There’s no shortage of cameras on the market these days, but finding the right one for street photography can be a challenge. For starters, you need a camera that’s small and lightweight enough to carry around with you all day, but that also packs enough features to help you take great photos. The best street photographers know how to make the most of available light, so a good camera should also have a good low-light performance.

Of course, you’ll want a camera that’s affordable. With all of these factors to consider, it’s no wonder finding the best camera for street photography can be a tough task. But the list we created for you makes it easy to find the perfect camera for your needs. In addition to new cameras, there are some older cameras on this list that are no longer available new. But they offer great value and if you buy them secondhand they may be more affordable than buying new.

Canon 5D (MK II)

The Canon 5D Mark 3 is one of the Canon DSLRs that is full-frame, And if you don’t want to spend over $2,000 then what’s wrong with the Canon 5D mark ii? The first thing you notice when you pick up this camera is Its full-frame 21.1-megapixel sensor and magnesium alloy body. The large grip of this camera is really nice to hold and all the buttons are easily accessible. You can reach all of the buttons with one hand so if you are shooting one-handed you will face no problem. 

At the back of this camera, there’s a pretty decent display with 920K dots. The resolution is more than adequate for pictures. We get full-frame viewfinders which means it’s got nine autofocus points which isn’t a lot by today’s standards. But it’s more than enough to get the job done. The canon 5d mark ii can also do video at 1080p 30 frames per second. The noise performance is actually really good and on top of all that it does 3.9 FPS which is OK for moderate action. When the 5d mark ii came out it was $3500 body only. But now you can pick up an entire kit for a little over a thousand dollars. And at this price point, it’s a very compelling option for street photography.

Pros
  • Excellent Photo Quality
  • Outstanding Performance
  • Good video capabilities
Cons
  • No built-in wireless
  • no built-in flash

Fujifilm X-T20

The X-T20  feels very ergonomic with the front grip and the thumb grip which makes shooting very comfortable. Secondly, the X-T20 looks fantastic with a clean retro design. Lastly, Fujifilm has kept its iconic exposure dough with the X-T20. 

The X-T20 houses the Twenty Four point three-megapixel sensor and Expo processor. X-T20 is also capable of shooting 4k UHD video up to 30 frames per second. The X-T20 has a new 91 point autofocus system. It can shoot continuously up to 8 frames per second or 14 frames per second using its electronic shutter.

Things I like about Fuji film X-T20 

  1. The autofocus is really quick and it’s accurate.
  2. The viewfinder is extremely clear and will work in all lighting situations.
  3. The X-T20 has film stimulation. So you can emulate Fuji Field’s popular film look such as a skier classic rove Velvia and more.
  4. One of my personal favorites is that the X-T20 can be charged via USB.

Things I don’t like about Fuji film X-T20 

  1. There’s no dedicated SD card slot; it’s shared with the battery.
  2. The tripod screw is located really close to the battery door. You can’t change the battery or SD card without taking off your tripod plate or any accessories that use that screw.
  3. The X-T20 does have a microphone jack but it’s a 2.5 mill. If you’re using a shotgun mic or any other mic system that has a 3.5 mm system you’ll have to buy an adapter for it.

The 24-megapixel APS-C sensor is brilliant. The stills are of high quality and suitable for printing and online use. X-T20’s touchscreen allows you to seamlessly review your photos you can pinch zoom and scroll through. And when you’re taking the pictures you can use your finger to set the focus point. Fujifilm X-T20 is great for travel, street photography, and everyday use. The X-T20 is the camera for you. It’s packed full of features and produces great imagery and for the price tag, it’s a huge bang for your buck.

Pros
  • built-in Wi-Fi
  • Strong lens ecosystem
  • 4K video capabilities
Cons
  • Lacks weatherproofing

Fujifilm X70

The Fujifilm X70 is a high-end point-and-shoot camera that offers a versatile set of features for experienced photographers. The camera’s well-crafted body is both lightweight and durable, making it a choice for travel photography. The X70 also features a large APS-C-sized image sensor, which produces high-quality images with excellent detail and low noise levels. In addition, the camera’s fast fixed f/2.8 lens is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects or shooting in low-light conditions. Overall, the Fujifilm X70 is an excellent choice for photographers who are looking for a high-quality point-and-shoot camera with a versatile set of features.

Pros
  • Excellent photo quality
  • Small Compact Size
  • Excellent tilting screen
Cons
  • Slow autofocus

Leica M11

We’ve got a 60-megapixel back-illuminated sensor in Leica M11 and it really does deliver awesome results. The colors look absolutely amazing and there are a lot of details. And the resolution can be dropped to 36 megapixels or even 18 megapixels to keep file sizes down. The drop in the resolution also gives you a bump in the dynamic range of up to 15 stops. This is great it’s also pretty flexible with how you set up the resolution between raw and jpeg. It also has a dual gain sensor with a base iso of 64. We do not get a huge amount of low-light opportunities. But when we did bump that ISO up to 6400 or even a little bit higher there were absolutely no issues with noise.

Leica M11 can shoot up to four and a half frames a second in high-speed shooting mode with a buffer that lasts around about three seconds. The m11 is also rocking an electronic shutter which lets you shoot up to 1 16000 of a second. There’s still a little bit of a rolling shutter issue but otherwise, it’s a really useful thing to have. 

Leica M11 has 64 gigabytes of internal memory which is a really awesome feature that can either be enough for a shoot. This is useful when you forget to back up your photos or forget to take a card. There’s no base plate on the bottom of the camera. There’s a switch release on the battery which then also covers up the sd card slot. You’ve got a USB-C connection which you can use to charge the camera. And if you’ve got an iPhone even better news you can connect directly to it and use the app on your phone to access the photos. 

The battery life seems to be improved. You also get an LCD screen on the back of the camera which is improved as well. It’s a 2.3 million dot touchscreen that you can use to pinch and zoom as well as select from quick options in the menu. While that’s super useful it would be great to have full menu touch integration but the quick options work fine. There are also three custom function buttons on the camera which you can set to do a huge number of different functions. If you’ve been holding out for the m11 you definitely won’t be disappointed. 

Pros
  • Excellent sensor and resolution
  • Responsive touch screen
  • incredible dynamic range
  • satisfactory battery life
  • 64GB internal Storage
Cons
  • No heat indicator
  • Cut-rate AWB performance

Ricoh GR II

The Ricoh gr2 is a small compact point-and-shoot camera. It houses a 16-megapixel APS-c sensor and it utilizes fixed 18-millimeter 2.8 lenses. Which equates to around a 28-millimeter full frame focal length equivalent. The camera also has video capabilities, but it’s mainly aimed at photographers. It’s an extremely small and lightweight camera it comes in around 250 grams with the battery and sd card inserted. You can capture images in a 3×2 format with a max pixel resolution of 4928×3264. Which is more than enough resolution for street photographers’ needs. It has wi-fi capabilities for transferring images to your phone on the fly. The body itself is made out of lightweight magnesium alloy which translates to why the camera is as light as a feather in the hand. 

The handling of the camera is fairly nice a slightly beefier hand grip would have been nice since the camera doesn’t have a very grippy material to it but that’s not too big of an issue. In either case, your images will be incredibly sharp whether you shoot in raw or jpeg. The Ricoh GR II is a camera that is well-suited for street photography. It also has a fast autofocus system and a wide-angle lens, which is ideal for capturing candid shots. In addition, the Ricoh GR II is relatively affordable, making it a good option for budget-minded photographers.

Pros
  • Adequate image quality
  • Perfect hue accuracy
  • Excellent high ISO performance
Cons
  • No 4K or slow-motion capture

Ricoh GR III

The Ricoh Gr 2 is one of the top street photography cameras. It has a tiny size and a large sensor with amazing image quality and everything is very customizable. The Ricoh Gr2 has inspired many people to go out on the streets and shoot photos. Ricoh GR3 is his big brother or should I say little brother because its size is considerably smaller. The first thing that you notice is that the gr3 is a lot smaller than the GR 2. The right side has lost a few millimeters As a result, the camera is even more pocket-sized.

The lens is still the same as an eighteen-point three-millimeter lens with a maximum aperture of f28. The APS-c size sensor is upgraded to 24 points two megapixels and it now has sensor-shift stabilization on the top of the camera. The Ricoh Gr iii has no flash and for some people, that’s a definite deal-breaker. Personally, I’ve never used the flash so it doesn’t really bother me. 

The shutter button is still the same and the wheel in front of the shutter button is the same as well. The on/off switch is a bit smaller but has the same green light around it. There have been some big changes to the back of the camera. The OK button now has a rotatable ring around it that allows you to change the settings. This ring is fully assignable so you can decide what settings you want to change with this ring. This applies to almost all of the knobs and wheels of gr 3. Which is one of the reasons that make it such a great camera.

As one of the biggest differences in the Ricoh GR 3, the touchscreen on the back makes a significant difference in how the camera handles and feels as well as how the menus look. The Ricoh GR 3 is an outstanding choice for anyone looking to capture the energy and excitement of the street.

Pros
  • Incredible image quality
  • Responsive touch screen
  • Sharp lens
Cons
  • Poor Battery life
  • Fixed LCD

Canon EOS M200

The Canon EOS M200 is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera that is perfect for everyday photography. The camera features a 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 8 image processor, which work together to produce high-quality images and videos. The M200 also has an autofocus system with 143 selectable AF points, allowing you to focus accurately and quickly on your subject. Additionally, the camera has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it easy to share your photos and videos with your friends and family.

Pros
  • Compact
  • Superior color reproduction
  • Easy to use design for beginners
Cons
  • Cropped 4K video

Olympus OM-D E-M5

The Olympus om-d e-m5 was released in 2012 and was aesthetically designed to tip its hat to the old Olympus om film cameras. Despite its age, it still looks classic and timeless. This camera feels really solid and comfortable a lot like a DSLR. But with a lot less weight and bulk. You’ll notice that it’s really quite small in fact it’s not much bigger than your average compact. It is a big deal with its flippy screen, dual top mount dials, sixteen megapixels, micro 4.3 third sensor, and touch screen. The best feature is the five-axis image stabilization. Honestly, this camera is packed with features and it’s dropped its price on the second-hand market dramatically.

Those who own cameras like the Nikon D800 or Canon 5D Mark II may have a difficult time adapting. Because Two certain buttons like the playback and function one button aren’t the easiest to access but all other buttons are really well placed. The on/off toggle switch is located at the bottom right of the camera while the menu and info buttons sit above the arrow pad. There’s a dedicated video button as well as a live view button on the viewfinder which will turn the LCD screen on and off.

The best part is that the shutter speed and the aperture dials align themselves perfectly with your thumb and pointer fingers. The shutter speed dial also functions as a zoom when you’re in playback mode sadly there is no easel button like on high-end DSLRs. It definitely has the potential to be a solid camera that will work in any condition and provide high-quality images. The E-M5 can withstand the elements, making it a great choice for street photographers who shoot in all kinds of environments.

Pros
  • Weatherproofing
  • 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Cons
  • No Wireless Connection

Sony a7 III

The sony a7 iii is four years old and the price makes it one of the best cameras you can buy. It’s a great hybrid shooter and does have a 35-millimeter full-frame sensor which is actually very desirable. It also shoots 24.2-megapixel photos which are perfectly fine for street photography. This camera shoots 4k up to 30 frames a second or 1080 up to 120 frames per second. It doesn’t have 4k 60 which I know is kind of a make or break for some people because they like to do slow-motion video in a higher resolution. This camera’s iso range goes from iso 100 to 51 200 it’s really crazy for low light. It has pretty decent ibis or in-body image stabilization so it’s nice and smooth.  

The Sony a7 III’s compact size and light weight make it easy to carry around, and its large sensor provides excellent image quality. The a7 III also has a fast autofocus system, which is essential for capturing candid shots of people on busy streets. In addition, the a7 III’s silent shutter mode is perfect for discreet street photography. Overall, the Sony a7 III is the best camera for street photography thanks to its combination of size, performance, and features.

Pros
  • Excellent AF coverage
  • Outstanding dynamic range
  • 5-axis image stabilization
Cons
  • Only one card slot

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI

The sony RX 105 compact camera can do everything. There is an EXMOR RS CMOS sensor measuring 20.1 megapixels on the RX 105, and it comes with a 24 to 200 mm zoom lens with a variable aperture of f2.8 to 4.5. The highly capable telephoto lens is paired with the BIONZ X processor to create a pocket-sized package that is truly remarkable. It lets you capture up to 233 still images and up to 24 frames per second on continuous shooting with autofocus. 

Auto exposure besides with fast autofocus response and 315 phase-detection points you can get some artistic and professional-looking shots on the go without worrying about your photos or videos being out of focus. In addition, this camera can film in 4k at 30 frames per second. And super slow motion at up to 960 frames per second. You can walk or run whilst filming without fear of shaky footage as the image stabilization is just incredible. 

The retractable viewfinder and the multi-function control ring make it a friendlier camera. The 180-degree tiltable LCD screen gives you more angle options while taking pictures. Whether you prefer simple point-and-shoot or advanced street photography settings, the Sony RX 106 is perfect for you

Pros
  • 8x zoom lens
  • 20MP resolution
  • Up to 24fps Raw image capture
Cons
  • Expensive

Panasonic LX100 II

The Panasonic LX100 II is a solid all-around camera that should appeal to a wide range of photographers, including street shooters. It features a fast 2360k-dot electronic viewfinder, a sharp LCD screen, and a versatile zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.7. The camera is also compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry with you on a busy day of shooting. And despite its small size, the LX100 II is packed with features, including 4K video recording, raw file support, and built-in Wi-Fi. Street shooters will appreciate the camera’s fast autofocus system, which is able to keep up with even the most active subjects. The LX100 II also offers an impressive ISO range of 100-25600, making it possible to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions. Overall, the Panasonic LX100 II is a great choice for street photography, offering a combination of speed, flexibility, and image quality.

Pros
  • 11fps burst shooting
  • 4K video and photo capabilities
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Cons
  • Expensive

Panasonic Lumix TZ90

The Panasonic Lumix TZ-90 is a pocket-sized camera that can capture breathtaking emotions of your life. TZ90 features a 20.3-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor. This camera captures high-quality images with remarkable detail thanks to its venus engine processor and 24 to 720 mm Leica lens. The Panasonic Lumix TZ-90 can cover a whopping 30x optical zoom range and is accompanied by 5-axis hybrid OIS technology to keep things stable at longer focal lengths. Even under low-light conditions capable of recording video in 4k resolution. There is also an option for the 4k photo by extracting 8-megapixel images from captured footage for unmissable moments. 

The 180-degree tiltable touchscreen is accompanied by a bevy of selfie-friendly functions such as 4k selfie, panorama selfie, and more. There’s also a 1166k dot electronic viewfinder to make sure you’re able to see your subject even in harsh sunlight. Lumix TZ90 is also there to take full manual control over the exposure. It provides enough control to satisfy a wide range of users while simultaneously delivering excellent video and stills quality

Pros
  • Excellent zoom range
  • Selfie functionality
  • Amazing image stabilization
Cons
  • Very small viewfinder

iPhone 13 Pro

Street photography can be defined as the art of capturing everyday life in public spaces. It can be a challenging genre to master, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Many street photographers use DSLR cameras to get the best possible results. However, these cameras can be expensive, and they can also be cumbersome to carry around. Fortunately, the iPhone 13 Pro offers an excellent alternative.  The iPhone 13 Pro is the best camera for street photography for a number of reasons. First, the phone has a built-in lens that is specifically designed for wide-angle shots. This allows you to capture more of the scene in your frame, which is perfect for street photography. 

Second, iPhone has excellent low-light performance. This means that you can take photos in darker situations without having to use a flash, which can often disrupt the scene. Finally, the iPhone 13 Pro has a powerful image stabilization system. This helps to keep your photos sharp, even when you are shooting handheld. 

The iPhone’s camera is also capable of shooting in RAW format. This means that photos can be edited to a high standard without the need for expensive software. In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro is small and light, making it much easier to carry around than a DSLR. As a result, it is an ideal camera for street photography.

Tips for better iPhone photography

I’m gonna give you seven quick easy tips to take better phone pictures. The reason I’m not the person who just shows you the way without telling you how to get there easily is that. iPhone photography is huge right now because everyone owns a phone and the phones continue to get better and better. And the cameras get better and better it’s just going to continue to grow.

Tip #1

Tip one is a really easy tip, but a tip that a lot of people forget clean your lens. Our mobile phones stay in our pockets all day long, and we constantly touch their lenses. So they just get dirty. Cleaning your lens actually makes a really big difference sometimes. Just use your T-shirt or use anything to get it clean.

Tip #2

Tip two is always try and shoot raw. Most new phones nowadays have a section where you can just tap and shoot raw. But if you’ve got an older version of the iPhone OS then you can download like maybe lightroom. Basically, there’s an option in there for you to shoot raw shooting. Most people who take photography seriously shoot raw because it gives them more control over editing and other things in post-production.

Tip #3

Tip three is to frame your shot. Now most people walk along they see a nice photo opportunity and they literally just go bam. There’s nothing wrong with taking the photo at chest height. But obviously, it’s exactly how we see it so if you want to get a little bit creative and you want to take a photo that’s slightly different from what you see with your eyes then frame your shot. Frame your shot with anything from flowers to a wall to trees to people to get a little bit creative.

Tip #4

Tip four is to use the wide-angle lens. My tip is to get down low and even turn the phone upside down to get as low as possible, This gives you a really cool unique angle and kind of gives you a high-fashion look. 

Tip #5

Tip 5 is to use portrait mode. Portrait mode gives you the depth of field and the blurred background. That makes your shots look professional and with the iPhone 13 camera portrait mode is actually really good. The newer iPhone 13 can change the f-stop so you can change the blur and can go down to I think 1.6 or 1.4. 

Conclusion

When it comes to street photography, there is no answer fits to what camera is best. It all depends on your personal style and what you hope to achieve with your photos. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a camera for street photography. First, consider the size and weight of the camera. A larger camera can be cumbersome to carry around all day, and it may also intimidate your subjects. A smaller, lighter camera will be easier to carry and may help you blend in with your surroundings. 

Second, think about the type of images you want to create. If you’re interested in candid shots of people, look for a camera with a fast shutter speed and good low-light performance. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in capturing the overall atmosphere of a scene, a camera with a wide-angle lens may be a better choice. Lastly, don’t forget to factor in your budget. Street photography can be done on any budget, but it’s important to choose a camera that you can afford.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What makes a great street photograph?

A. A great street photograph captures a moment of everyday life and transforms it into something special. It should be spontaneous and candid, without being staged or contrived. The best street photographs are often those that reveal something about the human condition, whether it’s a moment of joy or sorrow, humor or pathos. They should be visually arresting, with strong compositions and interesting details. And finally, should be able to tell a story, either about the specific scene that was captured or about the larger world around us.

Q. How do I take interesting street photography?

A. Taking interesting street photography can be tricky. You need to be able to capture the feeling of a place while also telling a story with your images. But with a few tips, you can quickly improve your street photography skills. First, always be on the lookout for interesting subjects. This could be someone with an interesting face, a group of people interacting, or even just interesting street art. Second, try to capture the feeling of the place by including images of the environment in your photos. This could include shots of the architecture, busy streets, or even just people going about their everyday lives. Finally, don’t be afraid to get close to your subjects.

Street photography is all about capturing candid moments of life, so don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to taking amazing street photography.

Q. Does street photography have to be on a street?

A. In short, no. Street photography can be defined as any type of photography that focuses on the activities and behaviors of people in public places. This includes, but is not limited to, streets. So, while street photography is often associated with images of cityscapes and busy pedestrian thoroughfares, it can also encompass shots taken in parks, plazas, markets, and any other type of open public space.

Of course, there are certain elements that are typically associated with the street, such as a focus on candid shots of everyday people going about their lives. But, at its core, street photography is really about capturing the essence of a place and the people who inhabit it. So, whether you’re shooting on a street, in a park, or anywhere else, as long as you’re focusing on capturing the unique character of the scene, you can consider it street photography.