Which camera is best for low light? budget, full frame / crop sensor,

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for low light camera as i used to take indoor photos but i'm not willing to spend so much money on it. full frame or crop sensor does not matter to me.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Regards,
Wsk80

Well, "not much money" and "full frame" do not go together, even for used.

For instance, a 5Dmk3 or D800 with the appropriate fast lens (50mm, 85mm, etc) is going to set you back almost $4000, but is a fantastic low light performer.

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Warning: The internet is filled with one sided views. Stay objective.

this is also my biggest interest, both video and photo. so far, the following are the most affordable ive found.

pentax k5...around a grand, and very good low light with apsc leading IQ.

D7000...about as good as k5 in low light, slightly less IQ, but more video options.

nex5n or nex7...both good for low light, about the same as k5 but not as solid and have
quirks. good video though.

a57...very new but after pixel peeping, its just a hair below the k5 in low light, very good video and has some nice features that other brands dont have. slt doesnt seem to affect light much.

from here u can go up to maybe a 5DII but u r spending a good bit more. all of the above r about 1200 or below. the best bargain is probly the a57 bc it has good IQ, low light, and good video options. at 800 with lens thats not bad. considering i already have an a33 for random videos, when i upgrade ill probly get the k5. amazing IQ and really good low light, plus its whether sealed so u can go out at night without worry of rain or sleet. if i dont go that rout, ill get rid of my k5 and get either the d7k or a57. need to hold em all first though to really decide. good luck anyways, hope this helps. adorama online is one of the better vendors, b&h as well.

totally forgot. if u want to see for yourself, go to this website. they allow side by side comparisons at any iso the camera can reach. clicky on the pics and it zooms to %100 so u can really peep noise. i use this every day. http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

MaxIso said:

this is also my biggest interest, both video and photo. so far, the following are the most affordable ive found.

pentax k5...around a grand, and very good low light with apsc leading IQ.

D7000...about as good as k5 in low light, slightly less IQ, but more video options.

nex5n or nex7...both good for low light, about the same as k5 but not as solid and have
quirks. good video though.

a57...very new but after pixel peeping, its just a hair below the k5 in low light, very good video and has some nice features that other brands dont have. slt doesnt seem to affect light much.

from here u can go up to maybe a 5DII but u r spending a good bit more. all of the above r about 1200 or below. the best bargain is probly the a57 bc it has good IQ, low light, and good video options. at 800 with lens thats not bad. considering i already have an a33 for random videos, when i upgrade ill probly get the k5. amazing IQ and really good low light, plus its whether sealed so u can go out at night without worry of rain or sleet. if i dont go that rout, ill get rid of my k5 and get either the d7k or a57. need to hold em all first though to really decide. good luck anyways, hope this helps. adorama online is one of the better vendors, b&h as well.

Click to expand...

I was going to recommend the K5. Also, if weather sealing is important to you, no other brand (Canon nor Nikon as they are the big two) can even hold a candle to Pentax's weather sealing capabilities because not only is the K5 MUCH more sealed as a body, but the biggest issue is the lenses. To get sealed lenses from those two you have to spend BIG $$$$$$. The Pentax kit lens is sealed, so nuff said.

Get the K5, go out and shoot, and you won't regret it for a minute.

Also, is size is important to you, check this out:



Then add on the Limited Primes, and you won't find a more capable and compact system. Anywhere.

Lastly, if you need further coaxing, this is one example of many professional photographers that are ditching their FF (in this case Canon 5D2) gear for the K5.

http://www.boxedlight.com/

And then why he made the switch: http://www.boxedlight.com/k5/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Heie

Hate to rain on the DSLR parade, but how about an Olympus XZ-1?

Fast f/1.8 at 28mm, still fast f/2.5 at full 112mm tele.

Useful ISO to 800; not over.

Shirt-pocketable, with a VERY adjustable flash, down to 1/64 full power in Aperture, Shutter, or Manual mode.

I LOVE my XZ-1 in low-light!

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StephenG

K 01
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Variance is Evil!

No, it's not cheap, around $1.2k with lens if you can get one at all, but...

I'm nothing but impressed with its low light AF ability, and its clean ISO6400. In a dimly lit room, it just wasn't missing focus: fast, accurate, and in very dim light - one lamp in the corner.

There are some very sharp fast primes available for it that improve on this. I bought the MZD 45 1.8 lens along with the body, and zowie, this is a small and very sharp lens.

+100!

Here is my "lowish light" handhold comparison between XZ-1 and Canon 7D with kit lens. Because of slow kit lens, It takes ISO3200 for 7D to compare to XZ-1, and still not as good.

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O.Cristo - An Amateur Photographer

Opinions of men are almost as various as their faces - so many men so many minds . Franklin

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your advices. Yes D800 or canon 5d mk iii seems very impressive and low light camera but cost alot. I'm not a professional photographer nor make living of it. So budget and value, economy to use and keep for years. I had seem a lot of review of Pentax k-5 which is as good as canon 7d, nikon D7000, and even Sony slt77v.

Pentax k5 is good low light camera, but lens is the problems. Which lens is best for Pentax? Indoor low light? Range not so much.

By the way, digital rev got review of Pentax k5 as well.

Thank you anyway for those good advised.

Problem with Pentax is that nearly all their lens prices have doubled over the past 2years. It's not an affordable system anymore.

Tell why you didn't shoot the Canon at ISO 1600 and 1/30 second?
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-Dave
http://pixseal.com

Amateur Sony Shooter said:

+100!

Here is my "lowish light" handhold comparison between XZ-1 and Canon 7D with kit lens. Because of slow kit lens, It takes ISO3200 for 7D to compare to XZ-1, and still not as good.

Click to expand...

I tried, the result was too blurry. I guess at 85mm focal length, even with IS, 1/60 is barely fast enough.

dherzstein said:

Tell why you didn't shoot the Canon at ISO 1600 and 1/30 second?

Click to expand...

You might want to consider the new Canon G1 X.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong1x/

You will not have to buy extra lenses.

Dennis

A K 01 gives you better high ISO abilities, much greater dynamic range. This is due to the bigger sensor and the better (Sony) technology in it. You also get in body stabiliation and focus peaking. That is the only way one will get really good focus in low light.

Body only is $750 and $900 with XS 40/2.8. Get the lens, it is fantastic.

The K 01 is a fantastic low light and macro camera. It has the best focus peaking in a serious camera and it can be switched on and off via a button. No menu digging.
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Variance is Evil!