Essential Gear for Filming at Home

The question I get most from everyone (professionals, students, my mom’s friends) is “What do you use to film?”

Of the factors that determine video quality, equipment is actually the least important... but since people keep asking, here are my recommendations for cameras, microphones, and lights.

They’re the same ones I give to Onlea’s clients when they ask how to produce better videos themselves. They're based on my own experiences in professional video production as well as what I've learned in the last few years as I’ve turned my own home into a passable film studio.

Your Camera

First, an important point of reference: just about any camera you might consider for filming will be lightyears ahead of the built-in one on your laptop in terms of image quality.

Even a standard smartphone camera will offer a boost in quality. I will work with my phone footage in a pinch and for many people this is all they really need.

That said, here are three cameras that will give you a better image in your videos, from cheapest to most expensive.

1. AnkerWork C310 Webcam

The AnkerWork C310 is a 4K webcam that is friendly, portable, and versatile. It provides a sharp image, an excellent colour profile, and a nice little privacy screen for when you’re not using it.

It also has settings that allow you control over exposure, white balance, and colour, so you can tune the image to your liking.

The AnkerWork C310 comes with some decent software that allows you to record directly to your computer. This is much easier than saving to an SD card and transferring the files to your computer.

It can be mounted on a tripod or right on the top of your monitor.

Find it at Best Buy: AnkerWork C310 Webcam.

2. Insta360 Link

Powerful and easy-to-use, this is my personal camera of choice for all of my virtual meetings and work presentations.

The Link has an incredibly sharp image. Because it’s gimbal mounted, you don’t need to stay glued to your chair while filming. It will follow your movement and allow for a much more dynamic-feeling video.

Like the AnkerWork C310, this camera comes with software for recording directly to your hard drive and can be mounted on a tripod or right on your monitor.

Find it at Visions Electronics: Insta360 Link.

3. Panasonic Lumix G7 Mirrorless

While I do all my serious filming on a Panasonic BGH1 cinema camera, it costs over two grand and is way more camera than any reasonable person needs for at home or in the office. (I am not a reasonable person.)

Instead, I recommend the much more affordable Lumix G7, which I use as my B cam alongside the BGH1.

This camera records high quality images and is great both in a studio and out in the world. You can control it using an app, which is super helpful when you're working by yourself.

Keep in mind when stepping up to this level of camera is that it is modular—meaning you’ll need accessories. Lenses, a tripod, SD cards to store your files and readers to transfer them to your computer… This kind of stuff can be a big jump in time and money investment.

If you already own a mirrorless camera of a different brand I’m sure it will work just fine for what you’re trying to do. For someone just starting out, I would suggest one of the other cameras instead.

Find it at Henrys: Panasonic Lumix G7 Mirrorless.

Your Microphone

Neglecting audio is the number one mistake people make when recording their own videos. Sound is half of the equation, but I can’t count the number of videos I see that look wonderful and sound terrible.

It's possible to get by on the built-in mics on earbuds or wireless headphones, but there are huge gains in quality with a decent, purpose-built microphone.

Here are three affordable options that will do the trick.

1. Sennheiser XS LAV USB-C Lavalier Microphone

This high quality, clip-on microphone makes you look like a professional news anchor. It sounds fantastic and requires virtually no setup.

The XS LAV has a cable that plugs right into your computer, which means it doesn't need batteries and won't suddenly run out of power at an inopportune moment.

Because it’s hardwired, it does tether you to your computer, but the cable is a generous six feet long. As long as you're not teaching calisthenic videos, you should be fine.

Find it at Henrys: Sennheiser XS LAV USB-C Lavalier.

2. Rode Wireless Go II Single Wireless Condenser Microphone System

The Go II is another clip-on microphone, but this one is wireless, and has built-in batteries that are charged via a USB-C cable.

The receiver can be plugged directly into your computer, camera, or phone. It also has up to 40 hours internal recording, allowing you a handy a back-up of your audio.

Find it at Best Buy: Rode Wireless Go II.

3. Godox WMicS1 Kit 2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System

This professional-grade wireless microphone package is perfect for recording interviews or doing presentations with a partner, as it lets you connect two microphones.

The packs take AA batteries and are incredibly reliable. This system is extremely easy to use while achieving high-end results.

Find it at Downtown Camera: Godox WMicS1 Kit 2

Your Lighting

Believe it or not, lights are the equipment that can provide the largest impact on your home video production for the least amount of money. The right lighting can make you look friendlier and more attractive, your home look bigger, and your video look like you hired a professional videographer.

Here are three options to greatly improve your lighting.

1. Quadstar LED Bulbs

The easiest way to improve your lighting is to swap the bulbs in your existing lamps with film-grade bulbs. My own home studio just has some regular living room lamps with Quadstar bulbs. This approach is much less expensive than buying film lights, and they fit nicely into whatever size space you're using.

These bulbs are much brighter than regular lights, and won’t flicker on camera. They provide a colour temperature of 5500 Kelvins, which is a nice, even, and forgiving tone.

I pair these bulbs with a simple Ikea plug-in socket and a paper shade. This combination gives me a much nicer effect than even a fancy ring light could achieve.

Find it at Strobepro: Quadstar LED Bulb

2. Quadstar LED Softbox

If you’ve got the space to accommodate “real lights,” I can happily recommend the Quadstar LED Softbox. This set combines four of the LED light bulbs mentioned above with a softbox apparatus and a light stand.

A softbox is basically a large box lined inside with reflective material and a fabric diffuser. This allows the very bright light to be scattered outward in a soft and even way. Almost every interview you’ve ever seen on TV was lit with a softbox.

This is professional-grade lighting, but easy to set up and use.

Find it at Strobepro: Quadstar LED Softbox

3. Godox TL60 LED Tube Lights

Want to take your lighting to the next level? This pair of LED tube lights are beautiful, flexible, and powerful.

They can produce any colour of light you could wish for, are dimmable, and can be plugged in or powered by their built-in batteries.

The TL60 tube lights come with a remote control, and will even daisy chain together in large groups to a stunning effect. Plus, their slender profile means they can fit into rooms that can’t fit a standard softbox.

These are truly professional lights, but here’s a warning: if you buy these, you’re going to find yourself wanting more than just two! We have four at the Onlea film studio, and love using them!

Find it at Strobepro: Godox TL60 LED Tube Lights

Want to Know More?

This covers the essential gear you'll need to get started making more polished-looking videos for yourself. If you want to learn how to get the most of out them, take a look my online course: Make Better Videos