Low light photography is a passion for many people. Only the right type of cameras can be useful in this field. Beginners often find trouble while making the decision of which camera they should buy.
When it comes to low light photography, cameras need to have a perfect aperture, exposure, ISO, sensor, shutter, etc.
To state the obvious, purchasing a mirrorless camera can be hard for beginners. If you are a beginner, we will suggest that you know important information about cameras before purchasing.
Best low light mirrorless camera in 2023
In 2023, mirrorless cameras have significantly improved with all the new technologies that have been invented and developed. When buying the best low light mirrorless camera, you need to be up-to-date with all the new features of mirrorless cameras.
Certain features of a camera should be perfect to take a clear shot in low light conditions. Professionals know their camera well and can take pictures in any low night environment. Sufficient knowledge about cameras can help in your photography career.
Night sky photography is a general term that stands for night city photography, Astrophotography, wildlife photography at night, etc.
Comparison table of top 9 low light mirrorless camera
| Image | Name | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony Alpha 7R IV (Editor’s Choice) | * 35 mm CMOS * 1.27 (pounds) * 5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 | Check Price |
 | Canon EOS M50 | * 26.82 mm CMOS * 13.8 (pounds) * 2.3 x 4.6 x 3.5 | Check Price |
 | Sony Alpha a7S | * 35 mm CMOS * 1.08 (pounds) * 5 x 1.9 x 3.7 | Check Price |
 | Olympus OM-D E-M10 | * 17.30 mm CMOS * 1.1 (pounds) * 4.7 x 3.6 x 3.3 | Check Price |
 | Sony FDRAX53/B | * 7.20 mm CMOS * 2 (pounds) * 7.4 x 5.9 x 4.2 | Check Price |
 | Panasonic DMC-G7KS | * 17.30 mm CMOS * 14.4 (pounds) * 4.9 x 3 x 3.4 | Check Price |
 | Nikon Z6 | * 35.90 BSI – CMOS * 4.6 (pounds) * 12 x 10 x 7 | Check Price |
 | Fujifilm X-H1 | * 23.50 mm CMOS III * 4.4 (pounds) * 8.4 x 8 x 6.9 | Check Price |
 | PANASONIC LUMIX G7 | * 17.30 mm CMOS * 14.4 (pounds) * 4.9 x 3 x 3.4 | Check Price |
Our 9 picks of best low light mirrorless camera
To help the beginners to make a worthy purchase, we have listed the best 9 mirrorless cameras for low light photography. It has all the essential information that can help you decide which one you should purchase to fuel your passion for photography.
1. Sony Alpha 7R IV – A premium quality mirrorless camera
Founded in 1946, Sony is a leading camera brand. Their cameras have faced a lot of change over the years and have significantly improved. In 2023, Sony has a good number of cameras that are good for low night photography. We have picked the best one from them, which is Sony Alpha 7R IV.
It is one of the best Sony mirrorless low light cameras you can find. The critical requirements of a low light camera can be found in Alpha 7R. Thus, it gained the first place on our list.
Sony Alpha 7R has a high-quality 35 mm CMOS sensor. This is important for mirrorless cameras. Without having a suitable sensor, the camera won’t be able to take clear pictures.
The wide range of ISO allows you to take pictures in any low light environment. If you want to take proper and clear images in the dark, keep the ISO settings high.
- A 35 mm CMOS sensor increases the overall quality of pictures and videos.
- A wide range of ISO allows users to take photos in low light or bright environments.
- Continuous shooting speed of 10 fps gives an excellent burst mode feature.
- Modern AF technology is able to have more focus points than many older models.
- It has two media slots for increased storage.
- A high-quality microphone ensures clear audio.
- The menu system is slightly disappointing.
- Pictures taken with this camera may have noise while resizing.
Bottom Line
The camera has all the quality that is needed for being the best mirrorless camera for low light photography. It is positively accepted by experts and users. Being such a great piece, it deserves to be on the top.
2. Canon EOS M50 – Best Canon mirrorless camera
Canon is a legendary camera brand that makes high-end cameras that are used by professionals. Their cameras are beast when it comes to quality. This is why they are one of our top 3 picks.
Canon EOS M50 is a mirrorless camera which can help you take decent pictures in the dark. The camera contains a 24.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that enables detailed images without the need of a mirror.
The autofocus on this camera is superb. Most of the screen can be focused on easily for more explicit photos of any objects. This helps newbies to get used to the focus system then switch to the manual mode.
It is a lightweight camera with an adjustable LCD screen. These features help to take pictures in different angles. Wireless transfer system uses Wi-Fi connectivity to transfer files.
For being small in size, the camera isn’t compatible with many lenses. This is slightly disappointing but acceptable since it is a lightweight camera. Another downside is, the camera does not offer much frame rate in 4k videos. Other than these, it is a great choice.
- The electronic viewfinder is built-in for low light conditions.
- Autofocus is updated and better than older models.
- 1 megapixels CMOS sensor ensures high-quality pictures.
- The LCD screen can be adjusted to various angles.
- A new wireless connection feature is fast for transferring files.
- Lightweight and can be easily carried.
- 4k quality isn’t that good because it offers only 24p.
- It isn’t compatible with many lenses.
Bottom Line
As we all know, Canon cameras are very well-made. So it is safe to purchase it. It can be a little confusing for beginners, but as they get used to it, they’ll be able to take many great pictures.
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3. Sony Alpha a7S – Small and lightweight mirrorless camera
Sony produces a lot of mirrorless cameras, so it is not surprising to have them multiple times on our list. It stands out from other mirrorless cameras by being very small and lightweight.
Mirrorless cameras are usually small and lightweight comparing to DSLR cameras. But Sony Alpha a7S is the most lightweight amongst most mirrorless cameras. Still, the sensor is as large as 35 mm, which allows the camera to take excellent shots.
It is specially made for taking pictures in dark areas. It has a low light 4k feature for taking videos in the dark. Moreover, the combination of perfect ISO and aperture will let you take beautiful pictures in darkest of areas.
The camera is compatible with all of the Sony E-mount lenses. This offers many options while taking zoomed-in pictures. Although, you need to purchase an adapter if you want to fit other lenses.
Battery life is significant for photography. But unfortunately, many users weren’t satisfied with the battery life of this camera. But that can be changed by replacing the batteries.
- Small and lightweight comparing to other mirrorless cameras.
- A 35 mm large image sensor gives clear photos in low light environments.
- It has a low light 4k feature for taking videos in the dark.
- Has a silent shutter mood.
- LCD can be tilted in various angles.
- Compatible with Sony E-mount lenses.
- Needs adapter to fit with lenses other than Sony E-mount.
- Users have complained about battery life.
Bottom Line
This is another excellent camera from Sony with many exceptional abilities. It is a reasonable choice for newbies who aren’t used to manual control. Being such lightweight made this camera very famous amongst experts, and they had a positive response towards it.
4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II – Portable mirrorless low light camera
Being a century-old camera brand, Olympus is as great as the top brands. Olympus OM-D E-M10 is a beautiful camera when it comes to low light photography. Its unique features make it different from other cameras any many people love it for that.
The Olympus OM-D can be an excellent choice for beginners because it has a decent quality autofocus system. You can focus on any object just by touching the screen.
The viewfinder is another feature that is loved by many users. It helps to take shots easily without moving your eye from the viewfinder. The body feels good in hands, and good stabilization makes the pictures shake-free.
Some other features add to the credibility of the camera. The silent shutter mode allows taking pictures without any sound. Even the shutter noise is very low. Built-in Wi-Fi is good enough for sending large files. It also has a built-in flash, which some cameras lack.
The camera is not weather resistant. So you got to be careful while bringing it outside. This is a downside to this camera. If you want a weatherproof camera, this wouldn’t be the right choice for you.
- Large viewfinder for taking pictures easily.
- Fast touch autofocus allows newbies to capture great shots.
- Silent shutter enables taking pictures quietly.
- Built-in Wi-Fi for easy connectivity and sharing.
- Accessible control features for beginners.
- Built-in flash for brighter pictures.
- Does not have weather resistant feature.
- The sensor is not so big.
Bottom Line
If you are okay with not having a weather-resistant feature on your camera, then this might be the best choice for you. With all the essential elements, this camera has gained a lot of positive reviews from users and experts which make it a great camera to have for low light photography.
5. Sony FDRAX53/B – Best low light mirrorless camcorder
We have Sony again on our list. But this time it is not a regular camera. It is a camcorder. Sony is a leading brand when it comes to camcorders. Whenever you see someone holding a camcorder, most of the time, you’ll see the Sony logo on that. This proves how famous Sony is.
Sony FDRAX53/B is a mirrorless camcorder. It has an Exmor R CMOS sensor that produces high-quality pictures without the usage of a mirror. It can take stunning, high-resolution videos for having some excellent features. The stabilization quality is outstanding, which lets you take shake-free videos while holding the camera in your hand.
The camera has a manual control ring, which is considered as a pro feature. With this, users can control focus and other things without having it run automatically. It also has a time code feature, which is a plus.
The LCD screen comes in handy in many situations. It allows you to take high definition selfies in a low light environment. The display can be moved, and it can give you many different angles while shooting videos.
- 5-axis stabilization allows taking good pictures while holding in hand.
- Modern and quick autofocus helps to focus on the subject quickly.
- The manual control ring is attached for professional photographers.
- High-quality mic for clear sound in videos.
- The 1080p video mode is excellent.
- Wide lens for low light photography.
- Some users were dissatisfied with the 4k feature.
- Batteries aren’t long-lasting and need to be exchanged with better ones.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is another great camera from Sony that is very helpful in low light photography. It is mostly used for videos. Users and experts liked its video quality which makes it the best mirrorless camera for low light video.
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6. Panasonic DMC-G7KS – Next-generation mirrorless camera
Century-old brand Panasonic produces some of the best next-generation mirrorless cameras. You have heard about their cameras. Panasonic makes professional cameras for different kinds of photography. Panasonic DMC-G7KS is suitable for low light photography.
This camera can also be used for astrophotography but still needs a good source of light. The sensor can capture detailed images in any light conditions. The 4k burst mode allows taking many shots of a fast-moving object. Although the 4k pictures are good, the 4k video quality isn’t so high, as some professional users complained.
Another great thing about this camera is the autofocus. With new technology, Panasonic was able to provide excellent autofocus feature that allows the camera to focus on different subjects at once very quickly. But some of the users felt like the manual focus is better.
It is a very lightweight camera, as mirrorless cameras should be. This allows users to carry it anywhere easily. The camera can be expanded with microphones or flash to increase its ability. Overall, it is a perfect and lightweight camera suitable for beginners.
- The viewfinder is good-quality and assists with photography.
- Quick autofocus tracking enables taking clear pictures of fast-moving objects.
- Silent shooting mode reduces shutter noise.
- Good camera for Astrophotography on a moonlit night.
- It has an expandable feature that allows it to connect with flash and microphone.
- Wi-Fi connection allows fast file transfer.
- Video does not have the right stabilization.
- Autofocus isn’t so great; this is why the manual focus should be used.
Bottom Line
If you are a fan of Panasonic cameras and are looking for a camera for low light photography, this can be the right choice. By knowing the proper configuration, you’ll be able to capture great low light pictures. It can be a little hard for beginners, but it can be a gateway to professional photography.
7. Nikon Z6 – Nikon’s modern mirrorless camera
Nikon is well-known for its high-quality DSLR cameras. The brand also gained popularity by manufacturing one of the best mirrorless cameras in the market. Having century-old experience, Nikon has surely maintained its throne in business.
Nikon Z6 is a camera of its mirrorless Z series. The Z series uses the most modern technology that time can offer, which makes these cameras very high-quality.
What makes Nikon Z6 suitable for low light photography? The high-quality sensor and wide range of ISO. 24.5 MP sensor of Nikon Z6 ensures the quality of the picture and its color.
The Nikon Z6 has a very modern autofocus system. The 90℅ of the entire screen has focus points that let the users focus on any object on the screen quickly. This feature is essential for beginners who aren’t familiar with the manual focus system.
As we have said before, the wide range of ISO of this camera makes it a perfect choice for low light photography. The ISO can be adjusted from 100 to 5100, and this will help you with your photography.
- ISO 100 – 51200 allows high quality low light photos.
- A 55 mm full-frame mount enables users to use various sizes of lenses.
- Autofocus covers 90% of the entire frame to let the user focus on anything.
- 5-axis stabilization is present to capture images without using a tripod.
- Easy to hold and control.
- Provide 11 fps during burst shooting for high-speed photography.
- It has only one storage card slot.
- Battery life is average.
Bottom Line
Aside from the low battery life and fewer storage slots, it is a pretty good mirrorless camera that can be purchased by newbies or professionals for low light photographs. Critics have admired the Z series of Nikon’s mirrorless cameras which makes it worthy for our list.
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8. Fujifilm X-H1 – All-in-one mirrorless camera for low light photography
Fujifilm is not as famous as some of the leading camera brands like Sony, Nikon, Canon, or Panasonic, but their products are just as high quality as the famous brands’. Founded in 1934, they have gained a lot of experience and maintained consistency in their condition.
Fujifilm X-H1 camera is the best one in the X series. It has a lot of improvements that some of the X series cameras lack. It is surprising to see that this camera offers much more features than some of the best brands. But, of course, it has some bad sides too.
The first thing worth talking about this camera is the electronic viewfinder. It is big and bright, which helps to capture phenomenal shots in low light conditions.
It has few features that you cannot find in some Nikon or Canon cameras. Those things are two SD card slots, weather resistance feature, tilting LCD screen, etc.
But all these features come with a price, and that is, X-H1 is pretty big. We know that mirrorless cameras are smaller compared to DSLRs, and some people purchase DSLM to have easy carrying features.
- The body is durable and made of high-quality materials.
- Has a good-quality 5-axis stabilization feature.
- Has two SD card slots for giving more storage.
- Ninety-one focus points can be increased up to 325 points.
- Moisture and dust resistant feature.
- The rear LCD screen can be tilted in many ways for having different angles.
- Large in size.
- Battery drains fast.
Bottom Line
Overall, this camera goes head to head with famous brands by having a lot of features in just one piece. Most users only complained about its big size but were more than satisfied with all the abilities of this camera.
9. PANASONIC LUMIX G7 – Cheap mirrorless camera for low light photography
Panasonic Lumix’s G series is well-known for having high-quality mirrorless cameras. G7 is a cheap option in the G series. It has all the essential abilities to be a good camera for low light conditions.
The sensor of G7 is well made even though it’s not as great as previously mentioned cameras. It can capture decent pictures without a mirror. 16 MP resolution enables detailed images without any noise problem.
The autofocus is designed to track fast-moving objects quickly. With the burst mode and excellent autofocus, you can take pictures of fast-moving cars and other vehicles at night.
Even it is a very small camera, manual control is still existent for professional photographers. But if you are a newbie, you don’t have to know these controls right now. You can use its autofocus for learning the abilities.
High visibility viewfinder allows the user to take good quality shots. Viewfinder plays an excellent role in low light photography.
Most users had one complaint about this camera which is it cannot be connected with an external monitor while recording videos. It also has a wireless feature for quick file transfer.
- 16 megapixels high-quality sensors.
- Very small and light comparing to DSLR cameras.
- The OLED Live View Finder is high quality with a good ratio of contrast.
- Autofocus can track very fast-moving objects.
- Expandable with flash and microphone.
- Wireless feature for easy file transfer.
- Can’t connect to external video monitor while recording.
- Indoor lighting has a bad effect on picture quality.
Bottom Line
This camera can be a decent choice for new photographers. Panasonic has good service providers which can help you with every step. Overall, it is an average quality camera that can be a great choice for newbies.
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Things to consider when buying the best low light mirrorless camera
When it comes to photography, there are many details to consider whether it’s large and small. Improvements in some critical features can make a camera one of the best. As low light photography is a special kind of photography, it necessarily needs some distinctive features.
We can talk about cameras for hours, but we will only describe some of the critical elements that make photography easy and beautiful. If you are a newbie, it is essential to know these. Here are some things to consider when buying cameras for low light environments:
Aperture
Aperture has a great role in low light photography. With perfect aperture, you will be able to click stunning pictures, whether its dark or bright. If you have tried to gain knowledge about cameras, you might know how greatly important it is to have a perfect aperture.
Basically, an aperture is a hole through which light goes into the camera sensor. We describe aperture by ‘f/number’. Essentially, you need a lot of light to pass through your camera for low light photography. This is why the aperture should be smaller than usual. Lower aperture means the opening of the camera is wider.
f/1.4 could be great for taking photos at night or any dark environment. It is also good for Astrophotography. You should always consider this before buying any camera.
ISO
Good cameras should have a wide range of ISO. The reason for having a big range of ISO is that it has a good impact on the picture in bright or dark environment. ISO is the sensitivity of the camera. More ISO means, the camera is more sensitive to light, and that helps to take phenomenal pictures in low light conditions. Best mirrorless camera for night photography should have a wide range of ISO.
You can use a minimum of 400 ISO for low light photography. You need to be able to adjust it to any light conditions which can help you to become a professional in photography.
Shutter speed
As the name of the term suggests, shutter speed is the speed of the closing of a camera’s shutter. This lets a limited amount of light to get inside the camera’s lens. By setting your camera’s shutter speed higher, you’ll be able to pick very still images in low night situations.
‘Motion blur’ happens when the shutter speed is slower than required. If you are taking a picture of fast-moving objects like cars, in order to have a blue-free and clear image, the shutter speed needs to be higher.
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Frequently asked questions
Cameras are complicated machinery. Only experts are able to capture a great view with their lens by having all the necessary knowledge. To help you with some confusions, we have included the web’s top ten frequently asked questions when it comes to purchasing the best low light mirrorless camera.
- What is the CMOS sensor?
CMOS sensors are used to convert light particles (photons) into a digital image.
- Should I use the camera automated or manual?
Professionals use manual settings, but if you are new to photography, automated settings can be a start.
- What is a mirrorless camera?
Mirrorless cameras don’t have a mirror and light directly passes through the lens and goes into the sensor.
- What’s the difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras?
Mirrorless cameras are not as heavy as DSLR cameras and provide higher shooting speed. But DSLR cameras have a better lens and can provide better photos.
- Can I set the ISO as high as I want?
You shouldn’t. ISO can increase the noise of the picture so, and it is wise to have it corrected.
- What is the noise?
If you ever try to increase the brightness of a picture, you’ll be able to see pixels and the photo gets bad. This is known as noise.
- What does AF mean?
AF stands for autofocus. This feature is present in cameras for having the ability to focus on a subject automatically.
- What makes one the best mirrorless cameras for low light?
If a camera has the right aperture, ISO, sensor, shutter speed, etc., it can be counted as one of the best low light mirrorless cameras.
- How can I take blurry motion pictures of traffic?
By keeping your shutter speed low, you can create a blur effect.
- Are low light cameras usable for Astrophotography?
They can be used for such a field, but it is recommended to get some Astrophotography tools.
Wrapping up
Low light photography needs a unique type of camera that can get the job done. There are many more features of the cameras we have included that you can check on websites. We recommend that you make sure every detail is correct before buying a camera.
After purchasing, you will be able to get used to your camera and take marvellous shots. We wish you good luck in your photography career.
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