Boosting your ISO is an effective way to capture properly-exposed images in low light. Thanks to the more sophisticated camera software and the latest advances in imaging sensor technology, digital cameras are now significantly better at handling those less than ideal lighting situations—particularly for night photography. With the right camera, it is now possible to shoot nearly flawless photos in low light without having to use artificial lighting.
Based on independent DxOMark lab test results, when looking at overall image quality when shooting at high ISOs, the Sony A7S is currently the best of all cameras, no matter what format, for shooting in low light and delivering noise-free images at higher ISOs.
Who Benefits Most From Using High ISO Cameras?
- Wildlife photographers using long lenses
- Sports photographers shooting indoors in poorly lit arenas
- Candid photographers who need to shoot unobtrusively
- News photographers who need to handle a wide variety of light
Note: The cameras that top this list may not necessarily be the best cameras for your needs. Ergonomics, weight, creative features, lens choice and other intangibles may have a greater influence on your next camera buying decision. But if your goal is to get the camera that will perform best in low light—and will also provide killer quality in ideal shooting conditions—you’ve come to the right place.
How are the top cameras determined? I explain the process in detail at the end of this article, but if you want to find out about the best high ISO cameras for your low light or night photography needs, let’s get right to it!
So, which cameras did best? I’ve divided the camera world by sensor size: full frame 35mm, APS, Four Thirds, and small sensor (i.e., pocket cameras, EVFs, etc). I’ll present the top three (or more, if there are ties) cameras that are currently available in each category. (The most recent medium format camera was introduced in 2011 and sensor technology has changed since then; full-frame 35mm cameras exceed medium format in high ISO performance, so I’m leaving that category out). Of course, there are other factors besides overall image quality that must come into play when deciding on a camera. But if your focus is getting the best possible shots in low light, these cameras are all winners.
The Best Cameras for Low Light Photography
- Sony A7s
- Sony A7R II
- Pentax K-1
- Nikon Df
- Sony A6500
- Nikon D5500
- Sony A6300
- Fujifilm X-Pro 2
- Olympus Pen-F
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
- Olympus OM-D E-M10
- Panasonic GX8
- Sony DSC-RX100 V
- Panasonic DMC-ZS100
- Sony DSC-RX10 II
- Canon G7 X II
Full-Frame 35mm Cameras
Sony A7S
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 3702
The Sony A7S gained a number 1 ranking thanks to its stellar top “clean” ISO test result of 3702. Its lower resolution of 12.2 megapixels means each pixel is larger and therefore lets in more light for a purer image. The camera’s overall score of 87 is due to a more limited dynamic range and color capture ability but it still scores as one of the top digital cameras overall. Its ISO range of 100-102,400 is expandable to 50-409,600, and delivers 4K ultra high-definition video as well (via a pricey external recorder.) Signal to noise ratio drops from 45dB at ISO 100 to 31.4dB at ISO 3200—clean images throughout. It dips slightly below 30 at ISO 6400 but can still produce good quality images at that setting. Its successor, the A7S II, has better color and dynamic range, but tested lower (ISO 2449) for high ISO performance.
Sony A7R II
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 3434
If we were ranking based on bang for the buck, the Sony A7R II would be ahead of the A7S. Featuring a 23.3MP sensor with a top ISO of 25,600, boostable to 102,400, the A7R II’s top clean ISO was tested to be 3434, an outstanding result. This, combined with its color depth of 26 bits and 13.9-stop dynamic range, make this an outstanding choice for high-quality photography in challenging lighting conditions and earned it a Number 1 score for overall image quality at 98 out of 100. Signal-noise ratio was measured to stay above 30dB through ISO 3200, and dips slightly below it at 6400. Even at ISO 25600 signal to noise ratio remained above 20, which is very respectable.
Pentax K-1
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 3280
Coming in right behind the Sony A7R II with an overall image quality score of 96, Pentax’s first full-frame DSLR, the K-1, is impressive for both its performance and its price. Featuring a 36.4MP sensor and a top ISO of 204,800, the K-1 came in at number 3 at 3280 (a virtual tie with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and Sony RX1R II), and ranked #4 for overall image quality. Signal-noise ratio remained just barely at 30dB at ISO 3200, and stayed above 20 through IS 25,600, falling quickly thereafter.
Honorable mention:
Nikon Df
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 3279
When the retro-styled Nikon Df was introduced in 2013, critics mused that it was more about form than function. But that wasn’t true at all. The Df delivered the best image quality at the highest ISO of any digital camera currently on the market—ISO 3279 when it was released, and is currently the 4th-highest ranked camera for low-light image quality. It has a signal to noise ratio that starts at 44.6 dB and remains over 30 dB right through ISO 3200. In other words, at normal viewing distances, images will not have any visible graininess at ISO 3200. The Df’s dynamic range at ISO 100 (13.1 stops) is very good but not top of class, and its 24.6 bit color depth is about 1 bit shy of the leaders. And yes, as of this writing, it’s still available.
APS Sensor Cameras
Sony A6500
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 1405
Although the A6500’s highest clean ISO is oh-so-slightly lower than the tied second-place cameras (see below), it wins in this sensor size category because Sony has refined its in-camera image stabilization, improving its effectiveness to 5 stops. This adds another couple of stops of stabilization, making it a better choice for low-light photography despite the similar sensor test results (see description below). The camera also offers other improvements in other areas, but if you’re looking for a low-light ace, this camera’s it amongst APS sensor cameras.
Tie:
Nikon D5500
Adorama price: $696.95
Top ISO: 1438
Sony A6300
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 1437
The APS category is dominated by Nikons and Sonys that use the same 24MP sensor; differences can be accounted for by minor expected statistical variations and the occasional image processing tweak. The Nikon D5500 and Sony A6300 are in a statistical tie for top clean ISO, although they rank in the middle of the pack for overall image quality (the Nikon D7200 has an overall score of 87 to the D5500’s 84 and A6300’s 85). Both cameras start at a signal-noise ratio of 42 dB at the lowest ISO, and stays above 30 dB through ISO 1600 for acceptable image quality. The main difference between the two cameras? The D5500 is a DSLR with an optical eye-level viewfinder, while the A6300 is the best-selling Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera out there.
Special mention:
Fujifilm X-Pro 2
Adorama price:
Top ISO: Not Available
While DxO has yet to devise a reliable apples-to-apples way of measuring the image quality on the Fujifilm’s unique X-Trans sensor, reports on the street show that its 24MP sensor delivers impressive image quality at higher ISOs in low light and that it compares very favorably with the top cameras in this category. The camera has an extended ISO range up to 51,200.
Four Thirds Sensor Cameras
Olympus Pen-F
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 894
Although statistically tied for top ISO image quality with the OM-D E-M5 Mark II, we’re giving the Olympus Pen-F the edge thanks to its slightly higher-resolution 20.3MP sensor and its multi-shot mode which gives up to 50MP images that can be scaled down with less apparent noise. DxOMark’s measurements show the Pen-F’s ISO sensitivity ratings consistently measured 1 stop lower than the indicated speed. Signal-noise ratio starts at 39.7 dB at ISO 100 and remains usable (in other words, over 30 dB) through ISO 800. With a top ISO of 25,600, the camera does an admirable job in low light.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 896
The Olympus E-M5 Mark II’s 16MP sensor measurements are effectively the same as those found in the Pen-F. We’re giving the prize for top low-light performance to the Pen-F because of the higher-resolution sensor, but the E-M5 is very, very close, and if you’re looking to save a few hundred dollars, it may be the better choice for you.
Olympus OM-D E-M10
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 842
With the third-best overall image quality score and high ISO rating, the budget-priced Olympus E-M10 sports the same 16MP sensor as the E-M5. In fact, the camera’s test results are just a hair below its two competitors, so again, if you’re looking to save around $250, the E-M10 may be the way to go, although it lacks the E-M10 and Pen-F’s pixel shift high-resolution mode, which could yield better low-light results.
Honorable Mention:
Panasonic GX8
Adorama price: $1,197.99
Top ISO: 806
The small, street-savvy Panasonic DMC-GX8 packs a 20MP sensor and dual image stabilization—in-camera and in-lens stabilization work together to improve image quality in low light. This could make up for the GX8’s slightly lower ISO rating of 806. The camera’s ISO sensitivity tested consistently nearly a stop below the listed setting. Signal-noise ratio starts at around 40 dB and stays above 30 dB at ISO 800. The camera’s top ISO is 25,600, but don’t expect high-quality images at that speed.
One-Inch Sensor Cameras
Sony DSC-RX100 V
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 586
A new category of posh, compact cameras featuring 1-inch sensors (which are slightly smaller than Four Thirds sensors) has arisen, all featuring 20MP sensor. The Sony RX100 V (in a dead heat with its predecessor, the RX100 IV), leads the way in a tight field, with a top ISO measurement of 586. While this is lower than larger-sensor cameras, it is a step up from compact cameras of yore with pinkie-nail-sized (or smaller) sensors, the best of which delivered a top “clean” ISO closer to 200. The RX100 V has a top ISO of 12,800, and measured good image quality at ISO 500. The good news? Noise is kept relatively low (above 20 dB) up to ISO 3200. The better news? The built-in lens’s wide f/1.8 aperture at its widest setting (f/2.8 at tele) lets in more light, further enhancing this camera’s low-light capabilities.
Panasonic DMC-ZS100
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 559
The Panasonic ZS100 is a multitalented compact with a built-in lens and 20MP sensor, and DxOLabs’ measurements shot that it delivers image quality that is is comparable to the Sony. The lens is 1 stop slower at f/2.8 at its widest setting, but Panasonic claims its 5-axis shake correction improves its low-light capabilities. Signal-noise ratio measures 37.8 dB at the lowest ISO, and dips imperceptibly below 30 at ISO 800. Good news if you crank the ISO up to 6400: dB stays above 20, so you can still get decent, if not spectacular, results at that setting.
Sony DSC-RX10 II
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 531
The premium Sony RX10 II has a DSLR-type shape and a longer-range 8.3x zoom lens with a wide f/2.8 aperture that remains constant throughout the zoom range, a benefit when shooting in low light. It is less than a third of a stop lower in the top ISO for clean low-light images, making it a very viable choice. DxOMark image quality test results are virtually identical to that of the RX100 V. The RX 10 II is in a 6-way tie for second place for overall image quality with a score of 70. (The others are the Sony RX100 V and IV, Panasonic ZS100, DxO One, and the newer Sony RX10 III, which scored a surprising 472 for top low-light ISO.)
Honorable mention:
Canon G7 X II
Adorama price:
Top ISO: 556 (predecessor)
When the Canon G7 X came out in 2014, it led the pack of 1-inch sensor cameras in overall image quality and low-light image quality. It has been replaced by the G7 X II, and test results have not yet been released; test results for the first-generation model’s test results compare very well to its top competitors, and the f/1.8 zoom lens and reportedly outstanding image stabilization of its predecessor make the G7 X II a camera worth considering.
(Note: According to DxOMark tests, the DxO One SuperRAW Plus camera sensor rated an incredible 1657 top ISO, which would make it the leader of the one-inch-sensor pack and competitive with larger-sensor cameras. However, we are discounting pending independent verification, it since there’s an obvious conflict of interest–the company running the tests makes the camera.)
How We Determine High ISO Low Light Rankings for Digital Cameras:
Our rankings are based on our own careful analysis of lab test results provided by DxOMark, an independent testing facility that is considered a trusted industry standard that has built a reputation for measuring and rating cameras and lenses using rigorous hardware testing procedures and industry-grade laboratory tools. Because of our expertise in analyzing their results for guides and articles such as this one, Adorama Learning Center is a DxOMark editorial partner and has permission to republish and interpret DxOMark data. DxOLab data is available to anyone and you are free to browse their site.
DxOMark analyzes sensor information based on RAW image data. To determine each camera’s best ISO low light image quality, DxOMark tested each camera’s signal-to-noise ratio (which indicates how much digital noise will be produced), expressed as dB, and charted performance at each ISO setting.
DxOMark’s goal was to determine the highest ISO at which a signal-to-noise ratio of no more than 32dB could be attained. At the same time, they looked for a dynamic range of at least 9EVs (or 9 stops). Lower than 32dB indicates an unacceptable level of noise (decibels), while less than 9EVs means the dynamic range is too limited and gradations between shades and colors will not be smooth. Note that the Low Light ISO number might not fit squarely within any given camera’s actual ISO settings. The nearest ISO setting is the highest one at which acceptable signal-to-noise ratio will be achieved.
Some rules of physics remain true: The key one is that the larger the camera’s sensor, the less digital noise. It is also still true that more pixels on the same sized sensor will lead to greater image degradation at higher ISOs, while fewer pixels will, counter-intuitively, lead to improved overall image quality
Not all sensors are made the same
That said, not all 18MP APS sensors (for example) will produce identical results, even under lab conditions. Variables in manufacture, sensor type (CCD or CMOS) and method of conversion of the signal from analog to digital can all affect image quality. Backside-illuminated sensors are proving, both in the lab and in the field that they can deliver better low-light images. That’s why DxOMark’s tests are such a valuable tool in helping to determine which cameras perform best for low light photography, which have the widest dynamic range, and so forth.
How we determine rankings
Using DxOMark’s data as a starting point, I looked at each currently-available camera’s low-light ISO (Sports) overall sensor scores (see chart, right), the camera’s overall score (which includes dynamic range, color depth, ISO accuracy and other criteria) and the camera’s SNR (signal-noise ratio) 18% chart to determine the highest ISO at which each camera could deliver acceptable images. This chart tells me the camera can produce good pictures at up to ISO 2290, but since the camera doesn’t offer an ISO 2290, we go to the nearest ISO—3200—because according to that camera’s ISO accuracy chart, the camera’s ISO 3200 setting was measured to be ISO 2290! I took these issues into account when determining which cameras did best.
All DxOMark lab test data courtesy DxOMark.com. Used with permission.
