Both blogging (the craft of featuring certain topics consisting of the author’s personal commentaries and reflections online) and vlogging (a video version of a blog) are very common nowadays. You can see in Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and online publications that many people are sharing their experiences when they travel to different places, when they eat at restaurants or do the Mukbang Challenge, and do reviews of gadgets, cars, etc. Celebrities, athletes and ordinary people from all walks of life are now slowly transitioning to becoming ‘content creators’, regularly finding ways to feature ideas and entertain their followers or subscribers.
But do you also often wonder what kind of gadgets do they use to create these amazing contents?
Blogging and vlogging require skills in writing, organizing thoughts and ideas, story-telling and editing photos or videos. These skills in turn require passion, patience, effort, and sometimes even money (when you enroll to short courses in order to learn these skills). However, that is not the focus of this blog (see, I am blogging! *wink*).
The focus of this blog is about gadgets – to know what are the basic, mid-level and high level gadgets that you need in blogging or vlogging.
Are you ready?
Mobile Phone
If do not have a high-end camera, mobile phone is the best alternative.
Mobile phones nowadays are very powerful. Aside from using it as a mode of communication, it can also be used for taking photos and videos.
The higher the specifications, the better as it outputs better quality in the photo and video, and also has the capacity to store larger file size.
I am using Huawei P30 Pro because of its speed as it has 8.0 GB RAM and Huawei Kirin 980 Octa-core processor. Plus, this mobile phone can hold large file size as it has 256 GB Internal Storage. The phone is equipped with Leica Quad camera with 40 megapixel that supports super zoom and video stabilization to make your video not shaky.
Here’s the short clip that shows Huawei P30 Pro’s video stabilization capability.
Price: It may vary depending on the mobile phone shop but as of August 2022, the 256 GB Huawei P30 Pro is ranging from Php 40,000 to Php 45,000
Action Camera
An action camera is optional but will definitely add more character to your photos and videos. A versatile action camera will help you widen the scenes or visuals that you want to capture however, you will need additional accessories such as super suit or drone to fully maximize its use whether in land, water or air.
I am using GoPro Hero 7 Black because it captures stabilized videos while walking, running, trekking, etc.
Price: Php 17,000 to Php 20,000
You can also use it underwater or attach it in a drone (Karma drone of GoPro) to get some air shots.
In this video, I mostly used GoPro Hero 7 Black to capture videos when we went to Sagada.
This is a sample aerial video at Daang Kalikasan in Zambales.
GoPro Accessories
Since I am using GoPro 7 Black, it is natural for me to get their accessories for me to maximize its use.
GoPro Batteries and Battery Charger
To prolong the length and amount of your photo and video capturing, you will need extra batteries with you.
When you buy a GoPro Hero 7 camera, it comes with only 1 battery so you really need to add more.
If you buy a Dual Battery Charger, it has 1 free battery. It means, you only need to buy 1 more battery so you can have 3 batteries for your blogging or vlogging. Why? One battery is in your action camera which is ready to use while the other two are in Dual Battery charger which can be charged while you are using your action camera.
You may notice that I put a number on each battery. This is for me to determine which battery I have already used. Normally, I start with battery no. 1 (makes sense, right?), so once it is empty, I will replace and use now battery no. 2 then charge battery no. 1 in the Battery Charger. This way, I would know which one is empty and needs charging (battery no. 1) and which one is fully-charged (battery no. 3).
Price: The discounted price of Dual Battery Charger with free 1 battery is Php 3,190 while the solo rechargeable battery is Php 1,341 in Urban Gadget.
Memory Card
A memory card will help you increase the capacity or number of photos and videos that you can capture using your action camera like GoPro 7 Black.
I am using Lexar, Transcend and SanDisk because I also put one for my drone.
The more Memory Card you have, the more photos and videos you can capture.
Price: It depends on the capacity but I suggest that you first check which is suitable for your action camera. My 128GB SanDisk Extreme is around Php 1,500.
Super Suit and Floating Hand Grip
The Super Suit is used for deep-water diving or surfing. This is to cover fully and tightly the GoPro Hero 7 Black.
The floating hand grip is not included when you buy the Super Suit so it has to be purchased separately. It is normally in color yellow so that if you accidentally drop the GoPro in the middle of the sea, river or pool, it will float.
I do not recommend using selfie sticks as they do not float in water!
Price: Super Suit is Php 3,000 and the floating hand grip is Php 150 to Php 250 only in Lazada.
Protective Case
If you buy GoPro Hero 7 camera, it already comes with its default protective case however, if you want to connect your microphone, you will need a separate protective case.
The downside of GoPro Hero 7 and higher versions is that you cannot directly connect your microphone. This is why you need to have a GoPro 3.5mm mic adapter.
I am using Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Case because I can mount the GoPro 3.5mm mic adapter.
Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Case comes with a bar that has a hot shoe (a mounting point) so you have options to put either your mic or pocket LED light
Price: Php 700
LED Light
A LED light can be used if you are shooting at night. Your camera needs light to capture the surroundings.
I am using Ulanzi Select 2000 mAh LED Light. It is rechargeable using a Type-C cable.
You can use it as your emergency light as well as it lasts for hours!
Price: Php 600
GoPro 3.5mm Mic Adapter and Microphone
The Mic Adapter and Microphone are especially useful when you are shooting in windy places like mountains or when it is heavily raining in your shooting location as it filters the noise in the background.
Honestly, I rarely use these accessories because I rarely go to mountains or windy places.
Price: Php 3,315 for GoPro 3.5mm Mic Adapter and Php 1,341 for Boya Microphone in Urban Gadgets
Monopod/Selfie Stick
A monopod or a selfie stick is used to take photographs or video by positioning a digital camera device, typically a smartphone, or action camera like GoPro beyond the normal range of the arm.
I am using Telesin monopod with 3-way pole as it is foldable, stretchable and comes with hand grip.
Price: Php 378 in Lazada
This is basically how the setup will look like if you put all the accessories for GoPro Hero 7 camera together.
But wait, there’s more! 🙂
Power Bank
A power bank is very useful because you can charge your phone, action camera’s batteries, LED light all at once using a Type-C cable.
I am using Anker PowerCore 26800 mAh as it has 3 USB high-speed output ports that can support the charging of my different gadgets for my blogging/vlogging venture.
Price: Php 4,995 in Urban Gadget
Multi-port charger
If your power bank goes empty, you need to use a multi-port charger. Instead of using one charger per gadget, the multi-port charger can charge all your gadgets at once.
I am using Aukey as it has 5 USB output ports.
You just have to connect all your gadgets to charge them and leave or sleep.
Price: Php 2,288 in Shopee
Portable Hard Drive
Portable Hard Drive is very useful for storing and transferring your raw files (photos and videos) from your mobile phone and the memory cards of your action camera.
I am using Seagate 1 TB External Drive. There are higher specs than this but I am already satisfied with Seagate’s 1 TB.
Price: Ranging from Php 2,000 – 3,000
Remote Control
Remote Control is used to operate the action camera from a distance.
I am using GoPro Smart Remote as it is compatible with my GoPro Hero 7 camera.
Price: Ranging from Php 4400 to Php 4900
Drone
There are other gadgets that are also very useful for blogging/vlogging like a laptop for photo/video editing, condenser microphone for putting quality voice-overs in your videos, ring light for additional lighting, and many more.
If you want to upgrade and are planning to have an aerial shot for your travel blog or vlog, there are a lot of drones in the market that you can choose that is suitable to your budget.
Currently, I have GoPro Karma and DJI Mavic Air. There are lower end and higher end drones than the two mentioned. You just have to go with the one that is suitable for your blogging/vlogging needs and budget.
You can check my comparison of GoPro Karma and DJI Mavic Air in this link to give you an idea on which one is best for you.
Conclusion
Blogging or vlogging is quite enjoyable but if the budget is the issue, you are okay to start with just your mobile phone. You can also do underwater shots using your mobile phone. You just need to buy a waterproof phone pouch/case which are very affordable. They are usually available in water parks, shops near beaches and even in Lazada or Shopee. The control could be difficult but you can still somehow click on the keys and camera button. You can take aerial shot too using your mobile phone but limited compared to drones. All you need to have are long sticks or any DIY phone mount that gives elevation to your mobile phone. 🙂 As long as you are creative in photo/video editing, you will achieve a good output.
Gadgets will definitely help improve your photo or video capturing, but they should not be costly. We can blog or vlog to share our knowledge and experiences so we can help others whether by using only mobile phones or high-end gadgets. The most important thing is that you enjoy and love what you do!
