Last Updated on June 25, 2021
Newborn babies grow up fast and that is why it is so important to capture those images while you can. Having the best camera for newborn photography will help you do just that.
Because newborns won’t be moving around when taking their picture, you will not need a fast camera to capture exceptional baby pictures. Even though you will not need the most expensive camera on the market, you will want to avoid using a low quality camera or you risk missing out on those precious moments.
For this article I have reviewed the most popular cameras for newborn photographers and after reading you will know the top rated options on the market. You can check links to customer reviews and prices for each pick below or read on for the full review.
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What Features Do You Need?
Newborn photography is a style of portrait photography combined with a touch of still life since most of the time a baby is photographed while sleeping.
There will be times when you will be photographing a baby who is fussy which will limit the time you have to capture a great shot. That make it important that your camera can capture the image when it is available.
Due to the particular shooting conditions of capturing infant shots it is important to have a camera with a high burst speed is necessary. Generally you will need around 10fps.
Sometimes a parent or newborn photographer will want to photograph a baby with a sibling which will change the requirements. If you will be photographing newborns and toddlers it becomes even more important to have a camera with a solid burst speed mode.
So if you will be photographing newborn babies alone, a moderate burst speed is sufficient, but if more mobile toddlers will also be photographed a higher burst speed rate will be required.
It is important to remember that a faster camera is likely to require a higher investment than a slower camera but if you need it you do not want to skip it.
Most newborn photographers will want to utilize natural lighting for their shots as using a camera flash can startle a baby. Because of this, it is very important that your camera is capable of performing at higher ISO levels.
Another important aspect to look for is a camera with low noise when shooting with a higher ISO. For indoor shots that will usually be more than a base ISO of 100.
To achieve this you will want to go with a full frame camera model if it is in your budget. If your budget does not allow that you will want to go with a high quality APS-C camera. A full frame camera will better be able to utilize the available natural light.
You will also want to get a camera (or a lens if your camera doesn’t have it) with stabilization technology. As most shots will be shot in hand, stabilization will help reduce camera shake while shooting at slower shutter speeds.
Note: you will want to select a wide aperture lens to shoot with your camera. Something in the realm of f/2.8 will suffice. Many cameras will come bundled with an f/3.6 kit lens but these are not ideal for newborn photography. Another great option would be a 35mm or even a 50mm f/1.8. There are a number of great options depending on which make you go with.
Because newborns are easily disturbed by noise, you will want a quiet camera. A loud shutter can prevent you from getting your shot. Many cameras have a quiet mode perfect for newborn photography including some mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
If you want to have larger prints made you will definitely want a higher resolution camera. A newborn camera should have at a minimum 12 megapixels but going above 20mp is ideal. Generally you will not be able to go above 50mp as ISO will not be high enough in those ranges.
In general, the more megapixels the better your image detail will be. This is great for realistic images but if you want to remove skin imperfections that will have to be done in post processing editing.
Best Cameras For Newborn Photography
Sony Alpha a7 III
Who Is It For
This camera is for people who prioritize image quality and performance over anything else. If you’re a professional photographer, or somebody who photographs heavily on the side, the Alpha a7 III is perfect for you. It’s got an excellent 24MP APS-C sensor, pairing up with an unbeatable set of manual features that’ll allow you to capture photos with beautiful depth of field effects while still getting high clarity and sharpness throughout the entire frame.
Why We Love It
The Alpha a7 III is the ultimate camera for those who want to get the perfect shot every time. Its high performance and low-light capabilities will ensure that you never miss out on a moment again!
What Should Be Improved
The Alpha a7 III’s autofocus system is extremely fast, but if you take a lot of photos where you don’t need to be able to focus on one point, it can be a little inconsistent.
How It Performed In Our Test
The Alpha a7 III was the highest rated camera when it came to shooting in low light. It also handled high ISO images better than any other camera out there, capturing crystal clear photos while maintaining a great amount of dynamic range and color accuracy!
Nikon Z6
Who Is It For
The Z6 is a great option for people who want their camera to be versatile, and want to be able to use the mirrorless system for both everyday photography, and professional work. This camera is ideal for photographers looking for something that can take a phenomenal photo even in low-light situations. The Z6 is also very fast, it’s a great baby photography camera.
Why We Love It
The Z6 has impeccable image quality all around. Its 24MP sensor ensures that not only can you take detailed and clear photos, but you can also get the exact exposure you were looking for.
What Should Be Improved
Z6 has a good burst mode, good battery life, and excellent continuous auto-focus. The screen is great in daylight (especially because of its high resolution), but can be a little dark in low-light situations than the Sony.
How It Performed In Our Test
This camera was praised for its excellent autofocus capabilities, but was taken down a notch because of the extremely sensitive shutter release button. It’s great for taking photos quickly when you need to, but it’s not the best option for someone who might accidentally press that button.
Canon EOS R
Who Is It For
The Canon EOS R is best for people who don’t want to spend a ton on a camera, but still get great quality from it. It has excellent autofocus capabilities in both shooting modes, and is also great in low-light situations. It’s a great option for someone looking to get an affordable camera that can perform up to par with the more expensive options on the market.
Why We Love It
The EOS R is a solid camera for its price point. It delivers high performance images and works great for both stills and video, so photographers on a budget won’t be disappointed with what they get!
What Should Be Improved
The EOS R doesn’t have a ton of features, so it’s not the best option if you want a lot of creative control over your photos. If you’re okay with that, then you’ll love the way this camera performs.
How It Performed In Our Test
This camera was praised for its intuitive design and fast performance. Canon’s autofocus is arguably the best in the industry, so it’s great that they’ve put that technology into a camera that that’s very affordable.
Fujifilm X-T30
Who Is It For
The Fujifilm X-T30 is a great option for people who want the most bang-for-the-buck camera possible. It has excellent autofocus capabilities, shoots high-quality video, and has an easy-to-use interface.
Why We Love It
This camera’s body design is simple and beautiful. Its 26MP sensor makes it great for those who are looking for a camera that’s more reliable than something like an iPhone, but not as expensive as some of the other options on this list.
What Should Be Improved
While the X-T30 shoots high-quality images, it does tend to have a hard time focusing in low-light scenarios.
How It Performed In Our Test
This camera was praised for its high-quality video, and high-speed autofocus. It was also praised for its easy to use interface, and it does a great job of producing images with good color reproduction and sharpness.
Nikon D5600
Who Is It For
The Nikon D5600 is great for someone who wants a simple camera that’s great for both everyday and more professional newborn photography work. It’s portable, but still has a sturdy body that can be used in a variety of situations.
Why We Love It
This camera is excellent for those who don’t want to spend a ton of money, but still want something that takes amazing photos. It has a 24MP APS-C sensor, which is great for capturing images with a nice amount of detail.
What Should Be Improved
While this camera does a great job of taking photos, it’s not the best option for high-speed shooting or video due to its limited buffer and write speed.
How It Performed In Our Test
This camera was praised for its excellent autofocus capabilities and image quality. It also has a robust autofocus system, which is great for trying to capture those quick moments when you can’t get as close to your subject as you’d like.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Newborn Photography Camera
When you purchase a new camera for your newborn photography sessions, It’s important to know how to get everything you can out of it. This will lead to better images and more paying customers.
That being said, we have some tips to help you get the most out of your new camera and photo session:
- Understand The Camera’s Features
First off, make sure that you understand all of the features and buttons on your new camera. Take the time to read your owners manual and watch some camera specific tutorials. Get to know your camera and it will treat your well.
- Practice Using It Before Your Session
If you are new to the world of photography, or newborn photography specifically, then you need to practice using your camera before your session. Take it on a test drive and get comfortable with it before trying to get those perfect shots.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Switch Settings And Experiment With New Techniques
We recommend trying out some of the different settings that your camera offers. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try something new. If you don’t like it, chalk it up to a learning experience.
- Be Prepared And Organized
When you are out on a photoshoot, you should always be prepared for a variety of situations and your gear should be organized so that you can quickly access the things that you need at a moment’s notice. Taking the time to prepare for any situation will help make sure that your clients have the best experience possible and keeps everyone happy.
Conclusion
If you are shooting newborn photography there are a few specific things you have to be sure your camera can handle. But once they are settled and not fussing the top rated picks will provide you with the performance you need. While you do not need a top end camera to capture great images it is important to remember that you get what you pay for and due to the fleeting nature of getting those newborn pictures it is important to get a camera that will give you those pictures you can enjoy for a lifetime. The above recommendations will ensure you can do that with a low light performer that is fast enough to capture a baby with excellent image quality.