Some say the best photographs are the candid ones because of how they manage to capture the essence of a person’s beauty in its rawest form. Admittedly, some cameras are better at candid photography than others. Candid photography is best done when the subject is another person, which is why the best cameras for candid portraits are just portrait cameras with a few unique features.
A good portrait camera should have a decent image stabilization system to help stabilize a candid and possibly moving subject. If the camera has a night-mode setting, that is a bonus because it improves your photography scope.
While there are many cameras available in the market, there are some that steal the cake. To make it easier for you to find the perfect camera for candid portraits, we have compiled a list of the best cameras for candid portraits:
1. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
You can never go wrong with a Canon camera, and the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is no exception to this universal rule. This powerful device contains a 26.6-Megapixel full-frame, dual-sensor CMOS AF with an optical viewfinder that flaunts a 45 point cross-type AF system. This CMOS AF sensor has phase detection and full HD 60p.
Additionally, this device has a DIGIC 7 image processor with ISO 100-40,000. It also has some more handy features, like GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth. These systems help to ease the data transfer process, allowing for seamless, wireless transfers.
The 6D has a vary-angle touchscreen that spans three inches on an LCD. All in all, it is an excellent device with excellent image stabilization and autofocus, making it one of the great cameras for candid portraits.
2. Canon EOS 1 D X Mark II
Another excellent device by Canon, the Canon EOS 1 D X Mark II has the best overall image quality out of all the Canon cameras within its range. It goes well into the ISO 2000 range with a maximum at ISO 51200, and provides clear, sharp images without blurring.
The Canon EOS 1 D X Mark II delivers fantastic results in low-light conditions and is perfect for night-time shooting. It is capable of up to 14 fps full resolution images or up to 16 fps in Live View mode thanks to its new Dual DIGIC 6+ image processors. This camera has a maximum burst rate of up to 170 RAW images, which is a helpful feature when it comes to candid photography.
This camera has accurate subject tracking for still shots, which is again helpful for candid photography. This is thanks to the new EOS Intelligent Tracking system developed by Canon, making the device an excellent competitor in the market.
3. Fujifilm X-T100 (Best Budget)
This mirrorless camera is a force to be reckoned with. Developed by Fujifilm, one of the best camera companies out there, the Fujifilm X-T100 has a resolution of 24.2 megapixels and uses the Fujifilm X lens. It has a 3-inch screen with a 2-axis tilting display and is supported by 1,040,000 dots.
The Fujifilm X-T100 provides an array of creative modes like PROVIA/Standard, VELVIA/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, and Monochrome. It has impressive stability, sharpness, and image focus, too, making it one of the best cameras for candid photography. For those photographers that want to take professional portraits but can’t splurge too much on a camera, the Fujifilm X-T100 is a perfect choice.
This camera is excellent for an aspiring creative who seeks entrance into the realm of candid photography. This camera comes with an electronic viewfinder, a 91-point autofocus system, and 4K video.
4. Nikon D850
The next on out list of cameras for candid portraits offers Nikon’s first back-side illuminated (BSI) full-frame sensor along with an excellent resolution of 45.7MP. The lens that comes with the Nikon D850 is a Nikon F-mount and is supported by an optical viewfinder. It has a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2,359,000. Its maximum burst speed is seven frames per second and supports 4K video recording. This is a high-end professional camera.
Also, to give a genuinely candid feel, Nikon D850 can shoot in absolute silence-a real rarity in the world of DLSRs. The ISO range equals 102,400, allowing for excellent, high-quality photography. This camera has enhanced light gathering efficiency, excellence in image quality, data readout, true color, and a glare-less visual.
5. Panasonic Lumix GH5
This is a mirrorless camera with a sensor size of micro four thirds. It has a stunning resolution of 20.3 megapixels and an EVF viewfinder. This camera’s monitor is a 3.2-inch vari-angle display with 1,620,000 dots.
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 comes with a maximum burst speed of 12fps. Its sensor works remarkably well in most cases but does not perform as well in low-light conditions. However, it more than makes up for this with its other fantastic features.
The GH5 has Five-Axis Image Stabilization, which is a great feature to have by your side when it comes to candid portrait photography. The Venus Engine Processor has an advanced Digital Live MOS sensor that provides extraordinary color, clarity, and resolution. It also has Multipixel Luminance Generation and Intelligent Detail processing to help yield vibrant images.
6. Nikon Z50 DX
This spectacular mirrorless camera by Nikon is a mirrorless type with an APS-C sensor a 20.9-megapixel resolution. It contains a Nikon Z-lens and a 3.2-inch articulated touchscreen monitor that supports 1,036,800 dots. The camera has an EVF viewfinder and a maximum burst speed of 11fps.
This camera has a remarkably small size, but that’s exactly what makes it so great! This device is simple to use, yet so powerful. It supports smartphone casting, making it easy to transfer data to and from. This camera comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It has an excellent exterior that is resilient and robust; it can weather any conditions, be it a hailstorm or an extra windy day.
This camera comes with an array of creative filters and modes like blur, sharpen, filters, and a total of 10 special effects. It also has a handy silent-shooting mode, which is a plus in cameras for candid portraits.
7. Sony Alpha a7 III
Sony’s Alpha a7 III is often deemed as the best mirrorless camera you can buy right now. It comes with a full-frame sensor and a stunning resolution of 24.2 megapixels. The monitor is a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 921,000 dots.
The a7 III has an EVF viewfinder with 2.36 million dots and a maximum burst speed of 10 fps. It also supports 4K movie-making, but this feature is not particularly useful for taking candid portraits unless you’re aiming for a video-portrait, in which case it doesn’t get much better than this!
This camera’s ISO range is 50 to 204,800. It also has Bluetooth, allowing for wireless smartphone or laptop connections and convenient data transfer.
8. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 Mark V
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 Mark V has an excellent autofocus feature; you can shoot up to 24fps with 0.05-second autofocus sand wide 315 phase-detection AF points. It has a resolution of 20.1 megapixels thanks to its stacked back-illuminated CMOS sensor with a BIONZ X processor.
This device has a retractable viewfinder known as the OLED Tru-Finder. This device’s Wi-Fi connectivity feature makes it remarkably easy to share photos and videos to your editing device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or PC. It also has Bluetooth, which serves the same purpose.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 Mark V has the world’s most AF points for a compact camera—this is one powerful device! It features a bright lens by Zeiss (large aperture f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens) that has a 24-70mm zoom range, making it a remarkable camera in its own right.
Final Words On Cameras for Candid Portraits
The world of cameras is filled with some excellent devices. This is a fact, but there are certainly some that are better than others. It all boils down to what your priorities are. If you’re browsing cameras for candid portraits, one of these might just be your next purchase.
Cameras are expensive, so you must find one to suit your purpose. Remember to list down all the things you want from your new camera before heading to the shop. Then, find a device that matches up to your expectations.
The best thing about buying cameras is the large, flexible variety you get in it. No matter what your range or demands, you are bound to find the camera of your dreams in the end.
