Best Low Light Mirrorless Cameras

Lighting plays a massive role in photography as this element can make or break any photo, irrespective of the photographer. While there are photography courses and training one can complete to help take your best low light photos, the final result mostly depends on your mirrorless camera.

Essentially, to truly take control of the light, you need a camera capable of working with the lowest and dimmest light sources. These impressive devices are called low light mirrorless cameras, possessing the ability to take high-quality shots in low light settings.

However, the photography industry has several low light mirrorless cameras to select from, making the decision of picking out the best low light mirrorless cameras tricky.

And don’t forget, if you do find yourself needing more light you can always pick up a top photography lighting kit!

For this reason, this article will present the best low light cameras that are guaranteed to provide best efficiency, saving you time on your search!

Best low light mirrorless cameras at a glance:

1. Canon EOS R6 – Best overall low light camera
2. Sony A7S III – Best low light camera for video requirements
3. NIKON Z6 II – Best low light camera for Nikon fans
4. Panasonic Lumix S5 – Best low light camera for portability
5. Sony A9 II – Best low light camera for professional photographers

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For some inspiration on where to use your new camera head to Light and Shadow Photography: An Essential Guide.

Let’s begin!

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1. Canon EOS R6 – Best overall low light camera

First on the list is the Canon EOS R6, one of the professional photographers’ best low light mirrorless cameras.

This gadget is an enthusiast-level full-frame mirrorless camera with a sturdy magnesium alloy body protecting the components against numerous weather conditions.

Furthermore, the Canon EOS R6 also has a sturdy handgrip, responsive controls, and an intuitive menu system, making the camera easy to use.

To enable you to shoot better angles, this low light camera comes with an articulated screen, which pairs with other elements to produce a remarkable camera.

As expected of the best low light Canon camera, the EOS R6 has in-body image stabilization, meaning you can take stable low light shots without needing a tripod.

Its low light photography feature is possible thanks to the full-frame 20.1-megapixel sensor, which can reach an incredibly high ISO of 102,400.

The EOS R6 also has superb noise-cancelling features, allowing you to shoot at high ISO settings without much luminance noise.

Try this camera with a Canon prime lens and you’ll be off to a flying start!

Pros:

• Autofocus up to -6.5 EV
• Reliable weather-sealed build
• High ISO performance
• Complimented by Canons excellent RF mount lenses
• Best low light canon camera
• Supports USB charging

Cons:

• Average battery life

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2. Sony A7S III – Best low light camera for video requirements

Next is the Sony a7S III, an impressive camera that’s not for casual photographers due to how much it costs to acquire one.

Nevertheless, this low light mirrorless camera is still one of the best for both photo and video and continues to wow photographers and videographers with its ability to make dark environments as bright as day.

The Sony A7S III is a full-frame mirrorless low light camera, having a massive sensor that captures and processes as much light as it can receive.

Testing shows that this device can reach a maximum ISO ceiling of 409,600 alongside 14 stops of dynamic range. In other words, you’re bound to get high levels of detail in each shot you take in a dim environment.

The Sony A7S III is a follow up from the original A7S, which impressed videographers with its ability to capture accurate shots of both bright and dim environments.

The A7S III is an upgrade of this camera, coming with a 12MP resolution that captures both videos and stills perfectly in low light.

Pros:

• Impressive ISO performance
• Professional-grade low light video camera
• 14 stops of dynamic range
• Weather-sealed frame
• Full-frame sensor

 Cons:

• Relatively expensive

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3. NIKON Z6 II – Best low light camera for Nikon fans

Nikon is popular for producing some of the worlds best mirrorless cameras, and while the Nikon Z 6 II isn’t the peak of photography technology, this mirrorless low light camera’s performance is worth mentioning.

First of all, it’s ideal for casual photographers due to its affordability and a good number of features that aid easy control in challenging light conditions.

In addition, the camera comes with a 24.5MP resolution, which is optimized to handle low light conditions; however, luminance noise appears during extreme light deprivation, requiring careful usage of the gadget.

The Nikon Z6 II also comes with an impressively sophisticated metering system that can assess scenes in conditions as low as -6EV.

As expected of a camera by Nikon, this gadget boasts an excellent in-body stabilization system, allowing you to take stable shots without needing a tripod. But with tripods this good you can still use one!

One factor that makes the Nikon Z6 II special is the exclusive Nikon Vibration Reduction, which moves the sensor and enables a slower shutter speed to compensate for any disruptive movement.

The lens and camera circuit have a super-fast connection thanks to the Z-mount, leading to better autofocus and accuracy in low light environments.

Ultimately, it’s an impressive camera for both low light and well-lit environments.

Pros:

• Super-fast autofocus
• Metering works in the dark
• Makes the list of best Nikon mirrorless cameras
• Complex Z lens mount

Cons:

• Average battery life

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4. Panasonic Lumix S5 – Best low light camera for portability

In terms of versatility, the Panasonic Lumix S5 ranks the highest on this list of best low light mirrorless cameras due to the L mount lens compatibility.

The device is powered by a full-frame 24.2 MP BSI CMOS sensor with a total size of 35.6 x 23.8 mm. Essentially, you’re guaranteed to get accurate pictures thanks to the large sensor’s ability to take significant amounts of data.

In addition, the Lumix S5 comes with 5 axis image stabilization and a specialized Lumix OIS lens that offers 6.5 stops, making it perfect for low light motion photography.

As for the native, ISO ranges from 100 to 51200, with an extended ISO range between 50 to 204800. In other words, it’s more than perfect for producing high-quality images in low light conditions.

This camera captures five frames at speed; however, you can take the fps two units higher (7 fps) by using the AF-S system.

To ensure you take accurate shots, Panasonic included a sophisticated viewfinder on the Lumix S5, possessing an OLED digital screen with 2.35 million dots.

The display is also articulated to give you the best viewing angle while taking a photo or video. It’s worth noting that the APS-C cropping allows for capture resolutions of 4K at 30p or even 60p.

You’re guaranteed to enjoy using the Panasonic Lumix S5 as it’s packed with a plethora of impressive features for casual and professional photographers.

Pros:

• Lightweight body for portability
• Ergonomic build
• Impressive video capturing quality

Cons:

• Average Autofocus

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5. Sony A9 II – Best low light camera for professional photographers

Compared to the Sony A9, the A9 II has a larger and deeper grip, making the camera easier to handle for people with varying hand sizes.

Alongside the increased comfort, the AF-ON button is now bigger and easier to access, and the multi-selector joystick is more tactile and textured.

These features combine to make using the A9 II more instinctive without needing to keep your eyes on the viewfinder.

Compared to its predecessors, the A9 II has better Weather-sealing, with double-sealed sliders for card slots, ports, and battery compartments, allowing you to shoot in any desired environment.

Thanks to the mechanic shutter, photographers can take pictures at 10 frames per second, providing a better mirrorless camera for low light photography.

The anti-flicker mode detects fluorescent light and adjusts the exposure to produce the best output possible.

*Note: Anti-flicker mode isn’t active during video recording or using the electronic shutter.

The Sony A9 II also comes with above-average battery life, allowing you to take up to 690 shots with the LCD viewfinder. If you want an affordable and consistent camera in different light conditions, the A9 II is a worthwhile option.

Pros:

• Impressive auto-focus
• Better battery life
• Reliable viewfinder
• Excellent picture and video quality

Cons:

• Limited touchscreen capabilities

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Conclusion

These recommendations of best low light mirrorless cameras are not objective or arranged in any particular order as I consider factors like price, usability, components, etc.

For this reason, I recommend assessing your requirements, budget, and level of ability before opting for any camera on this list.

Nevertheless, this selection includes reliable cameras, and any of these gadgets can produce impressive images in low light environments, instantly helping to improve your low light photography!

All of these cameras will also be great for improving your Motion Blur Photography.

Don’t forget to eat your carrots!

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