The enthusiasm for fine dining has long played an essential role in our cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of food presentation in enhancing our dining encounters. In the current digital age, where social media marketing is critical for the majority of businesses, culinary professionals understand the necessity of showcasing their creations appealingly.
Restaurants and small eateries are willing to pay hefty rates to photographers to take enticing photos of their food. These pictures are then used in their menus and advertisements. Even fast-food chains like Mcdonald’s are using food photography for marketing.
Moreover, with the globalization trend, people have access to cuisines from around the world, making food photography a booming niche. Someone may see an aesthetic picture of an Indian dish and decide to check out the neighborhood Indian restaurant the next day. This is why food photography is worth the investment.
The most important thing for any photography, though, is a camera. So, let’s dive into the details of a few cameras that are great for food photography. This article will be a holy grail for you, whether you are an entrepreneur looking to capture high-quality images to promote your new food business, a food lover looking to capture memories, a food blogger, or a freelance photographer.
- Model Name: Sony a7 III
- Brand: Sony
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- Skill Level: Professional
- Special Feature: Image-stabilization
- Model Name: AZ421-RD
- Brand: KODAK
- Skill Level: Amateur
- Special Feature: Image-stabilization
- Color: Red
- Model Name: Panasonic Lumix FZ80
- Brand: Panasonic
- Form Factor: Compact
- Skill Level: Amateur
- Special Feature: Image-stabilization
Comparison Chart:
| Best Cameras for Food Photography | Brand | Model | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A7III ILCE 7M3/B Full Frame Camera | Sony | A7III ILCE 7M3/B | Black |
| Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-RD | Kodak | AZ421-RD | Red |
| Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera | Panasonic | LUMIX FZ80 | Black |
| Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital Camera | Canon | PowerShot ELPH 180 | Red |
| Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera | Canon | EOS Rebel T7 | Black |
Top 5 Cameras For Food Photography Review in 2022
A great camera is a must for a food blogger or a professional photographer to capture good food pictures. However, since several options are available on the market, it is nearly impossible to choose just one.
But, you do not need to worry — we did all the work for you. Go through our list of the five best cameras for food photography and choose your favorite one to buy. Below are the top 5 cameras that’ll get you those Instagram-able food pics.
1. Sony A7III ILCE 7M3/B Full Frame Camera
An incredible creation by Sony, the Sony A7III is stunning in the literal sense. The A7III has been created with a minimal black exterior and a massive lens. While coming up with this camera, Sony had a fusion of vintage and tech. The compact design is specially made for food photography. In addition, the camera comes with accessories such as the battery, AC adaptor, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cap, and a micro-USB cable.
The Sony A711 has an advanced 24.2 MP BSI full-frame image sensor with 1.8x readout speed, so you don’t have to worry about editing low-quality pictures. The BSI and evolved image processing system meet the various shooting requirements with high-quality imaging features you can only expect from a full-frame camera.
The ISO range is programmable and can be extended to maximum ISO 100-51200 and minimum ISO 50-2048007. Moreover, due to the detailed reproduction, the camera maintains the deep detailing in images.
If you are also irritated by the ‘CLICK’ sound after each photograph, then fret not! The A7III has noise reduction technology that prevents loud clicks. Besides this, it has a wide range of lens compatibility and five different types of camera shake, owing to its 5.0 step 9 shutter speed advantage system. It also allows silent capturing at up to 10fps, which will prove advantageous if you capture a live picture, such as a chocolate fondue or fancy stuff like Salt Bae. Hence, it will get you more pictures that can be both good and bad, but in live food photography, it can do wonders. The camera has a long battery life depending on the different modes and settings. These are the reasons why food bloggers from the entire world love to use this fantastic camera.
2. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-RD
The next camera on our list is a bestselling camera on Amazon. The Kodak PIXPRO is a camera for professionals. The build of this camera is small and compact with a retro look to it. It has a beautiful exterior that is picture-perfect. Kodak is a well-known brand that makes some of the best cameras, out of which this one is ideal for food photography.
The camera does not come alone but has some exciting accessories paired with it as well. These accessories include a replaceable lithium-ion battery, charger, HDMI cable, tripod, and bag. It comes with a wide-angle lens, weighing 4.21 pounds (pretty lightweight for a retro camera).
The Kodak PIXPRO is an ideal pick for beginners because of its user-friendly features. It captures clear 16 MP close-ups, panoramas, and HD videos. So now, you can freely zoom, enlarge and crop the photos without fearing losing the high quality. It has cool post-photography features, such as auto-scene, object tracking, editing modes, etc.
A good food blog has different shots of the same dish, including close-ups. Fortunately, the PIXPRO is a pro in clicking zoomed photos, thanks to its 42x zooming feature. Now coming, the LED screen is a 3-inch long widescreen that projects the shots with a clear view through the cooperation of the lens.
The lens of this camera has a wide angle of 24mm, which projects a comprehensive view of even the largest food palettes. You relax and leave it to the PIXPRO. The CCD sensor also transfers the low-noise images into the camera’s memory every time. This camera is loved by food photographers globally due to its essential features and perfect picture quality.
3. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Have you ever heard of Panasonic? We bet you have because, according to calculations, no one hasn’t heard about it even once in their lifetime. Panasonic is a world-famous tech brand that manufactures TVs, refrigerators, and cameras. The LUMIX 4K is also one of their products and is an ideal choice for food photography. Looking at the camera will deliver modern and chic camera vibes, and the photo results will satisfy your inner photographer.
The smooth, compact, black body with a greenish lens is a sight to behold. Its height is 3.7 inches and length is 5 inches, making it a one-hand carry camera, the perfect size for taking to restaurants. The LUMIX weighs 1.36 lbs. and comes packaged with a battery pack, AC adapter, USB cable, shoulder strap, lens cap, and lens cap string.
The LUMIX FZ80 has an 18.1 megapixels MOS sensor that offers epic camera quality. The optically stabilized 60x long zoom feature lets you enjoy shots from far without compromising quality. Moreover, it has a 4K photo feature, enabling innovative Ultra HD photography at a flash-fast 30 frames per second.
This camera has an added feature that is pretty much the most desired by most photographers: the post-focus feature. It allows you to set a focus point after capturing a photo. You can set several focus points on the picture, wherever you like. The 170K dot-view finder provides a bright and clear camera result, whether on a loud sunny day or a dark rainy day. Last but not least, it has a 3-inch long and wide LED display which offers a crisp, clear view of your shots. You can instantly watch the photo on this widescreen in detail. After going through the features discussed above, you must know why food bloggers around the world like this camera for their professional photography.
4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital Camera
The next camera on our list is perfect for food photography because it is compact. It’s a solution for bloggers who are tired of people looking at them whenever they enter any restaurant with a big bulky camera because they find it odd or unusual. The Canon Powershot ELPH 180 digital camera is pocket-friendly, slim, intelligent, and easy to use with superb picture quality. It comes in two colors; one is vibrant red, and the other one is neutral white. It weighs a total of 4.4 ounces. The camera comes with accessories such as a wrist strap, battery pack, battery charger, and manual for beginners.
The ELPH 180 is a 20.0 MP digital camera with a CCD sensor that promises epic photo quality at any hour of the day. The CCD sensor transfers your captured photographs into the memory once they are clicked. The image stabilizer 8x zoom feature allows clear, visible shots from a distance. It has an auto Zoom feature, automatically detecting the zooming points in a picture and capturing it. This zoom feature is followed by the 35mm wide lens, enabling wide view shots of the largest seafood palettes. Plus, it has a 4+ image processor that delivers photo quality beyond imagination.
Besides the features mentioned above, this camera has a digital IS, reducing the slightest blurs during rare shutter shakes. It has a vast variety of camera effects: portrait, fish-eye effect, miniature effect, toy camera effect, monochrome, super vivid, poster effects, firework, long shutter, movie effect, and Smart AUTO. Though it is portable and pocket-friendly, you don’t have to worry about the battery life, as the camera has an in-built ECO mode that reduces power consumption, which is just a button away. Lastly, another incredible feature of this camera is the HELP button, which teaches the settings and controls. If you cannot understand some settings, press the help button, and the camera will guide you. Due to the features mentioned above of this camera, food photographers love this camera for their food blogging as it gives them high popularity with perfect images.
5. Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
Our fifth and last pick is a camera by the Canon company, a DSLR to be specific. This camera is nothing like the above-discussed Powershot and looks stylish, modern yet bulky, and huge. With a jet-black body and the company’s logo imprinted in white, this DSLR is one of the most exotic, high-tech cameras. The camera package comes with a camera body, lens, and manual. The camera is 3,1 inches in height and 5.1 inches in length. Please don’t go on these dimensions to assume the weight of this beauty because it weighs a little 1.04 pounds.
This 24.1 MP camera has a CMOS sensor, enabling high picture quality. It has a wide ISO range to capture photos in broad daylight or under the scorching sun. It has an optical viewfinder that helps you to focus in bright light. Plus, it has an autofocus feature, a lifesaver in moments of hustle. It is compatible with four lens types: ultra-wide, standard, macro, and telephoto. Special features of this camera are the built-in Wi-Fi and remote shooting feature.
This camera is compatible with smart devices, which can lend a hand while taking self-portraits (with the food, of course). It provides excellent picture quality for bloggers who love to show off their presentable food on their social media accounts. It is a beginner-level camera for bloggers or professional photographers just starting their journey. They can learn several things by using this camera and explore their skills. Considering this camera’s excellent picture quality and other features, photographers worldwide like this camera, especially beginners.
Best Camera For Food Photography Buying Guide
Nowadays, many types of cameras are available in the market with different features and specifications. The wide variety will confuse you when you buy an ideal camera for food photography. Selecting one camera from a wide variety is a difficult task. To solve this problem, we have shortlisted a few essential factors you must consider before buying a camera for food photography. All these features must be present in a camera that performs food photography. The following are the features to look for in a good food photography camera.
Size of the Sensor
The lens size is a significant factor to consider before buying a camera. If the size is ideal, your photography will surely be liked by everyone. A 50mm lens is the most recommended sensor size by most food bloggers. It is because they act as 80mm and offer a full frame to work with.
File Size
The file size should be of at least 3000 pixels along with RAW files, as RAW files can bear tiresome editing without facing the problem of data loss. Plus, they give you freedom of color luminance.
ISO Level
The ISO should be tested on the spot as it varies according to the choice and style of the photographer. However, high ISO levels can degrade and smash the image quality, so try not to go high with the ISO.
Focus Points
It is an essential factor to consider while purchasing, so ensure that your camera has several focus points. The auto-focus feature is the best. But the professionals usually prefer manual focusing, as it will focus on the required place only and ignore other surroundings. However, the autofocus feature is also nearly precise for an average photographer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some of the most commonly asked questions about cameras are answered below.
Q. What do you need to capture great food photos?
If you want to capture food photos that leave everyone drooling, you certainly don’t need to be a chef. However, some key elements are to consider, such as the lighting, angles, and cutlery used. You must realize that every cuisine cannot be photographed well in the same setting. For example, a South Asian dish will look widely different from an Italian dish due to the spices and colors; hence, both require entirely different photography setups.
Q. Which ISO Level Is Best for Food Photography?
An ISO level of 400 or less is ideal for food photography. If you are into photography as a hobby or even a profession, you should invest in a high ISO level camera to produce excellent quality pictures for your customers.
Q. Which Camera Lens Is Perfect for Food Photography?
A 50mm camera lens for food photography is ideal.. However, some other camera lenses may also work well and give you the details of the items required. But a 50mm camera will work best for professional food blogging.
Q. Does the iPhone Deliver the Same Results for Food Photography is a Camera?
There are many phones these days that have brilliant results. But while transferring their images to a computer or on any social media platform, the result gets distorted. So, an iPhone or any other good phone is a good option, but it is best to use the camera for professional results. The depth and quality given by a professional camera can never be met by any phone.
Q. Do You Need a Backdrop Flashlight for the Camera?
If the background is already bright, then it is not necessary. However, it adds an excellent touch to the photograph. A natural-looking brightness gives a beautiful impact to the overall picture and adds a professional look to the scenery.
Conclusion
For a blog, the foremost thing which affects its viewership is relevant photographs. Every viewer will like your blog if your blog has relevant but high-quality photos. As it is famously said that a picture speaks a thousand words, so images are more important than words. Having said that, if you are a food blogger, your blog will revolve around some food items, and capturing a photograph of any food item requires a high skill level. You are not only needed to capture a shot of the entire plate; you have to cover many detailed aspects of that item. And for that purpose, an excellent camera is direly needed.
If you are a food blogger, you must invest in a good camera without paying too much consideration to the price. The camera should have the qualities discussed in the buying guide, and you should have basic knowledge of capturing pictures. The rest is luck, but one thing that nobody denies is that luck automatically follows skill and investment. So, ensure you are investing in a good camera for photography. As a good food blog can help you make more than a few dollars, you can be filthy rich if you take it seriously as a career option.
