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.
A powerhouse DSLR boasting a whopping 30.4 megapixels, a high ISO range, and an accurate autofocus system!
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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.
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Slow 7 fps or 9 fps with an expensive battery grip
Nikon’s D850 is favourable for night photography, with the highest megapixel count on this list. It’s the right camera for night photographers because of its high ISO sensitivity and image quality.
Its ISO capabilities combined with its stunning nine frames per second shooting gives you a camera geared up for night time sky photography. The Nikon D850 is also a camera you can trust on a tripod, allowing for fast processing of its images.
Check out the following comparisons with the D850:
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Nikon’s Z6 II is another mirrorless camera that can be a street photographer’s best friend at night. Their strong point in night photography lies in their autofocus system. This system can detect focus points in -6 EV (exposure value) visibility. Nikon even claims that you can find focus points under quarter-moon light.
With a great dynamic range, you will be able to get information in the shadows and potential highlights in your night sky photographs. A camera with an excellent dynamic range will go a long way when dealing with night photography.
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Low megapixel count compared to closest competitors
Interface is challenging to navigate
EVF drains the battery
Camera heats up shooting 4K / 60 fps
Canon cameras have dominated the top of this list because of their excellent features. The Canon EOS R6 is no different. The camera’s fantastic ability to function as a handheld camera at night is why you can add it to the list of best cameras for night photography. And it is the other best mirrorless camera on our list.
The Canon EOS R6 has fewer megapixels than other Canon cameras but a higher ISO sensitivity. A great feature of this camera is its five-axis image stabilization system. This stabilizer allows you to take sharper images when photographing without a tripod. Canon claims you can take a four-second exposure, and it will still be sharp!
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Quick-and-easy Pro Capture (action) and Starry Sky AF modes
Excellent video options
Cons
Relatively low sensor resolution
Not the best when pushing the high ISO range
Unreliable subject tracking
No vehicle and train recognition AF modes like the E-M1X
Complicated menus
Relatively short 420-shot battery life
Olympus makes it onto this list with a great cropped image sensor camera. Not only is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera light, but it will provide sharp images thanks to its excellent autofocus system.
A new feature solidifies its place on this list. It is a new feature called Starry Sky AF (autofocus). If you haven’t guessed already, this feature will identify the night sky and get all the stars in focus, no matter how small or faint they are. It is ideal for night sky photography.
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Panasonic’s mirrorless camera also gets a spot on this list with the Lumix S5.
The lightweight capabilities matched with extraordinary image quality means that you can use mirrorless cameras in both on and off tripod situations. Its off-tripod success comes from its image stabilization system.
Its new I.S. II system allows up to 6.5 stops of benefit. This comes in handy when shooting along the streets at night.
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Slow continuous burst shooting by modern standards
Limited number of AF points
No in-body image stabilization to minimize camera shake
Only one memory card slot
Since its inception, the Canon EOS 6D Mark IIÂ has been one of the best cameras for night photography. It set a high bar for DSLR’s in its time with a high ISO range and night photography capabilities. Even now, the Canon EOS 6D has kept these qualities.
And it has kept improving, keeping this line of cameras on our list. It has improved its autofocus system so that the camera has outstanding low light performance with added sharpness. It was an issue with the older rendition.
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For those who aren’t quite ready to spend money on a full frame camera, Nikon’s D7500 is a great option.
The ISO capabilities here are plenty to quench your thirst when it comes to night photography. Nikon has worked on reducing fine grain. This means you’ll be able to push into higher ISO sensitivity without noise ruining the image.
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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.
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.
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.
A powerhouse DSLR boasting a whopping 30.4 megapixels, a high ISO range, and an accurate autofocus system!
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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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