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Features

Dem Tones: The Three Best Canon Cameras for a Portrait Photographer

Brett Day
No Comments
12/10/2019
4 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM first impressions product images Canon EOS RCanon RF 50mm f-1.2L USM2.21-200s100

These Canon cameras are perfectly suited for portraiture work thanks to their excellent features and access to some of the best portrait lenses in the business.

While Canon’s cameras may be lacking in features compared to some of the other cameras on the market, that does not mean they are any less capable when it comes to creating gorgeous images. Canon cameras can be found in the hands and studios of portrait photographers the world over simply because they are reliable, they produce consistently excellent results, and because they can use Canon’s infamous L series lenses. Best of all, the color depth on the sensors is incredible. The Canon cameras listed after the break are the three we would highly recommend any aspiring or pro portrait photographer to take a closer look at.

Captured with the Canon EOS R

The three Canon cameras we recommend to both new and seasoned portrait photographers are the EOS RP, the EOS R, and the trusted 5D Mk IV (5D4). The EOS RP is an affordable, entry-level Full-Frame camera featuring both eye and face detection, and it can use both EF Mount glass with an adapter and Canon’s stunning new RF Mount lenses. The Canon EOS R is suited more for the serious portrait photographer. Thanks to its feature set, which also includes eye and face detection and a whopping 5,655 AF points, you will hardly ever miss a shot. The 5D IV is a workhorse DSLR that just will not let you down. It may be lacking eye and face detect features, but this camera has proven itself over the years and is a firm fan favorite with Canon portrait shooters. Check out our favorite Canon cameras for portraiture below.

Canon EOS RP

Camera deals Canon EOS RP

Here are the pros and cons from our review:

Pros

  • This isn’t Canon innovating on the inside, but instead on the outside
  • This is the smallest and lightest ILC full-frame camera on the market
  • Goes well with a wrist strap and a light prime lens
  • Weather sealing
  • The autofocus isn’t bad, and it’s quite usable in a number of working conditions
  • Pretty good image quality

Cons

  • This camera is begging to be paired with a nice 50mm f1.8 lens
  • Could have done better with a joystick
  • The competition from Sony charges around 1/3rd more of the price and offers more

Buy now: $1,299

Canon Cameras - EOS R
Captured with the Canon EOS R

Pro Tip: There’s more to portrait photography than pointing your camera and telling your model to strike a pose. To be a great portrait photographer, you need to know how to compose an image, make the most of available light, and, most importantly, communicate with your models so your ideas can come to life. If you’re new to portrait photography and aren’t sure where to start, we suggest taking a look at this guide from Lindsay Adler. This tutorial will teach how to direct your models and how to pose men, women, and groups of all shapes and sizes. It will show you how to light, how to use modifiers, and so much more. The best part: it’s super affordable.

Canon EOS R

Here are the pros and cons from our review:

Pros

  • Build quality
  • Weather sealed like crazy
  • Autofocus is good
  • Protects the sensor when off
  • Canon’s menu system is still simple
  • Ergonomics feel nice
  • With a lightweight lens, it feels just as nice as a Sony camera
  • These are some of Canon’s best RAW files that we’ve seen in years
  • Good battery life
  • Fast Wi-Fi transfers, though not as simple as Sony’s

Cons

  • Needs dual SD cards
  • Needs a joystick
  • The magic touch bar is odd and could use refinement.
  • Optimizing the way the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed dials work, such as the automatic metering for ISO, not cool
  • Canon needs to improve or change their face and eye detection

Buy now: $2,299

Canon cameras - EOS RP
Captured with the Canon EOS RP

Pro Tip: Even experienced photographers can hit a wall when it comes to figuring out poses for clients, so it’s good to have poses saved to your phone that you can refer to. If, however, you don’t want your clients to have access to your phone, and you’d like to make your sessions a little more interactive, you can bring along these posing cards with you. These cards can be shared with clients, and the models can also help pick out poses they like. Don’t draw a blank while out on a shoot; make sure you have plenty of back up ideas so that you and your clients can make the most of the time you have together.

Canon 5D Mk IV

Here are the pros and cons from our review:

Pros

  • Great image quality, though we still feel MUCH more can be done with Sony and Fujifilm files when it comes to color. But Canon’s dynamic range is pretty darn good
  • Ergonomical feel reminds me more of the old 5D Mk II than the Mk III, and I like that
  • Fantastic autofocus
  • Touchscreen, finally
  • The quiet shutter is nice
  • Weather sealing

Cons

  • Price point

Buy now: $3,099

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