If you’re a fashion fanatic and want to snap some photos of your favorite styles, it’s time to invest in a camera that’s right for the medium.
Photo by Adnan Islam / CC BY 2.0
From Fashion Week to runway shows, to the pages of your favorite magazines, fashion photography is everywhere. Whether you’re hoping to become a professional fashion photographer or just want to start your own photo blog, it can really help to invest in the right kind of camera.
Snapping photos of fashion might seem straightforward, but there’s a lot of work that goes into it. From styling a model to choosing poses to setting up proper lighting and incorporating props, a fashion photo shoot requires a lot of energy and equipment. The most important piece of equipment, of course, is the camera. Want to know what cameras are best for shooting fashion photos? Check out four of the best below.
Nikon D3X Digital SLR Camera
If you’re ready to be serious about taking fashion photos, the Nikon D3X ($6,999) is considered one of the best 35mm format DSLR out there, and may be the right choice for you. It shoots with remarkably low noise levels for crisp and clear photos every time. The camera is especially great for intricate clothing and the images will remain clear even when blown up. With some of the best fashion and art photographers using this camera, you’ll be in good company as a Nikon D3 owner.
- Two live view shooting modes
- AF system features 4 modes
- Continuous shooting at up to 5 fps
- Nikon picture control
- Durable and portable
- Dual CF card slots
- 4,400 images per full battery charge
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
The Canon EOS-5D Mark III camera is one of the most popular cameras out there for shooting fashion.It’s a bit more affordable than the Nikon D3X, selling for $3,999, and it will produce beautiful images. One benefit of the Canon 5D is that it’s light and easy to carry around and handle, while you’re shooting. It also is well known for its sharpness at all ISO levels, meaning you can clearly pick up people’s sartorial idiosyncrasies. Its easy portability and high picture quality make it the best companion for capturing eye-catching street fashions.
- Up to 6.0 fps continuous shooting
- Video capture in AVI, RAW, H.265, MOV and MPEG-4
- Card slots for CF and SD cards
- 6fps burst rate HDR mode Magnesium-alloy body,
- Dust- and weather-resistant
- Silent mode and Low vibration mode
- Comes with wide neck strap and camera cover
- 1-Year Warranty from Canon
Nikon D7100 DX-format
The Nikon D7100 ($1,146.95) is another excellent DSLR camera and is perfect for photo shoots with its two nifty and useful SD-card slots, giving you extended recording time to get that perfect shot. “It’s all in the details,” and this camera is meant to get them. When shooting fashion, this camera can pick up the complex lines and textures of couture. It also has the capability to fire six frames per second for up to 100 shots, making sure you’ll be able to capture that perfect moment.
- Professional-level AF performance
- Continuous shooting speed up to 7 fps
- 8-cm LCD monitor
- EXPEED 3 image-processing engine
- White balance control
- Double SD card slots
Hasselblad H5D-50
The Hasselblad H5D-50 ($29,495) is often considered the pinnacle of all fashion cameras and if defined clarity is your goal, then it doesn’t get better than this. The Hasselblad is a medium format camera and takes sharper photos than a full-frame DSLR. It also uses a CCD sensor, which provides better overall image quality than the CMOS in most DSLRs. The Hasselblad may costs a pretty penny, but it will definitely pay off with the quality of images you’ll produce.
- Hasselblad 80mm f/2.8 HC AF Lens included
- True Focus II and Focus Confirm
- Digital lens correction
- Fully compatible with Hasselblad H System lens line
- 3.0″ TFT type LCD display
When shooting clothing, detail is key so it pays to invest in a camera that gives you a high-level of clarity and an overall polished photo. Choose from any of the above cameras, and you can make any piece of clothing look like a true piece of art. Then check out the Adorama Learning Center for more tips to enhance your fashion photography!
Learn more about shooting fashion photos:
- Adorama Publishes Fashion Digicam Guide
- Top Fashion Camera Prices Drop
- Stunning Fashion Photos on a Shoestring Budget
What’s your favorite camera to shoot fashion photos with?
