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Cameras for wedding photographers are expensive, there’s no getting around it. Thankfully, wedding photographers generally make that money up quite quickly within their first few gigs.
But, for someone just getting started in wedding photography, knowing which wedding photography cameras can be purchased for less than the going rate of $2,500-$3,500 is important.
photo by zxvisual via iStock
When searching for wedding photography cameras, you’ll obviously want to be looking at the overall image quality the camera produces. Look for a high ISO range and a quiet camera to capture those important vows without interrupting.
You’ll also want a camera that has a durable body that you can expect to last for hundreds of thousands of clicks.
Finally, make sure that whatever DSLR you opt for has a wide-range of accessories. Most Nikon and Canon cameras do. Some Sony cameras do as well.
All of the cameras we’ve compiled for you on this list meet the above specifications.
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Nikon D750
The Nikon D750 features a 24.3MP full-frame sensor and an impressive battery life of over 1,000 shots, making it one of the best cameras for wedding photographers.
It features a 3.2” flip-up LCD screen with 1.2M-dots, a 51-point AF system, and built-in Wi-Fi. The only thing not to love about the Nikon D750 is its lack of 4K video.
The Nikon D750 is made from magnesium alloy, so it maintains a weight under 2 lbs while still feeling sturdy.
Plus, if you’re used to shooting on the Nikon D line, then this camera will feel very similar.
Check out this video by Twisty Focus for all of the gritty details about using the Nikon D750 to shoot weddings.
You can buy a new Nikon D750 off of Amazon for $1,500.
Or, you can purchase a used Nikon D750 on MPB starting at $1,200.
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Canon 5D Mark III
The Canon 5D Mark III is the oldest of all of these cameras for wedding photographers. It turns 8 this year. Yet, I still recommend it as one of my favorite used wedding photography cameras.
This DSLR features a 22.3MP sensor, full HD video, and a 3” LCD with over 1M-dots. It’s ISO range of 100-25,600 should be plenty for any wedding photographers.
I also love the Canon 5D Mark III for its versatility. It’s dust and weather-sealed and again weighs under 2 lbs, making it a great camera for everyday shooting.
Henry Chen has used his Canon 5D Mark III to shoot over 250 weddings in the past 8 years and it looks like there’s no stopping now, given his raving in the video above.
The Canon 5D Mark III is not cheap new; it’s for sale on Amazon right now for $2,800.
Thankfully, MPB has a wide range of used Canon 5D Mark IIIs starting at $700.
Sony a7
Finally, we feature one Sony camera on this “cameras for wedding photographers” list: the Sony a7. The Sony a7 was the company’s first full-frame mirrorless camera. It features a 24.3MP full-frame sensor, an AF system with 117 points, and built-in Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, the Sony a7 does not have a long battery life at just 260 shots, so you’ll definitely want to spring for an extra battery (or two or three…) if you do decide to go with this camera.
This camera is the lightest on our list at just over 1 lb, and the most compact as well. You can easily slip this into your jacket pocket and forget it’s there.
The 3” OLED screen is tiltable and the EVF features 2.4M-dots. Plus, despite the camera’s compact size, it still features a chunky grip that ensures the camera feels comfortable in your hand all day long.
If you want to check out how other wedding photographers are using the Sony a7, watch this video by Slash Slash O above.
Since the Sony a7 is older, you can no longer purchase it new, but you can purchase a “renewed” version off Amazon that is backed by a 90-day guarantee for $995.
Or, if you’re looking to save a little more cash than that, you can head over to MPB and snag one for just $515.
And, as a friendly reminder, MPB’s warranty is far better than Amazon’s. They’ll cover any item off their site for 6 months. Plus, who doesn’t like to save a few hundred bucks?!
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