The 6 Best Cameras For Low Light - Spring 2023 Reviews

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best camera we've tested for low light. It offers notable improvements over the Canon EOS R6, including a higher-resolution sensor and improved video specs. The R6 Mark II performs remarkably well in low light, with fantastic noise handling at high ISO settings.

That aside, the autofocus system is incredibly effective and works well even in trickier lighting. It also has a great in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system to help you shoot at slower shutter speeds handheld. That said, if you want more third-party lens options, the Sony α7 IV is another top contender with a wider selection of lenses, although its ergonomics leave something to be desired.

If you're looking for something cheaper than the Canon EOS R6 and can do without some of the more advanced video features on that camera, then the Nikon Z 6II is a fantastic choice for low-light photography. This enthusiast model has a 24.5-megapixel sensor with amazing noise handling in low-light scenarios. Like the R6, it has IBIS to help you slow down your shutter speed when there's less available light.

It also has excellent ergonomics, with well-laid-out controls and an intuitive user interface with plenty of customization options that make it easy to shoot with. That said, its autofocus system isn't quite as reliable as the Canon's and is a little slower to focus in dimmer lighting, but overall, it's still very effective. There are some excellent lenses out there for Nikon's Z system, and you always have the option to use adapted F-mount DSLR lenses as well.

If you don't want to spend quite as much, going with an APS-C model like the Fujifilm X-S10 can be a great way to save money. The X-S10 is one of the best all-around APS-C cameras we've tested. The advantage it has over competitors like the Nikon Z 50 is its built-in image stabilization, which can help when shooting at slower shutter speeds. On top of that, the JPEGs that come out of this camera are fantastic. Noise handling is also great across the board for a crop-sensor camera.

Another reason to go with this camera is the excellent quality of Fuji lenses. There are plenty of wide-aperture options if you're willing to spend a little more, but even the kit lens options are great. Overall, there's a lot to love about the X-S10, and it's a blast to shoot with, making it one of the best low-light mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor.

While a camera with a bigger sensor will make it easier to shoot in low light, don't count out Micro Four Thirds (MFT) options entirely, especially if you're looking for something more affordable. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the best budget camera we've tested for low light, thanks to an excellent IBIS system and a very reasonable price tag.

While it has limits, especially with autofocus, this is still a great option for beginners. It's also incredibly portable, meaning it's great for travel photos or vlogging. There are plenty of lens options available for the MFT system, and they tend to be more affordable than larger-sensor options. So, even though you won't get the best noise handling with this camera compared to pricier options, this is still a great budget and beginner camera for low light.

If you don't need IBIS and don't mind a heavier DSLR, the Nikon D780 is a fantastic low-light camera that's slightly more affordable than the Canon EOS R6. It's an enthusiast camera that marries the best features that DSLRs offer with on-sensor phase detection AF borrowed from the mirrorless Nikon Z 6, giving it a ton of versatility. Beyond that, its backside-illuminated sensor performs remarkably well in low light, producing photos with minimal noise at high ISO levels.

It's less portable than a mirrorless model like the R6, but on the upside, you get much longer battery life, plus an entire stable of Nikon DSLR lenses to choose from. It's built like a tank and weather-sealed, so it can put up with extensive use and withstand some of the elements. All in all, it's a fantastic camera for low-light photography if you're shooting faster subjects and don't need built-in sensor stabilization.

If you're more interested in video than photography, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5s is a great option. This Micro Four Thirds camera is designed specifically for low-light video work, taking the best video features from the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 (the predecessor to the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II we've tested) and adding in a lower-resolution sensor optimized for low light. This camera is a videography powerhouse, giving you many recording formats/codecs to choose from, along with different resolution options like DCI (Cinema) 4k and anamorphic 4k to get a more cinematic look, not to mention unlimited recording times.

That said, you'll get better low-light performance with a full-frame option like the Sony α7S, though the current iteration, the Sony α7S III, will cost you a small fortune compared to the Panasonic. The Panasonic will be enough for most people to shoot videos or films in dim lighting conditions. You also get a more portable system overall, with smaller and generally cheaper Micro Four Thirds lenses. Unfortunately, the Panasonic doesn't have built-in image stabilization, so you'll need to use an external stabilizer to get the smoothest footage.