Best Camera for Car Photography 2023: 11 Top Picks
- By Sebastiaan van 't Hoog
- Updated 25 november 2023
Car photography is the most fun kind of photography, in my opinion. It’s not a secret that you need the right camera to capture the lines and emotions of a car.
I have been a professional car photographer for years and have owned a number of cameras. Therefore, I know exactly what to look for if you want to buy the best camera for car photography.
In this article, I will tell you exactly what the best camera for car photography is, and not only that, I will also give you the best price. This way you can photograph some cars as quickly as possible and test your new camera.
The best cameras listed
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. You can support me without any additional fees. I used some of the products mentioned, not all.
What is the best camera for car photography 2023?
When I first started with car photography I had a Canon Rebel XSi. A 15-year-old camera that worked fine, but soon I wanted more. I couldn’t find much online and everyone said something different. Now with years of experience, I know what to look out for.
My goal is for you to buy the right car photography camera and that is not necessarily the most expensive or newest camera. I want you to feel good about photographing cars with a camera that’s perfect for you.
I have looked at many aspects, of which resolution and sensor are the most important. A resolution of 24 MP is actually more than sufficient, so every camera on the list meets this requirement. Other aspects also caught my attention, this is a list I paid attention to.
Everyone knows that you can’t get that far with just a camera. That’s why I recommend a few good lenses, so you can start using your new camera right away.
Let’s get straight to the first camera!
Best camera for car photography
Canon R6 II
Sebas' take
Canon’s R6 II is one of the best cameras in general, not just for car photography. It’s a slightly more professional camera, which makes it good if you really want to make money with car photography.
The specs are of course very good, the 24 MP sensor and 4K video are great to have. I noticed a lot of good points when using the R6 II, but I also have some comments.
All in all, I recommend the R6 II as the best camera for car photography.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Canon R6 Mark II!
Outstanding features
- 24MP sensor
- 4K60p video
- Autofocus that recognizes cars
- Built-in stabilization
- Double memory card slots
- 40 fps burst mode
What I like/dislike about the Canon R6 II
Like
- The autofocus works very well and is pretty effective. Even in dark situations, car meets for example. I have never had a problem with it. In the 40fps mode, the tracking also works flawlessly.
- The grip is very comfortable and is not too small. I have fairly large hands and have no problem holding the camera. The buttons are also in the right places and you can easily reach them while taking photos.
- Image quality is of course important, and you will be fine on that with the R6 II. The dynamic range is better than the R6, despite the higher resolution. The colors also look natural, both in JPEG and during RAW processing.
- The R6 II is less likely to be damaged than its Sony competitor because it has more rounded corners and the Sony A7 IV has sharper corners.
Dislike
- I can’t only mention the positive aspects, there are some downsides. Firstly, the dynamic range is worse when you use the electronic shutter. Especially if you want to get details out of the shadows.
- The buffer is very small, when I shot in 40fps mode I could only shoot for about 2 seconds and then I had to wait again. The 12 fps mode also works well for rolling shots.
- When the camera is on tracking the ‘focus box’ is very large, I don’t know if it focuses on the front or side of the car, which can be inconvenient with an F1.4 lens.
The best lenses for car photography
I’ve owned dozens of lenses and have a few preferences for when I photograph cars. Here is a list of the best lenses for car photography, specifically for Canon cameras.
The very best lens for car photography is the Canon RF 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
Want to know more? Read the review! – Canon R6 II Review & Tests
Best camera for car photography and video
Sony A7 IV
Sebas' take
As the next camera, I recommend the Sony A7 IV, with a slightly higher resolution you can crop a bit more than the R6 II, but there are some disadvantages to this.
The A7 IV feels professional, especially due to the greater grip and optimal ergonomics. I have many good points to make about this camera, but I have also been critical.
All in all, I think the Sony A7 IV is the best camera for car photography and video.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Sony A7 IV!
Outstanding features
- 33 MP full-frame sensor
- 4K60p video (super35)
- 4K30p oversampled video
- 10 fps burst mode
- Built-in stabilization
What I like/dislike about the A7 IV
Like
- Let’s start with the image quality, one of the most important aspects. The photos look very good, with good sharpness of course. The dynamic range is approximately 14 stops, allowing you to push the shadows and highlights in the edit.
- Unfortunately, the autofocus does not recognize cars, but you can click on the car so the camera follows it. The remarkable thing is that the A7 IV automatically focuses on the car again if it has been out of view for a moment.
- Ergonomically it’s not bad either, you now have an extra dial at the top to which you can link a function. Speaking of functions, the menu to adjust this has been updated, now it looks organized and more accessible.
- Finally, the A7 IV has built-in stabilization, and if you shoot videos, it also has gyro stabilization. The camera did crop with the latter, but I must say that the result is pretty good.
Dislike
- I cannot only mention good aspects, that would not be fair. When you use the 10fps burst mode, you can only photograph in compressed lossy RAW, which is of lower quality than lossless RAW.
- Personally, I don’t like the sharp corners of the Sony A7 IV, it damages a lot faster. I prefer the design of the Canon cameras, but that is of course personal preference.
The best lenses for car photography
I made a selection of the best lenses for car photography, especially for Sony cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.
The very best lens for car photography is the Sony FE 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Sony FE 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Sony FE 28-70mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
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Best affordable camera for car photography
Canon R8
Sebas' take
Professional cameras are often expensive, heavy, and demanding. Canon’s R8 is just the opposite, namely professional, affordable, and compact. Perfect for any car photographer on a budget.
I’ve worked with it myself, and I must say it’s close to perfect in every way. With the 24 MP sensor, you can take beautiful photos, and its compact size makes it easy to carry around.
All in all, the Canon R8 is the best affordable camera for car photography.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Canon R8!
Outstanding features
- 24 MP full-frame sensor
- 4K60p video
- 40fps burst mode
- Deep learning autofocus
- Small & compact
What I like/dislike about the Canon R8
Like
- Now, I’ve already mentioned the EOS R6 II, the R8 has the same sensor. That means that the image quality is excellent, and you can capture loads of details. Shooting a car with lots of carbon fiber? No problem, you will see the details.
- Its compact size and lightweight make it easy to carry around. It fits in my camera bag without any problem and I didn’t have any problems shooting with the R8 for hours. For me, weight is an essential aspect of a camera for car photography, so the R8 scores lots of points here.
- All the buttons are pretty much in the right place, it’s easy to change the settings and I didn’t need to search for any buttons or dials. One thing I would change is the AF-on button which is placed in an awkward position.
- Last but not least, the 40fps burst mode is more than fast enough to capture some rollers. I have shot rollers with 5fps, so this aspect is also one of the best for cars.
Dislike
- As it’s the best budget camera for car photography, there are some downsides. I can’t only mention positive things. Firstly, the buffer fills up rather quickly when shooting at the 40fps mode. You can shoot 70 images before the camera starts to slow down. With the 6fps mode, you don’t have any problem.
- The R8 also doesn’t have in-body stabilization, which the R6 II does have. I found the IBIS to be extremely helpful when shooting rollers, so take this into account.
The best lenses for car photography
I’ve owned dozens of lenses and have a few preferences for when I photograph cars. Here is a list of the best lenses for car photography, specifically for Canon cameras.
The very best lens for car photography is the Canon RF 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
Want to know more? Read the review! – Canon EOS R8 Review, Tests & Comparisons
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Best camera for car videography
Sony FX30
Sebas' take
Until now, I only showed you the best cameras for car photography, but now it’s time to show you the best camera for car videography. It’s the Sony FX30, which is a pretty affordable cine camera from Sony.
With a 26 MP camera, you can shoot up to 4K120p, and you will get some buttery smooth videos of cars with that. It’s not too heavy, so putting it on a gimbal (like the DJI RS3) won’t be a problem.
All in all, the FX30 is the best camera for car videography.
Outstanding features
- 26 MP sensor
- 4K120p
- 4K24/30/60 oversampled
- Built-in stabilization
- 10fps burst mode
- Fast & reliable autofocus
What I like/dislike about the Sony FX30
Like
- So firstly, the image quality is great. The colors are popping and if you’re shooting in S-Log3 or S-Cinetone, you will get cinematic results. I have to say that the videos out of camera are not a finished product, you will need to refine and edit them.
- As already mentioned, you can shoot up to 4K120p which means you’re guaranteed to get some buttery smooth videos of cars. I like to shoot slow-motion when the car isn’t moving, as the motion blur doesn’t matter too much.
- When you decide to shoot at 4K24p, 30p, or 60p, the FX30 will oversample from 7K video. That means the quality will be even better, with improved sharpness and less noise. I like to shoot 24p when taking rollers, as the motion blur is the most natural that way.
- It’s a lightweight and compact camera, but not too small. You can comfortably handheld the FX30 and putting it on a gimbal will be a piece of cake.
Dislike
- There isn’t a camera without downsides, as does the FX30. When you’re shooting at 4K120p, the camera will crop. Your (already) 1.5x crop will get a 1.19x crop op top. Something to be aware of.
The best lenses for car videography
I have already made a selection of the best lenses for car photography, but the lenses listed below are specifically for car videography. I think you will create some great videos of cars with these lenses.
The very best lens for car videography is the Sony FE 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Sony FE 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Sony FE 28-70mm is also great, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
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Best beginner camera for car photography
Canon R50
Sebas' take
So, the cameras I mentioned earlier in this article aren’t all for beginners. So the best beginner camera for car photography is the Canon R50. It is small, lightweight, has great image quality and is aimed at the novice photographers.
I don’t know if you want anything else, I mean, I wish my first camera was as good as this. The user interface helps you understand different settings, so you can learn on the go. Less reading, more doing.
Overall, the Canon R50 is the best beginner camera for car photography.
Holidays: Get $100 off your Canon R50!
Outstanding features
- 24MP APS-C sensor
- 4K30p video
- 15fps burst mode
- Deep learning autofocus
- Smallest RF camera
What I like/dislike about the Canon R50
Like
- So this is actually the best beginner camera, as I mentioned. The image quality is great, in 2023 almost all cameras have acceptable quality and the R50 is no different. The colors seem vibrant and even straight out of the camera the images are fine.
- It’s the smallest Canon RF camera, which is a huge pro for me. I like smaller cameras, as I don’t want to be tired after one hour of shooting. My pinky doesn’t hold the camera, which is also a bit annoying to me, but that is to be expected.
- For rolling shots, the burst should be relatively fast. On the R50, it is fast. With a 15fps burst you can capture any action, like rolling shots. Even without stabilization, you will have keepers.
- The user interface is aimed at the beginner, which means it shows you how certain settings change the image. If you’ve never shot with a mirrorless camera, this one is for you!
Dislike
- If you like taking rolling shots or moving car photos, keep in mind that the buffer is small. You can take about 7 RAW photos or 40 JPEG images. The latter is perfectly usable for rolling shots of cars.
The best lenses for car photography
I’ve owned dozens of lenses and have a few preferences for when I photograph cars. Here is a list of the best lenses for car photography, specifically for Canon cameras.
The very best lens for car photography is the Canon RF 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
Want to know more? Read the review! – Canon EOS R50 Review, Tests & Comparisons
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Best hybrid camera for car photography
Fujifilm X-S20
Sebas' take
With the release of the Fujifilm X-S20, another step in the right direction has been taken. The XS20 is a professional and small camera with some great features for both car photographers as videographers.
With the 6.2K video, it’s the best in its class and the autofocus can recognize all kinds of subjects. The 26 MP sensor isn’t bad either, providing stunning colors straight out of camera.
All in all, the XS20 is the best hybrid camera for car photography
Holidays: Get $200 off your Fujifilm X-S20!
Outstanding features
- 26MP sensor
- 6.2K video
- Built-in stabilization
- 30fps burst mode
- FHD240p slow motion
What I like/dislike about the Fujifilm X-S20
Like
- I would say that the sensor is slightly better than most cameras on the list, at least APS-C sensors. With the 26 MP resolution, you can capture even more details than the competition.
- Fujifilm really took a step forward in autofocus capabilities, with all the AI features in other cameras, they couldn’t stay behind. It can recognize cars, and as you’re looking for the best car photography camera, that is an important aspect.
- The XS20 is a hybrid camera, so it’s not only photo-side first, but the video specs are great as well. You can shoot up to 6.2K30p, which I would be using almost all the time. It allows you to crop certain videos so it better fits Instagram Reels or TikTok. Just keep this feature in mind as you’re choosing a camera.
- As one of the few APS-C cameras, the XS20 does have in-body stabilization which will help tremendously when shooting or filming videos of moving cars.
- Last but not least, the XS20 is a pretty affordable camera for car photography. It is not as cheap as the R50, but for the specs, I would even consider this camera myself.
Dislike
- There is one downside of the XS20 that I want to mention, it is the fact that it’s not as good in low light as the full-frame competitors (R8). If you’re planning to shoot car meets late at night, you might want to consider a full-frame body.
The best lenses for car photography
I made a selection of the best lenses for car photography, especially for Fujifilm cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.
The very best lens for car photography is the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Fujifilm XF 35mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
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Best budget camera for car photography
Sony A6400
Sebas' take
Sony has a lot of cameras that are affordable and perfect for beginners. The Sony A6400 is also one of the best cameras for car photography, especially for the low price. It has a 24 MP sensor and great specs.
It looks a lot like the Canon R50, although these two cameras are completely different. While the specs look a lot like, most people prefer the mount of Sony. I will share the reason for that in a moment.
All in all, the A6400 is the best budget camera for car photography.
Holidays: Get $200 off your Sony A6700!
Outstanding features
- 24MP sensor
- 4K30p video
- 11 fps burst mode
- Small and lightweight
- Lots of affordable lenses
What I like/dislike about the A6400
Like
- The A6400 is an inmensely popular camera, as I already expected. It is affordable, costing less than $1000, most people are able to grab one. The lenses are also cheap, with hundreds of Sony lenses and third party lenses available.
- It has a great sensor, while it is an APS-C sized sensor, it provides great detail and accurate colors. This is one of the reasons the A6400 is so popular, for the price it definitely overdelivers.
- With a small body like that, you can practically always take it with you and shoot for hours. If I use heavy cameras, my arm gets tired a lot quicker. Didn’t have any problem with lighter and smaller cameras, so that’s why I think it’s important.
Dislike
- If you like to shoot in darker conditions, like a car meet or anything alike, you will see noise quickly. So you have to either invest in expensive glass or choose a better camera, which are much more expensive.
The best lenses for car photography
I made a selection of the best lenses for car photography, especially for Sony cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.
The very best lens for car photography is the Sony FE 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Sony FE 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Sony FE 28-70mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
Best Sony camera for car photography
Sony A7R V
Sebas' take
I’ve had basically any type of camera now, from beginner to professional. I just have to share a few more. One of them is the Sony A7R V, this is one I couldn’t let out. It has a 61-megapixel sensor, which is incredible compared to any other camera on the list.
With so many pixels you can see a lot of details, so cropping afterward won’t be a problem. Printing isn’t a problem either, although I print 20 MP images often enough and haven’t got a problem either.
All in all, the A7R V is the best Sony camera for car photography.
Outstanding features
- 61MP sensor
- 8K24p video
- AI processing unit
- Deep learning autofocus
- 10 fps burst mode
- Built-in stabilization
What I like/dislike about the A7R V
Like
- What is there to not like about the A7R V? I mean, it is the best Sony camera after all. I will share some of the main aspects that make it a great choice for car photography. First, the sensor is outstanding, with 61 million pixels, you will be able to see all the spots of dust on the paint, wait that’s not too positive…
- Next up, this is the first Sony camera with a dedicated AI unit, which can recognize many subjects, including cars. It works perfectly fine, we’re not shooting some crazy action movie, but it’s nice to have.
- You’re not limited by video specs, as you can shoot up to 8K internally, it’s hard to even comprehend the file sizes it would produce, so you better get some good CF-Express cards.
Dislike
- Although the resolution is high, you will see all the dust spots on any surface, which doesn’t come to mind when you buy the camera. Storage for the A7R V is expensive, especially since you need a lot of storage. CF-Express type A can be hundreds of dollars, this one for example.
The best lenses for car photography
I made a selection of the best lenses for car photography, especially for Sony cameras. With these lenses, you are guaranteed to take the most beautiful photos.
The very best lens for car photography is the Sony FE 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Sony FE 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Sony FE 28-70mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
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Best Canon camera for car photography
Canon R5
Sebas' take
Some people prefer Canon, for those, the Canon R5 is the way to go. It has many of the great features of the A7R V, with some differences. A 45-megapixel sensor is more than high enough for car photography, believe me.
It has a professional feel to it, which I like a lot. Unlike the R50 (don’t confuse the two), the R5 has a full-frame sensor which many consider the best of Canon. I like the colors that come out of Canon cameras above other cameras, but that’s my personal preference.
All in all, the Canon R5 is the best Canon camera for car photography.
Holidays: Get $900 off your Canon R5!
Outstanding features
- 45 MP full-frame sensor
- 8K RAW video
- 4K120p slow motion
- 20fps burst mode
- Deep learning autofocus
What I like/dislike about the Canon R5
Like
- I talked a bit about ergonomics, the R5 feels a lot like the Canon R6 II. In fact, they’re so similar, that I didn’t notice a difference apart from the top screen. Buttons are well-placed and it feels like a camera you would pay a lot for. Funny enough, you do pay a lot for it.
- Image quality-wise, it’s even better than all of the cameras mentioned above. If you’re planning to print anything, the R5 is worth it. If you have a photo you’re proud of, make sure to print that one. It’s not nearly the same as viewing it on a screen.
- Getting back to the essence of the article, the autofocus is the best I’ve experienced. Even though we’re not shooting sports, the R5 recognizes cars and flawlessly keeps them in focus.
- Have I mentioned the burst mode? I don’t think so. The R5 can shoot up to 20 frames a second, but I prefer to use the mechanical shutter to prevent any rolling shutter. For rollers, you can shoot up to 12 fps that way!
Dislike
- There is one major downside to the R5, which is the video side. It says 8K RAW and so forth, but that mode is barely usable as the camera overheats quickly. Make sure to use an external recorder or just deal with the overheating.
The best lenses for car photography
I’ve owned dozens of lenses and have a few preferences for when I photograph cars. Here is a list of the best lenses for car photography, specifically for Canon cameras.
The very best lens for car photography is the Canon RF 24-70mm, the quality of which is phenomenal. If your budget is a little less than that, the Canon RF 24-105mm is also fantastic. This lens is a little less expensive, but that doesn’t make it any less capable. Finally, the Canon RF 50mm is also fantastic, this is the cheapest lens on the list.
Best compact camera for car photography
Sony RX10 IV
Sebas' take
All cameras I recommend need a dedicated lens, which can be expensive and complicated. Therefore, the Sony RX10 IV is a completely different kind of camera. With a lens already mounted, you don’t have the hassle of choosing a lens.
It does have great specs, but you shouldn’t expect the same image quality as the A7R V. With a lens already mounted, you have a zoom range of 24-600mm, which is perfect for about any type of car photography.
Overall, the Sony RX10 IV is the best compact camera for car photography.
Outstanding features
- 20 MP sensor
- 4K30p video
- Stabilization
- 0.03 seconds autofocus
- 24 fps burst mode
What I like/dislike about the Sony RX10 IV
Like
- I’ve mentioned some of the aspects of the RX10 IV, but I didn’t mention the sensor and resolution. It has a 20 MP sensor, which doesn’t seem like much on the surface, but you don’t need any higher if you’re shooting for Instagram.
- Autofocus-wise, it is incredibly fast, perhaps faster than most cameras on the list. Unfortunately, the RX10 IV does not have any fancy tracking, but by using the center point, you will have sharp photos.
- The images are teck-sharp if you have focused correctly. It has a Zeiss lens, we know Zeiss creates high-quality glass. From 24mm all the way to 600mm, you have great contrast and sharpness.
- With the 24-600mm zoom range, you can get both wide shots of multiple cars, for example, and detail shots from a logo of carbon fiber pattern.
Dislike
- You shouldn’t compare the RX10 IV with any full-frame sensor camera, because the quality isn’t near as crisp. If you shoot in dark environments, the RX10 IV is not for you. It generates quite a lot of noise at higher ISOs.
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Best drone for car photography
Dji Mini 4 Pro
Sebas' take
I’ve talked enough about cameras and lenses, let’s move on to the next tool, which is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It is indeed a drone, and don’t just click away right away, let me explain this first.
You can shoot a lot of angles with a mirrorless camera, front, back, side and details. There is just one angle that we’re missing. It is the angle from above, which you don’t often see. I’ve seen plenty enough photos from cars made with a drone, and it’s damn worth it.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the best drone for car photography.
Outstanding features
- 48 MP RAW photos
- 4K60p HDR video
- FHD100fps slow-motion
- 3x digital zoom in 4K
- 10-bit D-Log
- Activetrack
What I like/dislike about the Dji Mini 4 Pro
Like
- There are again countless things I could talk about, it is something different than usual, so I find it exiting. The sensor is a 1/1.3 inch, which is not the largest, but for a drone for this price, it great. It provides good image quality in both photo and video, with vivid colors and a high dynamic range.
- With the weight of 249 grams, you don’t need any license and you can just fly straight away. Although it is lightweight, the Mini 4 pro doesn’t struggle with strong winds and it fits in my camera bag without hassle.
- The special thing about this drone is the resolution, I don’t recommend any other Mini drone, other than the Mini 3 Pro, because these two are 48 MP. All the others are 12 MP, which isn’t enough for my liking.
- If you get the Fly More combo kit, you can fly up to 1.5 hours, provided you swap out the battery every so often. Time flies, just like the drone, when you’re playing around, speaking from personal experience. So I think this is an essential kit to have with the Mini 4 Pro.
Dislike
- It is a 1/1.3 inch sensor, which isn’t the largest. Add to the fact that it is has a 48 MP resolution and you would know that it isn’t perfect in dark conditions. If you’re taking photos, you can use a longer shutter, but for video I wouldn’t shoot in the dark.
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Everything I recommend
What makes a good camera for car photography?
Image quality
The image quality of a camera must of course be excellent in car photography. This not only depends on the size of the sensor and resolution, which many people think but also on the lens you choose for car photography.
You must first choose between APS-C and full-frame, this is the size of the sensor and a full-frame sensor generally gives better images than an APS-C sensor. The price is often lower with an APS-C camera.
For example, the Canon R6 II has a full-frame sensor, and the Canon R50 has an APS-C sensor.
The resolution is also important, preferably you have the highest possible resolution, such as the 45 MP of the Canon R5, but a resolution of 24 MP is also sufficient.
Finally, the lens is of utmost importance. The car photography camera can have a full-frame sensor of 45 MP, but if the glass is not good, you will still have blurry photos. Therefore, invest in a few good car photography lenses.
Autofocus
The autofocus is also important in car photography. For years I shot with a Canon EOS RP that has very good autofocus, and it worked perfectly, but it couldn’t recognize cars. I recently got a camera that can also recognize cars and I have been working a lot faster ever since.
The technique for this is deep learning autofocus, and most new system cameras also have this option. For example, the Canon R50 has autofocus that can recognize cars.
In addition, this is essential for rolling shots, as it is difficult to change focus points during shooting. Older DSLR cameras are generally less good than newer system cameras.
Dynamic range
As car photographers, we often have to shoot in all kinds of circumstances. Therefore, it is also important that the camera has a wide dynamic range. This way you can extract details from the shadows and highlights.
This is important for sunsets because you want to have all the details in the photo. You can compensate for this with artificial light, but you don’t always have the time for that.
Built-in stabilization
I just said that autofocus is important in car photography and mainly rollers, and that’s right. In addition to the autofocus, built-in stabilization is also useful for rolling shots. It is often difficult to keep the camera completely still from the back of a car.
With built-in stabilization, you have a lot more sharp photos and you will always have great images.
Often the less expensive cameras, such as the Nikon Z50 and the Canon R50, do not have stabilization. More expensive cameras such as the Canon R6 II do have this feature.
Burst mode & Buffer
This is also an essential point to be able to work quickly. Especially during rolling shots, you want to take as many photos as possible in a short time, so you have the best chance of sharp photos. It wouldn’t be helpful if your buffer is full after two seconds, so make sure the burst mode is fast enough (5+ fps) and you have a large buffer (75+ photos) for car photography.
Design
Finally, we have something that no one talks about, but which is still important. As a car photographer, you sometimes have to walk around with a camera for whole days, or at least a few hours.
A heavy camera wouldn’t be very handy, after all, your arms are more likely to bother you. Light cameras, such as the Canon R50, have many advantages, but also disadvantages.
If you have large hands, your little finger may not grasp the camera. Even with a Canon R8, I suffer from this. Now with the Canon R6, a larger camera, this no longer bothers me.
It’s a consideration to make, but for me, it’s important that my hand can comfortably hold the camera.
All in all, pay close attention to the design of a car photography camera.
Best camera for car photography FAQ
What kind of cameras are best for car photography?
In 2023, mirrorless cameras will be the best kind of camera for car photography. They are smaller than ever before and the image quality is also better than years ago. Most of these cameras have special autofocus features, such as deep learning AI, with which they can recognize cars.
Mirrorless cameras can be expensive, but there are lots of good mirrorless cameras under $1000.
What is the best camera mode for shooting cars?
The best camera mode for shooting cars depends on the type of photo you want to take. Usually, I use the single shot mode, with which you will take one photo at a time. For other scenarios, I will use the continuous shooting mode.
If I am shooting rollers or moving car photos, I want to shoot as many photos as possible, so the continuous shooting mode is perfect for car photography.
What lens should I use for car photography?
I like to use the 24-70mm F2.8 lens for my car photo shoots. It is a lens that can take wide shots as well as detailed shots of cars. As you have to deal with countless details, you need a zoom lens. It is versatile, so you don’t have to switch when you change scenarios.
I also like to use the 35mm F1.4 lens, which gives me a more focused shot with a blurry background. These two lenses are the lenses you should use for car photography.
Is a mirrorless camera better than DLSR for car photography?
Overall, mirrorless cameras tend to be better for car photography than DSLR cameras. They are smaller, lighter, and have many more features. Older DSLRs seem to lack a lot of autofocus and video features, they don’t have 4K video (most of them) and lack intelligent autofocus algorithms.
What is the best autofocus mode for car photography?
The best autofocus mode for car photography depends on the shooting conditions, as you want to keep the car in focus all of the time. When I am taking photos of moving cars, I like to enable tracking and continuous autofocus.
The camera will track the car and keep it in focus all of the time, I can keep the shutter button clicked and the photos will roll out. For detail shots of cars, I like to use single-point autofocus, this way I have the most control over the outcome of the images.
How many megapixel is enough for car photography?
For car photography, the higher the resolution, the better the result. At least, that is what we’re told. That doesn’t mean that you should take any high-resolution camera and get great results, you need to have skills to get great car photos.
You also have to keep the sensor size into account, a smaller sensor with a higher resolution will give more noise. I use a full-frame 20-megapixel camera and I print my photos out sometimes. I didn’t have any problem ever, so I think 20-megapixel is enough for car photography.
If you want to make money with car photography, a higher resolution camera will be better due to the many more use cases. Your client will be able to crop into any detail or print a large photo of yours.
Is a tripod necessary for car photography?
A tripod is not necessary for car photography, but it can help to get better images. Most of the time I use my tripod in conditions when there is little light. I also use my tripod when I want to use two exposures with the CPL twisted. Here is an explanation for that technique.
Conclusion
Now it’s your turn to make the choice. There are many car photography cameras that you can choose from. Now that you know the pros and cons of each camera, you can make the choice.
Don’t you want to take professional car photos? Then you can get started with a semi-professional or beginner camera. If you do want to shoot professionally, then the professional car photography cameras are perfect for you.
Don’t forget to share this article with fellow photographers if you learn something new. Read my other blogs for even more great photography tips!
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