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The Best Cameras For Portraits can be DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or even a camera phone. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses and large sensors for top quality and background blur, but camera phones now offer exciting digital ‘depth modes’ that can work well to simulate the background blur of a larger camera. Does it matter if you choose a DSLR or a mirrorless camera? Both take interchangeable lenses, so not really.
The best digital single-lens reflex cameras nowadays offer great value for money, while the best mirrorless cameras combine small format and versatility, with 4K video now almost universal. You also don’t have to spend a fortune, because some of the best cameras for beginners are also ideal for portrait photography. One of the main reasons why many of us buy a digital camera is to take beautiful portraits.
Best Cameras For Portraits List
Whether it is vacation and family snapshots to capture your precious memories, or you are a dedicated portrait photographer, you must equip yourself with the right camera.
Nikon Z 7
A high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera is great for top-quality portraits on the go
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 45.7MP full-frame CMOS
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Autofocus: Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch, 3690k-dot OLED
- Screen: 3.2-inch, 2100k-dot tilting touch-sensitive TFT LCD
- User level: Expert
The fantastic full-frame compact system camera from Nikon is a great all-rounder that performs well in several different scenarios. However, we have selected it for portraits thanks to several, particularly attractive functions. Firstly, that full-frame sensor of 45.7 megapixels can produce both seriously sharp foreground, but also offer good possibilities for beautifully blurred backgrounds.
Secondly, with Eye AF, you can ensure that the most important part of the subject is sharp so that you can fully concentrate on the composition. Because it is a relatively new system, the Nikon Z range does not have a wide range of native optics – but what it already has is super sharp. What’s more, you can also use existing Nikon DSLR lenses that you have via an optional adapter. Overall, this is currently the best camera for portraits that you can buy right now.
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Fujifilm X-T3
A fantastic APS-C mirrorless camera oozing retro charm
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS
- Autofocus: Intelligent Hybrid AF
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch, 3.69-million dot OLED
- Screen: 3.0-inch, 1.04-million dot tri-axis tilting touch-sensitive screen
- User level: Expert
If you want your cameras to look just as good as the subject you’re shooting, then Fujifilm’s stunning X-series range makes perfect sense. There are some amazing choices, but the X-T3 gets our vote for its excellent combination of high-quality specifications and beautiful design that is truly a pleasure to use. For portrait lovers, the excellent range of Fujifilm X-series lenses contains some real gems, while the X-Trans CMOS sensor is perfect for capturing as many details and dynamic range as possible.
If you like the looks of the X-T3 but have a limited budget, consider the X-T30, which shares many of the specifications of the X-T3 at a more affordable price. Such specs make it one of the best cameras for portraits.
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Sony A7R IV
This ultra-high resolution full-frame mirrorless is the one for detail
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 61MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS
- Lens Mount: Sony FE
- Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF with Eye AF
- Viewfinder: 0.5-inch, 5.76k-dot OLED
- Screen: 3.0-inch, 1,440k-dot tilting touch-sensitive TFT LCD
- User level: Expert
If you are looking for the most specific details, look no further than the Sony A7R IV. With a spectacular 61-megapixel sensor, this is the ideal choice for people who are looking for one of the best cameras for portraits. We are also big fans of the Eye AF functionality from Sony, which can recognize not only human eyes but also animal eyes – ideal for all your pet portraits. Sony is the longest in the full-frame mirrorless game, so the lens arrangement is the widest, with some stunningly sharp G-master lenses to take your portraits to the next level. Other fantastic functions are a viewfinder with a super high resolution and a handy tilting touchscreen.
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Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
DSLR in your pocket? This miniature marvel is a great choice for portraits
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
- Lens: 3x zoom, 24 – 72mm equivalent, f/2.8-f/5.6
- Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- Viewfinder: 0.39-inch, 2,369k-dot OLED
- Screen: 3.0-inch, 1040k-dot fully-articulating touch-sensitive LCD TFT
- User level: Enthusiast
If you are looking for something that you can use for a wide range of subjects that produces excellent, detailed images and that fits nicely into your life, then the Canon G1X Mark III is certainly one of the best cameras for portraits. Although it is approximately small enough to fit in a large bag, it is equipped with an APS-C-size sensor, the same size that you will find in many DSLRs.
For portraits, there is a lens with a large aperture, which makes background blur possible. A fairly limited lens range is a disadvantage here, but you can still capture great family moments, vacation portraits, and more without the hassle of bulky equipment or interchangeable lenses.
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Nikon D3500
If you’re looking for your first DSLR, this entry-level camera is a great choice
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS
- Lens Mount: Nikon F
- Autofocus: Phase detection
- Viewfinder: 95% coverage optical viewfinder
- Screen: 3.2-inch 1037k-dot fully-articulating TFT LCD
- User level: Beginner
If you are considering buying your first “real” camera, likely, you do not want to end up with something enormously expensive. The Nikon D3500 is ideally set up as a first camera for people with relatively limited mobility and is one of the best cameras for portraits. With a handy guide mode to help you understand how it all works, this is a camera that you can use to learn and grow with. Usually, it comes with an 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, but if you can find a little extra budget, a fairly cheap 50 mm lens (see below) will give your portraits the extra edge you were looking for.
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Panasonic Lumix G95
A great all-rounder with prime portrait specifications
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Autofocus: Contrast AF
- Viewfinder: 2,360k-dot OLED Live View Finder
- Screen: 3.0-inch, 1040k-dot fully-articulating touch-sensitive OLED
- User level: Intermediate
This compact mid-range system camera is useful for a wide range of different users. A great all-rounder, it is also very suitable for trips and trips, making it perfectly prepared to take family portraits. Also, the handy 4K photo option allows you to create as many as 30 frames per second, extracting only the exact moment – no blinking eyes or twisted heads.
For more than ten years on the mirrorless market, there are a large number of lenses that are also compatible with the Micro Four Thirds mount from Panasonic. Completion of the feature set of this versatile CSC is a good viewfinder, a fully articulating screen, and various connection options. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
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Sony A6100
Beginner-friendly mirrorless that’s part of Sony’s ever-growing system
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF
- Viewfinder: 1.44k-dot EVF
- Screen: 3.0-inch, 921k-dot tilting touch-sensitive TFT LCD
- User level: Beginner
The hugely popular A6000 camera from Sony turned out to be a huge seller. It offered a large number of specifications in affordable housing – now, Sony has released an update in the form of the A6100. It has retained many of the features that were popular in the original and evolved some. For portrait lovers, a great new feature is the addition of real-time autofocus tracking and Eye AF.
The camera can automatically detect when it sees an eye and ensures that it is as sharp as possible. It works on both people and animals (pets), so the whole family can look forward to perfect portraits. The disadvantage is that the A6100 feels a bit sticky, and although it is much better in the video, not much has changed for photos since the A6000. Still, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
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Canon EOS Rebel SL3
An entry-level DSLR with all you need to get started with portraits
- Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 24.1MP APS-C CMOS
- Lens Mount: Canon EF-S
- Autofocus: Phase-detection (via viewfinder)
- Viewfinder: Optical viewfinder, 95% coverage
- Screen: 3.2-inch 1040k-dot vari-angle touch-sensitive TFT LCD
- User level: Beginner
Another big contender if you are looking for your first digital single-lens reflex camera, the Rebel SL3 is small enough to be a travel camera. At the same time, it has just enough room for buttons and dials to have enough space. To have. As an entry-level model, it is a good camera to sharpen your skills while you are still learning, plus Canon has a huge ecosystem of accessories for upgrading.
For lovers of self-portrait (also called selfie), there is a fully articulating touchscreen that is fully focused on a perfect frame. The kit lens that comes with the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is great to start with – but if you take your portraits seriously, you’ll probably find that you want to upgrade to something with a large aperture and a long focal length. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
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