- Are Smart Phones One Of The Best Low Light Video Cameras
- What This Guide On Low Light Video Cameras Offers
- Product List Of The Best Low Light Video Cameras
- Panasonic LUMIX GH5
- Nikon D5500
- Canon EOS R
- Sony α7iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
- Nikon Z6 II FX Format Mirrorless Camera
- Nikon D850 FX Format Digital SLR Camera
- Sony a7R III Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera with 28-70mm Lens
- Nikon Z6 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera
- Canon EOS 80D With EF-S 18-55mm Lens
- GoPro Hero 10 Waterproof Action Camera
- Buyer’s Guide For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
- Conclusion For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
- FAQ
The best low light video cameras on the market today feature the newest technologies to provide you quality content. Technology is becoming more expensive and it’s largely due to the increase in features which are offered by these devices. Since products are now so expensive, people start expecting them to be good at everything and offer every setting possible. However, this is not always the case and not every device will excel in every category.
A great example of this principle is cameras which tend to have relatively niche functions. For the specific purpose you need a camera, you probably have to buy a camera specifically tailored to this. There are video cameras which are massive, expensive and designed for high quality filmmaking footage. While there are also small cheaper cameras which are designed for recording action footage. Likewise, you may find more all-round cameras which can be good in quite a wide range of situations. But for the most part, they will not offer the niche functions you may want them to.
Are Smart Phones One Of The Best Low Light Video Cameras
Camera phones are now so common and people use them for the majority of their recordings. As a result, video camera manufacturers have had to offer more specific features to justify the investment. Smart phones today aren’t considered to be the best low light video cameras yet. All though this may change with newer technologies in the future.
The footage which is captured by smart phones is often passable and presents fine on the internet. And depending on what device you’re working with, can sometimes be quite impressive. However, there are still many situations in which smart phone cameras suffer and an actual camera would be preferable.
For example, factors where standard video cameras often outperform smart phone cameras is in low light situations. Since most video cameras have manual shutters compared to most smart phones, these settings are able to adapt. Consequently making the performance in low light situations much more impressive and easy to watch.
However, as mentioned in the introduction, not every video camera will be impressive in this category. Therefore, there are definitely some cameras which are much more suited to low light situations than others.
There are many situations in which a video camera designed specifically for low light performance would be useful. For example, if you do outdoors recording in very early or late times. Shooting in buildings which are not particularly well lit also fall into this category. If you find yourself in these situations regularly, it is recommended to find a camera which excels in these areas.
What This Guide On Low Light Video Cameras Offers
This guide is specifically designed to review some of the best video cameras which perform well in low light conditions. Given the number of choices in the market, it can be overwhelming to start looking for a device like this. Moreover, it’s difficult to know what devices are good at what since they rarely advertise their faults or omissions. Consequently, these reviews will help you understand the pros and cons of these cameras so you’re fully informed. Therefore your purchase choice should be a lot easier.
After going through the product list if you’re still unsure about the terminology or variables, refer to the buyer’s guide. This will help explain some of the most important factors which should impact your choice in video cameras. Above all, leave us a comment below if you require more information.
If you’re looking for a low light video camera but not sure where to start, read on for more information! Also check out our review on cheap professional video cameras with more features than a low light video camera.
Product List Of The Best Low Light Video Cameras
Panasonic LUMIX GH5
Key Features
This mirrorless camera works great in low light situations and can still record high quality videos using the contrast AF system. It is capable of recording crisp 4K at a good frame rate even in bad lighting conditions. The Panasonic Lumix GH5 uses a 20.3-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, 17.3 x 13.0mm with the Venus 10 Engine. The camera can also natively go live making it a great choice for vlogging or live-streaming on your smartphone. The Panasonic Lumix GH5 provides a weather resistant feature for dust, freezing and splash proof design with weather sealing on every button, dial and joint. The GH5 offers twin SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots with a V60 speed rating, both of which are UHS II and U3 compatible. In other words, an excellent choice for a low light video camera at an affordable price.
Pros
Cons
Nikon D5500
Key Features
This 24.2 MP video camera is another great choice for low light recording. It has a high ISO range to make the low light options great for an affordable choice. The HD videos it records in low light look incredibly impressive. The dust reduction sensor is also great for making sure your sensor remains clean.
Pros
Cons
Canon EOS R
Key Features
Another impressive camera for working in low light conditions and is capable of recording at 4k UHD, FHD and HD. This camera also has built in stabilization for better image quality. The camera is dust resistant and a good choice for a variety of different circumstances and great for outdoor filming. It supports a variety of lenses available to help capture the perfect video.
Pros
Cons
Sony α7iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
Great quality camera for recording Cinema 4k as well as HDR video and has impressive results even in low lighting. This camera is unique for being good at recording slow and quick motion videos. Which is not always possible in low light conditions with most other cameras. This camera also has great face detection as well as dust protection features.
Pros
Cons
Nikon Z6 II FX Format Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
Another great choice for filming in low light, this camera can achieve 30fps in 4k. The camera offers both 4k and UHD time-lapse videos. One feature which makes it amazing for low light conditions is the active D-lighting. For example, active D-lighting is able to manage the light which you need in the video to provide better quality. The AF lock is also perfect for when you are recording time lapses.
Pros
Cons
Nikon D850 FX Format Digital SLR Camera
Key Features
This camera uses a full frame sensor to record 4k and UHD. To clarify, none of your footage will get cropped and an excellent camera for shooting in low light. Offering a 4k, UHD and an 8k time-lapse option makes the Nikon D850 great at recording time lapses. Very impressive for a camera which works well in low light. The included Expeed 5 image processor is a great feature for a DSLR camera to have. It therefore makes processing images much easier.
Pros
Cons
Sony a7R III Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera with 28-70mm Lens
Key Features
One of the best Sony cameras for recording in low light, it can record 4k at an impressive frame rate. The eye and face detection features work incredibly well using the camera’s advanced AF system. In other words, anything you want to have in focus will be. There is also a noise reduction feature which should be incredibly useful for when you are recording in low light. Certainly the extras included in the bundle are an added bonus for all beginners.
Pros
Cons
Nikon Z6 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
The CMOS sensor used on this camera makes its 4k and UHD recordings perfect in low light conditions. The CMOS sensor is also great when it comes to trying to take more enhanced and detailed photos. This camera also features a Hybrid Phase Detection AF which uses focus lock features. As a result, making this camera’s autofocus one of the best on the market. The dust resistance features makes this a viable choice for outdoor conditions.
Pros
Cons
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera
Key Features
This is one of the best Canon cameras for recording in low light and does this with an impressive 30.4MP. For example, it’s quite capable of filming 4k in low light conditions and the videos still look great. The DIGIC 6+ processor makes it so processing your images will be quick and easy. It makes this camera a perfect choice for using in low light conditions. The AF features are also super smooth and will make the focus on your videos look natural in low light.
Pros
Cons
Canon EOS 80D With EF-S 18-55mm Lens
Key Features
This camera uses a Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor which works perfectly in low light conditions. The high speed shooting features are great when you are shooting time lapses. The HDR mode and the DIGIC 6 make sure that all your footage will look smooth once you have finished recording! Using optical image stabilization the Canon EOS 80D ensures quality images every time! An iso range of 100-12800 provides great options for low light situations. This camera offers built in wireless connectivity for easy sharing!
Pros
Cons
GoPro Hero 10 Waterproof Action Camera
Key Features
This is perhaps the best action camera for using in low light conditions. For such a small camera it is able to record incredibly good footage in low light conditions. The zoom in Full HD is impressive and it can even record in 4k. The time warp feature is a unique addition and the slow motion is incredibly good for such a small camera. It uses the new GP2 engine with live streaming capabilities and 23mp photos. Certainly, the added extras like an Extreme Pro 64 gb microSDXC Card and second battery are a bonus.
Pros
Cons
Buyer’s Guide For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
If you are a beginner to filmmaking but don’t know what’s important for a camera functioning in low light, this section will be incredibly helpful for you. Lots of factors and variables could impact your choice when choosing one of the best low light video cameras. This section will list and explain the most niche and specific factors which should be considered. If you are unsure about what is important to a video camera functioning in low light, keep reading!
Sensors For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
Your camera’s sensor size is incredibly important for the cameras ability to work well in low light conditions. The sensor is the part of the camera which captures the light and transforms this into an image.
Most importantly, the bigger the size of your sensor is, the more of this light the camera will be able to capture. The size of your camera’s sensor has a direct correlation with the cameras ability to function in low light conditions. Look for a larger sensor if your goal is to shoot low light videos.
In order from largest to smallest there are 3 standardized sizes of sensors: Full Frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds. Full frame is the same size as 35mm (36mmx24mm). An APS-C sensor is generally around 23mmx15mm. The Micro Four Thirds sensor is 17.3mmx15mm. A full frame sensor camera is the best in low light whereas APS-C and Micro four thirds performance drops substantially . There are sizes below these, but they will not give good results in low light conditions. Therefore, you should avoid them if possible.
DSLR And Mirrorless Camera Sensors
When you are shopping for a camera to work in low light conditions you should avoid more compact cameras as well as camcorders. Most of the cameras on this list are designed for the 3 aforementioned lens sizes. In addition, the cameras mentioned are also mirrorless or DSLR cameras because they usually fit these sensor sizes.
The main difference between mirrorless and DSLR cameras for the most part, is mirrorless cameras are lighter than DSLR cameras. Therefore making them more appropriate for filming on the go and vlogging since they require less effort to operate.
In short, larger cameras tend to be more expensive, but they also function and perform better in low light. Keep this in mind when you are prioritizing your low light needs while purchasing.
Lens Aperture For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
Next to sensor size, the lens aperture is another factor which heavily impacts a cameras ability in low light conditions. To clarify, the larger the lens aperture, the more light able to enter the sensor, meaning better low light performance.
When capturing an image, the lens aperture size of a camera controls the amount of light reaching the sensor. In video the shutter along with the frame rate is used with aperture to achieve quality recordings in low light. You can control the aperture, frame rate and shutter speed manually for most cameras before you record the video. Likewise you can use the video cameras auto settings as well.
Even though this can be controlled on most cameras, you’re still limited by the maximum aperture available for your camera. Therefore if you want a video camera which works well in low light, you want a large maximum aperture. Also known as fast aperture, this allows more light to reach the sensor.
The measure of a lens aperture is called an f-number. For cinematic lenses it is T-stop. This means that when you buy a lens for a camera, you will see a number like f/1.2. This is the maximum aperture, the lower the number is, the larger the maximum aperture is. On the other hand, the opposite is true for f/45 which is the smallest aperture.
The more affordable lenses have apertures around f/1.8 or f/1.4. These are what you should look for if you are hoping to shoot good quality footage in low light situations!
ISO Range For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
A final significant factor to consider when buying a video camera used in low light situations, is the ISO range. Each video camera has different ISO ranges which indicate how sensitive the sensor is to the light it is transforming.
Every camera is capable of increasing the ISO when needed if there’s not enough light to capture images adequately. In other words, so the camera can take in more light as needed. And therefore produce a picture which would normally not have enough lighting to look good.
When increasing your cameras ISO to gain more light, the image quality decreases substantially. For example, pictures which have been taken with a higher ISO, show inconsistencies in the images like grains or dots. This is defined as background noise or a grainy image.
However, there’s no pressing need to increase the ISO if the camera has a large enough sensor. This shows a direct link between the sensor size of a camera and its ISO range. Cameras with larger sensors take better quality pictures in low light settings.
Having lighting props present while filming in low light situations decreases the need to increase ISO. Extra lighting whether natural or unnatural increases the quality of your recording.
The quality of a camera’s sensor will also directly affect just how impactful the negative effects of a high ISO image will be. That is to say the higher quality sensor, the less impact ISO effects will be.
Conclusion For The Best Low Light Video Cameras
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a video camera which will perform well in low light conditions. If you are still feeling unsure make sure to go back through the list after having read the buyer’s guide to get a better idea of what factors are important to you. And if you still have any questions, make sure to refer to the FAQ just after this as some of the most commonly asked questions about low light video cameras are answered there!