5 Best Cameras for Concert Photography

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People who have never held a camera for concert photography may think that the task is simple and easy. But it’s a common mistake which can lead to poor photo quality, so you need to be well-prepared anyway.

For example, you should take into account that the audience is usually far away from the stage, so you will need higher amplification for this type of photography.

As well as concert halls are dark and it’s hard to see what’s happening on a scene without additional lighting. The same thing concerns artificial lights – they can ruin your composition if there aren’t any filters or other accessories which could offset their influence. That’s why concert photographers use special flashes with adjustable power levels, because adjusting them manually at every new song isn’t an option now (especially when people dance).

The world of concert photography is a fast-paced, high-stress environment. You’ve got to be ready for anything, and you never know when the perfect shot will happen! To make sure that you’re always prepared with the best camera possible for this type of work, a few photography experts put together an ultimate guide to the top concert cameras on the market today. They will go over what constitutes a good concert camera, how much they cost and give reviews of our personal favorites – all in one helpful article!

Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera – the Editor’s choice!

With its 10fps continuous shooting feature, you have a high probability of catching that little giggle or victory face from an adorable ballplayer as they go into free-fall after a homerun hit.

The rechargeable battery eliminates frequent charging and will let you capture for longer periods without interruption – making it perfect for capturing game-changing moments. Built-in Bluetooth connects wirelessly with smartphones so that transferring photos are just as easy as taking them – no cords required.

And there’s nothing simpler than just downloading your photos and videos onto your smartphone via an easy connection thanks to Bluetooth compatibility!

The Sony A7 III isn’t exactly new, having debuted back in February 2018. Despite this, it’s still one of the most popular full-frame cameras on a budget. Its features make it an excellent all-around camera for both photos and video. The handling and control layout isn’t ideal, and other models may take the limelight in one area or another, but few are consistently capable across so many different areas.

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Canon EOS 5D Mark III Full Frame DSLR Camera Body – the best DSLR for professional use!

With its enhanced AF system, 6 frames per second continuous shooting rate at full resolution with superb buffering performance when using fast UDMA CF cards and much more this camera not only takes pictures but can talk back too!

Featuring a newly developed 22 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with low noise levels, intelligent metering capabilities, and speedy processing speeds with continuous shooting, this camera is designed for low-light situations also, making it perfect for wildlife or portraiture photography with an ISO range of 100 to 25600.

The viewfinder has 100% coverage where even subtle changes in facial expressions are easily seen while the 3-inch Clear View II LCD monitor makes navigating through menus unbelievably intuitive.

This Canon camera can be perfect for photographers who want a versatile DSLR camera that can produce amazing photographs in many situations.

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Nikon D750 FX-format Digital SLR Camera Body – the best for portability!

The D750 camera is the first of its kind to be custom designed for multimedia capture, video, and stills. The powerful combination of a new 24.3MP FX-format CMOS sensor with fast EXPEED 4 image-processing delivers beautifully rich imagery in an ultra-compact body that’s both lightweight and sturdy.

Thanks to many enthusiast-requested features including full 1080p HD video with external audio capability, expanded ISO range that now reaches down to nearly double previous levels, built-in WiFI connectivity, this is the long-awaited camera!

The Nikon D750 is a mid-range, full-frame DSLR. It borrows characteristics from the more affordable D610 and the pro-grade, high-resolution D810. However, with the exception of its 24-megapixel sensor – the D750’s build quality, ergonomics, and feature set are considerably more comparable to that of the higher-priced two.

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OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 Mark III Black Body – the best weatherproofing feature!

10fps burst shooting (electronic shutter) ensures sharp images every time. It also includes high res mode for a good detail boost with noise benefit for static subjects as well as a 4K video so your feed will be sharp.

The OMD EM5 Mark III is as compact as the original but with so many more new and exciting features. With an updated OLED viewfinder panel, excellent in-body stabilization, and weatherproofing, this enhanced MFT body will confidently capture non-stop action on an adventure or keep up with your busy everyday life.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is technically the second model in Olympus’s interchangeable lens camera family, but it has an improved processor that gives it a small edge when it comes to speed and autofocus. It also takes nice photos, with superb stabilization that allows you to handhold the device while obtaining pictures with exposures of whole seconds.

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Pentax K-3 Mark III Flagship APS-C Black Camera Body – the best for durability!

Top the whole package off with 12 frames per second continuous shooting and world-class ISO sensitivity of 1.6 million.

It’s durable too! The body is built with High-Strength, Lightweight Magnesium Alloy, and 95 seals are applied to make it dustproof and waterproof without hampering performance.

The Pentax K-3 Mark III Flagship camera body is a proven powerhouse. With a durable, lightweight magnesium alloy built encased in 95 seals to prevent dust and water intrusion, the K-3 Mark III succeeds in giving confident photographers access to the flexibility that meets their needs.

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The Buyer’s Guide

Types of Concert Cameras:

 DSLR Camera

A DSLR camera offers the best performance in low-light situations but is not ideal for video.

Many professional photographers like to use a DSLR because you can swap out lenses and get high-quality shots without relying on one specific lens or focal length. If you are planning on recording videos with your concert photos, be careful when choosing which lenses.

The Zoom Lens (which allows you to zoom) makes it hard to keep the sound levels balanced during filming since there will always be some ambient noise present while zooming through footage.

You’ll want an external mic that has better control over what source sounds come from where. Otherwise, all of your audio will end up sounding muffled due to constant changes in focus throughout the video. If you plan to take only still shots, then this is the perfect option for concert photography!

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC)

Mirrorless cameras are not as expensive as DSLRs, but they still offer many of the same features.

The best part about mirrorless models is that many will shoot HD video at 60p/60i – this allows for super-smooth slow-motion shots when editing your footage later on! This might sound great on paper.

However, if you plan to record videos at concerts with these types of cameras then there are some downsides. First off, most MILCs only focus while shooting video so it may take some practice before lining up the perfect shot!

Secondly, these cameras typically have a shorter battery life than DSLRs. Concerts can last up to 4 hours long which means you’ll probably need two batteries for the night! If you are recording with an external mic then make sure it has its own power source or else your audio will drop out at random moments throughout filming. In short – if taking still photos is most important and video isn’t necessary, this may be a great option for concert photography!

If you plan on shooting videos of concerts but don’t want to break the bank, consider buying a mirrorless camera that shoots HD/30p footage instead of one that does 60i since there won’t be as much added stress from focusing while shooting.

Point-and-Shoot (a.k.a. Compact) Cameras

The main benefit of a point-and-shoot camera is that they are super portable and easy to carry around (which is why many people like to use them for candid shots)! However, these types of cameras usually have small sensors compared to DSLRs or MILCs.

These kinds of compact models also aren’t great in low light scenarios since their image quality degrades pretty quickly once the sun goes down – so if shooting outdoors during daylight hours is important then this may not be ideal for concert photography! If you only plan on recording videos with your compact model, there isn’t really any advantage over using a smartphone since most smartphones also shoot HD/30p video.

If you do decide to use a point-and-shoot camera for concert photography, make sure that it has optical image stabilization (OIS) and high ISO capabilities since those are the two main features you’ll need to capture good photos at concerts. Basically any time your subject is moving quickly or there are low lighting conditions then OIS will help compensate by keeping things sharp even if your hands aren’t as steady as they should be.

If possible, try finding one with an LCD screen on the back because this allows you to review shots right after taking them so nothing gets missed!

If you want something a little smaller in size, some point-and-shoot models have larger sensors to provide high-quality images. However, this usually means that your zoom will be less powerful than other compact cameras! If having superior image quality is more important than sacrificing optical zooming capabilities may not affect your photos as much though.

If you’re just looking for the most portable option on the market with good low light performance, upscaled HD video recording, or advanced image stabilization features then consider buying a point-and-shoot model over any of these other types of cameras since they’ll likely cost less too!

Main Features:

ISO Range

The ISO is the most significant feature of a music camera. The less digital noise there is at high ISO, the more options you have when photographing an event. Ideally, your camera should perform well at ISO 1250 to 2000 [1]. If you can get a camera that performs well at ISO 800, it will be an added advantage.

Focus System

The speed at which a photo is shot is primarily determined by the focus. In addition, the number of focus areas is one of the features of a reportage camera. The more focus regions a camera has, the easier it is to get precise focusing on the intended area of the frame. This will allow you to take sharper pictures. If the focus system is not precise, it can also lead to blurry images so make sure that your camera has a fast and accurate autofocus feature.

Frame Rate

When an audience is present, you may need to shoot at a speed of 5-8 frames per second during the event. Furthermore, the more frames per second (in RAW format) your concert photograph camera can capture, the higher the picture quality will be. You can experiment with the burst mode to see how far it goes.

Shooting Speeds

If you are a beginner, it is advisable to go for slow shooting speeds.

When it comes to photographing concerts and performers on stage, the more frames per second you have, the better.

In addition, check out how many frames per second the camera can shoot in the RAW format. To be safe, pick a camera that can shoot 5-9 frames per second, and above that, it’s excessive and rather costly [2].

Image Stabilization

Cams with image stabilization capabilities significantly improve the quality of photographs and videos. There’s no need to have blurry images or movies on your phone.

Distant noises, for example, can divert you from capturing excellent pictures. When choosing the best camera for concert photography, keep this in mind. The best concert photography camera must not only be versatile but also as quiet as possible.

Lenses Selection

It’s critical to get the right glasses for high-quality pictures. Interchangeable lenses are available on DSLR and mirrorless cameras. You’ll have to utilize it depending on the distance between images. In addition, you’ll need to obtain as much light as possible. Because your photos won’t stay still, aperture numbers like f/1.8 might capture maximum light in order to focus on the thing you want to photograph.

Lens focal length is also important. You won’t be able to take photos when there’s no light around, so you must get the right lens for your camera in order to capture quality images in low-light conditions. With a telephoto lens, you’ll have better control over the depth of field and can capture sharp backgrounds even if they are far away from the subject that you shoot.

Burst Mode

You can take back-to-back photographs of one frame using burst mode. There may be many commotions at events like concerts, and your camera won’t always be steady. Multiple replicas of the frame will aid in selecting the best shot. Because it’s impossible to know if all of your clicks will turn out well. It’s an excellent backup option because it works effectively as a backup strategy [3].

Weather-Resistant Factor

Weather-resistant cameras are an excellent choice. Concerts, for example, are frequently held outside. It’s preferable to have weatherproof cameras if the weather gets foggy or stormy. In these unpredictable times, having weatherproof cameras is always a comfort.

RAW Format

In raw format, cameras with good picture quality provide the opportunity for post-production editing. Although cameras can automatically capture pictures with excellent colors, temperature, blur, and contrast, RAW photographs allow you to customize these features as you see fit.

Flashlight

Getting to the back of a venue through hundreds of people is never simple, regardless of the music style you’re shooting. Using a flashlight or what’s commonly known as a crowd separation gadget will help. Shine a powerful light at someone and they’ll scurry out of your way. It’s that simple. It can also assist in adding brightness if needed.

Low Light

Although it isn’t always the case, concerts are frequently dim. As a result, you’ll want your camera to work well in low-light or dark situations. That generally implies a big sensor with the ability to capture everything that’s happening and a fast shutter speed.

Musicians and audiences also move around a lot. Make sure your model performs well in keeping stable and minimizing blur when there are only a few lights on it. No matter what’s going on, you’ll be able to keep all of your shots crisp and clear thanks to this feature.

What Are the Best Settings for Concert Photography:

Camera Mode

When using manual mode, you have the most control over overexposing your photograph accurately. You’ll need to be able to make changes quickly while shooting events since the lighting might switch on a dime.

Depending on the shooting situation, you may hear some individuals recommend AV (aperture priority) or TV (shutter priority) modes for capturing shows. Experts recommend skipping them as there are so many variables to consider that “lock-in” your aperture or shutter speed would be a waste of time. There are simply too many elements to just “set and forget”. The other advantage is that the camera’s manual will swiftly teach you how each knob works and help you become a better photographer [4]!

White Balance

The greatest thing you can do as a novice is to leave your white balance on automatic. As you get more experienced with the rest of your camera’s settings, you may begin learning more about how white balance works and how to adjust it to obtain consistent colors throughout your entire photo collection. However, when the lights are changing colors during events, this isn’t as useful. You may easily change the color temperature and tint in editing software like Adobe Lightroom so long as you’re shooting RAW and not JPEG.

Aperture

The aperture is recommended to be f/1.4 – f/2.8+. To shoot live performances, you’ll need a fast lens with a low f-number aperture. They’re often rather costly, but there are lenses available for virtually any budget. Lenses that block more light allow you to take brighter pictures by eliminating the need for a low or high shutter speed and an ISO setting of 100,000.

You’ll frequently shoot “wide open” which means the lowest f-number your lens allows for. The one disadvantage of this is that the lower f-number you’re set at, the lesser depth of field you’ll have and your photo won’t be as sharp as it could be. This can result in missing your focus point, especially if you’re using an older camera or lens. However, good lenses and cameras minimize this problem.

A shallow depth of field, even if it means missing a few more photos, can be a fantastic effect to employ. It may make your photographs more stylized and interesting, especially if you’re up close to your subject. It effectively separates your subject from the environment.

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FAQ

What lens should I use for concert photography?

Depending on the scenario, a 35mm or 50mm focal length might be optimal for smaller settings, whereas bigger stages may benefit more from a 50mm. Overall, experts believe that the f/1.8 variants in these focal lengths are fast enough to provide a substantial boost in speed while also being more budget-friendly than an f/1.4 lens [5].

Which aperture is best for low light?

A wide aperture lens, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8, is a fast one because it has a big aperture (usually meaning a smaller number) and permits the camera to take in more light. A larger aperture also allows for a faster shutter speed, resulting in sharper photos with less camera shake[6].

What ISO is best for low light?

The recommended ISO range should be 500-3200. ISO has a significant impact on the quality of your photos; if your ISO is high, you’ll get grain or noise in your photo, but if it’s low, you won’t.

ISO may be the first setting you try if you’re having trouble capturing vivid pictures. A little more grain in your photo is better than a blurry snap of the night’s most important shot, which you’d get from shooting at a shutter speed too slow. You’ll most likely be using a wide-open aperture to maximize light, so there’s no way to increase it any further. Thus, ISO becomes an option.

Do you need a flash for concert photography?

In general, the use of a flash in concert photography is not allowed. Assume there are ten photographers firing their flashes at once. It would be highly inconvenient for the artist, and it’s possible that they implemented the ban on flash to avoid this type of situation [7].

How can I take a picture of a concert without a flash?

The aperture should be opened as wide as possible to take pictures in low light without a flash. Try using a Canon 50mm f/1.4 or Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 if you have one. Both of these lenses let in plenty of light. Shooting at an aperture of f/1.4 provides significantly more light than shooting at narrower apertures, which is why it’s so important at a concert. However, capturing a moving subject may be difficult; some experts recommend using f/2.8 to capture enough light without having such a shallow focus pane that the photographs are hard to acquire. The deep depth of field provided by shooting wide is another fantastic advantage: it will make the photos pop and set them apart from photographers who prefer everything in sharp and focused.

The most essential aspect of capturing a gig is to use the correct shutter speed, which will influence how much motion you capture. If you want it sharp and clear, go for a shutter speed of 1/800th second and adjust ISO and aperture to compensate. This way, you’ll be able to freeze most of the stage movement [8].

How do musicians take pictures?

Most musicians use a DSLR with a fixed lens. They prefer to have the option of changing their settings and not being limited by what they can do, as this allows them more freedom in composing photos that will become memories for life.

How do you take pictures in a concert with a DSLR?

If you’re using a DSLR, use the lowest ISO setting possible to avoid generating too much noise. As long as it’s not dark enough for your lens to cap out at f/22, try shooting with all of the available light and adjust the aperture and shutter speed accordingly (they should be set automatically). Ensure that autofocus is enabled; if manual focus is required due to low lighting conditions, manually select an appropriate focal point by zooming in on what you want sharp.

The setup depends entirely on how close you are willing to get to band members. If they’re performing right next stage-right or stage-left from where you’ve taken up position, then compose your shot normally without worrying about getting closer than usual. However, if you’re further back to the side of the stage or at a greater distance from it in general, then use your zoom lens.

If you don’t have one that will work well for this purpose, consider using panning and zooming techniques: keep an object (usually someone’s head) fixed as your focal point while moving the camera along with them. This technique takes time and practice to master but can produce some really cool shots.

Take plenty of photos – aiming only once wastes opportunities. The more pictures were taken during any given song, the better chance there is of getting a good shot; however many photographers struggle because they shoot too infrequently due to their nerves getting the best of them. Don’t worry about taking too many pictures and take as many shots as you feel comfortable with.

If there’s a lot of movement on stage, or if it’s difficult to get an unobstructed view because the artist is moving around so much (e.g., jumping up and down), consider using burst mode instead of a single shot. By taking multiple consecutive photos in quick succession, it becomes more likely that one will capture something interesting even when your subject isn’t frozen still for very long.

Is the Nikon D3500 good for concert photography?

The Nikon D5600 is a little slower than the Canon T6i / 700D, but it’s still quite quick. In terms of performance, the Nikon D5600 is inferior to the Canon T6i/700D by a very small margin [9].

What does lens wide open mean?

“Wide open” refers to the lens’s maximum aperture. Photographers frequently say things like “shoot wide open”. In this scenario, they’re talking about the largest aperture possible on your lens, such as f/1.4 or f/2.8. For example, if you have a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, its maximum aperture is f/2.8 [10].

How do you take music headshots?

First, you’ll need to make sure that the musician knows exactly what type of photograph they want. Once this is established and both parties are on board, it’s time to schedule a photoshoot. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; an hour in their rehearsal space or home studio should suffice as long as there’s adequate lighting and enough room for the artists to move around freely.

If musicians don’t already own one, advise them to purchase a cheap reflector – the photographer’s equivalent of “two bits” (50 cents), if you will. Reflectors bounce light onto dark areas within your scene and help brighten things up where needed; many photographers swear by these multi-use tools and use them often.

You’ll need to get your camera, too. DSLRs are preferred due to their high resolution and large sensor size (which both equate to sharp photos of small objects like musicians).

A basic 50mm prime lens is also a must-have: it’s affordable yet versatile enough for all types of headshots. Any other lenses you want to bring along should be discussed before the shoot—and if they’re not essential, just leave them at home. It’s best that only one photographer attends the session so as not to avoid distractions or impinging on each musician’s personal space during such an intimate occasion.

There isn’t any specific formula for lighting. Some people prefer plenty of sunlight but others prefer a similar setup to what they’d use for standard portrait photography. As long as the lighting is strong enough and appropriate, you won’t go wrong. It’s not like these shots will be getting blown up large any time soon after all (the musicians would most likely appreciate that).

If possible, shoot during an overcast day or indoors with plenty of natural light coming in through windows. Daylight typically provides more even coverage than artificial light does but can also create harsh shadows if positioned incorrectly. Additionally, avoid capturing photographs when the musician is standing directly beneath overhead lights: this causes their features to appear flat and less three-dimensional.

 How do you film a concert with one camera?

The concept of a single take video is to use one camera and film the material in one session. You start shooting from the beginning and then move your camera around the band or musicians, highlighting them while focusing in or out [11].

How do you record a live concert?

There are a few different ways to record live music, but the most common method is through video. This allows you to capture both sound and visuals under real-time conditions.

A less popular way of recording concerts is by taking pictures instead.To do this, your camera should have at least 15 fps (shutter speed must be set between 500 – 1000). Furthermore, aperture priority mode would allow for quick adjustment if the light suddenly changes.

Another alternative is to use an audio recorder during a concert, which captures everything that’s going on in the room moment by moment. You can then sync up your files with footage from another source such as YouTube or Vimeo later on.

Every method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s best to evaluate your options before committing to one.

Useful Video:Best Camera For Concert Photography in 2022 [Top 5 Picks Reviewed]

Final thoughts

With so many concert photography enthusiasts out there today, it can be tough to know which camera is the right one for you. Lucky for us, this article does all of the research and legwork on our behalf! Simply read through their helpful guide to find your perfect match. You’ll also get a few recommendations from them as well if that’s not enough information to go off of. Happy reading!

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References:

1. https://fixthephoto.com/best-camera-for-concert-photography.html
2. https://cameragurus.com/best-cameras-for-concert-photography/
3. https://cameralic.com/best-camera-for-concert-photography/
4. https://www.mattyvogel.com/blog/concert-photography-camera-settings-beginners
5. https://www.ishootshows.com/best-lenses-live-music-photography/
6. https://posterjack.ca/blogs/inspiration/top-11-low-light-photography-tips-take-great-pictures-without-a-flash
7. https://www.howtobecomearockstarphotographer.com/concert-photography-settings-for-beginners
8. http://photographyblogger.net/how-to-shoot-a-live-band-without-a-flash/
9. https://medium.com/@mattagarr/getting-into-concert-photography-an-ultimate-guide-for-beginners-c1f018305e81
10. https://photographylife.com/definition/wide-open
11. https://newdawnfilm.com/5-ideas-on-how-to-shoot-concert-footage