Northern Lights are mesmerizing nature spectacles; the phenomenal view deserves to be captured and cherished.
Northern Lights or Aurora is a vibrant demonstration between the earth’s magnetic field and the sun’s charged particles.
Canada, Greenland, and Swedish are a few of the best places to see the Northern Lights.
Being a Northern Light photographer, I have vast experience with some best cameras for northern lights.
Are you interested?
Let’s uncover the features and specifications of these high-key cameras!
Which are the Best Cameras for the Northern Lights?
Here are my recommended top 6 Best Cameras for the Northern Lights:-
Sony A7SIII: (best cameras for northern lights)
What could be the best choice to capture bright and active Aurora than Sony A7SIII?
Just last year, I headed to Canada to meet my work deadlines.
It was October and probably the best time of the year to get that phenomenal view.
I picked up my Sony Camera and went there with my friends.
We had a great night, and I returned with breathtaking shots.
Features:
High-quality Still Shots and Precise Videos:
This camera performs amazingly with its Newly Developed Image Sensor and Image Processor to secure the frame to take an incredible spectacle of the northern lights.
I love when it reproduces intense color reproduction of the magnificent view, making my friends and me surprised.
The authentic tones and texture depiction of this camera still give goosebumps.
Sensitive AF for Dark Lights:
Being in the effect of AF Algorithm Advances, this camera supported me in getting razor-sharp details and focusing on the frame.
Besides having a dark environment, my northern Lights still came out beautifully without experiencing any vague and blurry details.
Here is the best part?
This camera can recognize the details even if naked eyes can’t see them. And I can see its fantastic results on my screen.
Advanced and Intuitive Operating System:
I believe it’s essential to live the moments in reality as well.
And this camera knows it, too; that’s why its operating options are so straightforward and uncomplicated.
Its Menu Structure is a redesigned version to make it more advanced and intuitive.
Because of this, I could enjoy those spectacular moments of Aurora after getting free from taking its pictures and videos.
Why Is This Camera Best?
It wasn’t a professional Northern Lights shoot, but I did include it in my portfolio.
The classic reason is its powerful capturing capabilities; the credit goes to the 12.1 MP EXMOR R Sensor and BIONZ XR Processing Engine.
The Extended ISO Range Of 409,6003 offered me extra lights to work with.
The Cinematic Tone and Gracious Colors changed the whole game of capturing Northern Light’s subtle details.
Indeed, one of the best cameras for northern lights.
Conclusion:
Are you planning to view the Northern Lights this year and want a lightweight but sturdy camera with a professional hint?
Give Sony A7S III a chance confidently!
Canon EOS 6D II: (best compact digital camera for northern lights)
Ensuring that I’m grabbing the essence of vivid details of the Northern Lights, it’s essential to get a lightweight and compact camera.
I make sure that my camera holds a comfortable grip with pleasant stands to avoid missing my one-time moments.
Its maximum resolution provides an eternity of details and lifelike textures.
It’s a pure treat to get my hands on such an outstanding piece of art.
Features:
Versatility in a Lightweight Construction:
The feeling of getting multiple benefits in one package is unmatchable; that’s what I feel every time I use this camera.
Besides owning a compact frame, it offers a brighter resolution and extensively realistic textures of the Northern Lights.
It must be the magic of a powerful combination of 26.2 MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and Advanced Image Processor.
It’s a great help in making my professional projects pure win.
High Shutter Speed of 6.5 FPS:
According to experts, having a fast shutter speed is probably one crucial factor in Northern Lights Photography.
For representing the bright and active Aurora, my camera’s excellent shooting speed of 6.5 Frames Per Second is a big plus.
It makes sure that I don’t miss any spontaneous moments; simultaneously, I also enjoyed the help of the 45 Points All Cross-Type AF System.
Great Assistance from Vari-Angle LCD:
The Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD is my favorite part of this camera.
With maximum resolution, it lets me experience the preview of the final Aurora shots.
Plus, shooting at various angles comes as a more significant relief. And that’s not it.
The LCD features touch operability; I can control focus and aperture with a slight tap on the screen, and voila!
Why Is This Camera Best?
There’s a say that the first impression is the last one.
But in the case of my Canon Camera, it turned out to be wrong.
It’s compatible with all Canon EF Lenses, giving me an absolute formula to deliver high-key Aurora Videos and Photos.
The robust performance of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF System is impressive; its phase-detection makes it easier to lock focus on the tiniest details of Aurora.
The best compact digital camera for Northern Lights is my absolute champion that performs wonderfully in every tricky situation!
Conclusion:
The compact and rugged design of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is utterly water and dust-proof.
That means you can capture remarkable views of Aurora with no worries.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: (best video camera for northern lights)
Recreating those magical moments in the video requires some extraordinary shooting speed.
When producing cinematic northern lights videos, I prefer Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
I’ve been using this spectacular camera for two years now, and my experience with it is purely blissful.
The maximum resolution meets the exquisite color tones, and the aura of the northern lights becomes breathtakingly beautiful.
Features:
4K Resolution with Utmost Clarity:
Nothing beats the sensational 4K Resolution Videos. And here we’re talking about the Northern Lights, the magic itself.
When I record this miraculous scene with my camera’s DCI 4K Video Resolution, my clients become fans of my work.
Its Full-Frame Sensor verifies the stellar quality of shots, whereas the Expansive Dynamic Range supports textural details excellently.
61-Point AF System for Sheer Clarity:
Achieving on-the-dot focus in videos compared to photos isn’t so simple.
I owe a big to this camera as it presents a 61-Point AF system covering the almost overall frame.
Spectacular tracking brings immediate and smooth focus, even on the brightest Aurora.
And the most fantastic thing is I can control the focus on the screen with a simple touch.
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC Technology:
Intelligent devices have innovative technology. It fits firmly on my camera, as it holds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems.
That allows me unlimited perks to instantly share Aurora’s phenomenal videos with my clients.
On top of that, its Remote Shooting Mode is a final stroke that makes it one of the best cameras for northern lights.
I’m in complete control of shutter speed, exposure settings, and ISO settings, even in the remote controlling mode.
Why Is This Camera Best?
With its powerful 30.4 MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and Extended ISO Range Of 102400, this best video camera for northern lights gives a versatile performance in nearly every light condition.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the brightest Aurora or a faint one; the exquisite details and color richness is admirable.
The impressive shooting speed of 7 FPS doesn’t let any moment pass unseen.
Its RGB+IR Light Sensor with 150K Pixels automatically fine-tune the settings, which results in breathtaking videos of nature’s miracle.
Conclusion
It’s an all-in-all combo of uncomplicated functioning with outstanding features.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is undoubtedly a perfect option for catching Aurora.
Sony Alpha a6000: (best beginner camera for northern lights)
It’s unnecessary to be an expert, but owning an expert camera with elite performance capabilities is vital.
My friend Tina is a smartphone person; she just bought Sony Alpha A6000 to take excellent Aurora stills and videos.
I must say, she’s winning this camera game utterly.
She uploaded phenomenal quality northern lights videos on her social media handles, and I’m impressed.
Features:
Performs Like a True DSLR:
Tina is living her dream of getting excellent camera performance like a DSLR.
With the same APS-C Image Sensor, this camera allows her to get spectacular videos and pictures as a basic DSLR took them.
Plus, Interchangeable Lens gives a broader choice to enjoy various image capabilities.
Its overall results in better optical shots of Aurora that are truly mesmerizing.
Fastest Autofocus Tracking Technology:
Missing any moment of the Northern Lights is utterly unfair to the miracle of nature.
Tina’s camera offers World’s Fastest Autofocus at an impressive shutter speed of 11 FPS.
She got excellent shots after shots with smooth functioning and incredible focus tracking on slow-moving Aurora.
Well, no wonder my friend is acing her first camera photography session.
Thanks to the innovative features of this Sony Camera.
Speedy Processing Capabilities:
Blurry details and tearing colors are the worst nightmare of photography lovers.
But not with the BIONZ X Image Processor, which emulates textures and tones of northern lights in realistic details.
Whether it’s a video or still on Tina’s Instagram, I’m getting surprised with richer tonal gradations and vivid colors on my screen.
Why Is This Camera Best?
This best beginner camera for night lights features stunning stills and video quality, precisely what Tina just needed to achieve a phenomenal view of Aurora.
The gorge pictures in low lighting must be the result of the 25600 ISO Range, whereas the high sensitivity level of the camera simulates small details of the natural view successfully.
The cherry on the top is simple and Easy to Control options.
It provides immediate access to the essential functions to make her shoot steadily.
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner in photography or a passionate one who wants to get cinematic northern lights shots, I firmly believe the Sony Alpha A6000 is a perfect option.
Fujifilm X-T4: (best mirrorless camera for northern lights)
Besides having fewer moving parts, mirrorless cameras bring excellent image stabilization with no shakiness.
I enjoy the maximum potential of a mirrorless camera with Fujifilm X-T4.
The quieter and discrete functioning power holds an advanced Optical Viewfinder with exceptional battery performance, exactly what I need to take remarkable pictures of a colorful miracle.
Magnification colors reproduction with maximum contrast creates spectacular effects, making me fall in love with it.
Features:
Stellar Colors with ETERNA Bleach Bypass:
Imagine seeing the bleach silver colors rather than the beautiful colors of Aurora on the camera screen?
It isn’t perfect, and I’ve been through it.
Not since I got this Fujifilm Camera that happens to have Film Simulation Mode.
It harnesses the nostalgic beauty of northern lights, which spreads out with a High-contrast look and no saturation.
I need to push a button to activate this remarkable feature.
Spectacular Power to Capture Fleeting Moments:
One-time moments don’t wait; they pass in an instant. I make sure to be ready to capture the awe-inspiring view of Aurora.
My camera is perfectly compatible with taking fast slipping pictures with sheer details and lifelike textures, delivering the quickest Autofocus in just 0.02 seconds.
Further, its mechanical shutter speed of 15 FPS is a big deal in achieving clear focus.
Beautiful Slow-Motion Effects:
The dramatic effect of slow-mo in my northern lights’ photography is a literal cherry on the ice cream.
The impressive resolution of Full HD with 10× Slow-Motion Effects makes the view exceptionally beautiful.
I get the help of Digital Image Stabilization and IS to keep my videos free from distortion and vague details.
Why Is This Camera Best?
With 26.1 million Effective Pixels, this Fujifilm Camera verifies the recreation of stellar quality in my Aurora’s stills and videos.
This best mirrorless camera for northern lights brings incredible wonders to get along well with fewer accessories.
Improved Battery Performance is another good part of this.
I can get up to 500 high-quality frames filled with stunning details and richness in normal mode with a single charge.
To save me from awkward angles, I use its Vari-Angle Touch LCD.
This little thing is a good idea in adjusting to get the perfect angle and frame.
Conclusion:
With Mirrorless Camera and that too with such amazing features, the Fujifilm X-T4 promises to deliver unique and outstanding performance in catching the phenomenal view of the northern lights.
Sony Alpha a6000: (best affordable camera for northern lights)
When I hear the word Sony, tons of money is going out of my pocket.
But, this Sony Alpha A6000 is an exception here.
It’s available at a comparatively affordable price range, and the best part?
It holds premium functionality to take northern lights’ realistic and vivid stills.
Honestly, I did underestimate its photography capabilities, but it turned out I was completely wrong.
Features:
Professional Picture Quality:
Giving professional-quality performance in taking breathtaking images of Aurora, this Sony Camera works with its Advanced 24.2 MP Back-Illuminated Sensor.
It mimics the exquisite color details like I’m reliving the view again with my naked eyes.
I love its movie magic feature, which lets me create awesome videos with a Full HD 1920×1080p Cinematic Tone.
Excellent Low Light Performance with Expandable ISO:
There’s nothing more crucial than having Expandable ISO Performance to get clear and focused Northern Lights shots.
Sony brings me outstanding low-light performance with the expandable ISO Range Of 100-51200.
It creates powerful visuals at night, copying the brightest colors with sharp details.
I couldn’t appreciate its fantastic functioning enough.
Great Option for Quick Captures:
Experiencing the moments of the northern lights is overwhelming, and the urge to preserve these moments for a lifetime is more significant than anything.
Here this camera helps me to capture remarkable shots after shots with its Simple and Intuitive Controls.
I get Six Customizable Buttons to control shooting modes, shutter speed, and focus range on my small screen. Sounds great, right?
Why Is This Camera Best?
Who wouldn’t like enjoying maximum functionality in exchange for little money and effort?
My Sony Camera, with its Hybrid Autofocus System, guarantees the fastest autofocusing on fast-moving Aurora.
At the same time, its 179 Phase Detection automatically moves the lens to get the main object in the frame.
By capturing 11 Frames per Second, I can take smooth videos with an extreme resolution of 24.2 MP.
No wonder experts call it the best affordable camera for northern lights.
Conclusion:
For many good reasons, the Sony Alpha A6000 gets on my list of best cameras for northern lights.
It’s the most significant thing, from its high-power functioning system to its versatile compatibility with E-Mount System!
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, so that concludes all the cameras we will talk about today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which are your Best Cameras for the Northern Lights?
Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
Related post:
Best Sony Lens for Night Photography:
Best Nikon Lenses for Night Photography:
Best Canon Lens for Night Photography:
I am a professional photographer born in the USA. I have been in this field of photography for 22 years now, and in these years, I used many photography lenses, which I want to share here on this website about my experience of it. The idea for Bestoflens.com is to provide honest information about different Lenses products in the format of a “Best lenses for AYZ” list. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best lenses to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Bestoflens.