What does it mean to have the best camera for music photography?

While it’s true that the best camera is the one you have with you, some gear works better than others in the challenging environment of live music photography. In this post, we’ll cover our recommendations of the best cameras for music photography. Photography can be an expensive interest, so we’re also breaking down our recommendations by price range so there will be camera options to fit all budgets. 

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your camera gear, or drop a not so subtle hint for a holiday present, we hope this list helps you find your next favorite camera for photographing concerts!

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Best cameras under $1,000

When it comes to saving money two tricks will help you the most: buy used and buy one model back. The original Canon 6D (which I used for the majority of my concert work) can be found used for less than $350 on reputable websites like B&H Photo. Compare that to the Canon 6D Mark II which sells for $1,400 brand new and you can see how big a difference this can make. While you’ll miss out on newer features and performance improvements, you can still find many excellent cameras used by the pros in the 2010s to early 2020s like the Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon D750 for under $1,000. Pair one of those with a 50mm prime lens and you’ve got a great, fullframe setup for concert photography.

But, if you prefer to buy new we’ve still got you covered! Here are our recommendations for the best new cameras for concert photography under $1,000.

Nikon Z50

🥰 Why we like it: User-friendly ergonomics, great shadow detail, and a 209-point hybrid autofocus system rated to -4 EV (very dark!) make the Nikon Z50 a solid choice for photographers looking for a compact workhorse camera. The Z50 allows for interchangeable lenses using the Nikkor Z mount system and supports focal lengths from 12mm all the way up to 600mm. Like the other cameras in this category, the Nikon Z50 has an ASP-C sensor which adds a crop factor of 1.5X to each lens and is important to keep in mind when selecting a lens. The flexibility of the Z mount system means you can modify or upgrade your setup as needed which gives this camera even more longevity. All around, the Nikon Z50 is a solid option under $1,000.

💵 Price: $856.95

Canon R10

🥰 Why we like it: The remarkable full-coverage, 651-point autofocus system rated to -4 EV (very dark!) alone makes the Canon R10 an appealing option for documenting live music. Add in the 24.2MP sensor, burst shooting up to 23 frames per second, and impressive 4K video specs and you have an outstanding piece of kit for concert photography. The RF mount lens choices for the Canon R10  also offer a wide range of focal lengths and flexibility for different kinds of shoots.

💵 Price: $879

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Best cameras between $1,000 – $2,000

Sony a7 III

🥰 Why we like it: There’s a reason Ken Rockwell called the a7 III “the world’s best full-frame mirrorless camera ever created dollar-for-dollar.” Actually, there are several reasons. Equipped with a 24.2 MP sensor, the a7 III is a high performer for both photo and video work thanks to its 4K video output, smooth 5-axis stabilization, and Sony’s famous S-log curve—which preserves higher dynamic range in difficult lighting. For the dual photo and video shooter this is the body you’re looking for. To store all that high quality footage, the a7 III comes equipped with dual memory card slots supporting UHS-II memory cards for faster performance. Sony has been pushing the limits in low light imaging for awhile now, and the a7 III is no exception with 15-stops of dynamic range, 693 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points for 2X the focusing speed compared to earlier Sony a models, and ridiculous ISO performance with an extended range up to 204,800. The lens options for the a7 III are equally impressive, but can be expensive (like, costing more than the camera body expensive), especially when you get into the G Master line. On the plus side, the large variety of lens options paired with the a7 III’s pro-level specs mean this is a camera you can stick with for a very long time. 

💵 Price: $1,798

Canon R6 Mark II

🥰 Why we like it: The Canon R6 Mark II offers an remarkably robust set of features, especially for its sub-$2,000 price tag. With a 24.2MP sensor and 4K internal video output the R6 Mark II has something on offer for photographers, videographers, and hybrid shooters. Thanks to a 30 fps RAW burst mode and pre-release capture (the camera starts recording before you even fully press the shutter), you will never miss a shot using this body. The R6 Mark II also comes equipped with in-camera stabilization for smooth video, a 1053-point autofocus system, and low-light focus performance up to an unbelievably good -6.5 EV. If you enjoy the Canon lens system and have the budget you cannot go wrong with the R6 Mark II.

💵 Price: $1,999

Sony RX 100 VII

🥰 Why we like it: The fixed lens Sony RX 100 VII is tiny enough to bring to almost any concert, even without a press pass and features a powerful 24-200mm equivilant zoom lens to cover angles from pretty much anywhere inside a venue. The hybrid 357-point phase-detection autofocus system works remarkably well in low light and the newly developed 20.1MP sensor in this camera boasts some of the highest dynamic range performance for its size. Although the price tag pushes it past the Under $1,000 range, this powerful little camera is still a great option for price conscious photographers since it negates the need to buy additional lenses. 

💵 Price: $1,298

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Best cameras $2,000+

At this level, some parts of your choice in picking the “best” camera start to come down to personal preferences. Each of these bodies have professional-level performance and top-tier interchangeable lens systems on offer. By the time you make one of these purchases, you’re likely already committed to a camera system and the brand you pick often aligns with that system so you can continue using your existing lenses. We’ve selected only two cameras in this category for our list and stayed away from the ultra-expensive models, but you can find similar pro-quality options from Fuji and Sony in this price range if that’s more your thing. 

Canon R5 

🥰 Why we like it: Looking for high-quality photo and video output? The Canon R5 has got you coverded with a 45MP full-frame sensor, 5-axis stabilization and up to 8K raw video recording or  4K video recording at 120 fps for buttery smooth slow motion shots. Paired with a maximum dynamic range of 14.6 EV, the R5 will maintain shadow and highlight detail while nailing the focus thanks to an autofocus system that has been described as “astonishing”—even in low light. The Canon R5 is an all around stand out with a formidable feature set and still comes in at a reasonable price, especially when compared to its newer brother, the $4,700 R5 Mark II. 

💵 Price: $2,999

Nikon D850

🥰 Why we like it: Not to be outdone by rivals like Canon and Sony, the Nikon D850 comes in strong wth a 45.7MP full-frame sensor, 4K raw video, and impeccable sharpness. Like all the cameras on our list, the D850 is a low-light standout and maintains its performance even at ISOs in the 10,000+ range. For photographers committed to, or interested in the Nikkor lens system, the D850 is a fantastic pairing for any kind of live music setup.

💵 Price: $2,496.95