To take great portraits, there are two main things to consider. The first is the lens you use and how it affects your subject. A lens with a longer focal length helps make facial features look nice, while a wide-angle lens can make them look bigger.
When buying a new camera for portrait photography, check what lenses work with it. Many portrait photographers like to have a 50mm, 85mm, or 100mm prime lens, and maybe a 70-200mm zoom lens too. You can check out our guide for the best portrait lenses.
The second thing to think about is the type of image sensor in the camera. A full-frame sensor makes it easier to get a nice blurry background, which is great for portraits. However, cameras with APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors are cheaper and can also take great photos with the right lens.
Background blur depends on other things too, like how far your subject is from the background and the lens you choose. So, don’t worry if you have an APS-C or MFT camera. For more details on sensor sizes, check out our guide comparing APS-C and Full-Frame (and MFT) sensors. How to Choose a Camera and Lenses for Portrait Photography.
When selecting a camera and lenses for portrait photography, it’s essential to consider image quality, depth of field, and ease of use. A full-frame camera is ideal for capturing portraits with a shallow depth of field and excellent low-light performance, although APS-C cameras can also yield great results at a lower cost. Look for a camera with a good resolution (around 20–30 megapixels) and reliable eye-detection autofocus for sharp, focused shots. Equally important is the lens:
prime lenses with wide apertures (such as f/1.4 or f/1.8) are popular for portraits because they create a beautifully blurred background, helping the subject stand out. Classic focal lengths for portraiture include 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm, depending on the desired look and available space. Ultimately, the best setup balances performance, comfort, and your specific photography needs.