Fact: you probably shouldn’t be carrying around an interchangeable lens camera to shoot street photography. Truthfully, you don’t really need to. What street photographers need to capture candid slices of life are small, inconspicuous cameras. Surely, a photographer can use a big camera and not be caught–but it’s tough to argue that smaller and more low profile cameras don’t naturally get away with more. Further, you don’t often need more than a single lens.
Want to get out there and document the human condition? Check out these fan favorite cameras.
Editor’s Note: when talking about street photography, we’re also including the genre of urban geometry.
Fujifilm X70
With a 28mm f2.8 equivalent lens, a super small body, 16MP APS-C X Trans sensor, touch screen and built in Wifi, there is very little that can discount the Fujifilm X70. It’s probably the smallest dedicated camera on this list. More importantly, it’s also one of the more low profile ones that is bound to fit into your jean pocket due to the pancake lens on it.
Check out our review.
Sony RX1R II
The previous RX1 camera from Sony had a lot going for it, but a crippling autofocus when it came to working out in the street. But the Sony RX1r II doesn’t suffer from that problem. With a full frame sensor at the heart, the camera is incredibly capable, very fast and pretty compact. I strongly recommend using it in aperture priority and perhaps adding a few ergonomic touches.
Check out our review.
Leica Q
For many years, I really wasn’t confident in what Leica could do when it came to creating autofocus cameras. Then the Leica Q came out and I was floored. This camera autofocuses incredibly quick, feels like an actual Leica, has various focal length settings, WiFi, fantastic image quality and the list can go on and on.
The price though, is, well, very Leica.
Check out our review.
Apple iPhone
So why the iPhone and not any Android phones? There are a number of reasons: and they start with apps. Pretty much every awesome photo editing app is available on iOS. If it’s proved anything it’s that you don’t really need to shoot in RAW. Then consider all the lens options that you can attach. That gives you so much more versatility and you’ve always got the phone in your pocket. With a bit of editing, you can create images that will make no one care about the gear you use.
Lomography LCA 120
Yes, a film camera is making this list. With a great light meter, 6×6 medium format shooting in combination with a wide angle, and a very slim camera body overall you’ve got no reason at all to hate on the Lomography LCA 120. Load it up with some Kodak Tri-X and you’re all set.
Check out our review.