YoloCam S7 First Look: Is This the Vertical Video Camera We’ve Been Waiting For?

If you’re creating content or marketing a business in 2025, you know that vertical video isn’t just a trend—it’s the main event. From TikTok and Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts, it’s how we connect with audiences. But let’s be honest, getting that truly professional look with vertical video can be a pain. You’re either using your smartphone and wishing for more control, or turning a bulky traditional camera on its side and fighting with awkward rigs.

So, when I heard about the YoloCam S7, a camera designed from the ground up specifically for vertical content, I was intrigued. Is this the solution we’ve been looking for?

I got my hands on one, and in this post, I’m sharing my unboxing experience and my unfiltered first impressions.

Watch on YouTube… https://youtu.be/vrZvQkWs9pc

 

The Unboxing: What’s Inside?

The unboxing experience was clean and simple. Inside the box, you get the essentials to get started:

  • The YoloCam S7 camera body
  • A USB quick-charge power adapter
  • Two USB-C cables (one for power, one for data)
  • A user manual

They also sent over a 15mm lens to test with the camera. Straight away, the camera itself makes an impression.

 

First Impression: This Thing is Built to Last

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the YoloCam S7 was the build quality. It has an all-metal enclosure that feels solid and premium in your hands. As someone who has handled a lot of camera gear over the years, from lightweight plastics to heavy-duty professional rigs, this strikes a nice balance. It feels durable without being unnecessarily heavy.

Around the camera, you’ve got a standard accessory shoe mount on top, and all the essential ports are neatly arranged at the back: a 3.5mm mic input, a full HDMI output, and separate USB-C ports for data and power. A standard quarter-inch screw mount on the bottom means it will work with any tripod you already own.

 

The Heart of the Camera: The Sensor and Lens

After removing the sensor protector, you can see the main event: the Micro 4/3 Sony sensor. For a compact camera like this, that’s a pretty big deal. A larger sensor generally means better performance in low light and the ability to get that nice, natural-looking blurry background (or bokeh) that makes your videos pop.

Attaching the 15mm lens was simple, and I immediately plugged the camera into my YoloLiv Instream to see what the image looked like.

 

The Test Drive: Image Quality, Autofocus, and Low Light

I powered it on, and the image was immediately bright and sharp. The depth of field was impressive right out of the box. One thing to note is that the camera has no built-in microphone, so you absolutely need to use the 3.5mm jack for your audio.

I ran two quick tests:

  1. Autofocus: The autofocus was fast and responsive. It locked onto subjects quickly without that distracting “hunting” you see on some cameras.
  2. Low Light: I dimmed the lights in my studio, and the image held up incredibly well. The picture stayed clean and clear with virtually no visible noise or grain. This is where that larger sensor really proves its worth.

 

Final First Thoughts & What’s Next


So, is the YoloCam S7 a game-changer? My final verdict will have to wait for the full, in-depth review.

But my first impression is very positive. It’s a well-built, specialized tool that seems to do exactly what it promises: deliver a high-quality, professional image for vertical video without a complicated setup. For marketers, live streamers, and serious content creators, this could be a powerful new piece of gear.

I’ll be putting it through its paces over the next week. Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss the full review.

Interested in the gear from this video? You can check it out here:

(Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust.)

What do you want to see me test in the full review? Drop a comment below!

~ Adrian Lee



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

This Week in Videography: New Canon 5D Mark III Shoots Longer HD Videos

Did You Know You Can Convert Powerpoint to DVD?