What’s more special than a wedding day? As a wedding photographer, it is your mission to capture each and every love-filled moment of the newlywed’s special day, from the early morning preparations, through the ceremony, all the way to the afterparty reception. In order to complete your mission to the best of your abilities, you are going to need the best camera for wedding photography.
Whether just starting out in the photography business or a seasoned pro, it is absolutely critical that you have the gear to get the job done right. That means you need a camera that will not only beautifully capture the wedding ceremony, the guests, and the venue during daylight, but also a camera that will work in low-light conditions in case of a midnight reception or a themed wedding.
Plus, you need to ensure your camera is capable of capturing the scenic shots that come with destination and elopement weddings. Here, we will dig into the five best cameras for wedding photography, what each of them offers, and which one is best for you.
The 5 Best Wedding Photography Cameras Available Today
1. Sony a7 III Mirrorless Camera
Welcome to the best camera for wedding photography. The Sony a7 III is a true masterpiece in photographic technology. It has near-perfect image stabilization for your action shots, utilizing 5-axis stabilization and gyro sensors
It has highly effective tracking and detection for shooting stills, easily capturing people in motion without a trace of blur. There is even a back-illuminated sensor that works with a specialized image processing system to render your images in phenomenal detail.
Shooting at 24.2MP has never been sharper, especially with the ISO ranging from 100 to 2048007 while expanded. Simply amazing. It shoots video in visually gripping 4K, great for filming the wedding ceremony in beautiful and remote locations. It also shoots in continuous silence at up to an outstanding 10fps.
While the cost of this camera is nothing to sneeze at, it is promised to perform flawlessly. If you are serious about wedding photography and want to be taken seriously, the extra chunk of cash is worth it.
Pros
- Quality 3” LCD
- Full frame image sensor w/ 24.2MP
- Silent or mechanical shutter
- Impressive 93% image coverage
- Includes a heap of accessories
- One of the best for shooting still images
Cons
- Massive price tag
- Doesn’t come with a lens
2. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera
Let me introduce you to the best Canon camera for wedding photography which also happens to be the most expensive camera on our list. But don’t let the Canon’s high price dissuade you from making the purchase. Believe me, the Mark IV is worth every last dollar.
Equipped with an intense 30.4MP CMOS sensor, you are going to get extremely vivid photographs when shooting in bright light, low light, or even no light. The ISO range is normally 100-32000 but can be expanded to 50-102400. That means night weddings, noon weddings, and even cave weddings are going to be captured by you in magnificent splendor.
Image stabilization is flawless, there is built-in Wi-Fi for quick uploads and edits, an integrated GPS, impeccable 4K video recording, precision exposure, and immaculate focus tracking. This camera does it all. For people who really want the most out of their SLR camera, the Mark IV is definitely a top choice.
Pros
- Impressive 30.4-megapixel sensor
- Advanced 4K capabilities
- Continuous shooting at up to 7 fps
- Legendary resolution w/ 61 AF system
- Unparalleled exposure w/ dedicated RGB + IR sensor
- Technological and easy-to-use viewfinder
Cons
- Steep price
- 4K shooting creates massive files
3. Nikon D7500 Digital SLR Camera
Third on our list is the best Nikon camera for weddings. Now this model comes in at a significantly reduced price compared to the first two cameras on our list. But that doesn’t make it any less of an impressive unit for wedding photos.
With the D7500 you get a larger than normal 3.2” LCD touchscreen that tilts. You get ultra-clear photos of moving targets thanks to the 41 AF points and 15 cross-type sensors, which also provide fabulous tracking in low light. The RGB sensor always works to seamlessly detect human faces even when shooting at high speeds.
The body itself is comfortable in one hand with a deep and ergonomic grip for stable shooting even when equipped with a larger telephoto lens. If you’re looking for a rugged, versatile, and easy-to-handle camera to document every step of every wedding you attend, look no further than the Nikon D7500 Digital SLR Camera.
Pros
- Large 3.2” tilting LCD touchscreen
- 4K UHD + stereo sound recording
- Integrated Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
- Streamlined design for easy performance
- 9 Megapixel image sensor
- Powerful AF system w/ 51 AF points
Cons
- Low-light capabilities could be better
- Wi-Fi can be finicky
4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Camera
Olympus is notorious for making the best mid-grade cameras. So, it’s no surprise that the Olympus E-M10 Mark III is the best camera for beginner wedding photographers. That said, don’t underestimate the function of this lightweight point-and-shoot camera. Even with its small 16MP sensor, it takes impressive photos.
For a rocking price, you get a ton of simplified yet powerful features for beginners, like the automatic mode, the convenient settings buttons, the 180-degree tilting touchscreen monitor with its electronic viewfinder, built-in pop-up flash, customized Olympus accessories, and enough lenses to make you dizzy.
The bottom line is that the E-M10 Mark III comes with enough features to be an effective weapon in wedding photography without overwhelming a newbie. Plus, it gives you room to learn. This is by no means a lesser camera because it’s at the lower end of the price gauge. If you’re starting your business out fresh and don’t want to invest too much, this unit should be on the top of your list.
Pros
- Effective image stabilization
- 4K video capable
- 3” LCD tilting touchscreen monitor
- Control your AF with the touchscreen
- Built-in art filters for boosted creativity
- Great for beginners w/ easy controls
Cons
- Only 16 megapixels
- No microphone input
5. Sony a77II Digital SLR Camera
Another heavyweight from Sony, the a77II comes out of the gate as a superior SLR with 79 AF points, 24.3 megapixels, 12 fps shooting, integrated Wi-Fi and NFC, and highly advanced image processing with a BIONZ X engine. The engine is actually one of the a77II’s top features, as it provides some of the quickest processing of any camera in the same category.
Other huge bonuses that make the a77II such a great wedding camera include the sensor shift technology that provides maximum image stabilization, the weather-resistant body, the LCD monitor and OLED viewfinder, the integrated flash and hot shoe, and the diffraction-reducing capabilities. Everything in Sony’s top-grade SLR camera is designed to make your job as a wedding photographer simple and pain-free.
The icing on the cake has to be the 79 AF points. It’s a lot, even for an expensive camera. The a77II gives you superb focusing and some of the sharpest subject tracking in the industry. This is true even in low-light conditions where other AF systems may falter. No matter the conditions, the time of day, or the location, every wedding is going to be photographed professionally with the a77II from Sony.
Pros
- Outstanding 24MP sensor
- AF system is one of the best
- Noise control is exceptional
- Records high-quality HD video
- Shutter life is extra-long
- Surprisingly durable, stands up tough
Cons
- No touchscreen
- A little cumbersome to carry
Final Thoughts
As a wedding photographer, most of your shots are going to be taken while roaming around the wedding party. A snapshot of the bride here, the groom there, Uncle Tom spilling wine on his tuxedo in the middle of a toast. These are action shots, and to take quality action shots you need a few particulars out of your camera.
First are the autofocus and image stabilization. You need a system that is going to be stable, focusing quickly to catch an action shot the very second it happens, even if you are still moving the camera in your hand. Imagine how furious your client will be if you deliver blurry photographs of the bride and groom shoving cake in each others’ faces. It’s a bad look and an easy way to tarnish your reputation.
Because you will be moving so much, you probably won’t be taking pictures constantly from a tripod. Wedding parties are handheld occasions, and so you need a lightweight camera that is quick to adjust and easy to maneuver. This is the main reason mirrorless cameras are becoming so popular in wedding photography. They are easier to use and quicker to snapshots than DSLRs.
Along with having proper image stabilization and a solid autofocus, a touchscreen will come in extremely handy at weddings. Having a quality touchscreen with a clear menu will allow you to make snap decisions in regard to the settings and focus. You want less time fussing with your camera and more time searching for those once in a lifetime shots.
We suggest the Sony a7 III as the best mirrorless camera for wedding photography. This has all the features I just mentioned. It’s lightweight, has AE/AF tracking with 693 phase detection, and impressive image stabilization. If you want to be the best in the biz, the a7 III is worth every penny.
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