What are the best cameras for portraits? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for! Good portrait cameras can be found in all market sectors, from professional full-frame DSLRs to humble everyday cameras for smartphones and everywhere else. If you want to take portraits, there’s a camera that’s just right for you. All you have to do is find it. There are a few things to consider when choosing the best camera for portraits if you really want to get the best shots.
Large portraits often have a sharp main subject, with a blurred background. This is called shallow depth of field; it’s something you can get with the software on many cell phones (look for “Portrait Mode” in the camera settings), but nothing beats the look you get with a specialized digital camera, which will give you a file that will much better resist magnification and printing.
Best Cameras For Portraits
We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate through the world of portrait cameras, and, for your convenience, we’ve divided it into several sections: smartphones for portraits, basic portrait cameras, and expert portrait cameras.
1. Nikon D3500
Nikon D3500 W/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Black
- A DSLR that's as easy to use as a point and shoot camera
- Compact, comfortable design that's great for travel and special events
- Image sensor that's 15x larger than those used in typical smartphones for sharper, clearer pictures
- A DSLR that's as easy to use as a point and shoot camera
- Compact, comfortable design that's great for travel and special events
- Image sensor that's 15x larger than those used in typical smartphones for sharper, clearer pictures
- Works with Nikon’s snap bridge app for sharing photos with a compatible smartphone or tablet
- 1080p full hd videos with monaural sound at the touch of a button. Bluetooth version 4.1
While you’re still learning and deciding what type of device is best for you, choose a device that’s simple enough to understand right away and affordable enough that you can change your mind and change it later if you decide you need something different. The D3500 is the entry-level model in Nikon’s DSLR lineup, but it has a 24.2MP sensor that is as good as a camera at twice the price, and it offers a very good continuous shooting speed of 5 fps for a beginner’s camera.
The Guide mode will help beginners get started and understand the basics, but the D3500 has all the manual controls you need to become familiar with photography while improving your skills. It sometimes comes a little cheaper with a non-VR (unstabilized) kit lens, but it’s certainly worth paying a little more for the VR version. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
2. Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR Camera Bundle with Canon EF-S 18-55mm STM...
- This Canon Camera Bundle comes with Manufacturer Supplied Accessories and One Year Seller Warranty.
- Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR Camera - 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor - DIGIC 8 Image Processor - 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen - UHD 4K24p Video and 4K Time-Lapse Movie - 9-Point AF System; Dual Pixel CMOS AF - ISO 100-25600, Up to 5 fps Shooting - Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- This Canon Camera Bundle comes with Manufacturer Supplied Accessories and One Year Seller Warranty.
- Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR Camera - 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor - DIGIC 8 Image Processor - 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen - UHD 4K24p Video and 4K Time-Lapse Movie - 9-Point AF System; Dual Pixel CMOS AF - ISO 100-25600, Up to 5 fps Shooting - Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is a sleek and flexible option for everyday shooting. Spanning a 29-88mm equivalent focal length range, this lens covers wide-angle to portrait-length perspectives in a variety of lighting conditions
- Sandisk 32GB SDHC Memory Card, Camera Shoulder Case, Digital Slave Flash, High Speed USB Card Reader
- The bundle also includes many high quality accessories like HD filter kit, 50 Inch tripod and more.
Canon manufactures a few cheaper DSLRs than this one, including the 18-megapixel EOS 4000D and the 24-megapixel EOS 2000D, but we think they are too small in terms of functionality and build quality and recommend paying a small surcharge for the EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR (sold as the EOS 250D in Europe). Why is this? Because it has a variable-angle touch screen on the back and a sensor with Canon’s dual-pixel AF CMOS technology, so real-world autofocus is really fast.
We also like the fact that you can start with a simple guided user interface while you’re still learning, and then switch to the standard setup when you feel more confident and want more control. The Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D replaces Canon’s previous Rebel SL2/EOS 200D, adding 4K video and better autofocus in live view. It’s a DSLR that can beat mirrorless cameras at their own game! Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
3. Sony A6100
Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B)
- World’s fastest AF at 0 02 sec W/ real-time AF & Object tracking
- Wide 425-phase/425-contrast detection AF points over 84% of sensor
- 24 2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ front end LSI and ISO up to 51 200
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting at 24 2MP RAW w/ AF/AE tracking
- World’s fastest AF at 0 02 sec W/ real-time AF & Object tracking
- Wide 425-phase/425-contrast detection AF points over 84% of sensor
- 24 2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ front end LSI and ISO up to 51 200
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting at 24 2MP RAW w/ AF/AE tracking
- Real-time AF Tracking Real-time Eye AF for human and animal
- Movie recording with mic and 180-degree tiltable 3” touchscreen LCD
- Touch Tracking provides smooth continuous focus tracking of your subject activated with a simple touch of the display screen
- In the box Lithium Battery (NP-FW50) AC Charger (AC-UUD12) USB cable Body cap Strap
- Display Size: 3"; EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +/-5.0 EV (1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps selectable)
- Viewfinder Type: Electronic Viewfinder
The very popular A6000 camera from Sony proved to be a huge seller, so much so that Sony has since expanded the range to include many different cameras at different prices. We’ll make a recommendation to the A6100: it retains many of the features that were originally popular, evolving some of them along the way. For portrait enthusiasts, a great new feature is the addition of real-time autofocus tracking and an eye AF.
The camera can automatically detect when it sees an eye and helps ensure the sharpest possible focus. It works on both humans and animals (pets), so the whole family can expect perfect portraits. The disadvantage of the A6100 is that it looks somewhat plasticized and, although it looks much better on video, it hasn’t changed much for photo photographers since the Sony Alpha 6000. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
4. Panasonic Lumix G100
Panasonic Lumix G100 4k Camera, Mirrorless Camera, Vlogging Camera, Micro Four Thirds...
- NEXT-LEVEL VLOGGING IS HERE: The G100 4K vlogging camera has the superior performance and portability, designed especially for content creators. Shoot, transfer, edit, and upload—in sparkling video and audio
- NEXT-LEVEL VLOGGING IS HERE: The G100 4K vlogging camera has the superior performance and portability, designed especially for content creators. Shoot, transfer, edit, and upload—in sparkling video and audio
- FEATURES FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERTS: Intuitive, lightweight camera is packed with features to make content creation easy to learn and cultivate, from a Frame Marker to V-LogL recording
- ADVANCED OZO AUDIO WITH TRACKING: Audio tracking auto-adjusts the recording range and direction to record clearly in crowds, and during interviews, speeches, and selfies
- FRAME MARKER : Indicator of final picture area that includes 1:1, 4:5, 5:4 and 9:16 allows to check composition while recording
- COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: G100 is lightweight even with a lens attached to support one-handed recording
Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds system have been used for a long time in mirrorless gaming. While this system allows for a smaller sensor, it has the disadvantage of offering a large choice of lenses, not only those of Panasonic but also those of Olympus. The Lumix G100 is one of the latest mirrorless cameras from Panasonic, and it has many video functions that also facilitate its shooting capabilities, such as the 4K Photo function, which allows the user to extract 8MP photos from a 4K sequence taken at 30p, which gives you a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
The perfect snapshot will no longer be spoiled by a slight blink of the eyes or a slight movement of the head! The G100 is also designed with a more traditional camera form factor, which makes it more pleasant to use than some cheaper, mirrorless cameras that can be boxy and plasticky. Super light, yet pleasantly sophisticated, the G100 is an excellent choice for creative portrait photographers. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
5. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III Digital Camera - Wi-Fi Enabled
- 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor.
- 3x zoom Lens (24-72mm) with optical image stabilizer.
- Dual pixel CMOS AF with phase-detection.
- Digic 7 image processor, Iso 100-25600.
- 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor.
- 3x zoom Lens (24-72mm) with optical image stabilizer.
- Dual pixel CMOS AF with phase-detection.
- Digic 7 image processor, Iso 100-25600.
If you’re looking for something that can be used for a wide variety of subjects, produces excellent detailed images, and fits perfectly into your life, then the Canon G1X Mark III is worth thinking about. Although it’s about small enough to fit in a large pocket, it’s equipped with a sensor the size of an APS-C, the same size you’ll find in many DSLRs. For portraits, there’s a fixed lens with a large aperture, which allows you to blur the background. A fairly limited range of lenses is a drawback, but you’ll still be able to capture great family moments, vacation portraits, and more without having to worry about bulky equipment or changing lenses. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
6. Nikon Z7
Nikon Z7 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera Body w/ NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
- New larger Z mount for revolutionary optical performance
- Nikon-designed 45.7MP backside Illuminated image sensor with no optical low pass filter (OLPF)
- 493-Point on-sensor phase detect AF system and up to 9 fps; Total pixels: 46.89 million
- New larger Z mount for revolutionary optical performance
- Nikon-designed 45.7MP backside Illuminated image sensor with no optical low pass filter (OLPF)
- 493-Point on-sensor phase detect AF system and up to 9 fps; Total pixels: 46.89 million
- 4K ultra-HD video; 8K time-lapse; 120/1080P slow motion
- Compatible with new Z nikkor lenses, over 360 F-mount nikkor lenses and a variety of Nikon system Accessories
Like the company’s D850 DSLR (below), the Z7’s trump card is that it manages to combine a high-resolution sensor with fast burst shooting and a rich 4K video recording option, making it versatile enough to be used in all kinds of applications. Key advantages over its D850 cousin include 493 phase-detecting AF points that span 90% of the vertical and horizontal axes and 5-axis vibration reduction that can be used with a variety of lenses.
As we found in our study, the handling is excellent and the 3.69 million-dot viewfinder is a pleasure to use, while the video quality is also very good. Only a few native lenses have been developed so far, although it is possible to use F-mount lenses through an adapter, and although some may be hindered by the presence of a single XQD card slot, this should not be an obstacle considering all that Nikon has managed to achieve here. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
7. Fujifilm X-T4
Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body - Silver
- Putting Stability in Your Hands: A huge part of creating great photos or videos is making sure you are in the right place at the right time – and that often means making handheld images to get to the heart of the action. X-T4’s state-of-the-art, five-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) provides up to 6.5 stops of image stabilization to make sure that, even in the midst of all the excitement, your images remain steady and sharp. Combine this with the new four-axis Digital Image Stabilizer, and you have lots of room to maneuver.
- Putting Stability in Your Hands: A huge part of creating great photos or videos is making sure you are in the right place at the right time – and that often means making handheld images to get to the heart of the action. X-T4’s state-of-the-art, five-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) provides up to 6.5 stops of image stabilization to make sure that, even in the midst of all the excitement, your images remain steady and sharp. Combine this with the new four-axis Digital Image Stabilizer, and you have lots of room to maneuver.
- Performance You Can Rely On: For any serious image maker, having a tool that can be relied upon to perform flawlessly whenever it is required is extremely important. For this reason, X-T4 features a newly developed mechanical shutter that is the fastest and most robust in the history of the X Series. Not only can it make images at 15 frames per second, but it is also rated for 300,000 actuations2. When you combine this with it’s larger capacity battery that is capable of up to 600 frames per charge2, X-T4 has the power and the durability to give you the peace of mind that you’ll never miss the perfect opportunity.
- Find the Best Angle for Your Story: When chasing the perfect image, versatility is key, so the last thing you want is to be hampered by awkward angles. The 1.62 million pixel vari-angle touchscreen LCD featured on X-T4 can be adjusted to make it visible from a wide range of positions. This not only gives you a high-quality monitor to frame with, but also provides quick and simple controls when you need them most. On the flip side, there are times when you need to minimize the light and distractions that a screen can create. That’s why X-T4’s LCD has been designed to easily fold away so it is completely hidden from view, leaving the updated 3.69 million pixel/100fps electronic viewfinder to help you focus on the moment at hand.
- When Your Story Needs Movement: The modern image maker is blurring the lines between photography and videography, and X-T4 has been designed to celebrate this new generation of hybrid creativity. With the simple flick of a switch, movie mode is activated, meaning X-T4 is capable of recording both professional-level DCI 4K/60p and Full HD/240p super slow-motion video. It is also possible to record F-Log footage in 10-bit color, straight to the card. What’s more, the innovative AF-C subject tracking works in low-light conditions down to -6EV and the camera’s use of a new, high capacity battery lets you push your creative limits.
- Powerful Image Manipulation Made Easy: For over 85 years, Fujifilm has produced photographic films that have been used by some of the world’s best-known moviemakers to create some of the world’s most successful movies. This legendary reputation in color science is celebrated with their hugely popular selection of Film Simulations, which digitize some of the industry’s most iconic films and puts them right at your fingertips. X-T4 introduces ETERNA Bleach Bypass, the newest addition to this much-loved collection of film simulation modes available in the X Series product line, which creates a beautiful de-saturated, high-contrast look that any image-maker will find irresistible.
For cameras that have the technology to look their best, there’s nothing better than the superb Fujifilm X series. The flagship masterpiece of the series is the X-T4, which combines a sophisticated X-Trans sensor and retro styling while adding modern features such as image stabilization inside the body. Fujifilm cameras have a reputation for producing stunning images from the moment the shutter is pressed, and the X-T4 is a shining example of this. If you like the look of the X-T4 but your budget is more limited, we recommend that you consider the X-T30, which is the lighter and more affordable version of Fujifilm’s X-T3. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
8. Sony A7R Mark IV
Sony α7R IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (ILCE7RM4/B)
- Stunning resolution: world’s first 61MP full frame 35 millimeter back illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor
- High speed: up to 10Fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking; 26.2MP in APS C crop mode
- Stunning resolution: world’s first 61MP full frame 35 millimeter back illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor
- High speed: up to 10Fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking; 26.2MP in APS C crop mode
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus: 567 Phase detection AF points and 425 contrast AF points to cover more area
- Advanced subject recognition: real time tracking and real time eye AF for humans, animals and movies
- Accurate color reproduction: 15 stop dynamic Range at low sensitivities for greater Color accuracy
- Incredible detail: see fine details with area specific noise reduction from Sony BIONZ X processor
- 4K video: full pixel readout without binning in super 35 millimeter mode; S log and HLG recording features
- Electronic viewfinder: compact cameras with a high resolution 5. 76 million dot UXGA OLED true finder
- Specs: 14 bit raw output, ISO 50 102400, wireless PC remote function, max 5GHz Wi Fi, FTP transfer
- In the box: Power cord, battery, cable Protector, Charger, strap, body/shoe Caps, eyecup, USB cable
The “R” models of the Sony A7 series cameras are designed primarily for resolution – and the Sony A7R Mark IV camera certainly meets this requirement. The previous A7R Mark III set the standard for some time, but it has recently been surpassed (by a small margin) by the Nikon Z 7 and the Panasonic Lumix S1R. The A7R addresses this – and how – with a record-breaking 61-megapixel sensor that offers the highest resolution of any full-format camera.
The rendering of detail is spectacular, although it may not be as obvious as the numbers might suggest, and the layout of Sony‘s controls is starting to look outdated and complicated compared to what Nikon and Panasonic have done with their new models. Nevertheless, thanks to its superb Eye AF system, its 10 frames per second continuous shooting (yes, with 61 Mpx!) and its 4K movies, the Sony A7R Mark IV is now the high-resolution professional camera to beat, and some might say the best Sony camera so far. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for portraits.
