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Compact camera for low light shots
- Thread starter Samtb
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"Low light" and "compact" are very subjective. How low do you want to go and what image quality are you looking for in low light? Generally, the larger the sensor and the lower the resolution the better the camera will handle noise at high ISO's.
Without flash, the Nikon 1 will be better than an iPhone. A full frame camera will be better than a Nikon 1 and there are other sensor sizes between the Nikon 1 and full frame.
I don’t want to go as high as a full frame camera as they tend to be bigger and more bulky and I don’t require the quality of a high end DSLR. But I find iPhones can’t do anything in low light. By low light I mean, for example a street with only dim street lamps. But I even find nightscapes difficult with iPhones. They just blur.
Based on your example I would suggest any entry level camera with a tripod mount (threaded female socket on the bottom of the camera). You'll need a camera that allows you to select an exposure time. Mount the camera to a tripod and shoot long exposures anywhere from a fraction of a second to 30 seconds. It's the only way to do it.
Just a heads-up that long exposures generally work with static (non-moving) subjects such as a street scene under street lamps. Anything that moves will be blurred - that's ok but only if that's your intent. To photograph subjects like moving people in low light and have them sharp (frozen in action), is a whole different ballgame that will require off camera lighting.
Something like the Panasonic LX100 would likely be a better choice. One thing to look for is a fast lens, f/2.0 or faster. The "kit" zooms on the Nikon 1 series are rather slow.
You'd still need the tripod. Even if the app allows you to set a long exposure time that is of no use unless the iPhone is he'd very firmly still.
Also with a tripod and long exposure you need some way to trip the sutter that does not involve touching the camera. A delay timer on the camera app does that. The delay allows the iPhone to shop shaking. Wind is also an issue, typically photographers will wait for a lull in the wind if doing long exposures. Any camera shake caused by a finger tap or the wind will blue the image. Better to just get a more sensitive camera
For low-light, as in outdoors at night shooting subjects that move, you are going to need a quite large sensor. And also, just as importantly a FAST lens. Look for a lens that is at least f/1.8 and if you can get it, f/1.4 To get a lens like that you'd need some kind of camera with interchangeable lenses. I think any modern mirrorless system has this.
Also a wider lens will cause less motion blur. look for a wide angle f/1.4 and an APS size sensor (or DX in nikon-speak, they are all about 23x14mm, roughly 1/2 the size of "Full Frame" 35mm film.
In short, look for fast lens and large sensor.
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