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You are here: Home / Food Photography / Best Camera For Food Photography

September 8, 2018

Best Camera For Food Photography

Best Camera For Food Photography

Choosing the best camera for food photography or any type of photography for that matter is sort of equated to those choose your own adventure books from back in the day. You walk up to the counter faced with so many choices, which all seem very similar, coupled with the fear that any decision you make might ultimately decide the fate of your art and future creative outlets.

It's easy to pick up the camera that has everything and let the pieces fall as they may in the future. In reality, does the way you shoot right now require all those bits and bobs? If not, then maybe a toned down budget camera will get you where you want to be.  

Each camera comes with specs, which are so similar and so unique to one another, the whole thought of it can make anyone's head spin. However, it's a good idea to sit down, take a breath and answer a few key questions about what makes the best camera for food photography...for you.  

When I'm looking at the next best camera for food photography, I always ask the 3 questions below. I'll follow that up with a list of the best cameras for food photographers that you can buy right now.

  • What do you like about the camera you have (even if it's a phone)?
    Answers could be that the camera is easy to use, has great lens selections, great autofocus, wifi, flippy LCD screen, touch screen, endless options that you might find supreme in your art. Before you go shell out massive amounts of cash take a look at what food photographers should want in a camera. It might save you some time and precious funds.
  • What more do you want from a camera?
    Some people complain about a lack of lens choices or slow inaccurate autofocus, or a desire to have any one of the options I listed above in their food photography camera. It's important to answer what your current camera is lacking and how that new camera could help you. 

  • What kind of art do you want the camera for? Or even better, what do you not want to use the camera for?
    This is the toughest question, because who knows the future, right? I think it's easiest to list off the genres of photography you know are not even on the table. For example, I like shooting food, obviously, but I also like travel and shooting video, those are considerations in what would make the best camera for food photography. However, you can be sure to never find me with a camera on the sidelines of a sporting event. I suggest listing out the photography genres that you have no interest in. You'll find that the list of camera specs quickly shrinks when you scratch off genres that don't appeal to you.

I've listed out a bunch of cameras in no particular order, that for the most part, answer those questions for me and make them fall into the category of best camera for food photography. No single camera will have it all at that perfect low price. However, depending on you're budget, I think you'll find a camera that you will love.

Entry Level

The entry level food photography cameras are all about the most bang for your buck. If you're looking for a great camera to capture your own recipes and delicious creations for Instagram and your blog then this is where you need to be. Hey maybe even dive into vlogging on Youtube as well!

Canon EOS T7I

$749.00

The Canon EOS T7I seen here is arguably the most popular food photography camera for those just starting out. I'm not saying it's the best camera for food photography, but if you're on a budget a 24.2mp camera with flip out LCD touchscreen, wifi and lens for under a $1,000 should get your attention. The Canon EOS T7I comes with a lot of the features, pro camera owners like me would love, but can't find inside more expensive cameras on this list. However, with only 6 frames per second and lack of 4K or even serious FHD video capabilities, if you're serious about video or shooting action this might not be the camera for you.

THE GOOD

  • Priced at $749 with lens
  • 24 Megapixel APS-C Digic 7 Sensor
  • 45 point Duel Pixel CMOS autofocus
  • Rotating Flip-out LCD touchscreen
  • Wifi, NFC and Bluetooth
  • Lightweight 1.2lb.

THE BAD

  • Only FHD 1920x1080 @ 60fps
  • Low video bit-rate 60/mb/s max
  • 6 frames per second shooting
  • No clean HDMI port for live video
  • No weather seal (don't spill coffee)
  • 95% optical viewfinder

Nikon D5600 DX

$696.00

Another popular entry level food photography camera for those on a budget is the Nikon D5600 DX. Again if price was no option, then I wouldn't put this camera at the top of the "best camera for food photography" list, but it's another feature packed camera with an attractive price here. Lauded for it's impressive dynamic range, nice rotating touchscreen and mobile app Snapbridge it's a great offering for beginners. However, it's not so impressive on the video side, released with no 4k and no aperture control in video mode. Like the Canon T7I if video is not important to you then the Nikon D5600 would be a great food photography camera. 

THE GOOD

  • Priced at $696 with lens
  • 24 Megapixel APS-C Expeed 4 Sensor
  • 39 point cross-type autofocus
  • Rotating Flip-out LCD touchscreen
  • Wifi, NFC and Bluetooth
  • Lightweight 1.02lb.

THE BAD

  • Only FHD 1920x1080 @ 60fps
  • 5 frames per second shooting
  • No aperture control or auto ISO in video mode! What?!
  • 95% optical viewfinder

Canon EOS 80D

$1049.00

For the price the Canon EOS 80D that you see here is probably the best camera for food photography in the entry level range for those looking to dive into their craft a little more seriously. It's a little more costly, but as a food photography camera it has all of the great features of the T7I and more. If you're a video shooter, you may not like that it's not 4k or only has FHD in 60fps, but at least it has a headphone port! The 80D also has 7 frames per second shooting, mirror vibration controls and a weather sealed body for all those random coffee accidents.  

THE GOOD

  • Nearly under $1000 with lens
  • 24 Megapixel APS-C Digic 6 Sensor
  • 45 point Duel Pixel CMOS autofocus
  • Rotating Flip-out LCD touchscreen
  • Wifi, NFC
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Mirror Vibration Control (aka mirror break)
  • Headphone Port

THE BAD

  • Only FHD 1920x1080 @ 60fps
Best Camera For Food Photography Sensor Size Difference

One important aspect to note when investing in a camera for food photography is the sensor size. Most budget to mid-range cameras have a crop sensor of about 1.5x smaller than the normal size of a full frame camera. This means that the lenses you buy will look a little zoomed-in when compare to the same lens on their full frame brothers and sisters. Have a look at the image above to see what I mean. If you're looking at buying a crop sensor camera, then consider buying some wider lenses.

Mid Range

If I had to choose the best camera for food photography, one that would capture amazing stills as well as delicious recipe videos, there would be a clear winner in this category. However, food photographers and food photography cameras are never the same. If you're looking to step up into full frame cameras or want to dive into 4k and slow-motion video then you'll love these cameras.

Nikon D7500

$1146.95

Although, a few years old now the Nikon D7500 is still a great food photography camera. Nikon really stepped up their game in their midrange offerings with this 24mp full frame beast. With 51 autofocus points, wifi and tilt screen (features still not found on a lot of full frame cameras) the Nikon D7500 found here would be a fantastic food photography camera. Also if you plan on creating some beautiful recipe videos or vlogs you can, but don't be expecting 4k or slow motion at 120fps, but as a stills camera it has it all. 

THE GOOD

  • Cheap for a full frame dSLR at $1146.95
  • 24 Megapixel Full Frame Expeed 4 Sensor
  • 51 autofocus points
  • Tilting LCD screen
  • Wifi
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Headphone Port

THE BAD

  • No Rotating LCD or touchscreen
  • Only FHD 1920x1080 @ 60fps
  • Only 6.5 frames per second stills

Canon 6D MKII

$1599.00

For Canon's entry level full frame dSLR the Canon 6DMKII is a top contender for the best camera for food photography title. With 26mp, duel pixel autofocus and fully articulating touchscreen, the 6DMKII is a tasty full frame food photography camera on the cheap. Lacking 4k or even a high bitrate FHD it does have amazing autofocus to capture all those yummy recipes. 

THE GOOD

  • Cheap for a full frame dSLR at $1599
  • 26 Megapixel Full Frame Digic 7 Sensor
  • 45 duel pixel autofocus points
  • Rotating flip out LCD touchscreen
  • Wifi/NFC/Bluetooth
  • Weather Sealed Body

THE BAD

  • Only FHD 1920x1080 @ 60fps
  • Low Video Bitrate 60mb/s
  • No Headphone port
  • Only 6.5 frames per second stills

Fujifilm XH1

$1649.00

If you haven't gone mirrorless yet, the Fujifilm XH1 will make you want to. Not only can the XH1 easily hold the top spot for best food photography camera, it has still and video specs that at this price, blow pretty much every other camera out of the water. Which is why I put it in the top spot as the best camera for food photography in the mid-range level. Shooting 24mp stills at 14fps with delicious color profiles and 4k video at 200mb/s and FHD slow motion 120fps capabilities. Check out all the yummy specs here!

THE GOOD

  • 24 Megapixel APS-C X-trans Sensor
  • In camera stabilization
  • 14 frames per second stills
  • Wifi/NFC/Bluetooth
  • 4K 60fps 200mb/s plus FHD 120fps video
  • Amazing Fuji film simulation color profiles 
  • Bright Electronic Viewfinder with focus features
  • Feature packed regular firmware updates
  • Weather Sealed Body

THE BAD

  • No flip out rotating LCD screen
  • Low battery performance
  • No Headphone port
  • No clean HDMI port
Best Camera For Food Photography

MegaPixel Monsters

If you're looking for the highest resolution possible out of your food photography camera, then take a look at these sweet pieces of tech. If you're a food photographers wanting to dive into advertisement, product or just always wondered what the hairs on a micro-green look like, you won't be sorry with the images here. Easily comparable to medium format and in the case of my pick, have specs that suit those photographers who want it all.

Canon 5Ds 50.6MP

$3699.00

The Canon 5Ds was made in large part as a dedicated studio camera. For all those food photographers who need extremely high resolution, but can't afford medium format, the 5Ds is for you. It sports a reinforced chassis and a mirror control break to ensure everyone of those beautiful 50mp is crisp. It also rocks the Intelligent Viewfinder 2, and embedded overlay that displays grids, levels and multiple crops when you look through the viewfinder. When it comes time to crop you can feel safe that the final image will still have more megapixels than most cameras out there.

THE GOOD

  • 50.6 Megapixel Duel Digic 6 Sensor
  • Reinforced chassis
  • Mirror vibration control (aka mirror break)
  • 61 autofocus points (45 cross-type)
  • Intelligent viewfinder 2 
  • Crop freedom (even by half is still 25mp)
  • Weather Sealed Body

THE BAD

  • No flip out rotating LCD screen
  • Only FHD video at 30fps
  • No Headphone port
  • No clean HDMI port

Sony a7RIII 42.4MP

$2998.00

The mirrorless full frame megapixel monster title definitely goes to the Sony a7RIII here. With extreme resolution images, lightweight body and 4k video as a food photography camera the a7RIII should get your attention. If you decide to record some tasty recipe videos you'll love this camera too, with headphone port, slow-motion 120fps FHD video and of course 4k at 100mb/s. This camera has it all.

THE GOOD

  • 42.6 Megapixel Bionz X Sensor
  • 10 frames per second stills
  • 4k 30fps video with 120fps FHD
  • Headphone port
  • Wifi/Bluetooth
  • Weight 1.5lb.
  • Tilting Touchscreen

THE BAD

  • autofocus subject-tracking not so good
  • no built in intervalometer (for time-lapses) 
  • No clean HDMI port

Nikon D850 45.7MP

$3296.95

If you're a Nikon shooter and you need a food photography camera that has it all the don't pass up the Nikon D850 here. Like the Sony, the D850 sports extremely high resolution images plus 4k and slow-motion 120fps FHD video. With an amazing 151 autofocus point (99 cross-type) and tilting touchscreen you'll be sure to not only capture delicious stills, but tasty video as well. With all these features and Nikon's huge line of beautiful lenses, if I had a choice between these megapixel monsters, the D850 would grab the title of best camera for food photography!

THE GOOD

  • 45.7 Megapixel Expeed 5 Sensor
  • Class leading ISO 64
  • 4k 30fps video with 120fps FHD
  • Headphone port
  • Wifi/NFC/Bluetooth
  • 151 autofocus points (99 cross-type)
  • Tilting Touchscreen

THE BAD

  • autofocus subject-tracking not so good
  • rolling shutter in 4k video

In my opinion the top 3 "best camera for food photography" picks are the Canon 80D, Fujifilm XH1 and the Nikon D850. Why did I pick these cameras? Simple. They answer all the questions for me that I outlined above.

I'm a food photographer first, but throughout the years video has become increasingly important in my business. I need a camera that can do both, preferably one that is lightweight, sturdy (weather sealed for all those coffee spills) and has great video autofocus.

In the end anyone of these cameras would be an amazing tool for any food photographer and each year I will put out an update to this list so if you don't see something you like right now be sure to check back. 

Best Camera For Food Photography

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Filed Under: Food Photography Tagged With: Best camera for food photography, food photography camera, Food Photography Tips, Food photography tricks, food photography tutorials

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