Photo by Ailbhe Flynn on Unsplash
Today we are looking at the best camera for fashion photography. Whether you are an experienced photographer working in the beauty and fashion industry, or an amateur eager to get started on your road to fashion photography, you need a quality camera. Even if you are just taking snapshots of fashion to sell online, you need a good camera to capture all the vivid colors and sharp angles.
We have put together a list of the five best cameras you can use for fashion photography. These cameras are available in a pretty drastic price range, and we have been sure to include budget options as well as premium models that cost a fortune. Unfortunately, we know you cannot always get the camera you want, and you’re sometimes restricted to your budget. But don’t worry, all the cameras on today’s list are perfect for fashion.
The Best Camera For Fashion Lovers
1. Canon EOS 5D Mark III Full Frame SLR Camera
In this day and age, the Canon EOS series is one of the most popular cameras for fashion shooting. The newest and best model is the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and yes, it costs about as much as a small island. Not really, but it is expensive.
The camera comes equipped with a full frame CMOS sensor and an outstanding resolution of 30.4 megapixels. If you are looking for perfectly detailed images, this is the camera that can do it. It is at the very highest echelon of fashion cameras. It’s comfortable to carry, it’s relatively easy to use, and it’s super lightweight. It also works clearly at every ISO level, which ensures your model is captured in the best possible light.
Focusing is great. The low-light capabilities make it easy to take photos outside in the night if the need ever arises. The viewfinder is super technical. It gives you tons of information about what’s going on without you needing to take the camera away from your face. For example, you can quickly check and adjust the white balance, the autofocus, and the driving mode. While this camera definitely costs a fortune, it is one of the preferred models of fashion photographers everywhere, and it’s worth the investment.
Pros
- Usable Viewfinder
- Great Autofocus Settings
- HDR Mode w/ Multiple Exposure
- Room for 2 Memory Cards
- Super Strong Case w/ Moisture Protection
Cons
- Control Interface is OK
- Limits When Shooting RAW + JPEG
- No Clear Signal for HDMI
2. Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera
The Nikon D7100 is a fantastic DSLR camera that any professional fashion photographer would be happy to have in their toolkit. If you’re serious about fashion photography, this particular camera is great for a few reasons. First, it has excellent memory capabilities. There are slots to fit two different SD cards, which makes it easier for you to get more RAW shots during a single session. You never have to worry about running out of room. You can also shoot in RAW at around 6 frames per second. This is the ideal speed for any fashion show.
The focusing is top notch. It’s fast, accurate, and works surprisingly well even when the lighting is not great. With your final product, you will have photographs with the color rendered perfectly and the details crystal clear. All the most complex lines and textures of the clothing and of your subject will be brought to life. The only downside is that it’s a little difficult for an inexperienced photographer to pick this camera up and begin using it, and so it’s definitely recommended more for professionals. However, that’s not to say you can’t figure it out as you go along.
Pros
- Phenomenal Detail
- Excellent Burst Speed
- Snappy Autofocus
- Ergonomic & Comfortable
- Powerful ISO Settings
Cons
- Complex for Beginner
- Body Feels Flimsy
- Confusing Buttons
3. Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera
The Nikon D3300 Digital Camera is a fantastic piece of equipment, available in either black or red – though red doesn’t look super professional. This is a user-friendly camera with amazing battery life and a very powerful sensor. It’s one of the very best DSLR cameras for fashion photography that you can purchase without breaking your wallet. It’s amazingly affordable. It does great portraits, it brings out the best in your subject’s skin tone, and it makes all the colors in the photograph vibrant and bright. This is one of the most precise DSLR cameras around – at least for entry-level photographers.
The sensor here is enormous. This is exactly what amateur photographers need, as it makes it easier to create large prints, like for billboards. The autofocusing is super fast, the shutter response is on point, and you can do continuous modeling shooting in RAW and JPEG at 5 frames per second. This allows you to concentrate on the process of shooting fashion without worrying about getting the best frame. Continuous shooting is absolutely key at any fashion show.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Extra-Long Battery Life
- Perfect Picture Quality
- More Affordable
- Automatic Mode for Beginners
Cons
- Requires Adapter for Wi-Fi
- UI is Not Perfect
- Only One SD Slot
4. Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera
The Pentax K-70 is one of the easier cameras to work with. It comes in at a reasonable price, not quite budget but not too expensive. It’s also ideal for beginners. If you’re shooting models, the K-70 creates beautiful portraits with popping colors and stupendous details. And it does it all with simple controls. It may only have a 24-megapixel sensor, but you still get an excellent field of depth in fashion portraits with lots of room to complete your framing. If you want clear shots at a relatively affordable price, the Pentax is a great option.
Plus, when you combine this camera with a proper lens, it gives impressively stunning bokeh. This is one of the reasons the K-70 is so popular with fashion photographers. You can really put a powerful emphasis on any part of your subject, be it jewelry, makeup, or hair. The image stabilization is fantastic, it works very well in low lighting, and it doesn’t take any experience to master.
Pros
- Startlingly Good Resolution
- Pixel Shift Technology
- Great AF Points w/ Phase Detection
- Water-Resistant
- Great Price
Cons
- Live Mode Needs Work
- Video Mode Not Great
- Flaws w/ Short Burst Mode
5. Sony a9 Mirrorless Camera
Yes, this is the most expensive camera on the list. It is actually a little outrageous. But the Sony a9 mirrorless camera is an absolute breakthrough in photography technology. This is a revolution in mirrorless cameras from Sony, and the price tag really fits with the stunning quality of your photos. If you want the best of the best for fashion shooting, this is the camera for you. It’s also one of their newest models.
The Sony A9 has a new multi-layer CMOS matrix with built-in memory, it has an impressive rate of speed for burst shooting, and it can reach a full 20 frames per second with full resolution when tracking through autofocus. This is an ideal feature for fashion shows or when you’re shooting at a dynamic scene. However, if you’re just shooting ordinary clothing, it is a bit overkill.
At the end of the day, the amount of money you pay for this camera equals stunning and realistic photographs. The camera itself has a metal frame and is protected from moisture and dust. The color rendering is beyond next level, giving you rich, vivid, and beautiful colors without any distortion. And we don’t need to tell you how ideal that is for fashion photography, where colors are key.
Pros
- Premium Camera w/ Premium Features
- ISO Range is Amazing
- 20fps Burst Rate
- 5-Axis Stabilization
- Moisture Proof + Dust Proof
Cons
- Outrageously Priced
- Display Known to Overhead
- Lower Battery Life
Final Thoughts
There are a few factors that determine what makes a camera so good for fashion photography. You probably want a lightweight camera if you’re going to be attending fashion shows. You’ll also need to consider the battery life, as sometimes fashion shows can go on for a significant amount of time. There is nothing worse than your battery dying halfway through a show!
ISO range is not that important for fashion photography. Neither is the flash. It’s not like you’re out trying to take photographs of the night sky. You will mostly be working indoors, with lots of powerful lighting and a fairly controlled environment. However, having a solid number of megapixels and a stable sensor is going to benefit how realistic your photos look.
The more megapixels and the better the sensor, the crisper your photos will turn out. This is especially important if you’re trying to sell articles of clothing online, as you want the clothing to really come to life with bright colors. Also, portrait cameras are great for fashion photography. If you are dealing with models, there is a whole lot more happening than just clothing. You need to capture the face of the model in perfect clarity, to expose all the lines of flesh, and to capitalize on the contrast between skin and clothing.
You also need to consider the focusing system. You don’t need hundreds of autofocus points, but it’s good if you can focus on your target from a fair distance to get the proper images for uploading online. You don’t really need much of a tracking system, as clothing doesn’t generally move like a cheetah. It also doesn’t matter about zoom or Panorama. However, it could be useful to have a spare macro lens in case you want to get some serious up-close shots of your model, maybe with a piece of jewelry or a pair of shoes.
