, carrying case, curved adhesive mount, mounting buckle, thumb screw, and USB-C cable. A storage card is not included.

Price at time of publication: $500

^{Key Specs:
Type: Action video camera | Resolution: 5.3K video and 27 MP photos | Shooting Speed: 60fps | Battery Life: 61 minutes at 5.3K/60fps | Storage: SD card (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Budget-friendly price point
Lightweight and compact
Large, rotating LCD display

Cons

No memory card included
External mic not supported

This lightweight video camera is a great starter family camera at a budget-friendly price point. A sizable three-inch LCD screen rotates 270 degrees for convenient viewing, and the camera supports 1080P resolution for videos and a 24-megapixel resolution for photos. It also has 16-times digital zoom, a built-in fill light, face capture, a self-timer, and a range of other useful features.

You can use this device as a webcam by connecting to a computer with a USB cable, which is great for virtual learning or meetings. The digital camera comes with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and you can even record while charging. This camera also supports an LED light and standard tripod (not included), so you can produce quality videos with this accessibly-priced gadget.

Price at time of publication: $74

^{Key Specs:
Type: Camcorder | Resolution: 1080P(15FPS) AVI video resolution and 24M (6000 x 4500) JPEG image resolution | Shooting Speed: 15 fps | Battery Life: 60 to 90 minutes on a fully charged battery | Storage: Supports SD memory card and MMC cards 4GB up to 128GB (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Low price point
Cool special effects
Suite of accessories included

Cons

Short battery life

This HD video camera may be designed for kids, but it’s a powerful tool. It comes with a built-in microphone and special effects like time-lapse video and more than 20 animated backgrounds (for instance, your kiddo can pretend they’re being chased by a T-rex in their home videos). To bring these special effects to life, the camera comes with a handy piece of green screen fabric. Also included with the camera is a suite of accessories, including a tabletop tripod, selfie stick, wrist strap, and rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The camera is available in a few colors, and you can upload the recorded videos to a computer with the included USB cable.

Price at time of publication: $70

^{Key Specs:
Type: HD video camera | Resolution: 720p | Shooting Speed: Not listed | Battery Life: About 90 minutes | Storage: Up to 32 GB on an SD card (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Powerful zoom
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities
Wide-angle lens

Cons

No external microphone interface

A high-quality, portable video camera is a must-have for recording family videos, and this Panasonic digital camera delivers. It features a 24-millimeter wide-angle lens, a 30-times optical zoom, and 4k video, as well as a tiltable, touch-control monitor so you can easily get the best angle for the shot. Get creative with family videos using effects like fast motion mode, stop motion animation, and time-lapse recording. To charge, simply connect it to a power source with a USB cord—no batteries are needed.

Price at time of publication: $448

^{Key Specs:
Type: HD Camcorder | Resolution: 2160p | Storage: Memory card not included}

4.2

Best Buy

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Pros

Portable size
Wi-Fi enabled
Water-resistant

Cons

May get warm with use

This compact digital video camera fits in a pocket but has tons of powerful features. With an impressive 5.75K resolution and an ultra-bright touchscreen, this latest incarnation of the camera also offers a steady camera mode and top-notch stabilization. Immersive 360-degree audio reduces noise from wind and other distractions, and it’s water-resistant up to 33 feet. Teens can easily control their shots using the voice control feature or directly from their Apple device. With the Wi-Fi-enabled camera, teens can also crop their creations and share them directly on social media.

Price at time of publication: $430

^{Key Specs:
Type: Digital video camera | Resolution: 1080p | Shooting Speed: 120 fps | Battery Life: Not listed | Storage: MicroSD card with up to 1TB (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Wide-angle shooting
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled
Easy to use, great for beginners

Cons

No wrist strap included

Made with content creators and vloggers in mind, this Sony camera has a large 1-inch sensor with a wide-angle lens so you can fit everything into the frame. The technology recognizes human faces and eyes, keeping them bright and sharply focused, with beautiful and natural skin tones for everyone. You can artfully defocus backgrounds with the press of a button, and the camera rotates to the side for the perfect selfie shot. A suite of 10 available creative presets makes editing fast and convenient.

Price at time of publication: $498

^{Key Specs:
Type: Vlog camera | Resolution: 20.1 megapixels, 4k | Shooting Speed: 24 fps or 30 fps | Battery Life: 60 minutes (stop and start shooting) or 90 minutes (continuous shooting) | Storage: 100GB of cloud storage from Google One included}

Amazon

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Pros

Top image quality for both photos and video
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
Works as a webcam

Cons

No USB charging or powering

The EOS Rebel T7 boasts top-notch photo and video capabilities to capture all kinds of family moments. The camera can shoot video in full HD, while the 24.1-megapixel sensor offers impressive image quality. It also features several focus modes, including autofocus, still shooting, face detection, and more.

Content creators can use this camera to livestream with the built-in Wi-Fi since it works as a webcam when connected to Mac and Windows computers. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery is included, and the Wi-Fi compatibility means you can upload your photos to a compatible smart device within seconds.

Price at time of publication: $479

^{Key Specs:
Type: DSLR camera | Resolution: 1080p, 21.4 megapixels | Shooting Speed: 3 fps | Battery Life: Not listed | Storage: SD card (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Budget-friendly
Built for little hands
Available in lots of colors

Cons

Low audio playback quality

Designed for kids as young as 3 years old, this compact, auto-focus camera shoots photo and video and handles voice recording. Even though it’s a simple gadget, it offers some nice features including time-lapse, a self-timer, and four games. There are also several backgrounds and filters that kids can choose from. The camera, which is available in multiple fun colors, shoots 24 megapixels and 1080p video. A 2.4-inch screen and included lanyard make it easy for kids to use.

Price at time of publication: $50

^{Key Specs:
Type: Video camera | Resolution: 24 megapixels and 1080p video | Shooting Speed: Not listed | Battery Life: 2 hours | Storage: 32GB Micro SD card (included)}

Best Buy

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Pros

Shoots in ultra-high definition
180-degree tilting touchscreen
Powerful zoom lens

Cons

Expensive

Expect top-of-the-line autofocus and speed from this compact camera, which offers continuous shooting at up to 20 fps and single burst shooting at 90 fps to capture high-resolution content. It also offers 4K video recording, a magnifying zoom lens, a 180-degree tilting touchscreen, and real-time tracking so you can capture moving kiddos.

While it is expensive, this is a powerful camera for professionals and amateur home movie makers alike. It comes with a wrist strap and strap adapter to keep the camera secure, and an included micro-USB cable allows you to easily upload your content to a computer.

Price at time of publication: $1,000

^{Key Specs:
Type: Digital camera | Resolution: UHD 4K30p Video, 20.1MP | Shooting Speed: Up to 90 fps | Battery Life: 260 images | Storage: Handles SDXC, SDHC, and SD cards from 4GB to 1TB}

4.2

Best Buy

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Pros

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled
Touch-to-zoom feature
Waterproof to 33 feet

Cons

Choking hazard for little kids

This earlier GoPro model rings up at a lower price point than the newest versions, and it still has impressively powerful features. Shoot highly detailed video with up to 5K resolution and still photos with 20-megapixel clarity. A sizable rear screen with a touch-to-zoom feature complements a front display for easy framing and control. Live stream in 1080p on social media and enjoy super smooth camera stabilization. This rugged camera is waterproof to 33 feet, so it’s up for nearly any adventure.

Note that this camera has small parts and should be kept away from children under 3 years old to prevent a choking hazard.

Price at time of publication: $350

^{Key Specs:
Type: Action video camera | Resolution: 5K video, 20 MP, 1080p live streaming | Shooting Speed: 30 fps at 5k | Battery Life: 90 minutes when shooting in 5k | Storage: MicroSD, MicroSDHC, or MicroSDXC card (not included)}

Amazon

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Pros

Easy in-device video editing for beginners
Full functionality outside of video
Interfaces with all Apple devices

Cons

Fewer features than traditional options

Sure, this famous Apple gadget is technically a tablet and not a video camera, but it’s so easy to edit and shoot videos on this device that it’s a worthy addition to our list. Built-in mics and landscape stereo speakers capture, replay, and refine the high-quality sound, and with an Apple Pencil, you can doodle on your shots to create cool graphics. The wide 12-megapixel back camera and the ultra-wide, auto-centering 12-megapixel front camera are great for filming professional and personal content alike. Plus, in addition to the iPad’s photo and video capabilities, you get the full functionalities and features of a top-of-the-line tablet.

Price at time of publication: $429

^{Key Specs:
Type: Tablet | Resolution: 2160 x 1620 pixels | Shooting Speed: Up to 60 fps | Battery Life: Up to 10 hours | Storage: 64GB}

Amazon

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Pros

Lower price point
Tripod included

Cons

No lens cover

This webcam allows for effective live streaming and reliable audio with two omnidirectional microphones—one on either side of the camera—so your voice records clearly. Get premium video quality thanks to the full HD 1080p camera, which records 60 fps at 720p and has high-definition autofocus and light correction features. A tripod comes with the package so the camera stays stable while you stream.

Bonus: With this camera, you’ll also get a free six-month XSplit premium license, which unlocks a suite of video and audio editing technologies.

Price at time of publication: $100

^{Key Specs:
Type: Webcam | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Battery Life: USB-powered | Storage: N/A}

How We Selected the Best Family Video Cameras

To choose the best family video cameras, we spoke with Brandon Chin, a senior technical advisor at Canon, and Rene Gonzalez, CEO of Absolute R Production, for their feedback on what to look for in a quality family video camera. We also researched dozens of popular, highly reviewed products at the top of their respective categories with a range of price points to select our top picks.

What to Look for in Family Video Cameras

Type

When searching for a family video camera, you may want it to do more than just shoot videos. For instance, you may plan to use it for still photos or as a webcam, as well.

“Cameras have evolved a lot over their history, but the two major designs that still stand today are camcorders and cameras,” explains Chin. “Some people enjoy the traditional video camcorder designs, which prioritize video shooting, while many customers also enjoy the dual functionality of traditional cameras, which strike a balance of both photo and video capture capabilities.”

Our list even includes a tablet, the Apple iPad 10th Generation, which offers easy video shooting and editing in addition to a whole suite of other features.

Size and Ease of Use

While a larger camera may offer more features and higher-quality video, a bulky camera is not always ideal for getting footage of busy kiddos. Depending on your needs, a smaller camera with streamlined features can help you get every shot on the go. “I can run with my kids without having a bulky camera around my neck and not worrying about putting it in a safe place or prepping up my camera and missing a shot,” says Gonzalez. “And, I get to be present with my family.”

Memory and Storage

Consider how much memory and storage you will need for your purposes. Some video cameras come with a storage card included, but some require you to purchase one separately. If you shoot lots of content and need more storage, many cameras are compatible with separate memory cards that have a larger capacity. Several of the picks on our list also come with a USB cable so you can upload your photos and videos to a computer and clear up space on the camera.

Audio Capabilities

Video cameras typically have built-in audio capabilities that capture sound for family videos and video calls. Some have more advanced sound recording, like the Logitech C922 Pro Stream 1080p Webcam, which has an omnidirectional microphone on either side of the camera, ideal for podcasting and vlogging. Plus, consider whether you also need external audio-plug-in capabilities: “This is great sometimes if you like to record a family member in a more serious setting like your grandparents telling a story about how they met,” says Gonzalez.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a video camera cost?

Video cameras range in cost depending on their features and the intended user. Cameras designed for kids, like the Suziyo Kids Camera and VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam, retail for under $50 and have simpler features.
Many options that are suited for family videos cost under $500, but high-end cameras, fitting for serious hobbyists or professionals, can cost up to $1,000 or more. Pricier examples on our list include Canon EOS M50 Mark II Camera and Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII M7 Digital Camera, which are more decked out with features than other options.
Do people still use camcorders for home videos?

While some people have swapped out traditional camcorders for smart devices to capture their family moments, traditional video camcorders prioritize video shooting exclusively and may offer higher-quality results. “The camcorder is an excellent tool, both functionally and ergonomically,” Chin says. “Its design is still beloved by many video creators, enthusiasts, churches, pro videographers, and even news gatherers."
If you're looking to buy a device entirely for capturing video footage, "a camcorder is a tool specifically designed and optimized to capture it," he notes. However, if you’re also looking to capture still photos, many video cameras, such as the GoPro HERO9, offer that option as well.
What is the best brand of video camera?

The best video camera brand for your family depends on your intended uses. Canon, Sony, and Panasonic are among the most well-established, big-name brands in the field, offering top-of-the-line versions of traditional video cameras. However, there are many newer brands on the market with exciting, innovative options, like GoPro’s action cameras and devices designed specifically for vlogging, like the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Alesandra Dubin is a professional product reviewer in the parenting and lifestyle space. She’s also a mom to boy-girl twins and a creator of content both professionally and personally.