The 9 Best Cameras for Wedding Photography
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Getting into wedding photography requires a perfect mixture of skill, talent and patience. However, no matter how good of a photographer you are, you won't be able to capture every emotion, happy moment, and detail of that special day without the right camera in your hands.
Here's a guide to choosing the right camera for you to shoot for the next wedding, along with 9 of our top picks.
If you want to learn wedding photography, check out our article on wedding photography.
- Stunning image quality – UHD 4K Video at up to 30p
- Sensor – 45.7-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- ISO capability – 64 to 25600 Sensitivity
- Full-frame sensor – 30.4-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- Superior high ISO capability – ISO 100 to 32000 Sensitivity
- Dual Pixel AF system – game-changer for video
- Advanced sensor – 24.2MP BSI Full-frame Image Sensor
- ISO capability – ISO 50 to 204,800
- Good batery life – Double the battery life of the last model
- Good low light detail sensor – Full-frame 26MP image sensor
- Integrated Wi-Fi and GPS – and rainstorm resistant
- Refined touchscreen control – but no USB 3.0
- Sensor – 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI-CMOS 4
- Excellent image quality – 4K video
- Superb value for money – but no articulating screen
- Screen – 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Excellent IBIS – Mirrorless and full-frame sensor
- Megapixels – 20.1MP
- Screen – 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Max video resolution – 4K
- Good IBIS – 6.5-stop in-body stabilisation
- Screen – 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots
- Megapixels – 61MP
- Max burst speed – 10fps
- Screen – 3.15-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 2,100,000 dots
- Megapixels – 45MP
- Max video resolution – 8K
9 of the best cameras for wedding photography
1. Nikon D850
- Stunning image quality – UHD 4K Video at up to 30p
- Sensor – 45.7-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- ISO capability – 64 to 25600 Sensitivity
Key features:
- 45.7-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- Nikon F Lens Mount
- ISO 64-25600 Sensitivity (Expandable to ISO 32-102400)
- Up to 9 fps of Continuous Shooting Using Nikon’s MB-D18 Battery Grip
- UHD 4K Video at up to 30p
Pros:
- Epic battery life
- Stunning image quality
Cons:
- Sluggish Live View focusing speed
- Heavy compared to mirrorless rivals
Why it’s good for wedding photography
One of the best wedding cameras, thanks to its excellent 45MP full-frame with a broad dynamic so you can get every bit of detail from the bride's dress and its durable weather-sealed build means it's ready to get drenched in champagne and carry on shooting.
2. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
- Full-frame sensor – 30.4-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- Superior high ISO capability – ISO 100 to 32000 Sensitivity
- Dual Pixel AF system – game-changer for video
Key features:
- 30.4-Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- Canon EF Lens Mount
- ISO 100-32000 Sensitivity (Expandable to ISO 50-102400)
- Up to 7 fps of Continuous Shooting
Pros:
- Full-frame sensor
- Dual Pixel AF is a game-changer for video
- Superior high ISO capability
- Wi-Fi
Cons:
- TR subject tracking lacks precision and reliability compared to some peers
- Optimization of AF settings takes practice
- HDMI-out limited to 1080p
Why it’s good for wedding photography
An improved 61-point AF system and a Dual Pixel AF function offer fast and smooth AF when you capture video and use the camera’s Live View mode. Both features help achieve more precise focus, ideal for wedding photos.
3. Sony A7 III
- Advanced sensor – 24.2MP BSI Full-frame Image Sensor
- ISO capability – ISO 50 to 204,800
- Good batery life – Double the battery life of the last model
Key features:
- Advanced 24.2MP BSI Full-frame Image Sensor w/ 1.8X readout speed Advanced 24.2MP Back-Illuminated 35mm Full-frame Image Sensor
- 15-stop dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 204,800
- Up to 10fps Silent or Mechanical Shutter with AE/AF tracking
Pros:
- 693-point AF system
- Uncropped 4K video
- Double the battery life of the last model
Cons:
- Limited touchscreen control
- Not as weather-resistant as the Fujifilm's X-H1
- No 10-bit video output like Panasonic's GH5s
Why it’s good for wedding photography
The dynamic range is impressive. You can easily push and pull a file to your heart's content at low ISO. This sensor is like most, though, where it's much easier to recover shadow details than to recover highlight detail.
4. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
- Good low light detail sensor – Full-frame 26MP image sensor
- Integrated Wi-Fi and GPS – and rainstorm resistant
- Refined touchscreen control – but no USB 3.0
Key features:
- Capture and create images with incredible low light detail thanks to the new 26.2 Megapixel Full Frame Canon CMOS sensor delivering up to 40,000 ISO
- 45 point all cross-type autofocus system with wide coverage helps you pinpoint the exact part of the frame you wish to focus on
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF and a DIG C 7 processer deliver Canon's fastest and most advanced focus and subject tracking system for live view and movie shooting
Pros:
- Full-frame 26MP image sensor
- 45-point autofocus system
- Integrated Wi-Fi and GPS
- Refined touchscreen control
Cons:
- Small AF coverage area
- Video limited to 1080p
- Omits built-in flash
- No USB 3.0
Why it’s good for wedding photography
The Canon 6D Mk II is tested to resist a rainstorm – including a rainy wedding day. It survived with no problems at all. With that said, you can count on the camera's reliability for sure.
5. Fujifilm X-T30
- Sensor – 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI-CMOS 4
- Excellent image quality – 4K video
- Superb value for money – but no articulating screen
Key features:
- 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI-CMOS 4 sensor.
- X-Processor 4.
- Hybrid AF system has 425 phase-detect points spread across the entire frame.
- 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder w/0.62x Equiv.
Pros:
- Excellent image quality
- Powerful and effective autofocus
- Traditional exposure controls
- 100% phase detect AF coverage
- Nice 4K video
- Great build quality
- Superb value for money
Cons:
- No in-body stabilization
- Placement of Q button
- No articulating screen
- Standard carry-a-spare mirrorless battery life
- 0.62x EVF magnification
- Grip not ideal for larger lenses
Why it’s good for wedding photography
Fujifilm has got plenty right here: a rigid body, sound AF performance, excellent image quality straight out of the camera and lovely 4K videos, and all for a very reasonable price, ideal for a wedding photographer on a budget.
6. Canon EOS R6
- Screen – 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Excellent IBIS – Mirrorless and full-frame sensor
- Megapixels – 20.1MP
Key features:
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: Full frame
- Megapixels: 20.1MP
- Screen: 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Viewfinder: Electronic
- Max burst speed: 20fps
Pros:
- Highly advanced AF
- Excellent IBIS
Cons:
- Is 20.1MP enough?
- 4K recording limits
Why it’s good for wedding photography
The EOS R6 gets a mightily impressive in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system that can deliver up to 8 stops of compensation when paired with an RF lens that features Canon’s In-Lens (IS) image stabilization system.
7. Fujifilm X-T4
- Screen – 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Max video resolution – 4K
- Good IBIS – 6.5-stop in-body stabilisation
Key features:
- Sensor: APS-C
- Megapixels: 26.1MP
- Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots
- Max burst speed: 20fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
Pros:
- 6.5-stop in-body stabilisation
- Classic controls and layout
Cons:
- Complex burst & video fps options
- No sensor advances over the X-T3
Why it’s good for wedding photography
It might not feature a full-frame like some rivals, but the 26-megapixel APS-C sized sensor doesn't disappoint, delivering rich colours and good detail images. Fujifilm's also established an excellent range of lenses for its X-Series and has some very compelling options for wedding photographers.
8. Sony A7R IV
- Screen – 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots
- Megapixels – 61MP
- Max burst speed – 10fps
Key features:
- Megapixels: 61MP
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Screen: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,440,000 dots
- Max burst speed: 10fps
Pros:
- World record resolution!
- 10fps shooting
Cons:
- Small body/big lens imbalance
- Ageing design and handling
Why it’s good for wedding photography
If you want huge files that offer plenty of flexibility for cropping and post-production, then look no further than the Alpha A7R IV from Sony.With a whopping 61-megapixels on tap, this easily beats other mirrorless and DSLR cameras in the resolution stakes.
9. Canon EOS R5
- Screen – 3.15-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 2,100,000 dots
- Megapixels – 45MP
- Max video resolution – 8K
Key features:
- Megapixels: 45MP
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Screen: 3.15-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 2,100,000 dots
- Max burst speed: 20fps
- Max video resolution: 8K
Pros:
- Pristine image quality
- Best AF on the market
Cons:
- Recording limitations
- Standard 4K is just okay
Why it’s good for wedding photography
While the 8K video might grab the headlines (and not all for the best reasons), there's plenty to get excited about elsewhere. Clever enough to track faces even if they are obscured, this will pay huge dividends when shooting weddings, while the 12fps (20fps with electronic shutter) burst shooting speed will mean you never miss a shot.
5 things to consider in a camera for wedding photography
1. Sensor size
Sensor size determines the image quality making it of utmost importance. This is why full-frame sensors are typically preferred instead of crop sensor cameras. You will want to look at the camera’s design, megapixels, and sensor size to know if it’s one of the best.
2. DSLR vs mirrorless
DSLR
Pros:
- Longer battery life
- Easy to use the viewfinder in dark situations
- Many lense options
Cons:
- Heavy, large, and sometimes a bit of a workout to carry around all-day
- The mirror makes a lot of noise while flipping down (not ideal for quiet ceremonies)
- Expensive to repair because of the technical mirror inside.
Mirrorless:
Pros:
- Silent
- Less expensive to fix when something breaks
- Great for wedding videography with phase detection
- Smaller, lighting, and easier to carry around on a 12-hour wedding day
Cons:
- Fewer lens options (improving but still slow to happen)
- Lower battery life due to the LCD screen continuously being illuminated
- Not the best when it comes to continuous autofocus
3. ISO range
A professional wedding camera will usually have a high ISO range. Imagine dark reception halls and dimly lit wedding chapels. Wedding photographers need to be able to pump up their ISO into the thousands and still have noise reduction.
4. High resolution
Many amateur wedding photographers get wrapped up in the idea of megapixels. They are essential but not as important as your camera's sensor size. If you like to crop your images often in post-production, the resolution will be more critical. The higher the megapixels, the more flexibility you have to crop later.
5. Accurate autofocus
In recent years wedding photography cameras have upped their autofocus game. This is so important because a wedding photographer captures bouquets flying through the air, first dances, and rapidly moving glasses of champagne. Nothing is worse than missing the final kiss at the wedding ceremony due to a blurry photo.
Rent or subscribe to your wedding camera
Now that you are well informed and introduced into the wedding photography camera industry, why not rent one to try it out?
Although research is crucial, trying out a camera and seeing how it fits with your style cannot be replaced by anything. Rent or subscribe to your favorite camera on Wedio.
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If you want to improve your photography, check out our article on Photography 101.
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Best Wedding Camera FAQ
What is the best canon camera for wedding photography?
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Which camera is best for wedding photography?
Nikon D850
Do wedding photographers use mirrorless cameras?
Yes, they do.
What camera do most wedding photographers use?
Depends on personal preference, but the most common would be a DSLR.
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