The All-time Digital Cameras for Street Photography in 2022

Fuji X100V - Best Street Photography Camera

Fujifilm X100V

(Updated Jan 2022)

12 superlative street photography cameras, which one is right for you?

In less and so 10 years time, the options for platonic, compact street photography cameras went from being extremely express to in that location now existence then many stiff options that it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one.

At that place are a diverseness of cost points, features, designs, and lenses to cull from, and while you can't go wrong with any of the cameras on the list (I would have killed for any of these 10 years ago), there are probably a few here that will stand out for you above the others.

Every bit a street photography workshop teacher, I have had feel with all of these cameras and accept been able to watch and learn how a multifariousness of photographers have enjoyed these cameras (and dealt with their quirks). Here is the listing:

My Top Iii:

Fujifilm X100V, Fujifilm XT-four, Ricoh GR IIIx

Jump to Brand:

Fuji – Ricoh – Sony – Leica – Canon – Nikon – Olympus

Leap to Photographic camera:

Fuji X100V ($1,399), Fuji XT-four ($1,699 + lens), Fuji XT-thirty ($799 + lens), Ricoh GR IIIx ($1,000), Sony a7 Iii ($1,798 + lens), Sony a6000 ($459 + lens), Sony RX100 ($ane,198), Leica Q2 ($four,995), Leica M10-P ($7,995 + lens), Catechism EOS RP ($999 + lens), Nikon Z6 2 ($ane,696.95), Olympus OM-D Eastward-M5 Marker III ($1,1999)

Fuji / Fujifilm

Fuji entered the mirrorless marketplace in a large fashion with the introduction of the X100 in 2011, and other camera companies accept been playing catchup e'er since. I have used a variety of their cameras as my primary street photography / travel photographic camera since the creation of the first Fuji X100 and haven't looked back since.

Fuji's cameras make y'all experience that they were designed past photographers. Sleek, fun to use, and incredible image quality. While they may not be all-time-in-class in sure features, the balance of features and paradigm quality, the attention to particular, and the restraint they sometimes show, makes them a all-time-in-class camera visitor.

For those that recall they need a full-frame camera for street photography, looking at the photos that come out of these Fuji cameras will speedily alter your mind, and continue in heed that the less depth of field in APS-C versus total-frame is often a big advantage in returning with sharp shots in street photography.

Fuji X100V - Best Street Photography CameraFujifilm X100V:

The Fuji X100V has been released! But for the toll conscious, it's also a good time to pay attention to deals on the previous Fuji X100F, which should be coming down in toll.

The Fuji X100V is my choice for camera of the previous decade. I use the X100 every twenty-four hour period and can't nevertheless imagine replacing it with any other camera.

The X100V is the perfect size, the vintage style and wonderful pattern and form factor adds a special feeling to the camera that just makes information technology fun to use, and the look that comes out of the camera is spectacular.

The quality at high ISOs is fantastic, allowing me to feel very comfortable shooting upward to 3200 on a regular basis, and not worrying about shooting at 6400 at night.

The one potential drawback for some volition be the fact that information technology'due south a fixed lens camera with a built-in 35mm equivalent lens and only 50mm and 28mm equivalent adapter lenses. 35mm and 50mm are the only focal lengths I use for street, but if you need a wider range of lenses and zooms, consider the Fuji X-T lines.

Pros:Minor size, performance at high ISOs, colors (Fuji color profiles), image quality, design and usability, silent shutter, fast autofocus, toll-point for quality.

Cons:Limited pick of lenses (2 + built-in 35mm equivalent), battery life (compared to an SLR) – purchase two or three Fuji branded batteries and y'all volition be fine, video.

Lenses (Recommended): Built-in 23mm (35mm equivalent). Tele 50mm (equivalent), Broad 28mm (equivalent).

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 26

Purchase Fuji X100V

Fujifilm X-T4 Camera for Street PhotographyFujifilm X-T4:

The Fuji Ten-T4 is too available! While the photographic camera has a like design to the X-T3 it has some substantial changes, including a new bombardment with virtually double the chapters, a quieter, faster, and much more durable shutter, in-body image stabilization, and a new flip screen.

(and for those on a budget, you can now become a peachy deal on the Fuji X-T3).

Nearly everything stated for the X100 stands for the X-T4, with the exception of a few differences.

The showtime is that this camera allows you to utilize a wide range of Fuji'southward incredible lenses. You can utilize a 35mm and 50mm for street, but then also use their zooms or portrait lenses for other purposes. While the X100 is more of a pure street camera, the X-T4 is very versatile.

The size is slightly larger but still exceptional. I discover the size of the X100 to exist very slightly more than ideal for street photography, while the 10-T4 holds better in your hands for portrait and family shooting.

And the X-T4 has better video and an articulating screen. For those who similar to exist very sneaky with articulating screen street photography, this could be a consideration.

Pros:medium size, lens choice, performance at high ISOs, colors (Fuji color profiles), image quality, bombardment life, silent shutter, fast autofocus, design and usability, video, articulating screen.

Cons: Slightly larger than X100, more expensive, specially when you include the price of lenses.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. XF 35mm F2 (50mm equivalent), XF 23mm F2 (35mm equivalent).

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 26.ane

Purchase Fuji X-T4

Fujifilm X-T30 Camera for Street PhotographyFujifilm Ten-T30:

For those who want the X-T4 just are on a budget, the Fuji 10-T30 is a camera to strongly consider with a $500 reduction in price but very like innards. Notwithstanding, there are some tradeoffs at that toll.

While the design and usability is still worthy of the Fuji name, the X100 and 10-T4 surpass it. It is a similar size to the X100, so great for street photography, but it is slightly thinner and taller, making it not experience quite perfect when compared to the other two Fuji's.

The camera is also slightly less responsive in autofocus and frames-per-second than the X-T4, merely they are still exceptional.

Pros: Pocket-sized size, lens selection, performance at high ISOs, colors (Fuji color profiles), image quality, silent shutter, fast autofocus, video, articulating screen, built-in wink.

Cons: Size, design, and usability tin feel a little off, slightly slower than the 10-T4

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. XF 35mm F2 (50mm equivalent), XF 23mm F2 (35mm equivalent).

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 26.one

Buy Fuji X-T30

Ricoh

Pretty much all I demand to say is that this camera is a favorite of street photographer Daido Moriyama. This camera was designed for street photography, and it has a rabid following with a department of street photographers (definitely not all), but information technology is unique, quirky, and certainly not for everyone.

Ricoh GR III Camera for Street PhotographyRicoh GR IIIx:

I personally own the Fuji X100 and Ricoh GR cameras and observe them to be perfect compliments, only either will exist a fantastic primary street photography camera on their own.

I use the X100 for my daily everyday street photography, while I use the Ricoh more for when I'one thousand non out primarily for shooting, when I just want a light camera in my pocket, or when photographing effectually home.

I adopt the GR IIIx with the 40mm equivalent lens over the original GR III with the 28mm equivalent lens, since 40mm is ane of my favorite focal lengths.

At present the first matter that is noticed about the Ricoh GR IIIx is that it is pocket-sized, very small in fact, and sleek. The camera can slip into a pocket in a style that none of the other cameras on this list can (with the exception of the RX100), and it can be used extremely discreetly.

The epitome quality is excellent, particularly for the size, and it works very well at loftier ISOs upward to 3200 or even 6400 (although if yous shoot like Daido, y'all aren't worried virtually extreme proceeds/noise).

The photos and colors that come out of the Ricoh GR have a gorgeous expect to them that can feel almost motion-picture show-like.

The photographic camera does accept some trade-offs. It has a fixed 40mm equivalent lens, and so yous must like that focal length (I LOVE it). And while the autofocus is updated in the recent version and compares to the X100 during the day, it can struggle more than its counterparts in low calorie-free. The photographic camera has a snap focus, which can prefocus the camera to certain distances for zone focusing. And finally, if y'all're used to a viewfinder, the camera does not come with i. You lot can purchase one for the hot shoe, all the same, but I much prefer it without one.

Pros:Perfect pocket size, paradigm quality, colors, performance at loftier ISOs, design, near-silent shutter, 40mm lens.

Cons:Fixed lens (this will be a pro for some), poor battery life (purchase multiple), autofocus in depression-light, no built-in viewfinder.

Lenses: 40mm stock-still

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 24.ii

Purchase Ricoh GR IIIx

Sony

Sony burst onto the mirrorless scene in  2013 with their full-frame mirrorless A7 and A7R cameras, and now have a wide range of mirrorless cameras and lenses to choose from. Information technology's no wonder that they hold the largest market share of the mirrorless market, with an enthusiastic following.

Where Fuji excels in remainder and restraint, Sony excels in state-of-the-art cameras. They have large, high-resolution sensors, excellent autofocusing, and fantastic high ISO capabilities. This volition create files that you tin blow up to massive sizes (although I still blow upwardly photos from my old six-megapixel Catechism 10D from 2003 – just add some film grain and you can get away with a lot). If yous are in the market for a full-frame mirrorless and don't have the budget for Leica, Sony is there for you.

Sony A7 III Camera for Street PhotographySony a7 Iii

I of the flagships of Sony's mirrorless arrangement, the Sony a7 Iii is a camera that is definitely worth because. I chose the a7 over the a7r because I do non think yous need the features of the a7r for street photography, and it is a much better price at $700 cheaper. The 24 megapixels in the a7 is perfect – you lot will fill up too many memory cards with the 42-megapixel images of the a7r.

This camera will do everything that you need. You can purchase primes for street photography then a zoom or portrait lens for other purposes. Information technology's fast and works great at high ISOs. The body size is small and compact for its paradigm quality and features.

But like all cameras there are tradeoffs. I notice the design and feel of the Sony cameras to lag significantly behind Fuji. In addition, the buttons and the menus only don't feel quite as prissy or work every bit well.

The second tradeoff is the lenses. Sony's big issue is that while the cameras are perfect sizes, the lenses can be huge, negating whatsoever of the advantages of why someone would want to become mirrorless. With a lens similar the 24-70, the camera can be simply equally big as a Canon SLR with a 24-lxx.

In comparison, Fuji lenses are made to exist much smaller, and this is a major factor that makes the system work. Sony does make some small lenses, and y'all will see one small and one medium-sized lens shared below that will work great for street photography, but if yous are investing in this photographic camera organization, yous will be wise to check out the sizes of the master lenses that you desire before going through with the purchase.

Pros:Small-scale photographic camera body size, state-of-the-fine art prototype quality and loftier ISO capability, total-frame, autofocus, silent shutter.

Cons:Most Sony mirrorless lenses are large, blueprint and usability.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. Fe 50mm F1.8, Sonnar FE 35mm F2.8.

Sensor: Total Frame

Megapixels: 24.2

Purchase Sony a7 III

Sony a6000 Camera for Street PhotographySony a6000:

The outset matter to be said virtually the Sony a6000 is the price. This is the cheapest photographic camera on this listing, and if you lot are looking for a street photography camera on a upkeep, this is i y'all should strongly consider. While it'due south tough to compare this model directly to cameras that price 3-5 times the amount, it does hold its own on this listing.

The photographic camera is light, pocket-size, and unobtrusive. It has a nice experience in the hand and blueprint to it, and it has responsive autofocus and good image quality, which is proverb a lot for a camera of this price.

The interchangeable system allows you lot to apply a wide variety of lenses, merely as mentioned previously, a majority of Sony lenses are very large, which negates the size of the photographic camera, so you lot will take to pick out the small lenses that Sony offers and make certain they are right for you before purchasing this photographic camera.

Pros: Toll, small size, image quality for cost, ISO capability, pattern and usability, autofocus articulating screen, silent shutter.

Cons: Most Sony mirrorless lenses are large, general specs are adept but lag a bit behind more expensive cameras (evidently) – for example, the viewfinder and back screen quality are not as nice, colors lag behind Fuji cameras, battery life is poor.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. E 35mm F1.eight (50mm equivalent), Eastward 20mm F2.8 (30mm equivalent).

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 24.iii

Buy Sony a6000

Sony RX100 Camera for Street PhotographySony RX100 VII:

The Sony RX100 VII is a unicorn on this list. It has the form cistron of one of the old consumer-level digital cameras of one-time, with the innards of a modern-day workhorse.

This camera is certainly non for everyone, simply there are some of you out there who this camera volition exist calling to.

The start aspect to speak about is the sensor size, which at 1-inch is smaller than micro-4/3rds, let alone APS-C. At 20.1 megapixels, you can nevertheless blow up photographs very large, but the depth of field and subtle transitions in the photos will be lacking when compared to larger sensors. Only yous volition have a lot of sharpness throughout your images, which is slap-up for street photography.

The price is expensive for a camera of this size, but it comes with a built-in 24-200mm lens. It has good autofocus, epitome stabilization, a flip LCD screen, and a potent frames-per-2d charge per unit. Information technology also has a born viewfinder.

Merely the size here is what attracts many people to it. This is a bully pocket camera, about invisible for street photography, and fantastic for traveling light.

Pros:Pocket-sized size, versatile 24-200mm lens, neat autofocus for the cost, design, silent shutter.

Cons: Small-scale sensor size and all that comes with that, battery life, but yous can charge the photographic camera directly with a USB charger.

Lens: Born 24-200mm.

Sensor: one-inch

Megapixels: 20.ane

Buy Sony RX100 VII

Leica

The mystique of Leica – the camera of Cartier-Bresson and many other famous street photographers, but is it right for you?

I'grand bold if you're reading this section that yous're either curious or price isn't an effect, which in that instance makes Leica a definite consideration. But the big advantages it once held over other brands no longer holds equally true these days, and brands such equally Fuji and Sony are so close that the price may not brand it worth it. In fact, some adopt Fuji and Sony, even when price is no issue.

Leica Q2 Camera for Street PhotographyLeica Q2:

The Leica Q2 is Leica's foray into competing with Fuji and Sony, but on their own terms. The camera has the spirit of the Ricoh GR 3, with the born 28mm fixed lens and class factor, so you will accept to dear the 28mm focal length, which can exist too wide for some. But information technology is obviously somewhat larger and much more advantaged than the Ricoh due to being five times the cost.

The design is minimalist and stunning, particularly the lens, which is in the format of a typical Leica lens. I love when a photographic camera is simple and pared-down, compared to the crazy buttons and menus of many of the other brands.

The sensor is full-frame and a massive 47.3 megapixels, so you lot will demand hard drive space if you are shooting street with it. The photos have incredible image quality and colors, and the high ISO capabilities are peachy. And information technology even has motorcar-focus, so it'southward a great camera for those who want a Leica but as well desire auto-focus (which the M10 does non have).

At that place are not many downsides except for the price tag and the fixed 28mm lens will not be platonic for all. And without the added grip the handling can feel a little weird.

Pros:Pocket-size size (similar to X100 with lens that protrudes more), minimalist design and usability, stunning image quality and colors, ISO, fast and responsive camera, silent shutter.

Cons:Cost, fixed 28mm lens, battery life, needs added grip.

Lens: Built-in 28mm (equivalent).

Sensor: Total Frame

Megapixels: 47.3

Purchase Leica Q2

Leica M10-P Camera for Street PhotographyLeica M10-P:

The flagship Leica M10-P camera is a curiosity in design and applied science, which information technology should be for the price, but it does have its quirks that will plow off some.

I chose the M10-P versus the M10 because of two considerations that brand information technology better for street photography (the cameras are fairly identical). The first is the addition of a silent shutter and the second is the removal of the blood-red Leica dot on the front of the camera. The all-black front makes it much less conspicuous (to anyone who doesn't know a Leica when they see it). Another divergence is that the M10-P includes a touch screen.

Commencement upwardly, when talking almost Leicas, we have to talk about the image quality of the camera and the image quality of the lenses. Leica lenses are non only incredible in the images they produce, but they are also incredible in form factor and size.

The design is minimalist and stunning. When other companies add buttons and functions everywhere on the camera, Leica holds back, which leads to this camera feeling more similar the vintage cameras of old. Photography feels purer because of these blueprint choices.

While the sizes of most of the lenses are perfect (I adopt the F2 lenses for their smaller size), many will be surprised by the weight of the camera. Information technology is slightly bigger (and definitely thicker) than the Fuji X100, but information technology is near a one-half-pound heavier, which can weigh on some people. The weight is actually surprising because of the size of the camera. But this is just a nitpick.

Finally, in that location is the rangefinder focusing of the M10-P, which is a pro for some and a dealbreaker for others, considering the photographic camera does non include autofocus. Rangefinder focusing is an excellent way to focus a photographic camera, but it takes time to master and it can be difficult at starting time.

Pros: Stunning image quality and colors, ISO, fast and responsive camera, minimalist blueprint and usability, silent shutter, rangefinder focusing.

Cons:Price, a little heavy for the size, no autofocus.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. Summicron-Grand 50mm F2, Summicron-G 35mm F2.

Sensor: Full Frame

Megapixels: 24

Purchase Leica M10-P

Canon

Both Canon and Nikon were dull to enter the mirrorless market place, and this allowed Fuji and Sony to get a head start. While Canon mirrorless cameras are very capable, if you are starting from scratch, I would consider other companies, but if you lot accept a set of Catechism lenses that yous would similar to utilize (with the necessary adaptor), Canon mirrorless cameras are much more than capable.

Canon EOS RP Camera for Street PhotographyCanon EOS RP:

The Canon EOS RP is one of the lightest and to the lowest degree expensive full-frame mirrorless cameras bachelor. If yous are interested in the RP, y'all might also desire to bank check out the more expensive Canon EOS R version as well.

Functionally the pattern of the camera is excellent and the ergonomics feel corking in your hand. The image quality and low-lite performance are good as is the autofocus.

While this camera has a lot going for it, in that location is a significant downside. There are simply a few native RF lenses and most are very expensive, although the 35mm is perfect for street photography and has a slap-up toll. You can use your Canon EF lenses with an adapter, simply the adapter will brand the lens larger. This will be fine with small primes, but can be annoying with larger lenses.

Pros:Small size, blueprint and ergonomics, image quality, color, cost.

Cons:Limited pick of lenses without needing an adapter.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. RF 35mm F1.8, EF 50mm F1.4. (requires EF Mount Adapter).

Sensor: Full-Frame

Megapixels: xxx.3

Purchase Catechism EOS RP

Nikon

Both Nikon and Canon were slow to enter the mirrorless market, and this allowed Fuji and Sony to get a head commencement. While Nikon mirrorless cameras are very capable, if you are starting from scratch, I would consider other companies, but if you lot have a ready of Nikon lenses that you would similar to apply (with the necessary adaptor), Nikon mirrorless cameras are much more capable.

Nikon Z6 Camera for Street PhotographyNikon Z6 II:

Nikon's first full-frame mirrorless, the Nikon Z6 Ii, gives us some of the skilful and bad that come up with creating an entirely new photographic camera arrangement.

The image quality and colors are excellent, the ergonomics work well, high ISOs look great, and the camera is full-frame. This is what you would expect in a Nikon mirrorless and one that is a good amount more expensive than its Catechism counterpart.

But the camera does have its bug. Autofocus is far from perfect, particularly in low-light.

Like Canon, the Z6 does have a limited range of dedicated lenses (which should improve). Information technology does have a 50mm and 35mm, (which is all yous need every bit a street photographer, right?), merely the issue is that these lenses are large, considerably larger than Fuji's lenses for instance.

The FTZ adapter will let you use Nikon F-Mount lenses, but it makes the lens larger. And with many older Nikon lenses, the autofocus will not work, turning them into manual focus just lenses.

Pros:Small size, ergonomics, image quality, colors, operation at high ISOs.

Cons: Autofocus speed, express selection of native lenses without needing adapter, tin't use many former lenses with adapter and autofocus.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. Nikkor Z 50mm F1.eight, Nikkor Z 35mm F1.eight.

Sensor: Full Frame

Megapixels: 24.5

Purchase Nikon Z6 2

Olympus

Final on the list, but certainly not least. Olympus is the heavy-weight of the micro-iv/3rds category and their cameras have widespread entreatment for all types of photographers, including street. Their design, course, ergonomics, and size are only matched by Fuji. They can work with a variety of lenses and many are small and affordable. The simply trade-off is that the sensor is on the smaller size. Street photography has never been obsessed with sensor size and a micro-4/3rds sensor is more than good enough, but it does need to be a consideration that you can get a similarly priced Fuji with an APS-C sensor for a similar toll.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III for Street PhotographyOlympus OM-D East-M5 Mark 3:

The newest upgrade of Olympus' flagship model, The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark Three, is a powerhouse. Extremely compact and lightweight and sporting a gorgeous design, this camera is built for travel photography and will be very inconspicuous for street work.

The photographic camera has an articulating screen and in-camera stabilization, which is fantastic for street work at night. The autofocus and shooting speed are first-class too.

The colors look peachy and the image quality is fantabulous for a micro-four/3rds, but that is the issue that will turn off a lot of people. The smaller sensor will make it a piddling tougher to crop your images and still take decent plenty resolution. I know some of you are cropping purists, but when you lot're using a prime number lens, sometimes you only have to ingather.

Pros:Pocket-sized size, ergonomics, image quality, colors, autofocus speed, lens selection and lens sizes, silent shutter.

Cons: Minor sensor, poor battery life.

Lenses (Recommended): Interchangeable. Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm (34mm equivalent) F1.8, Olympus One thousand.Zuiko 25mm (50mm equivalent) F1.8.

Sensor: Micro iv/3rds

Megapixels: 20.4

Purchase Olympus OM-D Eastward-M5 Mark III

My Acme Three:

Fujifilm X100F, Fujifilm XT-three, Ricoh GR III

Leap to Make:

Fuji – Ricoh – Sony – Leica – Catechism – Nikon – Olympus

Bound to Photographic camera:

Fuji X100F ($ane,099), Fuji XT-3 ($1,299 + lens), Fuji XT-thirty ($799 + lens), Ricoh GR III ($899.95), Sony a7 III ($1,798 + lens), Sony a6000 ($398 + lens), Sony RX100 ($ane,198), Leica Q2 ($4,995), Leica M10-P ($vii,995 + lens), Catechism EOS RP ($999 + lens), Nikon Z6 2 ($one,696.95), Olympus OM-D Due east-M5 Mark III ($1,1999)