Best Camera For Product Photography – Top 7 Picks (NEW Guide)

Last updated on December 10th, 2020 at 01:15 pm

There is no better way to market your product than advertising visually captivating images on posters. It’s a known fact that bright advertisements attract more customers than a toned-down poster, and the best way to get well-toned images is by investing in a good quality camera. However, the camera market is saturated, and photographers get side-tracked whilst choosing the perfect camera for product photography.

To make the process easier for you, we have listed the best cameras for product photography by reliable manufacturers. Not only do they offer an extensive range of features, but the final results are worth waiting for.  

Best Camera For Product Photography

Sony a7R III	Canon EOS 5D Mark IV	Sony Alpha a6400
BEST OVERALL 10fps Continuous Shooting Smooth Studio Workflow	PREMIUM CHOICE Stellar Image Quality Dual Pixel CMOS AF	BEST BUDGET Advanced Real-time Eye-AF Full pixel readout & no pixel binning
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Product Photography Camera Reviews

1. Sony a7R III Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

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Features:

Sony Alpha A7R II gave its rivals tough competition back then, resulting in a wave of excitement soon after Sony launched the upgraded Sony Alpha A7R III. It offers the best of every feature, including elements of the mighty Sony Alpha A9, and delivers exceptional results.  

Design 

Sony A7RIII is not much different than its sister camera in terms of the overall design, with only some minor improvements. There is a new multi-selector joystick instead of a focus mode selector for better handling. Moreover, the layout features an extra customization button and a pronounced rear scroll wheel to help retain its position. The body itself is slightly thicker with a magnesium alloy build that enhances its strength. As a result of these changes, shooting is much easier and more enjoyable.  

Performance 

Sony XRIII boasts an improved AF system with 399 focal-plane phase-detection points and an impressive 400 contrast-detection points that provide 68% frame coverage. It doesn’t break any major records but performs two times faster than its predecessor, especially under light conditions as low as -3EV. There are various AF settings for a personalized shooting experience, including a Wide, Zone, and Centre mode; the flexible spot mode allows users to select a customized focus area by taking advantage of additional focusing points.  

Moving on, Alpha makes use of an enhanced processor that delivers a decent 10fps burst shooting rate, compared to the 5fps rate of XRII. Moreover, it lasts for 76 JPEGs or compressed 14-bit RAWS- enough for a casual product photography session. Effective image stabilization is an important requirement for any camera, and fortunately, Alpha offers users a 5-axis optical image stabilization system with an impressive 5.5-stop shutter speed advantage. Moreover, it consists of a low-vibration shutter mechanism that makes it easier for photographers to shoot at 10fps without the risk of image blur.

Further on, the 3686k-dot resolution viewfinder matches our high expectations by delivering a large and crisp view: the credit goes to its fast refresh rate.  

Bottom line

Sony Alpha A7R III is one of the most well-rounded cameras we have worked with to date, and several other photographers share the same view. It is an ideal choice for product photography, considering the powerful image stabilization system and staggering AF performance. However, longer battery life is a much-needed upgrade.

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2. Nikon D850 FX-format Digital SLR Camera

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Features:

Nikon D850 seems like a camera straight out of our dreams, and the launch was the highlight of our year. We wanted a well-rounded DSLR with powerful specs, a brilliant performance, and exceptional results but weren’t sure if any manufacturer had the guts to release one. Needless to say, Nikon went above and beyond to match our expectations.  

Design 

Nikon D850 bears some resemblance to D810 but features some major improvements such as a deep, comfortable grip for secure handling and elimination of the pop-up flash for stability. It has a tough magnesium body with thorough weather sealing for a pleasant experience under harsh shooting conditions. Moreover, the top plate button arrangement boasts some minor but significant changes, making it ideal for single-handed use. Another great feature is that the buttons light up after rotating the on/off switch to make it easier to shoot under dark conditions.  

Performance 

Nikon sports one of the best AF systems to date: there are 55 user-selectable AF points and 99 sensitive cross-type points for more precision. Moreover, its ideal for low light photography as the system does not falter in conditions as dark as -4EV. D850 suits the likes of action photographers with a system specially designed to focus on erratically moving subjects.

Moving on, the decent 7fps burst rate is better than its predecessor’s, while the optional MB-D18 battery grip boosts the speed to 9fps. Another great fact about D850 is the incredible battery life of 1840 shots: it’s more than enough for a full day of shooting; thus, you don’t need to bear the hassle of carrying spare batteries along with you.

Most event photographers require a silent mode to capture the candid moments without garnering any attention; Nikon utilizes an electronic shutter that shoots silently at 6fps in Live View mode. The 180K-pixel RGB sensor works pretty well in conditions as low as -3EV whilst the multi-zone metering system is capable of producing well-exposed images in a range of conditions. Similarly, the white balance system has three modes to enhance your images. As a result, you get well-detailed images with proper exposures and pleasing colors.  

Bottom line

Nikon D850 leaves no stones unturned to make your shooting session a great one indeed. It packs several powerful features that deliver highly-detailed images, including an incredible viewfinder and a mighty AF system. However, it is a bit on the pricier side, but the performance proves that every cent is worth it.

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3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Camera

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Features:

Canon never fails to astound us with every release, breaking new records of quality images and powerful performance. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is one of their best DSLRs to date that works well in every situation and is ideal for product photography.  

Design 

Canon strives to make the shooting experience pleasant for everyone; thus, they didn’t make any major changes to the overall design of EOS 5D Mark IV. As a result, the existing users won’t face any issues in adjusting to the new camera. However, there are some minor tweaks, e.g., an enlarged handgrip for secure handling and a taller pentaprism to accommodate the GPS unit. Despite the additions, Canon is surprisingly lighter than its previous version.  

Performance 

It is hard to find a Canon camera with a poor AF system; thus, our expectations from Mark IV were pretty high. Needless to say, we were not disappointed: it consists of a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61-points- 41 being cross-type points for more precision. It works alongside the metering system where the latter detects the colored objects whilst the AF system immediately locks on to the detected subject effortlessly.

Moving on, Canon makes use of a 252-zone RGB+IR metering system with an Intelligent Scene Analysis that is relatively better than Mark III’s. It weighs the exposure to the active AF point, assesses the entire scene, and brings out a well-balanced image with the perfect exposure. However, some users may find the need to dial in exposure compensation in high-contrast images.

Further on, the white balance system delivers incredible results every single time; there are two modes: ambiance and white priority, for warmth and neutrality. The viewfinder, on the other hand, benefits from the Intelligent Viewfinder II technology that displays key shooting info when you raise the camera to your eye and delivers 100% coverage. Mark delivers a decent burst rate of 7fps that lasts for 21 raw files while the battery impresses us with around 900-shots per charge.  

Bottom line

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV doesn’t fail to satisfy photographers with its extensive feature set and mind-blowing images. Whether you want to cover a car-racing event or capture wildlife animals, Mark IV is the best bet. However, this well-rounded camera is a bit on the pricier side.

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4. Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera

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Features:

APS-C mirrorless cameras may not be the go-to choice for many photographers, but Sony A6400 makes one reconsider their decision to invest in a quality camera. It is an upgraded version of Sony A6300 with some technological improvements to make your next photography session a breeze.  

Design 

Sony a6400 has a robust magnesium alloy body with dust and moisture seals for protection against unfavorable shooting conditions. With a higher shutter lifespan of 200-000 cycles and a My Dial feature for enhanced control, Sony A6400 is much better than its previous version in terms of design. There weren’t many changes to the control layout for the ease of old users, but we were expecting some improvement in the touchscreen department considering its limited functionality.  

Performance 

Sony A6400 offers an incredible AF system, maybe one of the best systems we have worked with over the years. It features a hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detect points along with an additional 425 contrast-detect points that provide 84% frame coverage. Moreover, the 0.02-sec focusing speed is bound to impress the action and wildlife photographers who often miss the chance to capture the perfect shot. There is a Real-Time tracking mode that utilizes various recognition algorithms and predictive methods to focus on the desired subject with utmost accuracy and speed.

Further on, it performs at 11fps with a buffer capacity of 116 JPEGS or 46 RAW shots and 8fps in the silent shooting mode. The metering system is decent but tends to underexpose some images: dialing in some post-production editing would easily fix it. On the other hand, there is a great auto white balance system that works quite well under unfavorable lighting conditions.

Moving on, the battery lasts for 360 shots in a single charge; thus, it’s beneficial to store some spare batteries. However, it lasts for 400 shots if you are willing to work without the viewfinder. The images produced are sharp, well-balanced, and, to say the least, quite pleasing to the eye.  

Bottom line

It shocks us to our core as to how a minor upgrade makes such a huge difference to the overall performance. Sony A6400 is an excellent choice for photographers who want the best features not limited to a superior AF system and a bright viewfinder without going broke.

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5. Nikon D7200 DX-format DSLR

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Features:

Nikon D7100 was a decent camera for enthusiast photographers, but D7200 offers a lot more in terms of performance and image quality. With a 24.2MP sensor and identical body, the minor improvements make D7200 worth switching to.

Design 

Nikon worked hard to make D700 resemble a high-end camera, and their efforts didn’t go to waste. The design is simply spectacular with soft textured coatings for enhanced comfort and protection with thorough weatherproofing for shooting in rugged locations. Further on, the mode dial offers nine options with two customization options while the lock button allows the dial to retain its position throughout. Even though it’s not ideal for single-handed usage, most of the control buttons are within your thumbs reach.  

Performance 

Product photographers utilize several features to come out with great results, with the AF system being the most important one. Fortunately, Nikon is aware of the requirement and offers an upgraded MultiCam 3500 51-point AF system that focuses under lighting conditions as low as -3EV. There are 15 cross-type sensors with a central sensor sensitive to f/8. As a result, the camera is a breeze to work with whilst using telephoto lenses. Despite the outdated 2016-pixel metering sensor, Nikon manages to analyze the scene and track objects pretty well.

Moving on, the camera utilizes a Matrix metering system for producing well-balanced images: we never found the need to dial in exposure compensation even under high-contrast situations. Similarly, the white balance system does a great job of delivering pleasing effects under artificial light sources: you may switch to the “Tungsten” mode or a custom white balance mode to get rid of additional warmth.

Thanks to the EX SPEED 4 processor, the buffer capacity is improved to a decent 50 shots, whereas the battery lasts for a whopping 1100 in a single charge. Further on, Nikon is perfect for delivering pleasing images that boast bold, vibrant colors with an accurate color representation.  

Bottom line

There is no better DSLR for enthusiast photographers than Nikon D7200: the simple layout attracts beginners, whereas the incredible AF system is a force to be reckoned with. If you are still not convinced, the affordable price will surely make you reconsider your decision.

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6. Canon EOS Rebel T7i

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Features:

Canon Rebel T7I was released a long time ago but retained its position as one of the best entry-level DSLRs to date. It makes use of all the signature DSLR features, including a decent burst rate and touchscreen capability.

Design 

Similar to its predecessor, EOS Rebel T7i boasts an aluminum alloy and polycarbonate body that stands the test of time. It is relatively lighter and compact with a textured handgrip for easier handing. However, we were slightly put off by the plastic exterior as it doesn’t appeal to a casual photographer’s aesthetic sense. The control layout features several buttons with dedicated controls on the top plate and common settings on the rear. Fortunately, there is an intuitive touchscreen interface merged with the menu system for your ease.  

Performance 

Canon employs a decent 45-point phase-detect AF system that might not match the standards of modern cameras but does a great job otherwise. Fortunately, all the points are cross-type for better precision, but you may need to rotate your camera a bit for accurate results. Moreover, it performs well under lighting conditions as low as -3EV, while the 27 aperture-sensitive points allow you to work with telephoto lenses or wider apertures down to f/8.

Rebel boasts a Digic 7 image processor and a boosted continuous AF speed of 6fps. Moreover, the battery lasts for 600 shots as long as you avoid using the rear display, after which it decreases to 270 shots. There is a graphical interface, a treat for beginners, as it demonstrates the effects of each setting to get the best results. Moreover, the 7560 RBG+IR metering sensor has several 63-zone metering options, and it dials in the right exposure almost every time: however, you may need to edit images taken under high contrast situations.

Further on, the white balance system does a great job of delivering neutral or warm results, depending on the model you pick. With the 24MP APS-C sensor and firm control over image noise, the final results look sharp and quite pleasing.  

Bottom line

Canon Rebel T7I is the optimal camera for beginners who want to invest in their first DSLR camera after capturing images through their smartphones. Despite the outdated specifications, the easy handling and impressive image quality make it quite popular amongst enthusiasts too.

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7. Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Digital Camera

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Features:

Fujifilm is popular amongst discerning photographers for crafting purpose-built cameras. They released X-T3 to appeal to the senior enthusiast photographers with fresh technology and ergonomic design. Even though the older versions didn’t disappoint us, X-T3 delivers a more extensive feature set and gives tough competition to its rivals.  

Design 

Fujifilm X-T3 looks quite similar to the first camera in the X-T series despite numerous changes. The redesigned buttons are fairly larger and easy to press, while the exposure compensation dial is away from the edge to avoid being knocked out. Moreover, the body feels quite strong for a 539g camera. There is an AF lever that allows users to adjust the focusing points with ease while the command dials rotate without any hassle.  

Performance 

X-T3 boasts the same old AF system, but the upgraded sensor and processor bring out the best of it: 2.16-million phase-detect AF points deliver a 99% frame coverage and even performance throughout the area. This feature proves useful for shooting videos as the phase-detect points work together to focus on the erratically moving subjects. Moreover, it is possible to adjust the size of the focusing area to grab hold of delicate features: great for shooting complex products. Further on, there are several AF modes to choose from along with a range of presets (including a custom mode) for a personalized experience.

X-T3 wastes no time and immediately resumes operations after being switched on. The response time is quite impressive, with minimal lagging whilst going through menus. Moving on, X-T3 boasts a 3.69-million dot viewfinder with a refresh rate of up to 100fps through the BOOST mode. In short, the viewfinder displays clear and crisp images, but some users may find the colored fringes on the edges a tad bit disturbing.

Further on, X-T3 sports an impressive 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 version sensor with a back-illuminated design to capture great quality images at higher sensitivities.  

Bottom line

Fujifilm X-T3 is one of the most versatile cameras and a treat to work with. The impressive X-T feature set consists of several incredible elements, including a powerful sensor, improved AF system, and incredible video capabilities, making it an ideal device for product photography.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): About Cameras For Product Photography

Q: How many megapixels do I need for product photography?

A: Whilst buying a camera for product photography, you must consider the megapixels. It’s a known fact that cameras with more megapixels produce bigger and higher quality images. Most DSLR cameras by renowned manufacturers consist of large sensors and a higher pixel count. However, you should aim for a camera with at least 15MP to get decent results.  

Q: What do I need for product photography?

A: Now that you have planned to start your product photography gig, there are some essential items one must invest in to make their advent a success. Firstly, you need to invest in a digital camera: a $250 point-and-shoot camera is as effective as a high-end camera as long as it has a manual mode and delivers great results. Secondly, you need a seamless background paper or a paper sweep to divert attention towards your products. The latter is better as you can replace it easily after the previous part gets dirty. Another alternative is to grab a white poster board from your nearest stationery store at a great price. Product photography needs a very small aperture for a wide depth of field. This requires a slow shutter speed, which makes it harder to hold the camera, resulting in blurred images. If your camera doesn’t have a built-in image stabilization system, a tripod is necessary.  

Q: What settings should I use for product photography?

A: After purchasing your camera, the second task is to find the sweet spot: the perfect setting to shoot the perfect shot. Casual photographers prefer using the auto mode, but it’s better to have firm control over the camera parameters.

Firstly, a low ISO makes the camera less sensitive to light, thus giving you more time to shoot. However, increase the ISO when you need to shoot under low light or take pictures at a faster rate. The latter might make your images less grainy; thus, shooting under great lighting conditions is preferred.

Secondly, the aperture setting is for defining the depth of field and controlling the light that passes from your camera to the lens. A low f/stop enhances the shutter speed, allows more light in, and allows users to focus on particular details. However, a higher f/stop is recommended for an overall focused image. Moving on, a shutter speed defines the amount of time taken by a sensor to be exposed to the light: a fast shutter speed results in well-stabilized images and vice versa. However, most product photographers need not worry about the shutter speed as they have a tripod as an image stabilization system.

Further on, use the manual mode and RAW format for shooting and editing, respectively. The former allows you to select the settings according to the client’s particular need, and RAW images have better quality.  

Conclusion 

We hope you found our list of the best cameras for product photography helpful. Choosing a camera is quite hard, as not every device is meant for your specific job. Moreover, the product photography is an art that requires a lot more than just a good quality camera: the right skills, accessories, and settings are equally important to make the most of your shooting session.