Best Camera for Northern Lights Photography in 2024

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Choosing the best camera for Northern Lights photography isn’t an easy task.

After shooting the Northern Lights for years with different cameras and testing new models, I can tell you that, in a nutshell, these are the best cameras to photograph the Northern Lights:

1. Sony A7SIII
2. Nikon Z6II
3. Canon EOS R6
4. Sony A7IV
5. Sony A7RV
6. Nikon Z7II
7. Canon EOS R5
8. Pentax K-1 Mark II

 

Besides having a good camera, using the best Northern Lights camera settings is key to capturing the elusive Aurora Borealis. Also, remember that lenses are as important as cameras in night photography, so I strongly recommend using your camera with one of the best lenses for Northern Lights photography.

The top choices in this list of the best cameras for the Northern Lights only includes Full-Frame cameras since these are the best to photograph the Northern Lights with less digital noise and more quality.

Nonetheless, in this article, you’ll find a full list of the best cameras to take pictures of the Northern Lights according to your goals and budget. I’ve included APS-C cameras, Micro 4/3, compact cameras, and the best Northern Lights cameras on a budget.

Ready to find the best camera for Northern Lights photography?

• • Best digital cameras for Northern Lights photography
  • Best APS-C cameras for shooting the Northern Lights
  • Best cheap camera for Northern Lights
  • Best Micro 4/3 cameras for Northern Lights
  • Best compact cameras for Northern Lights
  • Basic requirements in any Northern Lights camera

Note: I haven’t split the article into Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras. Check out our guide on that topic if you still don’t know which system is best for you.

1. Sony A7S III

This Sony model is designed for low-light photography and video. On this particular model, you can set an impressive ISO range of 80-102400, which is crucial for the challenging conditions of shooting the Aurora. This is not only the best mirrorless camera for Northern Lights photography but also one of the best cameras for filming the Northern Lights and for shooting time-lapses.

 

2. NIKON Z6II

This is the best Nikon camera for Northern Lights photography. The low-light performance and high dynamic range of this camera can take your Aurora images to the next level. This is also a superb camera in terms of battery life and weather sealing, which is essential for the long and cold nights under the Northern Lights.

 

3. Canon EOS R8

The Canon EOS R8 is the best Canon camera for Northern Lights thanks to its features, as well as its reduced price point. Last year, the R6 held this position; however, the R8 is more affordable without compromising any of the features that make it great for low light. This full-frame camera features a 24 mpx. sensor with great low-light performance and dynamic range. If you are a beginner in chasing Auroras, this might be one of the best options in the market. The Canon EOS R8 offers some professional features that will take you time to outgrow, but it still manages to keep the menus very clear, which makes this camera very easy to use..

 

4. SONY A7IV

The new Sony A7IV is one of the best quality-price Full-Frame cameras for Northern Lights in 2024. Compared to the previous A7III model, this includes a higher number of megapixels, 33, but without increasing the digital noise when shooting at high ISOs. This is an ideal option as a first Full-Frame camera or for photographers transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless. Besides Aurora photography, it’s also a good camera for Milky Way and other Astro purposes.

 

5. Sony A7RV

TThis is one of the best Sony cameras for Northern Lights photography. The A7RV is all you need to take high-resolution Aurora images, and it’s also a fantastic camera for general landscape photography. This camera was released in 2022 and it has quickly become one of the best options in its price range. It’s an outstanding camera for night photography, and if you use the right Northern Lights settings, you can take otherworldly images of the “green lady”.

 

6. Nikon Z7 II

This is the best high-res. Nikon camera for Northern Lights. It offers a huge dynamic range and an impressing noise to signal ratio. It’s also ideal for other genres like landscape, especially if you are looking for a high performance camera and big prints. If budget is not an issue, I’d go for the new Nikon Z9 instead, which offers more capabilities while maintaining a high number of Mpx.

 

7. CANON EOS R5

This is one of the best Canon cameras for Northern Lights photography. This model is especially recommended if you also shoot other genres like landscape or wildlife since it’s a more well-rounded camera compared to the previous Canon EOS RA. It’s not a cheap camera and the lens options are still very limited, but the low-light capabilities of this model are enormous.

 

8. Nikon Z8

The Nikon Z8 is one of the latest Nikon cameras to hit the market, and it has quickly become an outstanding camera for Northern Lights photography. It has often been branded as the mirrorless successor to the legendary Nikon D850, one of the best cameras Nikon has ever released. This camera has a great ISO performance, even considering its high megapixel count. Overall, if you are looking for a camera that can do it all (daytime images, astrophotography, and video), the Nikon Z8 is your best bet.

 

Best APS-C cameras for shooting the Aurora borealis

Crop-sensor (APS-C) cameras can capture the Northern Lights, but most of them can’t match the quality of full-frame cameras.

They usually struggle in low-light conditions, such as when photographing the Northern Lights with a new moon. Raising the ISO in these cameras usually means generating a good amount of digital noise in your photographs.

The list below shows the best APS-C cameras for Northern Lights:

• Fujifilm XT-5 (Mirrorless): This camera is aimed at enthusiasts/semi-professionals, and, without a doubt, it’s the best APS-C camera for shooting the Northern Lights. You’ll forget that you’re shooting with a crop-sensor camera once you see the results shooting in low-light conditions. Recommended lens: Fujinon XF16mm f/1.4.

• Nikon Z50 (Mirrorless): This smaller sibling of the Nikon Z7 is the best APS-C Nikon camera for capturing the Aurora. Its quality in low-light photography is at the same level as many basic full-frame cameras. Suggested lens pairing: Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 AF Pro DX.

• Sony a6600 (Mirrorless): The Sony a6600 is an excellent mirrorless APS-C Sony camera for the Northern Lights. It’s super light and it stands out for its performance in low-light conditions and the wide range of lenses. Suggested lens pairing: Rokinon 12mm f/2.0.

• Canon EOS R50: This is one of the best Canon APS-C cameras for shooting the Northern Lights. If you are getting started in photography in general and are looking into chasing Auroras, the Canon EOS R50 won’t disappoint, it offers good quality for an affordable price. Recommended lens: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8.

• Nikon D7500 (DSLR): Even though it can’t beat the low-light performance of the Nikon mirrorless Z50, the D7500 is a good camera for the Northern Lights in the APS-C reflex range, with a sturdy body and many lenses available. Suggested lens pairing: Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 AF Pro DX.

 

Best cheap camera for Northern Lights photography

Diving into the best value for the money, these are the best cheap cameras for shooting the Northern Lights:

• Sony Alpha a6000: For around $500, you can get a mirrorless lens camera suitable for shooting the Northern Lights and other night scenes. Along with the Rokinon 12 mm f/2, you’ll have the best cheap combination for shooting the Northern Lights. Suggested lens pairing: Rokinon 12mm f/2

• Sony A7III (Mirrorless): Even if it was released a few years ago, many consider the Sony A7III to be one of the best digital cameras ever made. It offers professional features at an affordable price. This is one of the cameras we use, and, to me, it’s the best quality-price mirrorless camera for shooting the Northern Lights that you can get on a budget. I’ve shot some of my favorite Northern Lights and Milky Way images with this camera and the results are simply outstanding. Recommended lens: Rokinon 14 mm f/2.8.
   

  If your budget allows it, the new Sony A7IV offers everything the A7III has to offer, but with a new sensor, improved menu system, and video capabilities. 

• Nikon D750: This is one of the most reliable and quality-priced cameras ever made. Combine it with a lens like the Rokinon 14 mm f/2.8 and, for less than $1,800, you’ll have one of the best Northern Lights camera setups for the price. Suggested lens pairing: Rokinon 14 mm f/2.8