Meet The 5 Best Camera for Concert Photography 2023 Top Picks
The rise of digital media has made it extremely important to find cameras that are capable of capturing HD quality photos of concerts. However, as you know, most concerts happen in diverse environments with factors such as excessive lighting, flickering lights, and fast-changing events coming into play.
To make things even more challenging, as a photographer, one needs to be up and running all the time in order to capture those unique moments. With all those facts in mind, it goes without saying you need to invest in a camera that provides high ISO sensitivity, power and most importantly light in weight. Aside from that, it’s imperative to reflect on the following factors:
- WiFi and GPS features
- Video recording capabilities
- Quality of AF system
So, the next time you’re out there shopping, don’t just look at the price tag or the name of the brand and make a decision. Be sure to look even closer so you can pinpoint any areas of concern prior to making a decision.
Camera for Concert Photography – Comparison
The chart below provides a quick comparison of different leading names in the world of concert photography. Hopefully, this rundown will help you make a timely but informed decision.
| Ranking | Product Name | Screen Size | Optical Zoom |
| 1 | Canon EOS 6D 20.2 SLR Camera | 3 inches | 4.3x |
| 2 | Nikon DSLR D5100 Camera | 3 inches | 5x |
| 3 | Sony Alpha Mirrorless 7IIK Digital Camera | 3 inches | 2x |
| 4 | Fujifilm Mirrorless X-T1 16 MP Digital Camera | 3 inches | 1x |
| 5 | Canon Rebel EOS T5 DSLR Camera | 3 inches | 5.6x |
1. Canon EOS 6D 20.2 SLR Camera – WiFi-Enabled
The Canon 6D is a price-conscious concert camera which has won awards for being a leading full frame DSLR camera. Armed with a powerful 20.2MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor, this is seems like a perfect match for the modern-day busy on-the-go photographer.
Features
Besides its high-caliber 20MP power, the 6D camera from Canon is capable of shooting high quality images at 4.5 frames per second. This is superb for anyone looking to engage in continuous shooting. Indeed, this is a big plus if you’re shopping for the best concert photography cameras because events tend to happen so fast during concerts and you really wouldn’t want to miss the chance to capture a good shot. On top of that, if you’re looking to capture some videos, you’ll be impressed to learn that this cute bundle is capable of producing 1080p HD video quality.
Pros
- Fast image capturing speed
- Manual controls for seamless video recording
- Lightweight, compact and easy to carry around
- Built-in GPS and WiFi functionality
Cons
- Its AF system falls way below par
2. Nikon DSLR D5100 Camera
Are you looking for a camera with extraordinary features? Nikon DSLR D5 100 is a perfect camera for both beginner and seasoned photographers. It can be set to work automatically or manually.
Features
It has many features which deliver quality videos and still pictures. It is black in color and has 16.2 megapixels. It has an ISO Auto, 100- 6400 (expandable to 25600). Its video capture resolution is 1080p. The camera has high speeds of continuous shooting frame of 4 frames per second. Nikon Ds100 has a photosensor size of APS-C. Many accessories will be provided when you purchase this camera including a rechargeable battery and a battery charger.
Pros
- Night vision
- High resolution
- High speed
Cons
- It is not the latest model
3. Sony Alpha Mirrorless 7IIK Digital Camera
If you want to capture stable videos and images, then consider this state of the art camera that minimizes blur because of image stabilization features. This camera delivers quality in video and still pictures. The features make it an exceptional camera.
Features
It is fast with 5 frames per second speed of continuous shooting. In addition, it has a high video recording. It has a 24.3 megapixels resolution. The ISO range is 100-25600. Sony Alpha digital camera has a 35mm full-frame sensor. It uses the E-mount lens system which has many features including powered zoom control, smooth focusing and aperture control.
Pros
- Low noise
- Easy connectivity to smartphones using wifi
- Designed for tethering to a PC
Cons
- It is expensive
4. Fujifilm Mirrorless X-T1 16 MP Digital Camera
Fujifilm Mirrorless camera is an X-series model. It is black in color and has many other unique features.
Features
It has a photo-sensor size of APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm). Fujifilm has an LCD viewfinder. Its video capture resolution is 1080p. An In-camera raw converter feature allows you to do editing of photos using the camera instead of using a computer. The camera has five manual dials which are ISO, Metering, Drive, EV compensation and Shutter speed.
Pros
- Camera release can be operated from a tablet or smartphone.
- Unique serial number to safeguard against theft or loss
- It has a temperature operation of -10C. It is dust-resistant, water-resistant and weather-resistant
Cons
- Camera case not provided
Also read: Best Pan Tilt Zoom Camera – Updated List
5. Canon Rebel EOS T5 DSLR Camera
Canon Rebel DSLR camera is designed with many features to perform excellently in taking still pictures and videos. It has a specially designed zoom lens. It delivers quality photography.
Features
It is lightweight and black in color. With 18.7 Megapixels, expect high-resolution photos. The 3-inch LCD screen makes it perfect for live view recording together with the 1080p video captioning resolution. It has a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames and an ISO range of Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400. What’s more, Canon Rebel has a built-in flash.
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Detailed feature guide provided
Cons
- Camera case not included in the package
Camera for Concert Photography – Buying Guide
So, before you spend your hard-earned cash on any camera out there, here are a few quick facts to keep in mind.
Build Quality
Build quality is indeed an important factor to consider. Generally, a vast majority of cameras today come with weather sealing but beyond that, always insist on getting one that’s solidly built. Also, be sure to find a camera that’s rugged as that allows you more freedom to explore.
Weight
Because you’ll be busy running up and down as the concerts run, you want to get yourself a camera that’s not only compact but also light in weight. Avoid bulky and heavy units.
Battery Life
In general, DSLR cameras have stronger batteries than their mirrorless counterparts. That said, always be sure to double-check the specs of your camera just to make sure what you get comes with a set of batteries capable of pushing at least 400 shots per charge.
ISO Range
ISO is one of the most important features of concert cameras. Basically, a camera with a high ISO setting tends to excel in low light conditions. However, the less noise the camera produces at high ISO, the better possibilities you have when shooting any concert. Ideally, an ISO of around 1250 to 2000 works best for concert photography.
Frame Rate
In some cases, you may need to shoot at least five to eight frames per second during the concert. Therefore, the more frames per second your camera can take, the better the image quality you can expect.
Focus System
The shooting speed of a camera largely depends on the accuracy of the focus system. As such, the more focus areas a camera has, the more accurately it can focus on your subjects. And as a result, you will end up with nothing but sharp images.
What are some of the Best Settings for Concert Photography?
Concert photography requires you to use the right settings if you want everything to come out perfectly. So, below are some of the settings you need to pay attention to when working on this type of shooting.
White Balance
Concert lights usually change colors. Therefore, it makes no sense to manually set just a specific white balance. This means that you should choose the auto mode and focus on important parameters like ISO range and shutter speed.
Also, it is advisable to shoot in RAW format rather than in JPEG. This way, you can later edit the color temperature using the image editor.
Camera Mode
If using one of the best cameras designed for concert photography, the right setting would be manual mode. Manual shooting offers maximum control compared to auto mode.
However, if you are a beginner photographer, you might need to stick to cameras using auto mode. Nevertheless, manual settings can help sharpen your photography skills.
Aperture
The best camera for concerts requires high-quality lenses. You need fast speed lenses to shoot quality videos. Such a lens should have a minimum aperture of around f/1.2- f/1.8.
A camera with a maximum aperture allows more light through the lenses. This makes it easy to shoot with the lower ISO value and slower shutter speed. However, such camera lenses tend to be quite expensive.
Therefore, a 50mm lens with at least f/1.8 aperture can shoot good looking photos and is suitable for beginners. Besides, it is relatively cheap hence everyone can afford it.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we’re going to address some of the common questions concert photographers ask about cameras.
What camera lenses are best for concert photography?
You need a good quality prime lens. Generally, you can start out with a 50mm lens and then move to a 35mm or 85mm depending on your style.
How do I take great indoor concert photos?
You need to use the right settings including manual mode, wide-open aperture, faster shutter speed, RAW format, and high ISO.
What’s the best shutter speed for taking concert photos?
A fast shutter speed of around 1/100 -1/500 per second is the best choice. Besides, it can even help you freeze motion.
Which Concert Camera Is The Best?
Having considered all the recommendations above, our experts settled on the Nikon D5100 as the best camera for concert photography. Not only is it affordable but also offers an excellent AF system, superior frames-per-second, 1080p HD video quality and ISO 100-6400 which can be expanded to 25600.
Final Word Verdict
It is worth noting that the advantage with most of the cameras listed in this review is that they allow you to use multiple lenses with different apertures and lengths. And also, as you might have already heard that, sometimes it’s always a good idea to go for the trusted brands (like Nikon and Canon). Well, that’s partly true but you shouldn’t hesitate to take a peek at what other underrated manufacturers might have in store for you.
