Best Camera for Product Photography : A good camera will help you take better product photography and get the desired results.
If you want to take product photography at home, a cheap DSLR is probably your best bet. Or if you need to take product photos on the go, a smartphone camera might be best for you.
The best cameras for product photography are in this list. All of them capture sharp and high contrast images which can be fully controlled in post production. You’ll find both DSLR and mirrorless for beginners or pros and small sensor cameras for bloggers on a budget.
Best budget camera for product photography
Most beginners don’t have a lot of money to get the best photography gear. That’s why this article shows you how to get started with the best cameras for product photography for the least amount of money.
Best camera for product photography – If you are planning to shoot products, the best camera for product photography would be a DSLR camera with a prime lens. A prime lens is much cheaper than lenses in general and generally easier to use because of the fixed focal length (can’t zoom).
Best camera for product photography
Product photography is quickly becoming a popular field, and there are a ton of different products photographers out there. This camera has the ability to be very portable and is great for taking photos of your product detail shots.
Product photography is a profitable, fun, and in-demand photography niche. The right equipment will help you capture those amazing shots that will sell. So today, we will take you through the best cameras to buy for product photography.
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If you’re looking for a quick answer, the best affordable camera for product photography is the Fujifilm GFX 50R. But we are recommending nine other cameras too. Afterward, we will provide you with an in-depth guide on finding the best camera for your product photography.
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10 Best Cameras for Product Photography
Product photographers earn the most in the world of photography. Apart from their skills and experience, they also use expensive equipment to get the best results.
So, what is the most popular camera for professional product photographers? Well, the answer depends.
Some of the cameras that product photographers use can exceed 40,000USD. Now, that’s way beyond the budget of even the most enthusiastic enthusiast.
We have included the best options for beginners, professionals, and experts on this list. That way, you can choose the perfect camera for you no matter your skill level or your budget.
Best Camera for Product Photography for Beginners
10. iPhone 13
- 12MP
- Macro capabilities
- Portrait mode
If you’re looking for a camera to take simple product images to sell items on websites like Depop or eBay, the newest iPhone could be sufficient for your needs!
With amazing new features such as a Macro mode, you will be able to grab some great detailed shots of smaller items. Portrait mode is also useful for product photography to separate the product from the background without editing your image.
Added improvements in how iPhone cameras handle zoom shots also contribute to the iPhone 13 being the best phone camera for product photography.
9. Sony a6400
- 24MP
- APS-C sensor
- Sony e-mount
The Sony a6400 may be outside some beginners’ budgets, but if you’re looking for a small camera that is easy to use, look no further.
Of course, its impressive 24 megapixels give you more than enough quality for fantastic product images. But, its real strength is being this small yet compatible with the Sony E lens range.
This means that you can put on beautiful telephoto lenses for professional results. The best thing is it gives you a much simpler shooting method but with the same equipment!
8. Panasonice Lumix FZ80K
- 18MP
- 4K video
- Long zoom for a point-and-shoot camera
The Lumix FZ80K features a range of capabilities that can contribute to excellent product photography. First of all, it has an equivalent of a 20-1200mm lens. So, this camera can cover it all, whether you are shooting wide-angle or zoomed in.
The camera also has a Post Focus feature, so you can set the focus point after taking the image! It comes in handy with product photography, particularly food photography. Your camera should be on a tripod, and it will be easy to incorporate this feature into your photoshoot.
The Lumix FZ80K can handle 4K videos. It’s an excellent feature if you need to get some product videos done. For all these reasons and the low price, the Lumix FZ80K is the best beginner camera for product photography.
Best Product Photography Cameras For Professionals
7. Canon 90D
- 32MP
- 45 focus points
- Bluetooth
If you’re looking for a camera to leave on a tripod the whole day, the Canon 90D is for you. You can capture fantastic product photography images with professional capabilities and fantastic image quality.
Its unique Bluetooth features allow for remote shooting, perfect for product photography. You can leave your camera on the tripod while adjusting product lighting and setups.
It saves you from returning to the camera every time you move an object a couple of millimeters for the perfect image, making the Canon 90D perfect for food photography.
6. Nikon D850
- 45MP
- 153 focus points
- Snapbridge connectivity
The Nikon D850 isn’t cheap. But if you can afford it, you know it’s relatively inexpensive for what it can do. Its 45MP sensor alone has more than enough resolution to compete with the most expensive cameras on this list.
So what makes the Nikon D850 an excellent investment? The main reason is the image quality. It has one of the lowest instances of ISO noise when it comes to all the DSLR options we listed.
It also has an outstanding dynamic range that allows you to recover shadows and highlights in your photos. Not to mention the 45MP resolution enables you to print big ads without any issues.
5. Canon EOS 5DS
- 50MP
- Fast image processing
- Dual-pixel, autofocus (AF) Sensor
A lot of people are aware of the Canon 5D’s legendary performance. It has been the go-to DSLR camera for most professional photographers.
The 5DS is the beefed-up version of the 5D. Instead of the 30.4MP of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, you get 50MP. It is 5MP higher than the Nikon D850.
The 5DS’s high-resolution sensor rivals that of its medium format counterparts. That means that it can produce high-quality images you can use for big ads in a more petite DSLR body.
Of course, it’s compatible with dozens of Canon’s EF lenses. It makes it versatile for all sorts of product shoots.
4. Sony Alpha 7R IV
- 61MP
- Fast and extensive autofocus (AF)
- 5-axis stabilisation
A lot of photographers switched when Sony released mirrorless cameras for professionals. Why? Because mirrorless options are smaller, they often pack more features than regular DSLRs.
A lot has changed since Sony first introduced its professional line. And the Alpha 7R IV is the culmination of all those years of research and development.
What makes the Alpha 7R IV unique is that it features a 61MP back-side illuminated (BSI)-CMOS sensor. That low-light feature blows the Canons EOS 5DS and Nikon D850 out of the water.
This camera also has a built-in image stabilizer that eliminates the tiniest motion blur. That’s crucial, especially since your product photography involves capturing the smallest details. Plus, its high price point is affordable for most professional photographers.
3. Fujifilm GFX 100
- 100MP
- Autofocus (AF) phase detection
In 2019, Fujifilm announced their first medium-format, mirrorless camera—the GFX 100. What made it stand out was its design—different from its medium-format counterparts. Instead, it looked more like a supersize mirrorless camera.
Despite being larger than a regular mirrorless camera, the GFX 100 is relatively compact for a medium format. That’s why it’s perfect for both outdoor projects and indoor shoots.
Sure, the cost of the body alone is sky-high. But as a medium format camera with a 100MP sensor, it’s quite a deal. It’s especially true since competitor cameras can cost four times as much or more!
Best Product Photography Cameras For Experts
2. Fujifilm GFX 50R
- 50MP
- Medium format sensor
Can’t afford the GFX 100 quite yet? Then try the GFX 50R, Fujifilm’s 50MP version.
Sure, it’s still quite expensive. But if you think about it, it’s just about the same price as many flagship DSLRs these days. That’s why it’s an excellent entry point for those who want to try a medium-format camera.
So what do you get with the GFX 50R? First, you get to enjoy expert-level image quality at a fraction of the price. Its medium format sensor gives you depth and resolution that even the best full-frame sensor cannot replicate.
The 50R also uses smaller file sizes than the GFX 100, saving you storage space. And finally, it has a compact body perfect for both lifestyle product shots and studio photography.
1. Hasselblad X1D II 50C
- 50MP
- Small for Hasselblad
You can consider the X1D II 50C, the direct competitor of Fujifilm’s GFX 50R. It’s relatively compact, has similar features, and has the same price point. Since it’s a Hasselblad, it also has some of the best lenses for product photography.
It’s a considerate price tag for the body. But the X1D II 50C is quite affordable, especially for a Hasselblad.
If you buy a package with the kit lens, it can set you back a good amount. But that price is still manageable if you get plenty of commercial work. So if you want high-end equipment, this may be the best camera for you.
How to Choose a Camera for Product Photography
Product photography is a mixed bag of various disciplines. So the photography equipment you need ultimately depends on what type of services you want to offer.
Product photographers offer many services for e-commerce, social media, and advertising. And each of those fields requires different approaches. So, the type of camera you get must meet the demands of the services you provide.
High vs. Low Megapixels
Are you interested in photographing for Amazon, Etsy, or eBay? You can get away with a less expensive camera body for digital use. You can even use a 12-megapixel option if you wish.
Websites don’t work well with big file sizes. If you use a high-resolution camera, you’ll have to reduce its quality to upload your images. That’s why it’s best to use more straightforward cameras with fewer megapixel counts for web use.
But what if you want to take product photos for print? Then it’s essential to buy a camera with a high-resolution sensor. Why? Because you’ll need to maintain the fine details of your image when printing commercial posters that are several feet wide or even bigger.
What Camera Features Do You Need for Product Photography?
1. Manual Mode
Every camera has an auto mode. But professional photographers don’t use it often because it can be unreliable at times.
Automatic cameras are still no match for the human eye. No matter how high-tech they are, they still make mistakes.
That’s why photographers prefer to have complete control over every aspect of photography. And manual mode allows them to do just that.
What if you’ve never tried manual mode before? It’s not that hard to learn. Check out this quick guide on manual mode, and you’ll see.
Essential Camera Settings
When doing product photography, automated camera settings won’t always be accurate. So it’s still best if your device lets you select the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture combination.
That way, you always get the correct exposure every time. Furthermore, your camera should allow you to adjust the white balance to capture accurate colors.
And, of course, manual mode settings also extend to lens focus. When using auto mode, cameras don’t always focus well on small products or low light. But if you adjust everything yourself, you can ensure that your main subject stays tack sharp.
2. Interchangeable Lenses
Smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras these days are pretty impressive. But the built-in lenses won’t do everything you need when photographing products.
Why limit yourself to built-in lenses when there are tons of other lens options made explicitly for different situations? After all, photography for each product varies.
For example, macro lenses work well with small items such as jewelry. Meanwhile, a 24-70mm lens is perfect for lifestyle product photography.
3. High-Resolution Sensors
When getting into product photography work, check the megapixel count of your camera. The larger the number of megapixels, the bigger the file and the higher the print’s quality will be.
The better resolution you have, the better you can capture details. In post-processing, the level of precision you get from high-resolution cameras allows you to fine-tune your edits even better.
Another perk of high-resolution sensors is the ability to crop very tight and still print very big. More megapixels mean more detail and less compression. More details mean you can crop more and fiddle with the composition without the risk of losing information.
Number of Megapixels Needed
Many product photography companies will ask about your camera’s megapixel count. Any option with a resolution between 40MP to 100MP or more is perfect for large commercial projects.
But that doesn’t mean the best camera for product photography has to be 50MP or over. When you’re still starting, it’s doubtful that you’ll get projects requiring big print ads just yet.
Your first job most likely will be for online use or social media. So that means you can produce excellent photography products even with a 12MP camera.
But to help you get better results, it’s better to stick with 24MP options. After all, they are common in most entry-level cameras, anyway.
4. High Dynamic-Range Performance
Product photography is ultimately all about lighting. Of course, regular people can take photos of products anywhere they want. But what makes a professional’s work different is how they can create beautiful lighting around objects.
The best camera for product photography has to have an excellent dynamic range. In other words, it needs to capture the brightest highlights and darkest shadows equally.
Determining Dynamic Range
Every camera is different, so their dynamic range performance also varies greatly. So, how do you know which camera has the best dynamic range? Since there’s no way for you to test each camera, you’ll need to rely on reviews.
If the camera you choose only has three stops of dynamic range, then it’s not a good option. Why? Because you likely won’t recover shadows or highlights when editing your photos. But if it has eight stops or more, then there are fewer chances of blowing out your images.
What Lenses Do You Need for Product Photography?
Even if your camera has a 100MP sensor, it won’t mean much if you have a useless lens. And keep in mind that the higher megapixels come at a higher price! Instead, it would be better to use a more expensive lens with excellent sharpness and resolving power.
If your lens can’t produce sharp photos, it negates the resolution of your camera. So choose a system that has reputable lenses. Thankfully, most camera manufacturers offer excellent options.
Check Lens Compatibility
It would also be best to consider the types of lenses you can buy for your camera. For instance, does your brand sell quality macro lenses specific to your device?
If not, then that may not be the best choice. This issue is particularly prevalent when it comes to new mirrorless systems. Some of them have new mounts that are not compatible with lenses already available in the market.
So before you buy, do your research. Check if the camera you have in mind is compatible with the lenses you’ll need.
Conclusion
Don’t overthink the best camera for your product photography when you start. It should be fine if you have an old 12MP DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Don’t invest your money in an expensive camera, especially if you don’t have the experience yet. It’s challenging to take advantage of all its features if you don’t know how to use them properly.
So take your time and learn. The more you experience you gain, the more you earn. And as you increase your revenue, you can buy better equipment that best fits you down the road.
Remember that even the most experienced product photographer went through what you are going through. So be patient, because you’ll also get there eventually.
