How to choose the right niche for your vlog

It's likely you've heard the expression "there's no time like the present". If you've been thinking about being a vlogger, why not now?

If you choose to become a creator, there are two things to consider first. One is whether you've got something to say. The second is how you'll bring quality to your storytelling.

For content creation or vlogging, Canon's comprehensive range of cameras, lenses and accessories can most definitely help you elevate your new journey of learning and creating.

Content creators who succeed do so in part because they’ve found their niche – and, with the right guidance and the right tools, you can, too.

The obvious first step when it comes to vlogging is deciding what to vlog about. Though exciting, this can be challenging especially for beginners. A good approach would be to think about your hobbies and skills and which of these to focus on. If you're passionate about cooking. for example, a vlog that showcases your culinary skills could work well, or one where you recreate dishes from all over the world. If you love travelling, then you could focus on capturing your experiences abroad from cultural landmarks to exciting excursions.

An engaging vlog will be informative and entertaining but will also have an element of learning, so it's important that you're knowledgeable in your chosen topic. You should also see what is missing in the genre you are interested in – and then determine how you can uniquely fill that gap.

Whatever your niche may be, there's a piece of equipment out there that can help you to achieve the desired outcome.

While everyone wants their content to be sharp, polished and high quality, nothing beats spontaneous and candid videos of precious family moments. There are funny babies and other familial dynamics to capture. Not only is it rewarding, it also gives vloggers the opportunity to share these joyous moments with a wider audience.

The Canon PowerShot V10, a lightweight camera designed especially for vlogging, is great for this kind of content. Its portability makes it hassle-free to carry around and means it can fit into small bags and even pockets on days out. Despite its compact size, however, this camera doesn't compromise on image quality at all. Its 4k output, smart design features and high-quality microphone mean the Canon PowerShot V10 is more than enough for your family fun vlogs.

When it comes to shooting fitness content, you want a camera that moves fast, capturing every fleeting moment as it happens; the Canon EOS R10 and Canon EOS R50 are both reliable choices for fitness vlogging.

The EOS R10 can record 4K UHD video at 60fps, providing smooth, aesthetic footage. It also offers Full HD recording at up to 120fps, allowing for things like slow-motion sequences. Both EOS R10 and R50 also shoot 4K video, which is oversampled from 6K, so that you get high-resolution capture, extracting every single detail. The EOS R10 4K/60P output ensures smooth motion, which is a huge benefit considering the sharp and fast movements done within fitness. It also links wirelessly to smartphones, meaning sharing is easier.

Moreover, the Canon EOS R10 autofocus system elevates the capture of both stills and motion. In terms of motion capture, the autofocus system adapts by using eye, face, head, and body detection to track subjects as they move within the frame. For still photography, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system offers up to 651 focus points spread across the entire image area. It also features advanced eye detection, which keeps subjects sharply focused (by recognising the subject's eye), even when off-centre or in complex scenes. For portraits and detailed shots – and the eye-catching thumbnail images for your vlog – you’ll want this sort of precise focus.

Another option is the Canon EOS R50, the perfect companion for capturing action on the go. Its lightweight, user-friendly design makes it ideal for handheld shooting, whether you're documenting your adventures or capturing dynamic moments. The Canon EOS R50 also features Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus II and a powerful DIGIC X processor for fast and accurate subject detection, so you can focus on creating the content while the camera focuses for you.

The final tool to consider good for fitness vlogging is an external mic, which can be easily attached to the EOS R10 via the multi-function shoe or 3.5mm microphone jack, to record clear audio. (We'd recommend checking out the Canon Stereo Microphone DM-E100.)

The great thing about travel vlogging is that it's incredibly diverse. Depending on your itinerary, you could be shooting anything from skydiving to snorkelling, a museum tour or a mountain hike.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is capable of providing up to 8-stops of image stabilisation (IS), which is a good match for these sorts of activities. This real-time digital image stabilisation shifts the cropped area read out from the image sensor for each frame to counteract the motion. This feature is particularly useful for shooting handheld videos while walking, as it helps reduce camera shake and ensures smooth footage – perfect for your travel vlogs.

For this kind of content, using a lens with optical image stabilisation (IS in its name) can help ensure the best result, but it isn't critical if you choose a camera with IBIS. Partnering your camera with the Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM lens, which has a slim pancake design for portability and versatility, travel vlogging becomes more accessible.

For general guidance on choosing a lens, look here.

When shooting food content, achieving rich quality in detail, colour, and dynamic range is essential. You'll need high-quality visuals to captivate your audience – enticing them to try the recipes, visit featured restaurants, and get excited enough about your content to engage with it.

The Canon EOS R10 is perfect for food vlogging due to its compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry and manoeuvre. Its fast and accurate autofocus ensures that every detail – from the steam sizzling off a steak to a garnish being delicately placed on a dish – is captured with clarity. The camera’s 24.2 MP APS-C sensor delivers high-quality, vibrant images that bring out the rich colours and textures of food; its 4K video capabilities allow you to create videos that showcase your culinary creations in rich detail. Additionally, the EOS R10’s versatile touchscreen interface and intuitive controls make it simple to adjust settings on the go.

Moreover, when shooting food content, the choice of lens plays a big role in achieving the desired effect. Lenses that feature macro capabilities enable detailed close-ups of intricate textures and colours. A 35mm lens, such as the RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM, provides a natural field of view, allowing for more realistic capture. On the other hand, a 24mm lens, like the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM, allows for a wider field of view, capturing more of the surrounding environment than we can see naturally – while also allowing for more context to your motion and stills capture beyond the subject (such as the details of ingredients within the kitchen, or a close-up of a finished plate on a set table).

Using a tripod can help to provide stability, reducing camera shake especially in low light conditions where slower shutter speeds might be used. This becomes useful when shooting food as you want your videos to be as clear and sharp as possible.

The Canon EOS R50 is another camera great for this type of vlogging. The aspect markers for videos allow you to visualise and adjust the framing of your content in different aspect ratios, which will be important for placing your content on different platforms. For instance, platforms like Instagram favor a 1:1 or 4:5 ratio, while YouTube typically uses 16:9, and TikTok is designed for vertical 9:16 content. It also offers a compact and lightweight design that’s easy to handle in any kitchen setting. With its advanced imaging technology and versatile features, the EOS R50 captures detailed shots of your dishes, bringing every colour and texture to life.

The EOS R50 also includes movie for product demo mode, which will focus on an object that is held in front of the camera, optimising the focus for showing off a product. The camera can then seamlessly switch focus back to the presenter's face when the product is put down. This feature ensures that the important part of the footage is always in focus for this specific use case, so your viewer has full attention on either you as the presenter or the object you are showing.

Embarking on your vlogging adventure is an exciting endeavour that opens up a world of creativity and a wide range of options. From deciding on your niche – be it fitness, travel, food or family moments, or even something else – to choosing the right camera and lenses that will help you to bring your vision to life, each step is an important and rewarding part of the process.

Having the right tools at your disposal is key in creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience. There will be a camera just right for you in Canon's range, from the EOS R10, perfect for capturing dynamic fitness routines, to the compact yet powerful PowerShot V10, ideal for family vlogs. You're not just choosing a camera; you're choosing a companion that supports and elevates your vlogging.

So, embrace the excitement, choose the equipment that aligns with your unique needs, and let Canon help you tell your story in the most captivating way possible.

Written by Mabinty Taylor-Kamara