By Tati Taylor 14 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
What is the best camera for jewelry photography for beginners and professionals?
If you are in search of the best camera for jewelry photography, you may feel confused as the majority of camera models are designed for portraits and landscapes. No matter whether you are an experienced shooter or an amateur, you need a high-quality camera that can produce sharp images with minimal noise. Besides, the gear should be compact and ergonomic.
Compared to other genres of photography, where on equipment beginning photographers spend between $5,000 - $10,000, jewelry photography requires less expenses. If you are planning to shoot ecommerce photos of necklaces, rings, watches or earrings for a large magazine, you need a DSLR camera body and a pro macro lens for $2000-3000. To get photos of products for websites, use a mirrorless or DSLR middle class camera body that costs $900 or even less.
We have prepared a list of cameras to meet any taste, budget, and shooting experience. Besides, here you can find some useful tips on how to select the right camera.
Even taking jewelry photos with a professional camera, you still need to retouch images to make them look flawless. As this photography genre requires much effort and a high level of professionalism, we recommend you to turn to our service. Experts will perform retouching quickly and at an affordable price following all the industry’s standards.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 30.4 MP full-frame CMOS sensor | Video: 4K, Full HD, and HD | Screen: 3.2-inch LCD Screen with Approx. 1620K dots | Weight: 1.76 lbs
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a cutting-edge camera that can meet the needs of any photographer. It has a range of advanced features, but its greatest advantage is a 30MP sensor with a resolution of 6,720 x 4,480 pixels. Fitted with great autofocus, the camera produces sharp and colorful images. With ISO up to 1,600, your pictures will have a minimal amount of noise.
By using such ISO, you can decrease the level of noise considerably, which results in a less time-consuming editing process. When paired with powerful Canon lenses, it amazes with very crisp results. Besides, like other Canon cameras this model is designed with compactness in mind.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 6MP full-frame CMOS sensor | Video: 4K UHD: at 24/30 fps | Screen: 3.2 in. LCD screen with 2,359,000 Dots | Weight: 2.02 lbs
Many photographers consider Nikon photography cameras as the greatest shooting devices for photographing jewelry because they produce images of stunning quality. If compared to other DSLR cameras, this model has one of the lowest noise levels at high ISO.
The device also offers an excellent dynamic range for recovering shadows and highlights in your images. If you attach good Nikon lenses to this camera body, you can get images suitable for large-size printing.
This jewelry photography camera also allows recording clips in 4K resolution with slow motion up to 120fps. So, you can use it for shooting commercials. A tilting touchscreen makes the shooting process even more convenient.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 24.2MP BSI full frame sensor | Video: UHD 4K30p Video | Screen: 3.0-inch 922k-dot tilting touchscreen LCD | Weight: 1.44 lbs
Sony a7 III is a well-built and highly functional jewelry photography camera with a 24MP 35mm image sensor that can capture 10 pictures per second. Besides, the camera has an excellent hybrid AF with 693 phase-detection that covers almost the entire frame. There is also a sensor-shift picture stabilizer that provides a longer exposure time without producing a blurring effect.
This Sony camera is capable of 4K video recording. Although it is quite small, the developer added a convenient handle so that you can carry it in one hand. Photographers also like its excellent VF and an adjustable touchscreen with a resolution of 921,000 dots.
Such specifications allow this camera to compete even with the most sophisticated models. It is undoubtedly a perfect option for diamond photography experts.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 30.3 Megapixel Full frame CMOS sensor | Video: UHD 4K | Screen: 3.15-inch 2.1m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD | Weight: 1.46 lbs
This is a highly functional mirrorless camera with incredible AF and top image quality. The updated multi-function bar offers a great variety of features and customization options for quick and easy shooting. The body of a camera is made of sturdy and lightweight magnesium alloy.
It is also shielded with various seals that prevent moisture and dust from getting inside. The handle has an ergonomic shape allowing a photographer to hold the camera in one hand without problems.
Canon EOS R is equipped with three optional adapters that allow you to attach any EF/EF-S lens to it. This model is an ideal option for taking jewelry shots: from wedding ring photographs to ads of precious items.This is a highly functional mirrorless camera with incredible AF and top image quality. The updated multi-function bar offers a great variety of features and customization options for quick and easy shooting. The body of a camera is made of sturdy and lightweight magnesium alloy.
It is also shielded with various seals that prevent moisture and dust from getting inside. The handle has an ergonomic shape allowing a photographer to hold the camera in one hand without problems.
Canon EOS R is equipped with three optional adapters that allow you to attach any EF/EF-S lens to it. This model is an ideal option for taking jewelry shots: from wedding ring photographs to ads of precious items.
Type: SLR | Sensor: 16MP CMOS sensor | Video: Full HD 1080/60p | Screen: 3-inch vari angle TFT LCD screen | Weight: 1.98 lbs
Nikon COOLPIX P900 can be called the best camera for jewelry photography if you are looking for a model fitted with a PSAM mode dial. Using it, you can manage the aperture and shutter speed values without problems. Another advantage of this camera is a capacious battery that allows taking up to 360 pictures/single charge.
The main feature of the model is a stunning 24-2000mm lens with 83x optical zoom. It features a solid electronic viewfinder, flip-out rotating high-resolution LCD, different modes, and GPS. It has an excellent quality of details, provided that the low ISO settings are kept.
Besides, you can take advantage of the on-board wireless connectivity to connect the camera with other gadgets. This is one of the easiest and fastest ways for exporting images and managing the camera settings remotely. Nikon COOLPIX P900 allows taking detailed images of precious items and jewelry background.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 24.1 MP CMOS sensor | Video: 1080 Full HD video | Screen: 3 inch | Weight: 1.04 lbs
Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a splendid high-resolution cheap Canon camera for jewelry shooting and in-built 9-Point AF system and AI Servo AF. It features mutually changeable optics from Fuji and a 24-megapixel matrix containing no smoothing filter, which secures low noise at high sensitivity and perfect image precision.
The body is vertically and horizontally sensitive. Such AF easily draws attention to jewelry photography props. Moreover, you can control the photography process via VF or applying the LCD.
Considering its cost, it is one of the best models, which has a wonderful performance quality and customizable settings for jewelry shooting.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS image sensor | Video: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps Screen: 3.2 inch 1,229k-Dot LCD Monitor | Weight: 1.49 lbs
It’s one of the best Nikon DSLR sensors. Of course, you can buy an earlier model D7100, which has similar characteristics, but the D7200 surpasses it in noise reduction, as well as the presence of Wi-Fi systems on board.
In fact, this is an excellent APS-C camera with large ISO expansion capabilities ranging from 100 to 25600, as well as 102400 b/w mode.Thanks to this DSLR, you get high-quality color reproduction, sharpness and exposure, especially at lower ISO.
A powerful Expeed 4 processor and a long-lasting battery make Nikon D7200 so popular among photographers. Besides, the camera has a sophisticated and innovative ‘SnapBridge’ feature that makes this model an ideal jewelry camera. By using this option, you can easily export pictures directly from the camera to various mobile devices.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 24MP APS-C sensor | Video: Full HD 1080/24/60P | Screen: 3.0-inch 921k dot tilting LCD | Weight: 10.1 ounces
This Sony camera appeals to photographers with an exposure mode dial and standard ISO hot-shoe adapter. Other upgrades include enhanced resolution, the latest processor, and a cutting-edge hybrid autofocus system.
The menu is designed in a sophisticated ‘alpha’ style. By connecting the camera to a PC or MAC with a USB, you can control its performance with ease. You receive a great variety of options for customizing settings according to your needs and preferences.
A photographer can easily hold a camera with one hand thanks to an ergonomic and comfortable grip even when paired with large and heavy Sony lenses. All in all, Sony cameras are highly functional devices with advanced features and a reasonable price tag.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 26.1 MP CMOS sensor | Video: 2160p | Screen: 3 inch | Weight: 1.18 lbs
Fujifilm X-T3 is an APS-C versatile camera. Its advanced phase-detection autofocus system enables you to track your object and record hi-res 4K videos with jewelry. The camera is the best option for the low-light surrounding.
Nevertheless, this body offers you direct management over shutter speed, ISO up to 160, and exposure compensation. In addition, it provides a 60fps refresh rate and 425 adjustable autofocus points.
An impeccable built-in picture stabilization lets you forget about noisy and blurry images, which is extremely important for jewelry shots, especially if we talk about marketing materials photography or ecommerce platforms photos.
Type: SLR | Sensor: 20.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor | Video: 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps) and 720 (60, 50 fps) HD video | Screen: 3 inch articulating touch panel LCD screen with 1,040,000 dots | Weight: 1.66 lbs
The EOS 70D has a 20-megapixel crop sensor that is cheaper than Canon’s full-frame products. However, this is another good jewelry camera, which is full of other useful features necessary, such Wi-Fi and live image processing filters.
This Canon model has an excellent retractable touch screen with the ability to autofocus touching your finger, as it does on smartphones. In addition, with the touch screen it is very easy to adjust the settings, which is important for beginners in jewelry items photography.
This Canon makes it easy to set camera settings - the precise and simple adjustment of white balance and ISO. Innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology provides continuous autofocus for continuous shooting of Live View, and also has a built-in phase detect system with almost two-thirds of the frame per pixel.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
OUR CHOICE
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Nikon D850
PROFESSIONAL
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Canon EOS T7i
BEGINNING
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Before purchasing a camera for jewelry photography, you need to define the most important specifications the device should have, as this genre is very different from others. Here are some things you need to take into account when looking for an appropriate model.
The first aspect you need to consider when learning how to photograph jewelry is the number of megapixels the camera can produce. If you need to take jewelry photos for online ads, you will be satisfied with a 10MP camera.
However, if you need pictures for large printed ads, you should look for a more advanced model. Define the size of your desired banner to know how many megapixels will be sufficient. The bigger this number is, the more detailed and vivid picture you will get. My recommendation is a 20-30MP camera.
Point and shoot cameras can produce practically the same number of megapixels as a DSLR camera but the latter allows adjusting such settings as shutter speed and aperture to get a perfect picture of an object.
For taking 1000px jewelry photos, opt for a DSLR camera because it allows shooting at a close distance. Points and shoot cameras can’t produce large and crisp photos of small jewels. Such cameras work well for photographing larger items like necklaces as you don’t need to take close-up pictures in this case. It is also a great idea to have several lenses to easily change shooting angles.
While selecting the best camera for jewelry photography, you should make certain that the model you like offers a wireless connection type, namely Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the combo. Thus, you can export images or videos to a smartphone or tablet without using cables.
The majority of manufacturers develop free applications for their cameras allowing photographers to control the shooting gear remotely. By taking advantage of the live view mode, you can view the captured pictures on your smartphone. This feature is especially helpful when you’ve set the camera on a tripod to take a family portrait.
Your jewelry photography kit should also contain a tripod to make the equipment steady and ensure perfect illumination.
You can easily get rid of reflection by using a reflector board or a fill flash, which are designed to throw the light back onto the gemstones illuminating all dark areas. A polarizer serves for minimizing glare and reflections and allows getting brighter and saturated colors.
To capture beautiful details of precious items, you need to use macro lenses. My recommendation is to choose a lens with a maximum 1:1 magnification and a minimum focal length of 60mm.
Using artificial light for shooting is advantageous as you can adjust the intensity of light for a balanced outcome. However, you should avoid employing several light sources as different color temperatures will have a negative impact on the quality of your picture. I also advise using light boxes for jewelry photography.