There is a lot of the best low light camera. All depends on the price range and the brand your preference. I will tell of the most popular from them.
Sony a7 III Mirrorless
Canon 5D Mark IV DSLD
Canon EOS R Mirrorless
Canon 6D Mark II DSLD
Nikon Z7 Mirrorless
Nikon D850 DSLR
Nikon D750 DSLR
Sony a7R Mirrorless
Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless
Nikon D7500 DSLR
Nikon D3400 DSLR
Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless
What is low light camera
Choosing the best low light camera and lens for night time photography we are talking about quality camera sensor and a maximum aperture of the lens.
I highly recommend full-frame camera sensor and a low aperture wide angle lens. It kit offers the best quality for your nighttime photo shooting.
Full frame camera sensor has a high dynamic range and wide angle lens has the ability to pick a lot of light in the dark. Nighttime photography isn’t long exposure photography. On the contrary, you need has short shutter speed in most cases.
When you use long shutter speed or shoot the Northern Lights and boost the ISO to the max the sensor quality and the ISO performance are paramount. Ideally, you need a camera with high ISO values and low noise at high ISO values.
The crop camera sensor and high aperture lens don’t allow to do well pic under the same conditions. But some of the crop cameras are well for night photography. As this review is read not only by professional photographers I will recommend cameras for beginner photographers too.
So, what you need?
– Light sensitivity
– Wide angle lens
– Manual mode
– RAW or adjustable White Balance
– Low digital and color noise
– Manual focus
– Live-view
– Strong battery
Perhaps, to buy a modern camera and lens is very expensive for your budget. Follow the rule: buy the best lens first. The most modern camera isn’t as important as the lens. You can take it after.
The best low light mirrorless camera
Nikon Z7 Mirrorless
The Z7’s 45.7MP sensor captures images with incredible detail. The dynamic range of the Z7 is incredible. If you own a lot of Nikon F-Mount lenses then this is a good choice. If you don’t, maybe consider Sony. This is a direct competitor to the Sony A7R III.
Z7 has a very capable range from 64-25600 and extended ranges of (Max) 10240 (Min) 32.
Canon EOS R Mirrorless
EOS R shows that the traditional camera manufacturers at least try to make their entry into the mirrorless FF market count. Great picture quality. Silent camera shutter works with my 24-70 f2.8 II, 70-200 f2.8 IS II and other lenses with the adapter.
Sony a7 III Mirrorless
The Sony A7 III is a great value camera. The 24mp full frame sensor and processor delivers exceeding clean and malleable RAW files and great quality JPGs. Small and light. The low light capabilities are phenomenal and it is great for low light camera.
Sony a7R Mirrorless
Sony a7R is the flagman of mirrorless cameras. Сamera and picture quality is amazing. And huge 42.4 MP create high resolution photo incredibly quality.
Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless
This is a very lightweight and compact 24-megapixel camera that captures superb photos and videos. If you do not want to carry heavy equipment, this camera is for you.
Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless
This is a religion. These guys are not involved in any debate about cameras. And they don’t want to know what to choose Canon or Nikon because Sony is better. But they have not interested in. They know – Fuji is the best.
In any case, this Fuji camera is one of the best choices for low light photo shooting.
The best low light DSLR camera
Canon 5D Mark IV
30MP that in my opinion is just the right spot. Below 22-24, it’s just too few, and above 35 the RAW files are just too massive and unwieldy. Included GPS, outstanding dynamic range, good noise in low light – that can be mostly removed in post processing.
Canon 6D Mark II
You will have a modern camera but you do not have to buy a new desktop for post-processing RAV. This camera is an advanced model of Canon 6D. It has a good dynamic range and low noise at high ISO.
Nikon D850 DSLR
This is the best low light camera today. If you decide to seriously take up photography and want to have the best equipment, Nikon D850 is the best choice among DSLR cameras.
Nikon D750 DSLR
Younger brother Nikon D850. But still a good camera, which is preferred by many professionals. Its advantage is a lower price.
Nikon D7500 DSLR
You do not have to overpay for an expensive camera and professional lenses. At the same time, the Nikon D7500 is a very good low-light camera. Once I had to use this camera myself when I lost my main camera. Personally, I was not comfortable using the viewfinder. I am used to the large and bright viewfinder of my full frame camera. But otherwise, I had no problems.
Nikon D3400 DSLR
This is the most budget option. But this is a real digital SLR camera. Not an iPhone. Honestly, I would not recommend this camera for serious landscape photography. But if photography is not your hobby and you want to try to raise your skill or just take good photos during the trip, Nikon D3400 is a good option.
Summary
Each camera has its pros and cons.
Follow your personal preferences and of course your budget. The debate about which camera is better is the favorite topic of most photo forums. And so far no answer has been found.
If you did not have a camera before, I advise you to pay attention to mirrorless cameras. This is modern technology and soon most cameras will be mirrorless.
Therefore, you can gradually buy lenses for your camera.
In any case, this article is about which camera is the best for low light. And this is the list of it.
Which One Is The Best?
Okay. My personal pick Nikon D850 DSLR. Along with a huge resolution, this camera has a huge dynamic range and low noise. In total, Nikon D850 DSLR is the best Nikon low light camera and the choice of many professional landscape photographers. At the same time, Sony a7 III Mirrorless and Nikon Z7 Mirrorless breathing down Nikon D850 back.
Franklin says
Since quarantine has started I have been indoors basically the whole time and so I have been shooting a lot more low light.
I’m a fan of the Panasonic Lumix ZS200, that is my latest purchase, I also do reviews of low light cameras, just updated!
here is my article I just wrote:
https://www.rungunshoot.com/best-cameras/low-light-cameras/
Keep safe everyone and hopefully we can go outside again soon and shoot in nature 🙂