What are the best cameras for low-light photography?

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Aug 19, 2023

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Panasonic Lumix GH5S vs Canon EOS R3 vs Sony a9 II

vs Sony A7R IV vs Canon EOS R6 Mark II vs Nikon Z6 vs Sony a7R II

Specs

Weight

660 g

Dimensions

139 x 98 x 87 mm

Max resolution

3680 x 2760

Lens mount

Micro four thirds

ISO Range

160-51200 (expands to 80-204800)

AF points

225

Sensor type

10.2 MP Micro four thirds

Image stabilization

Touchscreen

3.2" fully articulated TFT LCD

Shutter speed range

1/16000 - 60 sec

Viewfinder

OLED live electronic viewfinder

Camera type

Mirrorless

Video ISO Sensitivity

51, 200 ISO

Wi-Fi

Continuous drive

Screen size

Video resolution

LCD

Processor

NFC

Sensor

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

1015 g

Dimensions

150 x 143 x 87 mm

Max resolution

6000 x 4000

Lens mount

Canon RF

ISO Range

100-102400 (expands to 50-204800)

AF points

1053

Sensor type

24 MP full-frame CMOS

Image stabilization

Sensor-shift

Touchscreen

Yes

Shutter speed range

1/8000 - 30 sec

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

30 fps

Screen size

3.2" fully articulated

Video resolution

LCD

Processor

NFC

Sensor

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

678 g

Dimensions

129 x 96 x 76 mm

Max resolution

6000 x 4000

Lens mount

Sony E

ISO Range

100-51200 (expands to 50-204800)

AF points

693

Sensor type

24 MP full-frame stacked CMOS

Image stabilization

Touchscreen

Yes

Shutter speed range

1/8000 - 30 sec

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

Screen size

Video resolution

4K @30p, 1080p @ 120p

LCD

3" tilting

Processor

NFC

Sensor

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

655g

Dimensions

128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5mm

Max resolution

9504 x 6336

Lens mount

Sony E

ISO Range

100-32000 (expands to 50-102800)

AF points

567

Sensor type

61 MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS

Image stabilization

Touchscreen

Shutter speed range

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

10 fps

Screen size

Video resolution

4K UHD@30p, 24p

LCD

Processor

BIONZ X

NFC

Yes

Sensor

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

670 g

Dimensions

138 x 98 x 88 mm

Max resolution

6000 x 4000

Lens mount

Canon RF

ISO Range

100-102400 (expands to 204800)

AF points

4897

Sensor type

24 MP full-frame CMOS

Image stabilization

Sensor-shift

Touchscreen

Shutter speed range

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

Screen size

Video resolution

4K @60p, 1080p @120p

LCD

Processor

NFC

Sensor

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

675g

Dimensions

134 x 101 x 68 mm

Max resolution

6048x4024

Lens mount

ISO Range

AF points

Sensor type

Image stabilization

In body

Touchscreen

Shutter speed range

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

12 fps

Screen size

Video resolution

4K @30p, 1080p @120p

LCD

Processor

NFC

Sensor

24.5 MP full-frame CMOS

Ports

Microphone

Exposure compensation

Storage types

Remote control

Video formats

Battery Life (CIPA)

Sensor size

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

Environmentally sealed

AE Bracketing

WB Bracketing

Weight

625 g

Dimensions

127 x 96 x 60 mm

Max resolution

7952 x 5304

Lens mount

Sony E (NEX)

ISO Range

100 (50 boosted) - 25600 (102400 boosted)

AF points

399

Sensor type

BSI-CMOS

Image stabilization

Sensor-shift

Touchscreen

Shutter speed range

Viewfinder

Camera type

Video ISO Sensitivity

Wi-Fi

Yes

Continuous drive

5 fps

Screen size

Video resolution

2160p30; 1080p60

LCD

Processor

Bionz X

NFC

Yes

Sensor

Ports

USB 2.0; HDMI

Microphone

Stereo

Exposure compensation

±5

Storage types

SD / SDHC / SDXC; Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo

Remote control

Yes

Video formats

MPEG-4; AVCHD; XAVC S

Battery Life (CIPA)

290

Sensor size

Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm)

Image aspect ratio options (w:h)

3:2; 16:9

Environmentally sealed

Yes

AE Bracketing

±5

WB Bracketing

Yes

Pros + Cons

Pro
Most capable Micro Four Thirds camera in low light

This camera can shoot high-quality footage even in minimal light settings, thanks to the dual native ISO inside the GH5S.

Comment

Con
No in-body image stabilization

The absence of IBIS (in body image stabilization) in this camera might be a downside for some camera operators. Especially those who film handheld. Might need to purchase a stabilizer apparatus/gimbal to minimize the shakiness of the footage.

Comment

Con
No 4K 60p video

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Comment

Pro
Very high resolution

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Comment

Pro
High-ISO quality

Superb for low light conditions.

Comment

Pro
In-body image stabilization

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Comment

Pro
Full frame 4K video

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Comment

Pro
XQD card slot

supports XQD 2.0 and 1.0 cards, see Nikon Z6 XQD Card Comparison.

Comment

Con
Buffer capacity

Average buffer capacity which slows down performance especially when using older and slower XQD cards.

Comment

Con
Display tilt

The display can not be tilted 180 degrees for selfies.

Comment

Con
Not all reviews are positive

Here is a critical review: BEST MIRRORLESS CAMERAS OF 2019.

Comment

Pro
Excellent low-light capabilities

The camera has class-leading high ISO capabilities. A look at real-world high ISO shots can be found here.

Comment

Pro
Excellent image quality

The camera has a 42MP BSI-CMOS sensor. Both in good light and low light, whether you're shooting in RAW or JPEG, the images have excellent detail. You can check out detailed studio tests over at DPReview.

Comment

Con
Limited selection of native lenses

Sony has a comparatively little selection of lenses and while you can add an adapter to use lenses from other manufacturers, that choice comes at the expense of some functionality.

Comment

Con
Cumbersome menu system

The camera has a plethora of poorly organized menu items.

Comment

Pro
Great Auto ISO implementation

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Comment

Pro
The camera can be used while it's charging over USB

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Comment

Pro
Has a completely silent mode

If set up to use electronic shutter, the camera makes zero noise.

Comment

Pro
Good video shooting tools

The camera has a zebra and focus peaking tools allowing you to monitor focus and exposure while shooting.

Comment

Pro
Excellent AF point coverage

399 phase-detect AF points and additional 25 contrast-detect AF points.

Comment

Pro
Flat color profile available for increased dynamic range

A flat color profile captures footage in low contrast and higher dynamic range allowing for easier color grading in post-production.

Comment

Pro
Excellent continuous AF

Both in good light and in low light.

Comment

Pro
Good 4K video

The camera can capture 4K30 (at up to 100Mbps), 1080p60 and 720p120 video internally and save to XAVC S with S-Log2 color profile. The video is detailed with little noise both in good light and in low light. It's worth noting that 4K video is slightly better when shooting using the Super 35 region of the sensor instead of the full sensor region while 1080p performs better when shot at full width of the sensor and downsampled.

Comment

Con
Poor battery life

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Comment