6 Best Nikon Camera for Street Photography: (2023 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on September 5, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Street photography is a form of photography that captures candid moments in public spaces.

It typically involves photographing people and their surroundings, such as city streets, sidewalks, and other urban environments.

Street photographers aim to capture the unique atmosphere, the character of the place, and the diverse range of human emotions and experiences found in public spaces.

To get started with street photography, one should first practice shooting in public spaces.

Practice observing the scene, anticipate when a moment may occur, and take the shot.

It is also essential for street photography to be aware of the surroundings and respect the decorum of the place.

And finally, practice is key.

The more one shoots, the more one will improve.

I will brief some of Nikon’s best cameras for street photography with their features.

Which is the Best Nikon Camera for Street Photography?

Here are my recommended top 6 Best Nikon Camera for Street Photography:-

Nikon Z7 II: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

As a street photographer, I share my experience with the best cameras.

First is the Nikon Z7 II, the best Nikon camera for street photography.

I chose Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain for this.

It is a small town consisting of almost 3,000 people.

The reason this town is best for street photography is its geography.

The beautiful, whitewashed homes are built directly into the cliffs that surround the region.

These natural rocky cliffs provide shade and stunning views for photography.

Features:

• Model: Z 7II FX-format Mirrorless Camera Body
• Effective Megapixel: 45.7 MP
• Image sensor: Full Frame (35mm)
• ISO range: 64-102400
• Shutter speeds: 1/8000 seconds
• Storage: SDHC
• Viewfinder: 3.2-inches (3690K-dots) (0.8x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎Sensor-shift
• Dimension: 134mm*101mm*70mm
• Weight: 705 g

ISO/Shutter speed

The ISO settings depend on the light conditions.

I was shooting in broad daylight, so I had no issues with light.

So, I adjusted the ISO to 100 and the shutter speed to 1/125^th second.

It enabled me to have enough light and avoid motion blur.

If the light seems too bright for me, I will reduce the ISO to 50 or 25 according to the situation.

Aperture/Depth of field

I wanted to blur the background and create a shallow depth of field.

So, I used a wide aperture of f/2.8 while shooting in the streets.

It helped me focus on my subject, a rock cliff, and create a dynamic image.

White balance/ Frame rate

Because I was shooting in broad Daylight, I adjusted the white balance to Daylight and the standard frame rate of 24 fps because I was not capturing any movement either.

The resulting image was a beautiful view with a natural feel and look.

Why is this camera the best?

This camera features a 45.5-megapixel full-frame camera.

It is a back-illuminated device, just like the original Nikon camera.

In addition, it has a 439-point AF system and has also introduced new face and animal detection modes compared to its ancestors.

The focus acquisition on low light and tracking is also improved in this model.

It has an additional Expeed 6 processor, and with that, it has two processors instead of one.

It ultimately results in better video quality.

This camera can record up to 60p in 4K and burst shooting to 10fps.

A faster-clearing buffer also makes it to the list of improvements in this model.

In its previous version, people criticized the single XQD/CFExpress card slot, and the company has addressed this public complaint by adding a UHS-II SD card slot.

It is excellent news for photographers and saves money because there is no need to buy the much pricier XQD/CFExpress card.

Conclusion 

After my adventurous street photography experience with this camera, I was impressed with its features and fantastic image quality.

It is worth trying.

Click here to buy.

Nikon Z9: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

For Nikon Z9, I chose Brooklyn, New York.

This street is eye candy for street photographers.

The cobblestone pathway leads to the beautiful sight of the Manhattan Bridge, and that view is breathtaking.

This street is always busy with locals and tourists enjoying the view or simply clearing their heads.

The beautifully architectural symmetrical buildings also contribute to the best street photography experiences, and I chose the best Nikon camera for street photography.

Features:

• Model: Z 9 FX-format Mirrorless Camera Body
• Effective Megapixel: 45.7 MP
• Image sensor: Full Frame (35mm)
• ISO range: 64-102400
• Shutter speeds: 1/32000 seconds
• Storage: Cfexpress, XQD
• Viewfinder: 3.2-inches (3686K-dots) (0.8x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎Dual
• Dimension: 149mm*150mm*91mm
• Weight: 1340 g

ISO/Shutter speed

I used an ISO of 800 on Brooklyn Street at night to capture a candid photo of someone passing by.

It allowed me to capture enough light without worrying about motion blur or noise.

And I adjusted the shutter speed to 1/125^th to freeze the motion.

The resulting image was sharp and clear.

Aperture/Depth of field

While shooting at night, I used a wide aperture of f/2.

It gave me a shallow depth of field to isolate my subject and create a dreamy, soft-focus look.

White balance/ Frame rate

As for the white balance, I used 5500K and a frame rate of 24 fps.

The resulting image was a natural and realistic candid of someone passing by.

Why is this camera the best?

This extraordinary camera features a 45.7-megapixel full-frame camera with a CMOS sensor and Expeed 7 processor.

The incredible thing is that it comes with a fully electronic shutter.

Also, it can shoot 8K/30p and 8K/60p videos.

It joins a select group of mirrorless cameras that can record 8K/30p video (and 8K/60p in the works).

This makes it one of the few cameras that can do so.

Aside from oversampled 4K and Eye AF tracking when shooting, the Z9 is a far superior video tool to the Nikon D6 for filmmakers.

Conclusion 

It gives an ultra-fast performance with high resolution that can satisfy the needs of any photographer, filmmaker, or studio photographer.

The only thing that can be a hurdle for those who need it for heavy use or want to use large lenses is its bulky design and large battery.

On the other hand, it also costs less and offers much more than many other cameras.

All in all, I can say that this is another one of the best options for street photography.

With the features mentioned above, it will never disappoint.

Click here to buy.

Nikon Z 6II: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

As you all know, I love to explore places around the world.

I decided to test the capabilities of the best Nikon camera for street photography, the Nikon Z 6II, on the streets of Mykonos, Greece.

This place is such a beauty and a perfect spot for street photography.

The whitewashed houses and the cobblestone streets are an attraction and a perfect place to test a camera’s potential.

Parallel to the streets is the freshening view of the sea.

This place is a paradise for us photographers.

Features:

• Model: Z 6II FX-format Mirrorless Camera Body
• Effective Megapixel: 24.5 MP
• Image sensor: Full Frame (35mm)
• ISO range: 100-51200
• Shutter speeds: 1/8000 seconds
• Storage: SDHC
• Viewfinder: 3.2-inches (3690K-dots) (0.8x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎Sensor-shift
• Dimension: 134mm*101mm*70mm
• Weight: 705 g

ISO/Shutter speed

During the daylight hours, I had plenty of light to work with.

So, I used a lower ISO value and a faster shutter speed.

I used the ISO value of 100 and the shutter speed of 1/2000^th of a second.

Using these settings, I could get more depth of field, freeze the motion of people walking, and avoid camera shaking.

Aperture/Depth of field

I used a larger aperture to have a larger depth of field, meaning I wanted the whole scene in focus.

The streets with the beautiful sea view were too beautiful to miss.

I set the aperture to f/11, and the resulting image was the perfect view.

White balance/ Frame rate

I adjusted the white balance to direct sunlight and the frame rate to 30 fps.

The perfect white balance gave a neutral color to the image, and the 30 fps frame rate allowed me to capture the image with every movement in detail.

Why is this camera the best?

This camera is the outcome of addressing all the potential lacking its predecessor and introducing one with all the required features.

Not to forget that it preserves all the core features and design of the previous one.

With the extra processor, it has improved the 273-point AF system.

In addition to general improvements and the ability to focus on darker conditions, wide area AF mode offers human and animal eye/face detection.

This camera has enhanced its video specs by including the aptitude to record oversampled 4K at up to 60p.

It will also offer 10-bit HLG HDR footage for external recording.

It has a UHS-II SD card slot with an XQD/CFexpress card for storage.

For these reasons, it is one of the top choices for a video camera currently available.

Conclusion 

This camera has enhanced its video specs by including the aptitude to record oversampled 4K at up to 60p.

It will also offer 10-bit HLG HDR footage for external recording.

It has a UHS-II SD card slot with an XQD/CFexpress card for storage.

For these reasons, it is one of the top choices for a video camera currently available.

Click here to buy.

Nikon D780: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

On the list of best Nikon cameras for street photography is Nikon D780.

I visited South Africa in late September one time.

It was time for the jacaranda trees to bloom.

These breathtakingly beautiful trees bloom alongside the road of Pretoria.

The purple branches cover the whole road, a perfect spot to drive or stroll under.

How could I resist stopping midway and capturing this beauty?

Features:

• Model: D780 Body
• Effective Megapixel: 24.5 MP
• Image sensor: Full Frame (35mm)
• ISO range: 50-204800
• Shutter speeds: 1/8000 seconds
• Storage: SD Card
• Viewfinder: 3.2-inches (0.97x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎None
• Dimension: 144mm*116mm*76mm
• Weight: 840 g

ISO/Shutter speed

To keep the noise and grain in my images, I set the ISO to 100.

It was perfect to use in the Daylight.

However, the shadows from the trees were somehow shady, and I increased the ISO to 150.

It gave me enough light to work on.

Next, I used a fast shutter speed to freeze the action of moving cars on the road and capture the trees in all their glory.

So, I adjusted the shutter speed to 1/1000^th of a second.

Aperture/Depth of field

To completely capture the view of the road with the purple branches of trees, I chose the aperture value of f/11.

It created a larger depth of field, and the resulting image was perfectly sharp, with everything in focus.

White balance/ Frame rate

As mentioned earlier, the trees cast shadows, so I adjusted the white balance to Shady.

It allowed me to neutralize the shady effect and capture the image with neutral tones.

Also, to capture the movement of passing cars and the rustling of trees, I adjusted the frame rate to 30 fps.

Why is this camera the best?

The powerful, full-frame DSLR camera is designed for photographers and videographers.

It features a 24.5MP BSI CMOS sensor, EXPEED 6 image processor, and a 51-point autofocus system.

It also offers a variety of video recording capabilities and an improved natural light autofocus system for low-light shooting.

Further, it has a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD with an intuitive user interface, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a dual memory card slot.

Its robust construction, improved ergonomics, and advanced features make it an excellent option for still photography and video work.

Conclusion 

Thanks to my camera, my adventure to Pretoria, South Africa, was not wasted.

It proved its capabilities that day, and it can impress any photographer.

Click here to buy.

Nikon D500: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

Bruges of Belgium. Many call it the Venice of the North.

And it is justified, too.

It is a well-preserved historic city with a lot of tourist attractions.

Its cobblestone streets and colorful medieval buildings present a beautiful sight.

These are also reflected in the canal throughout the city.

This historic beauty was the perfect place to test my Nikon D500, the best Nikon camera for street photography.

Features:

• Model: Nikon D500
• Effective Megapixel: 20.9 MP
• Image sensor: APS-C
• ISO range: 100-51200
• Shutter speeds: 1/8000 seconds
• Storage: Slot 1: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) Slot 2: CFexpress Type B / XQD
• Viewfinder: 3.2-inches (2.36M) (1x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎None
• Dimension: 147mm*115mm*81mm
• Weight: 860 g

ISO/Shutter speed

When capturing the reflections of medieval buildings in the canals of Bruges, Belgium, I used the ISO value of 200.

For the shutter speed, since I was working with reflections, it was essential to use a rapid enough shutter speed to freeze the motion of any ripples in the canal and allow a low aperture, which will give me more depth of field.

For me, a good starting point for shutter speed was 1/1000 of a second.

This helped to prevent camera shake, as I was hand-holding the camera while shooting.

Aperture/Depth of field

I adjusted a lower aperture value of f/11.

It gave me a larger depth of field, meaning that more of the scene was in focus, from the foreground (the ripples in the water) to the background (the medieval buildings).

This helped me to have a clear reflection of the buildings in the water.

White balance/ Frame rate

The white balance setting is adjusted to match the color of the light in the scene so that whites appear white and colors appear natural.

I adjusted the white balance to Shady.

Because the building reflected the canals, I wanted to enhance the colors.

As for frame rate, I used the burst frame rate of 10 fps, which is fast enough for street photography.

It allowed me to capture the reflections at the perfect moment.

Why is this camera the best?

It is a top-of-the-line street photography camera designed to help capture the world with stunning detail and clarity.

This camera doesn’t miss a beat with a 20.9MP CMOS sensor, 153-point AF system, and up to 10 fps continuous shooting.

Its ISO sensitivity range of 100-25,600 is also pretty wide.

It also offers Full HD video recording only.

However, this camera can shoot at 60/50p as well as 30/25p and 24p, in addition to lower-resolution recording options.

Conclusion 

Whether you’re shooting in low light or fast motion, this camera will help you capture the perfect moment.

With a 3.2” LCD and a streamlined design, it is a top-notch camera for street photography.

Click here to buy.

Nikon Z FC: (best Nikon camera for street photography)

A photographer is defined by the destinations they capture and the beauty of raw reality in them.

I picked my Nikon Z FC and visited Burano upon my friend’s request.

And I am glad I did.

There are a series of small islands off the coast of Venice in the Venetian Lagoon.

In the same way as the famous Italian city on water, Burano has canals that line its streets.

These streets are perhaps the most beautiful outside of Venice.

But it’s not just the canals that make this a destination, but also the colorful buildings that pop out at every turn.

And I had my best Nikon camera for street photography to capture this beauty.

Features:

• Model: Z FC
• Effective Megapixel: 20.9 MP
• Image sensor: APS-C
• ISO range: 100-204800
• Shutter speeds: 1/4000 seconds
• Storage: SDHC
• Viewfinder: 0.39-inches (2360K) (1.02x Magnification)
• Image stabilizer: ‎None
• Dimension: 135mm*94mm*44mm
• Weight: 445 g

ISO/Shutter speed

Because I wanted to capture the complete beauty, I adjusted the ISO to 100. It kept the noise to a minimum with the best image quality.

The water was calm, so to perfectly capture the reflection of buildings in the canal, I adjusted the shutter speed to 1/160th sec.

Aperture/Depth of field

For street photography in Burano, precisely, to capture the reflections of the buildings in the canals, I chose a wider aperture of f/5.6.

It allowed a lot of light in the camera and produced a shallow depth of field, making the reflections of the buildings in the foreground appear sharp and the background blurry.

White balance/ Frame rate

In the street photography in Burano, I set the white balance to Daylight to match the color temperature of the sunlight.

I did not need a high frame rate for street photography, so I used an average speed of around 24 fps.

It was enough to capture the moment, and I also used single-frame shooting.

It saved my memory card space, and it’s also more time-efficient.

Why is this camera the best?

It is the company’s second mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, following the release of the Z50 in 2019.

There are 209 phase detection AF pixels on the 20.9 megapixel APS-C sensor of the Nikon Z FC, an ISO range of 100-51200 that can be expanded to 204800, 11 frames per second burst shooting, an EXPEED 6 processor, a vari-angle touch screen LCD, a 2360k-dot EVF, 4K UHD video recording in 30p, Snapbridge, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a weight of just over 400 grams.

Conclusion 

This camera features several physical controls on the body, including dials for adjusting ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, making it a beast.

I am sure, with all the features mentioned here, it is self-explanatory that this camera is worth the chance.

Click here to buy.

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?

Which is your Best Nikon Camera for Street Photography?

Is there a camera you love to use for street photography that I didn’t mention in this article?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

Related post:

Best cameras for street photography: