The Best Camera and Lens Setup for Social Media Content Creation
The right answer here is your phone.
TLDR : Your phone but if you’re stubborn and need a “real” camera to shoot content for your social chanels look at the Sony FX3 and a Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM: Full Frame Lens
You read that right - the video production company owner is telling you that your best bet for your social media content is your phone.
If you’re not a professional videographer, there’s no reason to complicate things. The latest iPhones and Androids have shockingly good video quality, especially when paired with solid lighting and a clean background.
If you want your content to look great on social here is the two things you need to keep in mind:
Stand in front of a window with NO light source behind you for the best light. Not an overhead light source, a window. It’s nighttime? Wait until the morning / daytime to shoot your content.
Have good audio. Shoot your shot, listen to the clip and if the audio sucks do it again. Bad audio = audience saying NEXT.
Literally that is the key - that is it. I will never EVER say that using your phone for you social content is a bad idea because with those two tips in mind you can’t go wrong. The biggest win? Phones are optimized for social media platforms. They shoot in the right dimensions, they’re fast, they don’t require technical setup, and you can edit and post directly from your device. Plus, there are some great mic options like the RØDE Wireless Micro – Compact Wireless Microphone set, which includes two mics and a charge case. Just plug them in and you’re good to go. Your content will instantly sound more professional without needing a crash course in audio gear. And the best part? You’re spending $150 ish on the microphones instead of the 5K someone should charge you to make good social content.
But maybe you’re reading this thinking: Nope, I want that cinematic look. I’m ready to level up. Alright, well then I guess the first question you want to ask yourself is do I want to do this awesome content myself with zero camera experience or do I want to hire someone who will do a REALLY good job. I say really good job because if you’re investing time and money into cinematic social content it better be good. Because there is literally nothing, I repeat NOTHING more cringy that social content that looks like shit. The color looks gray from someone not knowing how to color properly, the shots are over exposed, the audio sounds like garbage, the footage is grainy - THIS IS TRASH and you are way better off with - you guessed it - your phone.
Option 1: You Hire A Video Production Company
Okay so let’s talk about option one : you hire someone to do this. Well if you’re going to hire someone to create social content for you as in they are leaving their house coming to you and shooting content with you for a day or so and then going home to edit this content - you should start budgeting for at least $3500. This is at very base level charge and you shoudl really be thinking higher than that. At this rate you have to as your self - is this going to be sustainable…. another plug for the phone and create your own option. I’m sure you can find someone who will charge less than this for social content but you get what you pay for.
Option 2: You Buy A Camera And Shoot Your Own Content
Enter the Sony FX3 + 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens Combo
Okay—you’re ready to ditch the phone and step into the world of professional video. What camera should you use?
We recommend the Sony FX3, paired with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens.
Why this combo?
Small Body, Huge Power: The FX3 is compact and built for solo creators and small teams. It gives you cinema-quality image capabilities in a body you can take anywhere.
Beautiful Depth & Flexibility: The 16-35mm focal range is ideal for handheld video, BTS footage, interviews, and more. The f/2.8 aperture gives you that dreamy shallow depth of field, even in low light.
Pro-Level Audio Inputs: Dual XLR inputs mean no adapters needed—just clean, professional audio.
Photographer’s Bonus: Unlike the FX6, the FX3 can also shoot photos. This makes it an amazing hybrid tool for creating thumbnails, stills for Instagram, and more.
The FX3 is also gimbal-friendly, making it perfect for dynamic movement shots that scream “high production value.”
Why We Love This Lens: The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
Let’s geek out on glass for a second.
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens is one of the most versatile and high-performing lenses for content creators. Why?
Wide to Standard: The range gives you everything from wide establishing shots to tight interview framing.
F/2.8 Aperture: Beautiful low-light performance and excellent depth of field control.
Tack-Sharp Image Quality: It's part of Sony’s G Master line, so image quality is top-tier.
If you’re building your rig around the FX3, this lens is an absolute no-brainer.
4. Shoot Vertically. Seriously.
Let’s talk about what separates the pros from the amateurs in content creation: vertical shooting.
You might think you can shoot everything horizontally and just “punch in” later to crop your content for vertical platforms. But here’s the hard truth: that’s a rookie move.
What’s “punching in”? It’s when you take a horizontal 4K clip and crop it to a vertical format for Instagram or TikTok. But when you do that, you:
Lower your resolution (because you’re throwing away pixels)
Lose creative control over framing
Have no idea how your final crop will actually look
Waste time in post-production
Most importantly, your content ends up looking like it wasn’t made for the platform—which hurts performance.
We get it: shooting vertically on a cinema camera isn’t ideal. It’s awkward. Your wrist might hurt. But if you're creating for vertical platforms, you have to commit to it from the start.
Vertical is the future of short-form content. Embrace it. Frame your shots with intention. Your audience will notice the difference.
Final Thoughts
We love the FX3 and 16-35mm combo. It’s powerful, flexible, and perfect for social-first content that still looks cinematic. But remember: gear doesn’t make great content—planning, framing, lighting, and audio do. If you have never picked up a camera like this and you think that shooting on a fancy camera will level you up, you’re wrong and should just shoot with you phone. Hard. Cold. Truth.
Start where you are. Use your phone. Then when you’re ready to level up, build a rig that actually works for the way you shoot. If you’re willing to invest a lot of time into learning how to use the FX3 then I say go for it!
And whatever you do—shoot vertically.
