Best Cameras for Portraits

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 31, 2023
Take a look inside to find out about the best camera for portrait photography and their settings that will allow you to take stunning shots of your friends and relatives in any situation and under various conditions. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Lens
Sensor
ISO sensitivity
Mount Type
Viewfinder
Display
Photo/Video Compression Formats
Sensor Resolution
Continuous Shooting
Battery Life
Extras
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS
ACROS filter feature for imitation of shooting with 135 negative film. Flip-out tilting 3" screen.
CONS
The standard battery life is comparatively short. Battery grip use is advised.
OUR VERDICT
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Camera is an interesting model for taking not just portrait photos with the right lens but other photo genres as well. If you need easy-to-control and a compact camera with various filters and modes, go for this one.
detailed parameters
Lens
Body only
Sensor
24.3 MP, APS-C,
X-Trans CMOS III
ISO sensitivity
200-12800 (extendable to 100, 25600, 51200)
Mount Type
Fujifilm X-Mount
Viewfinder
Electronic
Display
3.0" TFT LCD screen, Flip-out tilt-type
Photo/Video Compression Formats
JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG / MOV
Sensor Resolution
Photos: up to 6000x4000 (3:2)
Videos: up to 3840x2160 (30p)
Continuous Shooting
8 fps
(11 or 14 fps with power booster grip)
Battery Life
Photos - up to 340 shots
Extras
Graphite Silver Edition Available
X-Trans CMOS III Sensor
Eye Detection AF
Three parameters controlling AF-C
Real Time Viewfinder with up to 100 fps refresh rate
4K High-Definition Video
Solid body with resistance to dust and moisture
Weight
~16.1 oz (body only)
Warranty
1 year
PROS
RGB+IR metering sensor detects skin by the color for accurate auto-focusing even on the moving objects.
CONS
Not too lightweight even without the lens.
OUR VERDICT
We can recommend this mid-range Canon DSLR body if you want to shoot beautiful portraits with a tool, that won't cost an arm and a leg. It has a rich variety of options for taking close-ups under almost any conditions.
detailed parameters
Lens
Body only
Sensor
24.2 MP, APS-C,
CMOS
ISO sensitivity
100-16000 (extendable to 25600)
Mount Type
Canon EF, EF-S Mount
Viewfinder
Optical (pentaprism)
Display
3.0" TFT LCD touchscreen. Flip-out tilt-type
Photo/Video Compression Formats
JPEG, RAW / MOV, MP4
Sensor Resolution
Photos: up to 6000x4000 (3:2)
Videos: up to 1920x1080 (60p)
Continuous Shooting
7 fps
Battery Life
Photos - up to 1390 shots
Extras
Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast and smooth autofocus
45-point, all cross-type AF system
Vari-angle Touch Screen Clear View LCD monitor II
DIGIC 6 Image Processor
HDR Movie and Time-Lapse Movie
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology
Weight
~25.75 oz (body only)
Warranty
1 year
PROS
One of the lightest DSLR among Nikon's entry-level camera bodies. Therefore, it's very easy to handle in handheld photography.
CONS
Viewfinder size is comparatively small, yet informative.
OUR VERDICT
This is one of the most compact DSLR cameras on the market, that is also perfect for everyday use. Thanks to the Guide feature, it will help you quickly learn to choose correct settings for the scene and take ultimate photos with it.
detailed parameters
Lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens
Sensor
24.2 MP, APS-C,
CMOS
ISO sensitivity
100-12800 (extendable to 25600)
Mount Type
Nikon F Mount (with AF contacts)
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Display
3.0" TFT LCD screen, Non-tilt
Photo/Video Compression Formats
JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG / MOV
Sensor Resolution
Photos: up to 6000x4000 (3:2)
Videos: up to 1920x1080 (60p)
Continuous Shooting
5 fps
Battery Life
Photos - up to 700 shots
Videos - up to 55 min
Extras
EXPEED 4 Processor
11-point Autofocus System
6 common Scene Modes
Active D-Lighting
Retouch Menu for quick retouching
Weight
~14.5 oz (body only)
Warranty
1 year
PROS
Intelligent Auto mode accurately detects shooting conditions and chooses the right mode accordingly in most cases.
CONS
Low FPS rate in a continuous shooting mode.
OUR VERDICT
One of the finest cameras for diving into the world of high-quality photos. Simple setup and user-friendly interface will help even beginners quickly master any genre, including portraiture. It's possible to obtain decent pictures even with the kit lens.
detailed parameters
Lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens
Sensor
18 MP, APS-C,
CMOS
ISO sensitivity
100-6400 (extendable to 12800)
Mount Type
Canon EF, EF-S Mount
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Display
3.0" TFT LCD screen, Non-tilt
Photo/Video Compression Formats
JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG / MOV
Sensor Resolution
Photos: up to 5184x3456 (3:2)
Videos: up to 1920x1080 (30p)
Continuous Shooting
3 fps
Battery Life
Photos - up to 500 shots
Videos - up to 75 min
Extras
Scene Intelligent Auto mode
Feature Guide
Capturing up to 3 fps for up to 69 JPEGs
9-point AF System and AI Servo AF
Creative Filters
Basic+ and Creative Auto
Weight
~15.34 oz (body only)
Warranty
1 year
PROS
While shooting close-ups of half-turned face, Eye AF feature makes the camera focus on the closest eye for the expressive look.
CONS
Eye sensor near viewfinder is so sensitive, some recommend duck taping it so that it wouldn't be triggered with fingers accidentally.
OUR VERDICT
Sony Alpha a6000 boasts Fast AF and can shoot up to 11 FPS in a continuous shooting mode that will quickly supply you with lots of stunning close-ups in no time. Thought-out ergonomics and improved viewfinder ensure a comfortable use in any situation.
detailed parameters
Lens
Kit with 16-50 mm
Sensor
24.3 MP, APS-C,
Exmor® CMOS
ISO sensitivity
100-25600
Mount Type
Sony E-Mount
Viewfinder
Electronic
Display
3.0" TFT LCD screen, Tilt-type
Photo/Video Compression Formats
JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG / MOV
Sensor Resolution
Photos: up to 6000x4000 (3:2)
Videos: up to 1920x1080 (60p/60i)
Continuous Shooting
11 fps
Battery Life
Photos - up to 360 shots
Videos - up to 90 min
Extras
BIONZ X™ Processor,
Advanced Fast Hybrid AF,
11 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking,
179 AF points,
Eye AF,
Improved Lock-on AF,
High-resolution OLED Tru-Finder™,
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology
Weight
~10.05 oz (body only)
Warranty
1 year
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Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless

Let It Snow

It might come as a surprise that the top camera in our review is neither Canon nor Nikon body. Yet, we find Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera totally worth its price because of the benefits that it can offer when shooting portraits. It has 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor that captures a color-accurate image with a smaller number of aberrations due to a mirrorless design, compared to many mirror-type bodies. Mirrorless technology also allowed a less bulky design. In size and design, it rather resembles compact cameras from Canon PowerShot G-series or Nikon Coolpix P-series, than its larger SLR relatives. But Fujifilm X-T2 works with interchangeable X-mount lenses. Thus, you might use it not only with 50mm lens strictly for shooting portraits but also mount zoom, macro, and other lenses as well.

What's more, the body is sealed and has great weather-proof qualities. The housing is made of magnesium alloy for additional durability, while the lowest operational temperature is stated to be around 14 °F. This makes it a fine choice for taking with you on a ski resort or simply for capturing pleasant moments or for simple outdoor shooting in winter.

Review of Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

What's in It for Portraits?

Fujifilm X-T2 body boasts advanced X-Processor Pro digital microprocessor that is reportedly 4 times faster, compared with the previous X-T1 model. Thus, it can shoot at 8 FPS rate that may come in handy if you want to capture a person in motion or your subject is not a professional model. At the maximum ISO setting, the sensor may produce a fine-grain black-and-white photography, especially in low-light conditions.

Among other characteristics and shooting modes, that make it one of the best cameras for portraits, we want to highlight the Fujifilm's special ACROS filter feature. If you ever worked with Fujifilm Neopan 100 ACROS negative film, you might know that it delivers deep black colors with rich gradation in BW photos. By turning this feature on, you will get similar 135 film-quality pictures in up to 6000x4000 pixels resolution with the modern, easy-to-use mirrorless camera.

Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera in the use

Fast and Steady

If you are a fan of handheld photography, you might like such an additional accessory for this camera as Fujifilm VPB-XT2 Vertical Power Booster Grip (not included). At first, some might think that this a common battery life extender that is attached to the bottom of the body via a threaded hole for a tripod. However, it has several elements that will take the camera's performance to the next level. The grip has a slot for its own memory card that can be used for data mirroring from the camera's card. Or you can use it as an extra storage after the main card is full. Furthermore, the booster grip improves FPS rate from 8 to 11 in high-speed continuous shooting by decreasing the shutter lag time.

Concluding, Fujifilm X-T2 mirrorless camera body is an excellent choice for amateur and professional photographers who want to obtain a compact-like portable camera with the option to change lenses for adapting it to various shooting styles and conditions. With the right lens and in ACROS mode, you can ultimately get stunning black-and-white photos and also capture just the right facial expressions, owing to the high-speed shutter.

Detailed review of Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $659.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01I3LNMAM

VIDEO
Fujifilm X-T2 Hands-on First Impression

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

This camera stands out for all the reasons you would expect. The X-Trans sensor puts out some images. The colors are what you would expect from Fuji.

Features

Dual SD Card Slots (UHS-II type) that are ideal in pro/wedding type of photography where one card can have backups.

Connectivity

Two SD card slots; UHS-II compatible.

Imaging

5 fps continuous shooting with live view updates between capture (8fps without live view and grip, 11 fps without live view and grip, 14 fps with electronic shutter)

Power

New battery achieves 340 shots in one charge. When using grip you can add two more batteries in addition to one in camera giving you more than 1000 shots making it ideal for wedding photography.

Display

Looks aren't everything, but they sure do help, and the XT-2 is a damn sexy beast. With its three dials on the top of the body, it deceives many into thinking it's a film camera. That is, until they see the LCD screen or hear the sound of its delicious (and silent!) mechanical shutter.
 

Canon EOS 80D

Professional Design

Despite the fact that mirrorless cameras are considered to be the successors of DSLR cameras, the later ones are far from being obsolete. On the outside, Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera looks just like most of the bodies from the middle-range D-series. It features flip-out vari-angle 3" rear LCD screen and a smaller monochrome display on top, that is used for quick setting controls, while the main screen can be turned off to save the battery life. The mode dial on the left has a handy lock that prevents accidental rotation. In short, this body design and all of the control keys has an ergonomic design and placement. Yet, even without the lens, the camera is pretty heavy. Thus, some might want to use it with at tripod or a lightweight prime lens.

Review of Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera

Easy Portraits

Compared to the previous model, the camera's got improved phase autofocus and more than twice the number of cross-type AF points. Thus, it can pinpoint the subject faster and simply better, which is especially noticeable in dim lighting. You can also try to set the focus by tapping the camera's touchscreen with your finger on the subject. It also has the anti-flicker feature for compensating the flickering light from electric lamps. The buffer can hold up to 100 jpeg and 25 RAW images in continuous shooting, allowing you to capture the smallest expression changes on your subject's face. To sum up, you can use the camera settings for indoor portraits in order to get crisp and sharp photos under any conditions.

Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera in the use

Usability and Compatibility

Another characteristic, that may interest both beginners and pros, is NFC and Wi-Fi support. So, now you can share your photos or upload them to the mobile or PC without taking the memory card out. Additionally, you can install the official mobile app to control your camera remotely. The wireless interface also comes in handy as the camera doesn't have any cables for uploading photos to the computer. However, it has HDMI and USB Mini-B type out for hooking it up to PC or TV.

Although Canon EOS 80D body has a crop sensor it may still be the best DSLR for portraits from the entry-level category. Thus, we advise combining it with the 35mm lens and with EF or EF-S mount for obtaining the optimal focal length, equivalent to the 50mm on Full-Frame cameras. As for the settings, you can select one of the preset modes like 'portrait', that blurs the out-of-focus zones in the photo, or 'Candlelight portrait' for retaining the candlelight colors. There's also the preset for shooting night portraits with the aperture priority for delivering more naturally looking night scene.

Detailed review of Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $650.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01BUYK04A

VIDEO
Introducing the Canon EOS 80D Camera

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Sensor improvements. Hard to beat the 80D as a multi function tool that competes very well with the best in its price class from any manufacturer.

Imaging

Great value, again the combination of features for video (wide range of resolutions and frame rates, fully-articulating-touch screen, lots of image stabilized lenses) and photos (pretty fast at 7fps, fairly good low-light performance around 1100 ISO) make this a jack of all trades.

Display

It has amazing features with the touch screen on the camera and the auto focus

Features

I love that I can set up everything and compose the shot using live view through my iPad Pro. Auto bracketing for HDR is really nice too.

Connectivity

On the left side of the body, there are protected ports for an external microphone and monitor jack, a port for a wired remote, HDMI port and USB port.

Power

Battery door placement should allow battery swap while mounted to a tripod if your tripod head isn't overly large

Size & Weight

I bought this and the and a used 5d3 at the same time and I decided to keep this. The swivel and touch screen is nice to have and I like the smallet size and weight.
 

Nikon D3300

Launching Pad for Beginners

With the recent release of Nikon D3400, the price of the preceding D3300 model has reasonably dropped. Therefore, it might be an excellent time to switch from a compact camera to your first DSLR. With the main difference of having a bit longer battery life, there's no other major reason to pay more for the newest model, especially, from the portraitist's point of view.

In general, Nikon D3300 DSLR is an entry-level camera with a standard design. On the top right side, there are shutter-release and on/off buttons, a mode dial, and some other control functions. The rear side features optical viewfinder window and a non-tilt 3" LCD screen with good brightness. Although there are a lot of quick-setting buttons on the camera body, some of the options and effect modes can only be accessed through several menu entries. So, getting used to it might take some time. Luckily, there's a thorough manual included in the box to guide you through every step of configuration.

Review of Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera

Aim and Shoot

Nikon D3300 kit comes in the set with Nikkor 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR Lens. It's a zoom type with a variable focal length that will allow you to use it not only for portraits, but for scenery, nature, and other genres as well. The autofocus has 11-point autofocusing system for effective pinpointing the in-focus area, that is imperative for highlighting your subject in portrait photography. If you have at least some basic knowledge of photo editing, we totally recommend shooting in RAW format instead of JPEG. That way, you can retouch the photo more effectively and add more filters, layers to it, too.

In continuous shooting mode, the RAW format is limited by 5 FPS, and JPEG - 14 FPS rate. Keep in mind, that the photos are stored in the buffer first and require some time for the CPU to process them. In other words, you can obtain about 100 photos in JPG and around 35 in RAW format before the buffer is full and needs a pause.

As a side note, this camera body has no focusing mechanism. So, if you are going to buy new lenses for it, look for Nikon/Nikkor lenses with AF-S letters in the name - the indication of a lens-integrated focusing motor.

Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera in the use

Modes for Portraits

Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera has several filters and options, dedicated to the portraiture. In the common 'Portrait mode', the photo tends to have more natural skin color with the softened background details for emphasizing the attention on your subject. 'Night portrait' mode's name speaks for itself. The best one, in our opinion, is the 'Low key'. Use it in dull lighting or even in the darkness for taking bold, texturised, noir-themed waist-ups and face portraits.

Concluding, this is a fine Nikon portrait camera for beginners to get into the details and small nuances of the genre and to improve their skills when a compact or phone's camera just don't have the required quality for portrait snapshots in various lighting settings. 

Detailed review of Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $300.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00HQ4W1QE

VIDEO
Nikon D3300 Hands-on Review

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

11-point AF system with central cross sensor is quite good enough at this price point

Imaging

First I will say that the image quality of this camera is amazing! You can get beautiful images with this even at the higher ISO settings.

Display

Feel - excellent, everything is where it should be, display is big, clear and friendly.

Features

Many modes to play with, including cartoony filters and outlines.

Connectivity

Plenty of accessories from lenses to remote triggers (which I will have to get soon for outdoor projects). I need to get my hands on a fixed 35mm lens and a long zoom lens to really play with imagery. I wonder if there is a lens that takes HDR probe images.

Power

The battery life is pretty good - even since I've begun shooting in RAW, I really can't complain. It lasts more than an entire day of quite a lot of shooting.

Size & Weight

Nice size, not too heavy, auto and manual modes work great once you learn how to use a DSLR.
 

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Looking Where to Start? Start here

Canon EOS Rebel T5 DSLR, also known as Canon EOS 1200D, is an example of entry-level camera done right. It has 18 MP crop sensor with the ISO sensitivity ranging from 100 to 12,800, allowing you to shoot in low light without the flash. The controls are very straightforward. If you already own a Canon compact or DSLR, switching to Rebel T5 will take no time. 3" LCD screen is paired with the relatively large optical viewfinder. Also, it has a 9-point autofocus system.

Despite being an entry-level camera, it can offer its user various quick settings for taking quality photos under different conditions. Shooting in RAW format is useful for detailed retouch and post-processing in the image editor on a computer. What's more, a single battery charge is enough for taking around 500 photos - an optimal number for a quick photo session with friends and relatives or a walk in the park.

Review of Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera

Capture the Moment

The camera comes in the kit with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens. It features an optical stabilization system that compensates all vibrations from trembling hands. If you want to take a photo of a dynamically moving subject - a child on the playground or a racing car, there's the AI Servo AF mode that can keep the focus on a target by pressing the shutter halfway down. In continuous shooting, the shooting speed is not too impressive - around 2-3 FPS, while the buffer can hold up to 69 images in JPEG and up to 6 in RAW before the speed drops down significantly, giving the camera time to process the photos. However, where it lacks in speed and performance, it more than makes up for it with functionality.

The AF mechanism is fast and very smooth for crisp and sharp in-focus area and blurred background details. We also recommend taking a few steps away from your subject and use a zoom at around 31mm focal length. That way, you'll get the focal perspective, equal to the 50mm on a Full Frame sensor. 

Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera in the use

Up to Good Start

In addition to the standard 'Portrait' and 'Night portrait' modes, the Auto mode is worth mentioning as well. It is very sensitive here - the camera chooses the right settings for the scenery in most cases, making it an easy job for beginners to take great photos right away.

With the Creative Auto Mode, you can effectively blur the background and even change the depth of the field manually. This is helpful for taking crisp portraits with blurred surroundings. Another way around, you can manually select the different tone filters for your images like warm, soft, cool, brighter, and many others to tune the colors in accordance with the lighting and your creative vision.

Ultimately, this is a great multi-purpose camera, that comes at a very cost-effective price.

Detailed review of Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $270.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00IB1BTWI

VIDEO
Canon EOS 1200D (Rebel T5) Hands-on Review

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

The camera has a good viewfinder as well as a screen and to save battery life it defaults to the viewfinder (you have to turn on the screen when you want to use it).

Connectivity

It comes with all the accesories you need. I recommend it to beginners and bloggers. Better if you get the 50mm lens, a tripod, remote shutter, and of course a bag to keep it safe.

Imaging

The recording on this canon is great, with great detail and pretty good in low light. I'm really pleased with this canon t5 and it's performance.

Display

The feature guide on the Canon Rebel T5 displays a simple description of the features automatically when the feature is selected.

Features

I have used it solely in the automatic mode so far and have gotten some great pics of the grandchildren. Sharp, crisp, easy to use, need I say more.

Power

It come with a canon strap, battery and charger.
 

Sony Alpha a6000

Smoke and Mirrors

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera is a successor of the Sony's NEX-series single-lens cameras. Thus, it can be paired with any of the Sony E-mount lenses. What's more, this kit is supplied with Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens that delivers from a wide-angle to a medium-telephoto field of view with the help of its adjustable focal length. The sensor has a crop factor of 1.5. In other words, to obtain a 50mm lens equivalent of Full-Frame, you'll need to set the zoom at around 33-34mm on Sony a6000. Furthermore, the camera is conveniently compact and lightweight, even with the lens. So, it might be a perfect camera to have with you on your travels or for shooting handheld portraits.

Review of Sony Alpha a6000 (ILCE6000L/B) Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera

Look at Different Angle

Usability-wise, Sony Alpha a6000 controls are very ergonomic. We liked the option that enables AF automatically when you try looking through the viewfinder. The same sensor also auto-offs the larger LCD screen to save the battery, just like when you put a smartphone to your ear. Because of the mirrorless design, the camera doesn't have an optic viewfinder but features 0.39" electronic one. However, it boasts 100% coverage and 33° viewing angle, allowing you to see the high-contrast image with lots of details before you take a photo. What's more, 3" LCD screen can be tilted up and down at around 45°, but not to the left and to the right. The buttons, menu options, and configurations are straightforward and easy-to-understand. Even so, you can always use the in-camera guide by pressing FN and then C2 buttons on the menu entry to see the tips about what it does and how to use it.

Sony Alpha a6000 (ILCE6000L/B) Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera in the use

Zoom and Enhance

 Although Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera doesn't exactly have a dedicated portrait mode, yet it has a Smile/Face detection that recognizes faces. Once it detects a smile, it automatically releases the shutter. Soft Skin Effect is excellent for smoothing skin features and instant beauty-retouching. The kit's Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens has a 7-blade diaphragm and produces smoothly rounded bokeh and softly blurred background, complimenting and highlighting the subject even further.

Another excellent feature is the Focus Magnifier. Basically, you can turn the option to enlarge the focus area to check out the small details or if the AF detected the right plane. The Auto Obj. Framing feature enables special face recognition tracking and, when you press the shutter, creates a cropped copy of the image with a supposedly better composition. It's not 100% successful all the time but can actually help you improve your skills by showing the alternative composition of the same scene.

Detailed review of Sony Alpha a6000 (ILCE6000L/B) Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $648.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00I8BICB2

VIDEO
SONY a6000 Review and video sample - Best Mirrorless Camera

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

The 24mps of this sensor really do a great job at resolving detail, and the lens performed incredibly well.

Imaging

It has very good image quality and the high ISO noise is very close to what I get from my Canon and it has close to the same resolution in the APS-C sensor.

Display

the customizable screen information is ridiculously good!

Features

The WiFi connectivity to my iPhone was a god-send! I was able to download pictures as we wanted them, but also loved the ability to remotely "shoot" from my phone

Power

One significant drawback of the incredible set of features is high power draw. This thing goes through batteries quickly. Get the Vivitar or Wasabi kit with external charger and two extra batteries.

Connectivity

The WiFi connectivity to my iPhone was a god-send! I was able to download pictures as we wanted them, but also loved the ability to remotely "shoot" from my phone

Size & Weight

I primarily bought the a6000 for it's very small size and great image quality for quick short trips.
 

What is a Camera For a Portrait

"What is the best camera for portraits?" is one of the most frequent questions in any photography equipment stores and shops. However, the cameras may use different technologies and sensors. Also, you can shoot one object in many different ways. Thus, there's no set definition for the term 'portrait camera' because you can take photos in a unique manner. This is the beauty of photography in general. Still, there are several characteristics that are considered to be a standard for shooting portraits. For instance, one of them is the 50mm focal length that shows a viewing angle, similar to a human's eye, and delivers naturally looking face proportions. Another one is the maximum wide aperture. Simply put, the large aperture has a shallow focus area. When a person is in the focus, everything else will be blurred out, bringing the spotlight on the subject. Anyhow, we've tried to put together a thorough breakdown of several entry- and mid-range cameras, paying closer attention to their features that may help you shoot quality, professional-like waist-up and close-up portraits.

If you already own a DSLR or mirrorless camera, we can recommend you our guide of the best portrait lenses for cameras from different companies. Additionally, take a look at our pick of the best ring lights for shooting in photo studios.

What Features to Compare

Camera Type

Although many companies have produced a great number of fine compact cameras in recent years, most of the DSLR and Mirrorless cameras still offer superior image quality and are more adjustable to various situations, owing to the interchangeable lenses. Therefore, even some entry-level DSLR may be a better solution than most of the compact cameras. Yet, the lens is probably the most important detail that makes the difference. So, just choose the camera in accordance with your budget.

Focal Length and Aperture

We've already mentioned that the 50mm focal length is a considered to be a golden standard for portraiture. Yet, this is not a strict requirement, as you may take absolutely stunning portraits with a wide-angle or telephoto zoom lenses too. Still, if you are new to the photography, get a zoom lens with 18-55mm or even 18-85mm focal length. That way, you'll be able to explore different settings with just one lens.

Note, if you have an APS-C camera, you should consider a crop factor that influences the camera's focal length. As some cameras have different-sized sensors, you should check it individually for every camera. For example, to find the viewing angle on APS-C camera, equivalent to the 50mm on a Full Frame 35mm sensor, you should divide 50mm by the camera sensor crop factor number.

As for the aperture, the larger it is on a wider end, the brighter and more blur you may add to the background, drawing the attention to the subject of the photo. f/1.8 and f/2.8 apertures may be more suitable for head-shots, while f/3.5 and bigger - for waist-ups or full-body shots.

Functionality for Portraits

Most of the cameras feature a dedicated mode for portraiture. However, some of them may have more advanced settings for keeping natural skin tones in the photo, auto-retouching, red-eye filter, and many-many others. Bursting or continuous shooting mode is helpful for shooting moving subjects. Flip-out LCD screen may come in handy for both handheld shots and when taking photos in a studio with a tripod or monopod.

All-in-all, portrait photography is not an exact science. So, read our review of every camera and find out the best one for you.

Sources:

1. How to Choose a DSLR Camera, wikiHow.

2. Dianna Labrien How to Choose Your First DSLR Camera, Engadget. August 29, 2016.

3. Bjorn Petersen DSLR Camera Buying Guide, B&H. January 2015.

4. Dann Albright 6 Things to Consider When Buying Your First DSLR Camera, MakeUseOf. June 15, 2016.

5. 14 portrait photography tips you'll never want to forget, TechRadar. January 2017.

6. Dani Diamond 7 Tips Your Camera Manual Never Told You About Portrait Photography, Fstoppers. November 13, 2014.

7. Amadou Diallo What Camera Should I Buy? The Wirecutter. March 18, 2016.

8. Andrew S. Gibson How to Choose the Perfect Portrait Lens, Digital Photography School.

9. Anton Orlov Selecting a Portrait Lens With Correct Focal Length, PetaPixel. January 4, 2016.

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