My second startup, OSlash, was born during COVID-19. Traveling and meeting customers was challenging—Zoom was the default.

I had to invest in a good camera setup to record product demos and attend virtual events. A few of my demo videos went viral, and many people have requested that I share my camera’s setup details. With a budget of less than $1500, you can create YouTube-quality videos and look extremely professional in your Zoom calls.

(Note: I assembled my stack back in 2020, and I’m still using it now. I’m sure there are modern products that could be better, but this still works for me.)

  1. Sony A6400 Mirror Less Camera: You can’t beat Sony for video. Sony A6400 offers excellent autofocus, sharp 4K video, and a compact design, making it ideal for professional Zoom calls.

  2. Dummy Battery: A dummy battery keeps the A6400 powered continuously, eliminating the need to swap batteries during long calls.

  3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Lens: Perfect for talking-head videos with minimal distortion. Its f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh).

  4. Camera Desk Mount: This will securely mounts your camera to a desk or arm, saving space and allowing flexible positioning.

  5. Elgato Keylight: The Elgato Keylight provides soft, adjustable LED lighting, making your video feed look clear and professional. Its brightness and color temperature controls help achieve the perfect lighting setup for any environment.

  6. Elgato Cam Link Capture Card: The Elgato Cam Link 4K converts your A6400 into a high quality webcam, delivering crisp 1080p or 4K video over USB. This allows for superior video quality compared to built-in laptop cameras.

  7. Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable : This essential cable connects the A6400 to the Elgato Cam Link, allowing a clean HDMI output for your Zoom/Google Meet calls.

  8. Shure MV7 Mic : MV7 mic delivers broadcast-quality sound with a built-in pop filter, ensuring clear and professional audio. This dramatically improves voice clarity compared to standard laptop mics.

  9. Elgato Wave Mic Arm : This arm keeps your mic secure, adjustable, and out of the way, providing a clean setup.

Whether you’re hosting meetings, webinars, or virtual events, this setup ensures you always make a strong impression. If you’re building your own camera stack, start with these essentials, and you’ll never go back to a default webcam again!