That said, the camera's battery performance is unremarkable. Depending on what lens you use, its autofocus system can focus down to -6.5 EV, meaning it can track subjects even in very low light. If you prefer to shoot in JPEG, it still delivers sharp, well-rendered images with impressive dynamic range and minimal noise in low light.
Its RAW noise handling ability is superb, too, so you can shoot at those high ISO settings without introducing much luminance noise. It's very well-suited to low-light photography thanks to its full-frame 20.1-megapixel sensor, which can reach an amazingly high ISO of 102,400. It also has in-body image stabilization, which should help when shooting without a tripod. Its menu system is remarkably intuitive, and its fully articulated screen can help you shoot from different angles. It's an enthusiast-level full-frame mirrorless camera that feels incredibly well-built with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, a large handgrip, and responsive controls.
The best camera for low light that we've tested in the mirrorless category is the Canon EOS R6. For more options, see our recommendations for the best cameras for photography, the best travel cameras, and the best cameras. These picks were selected not only based on their performance but also their feature set and price.
We've tested over 70 cameras, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best cameras in low light. That said, for consistency's sake, we currently test most of our cameras with their standard kit lenses. A faster lens with a wider maximum aperture will let in more light and let you shoot in darker conditions using lower ISO settings for a sharper image, while a slower lens will force you to crank up the ISO and potentially introduce more noise. Your chosen lens impacts how much light the camera takes in, which in turn affects its low-light performance. Above all, though, you should consider your own personal ergonomic and shooting preferences, your budget, and the kind of lenses you'll use. Other factors can affect low-light performance beyond the size and sensitivity of your camera's sensor as well. However, the trade-off of using high ISO is that it introduces more digital noise, so to take clear sharp images in low-light, your camera needs to have good noise handling capability at higher ISO settings. Thankfully, camera technology has advanced to such a degree that most new cameras can shoot at ever-higher ISOs without sacrificing too much in the way of image quality, and most people won't ever need to use the highest ISO settings, even in low-light or at night. The sensitivity of your sensor is also key when taking photos in low light, and thankfully, modern digital cameras can reach astronomically high ISO sensitivities. While full-frame cameras are typically best, some APS-C and even Micro Four Thirds cameras are still very capable in low light and offer other advantages like portability and focal reach, so it's all about weighing your needs. When it comes to low-light photography, generally speaking, the bigger the sensor, the better.