Last updated on April 8th, 2022
Buying the best camera for food photography is difficult if you’re new to food photography. So, which is the best camera for food photography? Don’t worry, I’ve reviewed 7 Camera for Food Photography And it will change the way you do food photography.
What is the best camera for food photography?
Food photography may become challenging if you’re a beginner. Everyone wants to share food pictures when they are traveling.
If you want to capture stunning and mouth-watering food images, you’ll definitely need a solid camera. The cheapest of the brands cost a good chunk of money.
I always recommend a healthy balance of cost versus effectiveness. Luckily, we’ve listed down some of the best cameras for food photography to help you take more Awesome shots.
7 Best Cameras for Food Photography in 2022
Making your choice easier I’ve tested the 7 best cameras for food photography designed by different camera brands and for any budget.
1. Canon EOS 80D
Canon EOS 80D is our first choice of the best camera for the food photography list. It is a good choice both for a skilled photographer and a beginner.
It is known as Canon’s leading prosumer camera, the EOS 80D boasts a powerful 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers improved camera performance.
The EOS 80D also has a 1.6x crop factor to ensure that you won’t have to use the super wide end of your lens as you shoot food photos.
The camera even offers a field of view that’s similar to an 80mm lens when you use a 50mm prime lens for food photography.
This Canon camera offers you a clear view and comprehensive image data through its Intelligent Viewfinder. The feature covers around 100% of the camera’s image area. And to top it all off, the 80D also supports built-in Wi-Fi and Full HD 60p videos.
In addition to its great usability, this beginner camera can be also suitable for people, who want to become sports shooters.
2. Sony A7 Mark III
Despite considering Sony A7 Mark III as a basic full-frame camera, This is one of the best cameras for food photography.
It offers high resolution, an impressive quality of images, and a wide variety of useful options.
Sony A7 iii also boasts of a touch screen and features 16-bit image signal processing for smoother, more natural gradation and a 14-bit RAW output in silent or continuous shooting.
The Sony a7 III even has a 24.2-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, and the BIONZ X image processing engine for two times faster data readout.
Each bit of the screen has a point of autofocus. A professional food photographer will definitely appreciate it. AF system is taken from a leading A9 pro sports model made by Sony too.
Furthermore, this camera is among the best low-light cameras. Having bought an adapter, you will be able to use lenses, manufactured by other brands.
Additionally, professional food photographers will appreciate the fact that there are individual AF points in every inch of the camera’s screen.
3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark IV is the first full-frame Canon camera with the ability to focus in real-time mode during shooting.
Photographers worldwide deem the EOS 5D Mark IV as one of the most common food cameras, and it’s not hard to see why.
This camera presents stunning image quality, performance, and versatility enhancements all in one package.
It features a 30.4-megapixel full-frame sensor that gives you fine image quality. An enhanced 61-point AF system is also present for enhanced focus accuracy while you shoot.
It even delivers high light sensitivity through an enhanced S/N ratio and noise processing algorithm.
This Canon camera is perfect for low-light photography as it offers an ISO 100-32000 range. Actually, it is the most demanded camera for still life shooters nowadays.
4. Nikon D810
This camera for food photography is appreciated for its functionality. Nikon D810 is a modern full-frame DSLR, created primarily for photographers who require exceptionally high quality.
The Nikon 810 magnificent color reproduction and high destabilization are awesome. Even without an optical low-pass filter covering the sensor, It may resolve incredible details.
That’s why many wedding photographers use it as a second camera for macro and wedding cakes photography. ISO settings have been increased up to 64-12,800 and it may be extended to 32-51,200.
I like its usability, waterproof body, comfortable optical VF with a full kit of output parameters, and the ability to work with two flashcards.
5. Sony Alpha a6300
Being reasonably priced, it has a good 24.2MP optical resolution which allows bringing your food photography to a higher level.
With the Sony a6300, autofocusing, imaging speed and performance have reached amazing new heights. The camera boasts the world’s fastest autofocus and the most number of phase-detection AF points for greater focus.
You can shoot high-quality images using a broad ISO range with both features. The camera’s sensitivity levels can reach up to ISO 51200.
This model has an unusual menu, so you’ll need some time to get used to it. In total, the Sony a6300 is a good camera for food photography with a wide range of functions.
You will have an opportunity to shoot dynamic pictures of high quality.
6. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
This camera for food photography is developed mainly for experienced photographers.
The 6D Mark II is Canon’s first full-frame SLR camera with a swiveling LCD display that is mobile and supports fingertip control. It is very popular because the quality matches the price.
EOS 6D Mark II offers stunning results with its 26.2-megapixel full-frame sensor. That’s why it’s an excellent choice for challenging low-light conditions and other photography niches.
The camera even gives you greater focus through 45 cross-type AF points on its viewfinder. The body is durable and looks quite professional. The auto control performance is generally praiseworthy.
And The auto-exposure, as well as the autofocus system, is fast and accurate. The AWB (auto white balance) sometimes works incorrectly, but it is possible to easily fix this flaw during food photography editing.
For crisp and detailed food images in almost any lighting situation, the 6D Mark II has a broad ISO 100-40000 range.
It also features the DIGIC 7 image processor, which helps produce high-quality images. The processor boosts camera operation as well.
7. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
The PowerShot G9 Mark II may be the last camera on this list, but many food photographers love it for the functionality that it offers.
This compact camera has a CMOS matrix with 20.1 million pixels, which makes it possible to shoot in a rather high resolution of 5472×3648.
Autofocus can work in a 31-point mode that in combination with a contrast-detect AF system give great food images.
In addition, the G9X Mark II can boast of the 1-point autofocus, touch to track mode, completely automatic AF system, and face detection.
Those who are using smartphones will surely like the big size of a touch screen. This camera will be a real finding for food photographers who are looking for high-quality images and unique functionality as smartphones offer.
Things to Consider When Buying a Camera for Food Photography
1. Size of the Sensor
The main thing it is necessary to focus on is the size of the sensor. Will you choose the device with a cropped sensor or pay a little more and buy a full-frame one?
Everything depends on how much money you are willing to invest in your purchase. Cameras for food photography with a cropped sensor are capable of shooting stunning photos.
The only problem is your camera and lenses behave in a different way with a cropped sensor than with a full-frame.
2. The Number of Megapixels
When it comes to cameras for food bloggers, it is necessary to pay attention to the number of megapixels. The print quality will be higher and the image more detailed if you choose the device with a great number of megapixels.
Moreover, if we talk about picture post-processing, you will be able to make special alterations much easier.
3. Number of Focus Points
On occasion, photographers use automatic focusing. If your camera has, for example, nine focus points, there is a chance that you will not be able to get the focus point exactly where you need it. This might be rather problematic.
4. Manual Settings
Every camera includes the “Auto” mode. However, professional photographers do not use it. They want to control all the adjustments themselves depending on the circumstances.
5. ISO Level
When you shoot for food blogs, you may be working with a tripod almost all the time. But sometimes there are situations when you need to hold your camera in your hands, like on the grape plantation, on farmland, or in a restaurant.
In such surroundings, the ISO level is really important. It is better to buy a camera that is capable of dealing with a rather high level of noise.
6. File Size
Up-to-date digital cameras have a pretty large size of files. Before making a purchase, assure yourself that your camera can shoot RAW files. That is very important when it comes to photo post-processing.
Comparing RAW and JPEG files, we may see that while editing the RAW format photo, the quality doesn’t degrade. JPEG file reduces quality with every photo-editing step
7. Lenses
Do not limit yourself to using only the built-in lens. By trying different lenses, you will be able to fulfill your potential in food photography. Now, good lenses for food photography will always be expensive.
Summing Up
When you first start looking for your next camera for food photography it’s important to make yourself a list of all the things which you think will be important and that you will actually need on your camera.
It’s great having the latest touch-screen, wi-fi enabled camera but it’s not really going to add much to your food photography, except cost. Luckily, we’ve listed above some of the best cameras for food photography to help you take more technically skilled shots.
I’m a videographer and travel photographer. I created this website to help you buy a Tripod or Gimbal for your DSLR, GoPro, or Mirrorless camera. I tried and reviewed most of the Tripod, Monopod, or Gimbal currently available on the market.