Food photography may become challenging if you’re a beginner, so finding the best camera for food photography is difficult. You don’t need many features that modern camera brands suggest. I’ve reviewed 10 cameras for food photography recommended by pros for any budget.
10 Best Cameras for Food Photography
Be sure, you may convey not only an appetizing view of your food but also its taste and even smell. A good camera can help you with it. Choosing a camera for food photography isn’t a quick process if you are among those photographers who are used to look through the camera’s specs before buying it. To make your choice easier I’ve tested 10 best cameras for food photography designed by different camera brands and for any budget.
1. Sony A7III
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Despite considering Sony A7 Mark III as a basic full-frame camera, it is one of the best cameras for food photography. It offers high resolution, impressive quality of images and a wide variety of useful options. It also boasts of a touch screen and a 24-megapixel sensor. Moreover, this camera has 423 points for contrast detection and 93% autofocus coverage with 693 phase detection points.
Each bit of the screen has a point of autofocus. A professional food photographer will definitely appreciate it. AF system is taken from leading A9 pro sports model made by Sony too. Furthermore, this camera is among the best low-light cameras. Having bought an adapter, you will be able to use lenses, manufactured by other brands.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
It is a high-aperture macro lens with an optical stabilization system and fixed focal length. The 1:1 magnifying power makes it an excellent macro lens for food shooting.
Food Image by Sony A7III
- If you take not only food photos, view more about good cameras for product photography and recommended lenses for product photography that will help you high resolution photos for printing and Instagram.
2. Fujifilm X-T1
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X-T1 was among the most discussed cameras in a world of photography. This camera combines classic design and modern technology. The X-series is a very popular system, and X-T1 is its best representative. It goes without saying, that the highest quality of the pictures is the major advantage of this camera.
It’s not just sharpness, which you can get by using a matrix without a low-pass filter and brand optics of high quality, but color rendering as well. All dishes and food photography props will have amazing colors and tints. High speed, stunning EVF, upgraded control with the possibility of reprogramming almost any button makes it the best camera for food photography for beginning food photographers or bloggers.
Recommended camera lens:
Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro
It’s a compact mid-telephoto lens with a vivid aperture of f/2.4. Owing to its high- definition description and lovely blur, I can call it the best lens for food photography.
Food Image by Fujifilm X-T1 3. Nikon D810
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Nikon D810 is a modern full-frame DSLR, created primarily for the photographers who require exceptionally high quality. Its magnificent color reproduction and high detailization are awesome. Even without optical low-pass filter covering the sensor, this camera may resolve incredible details. That’s why many wedding photographers use it as a second camera for macro and wedding cakes photography. ISO settings have been increased up to 64-12,800 and it may be extended to 32-51,200.
The highest detail (among all DSLRs) is achieved thanks to the 36-megapixel sensor without a low-frequency optical filter. It is one of the best cameras for food bloggers who have money for this model. I like its usability, waterproof body, a comfortable optical VF with a full kit of output parameters, and the ability to work with two flash cards.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
This medium telephoto lens is meant for Nikon's FX (full-frame) and DX (APS-C) format DSLRs which ensures a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1 and a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 which makes it possible to get the best food photography results.
Food Image by Nikon D810 4. Olympus E-M10 III
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This camera offers an unbelievably powerful kit of options in an attractive and compact body, despite its very low price. Quality of images is great (most notably in JPEG). Olympus E-M10 III can boast of 16-megapixel resolution from a Four Thirds-format Live MOS image sensor and it can regulate the sensitivity from ISO 100 to 25600. So, if you’re going to take photos for food photography blogs, I recommend this model.
No doubts, you will achieve great food photography thanks to such characteristics. Besides, it has a good viewfinder, single-shot autofocus, and a touch screen display. It may be connected wirelessly to your smartphone, which allows transferring pictures in a matter of seconds.
Recommended camera lens:
Olympus: 25mm f/1.8
It is the best lens for shooting food both in natural light and darkness. It has a 47-degree view angle and 25mm focal distance and can make the background of your photos beautiful and softly blurred.
Food Image by Olympus E-M10 III 5. Canon 5D Mark IV
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Canon EOS 5D is among the most widespread food cameras for photographers all over the world. It is definitely a universal camera. Actually, it is the most demanded camera for still life shooters nowadays.
The Mark IV is the latest model of 5D EOS cameras lineup. It has a 61-point autofocus system with 41 cross-type sensors. ISO values can be expanded to 50-102400. By the way, Canon 5D Mark IV is the first full frame Canon camera with an ability to focus in real-time mode during the shooting.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
This lens is suitable both for amateurs and professionals. Pictures are sharp even at the maximum aperture. The lens’s f/1.4 speed is ideal for working in any light condition.
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Food Image by Canon 5D Mark IV 6. Canon 80D
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This food camera is a good choice both for a skilled photographer who takes ice cream photography for advertising and a newbie who shoots flat lay food photos for Instagram, wishing to take pictures in JPEG with the Live View screen. Canon 80D allows you to take an action photo from another angle by making arrangements of layout on the display with continuous shooting in Live View mode and Dual Pixel CMOS system with a speed of 5 fps. In addition to its great usability, this beginner camera can be also suitable for people, who want to become sports shooters.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM
It has a real macro magnification ratio of 1:1 – the object of shooting on location is of the same size as on your camera display. By means of this lens, you will get excellent shots because of its capability to get a shallow depth of field with wonderful bokeh.
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Food Image by Canon 80D 7. Nikon D3400
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While choosing the best camera for food photography, pay attention to the Nikon D3400. Due to the high-class matrix, you can get the images of great quality. This food camera is very user-friendly. You can use all the basic features just by pressing several buttons.
There are two ways of shooting: you can use semi-automatic or manual modes. This cheap camera has an 11-point AF system with a cross-type point in the middle of its array. The max sensitivity’s approximate value is -1EV. You will be impressed by the battery. You can take up to 1200 shots without charging it.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor
It has stunning bokeh, excellent sharpness as well as convenient focal length. It is popular for its price-quality ratio, which makes it the best lens for food photography.
Food Image by Nikon D3400 8. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
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This camera for food photography is appreciated for its functionality. This compact camera has a CMOS matrix with 20.1 million pixels, which makes it possible to shoot in a rather high resolution of 5472x3648. Autofocus can work in a 31-point mode that in combination with a contrast-detect AF system give great food images. In addition, the G9X Mark II can boast of the 1-point autofocus, touch to track mode, completely automatic AF system, and face detection.
This camera body produces clear food photos without much noise at high ISO. Consequently, there is no need to worry about dark shots. Those who are using smartphones will surely like the big size of a touch screen. This camera will be a real finding for food photographers who are looking for high-quality images and unique functionality as smartphones offer.
Food Image by Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II 9. Sony a6300
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Being reasonably priced, it has a good 24.2MP optical resolution which allows bringing your food photography to the higher level. Along with a large number of pixels, the sensor also works very well at high ISO. This model has an unusual menu, so you’ll need some time to get used to it. In total, Sony a6300 is a good camera for food photography with a wide range of functions. You will have an opportunity to shoot dynamic pictures of high quality.
Recommended camera lens:
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Having a fixed focal length of 50 mm, this lens is perfect for product photography. The max f/8 aperture value allows getting a smooth and blurred background. The advanced optical design makes the pictures sharp.
Food Image by Sony a6300 10. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
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This camera for food photography is developed mainly for experienced photographers. The 6D Mark II is Canon’s first full-frame SLR camera with swiveling LCD display that is mobile and supports a fingertip control. It is very popular because the quality matches the price.
The body is durable and looks quite professional. The auto control performance is generally praiseworthy. The auto exposure, as well as the autofocus system, is fast and accurate. The AWB (auto white balance) sometimes works incorrectly, but it is possible to easily fix this flaw during food photography editing.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom
The lens features innovative optical system developed to enhance image quality. The high f/2.8 aperture is maintained throughout the whole focal length range, which allows you to shoot with your hands in low light.
Food Image by Canon EOS 6D Mark II The List of 10 Best Cameras for Food Photography
| Image | Camera | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sony A7III
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | |
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Fujifilm X-T1
BEST MIRRORLESS |
Check PRICE → | |
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Nikon D810
BEST DSLR |
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Olympus E-M10 III Camera
CHEAP |
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Canon 5D Mark IV
FOR PROFESSIONAL |
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Canon 80D
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Nikon D3400
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Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
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Sony a6300
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Canon EOS 6D Mark II
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How to Choose the Best Camera for Food Photography?
You won’t probably need the device with features for advanced users. So what should you pay prior attention to while choosing food cameras?
1. Size of the Sensor
The main thing it is necessary to focus on is the size of the sensor. Will you choose the device with a cropped sensor or pay a little more and buy a full-frame one? Everything depends on how much money you are willing to invest in your purchase. Cameras for food photography with a cropped sensor are capable of shooting stunning photos. The only problem is your camera and lenses behaving in a different way with a cropped sensor than a full-frame.
2. The Number of Megapixels
When it comes to cameras for food bloggers, it is necessary to pay attention to the number of megapixels. The print quality will be higher and the image more detailed if you choose the device with a great number of megapixels. Moreover, if we talk about picture post-processing, you will be able to make special alterations much easier.
3. ISO Level
When you shoot for food blogs, you may be working with a tripod almost all the time. But sometimes there are situations when you need to hold your camera in hands, like on the grape plantation, on farmland or in a restaurant. In such surrounding, the ISO level is really important. It is better to buy a camera that is capable of dealing with a rather high level of noise.
4. Number of Focus Points
On occasion, photographers use automatic focusing. If your camera has, for example, nine focus points, there is a chance that you will not be able to get the focus point exactly where you need it. This might be rather problematic.
5. File Size
Up-to-date digital cameras have a pretty large size of files. Before making a purchase, assure yourself that your camera can shoot RAW files. That is very important when it comes to photo post-processing. Comparing RAW and JPEG files, we may see that while editing the RAW format photo, the quality doesn’t degrade. JPEG file reduces quality with every photo editing step.
6. Manual Settings
Every camera includes “Auto” mode. However, professional photographers do not use it. They want to control all the adjustments themselves depending on the circumstances.
7. Lenses
Do not limit yourself to using only the built-in lens. Trying different lenses, you will be able to fulfill your potential in food photography.
Most often, professional photographers use macro lenses in order to photograph fine details of the dish along with standard lenses. This is a great technique if you are shooting for a commercial or restaurant menu. So, get some lenses if you plan to enter this niche of photography.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
