Choosing the best camera for Northern Lights means being prepared to invest a bit more.
Yes, these cameras can be pricey, but it’s no surprise—they need a full-frame sensor, high ISO range, and HDR capabilities to handle the demands of low-light photography.
In this article, you’ll find the top cameras for Northern Lights across various budget categories.
Best Cameras for Northern Lights Photography
Here are the best cameras for northern lights photography:
Value/Price
Canon EOS R
- FULL-FRAME CMOS SENSOR & DIGIC 8 30.3 MP IMAGE PROCESSOR: Ensures crisp photos and...
- DUAL PIXEL CMOS AF: Features an impressive 5,655 manually selectable AF points** and...
- RF MOUNT COMPATIBLE: The EOS R camera is designed to work effortlessly with RF...
The Canon EOS R is a fantastic camera that offers excellent features for capturing the stunning Northern Lights. The camera’s full-frame sensor and impressive ISO range produce high-quality images with exceptional clarity and detail, even in low light conditions. The camera’s fast and accurate autofocus system is a great feature for capturing the Northern Lights.
One of the things that stand out with the Canon EOS R is its electronic viewfinder, which offers a crystal-clear and detailed view of your subject, even in low light conditions. The camera’s vari-angle touchscreen display is also incredibly helpful for capturing the Northern Lights from different angles and positions.
On the downside, the Canon EOS R is a relatively expensive camera, which may make it less accessible to some photographers. Its battery life is not as long-lasting as some of the other cameras on this list.
Mid-Range Options
Canon EOS 90D
![Canon DSLR Camera [EOS 90D] with Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, 4K Video, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and 3.0 Inch Vari-Angle Touch LCD Screen, [Body Only], Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41CT8Bz8kQL.jpg){kind=small}
- High image quality with 32.5 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor
- High-speed continuous shooting of up to 10 fps with no time Lag during ovf shooting
- 4K UHD 30P/ Full HD 120P video
The Canon EOS 90D is a versatile mid-range DSLR camera with a 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor, which produces highly detailed images. This camera offers an impressive range of features that make it a great choice for photographers looking to capture stunning images of the Northern Lights.
Its fast and accurate autofocus system makes it easier to capture the Northern Lights’ fast-moving colors.
Despite these strengths, there are a few areas where the Canon EOS 90D falls short. It is relatively bulky and heavy compared to some of the other cameras on this list, making it less portable. It does not have in-body image stabilization, which can be a drawback when shooting in low light conditions.
Pick up one of the best SD cards for canon cameras: Canon Cameras SD Cards (Top 10 Picks).
Nikon D7500
- Excel in low light with ISO 100-51200 extendable up to ISO 1640000 (equivalent)
- 20.9 MP DX-format sensor EXPEED 5
- 51-point AF system will track your subject, lock onto it, and keep it in focus
The Nikon D7500 is a powerful mid-range DSLR camera that excels at capturing stunning images of the Northern Lights. Its 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor and ISO range of 100-51200 produce high-quality images, even in low light conditions.
An essential feature of the Nikon D7500 is its fast and accurate autofocus system, making it a breeze to capture the Northern Lights’ fast-changing colors. Moreover, its tilting touchscreen display allows photographers to shoot from unique angles, offering a range of creative options.
However, it does not have in-body image stabilization, which may prove challenging when shooting in low light conditions.
Fujifilm X-T3
- New 26.1MP X Trans CMOS 4 sensor with X Processor 4 image processing engine
- 4K movie recording internal SD card 4K/60P 4: 2: 0 10bit recording and the first...
- 2.16M phase detection pixels across entire frame and low light phase detection limits...
The Fujifilm X-T3 is a mid-range mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and advanced features for capturing the Northern Lights. With its 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and ISO range of 160-12800, it can produce sharp and detailed images even in low light conditions. What’s more, the camera has a fast and accurate autofocus system, making it easy to capture the Northern Lights’ fast-changing colors.
One of the unique features of the Fujifilm X-T3 is its film simulation modes, which can give your photos a distinct look and feel.
While the Fujifilm X-T3 is a great camera for capturing the Northern Lights, it may not be the most budget-friendly option on this list. Also, its menu system can be complex and challenging to navigate for some users.
Find the best lenses for your camera in the following article: 7 Top Video Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount.
High-End Options
Sony Alpha A7 III
- Advanced 24.2MP BSI Full-frame Image Sensor w/ 1.8X readout speed Advanced 24.2MP...
- 15-stop dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 204,800
- Up to 10fps Silent or Mechanical Shutter with AE/AF tracking
The Sony Alpha A7 III is a wonderful camera that is perfect for capturing the beauty of the Northern Lights. Its full-frame sensor and impressive ISO range produce stunning images with remarkable clarity and detail, even in low light conditions. The camera’s fast autofocus system and 10 frames per second continuous shooting are great features for shooting the Northern Lights.
One of the things that make the Sony Alpha A7 III stand out is its five-axis in-body image stabilization, which helps to stabilize the camera when shooting in low light conditions.
However, the Sony Alpha A7 III is an expensive camera, which may make it less accessible to some photographers. The lack of a fully articulating touchscreen display could be a negative for those who need to shoot from different angles and positions.
Discover the best SD cards for your camera: Sony a7 III SD Card Speed Recommendation for 4k Videos.
Nikon Z6
- Large, full frame Z mount for Revolutionary optical performance
- Nikon-designed 24. 5MP backside illuminated image sensor
- 273-Point on-sensor Phase detect AF system
The Nikon Z6 is an excellent mirrorless camera for capturing the stunning Northern Lights. With its 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor and ISO range of 100-51200, it produces high-quality images with impressive detail and clarity, even in low light conditions. The fast and accurate autofocus system and 12 frames per second continuous shooting make this camera easy to capture the Northern Lights’ rapidly changing hues.
What makes the Nikon Z6 a great choice for Northern Lights photography is its in-body image stabilization, which helps to stabilize the camera when shooting in low light conditions. The camera’s large and bright electronic viewfinder also provides a clear and detailed view of your subject, even in the darkest of conditions.
Sony Alpha A7R IV
- World’s first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor
- 15-stop dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 102,400
- Up to 10fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking
The Sony Alpha A7R IV is a fantastic camera that is perfect for capturing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. Its high-resolution full-frame sensor and impressive ISO range produce stunning images with exceptional detail and clarity, even in low light conditions. And, the camera’s fast autofocus system and 10 frames per second continuous shooting are great features for capturing the Northern Lights.
One of the things that make the Sony Alpha A7R IV stand out is its in-body image stabilization, which helps to stabilize the camera when shooting in low light conditions. The camera’s tilting touchscreen display is also incredibly useful for shooting at different angles and positions, giving photographers a range of creative options.
Nikon D850
- 1 of Nikon D850 FX-format Digital SLR Camera Body
- 1 of Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
- Lens shipped separately
The Nikon D850 is a powerful and versatile camera that is well-suited for capturing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. With its impressive full-frame sensor and wide ISO range, the camera can capture stunning images with exceptional clarity and detail even in low light conditions.
The camera’s advanced autofocus system and high-speed continuous shooting mode allow photographers to capture the Northern Lights’ vibrant and dynamic colors with ease.
One of the most notable features of the Nikon D850 is its remarkable image quality, which is a result of its high-resolution full-frame sensor. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers who are looking to capture the subtle nuances and intricacies of the Northern Lights.
However, the Nikon D850 is a larger and heavier camera than some of its competitors, which could be a consideration for photographers who value portability and convenience.
Sony Alpha A7S III
- SONY ALPHA A7S III CAMERA BUNDLE INCLUDES: Alpha a7S III Camera | Battery | Charger |...
- REVOLUTIONARY SENSOR AND PROCESSOR: Sony Alpha a7S III's 12.1MP sensor and BIONZ XR...
- CINEMATIC VIDEO MASTERY: Elevate filmmaking with UHD 4K 120p recording, 10-bit 4:2:2...
The Sony Alpha A7S III is an exceptional camera that is well-suited for capturing the stunning Northern Lights. With its impressive low light capabilities and advanced features, this mirrorless camera can produce stunning images with exceptional clarity and detail, even in the darkest conditions. The camera’s fast autofocus system and high-speed continuous shooting mode make it easy to capture the Northern Lights’ dynamic and ever-changing colors.
Its exceptional low light performance is made possible by its high ISO range and advanced image processing capabilities. This makes it an ideal choice for photographers who want to capture the subtle colors and delicate details of the Northern Lights. Moreover, the camera’s comfortable grip and intuitive controls make it easy to use for extended periods, allowing photographers to focus on capturing the perfect shot.
However, the Sony Alpha A7S III is a high-end camera that comes with a relatively high price tag, which may not be suitable for all photographers.
How To Choose a Camera for Northern Lights Photography
Here is what you should have in mind when choosing a camera for Nothern light photography:
Low-Light Sensitivity and High ISO Range
The Northern Lights appear in dark environments, so a camera with high ISO capabilities will help you capture bright, clear images without excessive noise.
Look for cameras with an ISO range of at least 25600 for adequate low-light performance. However, cameras reaching up to 51200 or higher will perform even better in extremely low-light conditions, making them ideal for capturing the aurora’s glow.
Full-Frame Sensor
Full-frame sensors are larger than APS-C or micro four-thirds sensors, allowing them to gather more light and produce clearer images in low-light settings.
Full-frame cameras offer better dynamic range and low-light performance, which is crucial for capturing the Northern Lights’ subtle colors and details against a dark sky.
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
Image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake, which can be especially useful when using slower shutter speeds to capture the movement of the aurora.
Look for cameras with 5-axis in-body stabilization, especially if you plan to shoot handheld or use slower shutter speeds.
Long Exposure Capability
Shooting the Northern Lights often requires long exposure times to gather light and capture the stunning trails of the aurora.
A camera that allows manual control over shutter speed and supports exposures of up to 30 seconds or even longer in “Bulb” mode provides the flexibility needed for these mesmerizing long exposures.
Weather Sealing
Since the Northern Lights are typically visible in cold, harsh climates, a weather-sealed camera is essential to withstand extreme conditions.
Cameras with weather-sealed bodies are resistant to dust, moisture, and low temperatures, helping you keep your equipment functional throughout winter nights.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Capability
The Northern Lights display subtle gradations of color, from greens to purples, and a camera with good dynamic range will capture these details more accurately.
Opt for cameras with high dynamic range and minimal noise at higher ISOs to preserve the aurora’s rich hues in your shots.
Lens Compatibility
Using a wide-angle, fast lens (with an aperture of f/2.8 or wider) is ideal for Northern Lights photography, as it captures more light and allows for expansive views of the sky.
Choose a camera that’s compatible with a variety of lenses, especially wide-angle options, to give you flexibility in capturing both the landscape and the lights.
Battery Life
Long exposures and cold weather can quickly drain batteries, so a camera with strong battery performance is essential.
Look for cameras with extended battery life, and consider bringing extra batteries and keeping them warm for optimal performance during extended shooting sessions.
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