One of the things I love most about food photography is the incredible range of equipment available to us. There’s a tool for every style and creative vision. But this abundance can also cause confusion—especially when it comes to choosing the right camera. Many people ask which camera is best for food photography, and while there are many great options today, the real answer depends on your needs and budget.
If you’re in the market for a new system, you’ll be pleased to know that most of the latest cameras across all brands are highly capable. My philosophy has always been that the best camera for you is the one you can afford and that meets your creative and technical requirements—not the one with the most hype or the biggest name. I’ve never believed in brand loyalty; instead, I focus on what helps me create the best work possible.
Recently, I’ve been testing several modern camera systems as I prepare to upgrade from my current 35mm setup. I’m especially interested in mirrorless cameras, which are quickly becoming the future of photography.
The Rise of Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless cameras have revolutionized the photography industry. These systems are compact, powerful, and increasingly versatile. While it took some time for manufacturers to develop high-quality lenses suited to food photography, we now have several mirrorless options that perform beautifully in commercial and editorial environments.
Before I dive into my experience with the Sony A7RIII, I should mention that my testing was done in collaboration with B&H Photo Video. They provided the equipment for review, but all opinions are my own. I’m not paid to promote any gear—just sharing my honest experiences.
Why I Chose the Sony A7RIII
Sony was one of the first to pioneer full-frame mirrorless technology, releasing their first model back in 2013. Over time, they’ve refined the system into a serious contender for professional work. I decided to test the Sony A7RIII (ILCE-7RM3A) because it hit the sweet spot for me in terms of price and features.
I’m never the kind of photographer to rush out and buy the newest release. I prefer to wait until the early adopters identify the issues so that I can invest in a more stable version. The A7RIII, now a few iterations into Sony’s full-frame line, offers a 42.4-megapixel sensor, a tilting LCD screen, and excellent autofocus—all for around $2,500. Compared to competitors like the Canon R5, which is about $1,000 more, it’s a solid value for what it delivers.
My Must-Have Features for Food Photography
When I evaluate cameras for food and product photography, I focus on a few critical factors:
- Large file size: Clients often crop into images for print layouts, so I need high-resolution files that hold up even after editing.
- Flip screen: Essential for overhead food shots where I can’t comfortably view through the viewfinder.
- Full-frame sensor: Ensures my lenses perform at their true focal lengths.
- Reasonable price: I don’t like spending more than $3,000 on a small-format camera body. Beyond that, I’d consider moving into medium format.
- Plenty of focus points: Modern cameras offer hundreds, making it easier to precisely target focus areas.
- Eye-tracking autofocus: Useful when shooting chefs or people in motion.
- 4K video and strong ISO performance: Both are helpful for dynamic shoots and low-light conditions.
The Sony A7RIII checks nearly all those boxes. It offers a massive sensor, a practical flip screen, 425 focus points, and Eye AF—all tools that make shooting food and lifestyle imagery efficient and enjoyable.
Macro Photography and the 90mm Sony Lens
Much of food photography involves macro work—capturing the fine details of textures, ingredients, and plating. Sony’s 90mm f/2.8 macro lens, introduced in 2015, performs exceptionally well for this. It’s tack-sharp and delivers incredible clarity. When paired with the A7RIII, I found the autofocus impressively accurate, even when zooming in on tiny focus points. The “focus zoom” feature, which magnifies the focus area before taking a shot, proved invaluable for ensuring perfect sharpness.
However, I discovered a limitation when trying to do focus stacking—a technique where multiple shots are taken at slightly different focus distances and combined later for extended depth of field. Unfortunately, with the Sony 90mm macro lens, I couldn’t perform fine manual focus adjustments smoothly. Even when both the camera and lens were set to manual mode, small focus collar movements didn’t register. This isn’t an isolated issue—many Sony lenses seem to have this challenge, and Sony has yet to formally address it.
Workarounds for Focus Stacking
If you need to focus stack with the A7RIII, the best workaround is to use a macro focusing rail. This device allows you to move the entire camera setup forward or backward in precise increments instead of adjusting the lens itself. It’s a simple and relatively affordable solution, costing around $100–$400 depending on the model. With a focusing rail, I was able to produce seamless stacks and maintain full control over my focus points.
Alternatively, there are software and controller units available for automated focus stacking, though they tend to be more expensive. For my workflow, the rail was an efficient and reliable method.
Eye-Tracking Autofocus and Final Impressions
One of the standout features of the A7RIII is its Eye Follow Focus. During my tests, I photographed a chef moving rapidly around the frame, and the camera tracked his eyes flawlessly—even through glasses. Every shot was crisp and well-focused.
In conclusion, for single-shot food photography, the Sony A7RIII paired with the 90mm macro lens performs beautifully. It delivers professional-quality images, intuitive controls, and a flexible shooting experience. The only drawback is the lack of built-in focus stacking support, which can be easily resolved with third-party tools.
Would I buy this camera? Absolutely. Even with the added cost of focus stacking gear, it remains a better value than comparable models like the Canon R5. I expect future firmware updates will further refine its performance. For now, it’s an excellent choice for photographers looking to transition into mirrorless systems without compromising on image quality or creative control.
