New Delhi: Low light photography is among the most challenging tasks for digital cameras, as the sensors have very little light to work with. The cameras tend to compensate by increasing exposure times, but this results in shaky photos. Low-light images also suffer from an excess of noise. Technically, the best way to counter this is to increase the sensitivity of the sensors to light, which increases the cost. For most creators, shooting in the dark is comparable to a bachelor trying to cook dinner with noisy, blurry images, and a desperate need for better equipment.
There are a number of situations where a flash is inappropriate, and low-light photography has its own charm. The right camera can turn dimly lit scenes into cinematic magic, balancing clarity, colour, and depth. The question is which cameras truly rise to the occasion when the lights go out. Here is a closer look at the best low-light instruments, at various price brackets.
Nikon D6
If you are looking for a camera with a great performance in low light shooting and the budget is not a concern, then the Nikon’s D6 camera is made for you. With Expeed 6 processor the Nikon D6 is a large SLR full frame camera with CMOS sensor providing max resolution of 5568 x 3712 and captures 21 MP images and can capture 3580 shots max on single charge.
This camera comes with ISO range from 100-102400 can be maximised up to 3280000 which can assure the quality visual during low light shoots, for those who are not aware of ISO work it can brighten the image as the camera person increases the ISO in dark location. This device has the option of custom white balance but doesn’t have image stabilization. The D6 features 105 focus points with manual and autofocus options. It has a 3.2 inch fixed TFT LCD optical touch screen display. The camera has 1/8000 sec of max shutter speed and has manual exposure setting but doesn’t have built-in flash, if the camera person wants they can use external flash light.
This device comes with the option of time lapse recording and can take burst shots at 14.0 fps including max video quality of 4k @ 30p & H.264, for video recording it has stereo microphone and mono speakers. For connectivity it comes with USB 3.2 Gen 2, a mini HDMI port along with a microphone, headphone ports are also available even though this camera is Environmentally sealed and has built in GPS which can be helpful in cases of lost or theft of camera, with Nikon camera app you can track your camera location also.
The body weight of the camera including battery is 1450g and the dimensions of camera are 160x163x92 mm. The starting price for the camera without lens is Rs. 5,19,995.
Sony A7S iii
Powered with Bionz XR processor Sony introduce there A7S iii full frame mirrorless camera with 12 MP along BSI-CMOS sensor, this camera is also great for low light shoot with is ISO rage 409600, which is obviously lesser comparatively to the Nikon camera, however it comes with higher video quality to Nikon, the Sony feature 4K video recording @ 120p and H.265 which provide user a better and clear video experience and can capture 600 shots max on single charge. If we talk about the optics and focus this device also has manual and auto focus options and has image stabilization feature.
Sony A7S iii (image credits: Sony/ TV9)
It comes with Sony E lens mount with 3 inch TFT LCD fully articulated touch screen display and has an electronic viewfinder with 9440000 resolution, while this camera also doesn’t have built in flash and can capture burst shooting at 10.0 fps. It has stereo microphone and mono speaker for videography, along USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity with HDMI standard port and microphone & headphone port are also available with orientation sensor.
The body weight of the camera including battery is 699g and the dimensions of camera are 12x97x81 mm. The starting price for the camera without lens is Rs. 2,96,989.
Canon EOS-R8 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
From Canon and Panasonic these two cameras come with less price range compared to the other two cameras but they have enough ISO to shoot in the dark and can capture cinematic in low light with clear view. These cameras have a similar 24 MP and have maximum ISO range of 204800 with custom white balance. The Lumix DC-S5 has image stabilization while the Canon EOS-R8 doesn’t. Both cameras have auto and manual focus options, however the Panasonic features 779 of focus points while the EOS-R8 has 1053 focus points.
These two feature a 3 inch TFT LCD fully articulated touch screen display and have electronic viewfinders while the DC-S5 has 3680000 ISO on the other hand, the EOS-R8 has 2360000. The EOS-R8 comes with a shutter speed of 1/6000 sec while the DC-S5 has more than 200 in it. For video the DC-S5 provides 6K @ 30P, H.265 even though the EOS-R8 has 4K but it can shoot at 60p.
On the left it’s Canon EOS-R8 and on right it’s Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Image credits: Canon/ Panasonic/ TV9)
In terms of connectivity both are equipped with USB 3.2 Gen 2, however the DC-S5 supports HDMI type and the EOS-R8, HDMI micro. Both have microphone & headphone ports and are environmentally sealed. Each of them does not have GPS while both have orientation sensors.
The body weight with battery and the dimensions of the DC-S5 is 740g with 134x102x90 mm and for the EOS-R8, its 461g weight and 133x86x70 mm dimensions. The starting price for the camera without lens, for DC-S5 it is Rs. 1,75,397 and for EOS-R8 it is Rs. 1,05,990.
Inputs from Ahsan Khan