No one can escape selfies. You see them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and just about any other social media platform. People share them for various reasons: some may want to share their latest trip to exciting destinations, while others might have “felt cute” at that moment. And a feature-packed selfie camera is the key to achieving a proper photo.
There’s no denying that selfies have made a huge impact on photography. You can even find tutorials on how to take better selfies. As a result, manufacturers have had to redesign their cameras so that LCD screens can be adjusted to face the user.
So if you’ve ever wanted an alternative to your smartphone, we have some of the best selfie cameras that you can get. But before that, it’s important to consider a few features that make some DSLR and mirrorless camera perfect for selfies.
What Is a Selfie Camera?
A selfie camera is a camera that allows you to take pictures of yourself. It can be any type of camera. For example, some DSLRs have a self-timer functionality that gives you 10 seconds to get in the frame after pressing the shutter release button. You can also use the back camera of a smartphone or place a compact camera on a selfie stick.
Features to Look for in a Selfie Camera
Getting the best DSLR or mirrorless camera doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be capturing the best selfies. A good selfie camera is small, compact, and always at hand. You can easily handle it and take photos from any angle. And because you want to look your best, you need a camera that provides high-quality images even in the harshest conditions. Look for a camera with good performance in low-light, weather-sealed, and with solid built quality.
As you don’t always have the time and space to set up the camera and jump in front of it, a good-to-have feature for a selfie camera is an articulated screen. It allows you to see what you are photographing and adjust light and pose in real-time. A remote trigger is also helpful.
You should also look for a camera with plenty of accessory options, such as tripods and monopods, selfie sticks, built-in microphone and/or microphone jack, continuous LED lights, external screens, and so on. If you take selfies regularly, accessories become a necessity, and it’s good to know you have options.
Screen: A Good View of ‘You’
It would be hard to take a selfie if you can’t see yourself as you take it. So a great choice would be the one that allows you to see yourself. This means opting for a camera screen that can be tilted or swiveled.
Wide-Angle: Detail is Important
Having a wide-angle lens gets you more detailed shots. Though it may seem like a minor thing, the details make or break a good shot. Keep in mind that when taking a selfie, you don’t just want a picture of your face. You want a picture of you, living the moment.
Auto-Focus: Aim for Fast & Accurate
A selfie should be done quickly, especially when you’re doing it in public. But snapping a shot too fast without considering accuracy can just result in a blurred photo. So make sure your camera has fast and accurate autofocus.
Size: Get One You Can Lift
Taking selfies mean that you’re going to lift the camera to get that perfect angle. To ensure crisp and stable shots, you’ll need to get a camera that can be easily lifted up and manipulated.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC
Most of the time, we want to share the photos that we take. This is why smartphone cameras are the usual device we use for taking selfies. So it’s good to consider the connectivity features of your camera so that you can transfer the images immediately.
Best Selfie Camera Options
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII may be your selfie camera thanks to its 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor that provides high-quality images and built-in ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm F/2.8-4.5 zoom lens that provides a wide-angle perspective.
It has an accurate and fast autofocus system and an LCD touchscreen with tilting capabilities. You can forget about blurred selfies because it incorporates real-time tracking and eye AF for humans and animals. The camera also supports shooting in RAW and offers continuous shooting at up to 20fps.
Olympus PEN E-PL10 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Take selfies to the next level using a mirrorless camera with intuitive controls, including a Touch AF Shutter and flip-down monitor. The camera features a 16MP Live MOS sensor, in-body image stabilization, a performing image processor for minimizing noise when shooting in dark locations, and a built-in flash.
For the best selfies, you can use the PEN E-PL10 with M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm EZ lens, a thin zoom lens with a wide-angle focal length range, 8 elements in 7 groups, f/3.5-f/5.6 maximum aperture, and only 20cm minimum focusing distance.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II aims to be the best camera for selfies thanks to its large 24.1MP CMOS sensor, powerful DIGIC 8 image processor, wide dynamic range (100-25600 ISO sensitivity) autofocus with eye and face detection, 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD, and RAW support.
Being part of the Canon family, you benefit from a large selection of compatible lenses and accessories. In addition, the camera records 4K UHD videos at 24fps, has live-streaming capabilities, and allows you to shoot vertically.
Insta360 ONE X2 Pocket Camera
If you need a small and compact selfie camera, a pocket camera that weighs only 5.25 oz (149g) may be what you need. Insta360 ONE X2 provides an ultra-wide focal length (35mm format equivalent: 7.2mm), a wide aperture (f/2), a decent dynamic range (100-3200 ISO sensitivity), image stabilization, and plenty of editing effects. For example, it knows how to get rid of the selfie stick, apply cinematic effects, and shoot HDR photos and videos. Insta360 ONE X2 is waterproof to 10m for underwater selfies. No wonder it’s also one of our best 360 cameras out there.
Pentax K-70
Compact and rugged, the Pentax K-70 can easily be attached to a selfie stick. The design is built to withstand dust and rain, while enduring a wide range of temperatures (from 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Along with these, this DSLR is packed with many other features that make selfies easier to snap when you’re out on an adventure.
With the K-70, photographers who prefer natural light will enjoy the 24MP resolution, APS sensors, and an ISO of 204,800. The Sensor-shift Shake Reduction feature allows you to shoot well in low-light conditions. It also includes built-in Wi-Fi that you can sync to your mobile device.
