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"Capturing Quality Lens Recommendations for Content Makers"
Capturing Quality: Lens Recommendations for Content Makers
Best Camera Lenses for YouTube
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.
Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop
There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.
We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.
Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:
Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops
In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.
1.What is a lens’s aperture?
The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.
Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.
2.What is an ‘f-stop’?
Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.
F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.
F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.
Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses
The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.
Standard lenses
These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.
Macro lenses
Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.
Telephoto lenses
The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.
Wide-angle lenses
Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.
Specialist lenses
YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.
Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos
Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.
| Camera Lens | Type | Price | Aperture | Focal Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens | Wide angle | $279 | f/4.5-5.6 | 10 -18mm |
| Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 | Fisheye | $249 | f/3.5 | 8mm |
| Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Prime | $125 | f/1.8 | 50mm |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens | Telephoto | $999 | f/2 | 135mm |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 | Standard Zoom | $299 | f/2.8 | 17 -50mm |
| Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro | Macro | $278 | f/3.5 | 30mm |
1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.
2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens
Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.
3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.
If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.
4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens
Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.
5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens
The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.
A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.
6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro
All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.
If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.
Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop
There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.
We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.
Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:
Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops
In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.
1.What is a lens’s aperture?
The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.
Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.
2.What is an ‘f-stop’?
Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.
F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.
F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.
Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses
The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.
Standard lenses
These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.
Macro lenses
Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.
Telephoto lenses
The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.
Wide-angle lenses
Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.
Specialist lenses
YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.
Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos
Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.
| Camera Lens | Type | Price | Aperture | Focal Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens | Wide angle | $279 | f/4.5-5.6 | 10 -18mm |
| Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 | Fisheye | $249 | f/3.5 | 8mm |
| Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Prime | $125 | f/1.8 | 50mm |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens | Telephoto | $999 | f/2 | 135mm |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 | Standard Zoom | $299 | f/2.8 | 17 -50mm |
| Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro | Macro | $278 | f/3.5 | 30mm |
1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.
2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens
Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.
3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.
If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.
4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens
Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.
5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens
The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.
A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.
6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro
All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.
If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.
Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop
There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.
We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.
Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:
Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops
In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.
1.What is a lens’s aperture?
The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.
Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.
2.What is an ‘f-stop’?
Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.
F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.
F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.
Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses
The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.
Standard lenses
These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.
Macro lenses
Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.
Telephoto lenses
The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.
Wide-angle lenses
Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.
Specialist lenses
YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.
Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos
Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.
| Camera Lens | Type | Price | Aperture | Focal Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens | Wide angle | $279 | f/4.5-5.6 | 10 -18mm |
| Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 | Fisheye | $249 | f/3.5 | 8mm |
| Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Prime | $125 | f/1.8 | 50mm |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens | Telephoto | $999 | f/2 | 135mm |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 | Standard Zoom | $299 | f/2.8 | 17 -50mm |
| Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro | Macro | $278 | f/3.5 | 30mm |
1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.
2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens
Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.
3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.
If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.
4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens
Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.
5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens
The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.
A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.
6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro
All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.
If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.
Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop
There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.
We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.
Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:
Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops
In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.
1.What is a lens’s aperture?
The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.
Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.
2.What is an ‘f-stop’?
Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.
F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.
F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.
Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses
The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.
Standard lenses
These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.
Macro lenses
Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.
Telephoto lenses
The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.
Wide-angle lenses
Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.
Specialist lenses
YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.
Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos
Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.
| Camera Lens | Type | Price | Aperture | Focal Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens | Wide angle | $279 | f/4.5-5.6 | 10 -18mm |
| Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 | Fisheye | $249 | f/3.5 | 8mm |
| Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Prime | $125 | f/1.8 | 50mm |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens | Telephoto | $999 | f/2 | 135mm |
| Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 | Standard Zoom | $299 | f/2.8 | 17 -50mm |
| Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro | Macro | $278 | f/3.5 | 30mm |
1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.
2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens
Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.
3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.
If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.
4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens
Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.
5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens
The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.
A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.
6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro
All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.
If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
How to Make Shorts Into Compact MP4 Files
Create Your YouTube Shorts with Wondershare Filmora
An easy and powerful YouTube Shorts editor
Numerous video and audio effects to choose from
Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel
Video production entails a lot more than just composing and sharing your videos. You need the correct format to accomplish some tasks, especially when sharing them online. People use different devices and versions that are not automatically compatible with all video file formats. YouTube Shorts is one such video production platform that lets creators compose compelling short videos for sharing with their audience. More so, Shorts lets you record music, edit your video and get it ready for sharing. But not all roses are smooth, some are thorny and you may find it necessary to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 to enable access by your audience.
In this article
01 Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
02 How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
03 Tutorial for How to Record on GarageBand
Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
Most YouTube Shorts are not easily accessible on mobile devices. Occasionally, users experience YouTube Shorts not showing issue , which prompts them to look for solutions for resolving the problem. You might be wondering whether converting your files is one such solution. Ideally yes! Find below, possible reasons for downloading and converting YouTube Shorts to MP4.
1) Content optimization for other devices
Mobile technology keeps changing and various devices’ versions are continually on the rise. Some devices aren’t compatible with various video formats and codecs . Converting the videos to MP4 opens avenues for access on any device and platform like emails. This is because MP4 files are supported by almost all modern devices and you can optimize videos for operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, etc.
2) Compression
YouTube Shorts are designed to run for about 15 seconds. This is an indication that they are not fully compressed in terms of codec. Converting the files to MP4 format ensures that the file size is reduced, enabling playing on any platform without buffering. Luckily, there is no quality loss but it’s just the size is made smaller to fit any device.
3) To support animated GIFs
Animated GIFs add value to your videos. However, social media does not support GIFs among other formats. To keep the fun going, you will need to convert your video to accommodate formats like GIFs, among others.
4) Portability
Another reason to get YouTube shorts to MP4 is for portability issues. Since MP4 are highly accessible on numerous devices and platforms, you can easily import your files via USB flash drive and other external hard disks to other devices. With this, there is also no hindrance in sharing your files online and on other platforms.
5) Lossless quality
MP4 file format supports a high degree of lossless output quality as compared to other file formats. MP4 is highly preferred so that the recipient achieves the original output quality of the converted file. With MP4, you can also retain other parameters like title, sample rate, and channel among others.
How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
The importance of converting videos to MP4 format is weighty. But how do you convert YouTube Shorts to MP4? Plenty of apps are available for easy conversion. Both free, paid, and online converter apps can serve the purpose. Let’s check how to convert your files for free with the Freemake app, via an online app, and using the reliable tool, Filmora.
1. Convert YouTube Shorts video to MP4 with Freemake
This is an easy-to-use converter that you use freely to trim your videos as well as convert them to various formats. The drawbacks are that it leaves a watermark on your videos and will bundle you with extra software for installation with its free version. You, however, can evade this if you upgrade to the Premium version.
Step 1. Download Freemake
First, use any browser to download the Freemake app on your computer. Then choose custom installation. You also have the chance to deselect popping optional applications that present themselves for installation.
Step 2. Launch the app
Then open the app and click on the “+” video button. Next, navigate to the video that you wish to convert from YouTube Shorts.
Step 3. Choose the MP4 file
From the list of files, choose to convert your files to MP4 file format. Also, choose a name and location to save your converted video.
Step 4. Convert your video
Finally, click on the “Convert” tab to start the conversion process of your video. You can also make other changes like customizing the output parameters such as codec and resolution to your preferences. Once done, hit the “OK” button to complete the process.
2. 2) Convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 online
Easily engage an online tool to convert YouTube shorts to MP4 popular format with CloudConvert MP4 converter. Besides MP4, this app supports over 200 file formats like WEBM, AVI, MOV, among other formats. More so, you can use the options to control your video resolution and quality. When you convert your video to MP4, you can now easily share your videos over the internet, and converting it online gives you an upper hand. CloudConvert is trusted for data security as it won’t keep any files on its database. It will also give you high-quality file conversions.
Step 1. Select file
First, choose the YouTube Short video that you wish to convert to MP4. You can add your file from your computer or online sources like YouTube into the converter.
Step 2. Customize settings
CloudConvert lets you customize the output settings like video codec, bitrate, resolution, and file format. Just click on the drop-down arrow on every section and choose your preferences. Then hit the “Okay” button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Convert file to MP4
Wait for the YouTube Shorts to be converted to MP4 format. You can then save your files to your computer and share them with friends via other social media apps like Instagram and Facebook. You can also directly post to Shorts as MP4 files.
3) Convert YouTube video to MP4 using Filmora
Using a free video converter like Freemake will leave a watermark on your videos and hinder the quality. You will not also get lossless quality as the original content on YouTube Shorts. In this case, you can engage the best video converter, Filmora, to losslessly convert your videos to quality output.
Key Features of Filmora
- Create high-quality as it gives you lossless content.
- Transform your video into spectacular output with overlays and filters.
- Add background music for optimum entertainment.
- Change your video background with the special effects from the Chroma key tool.
- Advanced editing of text by color, size, font, and animation among other features.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
How to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 with Filmora
Filmora is easy to use and will accommodate both professional and beginner video editors. Follow these steps to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Step 1. Import video clip to Filmora
You can use any device for the conversion process. Filmora supports an array of OS devices like iOS, Android, etc. First, launch the app on your device then click on the “Import Media Files” option.
Step 2. Organize footage
The next step is to drag and drop your video footage to the timeline. Filmora accommodates the merging of several video footages. You can make your videos into one big file. Just organize them according to how you want.
Step 3. Edit your video
Even though this is optional, you can edit your video to add more juice. These include splitting your video via the Splitter button. You can also delete unwanted areas and even add filters and other effects to your preferences.
Step 4. Convert and Export
When you are certain you have the perfect video, click on the “Export” tab to convert your files to MP4 format. Remember to set the final output to MP4 format among the available output options. Then freely play your video on any device and share it with friends on other platforms. There’ll be no hindrance anymore concerning compatibility issues.
Conclusion
You are not limited to using any video file format. Several reasons may also compel you to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4. And this is the best move if you want to reach as many audiences as possible. Remember that users employ different devices and platforms to access such videos. These range from mobile phones, media players, emails, among others. Converting your videos to MP4 enables easy sharing on any platform effortlessly. The best converter tool, Filmora, serves the purpose quite well. You won’t experience any data loss and be assured that your audience gets the same quality as the original file.
Video production entails a lot more than just composing and sharing your videos. You need the correct format to accomplish some tasks, especially when sharing them online. People use different devices and versions that are not automatically compatible with all video file formats. YouTube Shorts is one such video production platform that lets creators compose compelling short videos for sharing with their audience. More so, Shorts lets you record music, edit your video and get it ready for sharing. But not all roses are smooth, some are thorny and you may find it necessary to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 to enable access by your audience.
In this article
01 Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
02 How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
03 Tutorial for How to Record on GarageBand
Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
Most YouTube Shorts are not easily accessible on mobile devices. Occasionally, users experience YouTube Shorts not showing issue , which prompts them to look for solutions for resolving the problem. You might be wondering whether converting your files is one such solution. Ideally yes! Find below, possible reasons for downloading and converting YouTube Shorts to MP4.
1) Content optimization for other devices
Mobile technology keeps changing and various devices’ versions are continually on the rise. Some devices aren’t compatible with various video formats and codecs . Converting the videos to MP4 opens avenues for access on any device and platform like emails. This is because MP4 files are supported by almost all modern devices and you can optimize videos for operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, etc.
2) Compression
YouTube Shorts are designed to run for about 15 seconds. This is an indication that they are not fully compressed in terms of codec. Converting the files to MP4 format ensures that the file size is reduced, enabling playing on any platform without buffering. Luckily, there is no quality loss but it’s just the size is made smaller to fit any device.
3) To support animated GIFs
Animated GIFs add value to your videos. However, social media does not support GIFs among other formats. To keep the fun going, you will need to convert your video to accommodate formats like GIFs, among others.
4) Portability
Another reason to get YouTube shorts to MP4 is for portability issues. Since MP4 are highly accessible on numerous devices and platforms, you can easily import your files via USB flash drive and other external hard disks to other devices. With this, there is also no hindrance in sharing your files online and on other platforms.
5) Lossless quality
MP4 file format supports a high degree of lossless output quality as compared to other file formats. MP4 is highly preferred so that the recipient achieves the original output quality of the converted file. With MP4, you can also retain other parameters like title, sample rate, and channel among others.
How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
The importance of converting videos to MP4 format is weighty. But how do you convert YouTube Shorts to MP4? Plenty of apps are available for easy conversion. Both free, paid, and online converter apps can serve the purpose. Let’s check how to convert your files for free with the Freemake app, via an online app, and using the reliable tool, Filmora.
1. Convert YouTube Shorts video to MP4 with Freemake
This is an easy-to-use converter that you use freely to trim your videos as well as convert them to various formats. The drawbacks are that it leaves a watermark on your videos and will bundle you with extra software for installation with its free version. You, however, can evade this if you upgrade to the Premium version.
Step 1. Download Freemake
First, use any browser to download the Freemake app on your computer. Then choose custom installation. You also have the chance to deselect popping optional applications that present themselves for installation.
Step 2. Launch the app
Then open the app and click on the “+” video button. Next, navigate to the video that you wish to convert from YouTube Shorts.
Step 3. Choose the MP4 file
From the list of files, choose to convert your files to MP4 file format. Also, choose a name and location to save your converted video.
Step 4. Convert your video
Finally, click on the “Convert” tab to start the conversion process of your video. You can also make other changes like customizing the output parameters such as codec and resolution to your preferences. Once done, hit the “OK” button to complete the process.
2. 2) Convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 online
Easily engage an online tool to convert YouTube shorts to MP4 popular format with CloudConvert MP4 converter. Besides MP4, this app supports over 200 file formats like WEBM, AVI, MOV, among other formats. More so, you can use the options to control your video resolution and quality. When you convert your video to MP4, you can now easily share your videos over the internet, and converting it online gives you an upper hand. CloudConvert is trusted for data security as it won’t keep any files on its database. It will also give you high-quality file conversions.
Step 1. Select file
First, choose the YouTube Short video that you wish to convert to MP4. You can add your file from your computer or online sources like YouTube into the converter.
Step 2. Customize settings
CloudConvert lets you customize the output settings like video codec, bitrate, resolution, and file format. Just click on the drop-down arrow on every section and choose your preferences. Then hit the “Okay” button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Convert file to MP4
Wait for the YouTube Shorts to be converted to MP4 format. You can then save your files to your computer and share them with friends via other social media apps like Instagram and Facebook. You can also directly post to Shorts as MP4 files.
3) Convert YouTube video to MP4 using Filmora
Using a free video converter like Freemake will leave a watermark on your videos and hinder the quality. You will not also get lossless quality as the original content on YouTube Shorts. In this case, you can engage the best video converter, Filmora, to losslessly convert your videos to quality output.
Key Features of Filmora
- Create high-quality as it gives you lossless content.
- Transform your video into spectacular output with overlays and filters.
- Add background music for optimum entertainment.
- Change your video background with the special effects from the Chroma key tool.
- Advanced editing of text by color, size, font, and animation among other features.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
How to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 with Filmora
Filmora is easy to use and will accommodate both professional and beginner video editors. Follow these steps to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Step 1. Import video clip to Filmora
You can use any device for the conversion process. Filmora supports an array of OS devices like iOS, Android, etc. First, launch the app on your device then click on the “Import Media Files” option.
Step 2. Organize footage
The next step is to drag and drop your video footage to the timeline. Filmora accommodates the merging of several video footages. You can make your videos into one big file. Just organize them according to how you want.
Step 3. Edit your video
Even though this is optional, you can edit your video to add more juice. These include splitting your video via the Splitter button. You can also delete unwanted areas and even add filters and other effects to your preferences.
Step 4. Convert and Export
When you are certain you have the perfect video, click on the “Export” tab to convert your files to MP4 format. Remember to set the final output to MP4 format among the available output options. Then freely play your video on any device and share it with friends on other platforms. There’ll be no hindrance anymore concerning compatibility issues.
Conclusion
You are not limited to using any video file format. Several reasons may also compel you to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4. And this is the best move if you want to reach as many audiences as possible. Remember that users employ different devices and platforms to access such videos. These range from mobile phones, media players, emails, among others. Converting your videos to MP4 enables easy sharing on any platform effortlessly. The best converter tool, Filmora, serves the purpose quite well. You won’t experience any data loss and be assured that your audience gets the same quality as the original file.
Video production entails a lot more than just composing and sharing your videos. You need the correct format to accomplish some tasks, especially when sharing them online. People use different devices and versions that are not automatically compatible with all video file formats. YouTube Shorts is one such video production platform that lets creators compose compelling short videos for sharing with their audience. More so, Shorts lets you record music, edit your video and get it ready for sharing. But not all roses are smooth, some are thorny and you may find it necessary to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 to enable access by your audience.
In this article
01 Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
02 How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
03 Tutorial for How to Record on GarageBand
Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
Most YouTube Shorts are not easily accessible on mobile devices. Occasionally, users experience YouTube Shorts not showing issue , which prompts them to look for solutions for resolving the problem. You might be wondering whether converting your files is one such solution. Ideally yes! Find below, possible reasons for downloading and converting YouTube Shorts to MP4.
1) Content optimization for other devices
Mobile technology keeps changing and various devices’ versions are continually on the rise. Some devices aren’t compatible with various video formats and codecs . Converting the videos to MP4 opens avenues for access on any device and platform like emails. This is because MP4 files are supported by almost all modern devices and you can optimize videos for operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, etc.
2) Compression
YouTube Shorts are designed to run for about 15 seconds. This is an indication that they are not fully compressed in terms of codec. Converting the files to MP4 format ensures that the file size is reduced, enabling playing on any platform without buffering. Luckily, there is no quality loss but it’s just the size is made smaller to fit any device.
3) To support animated GIFs
Animated GIFs add value to your videos. However, social media does not support GIFs among other formats. To keep the fun going, you will need to convert your video to accommodate formats like GIFs, among others.
4) Portability
Another reason to get YouTube shorts to MP4 is for portability issues. Since MP4 are highly accessible on numerous devices and platforms, you can easily import your files via USB flash drive and other external hard disks to other devices. With this, there is also no hindrance in sharing your files online and on other platforms.
5) Lossless quality
MP4 file format supports a high degree of lossless output quality as compared to other file formats. MP4 is highly preferred so that the recipient achieves the original output quality of the converted file. With MP4, you can also retain other parameters like title, sample rate, and channel among others.
How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
The importance of converting videos to MP4 format is weighty. But how do you convert YouTube Shorts to MP4? Plenty of apps are available for easy conversion. Both free, paid, and online converter apps can serve the purpose. Let’s check how to convert your files for free with the Freemake app, via an online app, and using the reliable tool, Filmora.
1. Convert YouTube Shorts video to MP4 with Freemake
This is an easy-to-use converter that you use freely to trim your videos as well as convert them to various formats. The drawbacks are that it leaves a watermark on your videos and will bundle you with extra software for installation with its free version. You, however, can evade this if you upgrade to the Premium version.
Step 1. Download Freemake
First, use any browser to download the Freemake app on your computer. Then choose custom installation. You also have the chance to deselect popping optional applications that present themselves for installation.
Step 2. Launch the app
Then open the app and click on the “+” video button. Next, navigate to the video that you wish to convert from YouTube Shorts.
Step 3. Choose the MP4 file
From the list of files, choose to convert your files to MP4 file format. Also, choose a name and location to save your converted video.
Step 4. Convert your video
Finally, click on the “Convert” tab to start the conversion process of your video. You can also make other changes like customizing the output parameters such as codec and resolution to your preferences. Once done, hit the “OK” button to complete the process.
2. 2) Convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 online
Easily engage an online tool to convert YouTube shorts to MP4 popular format with CloudConvert MP4 converter. Besides MP4, this app supports over 200 file formats like WEBM, AVI, MOV, among other formats. More so, you can use the options to control your video resolution and quality. When you convert your video to MP4, you can now easily share your videos over the internet, and converting it online gives you an upper hand. CloudConvert is trusted for data security as it won’t keep any files on its database. It will also give you high-quality file conversions.
Step 1. Select file
First, choose the YouTube Short video that you wish to convert to MP4. You can add your file from your computer or online sources like YouTube into the converter.
Step 2. Customize settings
CloudConvert lets you customize the output settings like video codec, bitrate, resolution, and file format. Just click on the drop-down arrow on every section and choose your preferences. Then hit the “Okay” button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Convert file to MP4
Wait for the YouTube Shorts to be converted to MP4 format. You can then save your files to your computer and share them with friends via other social media apps like Instagram and Facebook. You can also directly post to Shorts as MP4 files.
3) Convert YouTube video to MP4 using Filmora
Using a free video converter like Freemake will leave a watermark on your videos and hinder the quality. You will not also get lossless quality as the original content on YouTube Shorts. In this case, you can engage the best video converter, Filmora, to losslessly convert your videos to quality output.
Key Features of Filmora
- Create high-quality as it gives you lossless content.
- Transform your video into spectacular output with overlays and filters.
- Add background music for optimum entertainment.
- Change your video background with the special effects from the Chroma key tool.
- Advanced editing of text by color, size, font, and animation among other features.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
How to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 with Filmora
Filmora is easy to use and will accommodate both professional and beginner video editors. Follow these steps to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Step 1. Import video clip to Filmora
You can use any device for the conversion process. Filmora supports an array of OS devices like iOS, Android, etc. First, launch the app on your device then click on the “Import Media Files” option.
Step 2. Organize footage
The next step is to drag and drop your video footage to the timeline. Filmora accommodates the merging of several video footages. You can make your videos into one big file. Just organize them according to how you want.
Step 3. Edit your video
Even though this is optional, you can edit your video to add more juice. These include splitting your video via the Splitter button. You can also delete unwanted areas and even add filters and other effects to your preferences.
Step 4. Convert and Export
When you are certain you have the perfect video, click on the “Export” tab to convert your files to MP4 format. Remember to set the final output to MP4 format among the available output options. Then freely play your video on any device and share it with friends on other platforms. There’ll be no hindrance anymore concerning compatibility issues.
Conclusion
You are not limited to using any video file format. Several reasons may also compel you to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4. And this is the best move if you want to reach as many audiences as possible. Remember that users employ different devices and platforms to access such videos. These range from mobile phones, media players, emails, among others. Converting your videos to MP4 enables easy sharing on any platform effortlessly. The best converter tool, Filmora, serves the purpose quite well. You won’t experience any data loss and be assured that your audience gets the same quality as the original file.
Video production entails a lot more than just composing and sharing your videos. You need the correct format to accomplish some tasks, especially when sharing them online. People use different devices and versions that are not automatically compatible with all video file formats. YouTube Shorts is one such video production platform that lets creators compose compelling short videos for sharing with their audience. More so, Shorts lets you record music, edit your video and get it ready for sharing. But not all roses are smooth, some are thorny and you may find it necessary to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 to enable access by your audience.
In this article
01 Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
02 How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
03 Tutorial for How to Record on GarageBand
Why do we need to download and convert YouTube Shorts video?
Most YouTube Shorts are not easily accessible on mobile devices. Occasionally, users experience YouTube Shorts not showing issue , which prompts them to look for solutions for resolving the problem. You might be wondering whether converting your files is one such solution. Ideally yes! Find below, possible reasons for downloading and converting YouTube Shorts to MP4.
1) Content optimization for other devices
Mobile technology keeps changing and various devices’ versions are continually on the rise. Some devices aren’t compatible with various video formats and codecs . Converting the videos to MP4 opens avenues for access on any device and platform like emails. This is because MP4 files are supported by almost all modern devices and you can optimize videos for operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, etc.
2) Compression
YouTube Shorts are designed to run for about 15 seconds. This is an indication that they are not fully compressed in terms of codec. Converting the files to MP4 format ensures that the file size is reduced, enabling playing on any platform without buffering. Luckily, there is no quality loss but it’s just the size is made smaller to fit any device.
3) To support animated GIFs
Animated GIFs add value to your videos. However, social media does not support GIFs among other formats. To keep the fun going, you will need to convert your video to accommodate formats like GIFs, among others.
4) Portability
Another reason to get YouTube shorts to MP4 is for portability issues. Since MP4 are highly accessible on numerous devices and platforms, you can easily import your files via USB flash drive and other external hard disks to other devices. With this, there is also no hindrance in sharing your files online and on other platforms.
5) Lossless quality
MP4 file format supports a high degree of lossless output quality as compared to other file formats. MP4 is highly preferred so that the recipient achieves the original output quality of the converted file. With MP4, you can also retain other parameters like title, sample rate, and channel among others.
How can we convert YouTube shorts to mp4?
The importance of converting videos to MP4 format is weighty. But how do you convert YouTube Shorts to MP4? Plenty of apps are available for easy conversion. Both free, paid, and online converter apps can serve the purpose. Let’s check how to convert your files for free with the Freemake app, via an online app, and using the reliable tool, Filmora.
1. Convert YouTube Shorts video to MP4 with Freemake
This is an easy-to-use converter that you use freely to trim your videos as well as convert them to various formats. The drawbacks are that it leaves a watermark on your videos and will bundle you with extra software for installation with its free version. You, however, can evade this if you upgrade to the Premium version.
Step 1. Download Freemake
First, use any browser to download the Freemake app on your computer. Then choose custom installation. You also have the chance to deselect popping optional applications that present themselves for installation.
Step 2. Launch the app
Then open the app and click on the “+” video button. Next, navigate to the video that you wish to convert from YouTube Shorts.
Step 3. Choose the MP4 file
From the list of files, choose to convert your files to MP4 file format. Also, choose a name and location to save your converted video.
Step 4. Convert your video
Finally, click on the “Convert” tab to start the conversion process of your video. You can also make other changes like customizing the output parameters such as codec and resolution to your preferences. Once done, hit the “OK” button to complete the process.
2. 2) Convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 online
Easily engage an online tool to convert YouTube shorts to MP4 popular format with CloudConvert MP4 converter. Besides MP4, this app supports over 200 file formats like WEBM, AVI, MOV, among other formats. More so, you can use the options to control your video resolution and quality. When you convert your video to MP4, you can now easily share your videos over the internet, and converting it online gives you an upper hand. CloudConvert is trusted for data security as it won’t keep any files on its database. It will also give you high-quality file conversions.
Step 1. Select file
First, choose the YouTube Short video that you wish to convert to MP4. You can add your file from your computer or online sources like YouTube into the converter.
Step 2. Customize settings
CloudConvert lets you customize the output settings like video codec, bitrate, resolution, and file format. Just click on the drop-down arrow on every section and choose your preferences. Then hit the “Okay” button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Convert file to MP4
Wait for the YouTube Shorts to be converted to MP4 format. You can then save your files to your computer and share them with friends via other social media apps like Instagram and Facebook. You can also directly post to Shorts as MP4 files.
3) Convert YouTube video to MP4 using Filmora
Using a free video converter like Freemake will leave a watermark on your videos and hinder the quality. You will not also get lossless quality as the original content on YouTube Shorts. In this case, you can engage the best video converter, Filmora, to losslessly convert your videos to quality output.
Key Features of Filmora
- Create high-quality as it gives you lossless content.
- Transform your video into spectacular output with overlays and filters.
- Add background music for optimum entertainment.
- Change your video background with the special effects from the Chroma key tool.
- Advanced editing of text by color, size, font, and animation among other features.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
How to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 with Filmora
Filmora is easy to use and will accommodate both professional and beginner video editors. Follow these steps to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Step 1. Import video clip to Filmora
You can use any device for the conversion process. Filmora supports an array of OS devices like iOS, Android, etc. First, launch the app on your device then click on the “Import Media Files” option.
Step 2. Organize footage
The next step is to drag and drop your video footage to the timeline. Filmora accommodates the merging of several video footages. You can make your videos into one big file. Just organize them according to how you want.
Step 3. Edit your video
Even though this is optional, you can edit your video to add more juice. These include splitting your video via the Splitter button. You can also delete unwanted areas and even add filters and other effects to your preferences.
Step 4. Convert and Export
When you are certain you have the perfect video, click on the “Export” tab to convert your files to MP4 format. Remember to set the final output to MP4 format among the available output options. Then freely play your video on any device and share it with friends on other platforms. There’ll be no hindrance anymore concerning compatibility issues.
Conclusion
You are not limited to using any video file format. Several reasons may also compel you to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4. And this is the best move if you want to reach as many audiences as possible. Remember that users employ different devices and platforms to access such videos. These range from mobile phones, media players, emails, among others. Converting your videos to MP4 enables easy sharing on any platform effortlessly. The best converter tool, Filmora, serves the purpose quite well. You won’t experience any data loss and be assured that your audience gets the same quality as the original file.
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- Title: "Capturing Quality Lens Recommendations for Content Makers"
- Author: Kevin
- Created at : 2024-05-25 14:47:43
- Updated at : 2024-05-26 14:47:43
- Link: https://youtube-videos.techidaily.com/capturing-quality-lens-recommendations-for-content-makers/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
