What is a content creator kit? Essential hardware for all creators

If you’re a digital creator, your content creator kit will help your content shine. But it can be tricky to know what to choose. Fortunately the experts are here to help! We spoke to Deanna Testa, Head of Creator Marketing at B&H Creators, part of B&H Photo and Video, to offer some recommendations for microphones, cameras and lighting. Let's dive in!

Cameras

Cameras have become integral tools in the field of photography due to their convenience, cost-effectiveness, versatility, and the array of features they offer to photographers of all skill levels. The cameras below have larger sensors than camera phones, which capture more light and detail, resulting in images with less noise and more accurate colors.

Here are some photography cameras commonly found in content creator kits:

Sony ZV-1F Vlogging Camera

The Sony ZV-1 vlogging camera, which is designed for content creators and vloggers, is known for its compact size, a flip-out screen, and features catering to vlogging needs, such as a directional 3-capsule microphone, background defocus button, and fast autofocus.

"The ZV-1F is probably the most user-friendly Sony vlogging option on the market," explains Deanna. "Its built-in microphone has great pickup. It comes with a windscreen and a little tripod. The Creator Kit is versatile and is a great solution for shooting on the go."

Buy the Sony ZV-1F from bhphotovideo.com >

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a compact camera which features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor, 4.2x optical zoom, and advanced DIGIC 8 image processor. Notable for its 4K video recording, live streaming capabilities, and a flip-up touchscreen, it's well-suited for versatile and creative shooting.

"The Powershot G7X is all the rage right now across social media. It's a user-friendly point and shoot for all creators of all different niches. It's versatile, super-portable, travel-friendly and has that retro ‘millennial’ kind of photo quality that everyone's looking to kind of emulate nowadays."

Buy the Canon PowerShot from bhphotovideo.com >

Nikon Z30 Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon Z30 features a 20.9MP DX-format CMOS sensor, UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p video recording, a 3" 1.04m-dot free-angle touchscreen LCD, and a built-in stereo microphone. The Z30 also has a variety of features that make it ideal for vlogging, such as Eye and Face Detection, a tally lamp, and dedicated selfie controls.

"The Nikon Z30 is one of my favorite vlogger cameras on the market because it can record continuously for two and a half hours. No other camera compares in that space. So if you're doing long streams or long footage, this is a go-to. Usually cameras stop after like 20 minutes and you have to hit the button again, but this is a game changer," adds Deanna.

Buy the Nikon Z30 from bhphotovideo.com >

Microphones and studios

Having been used at live events for decades, periphery microphones (as in, not the mics that come built-in with the computer or camera) are becoming popular at home too to improve the quality of a podcast or webinar. Many record with a ‘cardioid polar pattern’ which helps to ensure that only the person in front of the microphone is recorded.

A good microphone can also help to capture the nuances of sound, including vocal inflections and intonations – this is especially useful for voice-only recordings and podcasts.

Here are some common choices of microphone:

Shure MV7 and Shure MV88 Plus

This microphone is a popular choice among podcasters due to clear audio with reduced background noise. It is compatible with XLR and USB connections and has a touch panel for easy adjustments to the microphone's gain and headphone volume. It’s our favorite here at Memberful!

"This one's kind of the gold standard in podcasting, adds Deanna. "So if you are a creator with a studio or a home office and you want to have a really solid mic that you know you can trust, the Shure MV7 is our go-to. It's a must have – definitely add it to your list."

"Additionally, the Shure MV88 Plus is a great versatile microphone, for anything from podcasts to on-the-go vlogging. It’s budget friendly and highly recommended for creators," says Deanna.

Buy the Shure MV88 from bhphotovideo.com >

RODE Wireless GO II and RODECaster Pro II Integrated Audio Production Studio

"You've seen the RODE Wireless GO II Single Compact Digital Wireless Microphone all over TikTok and Instagram," starts Deanna. "It's the creators’ number one wish list item this year. It's a wireless system and so good for content inside your studio, your apartment – anywhere you're filming your content. It has great audio quality and is Bluetooth compatible, and comes highly recommended."

"The RODECaster Pro II is the podcast kit by Rode," says Deanna. If you're starting a podcast or elevating your podcast, this is the all-in-one system that the B&H creator team recommends. It’s easy to use, has a nice color system and is really accessible – and has a ton of power under the hood."

Buy the RODE Wireless GO from bhphotovideo.com >

Saramonic Blink 500 B1 Digital Camera

The Saramonic Blink 500 B1 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for digital cameras and smartphones. It features a clip-on microphone, dual-channel capability, and digital transmission technology. Known for its portability and user-friendly design, it offers a hands-free audio solution for content creators and videographers.

"The Saramonic Blink 500 omni lavalier microphone system is fantastic. It's very user friendly and a little more budget friendly," says Deanna.

Buy the Saramonic Blink 500 from bhphotovideo.com >

Zoom H6 All Black 6-Input

The Zoom H6 All Black 6-Input is a portable audio recorder known for its versatility. It features six inputs, allowing simultaneous recording of multiple sources. The device includes a modular microphone system, X/Y and Mid-Side microphone capsules, and adjustable input levels. It's widely used for professional audio recording in various settings, from music production to filmmaking.

"The Zoom H6 is something I would add to my personal creator wishlist. It's really for creators who may have multiple audio inputs and want a system where they can record all of that in one place. It's great for filmmakers, it's great for videographers, it's really great for musicians. If you can afford it, I would say add it to your kit," adds Deanna.

Buy the Zoom H6 from bhphotovideo.com >

Lighting

Ring lights and tube lights are commonly used by photographers and videographers to ensure even lighting with no shadows. They help to produce a more flattering, uniform look and enhances catchlight, which is the reflection of the light source in the subject's eyes, which adds depth and dimension to the shot.

Here are some popular options:

GVM 800D-RGB LED Light Panel

The GVM 800D is a versatile and affordable LED light panel that features a large 10.6" x 10.3" panel with 84 RGB SMD LED beads, providing a wide range of color options and a CRI of 97 for accurate color rendition. The panel is also dimmable from 0 to 100% and has eight built-in lighting effects, making it ideal for creating a variety of moods and atmospheres.

"The GVM is a really good three-point light system for creators who are looking for their first lighting kit. It's full-color spectrum, so you can get really creative and honestly it’s super budget friendly," says Deanna.

Buy the GVM 800 from bhphotovideo.com >

Godox TL30 RGB LED Tube Light

The Godox TL30 is a compact, lightweight, and versatile LED light that features a bi-color temperature range of 2700K to 6500K, full RGB gamut output, and 13 tunable lighting effects. The TL30 is also dimmable from 0 to 100% and has a built-in lithium-ion battery that lasts for up to one hour on a single charge.

"The Godox TL-30 is full-color spectrum and really portable," starts Deanna. "I love a tube light; you can put them anywhere. It’s great for streamers, great for TikTokers. It’s versatile and travel-friendly too as it is a great backpack-sized option."

Buy the Godox TL30 from bhphotovideo.com >

Genaray Mini Moon 11" RGB LED Light Panel

The Genaray Mini Moon is a portable, versatile LED light that produces a natural and soft continuous light source with broad coverage for still and tabletop photography, portraits, and interviews. This 11-inch LED fixture delivers highly accurate color rendering in CCT and RGB modes.

"The Genaray Mini Moons are my favorite light right now. Throw your old ring light away and upgrade to these!" smiles Deanna. "They come in full-color spectrum as well but if you want save money, they have a bi-color option. They are perfect for anyone with a home studio, such as beauty creators and fashion creators – but really, everyone under the sun should have this light."

"The Genaray Mini Moons are my favorite ring light. Throw your old ring light away and upgrade to our Genre mini moon!" smiles Deanna. "They come in full-color spectrum as well but if you want save money, they have a bi-color option. They are perfect for anyone with a home studio, such as beauty creators and fashion creators – but really, everyone under the sun should have this light."

Buy the Genaray Mini Moon from bhphotovideo.com >

Nanlite PavoTube II 30X RGB LED Pixel Tube Light

The Nanlite PavoTube II 30X features a slender 4-foot tube design with an expanded color temperature range of 2700K to 12000K, full-spectrum RGB hue and saturation control, and 15 practical special effects, making it a powerful tool for creating unique lighting effects and enhancing the mood of your scenes.

"The Nanlite PavoTube 2s are the four-feet tube light kits. They are are perfect if you have a home studio" explains Deanna. "They have full-color spectrum and tons of effect options such as thunder. You can really get creative with these!"

Buy the Nanlite PavoTube from bhphotovideo.com >

Miscelanneous

Raya 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector Disc (42")

The Raya 5-in-1is a light modification tool that can be used in both studio and outdoor settings. It features five reflective surfaces: white, silver, gold, black, and a translucent diffusion panel. The 42-inch size is ideal for 3/4-length portraits and medium-sized still life setups. The disc folds down to 1/3 its size for easy storage and transport. It also includes a carrying bag.

"Everyone should have a reflector in their house," starts Deanna. "You can use it to diffuse, you can use it to bounce light, you can use it to block off light. With the Raya 5-in-1 collapsible reflector disc, you can create a golden hour aesthetic on the gold side and you can do really cool, versatile options with the silver side. It’s something that most creators don't know about, but should definitely have."

Buy the Raya 5-in-1 reflector from bhphotovideo.com >

Xcellon Dual USB 3.1 Card Reader

This is a versatile and compact card reader that supports a wide range of SD and microSD cards. It features two USB interfaces: USB Type-A and USB Type-C, allowing it to connect to a variety of devices. The card reader also supports UHS-I speeds for fast file transfer rates.

"If you're like me and you have a million and one different sort of gadgets for all your different inputs, this is the most functional option you could add to your arsenal. The Xcellon Dual USB 3.1 Card Reader has a USB-C, it has the USB-A, it has an SD card holder, it has a micro SD card holder, it goes into your phone, your laptop, your tablet. This is game changing!" smiles Deanna.

Buy the Xcellon reader from bhphotovideo.com >

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Smartphone Gimbal

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is a 3-axis smartphone gimbal that provides smooth, stabilized video footage. It features a built-in extension rod for extended reach, a variety of intelligent features, and a user-friendly DJI Mimo app.

"The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 iis our favorite gimbal on the market. It’s easy to use and very smooth. You can create really cinematic aesthetics from your iPhone or your Android. It’s a very cool tool that most creators should have at least checked out," says Deanna.

Buy the DJI gimbal from bhphotovideo.com >

Oben ASPTA-20 Smartphone Tripod Adapter

This accessory that allows you to securely mount your smartphone onto a tripod, monopod, or other compatible platform. It features a spring-loaded clamp that accommodates smartphones from 2.4 to 3.7 inches wide, and a ball joint that provides 360 degrees of rotation for flexible positioning. The adapter also has a cold shoe mount for attaching additional accessories, such as a LED light or microphone.

"With this tripod adapter there’s no need to buy a whole new tripod. It makes you pop on your phone in a number of different ways, either vertical, horizontal, it doesn't matter. It kind of is a go-to solution for creators," Deanna explains.

Buy the Oben ASPTA-20 from bhphotovideo.com >

Magnus TR-13 Travel Tripod with Dual-Action Ball Head

The Magnus TR-13 features a load capacity of 13.2 pounds, a maximum height of 62.5 inches, and a folded length of 18.2 inches. The tripod also has a dual-action ball head with separate locking knobs for the ball and the pan, making it easy to make precise adjustments to your camera's position.

"If you're looking for a new tripod, the Magnus brand has a ton of different options in all different price ranges. This is very creator-friendly as it closes down small so you should be able to travel with it in a backpack or carry- on suitcase. Highly recommended and super-affordable," Deanna concludes.

Buy the Magnus TR-13 from bhphotovideo.com >

Conclusion: Essential content creator kit -- hardware

If you’re a digital creator, your content creator kit will help your content shine best and choosing the right equipment is a hugely important part of this. We hope that the list above helps you to build your perfect content creator kit with all the hardware you might need, from cameras, microphones, headphones and lighting.

Huge thanks again to Deanna Testa, Head of Creator Marketing at B&H Creators, part of B&H Photo and Video, for her recommendations! If you would like to follow B&H Creators on social media, check out @bh.creators on Instagram or @bhcreators on TikTok.

If you found this article useful, please also check out our tips for choosing the best software for building a content creator kit. Happy creating!