fbpx

Best Camera for Product Photography

If you're into photography then finding a camera with the right features to capture impressive photographs is essential.

Sometimes the list of what to look for can seem daunting and it can be hard to narrow it down to find the right one for you.

Product photography in particular deals with the attractive and accurate representation of a product. Businesses in particular tend to use this form of photography in order to make their products look visually appealing to their customers, to ultimately boost the volume of consumer sales.

However, for some of us this may just be a hobby that we enjoy to pass some time.

In terms of the type of camera that you should be purchasing, there are some advanced features which may appeal to some people more than others. For beginners it is recommended to begin with the cameras that are easier to understand, before working your way up to the more advanced ones.

For some, the most important factor may be an effective camera with a low price tag, for others it may be camera portability or size, but for most it will be the overall quality of the images that they produce.

Quick Navigation

All of this technological information can be a lot to take in, but don’t worry, we go into more detail a bit later on in our buyers guide.

In a hurry and wanting to get snapping? Then we have picked out our top pick for you!

In a hurry? This is our winner!

Our rating:
Sony Alpha a6100 APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black) Bundle
308 Reviews
Sony Alpha a6100 APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black) Bundle
  • Bundle Includes: Sony Alpha a6100 APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black), 2 x 64GB Ultra Class 10 UHS-I SDXC Memory Card, Rechargeable 1300mAh Battery (2-Pack) and Dual Charger for Sony NP-FW50, Bundle of 4 Softwares OEM Photo, Video, and Art Software Suite, 40.5mm 3-piece UV, CPL, FLD Lens Filter Kit, HDMI to Micro Cable, and Gadget Bag with Accessory & Cleaning Kit
  • Impressive Image Quality: APS-C image sensor with 24.2 effective megapixels. BIONZ X image processing engine and front end LSI for rich detail and true-to-life color.
  • Superior Autofocus with 4D FOCUS: 4D FOCUS system for fast autofocus in 0.02 seconds. 425 phase detection and 425 contrast detection AF points covering 84% of the image area.
  • Real-time Tracking: AI-based subject-tracking algorithms for constant, steady focus. Processes spatial data in real time at high speed.
  • High-Performance Shooting and Recording: Up to 11fps continuous shooting with AF/AE and 8fps for real-time preview. Silent continuous shooting at up to 8fps with AF/AE tracking.

Best Camera for Product Photography – Comparison Table

Best Camera for Product Photography – Reviews

Our Pick
Sony Alpha a6100 APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black) Bundle
Our rating:

We have picked the Sony Alpha a6000 as our best pick for you, with its impressive list of features it is sure to get you capturing those perfect photographs in next to no time.

A mirrorless camera with an astounding 24.3 megapixels, this single lens reflex camera comes with a 3 inch tilting LCD  and an electronic viewfinder. Whilst also boosting a 16-50 mm power zoom lens with the option to increase this by opting for a version with a larger mm zoom if you choose.

It has a sleek all round appearance and comes with a shoulder strap for when you are capturing some shots on the go and it also has a rechargeable NP FW50 battery.

This camera is compatible with the Sony E mount lenses and has ISO of 100 25600, which is expandable up to 51200. Basically this means it has a good light sensitivity rating for a digital image sensor.

Impressively, this camera has up to 11 FPS continuous shooting capability, meaning that it can take this volume of images in rapid concession of each other, and has a battery life of up to 360 shots at one time.

Pros
  • Unlike many cameras on the market Sony is giving you an affordable option without the eye watering price tag
  • This camera sports a modern and compact appearance and is lightweight making it easily portable
  • Many customers have enjoyed the good manual control of settings giving you full control over the shots that you are taking
  • It isn’t too complex to work and it is suitable for both beginners and those with more advanced experience
  • This camera boasts an impressive 179 autofocus points creating sharp photographs
Cons
  • Many reviews state that customers have had issues with battery life and frequently need to charge the battery up. A solution to prolong the battery life on this camera is to remove the battery after use for charging
  • Some customers have experienced issues with lens recognition
  • The basic lens can limit the scope of the photography

Canon EOS Rebel T7i US 24.2 Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD, Black (1894C002)
Our rating:

The Canon EOS Rebel T7I sports an array of impressive features making it a strong contender for product photography.

It has 45 AF focus points which can be used both vertically or horizontally opening up the camera's capabilities to function in multiple different ways. It is a user friendly option thanks to its 3 inch vari-angle touch screen giving the user comfort and fluidity with its use.

This camera allows you to capture some impressive photographs and video without the worry of blur and provides easy to follow guidance, making it perfect for beginner and intermediate level photographers.

The ISO level on this camera is between 100-25,600 allowing users to capture quality photographs even in dark settings and eliminates the noise giving users more clear and refined output.

Pros
  • The improved sensor drastically helps to reduce noise
  • When shooting in raw and underexposed areas this camera pulls out a lot of detail in terms of color etc
  • It has a brilliant capability to shoot at high ISO and produce quality photographs
  • The camera allows you to try photography in different modes
  • It is a good option for those who may be starting out in photography due to the easy to understand settings
  • If you are on a budget this is an affordable option as it doesn’t sport an extortionate price tag
Cons
  • This camera sometimes has difficulty with recognising all SD cards
  • When it is on its high setting, it doesn’t support continuous autofocus or auto exposure, therefore the best option is to keep the camera on its slower setting
  • Reviews show that some customers found this option to be too lightweight and not as substantial as other cameras on the market

Nikon D7200 DX-format DSLR Body (Black)
Our rating:

Next up we have chosen the Nikon D7200. This camera comes with an array of exciting features. From the 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS image sensor to the 51 point autofocus system. It also has a 6 FPS shooting capacity and exceed four image processing.

This camera has built in Wi-Fi and near field communication so that you can share your photographs instantly.

Other features include, ISO Sensitivity of 100 – 25,600 and the Nikon F lens mount.

You can also choose to solely purchase the body of the camera or additional lenses with 18-140mm or 18-5mm and 70-300mm, with the expectation that opting for these lenses will impact the price.

Pros
  • This camera has a longer battery life and can take over 1000 images without requiring recharging
  • It is good at handling high ISO
  • This camera has a setting for six photos per second and produces high quality images
  • It has a no optical low pass filter
Cons
  • The camera suffers in low light as some customers have found the low light lens performance to be of a poorer quality
  • The camera can make a noise which some may find annoying if their photography includes the use of a microphone
  • It is a slightly pricier product in comparison to other cameras available on the market

Canon PowerShot SX530 Digital Camera w/ 50X Optical Zoom - Wi-Fi & NFC Enabled (Black)
Our rating:

Canon is a brand known for producing quality cameras and equipment and that is why we have chosen the Canon Powershot Sx530 as our next pick for you. This digital camera comes with 50 x optical image stabilised zoom and a 3 inch HD LCD.

It also comes with a helpful kit which includes an extra battery, a flexible tripod and much more.

The Canon Powershot Sx530 also allows you to take 1080p full videos with a simple click of the movie button, if you feel like capturing some product videos on some occasions.

If this wasn’t enough, it is a 16 megapixel camera, perfect for capturing those product shots. Other features include a high-Sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with the Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor.

Pros
  • It is a great option for product photography and videography
  • It has a 50x optical zoom with a 24-1200mm lens, allowing you to capture some amazing quality photographs
  • The camera has a screen resolution of 461,000 dots which allows you to view from even the widest angles
  • The zoom lens helps to produce crystal clear photographs even from a distance
  • It is compatible for learner photographers as the controls are easy to use
Cons
  • This camera tends to be the most effective when it particular settings, therefore it takes a little more work to prepare for the photograph
  • The photographs are sometimes prone to coming out blurry

OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark III Camera Body (Silver), Wi-Fi Enabled, 4K Video
Our rating:

Our next pick is the Olympus OM-D-Em10 Mark 11 compact camera. With its timeless and lightweight design it is an essential for any photographer. The intuitive touchscreen makes it an easy to use option for any photographer.

It comes with a list of features including a 3 inch tilting LCD monitor and a 16 megapixel live MOS sensor. The in body 5 axis image stabilisation feature allows you to take blur free still photographs and capture smooth video shots.

This is a great option for those in product photography as it offers correct color rendering and a range of semi tones, giving you the opportunity to capture some impressive photographs that will attract attention to your products.

This camera also functions at a good operation speed, essential when taking product photographs.

Pros
  • This camera offers a range of additional functions besides the standard camera features. These include time lapse, live time, focus picking and more
  • It has a good battery life
  • It is an affordable price making it a competitive option in the photography market
  • The 121 contrast photo points produce good quality output in low light and capture smooth videos
  • It has a unique appearance
Cons
  • The settings are rather complexed to understand, maybe making it unsuitable for beginners
  • Reviews show that some customers found the camera to be too small
  • The automatic settings make this camera less compatible for those who prefer to work with manual mode, due to the large amount of auto click options

Best Camera for Product Photography – Buyers Guide

Most businesses use product photography to draw in the attention of the consumer, after all it is the one opportunity in which they get to view the product before considering a possible purchase and many are likely to base a purchase on how impressed they were by the photograph of the product. There are numerous factors which contribute to creating that perfect photograph.

Megapixels

When it comes to purchasing a camera for product photography, an important factor to consider is megapixels. Cameras with a larger number of megapixels will produce bigger and higher quality prints. Typically you will be  looking for a camera with around 10-20 megapixels, but any more is an added bonus.

The majority of DSLR cameras have large sensors and a high pixel account capturing higher resolution photographs.

Lighting

Having good lighting is important for all forms of photography in order to capture the perfect shot. Particularly for product photography you will want a camera that is able to adjust to backgrounds with various lighting. The best cameras will have the least amount of noise at high ISO, making them more receptive to available light.

DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

These are considered to be some of the best types of cameras for product photography on the market. This is because they have many exclusive features which are vital when it comes to producing high quality photographs.

Quality being essential in regards to product photography. These features include the use of manual mode giving you, the photographer, complete control over each and every shot.

Their auto-focus and video capabilities allow you to produce 360 degree views of products whilst ensuring that you achieve a steady shot. Finally the removable lenses allow you to vary your shots through different lenses without limiting your capabilities to just one.

It is important to note that DSLR and mirrorless cameras are different products that simply share some of the same qualities. The sensors on a mirrorless camera tend to be slightly smaller having a slight impact upon how well the camera performs in low light.

Frequently asked Questions

What camera settings should I use for product photography?

There are a number of camera settings that you can adapt in order to create some impressive product photographs. The first being opting for low ISO which means the camera has less sensitivity to the light, however it does take slightly longer to take the shot.

If you want to take shots faster in a lower light then you can simply opt to increase the ISO.

Secondly selecting a camera with manual mode that leaves you in full control over the settings when it comes to taking your shot. If you are confident with the settings on the camera then you will be able to achieve some impressive quality pictures through this setting.

Are cameras for product photography expensive?

Finding a good camera for product photography doesn’t have to break the bank. As with any purchase there are cameras that are at the higher end of the price scale and those that are more affordable.

It is likely that the more expensive cameras will have some slightly more advanced features, however do not let this put you off. You will be amazed at what a lower budget camera has to offer now too.

In our guide we have included some cameras of variable prices to try and cater for everyone.

How do I choose the best camera for me?

There are a number of factors to consider when looking to purchase a camera for product photography. Many people will have a particular budget in mind of what they are willing to spend on this purchase so it is important to keep this in mind as some cameras can become quite expensive.

It is also dependent on what settings take your preference when it comes to photography, some may prefer mirrorless cameras, whilst DSLR cameras are a winner for others.

Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced photographer? This is an important factor to consider prior to your purchase as you may find that some cameras are more advanced than others. If you're just starting out then it is recommended that you opt for a simpler camera where the features are more basic and easier to familiarise yourself with. As your skills progress, you can then opt for more advanced camera options.

How many megapixels do I need for product photography?

It is important to note that cameras with a larger amount of megapixels are likely to produce higher quality photographs. It is recommended to select a camera with around 10 to 20 mega pixels as this will allow you to capture high quality, detailed photographs. A camera with these large megapixels is likely to cater to your photography needs.  

What is the difference between mirrorless and DSLR cameras?

The main difference to note between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera is that a DSLR camera has a reflex mirror inside and this essentially works to bounce the light up to the optical viewfinder. However, a mirrorless camera tends to have an electronic viewfinder or LCD monitor which will display a preview of the image.

In this sense the light goes directly into the image sensor. Mirrorless cameras also tend to be slightly more lightweight and compact than a DSLR camera which is slightly bulkier. None of these cameras are essentially better than the other as many people have different preferences in what they personally look for in a camera.

Scroll to Top