Instagram is hugely popular and has been since its inception. Whereas Twitter and Facebook focus on statuses and statements, Reddit on questions and articles, Instagram’s focus has always been visual using photos and, now, videos to appeal to its user base.
Visual based social media was something we all wanted back since the decline and fall of MySpace and Bebo, with Instagram scratching the itch we all had.
Now with thousands of influencers operating through its servers, Instagram is a powerhouse we all want to join.
The problem is that our smartphone cameras, the ones that we all rely on, aren’t the best. Sure, if you have one of the high-end models that can show individual grains of sand on a beach, you’re probably good to use it for Instagram.
But most of us don’t have those and most of the people who don’t have them, don’t see the point in sacrificing their phone's other features for a better camera.
So, what do you do? Get a better phone? Or watch the likes on your Insta account slide lower and lower thanks to subpar photography?
There is a third option. One that could save you the hassle of getting a new phone. That is, get a camera, like an actual camera.
Today’s cameras have all sorts of amazing features, that make your photos look crisp, clean, and absolutely amazing, and the best ones can turn a nice photo at the beach into sunset on a gorgeous California shore.
In this article, we will look at the best cameras for Instagram and why they are perfect for your influencer glow-up.
Best Camera For Instagram – Comparison Table
Best Camera For Instagram – Reviews
The Sony α6000 is a fantastic mirrorless camera that is perfect for entry level photographers and is exactly what anyone wanting to make it on Instagram would be looking for.
The reason these kinds of cameras are called mirrorless is because they only have a single removable lens and a digital display, meaning no reflex mirror and no optical viewfinder.
While some consider this a drawback, this is perfect for portability, as you don’t have to carry around a camera bag with a big lens. Instead, you get a tiny camera that can be pulled out at a moment's notice.
Many people would be worried that such a small camera could be damaged easily, but again the α6000 delivers with its sturdy design, making it much more durable than other cameras.
The image quality is breathtaking on this camera as well, with a fast 11 frames per second when RAW shooting, having an eye autofocus feature, and even 4K resolution on the video, something normally reserved for the film industry.
The RAW aspect of the photos means that you can adjust the photo as you see fit without worrying about being stuck with a dud picture.
Even with all this, the camera has an incredibly fast autofocus system – 0.02 seconds! – which means the likelihood of needing to adjust the picture after shooting is going to be minimal.
Wi-Fi is available to connect to with this camera, and it even uses the Sony PlayMemories app, which allows you to upload your photos to your computer or phone easily.
The App is made perfect for Android or IOS users, as it has NFC built in, and it allows you to get apps for the camera itself, like long exposure or time elapses, giving you a perfect tool to build your photo portfolio.
Even the Sony α6000’s battery life is great, being able to take up to 380 photos before running out and possibly even more.
This should be more than enough for a weekend trip or an afternoon by the beach to get just the right photo.
However, should you find yourself running low, the charger is a USB with AC adapter which means you can recharge your camera practically anywhere, even on your computer.
The main problem with the camera comes from the confusing menu screen and options. There have been several reports of people struggling to use or get to grips with compared to a lot of other cameras.
This is partly because of the ease of taking photos nowadays without the need for adjustments or other options, but when you do get the menu screen down, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
- Very Portable
- Great image quality
- Wi-Fi connection
- Long battery life
- The fastest Autofocus system around
- Confusing to use
Taking its look straight out of the 80s, the Fujifilm X-T200 has a classic design that takes you back to the days of your parent’s childhood or makes you feel like you’re in an old Spielberg movie.
However, unlike the predecessors this camera is based on, the X-T200 packs an awful lot of firepower for something so compact.
The camera is very small, easily able to be held in one hand, and it has a deeper hand grip than most cameras.
This is great for movement, as it is very easy to take with you to even the most isolated places without it getting in the way.
Also, I’ve mentioned the look already, but it really appeals to me, it has a vibe that immediately makes me think of the Goonies for some reason.
The pebbly texture and leatherette wrap around may be for looks, but function as a little added protection for the camera as a whole.
The image quality is nothing to sneer at either with 4K video, on-sensor phase detection pixels across the sensor, and an improved prediction algorithm.
I think that mostly sounds like nonsense to a lot of people, but it basically means that focus can change really quickly from any kind of movement of the camera, say if you were taking a picture of a waterfall, and you turned around really quickly, then you could pick up a shot of the beach easily.
Its autofocus features for face and eyes have also been updated to make sure that no matter what you are taking a picture of, it should look perfect.
This camera also has a free app that works on both Android and IOS, the FujiCam Remote app and with the in-camera Bluetooth speeds of transfer are increased, however for a single transfer it can take a little time – sometimes up to twenty seconds – so it’s worth transferring quite a few at once.
If you need to, you can always transfer via the USB connector or a card reader and the fact that it can connect to a phone or computer wirelessly is a nice feature in and of itself, but it would be nice if it was a little quicker.
The main issue with the X-T200 is its battery. While it is not a terrible battery, at 270 shots per total battery charge this is by no means the best, especially considering that the previous entrant, Sony α6000, could take at least 100 more.
This is not helped by the other things that people do on cameras, like playback or Wi-Fi transfers or just adjusting the camera to get the right filter, which drains the battery quicker.
While it does have USB charging and power packs, this doesn’t really make up for the poor battery life.
- Compact with a very stylish retro look
- Great image quality and focus features
- Bluetooth and wireless features
- Poor battery life
The Canon EOS 80D is a camera that is a symbol of moving from liking taking good photos to being a 100% devoted enthusiast of photography.
It is great for a range of environments, styles, and participating subjects, while still retaining the crisp and clear detail that is expected of such a camera.
While not as small as some cameras, it is still quite little and is solid in its construction.
However, being a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera, you may have to bring lenses with you, and it will have more pieces to concern yourself with protecting.
Excluding these pieces of equipment, it can be taken without any add-ons, it's just the photos won’t be as nice.
One little feature they have added is a pleasant leatherette around the outside, which I, for one, am a sucker for. This doesn’t provide much protection but will soften a fall for this camera a little.
The main strength of this camera is its image quality. At 7 frames per second, the shooting speed is incredible and, thanks to being a DSLR, this camera has two autofocus modes.
One is used when the camera is being used conventionally in its reflex mode, and the other is for use in live view and video mode, meaning you never have to sacrifice focus no matter how you use your camera.
With a 24.2 Megapixel sensor, you will capture almost anything that comes into your camera's view in perfect, crystal-clear resolution.
A built-in NFC and Wi-Fi means you can transfer pictures easily to your phone for easy upload to Instagram, with the easy access, clear to use menu, and touch screen controls this should be easier than ever to do.
The Canon series of cameras also use an app called Canon Camera Connect App, which makes the transfer even easier. Not only that, but the buttons are customizable, so if it proves difficult you can always change them.
The battery used by this camera is the same as a lot of Canon cameras: the LP-E6N. While this battery is certainly powerful, there is not a lot of information about how many shots can be taken before the battery runs out of juice.
However, on previous models, this battery can allow you to take at least 200 and up to 800 shots, depending on factors like flash use and editing.
This could mean the battery has enormous potential, but could also have very little to offer, so be careful.
- Solid construction
- Amazing image quality
- Good Wi-Fi and upload access
- Potential for good battery life
- Not the most portable camera
- Potential for bad battery lifeÂ
Another entrant from Canon, and this one is perfect for beginners finding their feet with DSLR cameras and photography in general.
With a wide selection of features and lenses to choose from, it offers you the chance to choose which style you want to make the focus of your photography.
First, we come to portability and as before, being a DSLR camera, it already has the problem of lenses and other attachments to the camera.
If you buy the T6i, then there is a very real possibility of lugging around a bag full of these. However, this camera is very small – just under 4 inches wide – and you could decide to forgo the lenses.
If that is the case, then this camera is a perfect portable companion that can be taken almost anywhere.
With a max resolution of 24.2 Megapixels, it is a match for its compatriot, the EOS 80D, which is saying something!
The colors are vibrant, while the image quality remains smooth and focused through the viewfinder, as the autofocus feature is wonderful when using it.
It also has a flip screen that also doubles as a touch screen, allowing you to transfer your experience with smartphones onto the camera.
Yet, there is a problem in that it lacks dual pixel autofocus for this feature. That slows down the shooting of videos or using live view to take shots, and kind of forces you to use the viewfinder for stellar photography.
As with before, this camera has Wi-Fi built-in and uses the Canon Camera Connect app, making connections from your camera to your phone a cinch.
With the editing features on the T60i as well, you can adjust your photos quickly before uploading to Instagram without having to download more software, adding to its convenience.
As with before, Canon doesn't provide a complete number for how many photos can be taken which is disappointing.
However, it is more comprehensive with the T60i, as using only the viewfinder, you’ll get up to 450 photos out of this camera.
But using the other features, like live view, will rinse your battery, and you will only manage about 200 photos from each charge.
The fact that this camera has focused more on the viewfinder for a lot of its features feels a little short-sighted considering how much we rely on editing and LCD screens for adjusting our photography.
- Portable for a DSLR camera
- Incredible image quality and resolution
- Great connectivity
- Great battery if only using the viewfinder
- Autofocus restricted to viewfinder
- Not great battery if using any feature but viewfinder
On to our final entrant on today’s list, and this one is a doozy.
The original LX100 is considered something of a triumph in the photography field, with its reveal starting a frenzy in the manufacture of other cameras that produced competitors to its small body, high resolution appeal.
However, with this new version on the market, the question is whether it is better than the old?
The LX100 II is very slim and quite small, being just slightly shorter than an outstretched hand. While the design itself is quite blocky, it does contain a handgrip on the side.
Combining these two together makes for a fantastically small little camera that can fit easily on a person while they go.
It is a little bigger than a small pocket, so it will still need a small bag or belt clip or just a slightly bigger pocket, but still very portable.
The Micro Four Thirds sensor the LX100 II uses is a bit different from most of the competition, as it uses a multi-aspect ratio design.
This means that the image resolution and the amount of surface area used in the image changes depending on the aspect ratio you use.
The most is 4:3, which gets you 17 Megapixels, however you get a broader area of covering, with about twice the size of most competing cameras. Not only that, but there are 4K video options available with this camera as well.
This camera has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth included and uses its own Panasonic Image app for both Android and IOS.
This not only allows for quick transfers and uploads, but also allows for you to control camera functions as well, making for a smooth transition to your social media account.
Battery is the issue with the LX100 II, as at most it gets 300 shots which is not bad really but using the different features on the camera can make the shots per charge be as low as 200 and this is not a number you want on a high-end camera.
If you choose to purchase this camera, you will need a battery pack for day trips or more.
On the other hand, there is a nice little fail-safe on the camera where it hibernates after 31 seconds of lack of use and the battery can be charged by USB, which is handy for almost anywhere.
- -size and compact, portable to a fault
- Good resolution and it adjusts for aspect
- Connectivity is great
- Battery does not last very longÂ
Best Camera For Instagram – Buyers Guide
When purchasing a camera, we kind of know what we want from it: that the pictures will look good and that it has a lasting battery. However, when purchasing a camera for the purpose of using on Instagram, there are a couple of other things to consider.
Portability
To get the best photos in the world, you need to go to some difficult places.
Islands, mountain ranges, or even in the center of festivals, and when you get to these places, you don’t want to have carried 500 pounds worth of equipment with you, unless you are being paid.
As such, you need a small camera that is easily carted around without ruining the image quality.
Image Quality
Speaking of image quality, resolution and the right look is incredibly important to photography.
You don’t just want to show what’s going on, but the feel of the day, the atmosphere around the people. If you can improve the resolution of the image, you can improve the image itself.
Connectivity
Uploading and editing can be a long and arduous process, especially when you have to get to the photo spot, take the photo, go back, upload it to your computer, edit it, etc.
If your camera has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, this process is shorter and a lot easier to do, making it a worthwhile feature in a camera.
Battery Life
Finding a good photo can take time. You need to get to a place to take the photo and, often, need to take 100 more to make it perfect. This drains batteries, and you never want your battery to fail just before you’ve found the perfect shot.
Not only that, but what if you happen across the perfect photo randomly, but your camera has no battery. A long battery charge is necessary to a camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Camera Do I Need for Instagram?
Most people on Instagram get by with the cameras on smartphones, however if you really want to capture the feel of your life and the perfect picture you can see in your head, then the cameras in the list above would be the perfect place to start.
If you aren’t feeling the cameras in the list, then look for yourself, just remember to keep a clear view in mind of what camera you want before buying.
What is the Best Camera for Travel Blogging?
I can think of three things a camera needs to have for travel blogging: good image quality – you don’t want to find all your photos are blurry with no hope of going back for more -, portable – the camera needs to be comfort to take around on your person as you yourself will be travelling light -, and long battery life – if you are travelling you won’t have many opportunities to charge your battery, so it needs to last.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the success of social media and the internet at large, cameras are making a comeback in a big way. Everyone wants to show their life in the perfect way, and there is no better way to do that than with a good camera.
Instagram was made for people to share photos, but there is no better way of sharing photos and showing off your adventures to your friends than with the best mirrorless and DSLR cameras that you can get your hands on.