Starter • ≈ $400–$700
USB Simplicity
- Camera: Logitech StreamCam
- Mic: HyperX QuadCast S
- Light: 18″ Ring Light
- Arm: Basic boom arm
Quick Picks
Mid • ≈ $1,000–$1,800
APS-C Mirrorless
- Camera: Sony ZV-E10 (+ dummy battery)
- Mic (USB): RODE PodMic USB
- Light: Softbox x2
- Capture: UVC HDMI capture
Pro • ≈ $2,000–$4,500
Full XLR Studio
- Camera: Sony ZV-E1 or Panasonic GH6
- Mic (XLR): Shure SM7B + gain booster
- Interface: Scarlett 2i2 or RODECaster Duo
- Lights: Bi-color LED panels + hair light
- Capture: Elgato HD60 X
BeginnerPro TipsOBS StudioLow Light
Cameras
Any camera that outputs clean HDMI or UVC over USB can stream. If you’re on a tight budget, a modern webcam is perfectly fine. For shallow depth-of-field and better low-light, jump to a mirrorless body.
Webcams (Fast & Easy)
- Logitech StreamCam — 1080p60, solid colors.
- Elgato Facecam Pro — 4K options, clean look.
- Razer Kiyo Pro — wide FOV, low-light friendly.
Mirrorless (Crisp & Cinematic)
- Sony ZV-E10 — great starter with clean HDMI.
- Canon R50 — reliable AF, compact.
- Panasonic G100 — budget micro-four-thirds.
Must-Have Camera Extras
Enable “clean HDMI” or “USB streaming” in your camera menu to hide overlays.
Microphones & Audio Interfaces
Audio is 50% of your stream. USB mics are plug-and-play. XLR mics sound best with a decent interface and preamp.
Top USB Mics
- HyperX QuadCast S — easy, built-in shock.
- Shure MV7 — USB + XLR hybrid.
- RODE PodMic USB — upgraded dynamics.
XLR Mics (Pro)
- Shure SM7B — broadcast staple.
- EV RE20 — smooth presence.
- AT2035 — forgiving condenser.
Interfaces & Essentials
- Scarlett 2i2 / Elgato Wave XLR
- RODECaster Duo — faders & soundpads
- Inline preamp (Cloudlifter)
- Boom arm + shock + pop filter
Set your input so normal speech peaks at −12 dBFS in OBS. Add subtle noise gate & compressor.
Lighting
Three-point lighting (key, fill, back) is the fastest upgrade to your look. Diffusion is everything.
Budget
- 18″ ring light as key
- Clip LED panel as fill
- RGB light stick as back
Mid
- Softbox x2 (key/fill)
- Bi-color LED panel (hair)
Pro
- COB LED + 60–90cm softbox
- Practical lamp + smart bulb for background
Capture Cards
For mirrorless cameras, you’ll need HDMI → USB capture unless your camera supports UVC over USB.
| Tier | What to Get | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Generic UVC capture | 1080p30/60 is fine for talking head. |
| Mid | Elgato HD60 X | VRR pass-through, low latency. |
| Pro | Elgato 4K60 Pro (PCIe) | 4K capture for crisp VODs. |
Monitors & Accessories
Complete Loadouts
Pro XLR $2k–$4k
- Sony ZV-E1 or Panasonic GH6
- Shure SM7B + Cloudlifter
- RODECaster Duo
- Two soft LED panels
- Elgato HD60 X
Setup & Tuning Checklist
- Frame at eye level, lens just above your eye line. Use a 35–50mm equivalent to avoid distortion.
- White balance: set to a fixed value (e.g., 5000–5600K) so your colors don’t drift.
- OBS: Video 1080p, 30–60 fps; NVENC/AMF/QSV if available; 6000 kbps for Twitch, higher for YouTube.
- Audio: Peak at −12 dBFS; add compressor (3:1), noise gate (threshold near your room noise), and light EQ.
- Lighting: key 45° off-axis, fill at ~½ power of key, hair light behind at low power.
- Background: add separation with a practical lamp or RGB accent; avoid clutter.
- Power: camera on dummy battery; mic/interface on powered USB hub if needed.
- Test record 30 seconds. Watch it back. Fix one thing at a time.
FAQ
Do I need a capture card?
Only if your camera doesn’t support UVC over USB or you want the lowest latency / best quality HDMI feed.
USB or XLR mic?
USB is simplest and sounds great now. XLR scales better for multi-mic and studio processing.
What’s the cheapest upgrade with the biggest impact?
Lighting. A single soft key light can make a webcam look expensive.
Have questions? Contact us • Want free gear? Join the giveaway.