Best Canon Camera For Portraits

If you're asking yourself the question "what is the best camera for portraits?" Here I have something for you.

I'm going to show you some of the best DSLR or mirrorless cameras and I will also give you different alternatives keeping in mind different price ranges. When it comes to choosing the best camera for portraits, it all depends on your goal. Are you a professional looking to upgrade your gear or are you a hobbyist trying to get your first camera and start shooting some amazing portraits?

You can definitely buy a great camera for portraits without spending a fortune, but you need to know what to look for.

Let's take a closer look at the best camera for portraits so you can pick the best one that suits your budget and requirements.

Related: The Best Lens For Portraits

The Best Camera for Portraits: Our Top Three

The Best Camera for Portraits: What to Look for?

Portability

Some of the best portrait cameras in the world are quite heavy. Along with other equipment such as tripods, lenses, and lighting, it might fill your bag up, but they are necessary for professional-looking shots.

However, if you don't necessarily shoot in a studio or if you want to avoid the hassle of carrying around camera equipment, a small mirrorless camera might be your best option.

They can capture a range of shots apart from portrait shots, giving you the all-round versatility along with portability.

Sensor Size and Resolution

Skin tones and skin details have to be rendered perfectly when shooting portraits. A higher resolution camera with a top-quality sensor will definitely make a difference in this case. Hence, you might want to look at full-frame bodies over crop sensors.

APS-C sensor cameras though cost less, so you'll have to find the right balance between quality and price. Mostly it depends on your budget.

Lenses for Portrait Photography

I have a full article on the best lens for portrait photography, you can read it later if you want, but I want to talk about lenses for a moment because even though a great camera body is important, lenses will make a huge difference in your portrait photos.

If you've been following me you might know that, if you are on a budget, I always suggest so save some money on the camera body and spend a little bit more on the lenses. That's because camera lenses don't become as obsolete as camera bodies.

When shooting portraits, you need a fast lens, possibly prime. Wide apertur, f/1.8 or f/2.8, and a focal length ranging from 35mm for a more environmental portrait, through 50mm and up to 85mm for close-ups are what you need.

Related: The Best Lens for Portrait

Summary Table

Best Camera For Portraits: Complete List

Sony a7R IV

Main features of Sony a7R IV

61 Fill-frame MP sensor
10FPS continuous shooting
567 Phase detection AF points and 425 contrast AF points
15 stop dynamic range
4k Video

Nikon D850

Main features of Nikon D850

45.7 MP Full Frame Back Illuminated Sensor
9 FPS Continuous Shooting
4K Recording with Time Lapse
Tiltable 3.2-inch Touchscreen with 2.6 Million Dots
153 Focus Points with 99 Cross-Type Sensors

Canon EOS Rebel T7

Main features of Canon Rebel T7

24.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
ISO Range of 100 to 6400 (Expandable up to 12800)
5 FPS Continuous Shooting with DIGIC 6 Image Processor
Built-In WiFi
9-point Auto Focus System

Canon EOS 5DS R

Main features of Canon EOS 5DS R

50.6 MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Canon Scene Detection System with 150,000-dot RGB IR Metering
High-Density Reticular AF with 61 points and 41 Cross-Type Points
1.3x and 1.6x Crop Shooting
Intelligent Optical Viewfinder

Nikon D750

Main features of Nikon D750

24.3 MP CMOS Full Frame Sensor with EXPEED 4 Processor
Multi-Angle LCD Display
6 FPS Continuous Shooting
51-Point Auto Focus with 15 Cross-Type Points
3.2 inch LCD Screen with 921,000 dots
ISO 100 to 12800

Panasonic DMC-GX8

Main features of Panasonic DMC-GX8

20.3 MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
Dual Optical Image Stabilization System
Free Angle OLED Screen
2,360k Dot OLED Tiltable Viewfinder
Depth From Defocus System For Quick Auto Focus

Fujifilm X-T2

Main features of Fujifilm X-T2

24.3 MP CMOS III X Trans Sensor with X Processor Pro Engine
2.36 million Dot OLED Viewfinder with 0.77x Magnification
3 Directional 3-inch Tilting LCD
11 FPS Continuous Shooting

Sony a7R III

Main features of Sony a7R III:

42.4 MP BSI EXMOR R CMOS Sensor
BIONZ X Processor for Improved Speeds
10 FPS Continuous Shooting with AF/AE Tracking
Enhanced Auto Focus and Eye Tracking

Sony Cybershot RX1

Main features of Sony Cybershot RX1

24.3 MP EXMOR Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
5 FPS Continuous Shooting
3 inch LCD Screen with 1.23 million Dots
Compact Camera with Fixed 35mm Lens

Nikon D3500

Main features of Nikon D3500

24.2 MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
Continuous Shooting at 5 FPS with EXPEED 4 Processor
11-Point Auto Focus System
3-inch LCD Screen with 921,000 Dots
Full HD Recording at 60 FPS

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Main features of Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:

30.4 MP CMOS Sensor (Full-Frame)
Patented Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus
7 FPS Continuous Shooting
4k Recording in JPEG
Touch Screen LCD with Selectable AF Region

Stefano Caioni Pixinfocus

Stefano Caioni is a photographer from Sydney, Australia. Founder and editor of Pixinfocus, his passion for photography helps him explore new places and live new adventures. Thanks to photography he reconnected with the outdoors and was able to travel the world and take photos of some of the most beautiful places on Earth.