Camera features needed to photograph art

[dpzippi]

Hello,

I am a painter, new to digital photography and need to create accurate digital images of my acrylic landscapes on canvas to make prints to sell to my customers. My largest work is 38" X 22".

What I need to know is this. What features on a digital camera are a must for me to have in a camera so with practice I can create good images.
Thanks!

[SmartWombat]

You might end up spending more on lighting, tripod, and colour profiling than on the camera.

I use a 1DSmkII which is only 16MP and easily capable of far bigger than 48x36 prints.
So you don't need more megapixels than that, less than 16MP

To create accurate images you're going to need a lens that doesn't add distortions.
Unless you're severely constrained by space, you can pick the best priced prime lens for the job.
For Canon, the 50mm f/1.8 II lens is great for the price.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/...8camera%29/176

You won't need a super-fast camera either, the paintings aren't going anywhere
You can use a really low ISO speed to get best quality, and optimum aperture for sharpness on the lens - because you'll be using a tripod.

You don't need fast auto-focus, in fact you don't need autofocus at all.
What will be useful is to have Live View for accurately focussing manually on your paintings.


You will want to calibrate the camera, and your monitor, to get the most accurate colour.

You will want to control the lighting, so that you get consistent colour and you can cast shadows in the direction you want - to accentuate brush strokes for example.
I expect two ordinary constant lights (not flash, or strobe) and stands would be enough.

If you're making the prints yourself, then you'll need to calibrate the printer too, for each pack of paper and each set of inks.
Or go to a specialist printing company and have them print the images for you, save the effort.