15 Best Cameras for Concert Photography in 2023

The Nikon D7500 is at the top of our list for concert photography cameras. It’s a DSLR camera equipped with everything you’ll need to capture fantastic concert photos.

The 20.9MP resolution may not sound mind-blowing, but the DX-Format sensor is at the forefront of Nikon sensor technology. You don’t need to worry about image quality.

You get a high ISO range from 100 to 51,200, which gives you plenty of room to work with. You can also push the ISO up to 1,640,00. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to, but it’s an option.

You get a solid burst speed of 8fps, which is great for action shots from the stage. But the feature that will stick out to concert photographers is the autofocus system. It uses 51 focus points that can track your subject, even in low light.

You won’t find many cameras better suited to shooting concerts than the Canon EOS R5. It’s a professional standard camera with a professional standard price tag.

This full-frame camera packs a punch with an incredible 45MP. But the camera isn’t just about high-quality photos—it captures stunning videos too. You can record concert footage in cinema-quality 8K.

The high resolution means image quality stays high, even when you push the ISO to its limit. You’ll experience very little digital noise until you hit the top.

The continuous shooting mode is another standout feature for concert photography. The mechanical shutter gives you 12fps, which isn’t bad. But you can get 20fps if you switch to the electronic shutter. This is perfect for high-energy performances.

Don’t be fooled by this camera’s seemingly low resolution. The Sony A7S II is one of the most light-sensitive mirrorless cameras on the market. And it has other functions that make it one of the best cameras for concert photography.

The sensor megapixel count may only be 12.2, but the Sony Exmor CMOS sensor uses bigger pixels. It means the sensor needs fewer pixels. And the pixels can absorb more light, making it a good option for low light photography.

The native ISO range is impressive, giving you anything between 100 and 102,400. You’ll only experience noise at the very top of that range. And the camera has excellent dynamic range options.

A major selling point for concert photographers is the 5-axis in-body image stabilisation system. It can compensate for camera shake or blur from a moving subject. And it works with the 4K video too. It can capture even the most frenetic concerts in crisp detail.

If you’re looking for a crop sensor camera, the Fujifilm X-T4 is the perfect model for a keen concert photographer. The X-Trans CMOS sensor has excellent sensitivity to light, making it great when light is low or changing.

The ISO range is strong, from 100 to 51,200. And the ISO has an automatic setting so you can snap your concert shots without returning to the settings menu. The 15fps burst mode is rapid, helping you get some dynamic performance shots on stage.

The 5-axis in-body stabilisation system assures a high-quality image. With 6.5 stops of stabilisation, you can shoot from the middle of the mosh pit, and you’ll still get stunning images.

An additional feature that concert photographers might enjoy is the film simulation modes. You can give your images a retro film photo finish without the hassle of using 35mm.

The Canon EOS 90D is a DSLR that makes a great concert camera. The camera body is compact and lightweight. And the crop ASP-C Sensor has real power, with a resolution of 32MP.

The ISO range is good but not great. But, the other features of the EOS 90D ensure you don’t have to push the ISO beyond its limits. The quality of the sensor helps with this.

The 4K video is beautifully clear and smooth. The 10fps burst mode will capture action shots, but the autofocus makes this one of the best cameras for concert photography.

The AF uses a 45-point cross-type system that can track and hold moving subjects. And it also has eye detection capabilities, which can help when you’re shooting energetic band performances.

The Nikon D500 is a low-light specialist camera. And that makes it one of the best cameras for concert photography. The sensor has an image resolution of 20.9MP. But that’s from a Nikon DX-Format sensor, so it’s more powerful than it may first appear.

You get a wide ISO range, as you can extend the top end from 51,200 to 1,640,000. You might not need it that high. But if you do, you’ll get the shots you want no matter what happens.

The 4K video quality is fantastic. And the burst mode gives you 10fps for up to 200 frames, meaning you won’t miss a beat.

The Nikon D500 also boasts an excellent autofocus system, which uses a 153-point grid to track moving subjects. It keeps your images sharp whether you’re shooting stills or video.

Panasonic is a lesser-known camera brand, but the Lumix S5 is a great all-rounder. It has many features that are perfect for concert shooting. For a start, the image quality for stills and video footage is excellent. If you are also interested in shooting music videos you can consider this one too!

The Lumix S5 has a stand-out autofocus system. It’s super quick and precise. And it can detect faces and eyes, keeping the correct parts of the image in focus. Sharpness is never in doubt, as the S5 combines 5-axis in-body stabilisation with 2-axis optical stabilisation in the lens.

With a dust and splash-proof camera body, the rugged design makes the S5 a solid concert photography camera.

This Sony a6000 digital camera has been on the market for a while now. But the features still hold up, making it an excellent concert photography camera.

The a6000 is one of the most compact cameras you can find for concert photography. You get 24.2MP image resolution and up to 11fps in burst mode.

The native ISO level is 100-25,600, which will serve you well. But you can extend it up to 51,200 ISO should you need to. You’ll only experience some digital noise at the very top of the scale. And, being an older camera model, the Sony a6000 has a very agreeable price.

The Pentax KP has a robust camera body. It’s weather-resistant, so it’s great for festivals and outdoor concerts. Although, if you are concert shooting for a long time, you’ll need a spare battery.

The image resolution is 24.3MP, which is fantastic for a crop sensor camera. And the native ISO maxes out at 819,200. Low light situations are nothing to be afraid of with the Pentax KP.

You also get a 5-axis shake-reduction system built-in, compensating up to five shutter speed steps. It keeps your images crisp and clear, even when the crowd is going wild around you.

The Sony a7 III is the low-light specialist of Sony’s full-frame cameras. The Exmor sensor gives you high-quality images. And you also get a high ISO range, topping at 204,800.

The autofocus is one of the best you’ll find for concert photography, with a 693-point phase-detection system. It gives you 93% image coverage, so you’ll never lose your subject.

A stand out feature for concert photography is the 15 stop dynamic range controls. It can really help maximise image quality when there’s localised stage lighting.

The Micro Four Thirds sensor of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II gives you one of the most compact concert cameras on the market.

Considering the sensor is smaller than full-frame and APS-C, 20.4MP is excellent image resolution. But the feature that makes it a concert camera is the burst mode. It gives you 18fps of continuous shooting with the autofocus.

When the crowd gets rowdy, the 5-axis image stabilisation will keep your images clear of camera shake and motion blur. The battery life is a bit of a letdown, especially when shooting in burst mode.

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has many features that experienced photographers love when shooting concerts. Standard image quality is fantastic, but the low-light performance makes it one to consider.

It gives you high ISO settings, reaching 400,000. And the 45-point autofocus uses a phase-detection system with enhanced low-light sensitivity. It can hold and track your subjects down to EV -3.

The burst mode is slow at only 6.5fps. But the video has a respectable 4K quality, allowing you to capture video footage at the show.

The Fujifilm X-T30 is a super crop sensor camera, giving you excellent images. The low-light functions and fast AF system make it a contender as a concert camera. And it’s reasonably priced.

The ISO range is solid but not spectacular. But the autofocus system can fix and track subjects in light levels as low as EV -3. And the AF has 100% coverage of your shot, so it won’t lose focus when the subject is on the move.

8fps isn’t the fastest rate for continuous shooting, but it does keep its autofocus abilities when firing at that speed. You also get the cool film simulations from Fujifilm.

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is a compact mirrorless camera perfect for photographers getting started with concert photography.

The standard image quality is very good, but the pictures get rather noisy once you go beyond 1,600 ISO. Thankfully, the in-body image stabilisation system helps to keep the ISO settings low. It can compensate up to 4 stops of shutter speed.

The Lumix GX9 also has an excellent AF system, giving you 49-point focusing blocks you can select. Selecting an area of your frame can make focusing faster and more reliable.

The Micro Four Thirds range from Olympus is an excellent source for compact cameras that pack a punch. The image quality is great, and it has plenty of features to appeal to avid concertgoers.

The ISO range is limited, and it can get noisy near the upper end. But the 5-axis image stabiliser keeps things clean and free of signs of shake. It compensates for up to 4.5 shutter stops, so you won’t need to push the ISO too high.

The autofocus is another selling point, working well in tough lighting conditions. The downsides are the slow burst mode and the unimpressive battery life.