Cameras with high dynamic range (HDR) handle a few situations for me as a wildlife photographer. I try to shoot as often as possible during Golden Hour, just after sunrise or before sunset. So that means low-light capability is important when choosing my camera gear. I also try to take a few backlit shots, meaning I must preserve detail in bright backgrounds.
High dynamic range is simply the number of stops of light the camera can record between pure black and pure white. The human eye can generally cope with around 20 stops (Exposure Value or EVs). But even the best camera on our list, the Sony a7R V, can only manage 15 stops. That’s not bad, but it still doesn’t beat what nature gave us!
The cameras on this list have the best dynamic range, scoring between 14.6 and 15 EVs. (A few older versions, like the Nikon D810 or the Sony a7R III, also do well. But I’ve excluded those for updated versions.)
Remember that a camera’s dynamic range is not the same as low-light sensitivity—it’s the range rather than the minimum. That means my new Sony a1 can beat my old Nikon D850 on low-light sensitivity (3163 vs 2660 ISO) but still have a lower dynamic range (14.5 vs 14.8 EV)!
Let’s quickly look at the top-ranked cameras for high dynamic range.
Now let’s look in more detail at each camera offering the best dynamic range.
If you need a camera with the best dynamic range for low-light conditions or backlit shots, our list is a good starting point when choosing a new camera.
Top of the charts is the new a7R V. But if you don’t fancy a mirrorless camera, you also have DSLR options, both in full frame and crop format.
These are the questions we get asked most about cameras with high dynamic ranges.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is the difference between the brightest and darkest values your camera can capture. It’s usually measured in “stops” of light or Exposure Values (EVs). Each stop is simply a doubling or halving of the light level.
No. High dynamic range and 4K try to improve picture quality to provide a more realistic viewing experience. But they do so differently. An HDR image improves color and contrast, while 4K delivers a sharper, more detailed image.
Fortunately, the technologies are compatible. So modern 4K and 8K TVs often let you enjoy the quality of high dynamic range with the sharpness of Ultra (UHD).
It helps to capture as much detail as possible in the image to mimic what we see ourselves. A camera’s dynamic range is never as good as the human eye’s. So manufacturers are constantly trying to catch up.
The Sony a7R V is the current champion. But we only have Sony’s word for it! DXOMARK hasn’t had a chance to do comparative tests yet, so we shall see…
The Sony a7R V is the only camera with 15 stops of dynamic range—so far!
It depends on the camera, but 35 mm film has a dynamic range of 12 to 15 stops. In general, that’s a bit better than most digital cameras. But the latest models are catching up fast.
If you’re still unsure which camera to buy, check out our camera comparison tool for inspiration! We have great recent articles on the best camera brand, best camera for nature photography or jewellery photography too.
