
So you want to get started in vlogging and making videos for YouTube but aren’t sure where to start when it comes to equipment. All you know is that you want your videos to be crisp, engaging, and high quality. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! From the best camera bodies and lenses to microphones, lights, and file storage, here is the best equipment for starting your own vlog.
We start by outlining the equipment in our camera bag and why (we run a YouTube channel featuring videos on food and travel — check it out!). We then offer a full, detailed list of recommendations, including more information on the pros and cons of each.
Keep in mind that travel vlogging and building a following on YouTube — if you want to create high-quality videos that capture and keep the attention of your target audience — does require an upfront investment. Equipment is expensive. However, it’s a fixed cost that won’t reoccur other than the occasional repair, maintenance, and replacement (which, if you choose wisely, shouldn’t happen too often).
If you are interested in vlogging as a hobby, don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on equipment, and want something to get started quickly, we’ve got you covered as well.
Keep scrolling and you’ll be ready to start vlogging in no time!
Table of Contents
I. What’s in Our Camera Bag?
II. Best Cameras for Travel Vlogging
III. Our Favorite Camera Lenses
IV. Tripods
V. Audio
VI. SSD Cards & Hard Drives
VII. Drones
VIII. Other Gear
IX. All-in-One Vlogging Equipment
X. More Resources for Starting a Travel Vlog
Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we will earn a small commission at no cost to you. We use the majority of equipment listed below and only recommend products we truly believe in. Thank you for the support!
What's in Our Camera Bag? Travel Vlogging Equipment 101

Here is the basic equipment that we always travel with. All of it fits into a backpack for long days of on-the-go filming!
- Sony a7 III camera body (and we just pre-ordered the Sony Alpha 7 IV!). We will be using both cameras to get more shots as we continue to grow our YouTube channel, but one camera worked just fine as well.
- Sony 16-35mm camera lens. This is the lens we use to shoot most of the footage you see on our current YouTube videos.
- JOBY GorillaPod tripod. It’s bendy, flexible, and very compact, as you can see in the photo on the left!
- Sennheiser wireless microphone system to ensure that we have optimal audio quality in our videos. We also use a Rode microphone when we’re shooting multiple subjects.
- DJI Air 2S drone
- Sony TOUGH-M series SDXC UHS-II Card
- Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB. We have three of these that we consider our most precious possessions — lots of footage to store!
- Godox mini LED video light
- Rode NT-USB-Mini USB Microphone Bundle. We don’t lug this around with when we are filming, but we do travel with it to record voiceovers on the go.