Do you want to get the best camera for food photography but don’t know where to start? You’ve arrived at the correct location.
While practically any camera may be used to shoot food, certain cameras will perform better than others if you want to become serious about your food photography. For example, if you want excellent image quality, you should think about sensor size and resolution. You’ll also need good low-light shooting skills, since you may find yourself photographing in poorly lit kitchens for one shot and then in the studio or outside for the next. Other elements that will provide you with more freedom include ergonomics, image stability, and lens availability.
I’ve included food photography cameras for photographers of all levels, from beginners to pros, in the list below. And I’ve chosen a variety of alternatives that span all major brands and pricing points.
10 Best Cameras for Food Photography
1. Nikon Z7 II
The Z mount comes with 18 superb lenses and teleconverters, and you can always get the FTZ adapter to work with Nikon’s outstanding F-Mount lenses. You’ll have more creative freedom while still getting the highest optical performance.
If you enjoy photographing culinary preparations or splashes, you’ll love the class-leading focusing skills and the 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed. Furthermore, the body is dust and leak-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about it becoming damaged while carrying it in a bag or capturing action. There’s also a battery grip for when you’re going to be shooting for several hours.
2. Nikon D850
The ISO sensitivity ranges from 64 to 25600, and if you want to catch activity in your food photographs, the 7 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed will come in in (9 fps when bolstered by the battery grip).
The 153 focusing points offer excellent shots even when capturing moving subjects (such as a chef at work), and the power-saving design allows for longer battery life than competitors.
And the Nikon D850 gives you access to an incredible selection of F-Mount lenses, many of which are affordable and astonishingly good.
3. Nikon D3400
No, it isn’t as powerful as a full-frame camera, but the price is far more manageable, and it’s a terrific way to get your feet wet. The D3400 is intended for artists who are used to working with their smartphones, so even if you have no prior DSLR expertise, you should have no trouble handling the camera.
You may transfer D3400 photographs directly to your smartphone with the Nikon SnapBridge app, allowing you to swiftly share your latest masterpieces to social media. And the built-in Guide Mode makes this camera ideal for novices; simply follow the step-by-step directions to record a wide range of topics and scenarios.
4. Canon EOS 5DS Mark II
You can depict food down to the smallest detail thanks to the high-resolution sensor, and while low-light performance isn’t stellar, you can still get away with a low-light image or two (particularly if you carry a tripod!). Whether you’re aiming for a fine-print cookbook or a billboard commercial, the 5DS won’t let you down.
In fact, despite its astonishing megapixel count, the 5DS can process 5 RAW photographs per second, giving you ample speed to shoot action or even food splash photos.
If you want to learn more about the 5DS’s performance in the field, I recommend checking up culinary photographer Skyler Burt. Not only does he utilize this camera for the majority of his work, but he has also uploaded several videos discussing why he uses it, showcasing shoots behind the scenes, and more.
5. Canon EOS Rebel T6i
$416.00
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The ISO sensitivity spans from 100 to 12800, allowing you to photograph a barbecue on a bright day or a meal in a darkly lit dining room. If you wish to photograph food preparation, you’ll love the 5 fps continuous shooting speed and the good AF system, which has 19 cross-type points for fast, precise focusing.
When shooting in Live View mode, you may sample a variety of filters and presets, and with the T6i’s built-in WiFi, you can effortlessly upload your photographs to your phone or tablet for simple sharing on social media.
6. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon Ambassador Yasmin Albatoul shoots with the Canon 5D Mark IV, which she utilized for her winning submission in Foodelia’s 2020 International Food Photography Awards. It’s also a photographic powerhouse, with its 30 MP full-frame sensor, exceptional high-ISO performance, and fantastic ergonomics.
In addition, the 5D Mark IV has 61 AF points with 41 cross-type sensors for crisp and precise photos even while shooting movement. It’s worth noting that you can take up to 7 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, which is ideal for capturing food preparation or action food photographs like splash photography.
In addition, the 5D Mark IV includes Dual Pixel RAW technology, which allows you to fine-tune the point of sharpness and adjust the bokeh in post-production. It also has WiFi and GPS integrated for simple sharing and geotagging.
7. Sony a7 IV
The a7 IV is based on a full-frame, back-illuminated 33 MP sensor with a 15-stop dynamic range, allowing you to capture exquisite detail even in low-light situations. The high-ISO performance is excellent, with an ISO range ranging from 50 to a staggering 204800.
The a7 IV also has excellent focusing skills, and if you’re a multimedia maker, you’ll like the live streaming and high-quality sharing for real-time distant collaboration.
It’s also worth noting that the Sony a7 IV and its packaging are part of Sony’s Road to Zero environmental initiative, which aims to reduce the company’s environmental footprint throughout the product’s life cycle.
8. Fujifilm X100V
The X100V has a 26.1 MP APS-C sensor and a fantastic lens (which was built specifically for this camera!). The focal length is 23mm (equivalent to 35mm according to the APS-C crop factor), and the maximum aperture of f/2 is ideal for low-light shooting.
The colors are stunning, as one would expect from a Fujifilm camera. One of the most appealing features is the hybrid viewfinder, which lets you to convert from optical to electronic technology while in the field, allowing you to observe the subject as it is (OVF) before adjusting the exposure (EVF).
The screen has a two-way tilting, which is a first for the X100 Series. This will allow you to move more freely when photographing from unusual angles. Beginners will like the presets and shooting settings, which allow them to examine their images with hundreds of attractive effects.
9. Panasonic Lumix S1
The Lumix S1 delivers excellent low-light performance, with minimum noise even at higher ISOs. Even when shooting handheld with slow shutter rates, the image stabilizer will help you produce crisp shots. And, owing to the sophisticated AF technology, you can achieve fast and precise focus even while shooting moving subjects in low-light circumstances.
If you enjoy the sound of the S1 but want a higher-resolution camera, try the Lumix S1R, which has a 47.3 MP sensor and a high-resolution mode that can reach 187 MP.
10. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
You can prevent fuzzy shots even in low light thanks to the in-body 5-axis image stabilization technology, and the tiltable touchscreen makes the camera very straightforward for previous smartphone shooters.
The E-M10 Mark III also includes a variety of automated settings and capabilities for inexperienced photographers, as well as 121 AF points for razor-sharp shots whether utilizing Live View or the viewfinder.
