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The power of a photographer doesn’t lie in the camera but in the lens of his own eyes that capture the beauty before a camera does. Above all, a person who has the passion for street photography only knows the richness of those random or rather innocent moments of street life.
Although we can spend the whole time discussing and debating about the best camera for street photography (and to be honest, I and my team have done that only), but finally I have whittled the long list down to the top 7 cameras that are sure to elevate your experience.
I am sure with these top street photography cameras, you are going to make your name on the list of top street photographers like Bruce Gilden, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, Vivian Maier, or Daido Moriyama.
Here are the top 3 cameras we recommend from the list of 7 we have curated for Street Photography.
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now, let’s see the specifications of each of these camera-price, features, reasons to buy, and various other important details.
1. Fujifilm 100V
- Great Photography Every Day, Everywhere: X100V features a newly designed, incorporated 23mmF2 lens,...
- Designed for Quality and Speed: From fleeting holiday moments and family celebrations to hard-hitting...
- Two ways to See an Image: To truly convey the magic of a scene, you need to be immersed in the moment and...
- Frame the Perfect Image: X100V has been specifically tailored for photographers who are never without a...
- Movies on the Move: The X100V allows you to explore a whole new world of image making with the ability to...
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For a street photographer, speed is one of the biggest points of concern which is addressed by Fujifilm 100V amazingly well. Fujifilm 100V state-of-the-art X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 combination sits at this camera’s core.
The camera also enables you to switch between the X100V’s 0.52x magnification optical viewfinder (OVF), that uses parallax-correcting frame lines to enable you glance at the outside the shot, and its 3.69M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), that offers you a real-time preview of your experience.
Fujifilm 100V uses the company’s latest 26MP X-Trans APS-C sensor and processor combination. When you take the Fujifilm 100V in your hands, you feel that it is certainly designed by a street photographer for a street photographer.
The drawbacks in my opinion would be its fixed focal length, and limited selection of lenses (2 + built-in 35mm equivalent).
Key specifications:
- 26MP X-Trans sensor
- Updated 3.69M-dot OLED EVF, redesigned OVF optics
- Built-in 4-stop ND filter
- Single SD card slot
- Tilting 1.62M-dot touchscreen LCD panel
- CIPA rated to 350 shots using the EVF, 420 using the OVF
- Redesigned lens (still a 23mm F2 pancake, compatible with previous converters)
- Up to 4K/30p with Eterna film sim and F-Log internal capture (8-bit only)
- 2.5mm mic port, headphones through USB-C with adapter
- Weather-sealed, when filter adapter and filter are used
Click here to buy the Fujifilm 100V on Amazon.
2. Fujifilm X-Pro 2
- Newly-developed 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor reduces moiré and false colors to dramatically...
- Advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder featuring a Multi-Magnification function that automatically switches...
- Electronic shutter maximum speed of 1/32000 sec and a focal plane shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 sec....
- Intelligent Hybrid Phase detection AF with 273 selectable AF points, Dual SD Slots. Operating temperature...
- 16 Film simulation modes including the new ACROS monochrome mode and Grainy effect
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The camera body has a X mount for interfacing Fujinon XF and XC focal points. The self-adjust framework functions as a cross breed utilizing differentiation and stage identification, this offers focusing and delivery in almost 0.15 to 0.25 seconds from infinity to 2 meters.
The camera permits to catch 140 JPEG or 30 crude shots at up to eight edges each second, expecting a SDXC-UHS-II memory card. The mechanical shade permits exposure limit of 30 to 1/8000 seconds, utilizing the electronic shutter can offer shutter speeds up to 1/32,000 second.
Along with a proper back LC display, the camera also has a hybrid optical viewfinder. A determination switch can be utilized to change to the electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million pixels and 100 percent viewfinder inclusion.
The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 doesn’t have programmed modes, HDR or display capacities. Newly-developed 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor lowers moiré and fake colors to drastically improve picture quality & X-Processor Pro engine increases response times, obtains faster AF, reduces noise along with improved color reproduction.
Key Specifications:
- 24.3-megapixel, APS-C sized X-Trans CMOS III sensor
- Compatible with the Fujifilm X-mount system of lenses
- ISO 200–12800, expandable to ISO 100–51200
- Video/movie recording at 1080p at 60 fps, or at 4k at 30 fps (4k requires firmware 4.0 or later)[8][9][10]
- Hybrid OLED/optical viewfinder
- 1/8000 s mechanical shutter
- Dual memory card slots (a first for any mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera)
Click here to buy the Fujifilm X-Pro 2 on Amazon.
3. Ricoh GR Digital III
- 24 MP CMOS Sensor with accelerator unit helps achieve remarkable image quality; 3 Axis; 4 Stop Shake...
- 3 inches Air gapless Capacitive Touch LCD Screen makes controlling the GR III event easier with complete...
- The GR III features a hybrid AF system combining a contrast type AF mechanism, superior in focusing...
- "The GR III provides wireless LAN functions for easy pairing with mobile devices such as smartphones and...
- Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Ricoh GR III is the third model in a successful series of feature-rich digicams for enthusiasts. Street photography is all about capturing any moment that speaks to you and for that, you must always be ready with a camera in your pocket.
Popular for their slim, well-built bodies and functionality, these cameras have found their place among photo enthusiasts and professional photographers as ‘walk-around’ cameras that are extremely pocket friendly.
Even though, the camera provides the same 28mm focal length as the GR Digital II, the lens in the GR Digital III is dramatically faster, with a maximum aperture of f/1.9. The newly developed lens drive system in the III series offer improvements for macro photography.
24 MP CMOS Sensor with accelerator unit enables you to obtain remarkable picture quality; 3 Axis; 4 Stop Shake Reduction guarantee sharp images even in lower light surroundings; It is also compatible with multi tone 14 bit RAW image recording.
The GR III offers wireless LAN functions for convenient pairing with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers; The installation of the dedicated picture Sync application on a mobile device, the user can see a Live View image on the device’s monitor, reveal the shutter & send different commands from your device.
3 inches Air gapless Capacitive Touch LCD Screen makes controlling the GR III event easier with complete menu control as well as focus and shutter release; It is confirmed that a USB connection can be established between the camera and the following OS’s; Windows 10(FCU, CU) (32 bit, 64 bit), Windows 8.1(32 bit, 64bit), Windows 8(32 bit, 64 bit), or Windows 7(32 bit, 64 bit); Mac macOS 10.14 Mojave, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.12 Sierra, OS X 10.11 El Capitan, OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
Click here to buy the Ricoh GR Digital III on Amazon.
4. Fujifilm X-T4
- Putting Stability in Your Hands: A huge part of creating great photos or videos is making sure you are in...
- Performance You Can Rely On: For any serious image maker, having a tool that can be relied upon to...
- Find the Best Angle for Your Story: When chasing the perfect image, versatility is key, so the last thing...
- When Your Story Needs Movement: The modern image maker is blurring the lines between photography and...
- Powerful Image Manipulation Made Easy: For over 85 years, Fujifilm has produced photographic films that...
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Fujifilm X-T4 is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital camera. It has a posterior enlightened X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor and a X-Processor 4 quad center processor and utilizes the Fujifilm X-mount. The X-T4 is a climate safe camera outfitted with a higher-limit battery intended to endure longer than the X-T3.
The X-T4 is fit for keep video in 4K goal up to 60 fps with a most extreme bitrate of 400 Mbit/s. The camera, styled after a SLR, is accessible in 2 tones, dark and silver.
X-T4 features a newly developed mechanical shutter that is the fastest and most robust in the history of the X series. It can not only make images at 15 frames/second, but it is also rated for 300,000 actuations 2.
X-T4 can record both professional-level DCI 4K/60p and Full HD/240p super slow-motion video. It can also record F-Log footage in 10-bit color, right to the card. It doesn’ end here though, the innovative AF-C subject tracking even works like magic in lower light environment down to -6EV.
Key Specifications:
- 26.1 megapixels X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor.
- In-body image stabilization,[4] capable of up to 6.5 stops
- New shutter mechanism with 300,000 actuations
- NP-W235 battery, a higher-capacity battery than with the X-T3, that lasts approximately
- X-Processor 4, a quad-core CPU.
- 23.5 mm x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor (APS-C) Fujifilm X-Trans sensor.
- 60 fps shooting in 4K
- Up to 30 fps black-out free high-speed continuous shooting
- 4K video up to 60fps 10 bit recording
- 4K Burst, 4K Multi Focus
Click here to buy the Fujifilm XT-4 on Amazon.
5. Sony A7R IV
- World’s first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor
- 15-stop dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 102,400
- Up to 10fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking
- Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for human, animal and movie
- 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
World’s first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor, Sony A7r IV has a 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder.
The Sony a7R IV is the organization’s fourth generation model, high-goal full-outline mirrorless camera and is worked around a BSI-CMOS sensor that yields 60.2MP pictures. Compared with past models of the similar generation, it guarantees more strong form quality, refined controls, the organization’s most recent self-adjustment, and that’s just the beginning.
Notwithstanding its high goal, it can take shots at up to 10 edges each second with full self-adjustment and shoot 4K video either from the full width of its sensor or from an APS-C/Super 35 yield. It likewise gains a 16-shot high-goal mode that can be utilized to produce 240MP pictures of static scenes.
The price of the product is surely a point of concern in case your budget is tight and you are looking for some pocket-friendly camera. However, with the extraordinary features and improvements in this new model, the price is definitely worth it. When you take the camera in your hand, you feel a different level of satisfaction and love for photography as if it reminds you what it truly means to click great pictures.
The Sony α7R IV even won 2020 Camera of The Year, and Readers Award in the Japanese Camera Press Club’s Camera Grand Prix.
Key features:
- 61.2MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
- Powerful yet easy-to-use AF tracking system
- 10 fps burst shooting (JPEG or Compressed Raw from 12-bit readout)
- 5.76M dot OLED viewfinder
- 4K video from full sensor width (sub-sampled) or oversampled from roughly-Super35 crops
- 4 or 16-shot high resolution modes (up to 240MP images for static subjects)
- S-Log 2, S-Log 3 and ‘HLG’ video modes (8-bit only)
Click here to buy the Sony A7R IV on Amazon.
6. Leica Q2
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Leica Q2 is a fixed-lens, full-frame camera launched in 2019. The Q2 is a replacement to the Leica Q and Leica Q-P. The Q2 has a balanced out 28 mm f/1.7 Summilux fixed focal point with a computerized zoom identical relating to central lengths of 28, 35, 50, and 75 mm.
The Q2 highlights a 47.3MP CMOS full casing sensor, estimating 36 x 24 mm. It is fit for DCI and UHD 4K video recording at ISO responsive qualities up to 50,000 and a limit of 10 edges each second and a refreshed self-adjust. The Q2 involves Bluetooth Low Energy for network by means of the Leica FOTOS application, and its battery yields a CIPA rating of 370 shots for each charge.
The Q2’s high-goal OLED electronic view locator has a goal of 3.68 megapixels. The Q2’s body incorporates weather conditions fixing against residue and water splash. The Q2 looks normally similar to its prior models, but under the hood some great improvements have been made which includes the addition of weather-sealing, improved battery life, a new processor and a better electronic viewfinder. The pixel count has also been doubled approximately.
Key Specifications:
- 47.3MP full-frame sensor
- 28mm F1.7 Summilux stabilized lens
- 3.68MP OLED EVF with 0.76x magnification
- 3″ fixed touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots
- Fast autofocus and smoothly damped manual focus ring
- Native ISO range of 50-50,000
- 4K video capture
- Leaf shutter up to 1/2000 sec
- E-shutter up to 1/40,000 sec
- IP52 rated dust and water resistant
- Magnesium-alloy body
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Improved battery life
Click here to buy the Leica Q2 on Amazon.
7. Sony RX100 VII
- 20. 1MP 1. 0 Type stacked CMOS sensor, Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 24 200 millimeter F2. 8 F4. 5 large aperture...
- 0. 02 sec. High AF speed, 357 point focal plane Phase detection AF and 425 point contrast detection AF
- Up to 20 fps blackout free shooting, using up to 60 times/sec. AF/AE calculations. Diopter Adjustment:...
- AI based real time tracking for stills and movies, and touch tracking. Real time eye AF for human (stills...
- 4K video with us log3 and Interval Shooting. Microphone jack and vertical position data recording. Active...
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Inside its compact body, the RX100 VII is packed with everything you will ever need to click some breathtakingly beautiful images. The 24–200 mm2 zoom lens comes with 0.02-second3 super-fast AF, new Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF.
The high-magnification 24-200 mm2 zoom lens offers supreme mage quality. Designed to accomplish the greatest goal and lucidity across the whole zoom range, it carries momentous fax capacity to a pocket-size bundle, incomprehensibly extending your choices for innovation.
The Sony RX100 VII uses the same 24-200mm equivalent F2.8-4.5 lens as its predecessor but features a more capable, easier-to-use autofocus system.
This comes notwithstanding the generally amazing capacities we found in the Mark VI, including exceptionally quick ceaseless shooting and top notch 4K video catch. Furthermore, without precedent for the series, the Mark VII has a mic attachment for further developed sound recording.
The Mark VII can take shots at up to 20 edges each second with no viewfinder power outage: specs that are a counterpart for the organization’s lead a9 sports camera.
Also, it’s this capacity, alongside the improved AF, that prompts Sony to discuss ‘the force of an a9 in your pocket.’ To be clear, however, it doesn’t impart its equipment to that model. The other thing is the camera doesn’t have a way to actually hold a mic because it has no mount, or shoe. The missing feature is although small but quite significant to impact the choice of the buyer.
Sony RX 100 VII is an AI based real time tracking for stills and movies, and touch tracking. Real time eye AF for humans (stills and movies), and for animals (stills only). The best feature of Mark VII’s is its mind blowing autofocus capabilities, including Sony’s best-in-class Eye AF, that works equally well even in video mode. This feature was copied from Sony’s professional A9 and A7R Mark IV mirrorless cameras, and it’s a delightful feature in this mode.
Key Specifications:
- 20MP 1″-type stacked-CMOS sensor with phase detection and built-in DRAM
- 24-200mm equivalent F2.8-4.5 zoom
- 20 fps continuous shooting with full autofocus and auto-exposure, and no blackout
- Seven frame, 90 fps ‘single burst’ mode
- Retractable 2.36M-dot EVF with 0.59x equiv. magnification
- 3″ touchscreen LCD (flips up 180° or down by 90°)
- Oversampled UHD 4K video (up to 5 min clips in standard temperature mode)
- Combined lens and digital ‘Active’ stabilization mode in video
- High speed video at up to 1000 fps
- Intervalometer
- Wi-Fi with Bluetooth and NFC
Click here to buy the Sony RX100 VII on Amazon.
Conclusion
Only a photographer knows what he sees when he looks into the lenses and tries to capture the world. A photographer is, therefore, more or less like an imaginary world of the photographer which he shares with the world as a gift. And in the case of street photographers, I believe sharing the same magical gift is even more crucial as it depends on the skills and the quality of the camera and how the normal street life turns into something unextraordinary that perhaps cannot be explained with words.
These seven cameras listed above are selected after a careful analysis and keeping the needs of street photographers in mind. Now, based on your budget and the kind of photography you are more interested in, you can select anyone with your eyes closed as all of them are sure to offer you an exceptional experience.
As I said, each of these cameras are best of their capabilities but at the end I would like to simplify that each of them have one or some specific qualities or rather features that set them apart. In such a case, I would advise you to first know what exactly you are looking for and what are your expectations from the camera.
Although, any camera you choose from the above list of top 7 cameras for street photography, you will love the experience and maybe later this blog for the recommendation, that’s a promise.
