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14 Best Cameras for Night Photography in 2024

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Last Update: January 8, 2024

Photographing at night time can feel like a whole new world. But the technical aspects of night photography can often be a deterrent, not to mention the hours you’ll be missing from your comfy bed.

For those who brave the night to experiment with low light photography, you will be rewarded with stunning images you couldn’t take at any other time.

Today, we will look at the best cameras for night photography in 2023.

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A powerhouse DSLR boasting a whopping 30.4 megapixels, a high ISO range, and an accurate autofocus system!

My main focus will be on cameras that will help night photographers out on the technical side, giving them the tools to capture incredible images.

I have sat out in dark, cold environments many times, so you don’t have to!

What is the Best Camera for Night Photography?

Before we discuss each camera in detail, here are my recommended 14 best cameras for night photography:

Our Top Choice
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
  • Superb image quality from 30.4MP full-frame sensor
  • Nice 900-shot battery life
  • User-friendly touch screen
  • Cinema-type (DCI) 4
Best for Street Photos
Sony a7 III
Sony a7 III
  • Quick and accurate 693-point AF
  • Wide ISO range with a low 50 setting
  • Outstanding dynamic range and low-light performance
  • Records stunning 4K video and has live stream capabilities
Highest Resolution
Nikon D850
Nikon D850
  • 45.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • Excellent autofocus
  • Long, 1,840-shot battery life
  • 4K/30p Ultra HD video
Best Nikon Mirrorless
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon Z6 II
  • Excellent low-light focusing
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Superb low-light dynamic range
  • Dual memory card slots
Best Canon Mirrorless
Canon EOS R6
Canon EOS R6
  • Relatively affordable
  • Excellent in-body image stabilization
  • Compact and ergonomic design
  • Fantastic expandable ISO range
  • Rapid burst speeds
Highly Recommended
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
  • 7 stops of IBIS
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Simulated Live ND filters
  • 4K/30p Ultra-HD video
Best Panasonic Choice
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Image stabilization to prevent camera shake
  • Dual memory card slots
  • Great 4K video capabilities
Editors Choice
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
  • Fantastic image quality
  • Impressive 45-point AF system
  • Built well and nice to handle
  • Handy built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
Great Value
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7500
  • Great value for money
  • Smaller, compact DSLR body
  • Easy to handle and hold
  • Long battery life
Best Fujifilm Choice
Fujifilm X-T4
Fujifilm X-T4
  • A great frame rate of 15fps
  • 6.5 stops of IBIS
  • 12 Film Simulation modes
  • 4K video (DCI or Ultra HD)
Best for Creatives
Nikon D780
Nikon D780
  • Long-exposure presets
  • Plenty of autofocus (AF) points
  • Nice, uncropped 4K video capabilities
  • Dual memory card slots (UHS-II)
Best for Low Light
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Pentax K-1 Mark II
  • Plenty of manual controls
  • A wide ISO range for low light
  • 5-axis Shake Reduction II worth 2.3 to 3.6 shutter stops
  • Dynamic Pixel Shift resolution provides sharper images
  • Astrotracer tracks stars at night
  • Durable camera body with excellent weather sealing
Most Affordable Nikon
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5600
  • High quality images for crop sensor
  • Great ISO sensitivity
  • Fast 39-point AF system
  • Not too bulky and nice to handle
Best Compact Choice
Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS
Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS
  • Cheap compact camera
  • 10x fixed zoom lens
  • "Intelligent" optical image stabilizer
  • Three cheerful color ptions
  • Lightweight and portable

14 Best Cameras for Night Photography (in Detail!)

Now, we will look at the top Canon cameras, Nikon cameras, Sony cameras, and others that will help you take stunning images at night.

I will break down each camera’s features, clearly showing its most relevant specifications. This will include its ISO range, sensor type, and megapixels.

And our list includes the best cameras for night sky photography and the best cheap camera for night photography.

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Best Camera for Night Photography

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2. Sony a7 III

Best Camera for Steet Photos at Night

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3. Nikon D850

High Resolution Camera for Night Photography

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4. Nikon Z6 II

Best Nikon Mirrorless for Night Photography

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5. Canon EOS R6

Best Canon Mirrorless for Night Photography

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6. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Best Olympus Camera for Night Photography

no

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7. Panasonic Lumix DCS5

Best Panasonic Camera for Night Photography

no

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8. Canon EOS 6D

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9. Nikon D7500

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10. Fujifilm X-T4

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11. Nikon D780

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12. Pentax K1 II

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13. Nikon D5600

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14. Canon Powershot ELPH 190 IS

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What Makes a Great Camera For Night Photography?

As advancements in technology progress, camera manufacturers have developed impressive features to improve how their cameras handle low light conditions.

These features can be anything from high ISO sensitivity to how a camera’s autofocus reads focal points. Some of the best cameras for night photography even have AI capabilities that can help.

The main feature of an excellent camera for night photography is how it performs with its higher ISO capabilities. This is most relevant for images that do not require a tripod.

Aurora borealis shot at night with mountains and a reflection in water, shot with one of the best cameras for night photography

Is Mirrorless or DSLR Better For Night Photography?

There is no direct answer to this question as both types of cameras have impressive features. There is less chance that camera shake will affect the image with mirrorless cameras as there is no mirror to lift with every shot. But DSLR cameras have a greater selection of lenses and better battery life.

The type of cameras to consider for night photography should be based on your personal preferences.

City street scene with cars in the distance shot at night time, shot with one of the best cameras for night photography

How Many Megapixels Do I Need For Night Photography?

Of course, there is no set number of megapixels you will need for the best night camera. But it does help if you have more.

A full frame camera, typically meaning more megapixels, will be beneficial. As a rule of thumb, any camera over 15 megapixels will provide excellent night time images.

Our Verdict

After going through this list, it is easy to see that newer digital cameras are pushing the boundaries of shooting in low light scenarios.

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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

A powerhouse DSLR boasting a whopping 30.4 megapixels, a high ISO range, and an accurate autofocus system!

With recent advancements in image stabilization sensors that can read the information in near pitch-black conditions, shooting in the dark has never been easier. We hope our list of the best cameras for night photography will help you find the perfect camera for you!

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