What’s The Best Photography Camera For Artwork Right Now?
Heads up: This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
5 Great Camera Options For Photographing Artwork
When it comes to artwork photography, showcasing the exact details and colours of a piece is crucial. Great-quality photos allow you to set more lucrative art commission prices, sell more artwork as well as boosting the overall perception of your practice. A good camera can do this job for you—but with the abundance of options available, how do you choose the best camera for shooting artwork?
Whether you’re starting a new art blog, photographing artwork for prints, or building a portfolio – this article provides a helpful guide for selecting the best camera for your artistic endeavours.
5 Best Cameras for Art Photography
From image quality to autofocus ability, the following cameras represent the best the market has to offer. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
1. Canon EOS 90D
Best Camera for Fine Art
As an artist, you must prioritise image quality and colour accuracy to faithfully showcase your artwork. The Canon EOS 90D really stands out in this aspect.
This Canon camera features a 32.5-Megapixel APS-C size sensor, which is great for capturing high-resolution images. It also has a wide ISO range of 100-25600, allowing you to adjust the lighting settings according to your needs.
This camera comes equipped with autofocus, which ensures a dependable autofocus feature for capturing both videos and photos. Add to this the ability to shoot 4K 30p/25p videos, and you have a camera that’s adaptable to various photography needs.
Its competitive pricing makes it an excellent option for artists operating on a budget, proving that budgeting for quality doesn’t mean sacrificing essential features.
2. Sony A7III
Best Camera for Recording Art Tutorials
For artists ready to step up their photography game, the Sony A7 III is a stellar investment. This camera guarantees clear photos and videos, courtesy of its 5-axis image stabilisation and 693-point AF. It’s a full-frame mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and can shoot 4K at 30 frames per second.
When it comes to budgeting for a digital camera like the Sony A7 III, remember that it’s not just about the initial cost. The exceptional image and video quality, coupled with Sony’s renowned lens clarity, make this camera a worthy addition to your art toolkit—even if it means stretching your budget a little further.
3. Fujifilm X-T4
Best Mirrorless Camera
The Fujifilm X-T4 is a high-performance mirrorless camera aimed at professional photographers and avid hobbyists. It boasts a 26 MP APS-C sensor that promises exceptional image quality in various lighting conditions. If you’re looking for a good muralist camera, this is your best bet.
One of its most prominent features is its enhanced battery life, providing endurance for extended shooting sessions. The camera’s integrated image sensor stabilisation assists in delivering crisp and clear images and 4K video, even in challenging situations.
Despite its compact design, the X-T4 is robust and weather-sealed, making it suitable for various environments. While the price point is on the higher end, the value it offers through its remarkable feature set justifies the cost, providing a top-notch option for those serious about their photography.
4. Canon EOS R6
Best Camera for YouTube Art Videos
The Canon EOS R6 is a stellar camera that blends functionality and quality, catered towards professional photographers and art enthusiasts. It carries a 20.1 megapixel CMOS Sensor, offering vibrant and detail-rich photographs that excel in colour accuracy, even with a lower megapixel count compared to some competitors.
The EOS R6 impresses with its broad spectrum of 1,053 Automatic AF Zones, providing unprecedented precision and responsiveness for capturing the finest details, making it an ideal choice for intricate art medium shoots such as oil paintings and sculptures.
In addition to still photography, the R6 excels in videography, offering 4K video capture at up to 60 frames per second. It also boasts a maximum continuous shooting rate of 20 frames per second, a feature that shines during high-speed action photography.
If you’re aiming to enrich your portfolio or frequently update your social media with high-quality images and videos, the Canon EOS R6 is a noteworthy investment that can enhance your work’s appeal.
5. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Best Cheap Camera for Artwork
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is an impressive mirrorless camera, particularly favoured by artists and travel photographers due to its affordability, compactness, and overall performance. It features a MOS sensor with a high-resolution count of 20MP, ensuring exceptional image quality even in low-light conditions.
The camera is equipped with a 121-point all-cross-type on-chip phase detection autofocus system, allowing it to quickly and accurately lock onto subjects. This, combined with its maximum continuous shooting rate of 30 frames per second, enables artists to capture every crucial moment with precision.
Notably, the E-M5 Mark III also offers remarkable video capabilities, with the ability to record movies in 2160p, 2K DCI, and 1080p. This offers a versatile range of options for video creators and artists alike.
The camera artist, fondly named so by its user community, truly shines with its 5-axis image stabilisation, which works to minimise blurriness caused by camera shake, ensuring crystal clear images at all times.
How To Choose a Camera That Fits Your Needs
When it comes to choosing the right camera for capturing artwork, there are several factors that you need to take into account. You can’t just hop on to Amazon and buy the first thing you see.
Let’s explore each of these aspects in more detail:
Body Type: Mirrorless vs DSLR
There are two main types of camera bodies: Mirrorless and DSLR. Each type offers varying benefits, so it’s crucial that you choose the right one for your specific needs.
As the name suggests, mirrorless cameras don’t have a mirror-reflex optical viewfinder. This makes them lighter and more compact than DSLRs. This portability can be a significant advantage if you’re often on the go. Moreover, mirrorless cameras tend to have faster shooting speeds and can offer higher-quality video.
Alternatively, DSLR cameras (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) are more traditional, with an optical viewfinder that gives a clear and immediate view of your subject. They typically have a longer battery life and a larger selection of lenses. Although they can be bulkier, some artists prefer the heft and balance of a DSLR in their hands.
- Diagram from StudioBinder article
Budget
Determine what you’re willing and able to spend on a camera before you start looking. If you need to, start setting aside a portion of your income each month to go toward your camera fund. While buying quality and effective goods are important, it shouldn’t jeopardise your ability to catch up with bills and maintain financial stability.
Battery Life
If you’re planning to spend long hours photographing artwork, battery life is another crucial consideration. Nothing is more annoying than having your camera die on you in the middle of a session. Look for a camera with a long battery life, and consider buying a backup battery. That way, you won’t have to worry about running out.
Sensor Size
One of the primary indicators of a high-quality camera is its sensor size. Cameras equipped with larger sensors typically have more photosites, which translates to a higher megapixel count. The higher the megapixel count, the better the image quality, as more detail is captured. This means that your photo quality will remain high, even if you decide to enlarge your image in post-production.
Size and Weight
If you’re constantly moving between studios, exhibitions, and outdoor shoots, a lightweight and compact camera can make your life much easier. But remember, don’t sacrifice functionality and image quality for portability. Find a balance that works best for you.
For additional insights and tips on photographing artwork, you might find these free artist resources useful. And for a deeper understanding of the process, this guide on how to photograph artwork offers some excellent advice. By taking all these factors into account, you’ll be able to select the perfect camera to capture your artwork in its best light.
Can You Shoot Artwork with a Phone Camera?
While shooting with a proper camera is preferred, you can definitely still get decent photos using a phone camera. Phone cameras nowadays are more powerful than they were a decade ago. You can capture clear and vibrant images with a quick touch on your screen.
Nevertheless, if you’re taking pictures for a print-on-demand business, that’s a different story. Art prints are one of the most profitable types of art in the industry. If you’re planning to make a living from your work, you may want to invest in something other than a phone camera.
Best Phone Cameras for Artists
In any case, if you do choose to shoot with a phone camera, the following suggestions are your best bet:
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra sets a new standard in smartphone photography with its leading-edge camera capabilities. Its main attraction, a striking 200MP wide camera, leverages a smart 16-in-1 pixel binning technology to enhance light sensitivity and detail, ensuring outstanding picture quality in varied lighting scenarios.
The versatile quad-camera setup features a 10MP periscope lens for 10x optical zoom, a 10MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, offering comprehensive shooting options.
Though the ‘Space Zoom’ feature has faced some criticism, it doesn’t detract from the overall prowess of the S23 Ultra’s camera system. With the ability to shoot in “.DNG” raw format in Pro mode, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a formidable contender in the realm of smartphone photography.
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max uphold Apple’s reputation for delivering top-tier camera phones, improving upon the already impressive iPhone 13 series. Although the design remains similar to its predecessors, these latest flagships distinguish themselves with notably upgraded camera capabilities.
The Pro models feature a trio of rear cameras—a 48MP wide, a 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens—offering versatile shooting options. The 48MP main sensor, 65% larger than that of the iPhone 13 Pro series, significantly enhances light intake, thereby improving low-light performance.
The 12MP ultra-wide lens benefits from a new sensor and an increased number of focus pixels, providing sharper images even under challenging lighting conditions.
FAQs About the Best Camera for Art Photography
1. How Do I Photograph My Artwork?
Say you’re finally ready to start photographing your artwork. What’s the first thing you should do?
To photograph your artwork, follow these steps:
Use natural light: Place your artwork in a well-lit area but avoid direct sunlight which can cast shadows or create a glare.
Set up your camera: Use a tripod to stabilise your camera and prevent blur. Ensure that the camera is at the same level as the centre of your artwork.
Get the right angle: Your camera lens should be parallel to the artwork to avoid any distortion.
Set the correct white balance: This ensures that the colours in your photograph are as close as possible to the original artwork.
Use the highest resolution setting on your camera: This will capture as much detail as possible
Post-processing: Use image editing software to make minor adjustments such as cropping the image or adjusting the brightness or contrast.
2. How Do You Take Pictures of Paintings for Prints?
Photographing paintings for prints requires a few additional steps:
Lighting: Use two light sources placed at a 45-degree angle on either side of the painting. This minimises glare and shadows.
Camera settings: Use RAW mode if available, as it captures the most data and allows for better post-processing.
Colour accuracy: You may want to include a colour chart in your photo, which can help ensure colour accuracy during post-processing.
Framing: Make sure the painting fills the frame and is in focus.
Post-processing: Use image editing software to fine-tune colours, correct any distortion, and crop the image as needed.
3. Is It Better To Scan or Photograph Artwork?
The best method depends on the size and type of your artwork. Scanning artwork can provide high-quality images and excellent detail for smaller pieces, and it can be ideal for flat artwork like drawings or illustrations. It also eliminates issues with lighting and distortion. However, for larger or textured pieces like oil paintings, photography is often the better option due to size limitations.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right camera for shooting artwork is crucial for accurately representing your work. The cameras and lenses mentioned above each offer a unique blend of quality, functionality, and affordability. The choice ultimately depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. With proper budgeting and understanding of what you need in a camera, you’ll easily find the camera that lets you capture artwork perfectly.
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR ARTWORK? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
Also, don’t forget you can always share your art with us or tag us on Instagram – @darkyellowdot.
Thank you for reading and if you found this article useful, share it around, that makes us happy. To receive more posts like this and updates, join our mailing list, everyone is welcome.
NEED MORE ADVICE?
ARTICLES TO HELP:
Easy and Professional Ways To Start Photographing Artwork
10 Common Photo Editing Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
6 Best Scanners For Artwork in 2023 (Read Before You Buy!)
SITES TO HELP:
COURSES TO HELP:
Photograph Your Own Artwork: For Your Website, Social Media, Skillshare Or Print
DSLR Photography Basics – From Auto To Manual
