Last Updated on June 25, 2021
The best low light Canon cameras provide you with top AF performance and a high ISO image quality even when the lighting is challenging. Whether you are shooting at night or in any other low light situation having a camera that can handle these challenges conditions is a must.
And for this article we have reviewed the top Canon cameras for low light performance and after reading it you will know which camera to invest in. You can find the recommended cameras below.
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What to look for in a low light camera
A camera with a low light capability will excel in several different areas, so it’s important to know what you want from your camera before you buy. What are you mainly going to use the camera for? Do you need particularly fast shutter speeds or the widest aperture possible? Are picture quality and cost important factors?
If you are a professional photographer, your main concern will be high image quality. Most of the cameras on this list will shoot at least seven frames per second, and some have as many as nine frames per second. Additionally, most of these cameras are 16 megapixels or more, which is more than enough for commercial use.
Whether or not you are a professional, if you are primarily concerned with shutter speed and image quality, then a camera with an ISO range of a minimum of 25,600 will work best for you. Most people want the highest image quality at any cost.
What type of photography are these cameras best used for?
- Night sky photography
- Cityscapes
- Astrophotography
- Sports Photography
- Nature photography
- Portraits
- Real Estate
The lighting conditions you are likely to encounter in these areas will make a difference in which camera you choose. Here is a list of the best low light cameras for each of the major low light photography categories:
A good rule of thumb is that anyone, no matter their level of experience, should be able to use any camera on this list to take great pictures.
Top Low Light Canon Cameras
I shoot in a ton of low light conditions and early in my career I wasted a lot of time using a camera not up to the challenge. Lucky for you I can save you wasting your time and help you improve your low light shots by getting one of the top Canon models for shooting in poor lighting. Don’t forget to also check out my recommendations for the best low light Canon lens as well.
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II
Who It’s For
Because of the high price tag, it’s not for everyone. But if you’re a semi-professional photographer or above, this is your camera.
What We Love About It
The camera shoots at 11 frames per second and 16 megapixels, making it a great choice for sports photography and action shots.
Additionally, the ISO range of 409,600 means that you can take pictures in almost any lighting condition. With this camera, you could even take pictures on the surface of Mars in the middle of the night if you wanted to.
Plus, it’s rugged and weather resistant which is good for those who are always out and about capturing whatever comes their way.
What Needs Improvement
The price is pretty steep and most photographers have a hard time justifying the purchase.
The main problem with this camera is that it doesn’t have a touchscreen, unlike many of the other cameras on this list.
How It Performed In Our Test
We used this camera in a variety of situations and found that it excelled in low light photography. We were able to capture great images of the Milky Way with no problem.
The camera’s image quality is very high, and it has a wide range of ISO settings, which is especially useful when you are using the camera outdoors at night, or indoors if there’s very little light.
Canon 5D Mark IV
Who It’s For
This is a mid-range camera for those who want to create beautiful shots and are willing to pay a little bit more.
What We Love About It
As we mentioned earlier, it shoots at 11 frames per second, making it perfect for everything from sports photography to nature photography. The camera also has a large ISO range of 50 – 12,800, which means that you can shoot without having to worry about the exposure. While this is not always the case when using a flash, you also don’t need to worry about how much light your flash needs or about the variable shutter speed. This makes it perfect for anyone who is creating images in low light conditions.
What Needs Improvement
Because this camera shoots at 11 frames per second, it can be difficult to get an instant response when taking a picture due to the amount of time that it takes between frames. However, this problem can be mitigated by using a tripod.
How It Performed In Our Test
We took this camera on a night photography workshop and found that it performed very well. Because of the ISO range, we were able to take pictures in low light conditions without any problems. We also found the camera easy to use; it was very intuitive and responsive, even in challenging conditions.
Canon EOS 6D
Who It’s For
This is a mid-range camera that anyone would be proud to use, especially if they are looking to take high quality photographs.
What We Love About It
The camera has a great ISO range of 51,200 making it perfect for those who capture pictures in low light conditions. Additionally, the camera shoots at 6 frames per second and has a fast and accurate autofocus system.
What Needs Improvement
The main issue with this camera is the battery life. While it has good battery life, it tends to drain fast. However, this can be remedied by purchasing a few extra batteries.
How It Performed In Our Test
We used this camera in multiple low light photography situations; we shot with it on the beach at night, as well as at night while camping. The images we created were very clean and detailed.
Canon 80D
Who It’s For
This is a great mid-range camera for those who want to take quality pictures without breaking the bank. It is also perfect for anyone who enjoys landscapes, like those taken by Ansel Adams or even better. If you are looking to take action shots, this could also be your best option. This camera will not disappoint.
What We Love About It
The cameras shoot at 4 frames per second and shoot at up to 20 megapixels making it a good option for action photography. The camera has a large ISO range of 100 – 25,600 which makes it great for taking photos of the night sky or capturing in low light conditions. The camera’s autofocus system is also very accurate and fast.
What Needs Improvement
The battery life is not the strongest aspect of this camera. While it does have a decent amount of battery life, it will drain quickly in certain situations. However, this can be mitigated by purchasing extra batteries.
How It Performed In Our Test
We used this camera in low light situations; we took it to the beach at night and also to the ocean at night during sunset. We were really pleased with how easy it was to create high quality images in any situation.
Canon Rebel T7
Who It’s For
This is a mid-range camera that any beginner photographer would be pleased to have. It is easy to use and will produce high quality photos. Additionally, the camera has autofocus capabilities, which is crucial for capturing those low light action shots.
What We Love About It
The camera captures 20 megapixels images and has a high ISO range of 10,000 – 25,600. This allows it to capture in low light conditions easily. It also has a continuous shooting speed of up to 5 frames per second and the autofocus system is extremely accurate.
What Needs Improvement
The battery life on this camera is below average. While it will last throughout an average day, it will not last for an entire evening of playing around with the kids, or during a night at the beach.
How It Performed In Our Test
We took this camera to the beach during sunset time, and immediately knew that we had a winner. The images produced were clear and crisp, they were not over exposed or filled with noise at all. We also tested it in low light conditions, first during an evening out with the family and then when we went night surfing (yes, we did that).
Conclusion
When shooting in low light you need a camera that provides a great image sensor while also providing a fast and accurate AF system. Whether you are shooting the night sky or friends out on a camping trip the basics are the same. Luckily, Canon offers some of the best low light cameras on the market and any of the top rated picks on my list will provide you with the best performance you can get in your budget.