The most Instagram-friendly cameras
Travel, food, family life… whatever you document, here are the best cameras (and filters) for your feed
Whether you’re a budding photographer or social-media pro, the camera you use can make all the difference. With more high definition, lightweight, easy-to-use and Wi-fi compatible cameras around than ever before, the choice can be a bit overwhelming. These days, we are all capable of becoming good photographers if only we find the equipment to suit our needs. So, what are the best options?
‘I believe in the saying, “the best camera is the camera you have on you,” so it’s really not about having the most expensive gear, it’s about spotting the opportunity, pressing the shutter and capturing the emotion,’ says professional photographer Katrina Campbell, who snaps everyone from families to celebrities and dogs. ‘Some of my favourite photos are taken on an old iPhone XR, my Fuji X-T 100 or my trusty Nikon D800, and the photos I post on Instagram really reflect that – they’re a mixture of three different cameras.’
How to achieve those Insta gold shots? ‘My approach is be the same whatever the camera,’ says Katrina. ‘Slow down and try to think lighting, composition and emotion before you click. Be consistent with your filter, adjust the angle to ensure the best composition, and finally put on a powerful crop. The more you know what you can achieve by altering certain settings, the more you can free yourself up to be creative with your photography.’ Happy snapping.
Go compact
A popular choice with Instagrammers, compact system cameras provide a lightweight and slightly easier-to-use alternative to the traditional DSLR. Models such as the Sony A600 and Canon Power Shot G7 also provide excellent vlogging opportunities thanks to exceptional quality video. ‘With the Fuji X-T100 I use the film simulation effect so photos are ready to go from camera. I also use the Wi-fi connection to upload them straight to my phone so that I can share them instantly. Again, no messing around with filters or editing,’ says Katrina.
Carrie Santana da Silva, of travel, style and photography blog wishwishwish is also a Fuji fan. ‘I shoot exclusively with Fujifilm cameras after discovering their magic a few years ago. The colours they produce, as well as how easy they are to use, even for beginners is a major draw,’ she says. ‘For an excellent option you can carry around in your coat pocket, go for the Fujifilm X100F– the pictures look even better than the vintage-inspired camera itself (I’m always getting compliments when it’s around my neck!). If you need something more robust with interchangeable lenses, the Fuji X-T30 is the way to go for a compact camera that delivers beautiful shots. I edit everything for Instagram in Lightroom for mobile. It has the same powerful tools as its popular desktop version, and you can switch between the two seamlessly, making editing on the go a breeze.’
Keep it simple
Rebecca Lawson of Scandi interiors blog, Malmo & Moss whose stylish Instagram feed inspires over 90,000 followers reveals: ‘I use my iPhone 11Pro for some things but also have a Oylmpus OMD E M10
that I absolutely love. I have two different lenses that I use
depending upon whether I want crisp wide shot or softer close up. It is
very easy to use and has some great modes you can play around with
depending upon the subject you are shooting, whether that’s people or
nature or landscapes. I use apps like Snapseed and VSCO to edit photos after I have shot them, then the adjust the saturation, exposure and contrast.’
Compact digital cameras, also known as a 'point and shoot' cameras, are a good choice for documenting on the go due to their compact size. ‘Compacts can be split into three categories,’ explains Rebecca Atkinson, Partner and Junior Buyer, Audio & Imaging. ‘Entry level, which offers greater flexibility than a smartphone; super zoom which provides great capability to get closer to the subject, and premium compact with larger sensor sizes and manual controls, for more creativity.’
Compact digital cameras, also known as a 'point and shoot' cameras, are a good choice for documenting on the go due to their compact size. ‘Compacts can be split into three categories,’ explains Rebecca Atkinson, Partner and Junior Buyer, Audio & Imaging. ‘Entry level, which offers greater flexibility than a smartphone; super zoom which provides great capability to get closer to the subject, and premium compact with larger sensor sizes and manual controls, for more creativity.’
DSLR cameras
Aiming for professional level imagery for you blog or Instagram feed? Consider getting to grips with a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR).
‘A DSLR is a camera body with an optical viewfinder built in,’ explains
Rebecca. ‘This is where you can see the image through the lens via an
internal mirror. This gives the photographer the exact representation of
what they are shooting. DSLRs have a wide range of lenses available for
maximum flexibility. This makes them the choice for professionals and
beginners wanting to take the hobby to the next level.’
‘My favourite camera is definitely my Nikon, which I use for all my family or commercial shoots, usually with a prime lens attached whether 35, 50 or 85mm,’ says Katrina. ‘No need to zoom in, I can simply move in close or stand further back, and the glass is just beautiful, giving me gorgeous light-filled images every time, even in pretty low light. I post these images frequently on Instagram, with no filter, as the small amount of editing that I do in Lightroom is enough.’
‘My favourite camera is definitely my Nikon, which I use for all my family or commercial shoots, usually with a prime lens attached whether 35, 50 or 85mm,’ says Katrina. ‘No need to zoom in, I can simply move in close or stand further back, and the glass is just beautiful, giving me gorgeous light-filled images every time, even in pretty low light. I post these images frequently on Instagram, with no filter, as the small amount of editing that I do in Lightroom is enough.’
Get mobile
As the camera quality has improved vastly over the past year, many Instagrammers are now just using their mobile phones. These days you can zoom and they offer high definition quality, too. The new Google Pixel 4XL
boosts vivid colour, extremely rich details and the ability to take
pictures in the dark without a flash. Rosanna Falconer, brand consultant
and co-founder of FashMash
says: ‘The Google Pixel transformed my content game. I use it for
everything from my tablescapes to travel imagery. The abilities of Night
Sight blow my mind every time. My favourite party trick is to show
friends just how much of the evening can be captured with its
intelligence. The sharpness and saturation of the imagery is a credit to
how far smartphone technology has come. I then often use the Adobe Lightroom app to tweak the imagery to my tastes, adjusting exposure, contrast and colour.’
Like many other social media pros, parenting blogger Courtney Adamo has stayed loyal to the iPhone: ‘I just use my iPhone 10. I can't be bothered taking photos on a camera and then uploading to my phone. And I know it's a silly consideration, but I like the quality of the photos on my feed to all look the same, so if I do put the occasional camera photo in there, it always looks out of place among the iPhone photos. I do use VSCO to edit my photos, usually increasing the exposure and sometimes the contrast.’
Like many other social media pros, parenting blogger Courtney Adamo has stayed loyal to the iPhone: ‘I just use my iPhone 10. I can't be bothered taking photos on a camera and then uploading to my phone. And I know it's a silly consideration, but I like the quality of the photos on my feed to all look the same, so if I do put the occasional camera photo in there, it always looks out of place among the iPhone photos. I do use VSCO to edit my photos, usually increasing the exposure and sometimes the contrast.’
Bibliography
Reference Cited
THE MOST INSTAGRAM-FRIENDLY CAMERAS (2019) [Online] John Lewis plc. Available from: https://www.johnlewis.com/content/electricals-tech/best-cameras-for-instagram
