What camera takes the best cityscapes at night?

Question

I am looking to upgrade from my current digital camera - a Nikon Coolpix 4600. I want a camera that takes decent cityscapes at night and one that does better in low-light situations. A better zoom would also be nice. I would still like it to be compact and preferably under $250...a little above is ok though. I would also like one that takes video with audio, since mine doesn't.

Any suggestions?

- suggestions about how to take the perfect cityscape at night with the suggested camera would also be appreciated :)

Answer 1

Any camera that allows full manual control. This includes focusing. You must be able to set f-stop and shutter speed and focus it yourself. It must have a tripod mount and accept a mechanical cable release.

You will also need a good tripod and a cable release if the camera does not have at least a 15 second shutter speed.

Here are some real-world examples that I have used, taken from my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) "Day & Night Exposure Guide". Scene 14, 'City skyline in distance':

ISO 100 @ f5.6 @ 15 seconds
ISO 100 @ f8 @ 30 seconds
ISO 100 @ f11 @ 60 seconds

ISO 200 @ f5.6 @ 8 seconds
ISO 200 @ f8 @ 15 seconds
ISO 200 @ f11 @ 30 seconds

ISO 400 @ f5.6 @ 4 seconds
ISO 400 @ f8 @ 8 seconds
ISO 400 @ f11 @ 15 seconds

I've used f5.6, f8 & f11 in the examples because that's usually where a lens performs best.

If you used all 9 settings you would have 9 identical images.

I usually use my 70-210mm f4 zoom. You can create an interesting image if you compose at 70mm and then carefully - don't jar the camera - zoom in to 210mm.

Visit your local professional camera store - one that only sells cameras, not 10,001 other things and cameras - and explain your needs. They will direct you to a camera in your price range that has the feature you need. Obviously a DSLR would be the better choice but likely out of your budget.

Answer 2

Cityscapes at night?

You would need a camera that you are able to put in manual mode, as in, you can set the speed shuttle, and lens aperture yourself.

When Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles reopened last year, I quickly booked a ticket (we needed one then--it was packed!) I set up my Canon 5D with Canon 16 - 35 mm f 2.8 L zoom on a tripod. Set the speed shuttle to 10 seconds (using a wired-remote control to minimize camera shake), and locked up the mirror. I can't remember the aperture setting (something like 4 to 5.6?) and they pictures came out without any problems. I set the ISO to 100 to minimize the noise.

I'm more than happy to send you the link at costcophotocenter.com (you'd have to set up a free account to access them) if you would like to see them.

So to answer your question, I think any decent DSLR (even the less expensive ones) will do just fine.

Answer 3

Night photography and point and shoot digital cameras do not mix. For good night photography, look into a Digital SLR. Or if not that, at least a camera with manual mode, but expect to have immense detail loss and noise.

Probably the best camera would be either the new Canon Mark IIIs or Nikon D3. But, these rest just about $5000 over your budget.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Canon A560 is great, fireworks other night time pics. I've had mine for just over a year and I took it to disney world and all of my low-light and night time pictures came out great.