Best Cameras For Family Photography In 2024

As a travel photographer, I know how important it is to have the right camera to capture great moments. And when it comes to the best cameras for family photography in 2024, don’t worry—you don’t necessarily need the most amazing pro-level gear.

The priority is finding a camera that reliably captures your family’s candid laughs, milestones, and portraits in good quality.

That’s why I’ve carefully researched and hand-picked some of the best affordable yet capable cameras perfect for family photography this year. With my experience framing travel portraits, I’ll guide you to find an ideal camera within your budget.

One that inspires you to photograph more unforgettable family memories without breaking the bank. And who knows, this could even lead to a fun side hustle down the road!

In this article, I will provide tips for the best camera in 2024 based on various price points and help you understand the important factors that come into play when selecting your ideal camera.

Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to support this blog.

What are the best cameras for family photography in 2024?

If you want to get straight to the point, here is a list of cameras for family photography I recommend based on my expertise in helping people choose the right photography equipment.

I only included one high-end model because 95 % of you wouldn’t benefit much from a super-expensive camera.

Top benefits

• 26.2-megapixel full-frame sensor, which allows you to print up to 21″ x 14″ (52 x 35 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• 4779 AF Points that will make sure your photos will be focused correctly
• 3″ touchscreen electronic viewfinder with 1.04 megapixels for easy operation and big enough size for seeing your photos clearly
• 4K video that will look beautiful on your home TV
• Powerful DIGIC 8 image processor that ensures crisp image quality

Top drawbacks

• Only 5 fps burst speed, so it’s not ideal to shoot a lot of fast action like sports
• Doesn’t have a dual memory card slot, so you can only use one card at a time and hope that it won’t fail and you won’t lose images (psst, that has never happened to me)
• It doesn’t have image stabilization for stills, only for video (5 stops)

Wrap up

This is a great and reasonably priced camera (approx. $999) to enter the world of full-frame mirrorless cameras. If you want to step up your family photography game or pursue photography more seriously, this camera will last you.

If this camera is within your budget, don’t hesitate to purchase it! You won’t regret it.

Best point-and-shoot camera

Sony RX100 VII

Best budget camera (under $500)

Canon Rebel T7 (Canon 2000D)

Best camera under $1000

Nikon Z5

Best APS-C mirrorless camera

Sony A6700

Best DSLR camera

Canon EOS 90D

Best bridge camera

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II

Best for professionals

Sony A7 IV

What other cameras do I recommend for family photography in 2024?

I want to point out that nowadays, it’s difficult to recommend one camera over another because modern cameras are already SO GOOD. The differences are often almost negligible, and beginner or intermediate photographers won’t be able to tell the difference.

The best point-and-shoot camera: Sony RX-100 VII

Overview

The Sony RX-100 VII is a powerful point-and-shoot camera with a 20.1-megapixel sensor, a 24-200mm zoom lens, and incredible autofocus capabilities. It is perfect for families that often travel—you get a professional-quality camera that fits in your pocket.

Despite its small size, the Sony RX-100 VII offers advanced features that will satisfy even the most demanding photographers. With its advanced features, it is a great choice for anyone who wants to take fabulous family photos without the bulk of a full-sized camera.

Top benefits

• A compact camera that fits into your pocket
• 20.1-megapixel 1″ sensor, which allows you to print up to 18″ x 12″ (45 x 30 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• 24-200 mm (35 mm equivalent) at f/2.8-4.5 allows you to use a powerful zoom even in low-light conditions
• 357 focal points with phase detection, Eye-AF, and real-time tracking ensure precise focusing on a person’s eye or always keeping your moving subject in focus
• 4K video that will look great on your home TV

Top drawbacks

• You cannot interchange lenses
• Smaller 1″ sensor, which means that you will get more high-ISO noise (nowadays, it can be easily removed)
• Compared to Lumix below, you cannot zoom as far

Price (approx. $1,298)

Wrap up

A compact-sized all-around camera that satisfies the needs of advanced photographers and beginners alike. Incredible image quality and wide focal range make it a fantastic camera for a family.

If you’re looking for a point and shoot camera to help you create great family photos, this is it. Go and order it!

The best budget camera (under $500): Canon EOS Rebel T7

Overview

The Canon Rebel T7 (2000D) is a great budget-friendly camera for family photos. It has a 24-megapixel sensor, a good autofocus system, and can shoot continuously at up to 3 frames per second. You can capture various family activities and lasting everyday photos. It’s also a great camera for beginner photographers looking to get more into photography.

Top benefits

• 24.1 megapixel APS-C sensor, which allows you to print up to 20″ x 13″ (50 x 33 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• Ease of use thanks to a simple and easy-to-understand menu
• WiFi and NFC connectivity allow you to easily share your photos from the camera into your phone or even shoot remotely using your smartphone

Top drawbacks

• It doesn’t have image stabilization, which means you have to increase ISO more when shooting in low light (but noise is no longer an issue and can be easily removed in post-production)
• It doesn’t record video in 4K, only in 1080p HD, so you won’t get as many details as with 4K
• It lacks a touchscreen, so you have to control the camera using the buttons; frankly, I don’t use the touchscreen on my camera anyway
• Slow continuous shooting at 3 fps, so it’s you may miss the right moment when shooting fast action such as sports

Pricing (approx. $479 including an 18-55 mm kit lens)

Wrap up

Pick the best entry-level DSLR camera to capture precious family moments. This camera is great value for money for anyone looking forward to their first steps in photography. Once you learn the ropes, it has features to step up your game and improve your skills.

The best camera under $1000: Nikon Z5

Overview

The Nikon Z5 is a full-frame mirrorless camera with high-quality images and 4K video recording. It has a 24.3MP sensor, in-body image stabilization, and 273 autofocus points. The camera also has a 3.69-million-dot OLED viewfinder and a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen.

The Z5 has a durable magnesium alloy body and is designed to withstand dust and moisture, making it a versatile camera for various conditions. It is an affordable entry point into the Nikon Z system.

Top benefits

• 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, which allows you to print up to 20″ x 13″ (50 x 33 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI), and a full-frame sensor provides better image quality in low-light conditions
• Eye-AF for people, dogs, and cats, so your photos will be sharp at the right places
• 5-stop in-body image stabilization, which helps you to make sharp images even when shooting hand-held in low-light situations
• Dual memory card slot ensures that even if your memory card fails, you will not lose your photos
• 4K video that will look great on your home TV

Top drawback

• Slow continuous shooting at 4.5 fps, which means you may miss the right moment when shooting sports

Pricing (approx. $996)

Wrap up

A highly capable full-frame mirrorless camera from Nikon will meet the expectations of even more advanced photographers. If you’re using an entry-level Nikon camera and want to improve the quality of your family photos, Z5 will deliver. You won’t regret it!

The best APS-C mirrorless camera: Sony A6700

Overview

The Sony A6700 is an APS-C camera with advanced features like Real-time Eye AF and 5-axis in-body image stabilization. It has a 25.6-megapixel sensor and can shoot up to 11 frames per second, allowing you to capture your kids in motion and get great family shots.

The A6700 also has a flip-out touchscreen LCD and a headphone jack for video recording. It is a highly capable camera for shooting family photos and videos.

Top benefits

• 25.6-megapixel APS-C sensor, which allows you to print up to 21″ x 14″ (52 x 35 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• 759 focal points with phase detection for highly precise and fast focusing
• Up to 11 frames per second shooting, so you can capture the right split of a second at your child’s sports game
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which helps you to make sharp images even when shooting hand-held in low-light conditions
• 4K video that will look great on your home TV

Pricing (approx. $1,398)

Wrap up

A6700’s fast burst mode and fantastic autofocus system make it one of the most suitable cameras for photographing action (e.g., your kids running); you won’t miss the right moment, and thanks to the Eye-AF tracking, your photos will be sharp in the right places. This camera is also a great option for videographers.

The best DSLR camera: Canon EOS 90D

Overview

The Canon 90D is a versatile and powerful DSLR camera designed for enthusiasts and some professionals alike. With a 32.5 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and 10 fps continuous shooting, the camera performs exceptionally in various shooting situations.

The camera also features 4K video recording and a weather-sealed body, making it a great choice for outdoor family photography.

Top benefits

• 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor, which allows you to print up to 23″ x 15″ (59 x 39 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• Fast burst mode (up to 10 fps) for shooting action, such as kids running
• 5481 autofocus points with Eye-AF help to focus when shooting in live view (through the LCD screen) and making videos
• Articulated 3″ LCD touchscreen for easy manipulation when shooting from complicated angles
• 4K video that will look great on your home TV

Top drawback

• Single memory card slot, you you cannot use two cards at a time

Pricing (approx. $1,199)

Wrap up

Canon EOS 90D aims at intermediate and professional photographers who strive to capture the best action family shots. The camera uses a high-megapixel count sensor to give you lots of detail in your images for printing and equips you with advanced features you will appreciate later in your journey.

The best bridge camera: Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II

Overview

The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II is not an interchangeable lens camera. It features a 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor and a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens for high image quality. With 4K video capabilities, advanced autofocus, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this camera is perfect for amateurs and professionals alike who don’t want to change lenses but appreciate professional-looking photos.

Thanks to its varied focal length and zooming abilities, this camera can capture numerous situations, such as sports games or wildlife photos, on your family holidays.

Top benefits

• 20.1-megapixel 1″ sensor, which allows you to print up to 18″ x 12″ (46 x 31 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• The wide focal range of 25-400 mm (35 mm equivalent) at f/2.8-4 provides superb zooming capabilities for close-ups and shooting distant objects
• Fast burst mode (up to 12 fps) ensures you always capture the right moment
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization allows you to take sharp pictures hand-held, even in low-light conditions
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy photo sharing straight from your camera and remote camera control using your smartphone
• 4K video that will look great on your home TV

Top drawbacks

• You cannot interchange lenses
• Smaller 1″ sensor, which means that you will get more high-ISO noise (nowadays, it can be easily removed)
• Heavier camera (810 g, 1.78 lb)

Pricing (approx. $749)

Wrap up

The Lumix DC-FZ1000 II is the best camera if you don’t want to change lenses (or invest in expensive lenses). It takes the best from the well-received first version and brings it even closer to perfection.

It packs high-quality optics with stunning zooming capabilities while maintaining good speed even at its far end. This means you can capture better images of distant objects in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Combined with fast burst mode, you can shoot great photos for any occasion.

The best camera for professionals: Sony A7 IV

Overview

The Sony A7 IV is a feature-packed mirrorless camera with a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor, impressive low-light capabilities, and 4K video recording. With its durable magnesium alloy body and advanced autofocus system, the A7 IV is perfect for professional photographers and videographers seeking superior image quality and performance in a compact, versatile package.

Top benefits

• 33-megapixel full-frame sensor, which allows you to produce large prints up to 23″ x 15″ (60 x 40 cm) at superb detail (300 DPI)
• Eye-AF and 759 AF points with phase detection ensure accurate focus on eyes and precise object tracking, so the focus is always spot on
• Great image quality in low-light conditions
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization helps you to take sharp photos hand-held in low-light conditions
• Powerful BIONZ XR image processor ensures superior and crisp image quality
• 4K video at 60 fps in 10-bit for further video production that will look great on your home TV

Top drawbacks

• The resolution could be higher at this price point, but that’s the only thing I can think of

Pricing (approx. $2,498)

Wrap up

If you are looking for the best camera for family photography and want to spend extra, get the Sony A7 IV. I believe it’s currently one of the best cameras for this genre available on the market. It will undoubtedly satisfy the needs of professional photographers with the highest standards.

What camera features are essential for capturing family moments?

I know that the technical parameters of individual cameras are difficult to understand. Let me point out and explain several things that come into play here.

Image quality

Everybody wants a great image quality. The good news is that all cameras listed above will provide that.

If you are a professional, I’d choose between the more expensive cameras as the image quality is better. However, even the budget-friendly Canon Rebel T7 will produce images that satisfy regular users.

If you are looking at an interchangeable lens camera, keep in mind that the quality of the lenses you use affects the image quality more than the camera itself.

Sensor size

The bigger the sensor, the better it generally handles image quality in low light. In this list, I included cameras with three sensor sizes: 1-inch, APS-C, and full-frame. The latter will perform better than the former, especially when using higher ISO.

Autofocus performance

Regardless of which camera you decide to get from the list, they will all do fine. Personally, I really like the Eye-AF feature, as it reliably finds a person’s eye, which is where you always want to focus when photographing people.

I wouldn’t worry about the number of focus points unless you’re shooting a lot of sports games where it could make a difference.

Image stabilization

You can have stabilization in your lens, camera, or both—the more, the merrier. Image stabilization allows you to shoot in hand-held low-light conditions without getting blurry images—to a certain extent.

That’s a feature I would recommend having, as most indoor family meetings can be poorly lit, and using a flash can destroy the picture’s atmosphere.

Continuous shooting to capture the action, fast-moving scenes

The burst mode speed doesn’t matter if you photograph portraits and group shots over a birthday cake. But if you want to shoot your kid’s sports game, you’ll appreciate it when your camera has at least 10 frames per second. With fast burst mode, you will get the right moment.

Ease of use and comfortable grip

It’s not exactly a feature but an important camera aspect. The camera should feel comfortable in your hands, and you should enjoy handling the camera. A bigger camera will feel better if you have bigger hands, and vice versa.

Nice-to-have features in cameras for family photography

The following features are not crucial but can make your life easier.

Interchangeable lenses

Having a camera with interchangeable lenses gives you great versatility when choosing the ideal focal length or zooming capabilities. As I mentioned earlier, camera lenses also determine the image quality. But as you may know, lenses can get expensive and cost more than the camera.

We have two cameras on the list that don’t support changing lenses. You should consider them if your budget is very tight or you don’t want to be bothered by carrying multiple lenses.

Tilt-out or articulated LCD screen

Sometimes, the best family photos are not captured from the eye level; they are captured from a different perspective. When capturing your special moments from a high or low angle, a tilt-out or articulated LCD screen is handy and gives you the necessary flexibility.

Dual memory card slot

This feature can be typically found in professional-grade digital cameras. It allows you to record your photos simultaneously to two memory cards, preventing you from losing images if a card fails.

Should you choose a DSLR or mirrorless camera?

Mirrorless cameras are the future. Go mirrorless! All three major brands, Canon, Nikon, and Sony, no longer produce DSLRs. I have been using a mirrorless camera since 2016, which has served me well. I recommend you get one as well.

Pros of mirrorless cameras

• Smaller and lighter cameras and lenses
• Superior video capabilities
• Electronic shutter allowing for silent shooting
• In-body image stabilization

Cons of mirrorless cameras

• Worse battery life (depends on the model)
• Worse grip for bigger hands
• There is a smaller selection of lenses, but it’s getting better every year

Conclusion

The cameras I recommend will serve you well for family photography. Depending on your skills, aspirations, budget, and other preferences, you can choose the one that is right for you.

Here’s a quick summary:

• Top pick: Canon EOS RP
• Best under $1000: Nikon Z5
• Great entry-level DSLR: Canon EOS T7 (Canon 2000D)
• Best DSLR: Canon EOS 90D
• Best compact camera: Sony RX-100 VII
• Best mirrorless APS-C camera: Sony A6700 
• Best bridge camera (with extensive zoom): Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II
• Best camera for pros: Sony A7 IV

You learned what several features mean and how they can make your life easier. You may not need the most expensive camera to get family photos you’ll be proud of.

As technology evolves rapidly, I keep updating this list to stay relevant and helpful to my readers.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Canon EOS cameras the best for family photography?

If you’re looking into Canon cameras for family photography, here are a few things that make them stand out. It’s versatility and ability to adapt to different shooting situations. They have a wide range of high-quality lenses to choose from.

This means you can easily switch out lenses based on your specific shooting needs, whether it’s a wide-angle lens for capturing group shots, a fast prime lens for shooting portraits with a nice bokeh, or a telephoto lens for capturing faraway subjects.

What are the best Canon cameras for family portraits?

Your needs for stunning photos will be met with Canon EOS RP or Canon EOS 90D. Other, more expensive cameras will do an amazing job, but you won’t need them.

What is the camera for family photography for beginners?

Go with Canon Rebel T7.

What camera do you use to take pictures of your family?

I use my main travel photography camera, Sony A7RV, and iPhone 13 Pro.

Is the Canon EOS Rebel a good camera for family photos?

Yes, the Canon EOS Rebel series of entry-level DSLRs is a good starting point for family photography for beginner to intermediate photographers. They are compact, have an easy-to-use interface, and offer interchangeable lens options.

Can I start a family photography business with one of these cameras?

Yes! Almost all the cameras mentioned above can be used for professional family photography. However, investing in other equipment (such as quality lenses) and education are equally important to succeed in the photography business.

Is the Canon EOS Rebel T7 a good choice for family photography?

If you’re a beginner, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a good camera for family photography. It offers solid image quality and an easy-to-use interface, making it affordable for families on a budget.

Should I get a full frame camera for family photography?

It depends on your personal preference and budget. Full-frame cameras have larger sensors and produce higher-quality images in low-light conditions, but they can also be more expensive and heavier than other options. Modern cameras with smaller sensors (APS-C or 1″) will also provide sufficient image quality; you don’t have to go for a full-frame camera.

What is a kit lens, and is it sufficient for family photography?

A kit lens is a basic lens that comes packaged with a camera. It is sufficient for general family photography, but investing in additional lenses may be necessary if you want more versatility or higher-quality images.

What should I learn to produce better photos of my family?

Learn the basics of composition, understand light and how or where to position your subject, and learn how different camera settings affect your photos. Last, but not least, try to learn basic post-processing of RAW files so you can get the most out of your camera.