Have you ever tried taking a portrait only to find that the resulting image didn't do justice to your subject? Maybe the colors were off, or the background was distracting. Or perhaps you just couldn't quite capture the expression you were looking for.
Above all, it's the gear that you’re using. Are you sure your camera is good enough to click some high-quality portraits, or do you need an upgrade?
With the right camera for portraits, you can take stunning, frame-worthy shots that truly capture the essence of your subject. Whether you're a professional photographer or looking to lift your Instagram game, choosing the right camera can make all the difference.
This begs the question, how do you determine the best camera for portraits? Well, we’ve listed some of the best choices to make it easier.
Best Camera for Portraits – Comparison Table
Best Camera for Portraits – Reviews
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a top-tier camera for professionals and enthusiasts. It produces high-quality images with excellent detail and color reproduction using a 26.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a 45-point all-cross-type auto-focus system.
The camera features Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast, accurate focusing and Full HD video at 60p for smooth, high-quality footage.
The DIGIC 7 Image Processor enhances image quality and processing speed for a faster and smoother operation. Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth low-energy connectivity make transferring images and videos to other devices easy.
The camera's touchscreen LCD provides a clear view of the images and makes it easy to operate.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for travel and outdoor photography: it's also compatible with the battery pack LP E6N / LP E6, which provides long-lasting power for extended shooting sessions.
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast and accurate focusing
- DIGIC 7 Image Processor for faster and smoother operation
- Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth low energy connectivity for easy transfer of images and videos
- Vary-Angle Touchscreen LCD monitor for easy operation
- Limited compatibility with Canon EF lenses (excluding EF S and EF M lenses)
- No 4K video recording capability
- Only one SD card slot
The Sony Alpha 7 is a full-frame camera that boasts a world-first in-body 5-axis image stabilization system, which minimizes blur from camera shake from five different directions. This system also enhances lenses that already have optical image stabilization systems.
With a 24.3MP resolution, super-fast autofocus, and a compact design, this camera is capable of capturing breathtaking images and videos that are more stable than ever.
The fast hybrid autofocus system utilizes 117 phase-detection points and 25 contrast-detection points, making it 30% faster than the previous models.
The camera also features Sony's E-mount lens system, which is well-suited for video shooting with its “movie-friendly” features like smooth focusing and powered zoom control.
The Sony Alpha 7 has a high contrast, 2.4-million dot OLED EVF for eye-level framing, allowing you to view every scene in rich detail. It also includes a tiltable 3” LCD screen that tilts up and down for easy high and low-angle framing.
Additional features of the Sony Alpha 7 include Full HD recording in XAVC S format up to 50mb/s, connectivity with smartphones via Wi-Fi/NFC control, tethering to a PC for remote camera control, and personalization with PlayMemories Camera Apps.
Designed for professional workflows, the Alpha 7 is equipped with S-Log2 gamma and a picture profile that can adjust settings like gamma, black, level, and color adjustment.
- In-body 5-axis image stabilization system
- Fast hybrid autofocus system
- High contrast, 2.4-million dot OLED EVF
- Tiltable 3” LCD screen tilts up and down for easy high and low-angle framing
- Equipped with S-Log2 gamma and a picture profile for professional workflows
- Full HD base band HDMI output and time code/user bit
- Battery life may not last as long as other mirrorless cameras
- Limited lens selection
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is equipped with a full-frame, high-speed CMOS sensor that captures 30.4 effective megapixels at normal ISOs of up to 32000, expandable to 50-102400 (equivalent ISO).
This camera's versatility makes it ideal for various light conditions and shooting situations, from print and wedding photography to commercial or fine art.
It can capture Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standard 4K (Motion JPEG) videos of 4096 x 2160 pixels at up to 30 or 24 fps and also supports the 4K broadcasting standard of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
The EOS 5D Mark IV camera uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF, featuring two photodiodes per pixel, with each pixel capable of phase-difference detection autofocus.
The camera features a 1.62 million dot, low-reflection 3.2-inch Clear View LCD II monitor for a bright, sharp display in various shooting situations.
The EOS 5D Mark IV also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing users to control the camera remotely and transfer images and videos to their compatible smart devices.
It also has built-in GPS technology, allowing photographers to automatically tag their images with location data and adjust the camera's time and timestamp.
- Full-frame, high-speed CMOS sensor with 30.4 effective megapixels
- ISO range of 100-32000 (expandable to 50-102400) for low-light photography
- Ability to produce high-resolution 4K video and image files
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast and accurate autofocus
- Built-in GPS technology for location tagging and automatic time adjustment
- Expensive compared to other cameras in its class
- No built-in flash, which may be a drawback for some users
The Nikon D810 is a game-changer regarding image quality and dynamic range. The camera features a 36.3-megapixel FX-format full-frame image sensor with no optical low-pass filter, coupled with Nikon's innovative EXPEED 4 image processing technology.
This pairing results in flawless detail retention, beautiful noise-free images, a wide dynamic range, and well-saturated skin tones.
The D810 performs with speed and precision thanks to its Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX AF sensor, which uses 51 focus points, including 15 cross-type sensors.
It also has a newly designed sequencer mechanism and an Electronic Front Curtain shutter system that virtually eliminates internal vibration.
- High-resolution FX-format full-frame image sensor with no optical low-pass filter
- Innovative EXPEED 4 image processing
- Fast and accurate autofocus system with 51 focus points
- Electronic Front Curtain shutter system for added stability
- Fast frame rates of up to 7 fps in DX-crop mode
- No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS, which can be a drawback for some photographers who rely on these features
- Requires high-quality lenses to fully realize the potential of its high-resolution sensor, which can add to the overall cost of the camera
- Limited low-light performance compared to some competitors, especially at higher ISO settings.
The Nikon D780 is a powerful camera that packs a 51-point autofocus system, allowing for precise and fast subject detection and tracking.
The camera also features a focal-plane phase-detection auto-focus system with 273 points, which is reliable for live viewing and movie recording.
Its eye-detection auto-focus does a great job with candid portraits. The backside illumination CMOS image sensor has 24.5 effective megapixels and an ISO range of 100-51200, providing clear and noise-free images even in low-light environments.
The D780 also has a wide range of shutter speeds, from 1/8000 to 900 seconds, which allows for capturing split-second moments and gradual movements over extended periods.
The camera also offers interval-timer photography and generates time-lapse movies in-camera. It boasts an impressive battery life, allowing for approximately 2,260 still shots on a single charge.
- Reliable 273-point hybrid autofocus system for live view and movie recording
- Eye-detection autofocus for candid portraits
- Wide range of shutter speeds from 1/8000 to 900 seconds
- Interval-timer photography with in-camera time-lapse movie generation
- Long battery life of approximately 2,260 still shots per charge
- No built-in flash
- No in-body image stabilization
- Limited buffer depth when shooting in continuous mode
Buyer's Guide
How to Choose the Best Camera for Portraits
When it comes to capturing stunning portraits, choosing the right camera can make all the difference. But with so many options, how do you know which one to choose? Here are a few key factors to consider:
Sensor Size
The size of a camera's sensor plays a crucial role in determining image quality, especially in low-light situations. For optimal results, it's recommended to go for a camera with a larger sensor, such as a full-frame sensor.
Lens Options
The lens you use can significantly affect your portraits' overall look and feel. Therefore, choosing a camera that offers various lens options, including those with a wide maximum aperture, is advisable.
This will enable you to create a shallow depth of field, effectively blurring the background and highlighting your subject.
Autofocus System
Since portrait subjects tend to move around, it's essential to have a dependable autofocus system. When selecting a camera, look for a fast and precise autofocus system, preferably with eye detection technology, to ensure your subject's eyes remain focused.
Image Stabilization
Another feature that can enhance image quality is image stabilization, which helps reduce camera shake and produce sharper images. Opting for a camera with in-body image stabilization is particularly helpful when shooting handheld or in low light.
Budget
Of course, your budget will also play a role in determining which camera you choose. While excellent cameras are available at every price point, investing in a higher-end camera can often yield better image quality and performance results.
Types of Portrait Cameras
In your hunt for the best camera for portraits, you might come across several kinds of cameras on the market.
DSLRs
DSLRs (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) are popular among portrait photographers for their excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and wide range of lens options.
These cameras use a mirror to reflect the image from the lens into a prism and then to the viewfinder, allowing you to see exactly what the lens sees.
This optical viewfinder is one of the main advantages of DSLRs over mirrorless cameras, as it provides a clear, real-time view of your subject.
Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular due to their compact size, advanced autofocus systems, and excellent image quality. Many mirrorless cameras now rival or even exceed the performance of DSLRs.
Unlike DSLRs, mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror mechanism or optical viewfinder. Instead, they use a digital viewfinder or the camera's rear LCD screen to display the image.
This allows for a smaller, more compact camera body, making mirrorless cameras a popular choice for travel and on-the-go photography.
Medium Format Cameras
Medium format cameras offer the ultimate image quality thanks to their larger sensors and high-end lenses.
These cameras use sensors that are significantly larger than those found in DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, typically measuring 44mm by 33mm or larger.
This allows for greater detail, dynamic range, and low light performance, making medium format cameras a popular choice for high-end commercial and fine art photography.
However, they are also quite expensive and may be overkill for many portrait photographers.
Ultimately, the most important factor in creating beautiful portraits is your own skill and creativity as a photographer. So, no matter which camera you choose, remember to have fun, experiment, and keep learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a DSLR or mirrorless camera for portrait photography?
Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras can be good choices for portrait photography. DSLRs are known for their excellent autofocus systems and optical viewfinders, while mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter, making them more portable.
What lens should I use for portrait photography?
A fast prime lens with a wide aperture, such as a 50mm F1.8 or an 85mm F1.8, is a popular choice for portrait photography, as it can produce a shallow depth of field and a pleasing bokeh effect. Zoom lenses can also be used but may not provide a satisfactory aperture.
Ending Note
The right equipment always comes in handy, allowing you to capture beautiful, timeless images. Factors such as image quality, lens selection, autofocus capability, and other features play a significant role in achieving great portrait shots.
While some may argue that the most important aspect of portrait photography is the photographer's skills and creativity, having a camera that can complement those skills and creativity can make a big difference.
Ultimately, the best camera for portraits is the one that feels comfortable and suits the photographer's specific needs and preferences.
With the right camera in hand, photographers can capture stunning portraits that tell unique stories and leave a lasting impression on their viewers.