Generally speaking, the bigger the sensor, the better for low-light photography. A camera with a full-frame sensor is a no-brainer in low light, but your mileage will vary greatly depending on the lens you use, and you can still get great results in low light with a crop sensor camera, given the right lens. An APS-C or even Micro Four Thirds camera also offers advantages like portability and smaller lenses, so it's all about weighing your needs. Thankfully, modern digital camera sensors have become increasingly efficient at gathering light, allowing for ever-higher ISO settings and usable images with minimal noise in very dim lighting. If you're curious, you can learn more about how we test sensors for low-light noise handling.
Of course, when shooting in dimmer conditions, you can minimize the appearance of noise by allowing more light to hit the sensor, either by increasing your exposure time or opening up your aperture. When shooting handheld, built-in image stabilization might be necessary, allowing you to get clear shots at slower shutter speeds. Above all, the lens you use will have the biggest impact. A lens with a wider maximum aperture can let in more light and let you shoot in darker conditions at faster shutter speeds.
We've bought and tested over 130 cameras, and below, you'll find our picks for the best low-light mirrorless cameras. If you're looking for more general-purpose recommendations, check out our list of the best cameras for photography. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a hybrid or video-centric camera for low-light shooting, you can also see our best video cameras. Or maybe you're just looking for the best digital cameras we've tested, period. In any case, you're sure to find something to suit your needs.
We've independently purchased over 125 cameras and tested them using a standardized methodology. All the results are available to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs, with objective, data-driven reviews. We keep every product in our lab inventory to ensure we can go back, retest models, and verify that all the information we provide is still accurate.
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Best Camera For Low Light
Travel Photography8.2Landscape Photography8.4Sports & Wildlife Photography8.6Vlogging7.8Studio Video9.5Action Video5.5Raw Photo8.7Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:Full FrameSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:7.9The Sony α7 V is the best low-light camera we've tested, and its outstanding dynamic range is the main reason. Only the Sony ZV-E1, a video-focused camera with a 12.1-megapixel sensor built for low light, has scored higher in our dynamic range test. That leaves you plenty of room to lift dark shadows in post-processing without losing detail in bright highlights like streetlights, neon signs, or a moonlit sky. Its noise handling is very good but not class-leading, since even the Nikon Z 5II below produces slightly cleaner high-ISO images for much less money.
Its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is outstanding, so you can use slower shutter speeds handheld and keep your ISO lower in dim scenes. Battery life is remarkable, too, which helps during long night sessions like astrophotography or time-lapses. The 33-megapixel sensor gives you room to crop, and the weather-sealed body is very well-built. Sony's E-mount also offers one of the widest selections of fast primes, including affordable f/1.4 and f/1.8 lenses from third-party brands, so it's easy to find a lens that lets in more light.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Camera For Low Light
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography8.5Sports & Wildlife Photography8.8Vlogging7.2Studio Video9.2Action Video4.8Raw Photo8.8Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:Full FrameSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:8.2The Nikon Z 5II is the best upper mid-range camera for low light, and it gets you close to the Sony α7 V's performance for much less money. Its full-frame sensor produces slightly cleaner high-ISO images than the Sony's in our tests, and its dynamic range is nearly as impressive. Its 24.5-megapixel sensor leaves you less room to crop, though, and its battery doesn't last nearly as long, so pack a spare for long nights out.
It also has a few features designed for shooting in the dark. Nikon rates its autofocus down to -10EV, and its Starlight View mode brightens the live view so you can frame and focus in near-total darkness. A Warm Color Display mode also shifts the screen and viewfinder to warmer tones to help preserve your night vision under the stars. Compared to the Nikon Z 5 below, its IBIS is far more effective, and its autofocus is more reliable. The weather-sealed body has a superb grip that stays comfortable with large, fast lenses attached. Nikon's Z mount has a growing lineup of bright primes, but third-party options are still more limited than on Sony's E-mount. That said, you still have the option to adapt older Nikon F-mount lenses or even E-mount lenses with third-party adapters, but your mileage may vary for the latter.
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Best Mid-Range Camera For Low Light
Travel Photography8.3Landscape Photography8.2Sports & Wildlife Photography8.3Vlogging7.9Studio Video9.1Action Video7.8Raw Photo7.9Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:APS-CSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:7.2The Sony α6700 is the best mid-range camera for low light if you want a compact kit that also handles moving subjects and video. Its autofocus tracks moving subjects very well, which makes it a better fit for indoor events or concerts than the slower Nikon Z 5 below, and IBIS helps you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds. The trade-off is its smaller APS-C sensor, which produces noisier high-ISO images than the full-frame picks on this list, including the cheaper Z 5.
Fast lenses help make up for the smaller sensor. Sony's E-mount has plenty of affordable, bright APS-C primes, like Sigma's f/1.4 lineup, so you can let in more light without spending much or carrying a heavy kit. It's also a strong video camera, with 4k recording at up to 120 fps, though with a significant crop. The Fujifilm X-S20 is a great alternative at a similar price. Its IBIS is more effective, its battery lasts a bit longer, and Fujifilm offers some of the brightest APS-C lenses available, like the XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR. Its tracking autofocus isn't quite as reliable as the Sony's, though.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Camera For Low Light
Travel Photography7.5Landscape Photography8.1Sports & Wildlife Photography7.3Vlogging6.1Studio Video7.6Action Video3.3Raw Photo8.4Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:Full FrameSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:8.0The Nikon Z 5 is the best lower mid-range camera for low light and the cheapest full-frame camera on this list. Its sensor produces cleaner high-ISO images and a wider dynamic range than the pricier Sony α6700 above, which makes it a great fit for night photography, astrophotography, and dim interiors. It's built for photographers, though. Its 4k video comes with a severe crop, and its slow burst rate and less reliable autofocus make it a poor match for fast action.
It's comfortable to use for long sessions, with a superb grip, a sharp, high-res viewfinder, and outstanding battery life. Dual SD card slots are also a nice extra at this price. Its IBIS is only okay, so a tripod or a bright lens helps more in very dim scenes. Nikon's Z mount has some excellent lenses, especially in the premium S-Line, but third-party options are still more limited than on Sony's E-mount. If you want a camera with more modern autofocus and video features, consider the Nikon Z 50II. Although it uses an APS-C sensor, it handles noise well in low light and is based on their newer processor for snappier focus and better video.
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Best Budget Camera For Low Light
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography7.5Sports & Wildlife Photography8.0Vlogging7.6Studio Video8.0Action Video4.2Raw Photo7.4Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:APS-CSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:6.9The Canon EOS R50 is a great choice for low-light shooting on a budget. It's an especially good choice for people jumping from a smartphone to their first dedicated camera, as it's a solid beginner model with an intuitive user interface, simple controls, and plenty of creative shooting modes for those who don't know their way around manual settings just yet. Its portable size also makes it easy to take on the go, whether for everyday shooting or travel photography.
Despite its small size, the R50 has a sensor that performs decently for its class, even in trickier lighting. While its autofocus system isn't as advanced as the Sony α6700 mentioned above, it's still fairly effective, and the camera has surprisingly advanced video specs for the price. Its biggest drawback is the relatively limited selection of lenses. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great alternative with a more established lens ecosystem. It even has IBIS, which is rare at this price point. However, its autofocus system is much less reliable, and its smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor isn't as well suited to dim lighting.
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Best Camera For Low Light Video
Travel Photography8.7Landscape Photography8.6Sports & Wildlife Photography8.6Vlogging7.6Studio Video9.1Action Video8.0Raw Photo8.6Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSensor Size:Full FrameSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:8.6The Sony ZV-E1 is the best camera for low-light video that we've tested. It uses the same low-light-optimized full-frame sensor as the high-end Sony α7S III and Sony FX3 for much less money, so your footage stays clean even in very dim scenes. It's also remarkably compact for a full-frame camera, and its IBIS makes it easy to shoot handheld on the move. However, it lacks the FX3's cooling fan and is prone to overheating during long 4k recordings, so it's better for shorter clips than for events you need to film from start to finish.
It also has no viewfinder, so you frame everything on the fully articulated screen. If you need to record for long stretches, the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is a great alternative at a lower price. Its built-in fan kept it from overheating in our tests; it captured slightly wider dynamic range in video, and its video autofocus held up very well. Its sensor isn't as clean as the ZV-E1's in very dim light, though, and its much bulkier body is harder to carry around.
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Best Point-And-Shoot For Low Light
Travel Photography7.7Landscape Photography8.7Sports & Wildlife Photography6.4Vlogging3.3Studio Video4.1Action Video3.6Raw Photo9.1Body Type:Large Sensor CompactMirrorless:YesSensor Size:APS-CSee all our test resultsPhoto RAW Noise:9.5The RICOH GR IIIx is the best point-and-shoot camera for low light, and it fits a larger APS-C sensor into a body small enough to carry everywhere. That sensor produces remarkably clean images in our noise test, even compared to the full-frame picks above, and it captures excellent dynamic range, so it's a great fit for street photography at night, dim restaurants, and candlelit interiors. The trade-off is its fixed 40mm-equivalent lens, which has an f/2.8 maximum aperture and can't zoom, so you have to move closer or farther away to adjust your framing.
Thankfully, the in-body stabilization does an outstanding job of steadying handheld shots, so you can use slower shutter speeds and keep your ISO low after dark. Its tracking autofocus is poor, though, so it's better for still scenes than for moving subjects, and there's no viewfinder. Battery life is also poor, so you may need to bring a second battery around with you. If you mostly shoot video, the Canon PowerShot V1 is a great alternative. It records 10-bit footage with Canon Log 3, has a built-in fan for longer recordings, and its zoom lens has optical stabilization. Its smaller 1.4-inch sensor isn't as clean in dim light as the RICOH's. It's still much better than most other point-and-shoots, which typically pack 1-inch sensors.
Notable Mentions
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Nikon D850:
The Nikon D850 is a beast of a camera. This DSLR has an incredibly wide dynamic range, a high megapixel count, and performs well in low light, with a wide array of lens options. That said, it's significantly bulkier than mirrorless options like the Sony α7 V, lacks IBIS, and isn't suited for video.
See our review -
Nikon D780:
The Nikon D780 is a fantastic DSLR camera for low-light photography. It's bulkier than a mirrorless option like the Nikon Z 5II and lacks IBIS, but its full-frame sensor delivers some of the best low-light noise handling we've tested.
See our review -
Nikon Z 6III:
The Nikon Z 6III is one of the best cameras for low light in Nikon's Z lineup, rated to autofocus down to -10EV depending on the lens. It's right up there with the Sony α7 V in many ways, but the Sony has a noticeably better dynamic range.
See our review -
Fujifilm X100VI:
The Fujifilm X100VI is a premium alternative to the RICOH GR IIIx, with a 40-megapixel APS-C sensor that gives you more room to crop and a brighter f/2 lens that lets in more light. It also has IBIS to steady your handheld shots, a viewfinder, and longer battery life. However, it's much more expensive and a lot bigger, especially for a point-and-shoot.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 27, 2026:
We replaced the Canon EOS R6 Mark II with the Sony α7 V as the 'Best Camera For Low Light' and the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II with the Nikon Z 5II as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Camera For Low Light.' The S5 II now replaces the discontinued Panasonic LUMIX GH5s as an alternative to the Sony ZV-E1. We also added the RICOH GR IIIx as the 'Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Low Light,' with the Canon PowerShot V1 as a video-focused alternative, and renamed the Nikon Z 5's category to 'Best Lower Mid-Range Camera For Low Light.' Finally, we updated some of the alternatives and text throughout to match our latest test results.
Dec 17, 2024:
We removed the Sony α6600 from the Notable Mentions and added the Nikon D850 as a Notable.
Sep 19, 2024: We added the Nikon Z 6III as a Notable Mention because of its well-rounded feature set and excellent low-light performance.
Jul 25, 2024: We touched up some of the text throughout this article for better clarity and checked that the recommendations still meet user needs and expectations.
May 27, 2024: We removed the Fujifilm X-T4 from the Notable Mentions as it's less relevant for low-light shooting in the current market.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best cameras for night photography and low light for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all of our camera reviews arranged according to the criteria required for low-light photography. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.