Choosing the best cameras for jewelry photography can be quite a challenging endeavor, as you need a great unit that will capture every single detail to provide a suitable presentation of the piece. We did some research and found five excellent cameras you will absolutely love.

Today’s market is jam-packed with a wide variety of cameras that perform well at different tasks, so picking the one for capturing images of jewelry requires knowledge about the specifications. These specs can be very confusing for laymen or amateur photographers, and we have researched them, so you do not have to. The cameras we picked are not budget options, but they will certainly get the job done, not only for jewelry photos but for other purposes as well. We have a lot to cover, so let us begin without further delay.

List of Best Cameras for Jewelry Photography

1. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B

If you are professional and take photos of jewelry often, the Sony a7 might be one of the most reliable choices you can go for. This is a feature-rich mirrorless camera that can serve a wide variety of purposes and take different-style photographs, not just jewelry ones.

The reason why this unit is such a great choice for taking photos of jewelry is mainly its minimum focusing distance which stands at only 11 inches. This means you will be able to get fantastic close-ups and capture everything you want to highlight with incredible detail and quality.

Additionally, Sony a7 III also sports an aperture range of f/3.5-22 and an extended ISO range, which in simple terms, means that it can capture excellent photos in low-light studios and other indoor conditions; in fact, this camera excels at capturing images in such conditions.

Another feature that contributes to taking fantastic close-up images is this camera’s 5-axis image stabilization which grants longer exposure times, which is something that every photographer will certainly appreciate for these purposes.

The advanced 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor is another important contributor to producing top-notch images, and probably one of the most important and best features of this unit is its 693-point phase detection. The 425-point contrast detection autofocus is also something you should not overlook as it covers 93 percent of the frame, and it tracks and focuses very fast targets, which is very impressive.

The body of this unit is another thing that is a testament to the overall quality, as it is made of magnesium alloy and provides exceptional resistance to both dust and moisture. Sadly, it is not an entirely waterproof unit, but on the plus side, the battery compartment boasts a waterproof seal cover.

Sony a7 III Specifications

Body Type	SLR-Style Mirrorless
Max Resolution	6000 x 4000
Effective Pixels	24 Megapixels
Sensor Size	Full Frame – 35.8 x 23.8 mm
Sensor Type	BSI – CMOS
ISO	Auto, 100 – 51200
Lens Mount	Sony E
Focal Length Multiplier	1 x
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen Size	3”
Screen Dots	921.600
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 8000 Sec
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Storage Types	SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
USB	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/Sec)
Weight	650 g
Dimensions	127 x 96 x 74 mm
GPS	None

2. Nikon D850 FX-format Digital SLR Camera

Nikon D850 was one of the most anticipated cameras released back in 2017 and for plenty of good reasons. This is a unit that is definitely meant for professionals and those that do not shy away from spending a lot of money on their cameras. However, the high price is more than justified when all the features and specifications are taken into consideration.

This is a fantastic all-around DSLR for professionals, and at this price point, even some ambitious amateurs might consider it. Although this unit comes with some limitations and is not an absolutely perfect camera, its combination of resolution, fantastic continuous shooting speed, sensor, and overall user-friendliness makes it a great pickup.

There are various qualities that D850 can offer, but none is more impressive than its extraordinary resolution capacity, with the maximum at 8256 x 5504. Many photographers swear by Nikon cameras for being the best shooting device for jewelry photography, and this unit truly justifies the company’s reputation.

When compared to most DSLR cameras in the class, this unit has one of the lowest noise levels at high ISO, which is really impressive when you consider all the other products it competes with. You also get a fantastic dynamic range for recovering shadows and highlights of your images, which is very important for jewelry photography.

You can also use this camera to record videos in 4K resolution with a slow motion that goes up to 120 FPS, which can also serve the purpose of jewelry presentations. It is a great option for recording commercials and other types of promo material. The touchscreen is tilting, meaning that the shooting process will be much more convenient as well.

With its 45.7 megapixels sensor and a native ISO sensitivity range of 64 – 25.600, Nikon managed to do an incredible job at satisfying various photography needs wrapped in one neat package.

Nikon D850 Specifications

Body Type	Mid-Size SLR
Max Resolution	8256 x 5504
Effective Pixels	45.7 Megapixels
Sensor Size	Full Frame – 35.9 x 23.9 mm
Sensor Type	BSI – CMOS
ISO	Auto, 64 – 25600, Expandable to 32 – 102400
Lens Mount	Nikon F
Focal Length Multiplier	1 x
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen Size	3.2”
Screen Dots	2.359.000
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 8000 Sec
Format	MPEG-4
Storage Types	SD, SDHC, SDXC, XQD
USB	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/Sec)
Weight	1005 g
Dimensions	146 x 124 x 79 mm
GPS	None

3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a nice upgrade for users of this line, and it comes with some significant improvements when compared to its predecessors. It sports an improved AF system, wider ISO range, and faster capture rate; therefore, it is one of the best DSLR cameras you can find in today’s very competitive market.

This unit performs particularly well in low-light environments, making it useful for photographers that want to take photos of jewelry in great detail without capturing too much light and reflections. WiFi also performs very well, so you will be able to transfer your photos and review them in a matter of seconds.

When we talk about the design of this camera, there are some notable changes to its predecessors. One of the bigger ones is an inclusion of a touchscreen, which is the first time we see it in the 5D series. It is very responsive and fast, and on top of it all, it makes the camera much easier to use and navigate.

The 30-megapixel full-frame sensor is also an upgrade, and it is more than suitable for taking photos of jewelry and other shiny objects, even in low-light rooms. One of the biggest improvements EOS 5D Mark IV brings to the table is the Dual Pixel Raw, which is a new capture image mode that can take two images at the same time.

After capture, you will be able to slightly tweak the focus and make some other micro-adjustments in order to lessen the ghosting. Overall, this is a camera that delivers quick and responsive performance and shines through its versatility and modern capabilities.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Specifications

Body Type	Mid-Size SLR
Max Resolution	6720 x 4480
Effective Pixels	30 Megapixels
Sensor Size	Full Frame – 36 x 24 mm
Sensor Type	CMOS
ISO	Auto, 100 – 32000, Expandable to 50 – 102400
Lens Mount	Canon EF
Focal Length Multiplier	1 x
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen Size	3.2”
Screen Dots	1.620.000
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 8000 Sec
Format	MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Storage Types	SD, SDHC, SDXC
USB	3.0 (5 GBit/Sec)
Weight	890 g
Dimensions	151 x 116 x 76 mm
GPS	Built-in

4. Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Digital Camera

This Panasonic digital camera is a fantastic pickup for jewelry photographers with certain budget limitations. Although it is a bit cheaper item when compared to the rest of the entries on our list, it is safe to say that the price did not compromise the quality. Although you will lack some extra features you would get with other models, it is definitely a worthy pickup.

For beginner product or jewelry photographers, G85 is a great choice, as they will not have to break the bank to get it and will still get excellent results. The combination of its lightweight design, 4K recording capability, and dustproof and water-resistant design makes it a unique camera in this price range.

At the heart of this unit, you will find a 16-megapixel sensor and an updated Venus Engine image processor that are more than suitable for jewelry photography. Feature-wise, G85 is jam-packed. Aside from the five-axis image stabilization and flip-out display, you also get a display with touch control, programmable function buttons, intelligent auto mode, and much more.

Where this camera truly shines is the full extent of its dynamic range on display, which demonstrates how good it is to analyze the scene with deep shadows and bright highlights you will record absolutely effortlessly. Moreover, this is highly important for capturing images of jewelry pieces, so you are definitely covered in that department.

This unit is an absolutely fantastic all-rounder. It is not the best for product image capturing, but it surely checks most of the essential boxes and comes with an affordable price tag as an extra bonus.

Panasonic LUMIX G85 Specifications

Body Type	SLR-Style Mirrorless
Max Resolution	4592 x 3448
Effective Pixels	16 Megapixels
Sensor Size	Four Thirds – 17.3 x 13 mm
Sensor Type	CMOS
ISO	Auto, 200 – 25600, Expandable down to ISO 100
Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds
Focal Length Multiplier	2 x
Articulated LCD	Fully Articulated
Screen Size	3”
Screen Dots	1.040.000
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 4000 Sec
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD
Storage Types	SD, SDHC, SDXC
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/Sec)
Weight	505 g
Dimensions	128 x 89 x 74 mm
GPS	None

5. FUJIFILM X-T3 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm X-T3 is a highly versatile camera that can suit a wide variety of needs, including product or jewelry photography. It sports multiple new features and upgrades, which are mainly focused on the components and specifications, while you will also find some minor updates on the body of the camera.

The biggest overhaul happened in the imaging pipeline department, with its brand-new 26 megapixels BSI X-Trans APS-C sensor and a quad-core image processor that gave a breath of fresh air and life into this amazing unit. Improved low-light AF sensitivity is yet another great upgrade, and it is one of the biggest reasons why X-T3 performs so well in jewelry image capturing.

As we mentioned, the exterior of this unit also got some improvements, as the chassis of construction seems a bit more durable than its predecessor’s. Generally speaking, Fujifilm made some beefy cameras that can take quite a lot of beating, and it seems like with this one, they are taking the approach “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” which is actually a good thing, considering the durability of their goods.

As far as the image quality goes, Fujifilm is a real powerhouse, and there is not much to complain about. They have a long history of manufacturing cameras that provide exceptional quality and performance, and this one is not any different in that department.

Overall, it is a stable unit that does not come at a high price point as some other entries on this list but provides an excellent balance in quality and pricing. It is reliable and durable and provides some amazing photos in illuminated and low-light surroundings, which is a great reason to consider it for your next big purchase.

FUJIFILM X-T3 Specifications

Body Type	SLR-Style Mirrorless
Max Resolution	6240 x 4160
Effective Pixels	26 Megapixels
Sensor Size	APS-C – 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Sensor Type	BSI – CMOS
ISO	Auto, 160 – 12800, Expandable to 80 – 51200
Lens Mount	Fujifilm X
Focal Length Multiplier	1.5 x
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen Size	3”
Screen Dots	1.040.000
Max Shutter Speed	1 / 8000 Sec
Format	MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
USB	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/Sec)
Weight	539 g
Dimensions	133 x 93 x 59 mm
GPS	None

Things to Consider Before Buying a Camera for Jewelry Photography

Before you decide to spend your money on an expensive camera for jewelry photography, you should first do thorough research and figure out the features you will require for this purpose. We want to assist you with this endeavor, so we have listed some essential considerations to keep in mind before spending any money.

Megapixels

Megapixels should be the first thing to look for when buying a new camera. A lower-megapixel camera will do the trick when you only want to take photos for social media. However, if you are looking for a camera for commercial purposes and promotions, the higher the megapixel number it is, the better.

ISO Range

A camera with a high ISO range will ensure that you can capture high-quality images in low-light conditions. With that said, if you want to take photos of jewelry, it is best to do it in rooms with lower illumination to capture all the details better, and a high ISO range will provide you with the best quality.

Image Stabilization

You can probably guess that image stabilization bears huge importance in capturing all sorts of photos. It removes camera shakes, steadies the image, and keeps the blur away, especially when you are doing a handheld photo session. Additionally, it will reduce noise when using high ISO in low light, so it is a feature that is an absolute must.

Lens

When you buy a camera with a good lens, you will get exceptional results in your images, which is why so many people prefer buying DSLR cameras over mirrorless ones for jewelry photography, as they are compatible with various lenses. The best one for taking photos of jewelry is a macro lens with a smaller focal length.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I eliminate reflections in jewelry photography?

One of the best and easiest methods is to use a piece of paper or aluminum foil, which you can use to shield the camera’s lens from the ground. It will reduce glare and keep the spotlight exactly where you want it.

2. What lens should I use when taking photos of jewelry?

Expert photographers highly recommend using a macro lens, as it will allow you to create high-definition and complex visuals when taking close-up shots of shiny and small items such as jewelry.

3. What features to look for when buying a camera for jewelry photography?

For starters, you should look for a mirrorless or digital single-lens reflex camera. Image stabilization is one of the most important features that every good camera should have, but you should also look for a macro lens and high ISO range feature.

4. How do pro photographers capture images of jewelry?

They typically do it with a mirrorless DSLR camera, as it is one of the most effective ways to do so. They avoid camera shakes and look to take photos in reasonably illuminated conditions to prevent unwanted reflections.

Final Words

The art of jewelry photography can pose quite a bit of a challenge, especially if you do not possess the right equipment and the necessary know-how. The latter can be corrected with practice, but the equipment choice plays a very important role in this as well, so you should make sure you do it right.

We hope you liked our picks and guide and that you will find a suitable camera after reading this article. If you are still uncertain about which camera to pick, make sure to re-read our buying guide and revisit our top picks afterward, as things will be much clearer, and you will be able to pick the camera that will suit your needs.

If your budget is limited and you cannot afford the cameras on our list but still want to get a decent product, check out our article about the best cameras for YouTubers, where you will find some excellent picks that will surely serve your purposes.

The post 5 Best Cameras for Jewelry Photography in 2023 – Pro Picks appeared first on Kingston College.