10 Best Cameras for Fashion Photography to Buy in 2022

Top-rated cameras for fashion photography.

Even if you find a beautiful model for fashion shooting, you won’t be able to get professional results unless you have a good camera. When selecting a camera, make sure to consider its specs. The best cameras for fashion photography are fitted with full-frame or cropped sensors. The latter are more suitable for those who are on a budget. You can also buy a camera that comes with an APS-C sensor.

When planning your budget, keep in mind that you will need to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for a decent model. However, you can also purchase cameras with prices ranging from $500 to $4,500. It allows you to select the best option for your needs regardless of your budget.

When compiling this list, I was selecting cameras that fit several criteria. They have decent stabilization and impressive battery capacity. Besides, these models are easy to handle and allow taking high-quality photos. They support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to quickly share your photos and upload them to your PC.

In this review, I will tell you about the main features that you need to consider to select a great camera for fashion photography.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 36 x 24 mm | Resolution: 30.4 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 7 fps

The Canon 5D Mark IV is considered to be one of the best Canon cameras since it allows taking photos with rich and accurate colors. It’s a perfect option for fashion photographers who are looking for a camera that can be used for long shooting sessions.

Professional portrait photographers will be pleased to discover that its autofocus is pretty quick and has a wide coverage area. This model has 61-point AF and a Dual Pixel AF, which accounts for faster face tracking and identification. The 5D Mark IV is the first full-frame model released by Canon that supports continuous focusing. To use this feature, I switch to its Live View mode.

Just like other cameras by this brand, this model is easy to use and has a durable body. It comes with a touchscreen and an integrated Wi-Fi module. This camera has all the features that are important for photographers who need to take photos for fashion magazines.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm | Resolution: 24.1 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 6 fps

The Nikon D7100 has two useful slots for SD cards. It makes it possible to take more RAW shots to get the perfect picture. By the way, I liked that it can shoot at the speed of 6 frames per second in the RAW + JPG format. It is not so much, but it is great for fashion shows or dynamic portrait fashion shooting.

Focusing deserves special attention. This Nikon photography camera is fast and accurate even in poor lighting conditions. Detailing and color rendition of this DSLR camera are excellent.

I was impressed that you can capture the most complex lines and textures of clothing. The camera control is designed for experienced photographers. It will be quite difficult for starters to handle it.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 22.4 x 15.0 mm | Resolution: 20.2 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10 fps

The Canon 7D Mark II can reach a burst speed of 10 frames/s. That is enough for high-quality work with a model in the studio. The strongest side of this device is its AF. Autofocus points cover almost the entire frame. This is one of the best cameras for model photography because it focuses on the object at the first attempt without problems. Besides, its autofocus is very fast, which makes it possible to work with moving models at shows.

In addition, I like that an object that might suddenly appear between me and the model does not confuse automatics. This DSLR camera continues to hold the object sharp and doesn’t hurry to refocus.

In general, I want to note that this is a real workhorse with the fashion shooting functionality brought to the ideal. What kind of portrait fashion shooting I wouldn’t have, I can confidently rely on the Canon 7D Mark II and convey the atmosphere of the event with high detail and excellent color reproduction.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 23.5 mm. x 15.6 mm | Resolution: 24.2 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 5 fps

The Nikon D3300 is an ideal camera for amateur photographers that offers good fashion portrait features. It allows you to take photos with bright, vibrant colors and precise, even skin tones. Even using a flash, there was almost no red-eye effect in my pictures.

It is very convenient and also saves time during picture editing. When it comes to DSLRs for newbies, it is one of the best cameras for fashion photography that offers a huge sensor. This is fantastic news for photographers, who want to make large prints, such as billboards.

I like fast focusing, excellent shutter response, and continuous modeling shooting at 5 frames per second in RAW + JPG format. This allows me to concentrate on the fashion shooting process and not be afraid that I’ll lack time to get the desired frame.

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: 36 x 24 mm | Resolution: 42 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10 fps

This mirrorless camera is known for its effective light transmission. With it, I took great RAW images and easily processed them afterward. Thanks to its 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of the frame, this camera is perfect for fashion photographers who specialize in portraits.

Even if you don’t have time to adjust the settings manually, you can use the camera in AF mode. It supports 425 contrast zones and can quickly detect the main object in the frame, which accounts for quicker autofocusing.

The Sony a7R III is known for its impressive sensitivity of up to -3 EV, which allows me to focus it even in poor light conditions. This model can be considered as a part of essential photography gear for catwalk photographers and other professionals that specialize in taking fashion photos.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 23.5 x 15.6mm | Resolution: 24.2 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 6 fps

I like that Pentax K-70 not only generates beautiful and sharp fashion portraits, but it is very easy and pleasant to work with. Therefore, I can confidently advise it to amateurs as one of the best cameras for fashion photography. Thanks to the 24-megapixel sensor, I enjoy a good shallow depth of field in fashion portraits and still have plenty of space for framing. The shots are very clear.

Combined with the right lenses, the device may assist you in achieving an impressively beautiful bokeh. That’s why most often I use it for fashion portrait photography when it is necessary to put the main emphasis on hair, jewelry or make-up.

I would also like to note the incredible image stabilization, which helps avoid camera shake even at large focal lengths and increased exposure. Even in low light, you'll get clear fashion portraits that are perfect for shooting models and couture shows.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 22.5 x 15 mm | Resolution: 20 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 7 fps

The Canon 70D is distinguished by a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that operates together with the DIGIC 5+ image processor. This powerful combination essentially gives you the ability to produce qualitative images with incredible detail and superior clarity that makes fabrics and clothes look bright and attractive. For that reason, I call this model the best camera for fashion photographers.

I really like the ultra-fast and accurate autofocus system of this photography camera, which allows me to capture the movement of bright and exciting fashion outfits that really enliven shots. Finally, the 70D also boasts of 100-12800 ISO range, with the ability to expand to 25600.

This makes it a great companion for a number of different fashion portrait shooting conditions. I can safely take my shots outside without worrying about losing image quality.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 22.3 x 14.9mm | Resolution: 24.2 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 7 fps

Thanks to its fast processor and large 24.2 MP sensor, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i increased sensitivity and fast operation. Exactly these features make it an ideal fashion photography camera. I really like that the ISO range can be extended to 51200. Even at the highest ISO value and in low light conditions, the device is still capable of generating clear shots.

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is perfect for shooting moving models thanks to its optimized AF system. So, I frequently bring it with me to fashion shows. I would also like to note that the model can provide outstanding image quality with excellent detail and clarity.

Besides, the optical viewfinder built into the device makes it much easier to preview the shot before you release the shutter, eliminating the necessity to take multiple pictures.

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: 35.6 x 23.8 mm | Resolution: 28.3 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10 fps

The Sony а9 II was released as a part of a project aimed at developing reportage cameras. It is convenient to hold, comes with an exposure lock and a large AF-ON button. This model is also fitted with an upgraded sensor display. It allows me to take photos with minimum noise even at high ISO values. Even if I set ISO to 12800, I hardly notice any noise in the frame. At ISO 4000, there will be some barely noticeable grain.

The key advantage of this camera is its upgraded mechanical shutter that supports burst shooting at 10 fps. It makes it suitable for those who can’t always use the electronic shutter. The earlier versions of this camera supported only 5 fps, which made it hardly suitable for shooting fashion and sports events.

The Alpha 9 II has a portable, ergonomic body and speedy performance, which makes it great value for the money. In addition, this model is fitted with pro-grade autofocus that Sony’s cameras are known for.

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: 141 x 113 x 82 mm | Resolution: 24 MP | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 6 fps

In comparison with the majority of dynamic range cameras from Nikon, this model catches the eye with its accurate white balance system and a faster frame rate. Those, who constantly shoot at fashion events or shows and don’t want to disturb the audience, would surely appreciate the almost silent continuous fashion portrait shooting mode.

However, I believe that what makes it a truly great fashion photography camera isn’t its speed and accuracy, but the remarkable clarity and details of the taken image.

I like the color rendering of the skin tones – this is undoubtedly the strong point of the camera, mainly thanks to the impressive sensor. Thus, it may be awarded the status of the best camera for model photography. Besides, I easily capture details in shadow areas and use high ISO values to produce relatively noiseless pictures even in a low-light environment.

To select a camera that allows you to take great images, you need to consider several main aspects that affect the quality of the shooting. When choosing the best camera for fashion photography, focus on these parameters.

Pro-level cameras have decent optical image stabilization thanks to dedicated lens elements that can be shifted to minimize blur and make your photos clearer. Many photographers find it difficult to hold a camera still when they use it with long-zoom lenses. This is why it’s crucial to select a model that supports image stabilization. Many DSLR cameras have this feature.

Some models are fitted with sensor-shift stabilization systems also known as IBIS. Thanks to these in-built image stabilization features, the camera sensor can be physically moved to minimize vibrations. Such systems are used in most mirrorless cameras because of their high effectiveness.

A higher number doesn’t mean that you will get high-quality photos. A camera for fashion photography with 6 focus points might be just as good as the one with 30 focus points. However, it might be a good idea to buy a model with a higher number of focus points if it has the tracking AF feature.

If you frequently experiment with different studio lighting kits when taking photos indoors, the end result greatly depends on flash sync speed. The proper flash speed of a fashion camera is swift and simultaneously pretty slow to entirely coincide with the used lighting kit.

Even if you are on a tight budget, you will easily find an affordable model that meets your needs. While the newest cameras often cost more than $1800, you will need to pay about $700 for decent budget models. If you want to improve your skills but don’t have much money to spend, it’s better to opt for mid-tier cameras that cost about $1200. They have all the necessary features that you might need for taking fashion photos.

If you are looking for a good camera for fashion photography, pay attention to its adaptability. For instance, if you specialize in several photography genres, it might be a good idea to buy a camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens. Whether you are a professional photographer or beginner, make sure to select a model with wide functionality and a good lens.

Even though it isn’t the most significant parameter, it’s better to buy a camera with a decent ISO range. ISO 100 is generally the lowest value in the range, but if you are also shopping for the best camera for landscape photography, choose a device that can go twice higher. It enables you to regulate the light setting on the camera so that it fully corresponds to the chosen aperture.

Your fashion photography equipment, especially the camera, must accompany you throughout the whole event. Of course, events typically take up less time than photo sessions, but still, the longer battery life is, the better. This is also relevant if you are shopping for the best camera for photographing artwork.

This feature is especially useful for taking photos of moving objects. Think about which shutter speed you need, 1/2000 or 1/8000. By changing the shutter speed, you can adjust sharpness when taking photos on a bright day. To darken the frame, you can also use affordable filters. Keep in mind that there is a significant price difference between cameras that support 1/2000 or 1/4000 shutter speeds.

Make sure to buy a fashion photography camera that allows you to share files via Wi-Fi. Thanks to it, you will be able to quickly transfer your files to your desktop computer or laptop for further editing. While many cameras support a Wi-Fi connection, some photographers prefer using Bluetooth to quickly upload their photos to social networks.

If you are a beginner, it makes sense to invest in a camera that you can use for years. However, if you already have some experience and want to improve your skills even further, then it’s better to buy a more advanced camera that can be easily upgraded. Those who are on a budget can buy entry level DSLRs for an affordable price. However, even if you opt for a cheap camera, it’s better to select an option with more advanced features.