10+ Best Budget Portrait Cameras in 2024 (April)

Are you looking for the best budget portrait camera that will allow you to take stunning portraits, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on professional equipment?

The good news is that there are plenty of options for photographers on a budget.

Before jumping into our list, we are happy to brief you for those wondering what a portrait camera is. A portrait camera is specially designed for capturing portraits. Because these cameras feature fast lenses and large sensors, they help photographers capture blurred images.

For photographers who want to capture portraits, we’ve compiled a list of the best budget portrait cameras available today.

But don’t be fooled by their low price tags—these cameras are packed with features and offer professional-quality photos at an unbeatable price.

So whether you’re just starting in photography or looking to upgrade your equipment, these cameras will fit right into any budget.

02/20/2024 01:57 pm GMT

What is the Best Budget Portrait Camera in 2024?

There are many different options out there if you’re in the market for a high-quality budget portrait camera. However, many of them, if you’re on a budget, may be outside your price range.

This doesn’t mean you should sacrifice quality for a lower cost and in our opinion, the Canon EOS RP is the best combination of price and quality for any portrait photographer.

Interested in some of our other top picks? Check out our comparison table below.

 

10+ Best Budget Portrait Cameras in 2024

1. Canon EOS RP (Editor’s Choice)

The best budget portrait camera in 2024 overall 

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Full frame CMOS | Megapixels: 26.2 | Display: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,040k dots | Maximum shooting speed: 5 FPS | Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36 million dots | Maximum video resolution: 4K

As an entry point into Canon’s mirrorless system with some performance-oriented features, the EOS RP is a brilliant choice for portrait photographers.

With a 26.2 MP CMOS sensor, touch and drag AF, and compatibility with all RF and EF/EF-S lenses—along with a creative assist system that brings creative freedom—the RP delivers amazing shots every time you press the shutter release.

However, our favorite feature that makes it a top choice for portrait photography is the wide range of available AF modes, such as eye detection AF and face+tracking priority AF, which helps you achieve pictures full of details, color, and brightness. Complemented by the AF system’s excellent low-light capabilities, you get amazing portraits in all lighting conditions.

The EOS RP features a vari-angle touchscreen display that works very well in both stills and video—though only at Full HD resolution—and the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is extremely fast indeed, making this a great all-round camera for those looking for something that strikes a good balance between image quality, portability, and performance.

Pros	Cons
➕Great value	➖1.6x crop and no Dual Pixel AF when shooting in 4K
➕Fully articulating screen	➖Average battery life
➕Lightweight and portable
➕RF mount compatible
➕Excellent portraits quality
➕Dual Pixel CMOS AF with multiple modes
➕Excellent low-light performance

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

2. Panasonic Lumix GH6

The best affordable portrait camera

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Live MOS | Megapixels: 25.2 | Display: 3-inch touchscreen| Maximum shooting speed: 9 FPS | Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder  | Maximum video resolution: 4K

This legendary series’s latest Panasonic LUMIX GH6 camera is powerful, trustworthy, and limitless. It has higher resolution and bit rates, effective image stabilization, and other substantial upgrades for pro-level quality. Enjoy a slew of enhancements and an exceptionally user-friendly UI.

In the following areas, the GH6 matches or outperforms the G9: higher pixel count, handheld high-resolution mode, updated menu, more advanced LCD functionality, and so on.

Despite the fact that the GH6’s major application is on the video side, which varies from the G9, the comparison above is based on photography capabilities. Conversely, the handheld high-resolution mode may be used as a 100MP camera with image quality equivalent to the Sony A7R4.

Pros	Cons
➕Budget-friendly	➖1.10x crop on 4K videos
➕Rugged design	➖Poor low-light performance
➕5-axis Image Stabilization
➕No time limit on video recording
➕Built-in electronic viewfinder
➕4K video recording

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

3. Nikon Z5

The best value portrait camera

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Full frame CMOS | Megapixels: 24 | Display: 3.2-inch tilting TFT, 1,040k dots | Maximum shooting speed: 4.5 FPS | Viewfinder: 0.5-inch, approx. 3690k-dot | Maximum video resolution: 4K

If you’re in the market for a great value, the Nikon Z5 might be just the thing. It’s an affordable, entry-level camera with fantastic performance and smart features, including a beginner mode dial, elegant design, and VR image stabilization for 4K video capture.

The 24MP full-frame sensor on the Nikon Z5 gives you the killer image quality that you’d expect from a Z series camera, while its sophisticated Zeiss lens produces images with impressive clarity and detail.

For portrait photography, it features a 273-point autofocus system that can focus near the edges, detect and follow eyes, and track subjects with superb accuracy.

The built-in creative features, including time-lapse, multiple exposures, and focus shift photography on the Z5 provide the creative control you would expect from professional cameras.

It also features dual SD slots and offers seamless connectivity with your desktop or smartphone via WiFi, so you can share your portraits with just a single click. At its price tag, it is hard to find any better.

Pros	Cons
➕Value for money	➖Underwhelming 4.5 FPS burst speed
➕Sharp and clear image quality with rich tones	➖1.7x crop on 4K videos
➕Robust build
➕Lots of connectivity options
➕Easy to use
➕Precise autofocus
➕5-axis image stabilization system
➕Dual SD slots

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

4. Nikon D780

The best portrait camera for professionals

Type: DSLR | Sensor: Full Frame (35mm) | Megapixels: 24.5 | Display: 3.2-inchs | Maximum shooting speed: 7 FPS | Viewfinder: Optical | Maximum video resolution: 4K

If you are looking to get the best quality portraits on a budget, look no further than the Nikon D780. It is an incredible high-resolution camera for photographers who want to capture images with unparalleled detail, exceptional dynamic range, and clarity.

The Nikon D780 captures everything from fast-paced action to breathtaking time-lapse sequences and luscious 4K videos. Despite its rugged, agile body, the successor to the D750 offers even more heavyweight performance than its predecessor.

The 51-point AF system of the flagship D5 offers greater tenacity with its 51-point AF algorithm borrowed from the flagship D5.

As the first Nikon D-SLR with focal-plane phase-detection AF, it offers broad 273-point coverage and eye-detection AF, which enhances live-view shooting dramatically.

Pros	Cons
➕Stunning 45.7MP resolution	➖Bulky
➕Excellent dynamic range	➖Expensive
➕Can shoot 8K time-lapse videos
➕Brilliant low-light performance
➕High-precision autofocus
➕7 FPS shooting speed, up to 9 FPS with grip
➕4K full frame video
➕Large viewfinder
➕ Long-lasting battery life

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The best portable portrait camera

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Live MOS | Megapixels: 20 | Display: 3.0-inch tilting monitor, approx. 1037k dots | Maximum shooting speed: 8.7 FPS | Viewfinder: OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36M dots | Maximum video resolution: 4K

It’s not often that you get the chance to get everything you want in one compact camera. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is small enough to fit into your backpack and light enough to not weigh you down, with just 1.1 pounds. And despite its compact and diminutive frame, it does not compromise when it comes to photo and video quality.

It has a 20MP sensor paired with in-body 5-axis image stabilization, offering fantastic results whether you are walking or even in dark environments.

And as a micro four-thirds camera, it gives you the flexibility to use lenses from other manufacturers, most notably Olympus. Additionally, it has a flip-down monitor and dedicated selfie mode that lets you take self-portraits without hassle!

Taking portability into account, this is an awesome compact camera with lots of amazing features, including all the connectivity options you could ask for, USB charging, and 16 art filters to experiment with that will surely impress.

Pros	Cons
➕Lightweight and portable design	➖Not weatherproof
➕Excellent dynamic range
➕In-body image stabilization
➕Flip-down monitor
➕8.7fps continuous burst speed
➕Compatible with a wide range of lenses
➕USB charging
➕In-built art filters

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

6. Sony ZV-1

The best point-and-shoot portrait camera

Type: Point and shoot/compact | Sensor: Exmor RS CMOS | Megapixels: 20.1 | Display: 7.5cm TFT LCD with 921,600 dots | Maximum shooting speed: 10 FPS | Maximum video resolution: 4K

The Sony ZV-1 is the best point-and-shoot camera around for capturing portraits. It has all of the features you’d expect from a great point-and-shoot and some other useful features that make it very useful for people who want to snap portrait shots without breaking the bank.

The ZV-1 boasts a 20.1MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor paired with a Vario-Sonnar T lens, which means that you can get good-quality shots even in low light. But what makes this device stand out from other cameras is that it was designed for vlogging.

It has many handy features for portrait photography such as real-time eye autofocus, natural color production, and lots of creative styles to choose from.

It can also capture 1080p video at 60 frames per second— we mean really high frame rates! Plus, the ZV-1 has a side flip-out 3-inch LCD screen that tilts up and down, making it easier to compose selfie shots.

Pros	Cons
➕Compact size	➖Sub-par battery life
➕Excellent image stabilization	➖Video stabilization could’ve been better
➕Best in class fast hybrid autofocus	➖No front-facing touch controls
➕Natural color production
➕Great performance even in low light
➕Flip out LCD screen for self-portraits

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

7. Canon EOS R10

Best for content creators looking to take their creativity to the next level

Type: DSLR | Sensor: CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2 | Display: 3 inch | Maximum shooting speed: 15 FPS | Viewfinder: Electronic| Maximum video resolution: 4K

If you want to take your creativity to the next level, the Canon EOS R10 is a great choice. In a compact, lightweight design, the EOS R10 camera features a mechanical shutter that operates at 15 frames per second, a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, and lightning-fast focusing.

From the simple yet highly effective RF-S18-45mm lens to the apparent advantage of dual-pixel automatic focus, it is a big fistful of quality. The Canon EOS R-10 has this advantage as one of its advantages. The camera lens moves outward or inward depending on the phase difference to get the best focus on the subject.

This significantly enhances the joy of taking photos and facilitates quick and spontaneous image captures in various circumstances. For a beginner, that is perhaps the most important characteristic that makes this camera worthwhile.

Pros	Cons
➕51-point autofocus system	➖Only one SD card slot
➕4K video
➕8 FPS continuous shooting
➕Fantastic image quality
➕ Class-leading ISO range
➕Large display

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

8. Sony Alpha A6400

The best portrait camera for beginners

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: APS-C Exmor CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2 | Display: 7.5 cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT | Maximum shooting speed: 11 FPS | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum video resolution: 4K

If you’re new to photography and want to pick up the reins of capturing professional-quality portraits, the compact Sony Alpha A6400 is your best bet.

It has a capable 24.2MP APS-C sensor and the world’s fastest autofocus system capable of capturing images in just 0.02 seconds, making precision focus as easy as pointing and shooting—and correcting when needed.

This camera has a tiltable monitor that you can control to your liking, with accessible touch commands for faster focusing and effortless shooting. If you’re just getting started, you need to know that most of your shots will be taken in auto mode!

Pros	Cons
➕Easy to use	➖Lacks in-body image stabilization
➕World’s fastest autofocus system	➖Limited controls
➕Portable design
➕Fast 11 FPS burst speeds
➕18-degree tiltable monitor

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

9. Panasonic LUMIX G100.

Best Camera to make hour-long YouTube videos

Type: DSLR | Sensor: Full frame CMOS | Megapixels: 21.7  Display: 3 inches | Maximum shooting speed: 6 FPS | Viewfinder: Built-In Electronic (OLED)| Maximum video resolution: 4K Full HD

The LUMIX G100 is a real-world camera with exceptional performance and mobility. It enables you to take images that are worthy of your recollections. This amazingly light and versatile camera produces stunning images with such ease that you’ll never reach for your phone to record that once-in-a-lifetime moment again.

The G100 shoots 4K video and pictures, smooth, high-resolution 4K 24p/30p, and FHD at 60p movies. The G100 works seamlessly with smartphones for editing and sharing, making it simple to share with friends and family and on social media.

When you’re ready to begin editing, you may use the camera to retouch, resize, crop, and more, or you can use the camera to broadcast to a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled device with the push of a button.

Pros	Cons
➕Professional quality images	➖No WiFi
➕Reliable AF system	➖No touchscreen
➕ High-resolution sensor
➕Intelligent scene recognition system with 3D color matrix metering
➕Good low-light performance

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

10. Canon EOS M50 Mark II

The best entry-level camera for portraits

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.1 | Display: 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD (TFT), approx. 1,040,000 dots | Maximum shooting speed: 10 FPS | Viewfinder: 0.39-type OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2,360,000 dots | Maximum video resolution: 4K

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is the most affordable camera but it is no pushover. It features a 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with a Digic 8 image processor and an auto lighting optimizer, which means it’ll produce photos with an incredible amount of detail in all lighting conditions.

This translates into sharper, more accurate portraits and better-quality skin tones.

Its compact design makes it ideal for travel, making it the perfect choice for on-the-move photographers.

The M50 Mark II also features the same Canon Dual Pixel CMOS AF system as the EOS 80D, featuring speedy and highly accurate autofocus with continuous tracking capabilities for all shooting situations.

It’s great for beginners and can be used by anyone who wants to take better portraits and videos.

Pros	Cons
➕Affordable	➖Cropped 4K video
➕Auto lighting optimizer	➖100 FPS video is limited to 720p
➕Vari-angle touchscreen monitor
➕Can record vertical 4K videos
➕Dual Pixel CMOS AF

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

How to Choose the Best Budget Portrait Camera

Knowing what to look for in a camera is important, but it can be overwhelming. What are the differences between mirrorless and point-and-shoot cameras? How do you know if a lens is good or not? How many megapixels should I get? And what about ISO (light sensitivity)?

We’ve put together this handy guide to help you navigate these confusing terms and make an informed decision when buying your next camera.

Type

Once you’ve decided that you want to take portrait photos, the next step is to figure out what kind of camera will be best for your needs.

DSLR

These are the most common cameras on the market, and for good reason—they offer plenty of control over exposure and composition. They tend to be larger than other options in their class (like mirrorless), which means they can take up more space when stored or carried around.

However, they also have a better dynamic range than point-and-shoot cameras because they use larger sensors (which capture more light). This means that if your subject is moving rapidly or changing position, there will be less blurriness when shooting handheld with a Digital SLR camera than with a compact system camera or even most smartphones today!

Mirrorless

These cameras feature smaller bodies than standard DSLRs without the internal mirror that reflects light onto the sensor but still retain some key features such as interchangeable lenses with different focal lengths; however, these types aren’t necessarily better suited for those who want wide-angle shots mainly due to lack thereof.

Consider a mirrorless model if you’re looking for something that can take high-quality photos and videos faster but has a small form factor. They also tend to be lighter so they won’t weigh down your gear bag too much!

Point and Shoot

A good rule of thumb is that if you’re looking for something basic or inexpensive—like an entry-level point-and-shoot—then it’s probably more appropriate for beginners who aren’t ready yet for all that extra time spent practicing their craft on a bigger camera. It’s smaller, lighter, and very easy to use. Plus, there is no need to purchase a film to load or extra lenses.

Megapixels

This refers to the number of pixels in an image sensor. A higher number means better picture quality because each pixel can gather more light. If you want to capture detailed portraits, look for cameras with at least 20MP or higher.

Image Stabilization

You’ll also want to ensure that whatever camera you purchase has good image stabilization. This feature helps compensate for shaky hands during long exposures or high ISO settings where sensor noise might occur due to rapid movement within images captured by digital sensors inside these devices.

Focal Length

A longer focal length means a wider field of view and more depth-of-field control; shorter focal lengths can be useful when shooting close up or portraits.

Sensor Type and Size

Sensor size is the primary determining factor in how much light you’ll get into your camera and how much detail you’ll be able to capture. A larger sensor will give you more room to work with but also means that it’s going to cost more money. A smaller sensor may not produce as much image quality, but it’s often cheaper than a larger one since fewer components are involved.

A full-frame sensor is the largest in a consumer camera. It’s about the same size as a piece of 35mm film. Full-frame sensors are found in high-end digital SLRs and some mirrorless cameras; other types of cameras use smaller APS-C sensors that are slightly smaller and used in popular digital SLRs and many mirrorless cameras. Other mirrorless cameras use slightly smaller sensors than APS-C, known as Micro Four Thirds.

Shooting Rate (FPS)

If you’re looking for an ultra-fast burst speed to capture multiple images at once, be mindful of the number of shots your camera can take. Some DSLRs — and even point-and-shoot cameras— offer burst rates of up to 10 fps. But that number is even higher for high-end professional cameras.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Wrapping Up!

If you are a professional photographer interested in portrait photography, we suggest you invest in a camera dedicated to portrait photography, such as a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Also, choose a camera with large sensors, a fast lens, great autofocus, and a tilt-and-swivel screen.

If you are a beginner, you can also go for the normal camera, but before choosing your camera, make sure it has a lens with a wide aperture.

Overall, the best portrait cameras are the ones that work for you. There is no way to know what’s good or bad until you try it, so go ahead and give them a shot. And remember, if something works for you and meets your needs, then it doesn’t matter how much it costs—so don’t let price be an obstacle when choosing your next camera!

We hope that you found this article to be helpful. Let us know which camera you think is the best for portrait photography in the comments below!

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