Original: The Best Mics and Cameras for Streaming
Game streaming is both an audio and visual experience. This fact means that your two most important pieces of gear are your mic and camera. Sound is arguably of a higher priority, as viewers will be much more sensitive to peaking audio than a lower resolution picture.
That being said, ensuring you’ve got a solid mic and camera will make for a much better viewing experience.
We review the best mics and cameras for streaming on Twitch and YouTube.
Best mics for streaming
When choosing a mic, you’re looking at two categories. USB mics are a simple plug-n-play affair, no extra equipment required. However, their audio tends to be more compressed. On the other hand, XLR mics can be leaps and bounds pricier if you factor in the need for a mixer or audio interface. The sound you’ll get, though, makes it worth the financial setback.
USB Pick: Elgato Wave 3
Until Elgato hit the streaming mic scene, the king of USB was hands down the Blue Yeti. It’s still a solid pick but the Elgato Wave 3 edges it out because of a few key features. For one, it can be managed and adjusted through Elgato’s Wave Link app, meaning you can adjust its audio levels as though you had a physical mixer. Furthermore, it’s a mic that’s been designed with spoken word in mind, making it easy to get the right levels you need for your stream. Finally, its compactness makes it a far more convenient piece of kit to fit on nearly any streaming setup.
XLR Pick: Shure SM7b
There are tons of XLR mics out there that’ll sound much better than a USB mic. But, if you’re looking for the best, there’s no beating the god-tier SM7B by Shure. You’ve seen this bad boy in just about every popular YouTuber and streamer’s content and that’s for a reason. It’s the mic you get when you want that rich broadcast-level sound that harks back to radio and podcasting. It’ll set you back an arm and a leg, given that it needs a boost to its gain, but once you have it, your audio quality is set for life.
Best cameras for streaming
As with mics, camera equipment for game streaming can be divided into two types: webcams and proper cameras. The former is the plug-n-play experience that requires very little tweaking and added gear. The latter, on top of being a pricier option, also needs a fair bit of added work while also requiring a capture card like the Elgato Camlink.
Webcam Pick: Elgato Facecam
Once again, Elgato has been able to outdo a good chunk of the webcam competition with its Facecam. For a slightly higher price than a Logitech Brio, you get a device capable of streaming your face in full 1080p at 60 fps. Its sensors and lenses will deliver vibrant and balanced colors and crystal clear images even in lower light situations. On top of that, the Facecam has one of the best build qualities on the market and a fairly wide field of view for capturing sizeable rooms and backdrops.
Camera Pick: Sony a5100
The mirrorless camera of choice for a game streamer is the Sony a5100. Although it may be slightly harder to come by, this camera has a ton going for it that edges out most of its peers. A big plus is that it’s got a compact body with changeable lenses, meaning you get the DSLR experience without needing to shell out a ton of cash. Furthermore, it can output cleanly through mini HDMI. Finally, it has professional-grade manual settings that’ll enable you to push its incredibly powerful sensor to its limits.
Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but these picks are tried and true options to up your game now.
Final words
Picking the best mics and cameras for streaming online isn’t always straightforward. However, if you want to create a professional look, use our guide to pick the best mics and cameras for streaming on Twitch. For more, check out Think Media’s clip on the best cameras for streaming.
Related: Selecting the Right Gear for Twitch Streaming – Cameras for streaming and more