Are you looking for the best budget camera for product photography? Can you find a cheap camera that meets the rigorous requirements of product photography? Let’s find out.
Product photography requires your camera to have features like faster burst rates, shallow depth of field, fast autofocus, good battery life, high ISO, compatibility with a wide variety of lenses, and good memory. A camera having all these features can be quite expensive though.
Importance of a Dedicated Camera for Product Photography
So, why don’t we just use a smartphone for product photography? A smartphone cannot showcase the true characteristics of a product as beautifully and clearly as a dedicated camera. After all, taking photos is the best way to market or sell your products to clients. A customer can decide whether or not he needs your product by looking at its photos only.
You are also going to use the photos for branding such as in social media campaigns and websites, catalogs posters, and other material. Therefore, the product images must entice people to take action and buy your products. It is only possible if you use a decent camera to capture the products. In fact, you need a lot of tools for your product photos.
Our Top 3 Choices for Best Camera for Product Photography 2024
Model Features Image Check Price 24-megapixel sensor 4K photos at 30fps Fast hybrid autofoucs with 179 points 11fps continuous shooting Full HD 1080P at 60fps Rich and balanced colors can also shoot in RAW Lightweight and portable camera Good images in low light Excellent autofoucs Full HD movie recording 3-inch screen 24.7 megapixels sensor 21-megapixel sensor Comes with a 24-70mm F/1.8 lens Good performance in low light 1-inch camera sensor 24 fps continuous shooting speed Lightweight and compact fast hybrid autofocus
Best Budget Cameras for Product Photography
You don’t need to buy an expensive camera for product photography. The following cameras are not only cheap but equally good when it comes to taking sumptuous images of various products.
1. Sony Alpha a6000: Best Affordable Camera for Product Photography
You can consider the Sony Alpha a6000 as an entry-level mirrorless camera these days. However, it excels in taking product photographs thanks to its great specifications.
Features
The camera has a powerful 24-megapixel sensor along with fast hybrid autofocus with 179 points. The 11fps continuous shooting speed is also of great help while taking product images. Even some more expensive cameras have slower burst rates.
Sony Alpha a6000 does not have 4K resolution but records beautiful videos in Full HD 1080P at 60fps. There is no touchscreen but the OLED viewfinder offers 100% coverage. It also allows taking images of any surface or texture courtesy of a shock-proof filter. The tiltable touchscreen means you can capture products from different angles as well.
The images have rich and balanced colors with excellent contrast. You can also shoot in RAW, making it easier to print images for larger posters and banners.
Some of the other notable features of the camera include Intelligent Scene Recognition and Face Detection.
Drawbacks
The camera has low battery life apart from the lack of a touchscreen. You cannot choose a focus point because there is no horizontal movement as well.
Our Verdict
Sony Alpha a6000 delivers excellent image and color quality. It also has faster and more efficient autofocus than comparable models and its predecessor. All in all, it is a good choice for product photography.
Advantages
- Excellent image quality
- Great color rendition
- More efficient autofocus
- 24 megapixels sensor
- The viewfinder offers 100% coverage
Disadvantages
- No touchscreen
- Low battery life
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless | Amazon.com |
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless | B&H Photo |
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless | Walmart |
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless | Adorama |
2. Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera: Best Beginner Product Photography Camera
Nikon D3500 is one of the most popular cameras for product photography. It is a great option if you want to capture images as well as shoot videos of the products.
Features
The lightweight and portable camera enables you to shoot for long periods which often is the case during product and fashion photography. It has a somewhat similar sensor to the Sony Alpha a6000 at 24. 7 megapixels. Therefore, both cameras have similar image performance.
You can use the compact camera as a point and shoot camera. Therefore, you will capture all the special moments during the shoot as well. It is also a perfect camera if you want to migrate from a smartphone to a dedicated camera.
The camera does not have an optical low pass filter. Similarly, it also has a decent native ISO of 100-25600 resulting in good images in low light.
Another thing I like about this camera is the 3-inch screen and fast autofocus, making it a much better option than a smartphone. Similarly, it is quite easy to record beautiful Full HD videos using this camera.
Drawbacks
Nikon D3500 only has a 5fps continuous shooting speed. It may be enough for newbies but simply insufficient for professionals. Furthermore, the 11-point autofocus is quite archaic as well.
Our Verdict
Nikon D3500 is the best camera for newbies and people moving from a smartphone to a proper camera. It still delivers excellent product images and beautiful videos though.
Advantages
- Comes with two native lenses
- Compatible with Nikon F lenses
- Auto white balancing
- No optical low pass filter
- 3-inch screen
- Full HD 1080P recording
- Quit affordable camera
- Good autofocus for newbies
Disadvantages
- Only 5fps continuous shooting speed
- No touchscreen
- No microphone input
| Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera | Amazon.com |
| Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera | B&H Photo |
| Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera | Walmart |
| Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera | Adorama |
3. Sony RX100 V Compact Camera: Best Product Photography Camera
Available at $1000, the Sony RX100 V falls in the midrange category of cameras. However, it is still quite a capable camera, enabling you to take captivating product images.
Features
The compact camera has a 21-megapixel sensor which is weaker than that of both the Sony Alpha a6000 and Nikon D3500. However, it is a convenient and lightweight package offering almost everything you need.
First of all, the lightweight camera is easy to hold and carry, something required for long photography sessions. Similarly, it comes with a 24-70mm F/1.8 lens. This is everything you need for product photography especially when you consider the 1-inch camera sensor as well.
The F/1.8-2.8 aperture delivered excellent images in all conditions in our tests. The native ISO range of 125-12800 (extendable to 25600) also does a good job of reducing noise in low light.
Perhaps the best features of the camera are a whopping 24fps continuous shooting speed, an advanced image processing system, and fast hybrid autofocus. They all combine to offer breathtaking product photographs.
The camera does not have image stabilization but you can use the SteadyShot optical stabilization available in the lens.
Drawbacks
The menu system is quite clunky and can be very tricky to understand.
Our Verdict
You can also choose the newer version of the camera which is the Sony RX100 VII. However, the Sony RX100 V is the better option in our opinion for the perfect balance of features and price.
Advantages
- All-in-one package
- The best balance of price and features
- Good performance in low light
- Can power through USB
- Good image performance
- Lightweight and compact
Disadvantages
- Clunky menu system
- No image stabilization
| Sony RX100 V Compact Camera | Amazon.com |
| Sony RX100 V Compact Camera | B&H Photo |
| Sony RX100 V Compact Camera | Walmart |
| Sony RX100 V Compact Camera | Adorama |
4. Panasonic Lumix FZ80: Best Camera for Product Photography under $500
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is the best camera for product photography if you are on a budget. It is available for less than $500 but can rival more expensive cameras quite easily.
Features
Perhaps the highlight of the camera is the 60x optical zoom. The 18 megapixels is no match for the sensors of the high-end cameras but it is still quite powerful considering the camera’s price. It delivered reasonably good product images in our tests as well.
The images produced by the camera are clear and devoid of glare because of the LCD monitor and a high-resolution viewfinder.
Another great thing about the camera is the 4K video resolution. Very few cameras in this price range offer 4K videos.
FZ80 supports fast USB charging, something fashion photographers long for. The low light performance of the camera is also impressive, again a boon for product photographers.
The connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Micro USB, and HDMI D. Therefore, you have plenty of options to connect your camera.
Drawbacks
The camera does have image stabilization but it is quite loud and does not work according to expectations. Similarly, it also lacks a focus ring.
Our Verdict
All in all, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is the best cheap camera for product photography. The 4K videos are fantastic and you can get close to the products using 60x zoom.
Advantages
- Very cheap camera
- Excellent image quality
- Impressive low light performance
- 4K video resolution
- 4K photo mode
- 60x optical zoom
- High-resolution viewfinder
- Multiple connectivity options
Disadvantages
- Loud image stabilization
- No focus ring
| Panasonic Lumix FZ80 | Amazon.com |
| Panasonic Lumix FZ80 | B&H Photo |
| Panasonic Lumix FZ80 | Walmart |
| Panasonic Lumix FZ80 | Adorama |
5. Panasonic Lumix GX85: Cheap Camera for Product Photography
Panasonic Lumix GX85 is one of the best cameras for product photography because of its unique blend of low price and great features. You can use it as a second camera for product photography along with your main camera.
Features
The 49-point autofocus system has eye and face detection abilities as well as superb tracking power. You can use the touchscreen to focus while looking through the electronic viewfinder as well. All these features are essential especially when you capture and shoot moving products such as those worn by models.
The 16 megapixels sensor is on the lower side but it combines with the Venus Engine 9 Processor to deliver sharp and crisp images.
The camera records beautiful Full HD and 4K photos at 60fps and 30fps respectively. Other nice features of the camera include dual controls, USB charging, stop-motion animation, and HDR. Additional features like 4K live crop, 3” tilting touchscreen, post focus, and built-in flash make it a great camera for product photography as well.
The redesigned shutter means there is minimal vibration. Therefore, it is a great camera for shooting without a tripod.
Another great thing is 10fps continuous shooting speed which is a rarity at this price. The lack of an optical low pass filter also ensures images of the highest quality.
Drawback
Low battery life is the only major complaint regarding the camera. Otherwise, it is a complete package for product photography.
Our Verdict
Panasonic Lumix GX85 is a great little camera for you. It does everything it promises and helps you take incredible product images and videos.
Advantages
- No low pass filter
- Superior image quality
- Built-in image stabilization
- 4K video mode
- 10fps continuous shooting speed
- 3” tilting touchscreen
- 49-point contrast-detect autofocus
- Small and lightweight
- Affordable camera
Disadvantages
- Low battery life
| Panasonic Lumix GX85 | Amazon.com |
| Panasonic Lumix GX85 | B&H Photo |
| Panasonic Lumix GX85 | Walmart |
| Panasonic Lumix GX85 | Adorama |
6. Nikon D610 DSLR Camera: Nice Camera for Product Photography
Nikon D610 is yet another great budget product photograph camera by Nikon. It offers incredible image quality in a very affordable and compact package.
Features
The full-frame matrix decreases noise and delivers excellent details and sharpness in the images. The 39-point autofocus works flawlessly even though the sensor is very close to the shot center.
The compact and lightweight camera has a 24-megapixel sensor which is a sort of standard in budget cameras. As a result, the product images are sharp, crisp, and detailed.
The continuous shooting speed of 6fps is not to brag about. However, it will do for novices and amateur photographers. The camera records videos in Full HD 1080P as well.
The best feature of the camera in my opinion is the optical viewfinder. The two memory card slots considerably increase its memory. Keep in mind that most cameras come with only one card slot.
Nikon D610 is compatible with a wide variety of lenses, further enhancing its performance and utility.
Drawbacks
The continuous shooting speed and autofocus are slower than comparable cameras.
Our Verdict
Nikon D610 is an old but still a very good camera for product photography. Its major advantages are affordability and excellent image quality.
Advantages
- Great handling
- Full-frame camera
- Lightweight and compact
- Excellent image quality
- Good performance in low light
- Optical viewfinder
- Two memory card slots
Disadvantages
- Only 6fps continuous shooting speed
| Nikon D610 DSLR Camera | Amazon.com |
| Nikon D610 DSLR Camera | B&H Photo |
| Nikon D610 DSLR Camera | Walmart |
| Nikon D610 DSLR Camera | Adorama |
7. Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera: Best Budget Camera for Product Photography 2022
Canon EOS M50 is one of the earliest mirrorless cameras by Canon. It is not as feature-rich as its more expensive counterparts but it can help you take brilliant product images without spending a fortune.
Features
The camera comes with a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor. Similarly, the highly powerful DIGIC 8 image processor combines with the sensor to generate pictures of the highest quality. Similarly, it delivers detailed and crisp photos even in low light.
The thing that impressed us the most was the fast and accurate Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. It helps you capture everything without missing important moments. The autofocus has functions like advanced subject tracking, eye detection, and very wide coverage.
The dynamic range of the camera is impressive. It minimizes noise nicely for the images to be sharp and detailed.
The camera has both a vari-angle touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder. Therefore, it was easy for us to capture the products from different angles.
The 4K video resolution is hard to find in this price range. On top of that, you can create beautiful 4K time-lapse movies besides extracting 4K images from the videos. You can also enjoy fantastic slow-motion videos at 120P.
Drawbacks
The battery is on the lower side but that is what you expect from a budget camera. Similarly, 4K has a significant crop as well.
Our Verdict
Canon EOS M50 is the best budget camera for product photography as far as cheap mirrorless cameras are concerned. It has everything you need for product photography and even more.
Advantages
- 24 megapixels sensors
- Fast Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus
- DIGIC 8 image processor
- Eye detection
- Excellent dynamic range
- Excellent image quality
- Vari-angle touchscreen
- Electronic viewfinder
- 4K videos
- 4k time-lapse
Disadvantages
- Low battery life
- Significant crop in 4K
| Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless | Amazon.com |
| Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless | B&H Photo |
| Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless | Walmart |
| Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless | Adorama |
8. Canon EOS Rebel SL3: Good Budget Photography Camera
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is very popular among beginner product photographers. It is not only affordable but straightforward to use as well.
Features
The lightweight and compact camera is comfortable to hold and carry for long periods. It also records in 4K and has reasonably fast Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus.
The two best features of the camera are the 24-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIG 8 image processor. Both of them work together to deliver highly detailed and sharp photos even in low light.
The vari-angle touchscreen facilitates you to take product images from different angles to impress your clients. The Creative Assist mode further enhances the camera’s capability besides allowing you to give vent to your creative juice.
The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it easy to instantly share pictures with your friends and on social media.
Drawbacks
The build quality of the camera is poor which is understandable considering its price.
Our Verdict
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is no match for cameras like Canon EOS 70D or Canon EOS 90D. However, it is a nice little camera for beginners and amateurs alike who want to take beautiful product images.
Advantages
- Lightweight and compact
- Comfortable to hold
- 4K videos and 4k time-lapse
- Reasonably fast Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus
- DIGIC 8 image processor
- Vari-angle touchscreen
- Creative Assist mode
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Disadvantages
- Poor build quality
| Canon EOS Rebel SL3 | Amazon.com |
| Canon EOS Rebel SL3 | B&H Photo |
| Canon EOS Rebel SL3 | Walmart |
| Canon EOS Rebel SL3 | Adorama |
9. Canon EOS 90D DSLR Camera: Best Midrange DSLR for Product Photography
Canon EOS 90D is one of the best cameras for product photography in midrange DSLR cameras. It is not very expensive but offers some highly advanced features for photographers.
Features
The camera has a 32-megapixel CMOS sensor, the largest among the cameras on our list. The powerful DIGIC 8 image processor also ensures the images are highly detailed, sharp, and crisp.
Another outstanding feature of the camera is the 45-point autofocus system. It is also one of the fastest in the midrange series of cameras. The autofocus supports up to F/8 and 27 points.
The camera is also quite fast having a 10fps continuous shooting speed. Even more expensive cameras have comparable shooting speeds, to be honest.
We also loved shooting 4K videos with Canon EOS 90D. Similarly, you can record super slow-motion videos at 120P.
Photographers also love this camera for its multi-controller customizable buttons at the rear. You can use these buttons to customize controls and make it easy to operate the camera.
Drawbacks
The camera can be quite expensive for newcomers and amateurs. Similarly, it has only one memory card slot.
Our Verdict
Canon EOS 90D is the ideal budget camera to take product photographs. It delivers superb images with excellent speed and autofocus performance. You can never go wrong with this camera.
Advantages
- 32 megapixels CMOS autofocus
- DIGIC 8 image processor
- 45-point Dual Pixel autofocus
- Eye detection
- 10fps continuous shooting speed
- 4K videos
- Brilliant image quality
Disadvantages
- Can be expensive
- Only one memory card slot
| Canon EOS 90D DSLR | Amazon.com |
| Canon EOS 90D DSLR | B&H Photo |
| Canon EOS 90D DSLR | Walmart |
| Canon EOS 90D DSLR | Adorama |
10. Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Best Camera for Product Photography 2024
Finally, we have the Sony Alpha a6400 mirrorless camera on our list. Just like EOS 90D, it may be unaffordable for some but it is the best lightweight camera to capture products.
Features
As we have seen, 24 megapixels are quite enough to take beautiful images. What makes this camera truly powerful is its compatibility with the Sony E lens range. Therefore, you can achieve professional results by putting on different kinds of lenses such as a telephoto or a wide-angle lens.
The camera’s real strength is its extremely fast autofocus with object tracking and real-time autofocus. It can track an object in only 0.02 seconds. The autofocus covers 84% of the sensor and has 425 points each for contrast and phase detection.
The 11 fps continuous shooting speed means it is faster than Canon EOS 90D. The tiltable LCD also facilitates the recording of movies, stills, and professional product photography.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of the camera is the lack of image stabilization. The framing function also shoots in only one format, rendering itself useless.
Our Verdict
Sony Alpha a6400 is a bit pricy but the best camera for product photography among more affordable cameras. It can deliver professional results for you if you can afford it.
Advantages
- 32 megapixels sensor
- 11fps continuous shooting speed
- Very fast autofocus
- Multiple movie functions
- Tiltable LCD
- Compatible with Sony E lenses
- Very good image and video quality
Disadvantages
- No image stabilization
- Useless framing function
| Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless | Amazon.com |
| Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless | B&H Photo |
| Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless | Walmart |
| Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless | Adorama |
How to Choose the Best Budget Camera for Product Photography?
You need to keep a few points in mind while choosing a camera for product photography. Some of the most important of these factors are as below.
Megapixels
Megapixels are the first consideration of almost all photographers and rightly so. The greater the megapixels your camera has, the better will be the image quality. It also makes it easier for you in post-processing besides printing bigger images for marketing campaigns.
Manual Mode
Most modern cameras have an Auto mode that adjusts settings automatically. However, professional photographers love cameras with a Manual mode because they want to make their own adjustments according to their shooting style, conditions, and needs. Therefore, it is better to have a camera with both the Manual and Auto mode.
Using manual mode may seem intimidating in the beginning but it is quite simple and you will get used to it very soon.
Lens Compatibility
It is always nice to use multiple lenses with your camera. However, it is only possible if your camera has removable lenses or is compatible with a wide variety of lenses. Just like Auto or Manual modes, you need to choose a different lens for different kinds of situations to get the best results.
You can use any lens you want for product photography but the most popular lens for fashion and product shooting is 24-70mm.
High ISO
Lighting plays a pivotal role when it comes to taking beautiful product images. Therefore, you need a camera that excels in all light conditions. Look for a camera with sensitive sensors and a high native ISO range to remove noise in the images. The best budget camera for product photography has the least amount of noise at high ISOs.
Also Read: Best 4K Camera Under 500 Dollars In 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Which camera is best for product photography?
The following cameras are best for product photography.
- Sony alpha a6000
- Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera
- Sony RX100 V
- Panasonic Lumix FZ80
- Panasonic Lumix GX85
What’s needed for product photography?
You need the following equipment for product photography.
- A camera
- A white background
- A tripod
- White bounce cards made of foam board
- Tape
- A table
- A room with a lot of natural light
- A model if the product is wearable
Is product photography in demand?
Product photography is the most in demand branch of photography. A professional photographer may earn up to $3000 a day exclusive of licensing. A novice or amateur photographer usually charges $10-$30 for each product image.
What ISO should I use for product photography?
Always start with the lowest possible ISO for product photographs. Gradually increase the ISO until you think the product is properly illuminated. An ISO of 200-800 is enough if you have plenty of direct sunlight to work with.
Do you need a macro for product photography?
Macro lenses are the only way to go if you have to photograph complex or extremely small products. However, you can use wide-angle and standard lenses for bigger products.
Final Thoughts
With this, we conclude our guide to the best budget camera for product photography. As the name suggests, we have only included budget and cheap cameras in our list leaving out the expensive ones.
We also hope you are better able to understand product photography and choose the right camera according to your needs, preferences, and conditions after reading our guide.