Choosing the best camera for portraits is not an easy task. You must also consider which portraiture field you will work in despite camera basics.
Our list here will show you the best options in DSLR, mirrorless, and compact camera choices.
How To Choose a Camera for Portrait Photography
There are various factors to consider when it comes to the best camera for portraits.
One of the most important things you need to consider first is to choose a crop sensor or full-frame. There are benefits and drawbacks to each system, such as the cost. Full-frame cameras are more expensive. But, they have advantages in image quality, low-light performance, build and focusing.
It would help if you also asked yourself whether you would like to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera. DSLRs are more traditional and have a wider variety of compatible lenses. Mirrorless bodies are starting to outrank them in features.
Lights and settings will vary, so there are a few things your system will need. Image quality and resolution should be your main concerns.
Portrait photography is a vast photography genre. Before deciding on a camera, you must choose which type of portraits you plan to shoot. For example, a studio photographer will not need as good a burst rate as for nature. But, if you shoot in a studio, you will need higher resolution images.
In street photography, the emphasis is on autofocus and ISO performance. You need good low-light performance, a sturdy build, and weatherproof sealing for documentary photos.
Here, you might need a rapid shutter speed, a fast burst rate measured in frames per second (fps), and image stabilization. The latter usually comes from the lens, but some bodies have it built-in.
When it comes to autofocus, newer models often include eye-tracking. This feature was created specifically for portraiture.
We have collected the best cameras for portrait photography based on these aspects.
Best Cameras For Portrait Photography DSLR
Nikon D850
If you are looking for an advanced full-frame DSLR camera, Nikon’s D850 is for you! It offers a resolution of 45.7MP and a variety of advancements compared to its predecessors.
It can shoot at 64-25,600 ISO, which is expandable to 102,400. You can enjoy the advantages of 7 fps continuous shooting, as well as the 4K video features.
The 153-point autofocus system will allow for tack-sharp images. The focus peaking option ensures you have accurate manual focus.
The tiltable LCD touchscreen allows the flexibility you need when shooting portraits.
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
This 26.2MP full-frame camera is the best option if you are looking for an entry-level Canon full-frame. Its Dual Pixel autofocus and 45 cross-type AF points bring accurate focusing to the next level.
The camera also allows you to
create 4K time-lapses, combining the taken images.
The camera is lightweight (765 grams), making for a portable and easy-to-use camera body. It is also dust and water-resistant, making sure that you can shoot in a wide range of scenarios.
GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi allow you to connect to other devices. This results in easy image transfer.
Nikon D780
This is Canon EOS 6D Mark II‘s competitor, as it is almost on the same level as Canon’s entry-level, full-frame body. But, as the D780 came out 2.5 years after the 6D Mark II, it offers some advanced features that were not standard years ago.
The autofocus consists of 51 points in the viewfinder and 273 points in Live View. 4K UHD video quality, built-in HDR, and time-lapse video allow you to bring the most out of your photography.
You can also shoot several exposure pictures and utilize focus stacking. The sturdy build and the dual SD card are also extras that this body offers.
Canon 90D
This is a higher-end crop sensor body from Canon, with a resolution of 32.5MP and burst shooting up to 10 fps.
The autofocus system is outstanding compared to the price range. The Dual Pixel AF ensures accurate and fast autofocus, alongside 45 cross-type autofocus points. Eye-detection AF is also in this model, which is especially useful for portraits.
The 4K video shooting possibilities and the Full HD 120p video allow you to try videography. There is also built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which ensures compatibility.
Nikon D7500
This body is the 90D’s competitor and Nikon‘s best crop-sensor DSLR camera. It offers fast and accurate autofocus with 51 focus points.
It’s also capable of 8 fps continuous shooting, with an improved buffer for shooting raw. The tilting touchscreen and the weatherproof sealing ensure no worries about external circumstances.
Nikon also improved the battery life, allowing up to 950 photos with one charge.
Canon 5D Mark IV
As the main competitor of Nikon’S D850, this is one of the most advanced cameras on this list. It offers a 30.4MP resolution and a widely expandable ISO range of 100-32,000 (50-102,400).
The Dual Pixel AF combined with the Touch AF results in a reliable and accurate autofocus system. It also offers 4K video shooting, with a built-in frame capture option. This will allow you to freeze videos and save high-quality images.
The body is lighter than you would expect, as it is less than 800 grams.
Nikon D500
Nikon aimed to create a small yet versatile camera, high-quality yet affordable. And it’s safe to say that they managed.
This lesser-known crop sensor camera body has many unexpected features that make it a good value for money. These include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The 20.9MP resolution, 10 fps continuous shooting, and 4K UHD video are all features you wouldn’t expect in a mid-range crop sensor body. It also offers an ISO range of 100-51,400, expandable to a high ISO of 1,640,000.
Canon 7D Mark II
One of the oldest cameras on this list, the 7D Mark II, came out in 2014. While the 20.6MP resolution and the 100-16,000 ISO range aren’t exceptional, the camera makes up for it in its other features.
It allows 10 fps burst shooting and includes a Dual Pixel AF system with 65 cross-type focus points. It also has a built-in Wi-Fi which enables communication with smartphones and computers.
You should consider this camera if you are looking for a good compromise between quality and price. The body works well for portrait photography while being affordable for enthusiasts.
Nikon D3500
The D3500 is the best option if you are looking for an entry-level DSLR that is suitable for portraits.
It has a compact design and small size (390 grams), making it perfect for travel or street photography. The 24.2MP resolution is outstanding for an entry-level camera.
You can shoot five photos per second in burst mode and take full HD videos at the touch of a button. It is an easy-to-use camera that allows beginners to get started in the basics of photography.
Canon 4000D
This is the Canon equal to the D3500. The 18MP crop sensor lets you take well-lit pictures even in difficult lighting conditions.
The intelligent auto modes make the use of this camera easy for those who are starting in photography. There are also creative filters available that you can apply to your pictures right after shooting.
The Wi-Fi and the Canon Connect app allow you to be remote and share images on social media or back them up in a cloud service.
Mirrorless
Nikon Z6 II
As one of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market, the Z6 II does not disappoint in any areas. With a resolution of 24.5MP, the image quality is as good as any DSLR competitor offers.
The continuous shooting goes up to 14 fps, which is an outstanding rate that you can utilize for action photography. There is also an opportunity to shoot 4K videos.
The 273-point, Hybrid autofocus system ensures that your photos are always sharp and in focus. There is even an option for eye detection, which is especially useful for portraits.
Sony Alpha A7R IV
The Sony Alpha A7R IV is a beast offering DSLR quality images within a lightweight camera body. A stunning 61MP sensor at a 35mm equivalency.
This camera is the way to go for all portraits, especially those you need to print in high resolution. Built-in Wi-Fi, a wide range of compatible lenses, and a tiltable 3-inch LCD screen make this camera sit well above all other options.
It will even take over ten images a second. This is perfect for capturing those minute changes in the models’ expressions.
Canon EOS R5
This is Canon’s newest and most advanced mirrorless camera. It includes various revolutionary features that open up new worlds in the mirrorless camera industry.
Its Dual Pixel autofocus system consists of 1053 points and uses Deep Learning to track moving subjects throughout the frame. It has a burst rate of 20 fps. The video capabilities are also outstanding. You can shoot 8K video at 30p and 4K at 120p.
The body is sturdy and weather-sealed and has an articulating LCD screen. The dual card slots and the Wi-Fi support are also remarkable features of this camera body.
Fujifilm X-T4
This body is an update on their top-level DSLR-shaped APS-C camera.
Inside, you’ll find the 26MP sensor, along with 425 AF points. With the accurate autofocus, you also get 15 fps continuous shooting.
The image quality is stunning. The contrast and phase-detection system help you amazingly capture the scene.
On top of this, a booster power grip allows you to draw power from several batteries, letting you hit 30 fps, which is great for moving subjects. The Fujifilm X-T4 is a perfect choice for fast-paced portraiture sessions.
Nikon Z50
While the mentioned cameras have a full-frame sensor, the Nikon Z50 is a crop-sensor camera. It comes with a 20.9MP resolution and 4K UHD video capabilities.
The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow you to connect the camera with your smartphone or computer. It also has a tiltable LCD screen, perfect for taking self-portraits or videos. You can also use the built-in silent mode when you are taking candid portraits of people.
It is a lightweight (450 grams) but durable camera body. The affordable price makes it possible for enthusiasts to get into photography more deeply.
Sony Alpha 7C
This mirrorless body is an excellent choice if looking for an entry-level full-frame best portrait camera. The 24.2MP resolution and 4K video features compete with many other professional camera bodies.
Like in the other Sony mirrorless cameras, the autofocus is outstanding in the case of A7C as well. It offers a hybrid system of 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast autofocus points.
This body is the smallest and lightest (509 grams) full-frame camera on the market, making it one of the best cameras for portraits.
Panasonic Lumix G9
This camera is the first Micro-Four-Thirds sensor on our list. It captures images in 20.3MP resolution, offering an 80MP high-resolution mode. This combines eight images to create a single photo.
It has powerful video shooting abilities, being able to record videos at 4K resolution and slow-motion up to 180 fps. There is also a built-in image stabilization. Combined with the 9 fps burst rate, this ensures sharp images even when using a slower shutter speed.
The body has built-in Wi-Fi and freeze, dust, and weatherproof sealing.
Fujifilm X-T200
Look no further if you are looking for an affordable yet high-quality crop-sensor mirrorless camera. The Fujifilm X-T200 camera is lightweight and compact but offers many professional features.
It has a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, 24.2MP sensor, 8 fps continuous shooting, and 4K UHD video.
It even includes face-detection autofocus, making the camera especially suitable for portraiture photography. The low light performance is also outstanding, as the focusing is accurate up to -2.0 EV, with a low level of visible grain.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
This Micro-Four-Thirds mirrorless camera is perfect for both enthusiasts and beginners.
Its biggest strength lies in its versatility. The 5-axis in-camera image stabilization ensures you get sharp pictures even in low light. The body offers 121 cross-type autofocus points and 4K video shooting.
You can take 50MP ultra-high-resolution images. You can also use the live composite mode for long-exposure photography. The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are two extras that make this camera even more appealing.
Panasonic S5
Panasonic’s best full-frame mirrorless camera is worth checking out. It has an outstandingly high 96MP resolution mode in JPEG format.
The dual image stabilization keeps your photos clear and sharp. The advanced Face/Eye AI autofocus gives you the precision and speed needed for perfect portrait photography.
The 4K 60p video recording and weather-resistant body are not negligible features either. The camera is also pretty lightweight (714 grams) and portable.
Conclusion
There are options for the best cameras to shoot high-quality portraits. The only differences are size, weight, and budget. You can do without many of the fancy features, especially if you find yourself on a budget. Your choice will depend on your style and genre of portrait photography. We have cameras best for low light conditions, others with a wide aperture that won’t break the bank.
