By Rachel Kiley
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Pulling together all the gear you need to start your YouTube career can be overwhelming when you’re building your equipment stash up from scratch. Fortunately, a number of camera companies offer bundles that give you everything you need to get a jumpstart without having to dive in and research every individual item yourself. Not sure which content creator kit, if any, is right for you? Read on…
The Benefits of Buying a Content Creator Kit
Anytime you can get all the basics in one fell swoop is guaranteed to save you potentially hours of research. Content creator kits generally provide the things you’ll need right up front—a camera plus a variety of accessories, sometimes including a tripod, microphone, memory card, and more. This way, you know off the bat that every item is compatible and don’t get overwhelmed trying to learn all sorts of things about your potential new equipment before you even have it in your hands.
Because the items are bundled, they usually come in at a lower price point than they would if you were to purchase them individually, as well, which is great for anyone operating within a specific budget. It stops you from blowing all your money on a couple of pieces of equipment only to realize there are other things you need before you can get started.
That said, buying a YouTube starter kit may not be the right choice for you if you already have some equipment you’re happy with, or you’re particularly tech-savvy and feel confident shopping for individual items that best fit your needs.
But for anyone else, let’s talk bundles.
What to Look for in a Content Creator Kit
The camera is the most important aspect of your bundle. It’s worth taking the time to research some of the more popular cameras among content creators, either before you start diving into bundles or after you’ve found some that catch your eye.
At the very least, it’s good to know what type of videos you hope to make. Will you be vlogging from a stationary indoor location? Do you plan to do travel vlogs, and need a camera that can hold up to the weather? Or maybe you just want something to learn with for now, with plans to upgrade once you find your content creation groove.
From there, think about what accessories you might want, or if there’s the gear you already have and don’t need, as well as if there is anything you would prefer to buy separately. It’s also a good idea to make sure you don’t get too caught up in buying something just because there are a lot of cool gadgets that come along with it if they aren’t pieces of equipment you actually want or need to use.
Now let’s take a look at some of the more popular YouTube starter kits and see what might be right for you!
1) Canon EOS M50 Mark II Content Creator Kit
This is a great kit for beginners looking to jump into the content creation game with a full bundle. The M50 Mark II is a quality option that allows you the flexibility of swapping out lenses as you become more comfortable with your new camera. It also allows you to record vertically for easy upload to TikTok, or you can even livestream directly to YouTube.
In addition to a basic lens to get you started, this kit comes with a tabletop tripod that doubles as a grip so you can record yourself on the go, as well as a microphone that plugs directly into the camera.
What’s included:
- EOS M50 Mark II (body)
- EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens
- Tripod Grip HG-100TBR
- Stereo Microphone DM-E100
- camera cover, lens cap, lens dust cap, strap, battery charger, battery pack, terminal cover, USB interface cable
Price: $899.99
2) Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Content Creator Kit
If you are mostly focused on purchasing a bundle with a quality camera and are okay with looking elsewhere for audio equipment, this might be the one. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a compact camera that packs a powerful punch. Its flip-up screen will make vlogging a breeze, and its small size makes it a versatile option for wherever you decide to record.
A tripod that doubles as a grip is included in this kit as well, although you’re on your own for the microphone here. But if you can push your budget to buy a microphone elsewhere, the quality this camera has to offer will be worth it.
What’s included:
- PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- Tripod Grip HG-100TBR
- 32GB SDHC memory card
- battery pack, battery charger, wrist strap
Price: $899.00
3) Sony ZV-1 Compact Digital Vlogging Camera Bundle
The Sony ZV-1 has become a popular option among vloggers, and it isn’t difficult to see why. The built-in lens and real-time tracking system work together to keep the subject in focus and brightly lit in a variety of environments.
The fact that this bundle offers a wide variety of accessories to not only help you record your videos but keep your gear clean and in good shape is also a major bonus. The included tripod and microphone are fairly basic, but you can unbox this and get started with everything you need the same day.
What’s included:
- Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera
- OKTO 10 Tripod
- 72” Mono pod
- microphone
- Sony CS-J Case
- two memory cards (32GB and 64GB)
- battery pack, wind screen, micro-USB cable, cleaning lens pen, dust blower, cleaning kit, and more
Price: $699.00
4) DJI Pocket 2 Camera Creator Combo
The DJI Pocket 2 is known for its small size and object tracking. The camera quality itself isn’t going to compete with the higher-priced models out there, but it’s a good alternative for anyone looking to pinch some pennies and be able to easily carry a camera on them anywhere they go.
Much of the gear and accessories included in this bundle are specific to the DJI Pocket 2, which means they are optimized to work well together, but also means you don’t have a ton of flexibility if you want to upgrade in the future. That said, at this price point, it may still be worth it.
What’s included:
- DJI Pocket 2
- Do-It-All Handle
- Mini Control Stick
- micro tripod
- tripod mount
- wide-angle lens
- wireless microphone transmitter and windscreen
- wrist strap, cover, USB splitter charging cable, adapter, and more
Price: $499.99
5) GoPro HERO10 Action Camera Bundle
GoPros aren’t just for action shots, although they certainly excel at them. In addition to boasting the slim design, waterproof qualities, and scratch protection these cameras are known for, their capacity for livestreaming and ease of use make them a versatile option for anyone on a budget.
The gear included—particularly the Shorty, which functions as both an extension pole and a mini-tripod—will get you started on your content creation quest right away.
What’s included:
- HERO10 Action Camera
- GoPro Shorty
- carrying case
- magnetic swivel clip
- two batteries, adhesive mount, USB-C cable
Price: $429.99
