Best Action Figure Brands for Toy Photography (and Where to Find Them)

You’ve already researched the best cameras, lighting setups, and angles but now you're wondering: which action figure brands are the best for toy photography, especially if you're buying on eBay or the Mercari app?

Let’s break it down by budget-friendly, mid-tier, and high-end options, so you can find figures that not only look good but pose well and photograph beautifully.

 

Budget-Friendly (Under $50)

Great for beginners or collectors who want affordable figures without sacrificing style. Easily found at Target, Walmart, GameStop, or directly from the brands.

Hasbro

Caption: Screenshot of Hasbro product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series, G.I. Joe Classified
  

• Pros: Affordable (~$25), decent articulation, good paint apps, and lots of character options
  

• Toy photographers love them for dynamic posing and fast access to new releases
  
  

McFarlane Toys

Caption: Screenshot of McFarlane Toys product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Founded by: Comic artist Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn)
  

• Known for: DC Multiverse, Spawn, The Witcher, Mortal Kombat
  

• Pros: Great sculpting and detail; figures range from $35–$50
  

• Categories include Gold Label, Platinum Edition, Artist Proof, and exclusives
  
  

NECA

Caption: Screenshot of NECA product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Specializes in: Horror, cult movies, and gaming IPs (Aliens, Predator, Assassin’s Creed)
  

• Pros: Highly detailed sculpts, especially on faces; single sets ~ $35–40
  

• Cons: Less articulation, fewer accessories
  
  

Jazwares

Caption: Screenshot of Jazwares product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Fortnite, Pokémon, Halo, AEW Wrestling
  

• Pros: Simple and super affordable, many under $20
  

• A fun choice for colorful shots or niche franchises
  
  

Diamond Select

Caption: Screenshot of Diamond Select product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Found in: Walgreens, specialty toy stores
  

• Known for: Marvel Select, Kingdom Hearts, The Nightmare Before Christmas
  

• Pros: Larger figures (~7”), under $30
  

• Cons: Hit-or-miss facial sculpts, but great for static displays
  
  

Bandai Model Kits (Gundam)

Caption: Screenshot of Bandai product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Pros: Build-it-yourself kits allow custom poses and colors
  

• Price range: $20 basic kits to $100+ master-grade versions
  

• Popular with fans who enjoy painting and diorama building
  

🟡 Mid-Tier Figures ($100 and Up)

These figures are packed with articulation, alternate expressions, and multiple accessories. Ideal for toy photographers who want flexibility and realism.

Where to buy: AmiAmi, Okini Land, Big Bad Toy Store, Kurama Toys, Omnime Store and the brand’s own website

Tamashii Nations / S.H. Figuarts

Caption: Screenshot of Tamashii Nation product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Dragon Ball, Naruto, Marvel, Star Wars
  

• Pros: Superb articulation, clean joints, multiple faceplates, accessories and hand gestures
  

• Sizes: 5.7"–8.7" depending on the character
  
  

MAFEX

Caption: Screenshot of MAFEX product lineup from the official website MCT TOKYO, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: DC, Marvel, John Wick, Star Wars
  

• Size: 6"
  

• Pros: Great paint apps and comic-accurate looks with swappable parts
  

• Cons: Some QC issues depending on the batch
  
  

Good Smile Company

Caption: Screenshot of Good Smile Company product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Nendoroid (under $100): Chibi-style figures with swappable faces, accessories
  

• Figma (over $100): 6" anime-style articulated figures with multiple expressions
  

• Ideal for anime toy photographers
  
  

Revoltech / Amazing Yamaguchi Series

Caption: Screenshot of Revoltech product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Marvel, anime and a few DC characters
  

• Pros: Super dynamic posing and flashy effects; highly poseable joints
  

• Cons: Takes practice to pose properly; poses can look unnatural if not careful
  
  

Mezco One:12 Collective

Caption: Screenshot of Mezco product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Marvel, DC, movie characters
  

• Pros: Soft goods clothing, magnetic parts, high-quality articulation
  

• Includes stands, extra heads, and multiple accessories, very toy photography–friendly

High-End (Over $300)

Premium, hyper-realistic figures with screen-accurate details. Better for collectors who want photorealism in portraits or close-ups.

Hot Toys

Caption: Screenshot of Hot Toys product lineup from the official website from Sideshow, as seen in 2025.

• Known for: Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Terminator
  

• Size: 12"
  

• Pros: Beautifully sculpted faces, real cloth, incredible detail
  

• Cons: Expensive, less poseable compared to smaller-scale figures
  
  

ThreeZero

Caption: Screenshot of ThreeZero product lineup from the official website, as seen in 2025.

• Based in Hong Kong
  

• Known for: Transformers, Power Rangers, Game of Thrones, Naruto
  

• Pros: Highly detailed, clothing hides joints, great realism
  

• Sizes: Mostly 1/12 scale (6")
  

• Cons: Fewer faceplates or accessories compared to SHF
  
  

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Brand for Toy Photography

The best action figure for photography depends on your budget, pose needs, and style preferences. For casual shoots and dioramas, Hasbro or McFarlane is more than enough. If you're chasing extreme poses or dramatic lighting, go for S.H. Figuarts, Revoltech, or Mezco.

If you're buying from Mercari or eBay, always check:

• Condition (loose joints or missing accessories?)
  

• Price history
  

• Authenticity (especially for mid/high-end brands, avoid bootlegs!)
  
  

And don’t forget, your display matters too. The VALOR Glide Series was designed to support both out-of-box figures and boxed ones, with modular, swappable display bases that grow with your collection.