5 Best Nikon Cameras For Concert Photography (…and 5 to avoid)

Concert photography is shooting action shots in low but constantly changing lighting conditions, so you need a camera that can handle a variety of situations well.

That’s why I chose the Nikon Z8 as the best Nikon camera for concert photography. It really has no weaknesses and excels in virtually every category.

But if you want to know why and see some additional options, then keep reading.

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Top Pick

1. Nikon Z8

Nikon’s newest camera packs a whole lot of features into a single body. With 45.7 megapixels, high speed shooting, exceptional autofocus, and professional video features…this is the perfect concert photography camera.

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This was one of the most anticipated cameras in the Nikon lineup in years and it didn’t disappoint. It takes all of the features from the flagship Z9 and puts them into a smaller body without giving up anything except battery performance.

…and it does that for $1500 less.

So there’s a lot to like about this camera, so let’s get into the specs.

The Z8 is outstanding in all the things you need for shooting concerts…low light performance, shooting speed, image quality, autofocus system, lens lineup, and even video capabilities.

Concert photographers need versatility and that’s the strongest part of the Z8…you can shoot basically anything you want with this camera.

One of the coolest features is being able to half-press the shutter button to capture frames BEFORE you actually press the shutter button fully. So you really can never miss a perfect shot opportunity.

Probably the only downside of the Z8 is that the battery life isn’t as long as the larger Z9, so if you don’t mind using a larger, heavier, and more expensive body then check out the runner-up below.

Runner-Up

2. Nikon Z9

The second version of the Z6 has improved focusing, an exceptional sensor, and dual card slots while the Z mount means you’ll have some of the best lenses on the market available to you. It also has a price tag that won’t break the bank.

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The Nikon Z9 has all the features you’ll find in the top pick above but its bigger and because of the larger size contains a larger battery so you can shoot longer without changing it.

The main reason that the Z9 didn’t make the top spot in this list is because its bigger, heavier, and more expensive.

Another advantage the Z9 has over the Z8 is that it has dual XQD/CFexpress card slots instead of the 1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 UHS-II SD slot. This means that you can shoot to both cards simultaneously and still take advantage of the massive 1000+ image buffer of the Z9.

With the Z8, you’d have to shoot only to the faster XQD/CFexpress slot to take advantage of the full buffer. Though I can’t imagine a situation where I’d need 1000 consecutive shots.

Either way, the Z9 is the flagship camera of the Nikon Z lineup so you’re going to get the best of everything (albeit in a bigger and heavier body) if you want to pay the higher price.

But if you don’t like the idea of holding a heavy camera through an entire concert, then this next option may be better for you…

Budget Pick

3. Nikon Z50

The Z50 is Nikon’s best mirrorless crop sensor camera and it has some professional features in a smaller body that concert shooters may appreciate.

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The Z50 is a very capable mirrorless Z mount camera that is a great way to start building your concert shooting kit of Nikon Z gear without breaking the bank on a body right away.

The Z50 is an affordable crop sensor camera from the Nikon mirrorless Z lineup but it has enough features to make it a decent camera for concert photography.

Keep in mind though that the crop sensor means you’re giving up some low light performance and dynamic range, so you may need to clean up your images a little bit in post.

So if you’re on a budget or want a lighter kit, then go with the Z50 so you can get the lenses you need for shooting concerts.

But if you’re not shooting fast moving concerts and want the best image quality, then check this next one out…

High Res Pick

4. Nikon Z7II

The Z7II is a high resolution and high dynamic range camera that is built for the best possible image quality.

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The Nikon Z7II is a great option for those that want a high resolution sensor without the cost of a Z8 or Z9.

This and the Z6II are both a bit of a compromise between the more expensive Z8 and the crop sensor Z50 cameras and which you you choose will depend on whether you value resolution or speed more.

What you get with the Z7II is a sensor that isn’t stacked like the Z8 and Z9. That means slightly better performance in terms of high ISO and dynamic range.

But you do give up some of the fast focusing capabilities and the ability to shoot fast moving subjects with no blackout of the EVF.

Which is why I say this is a great option to maximize image quality IF you don’t shoot concerts with fast moving action AND the Z8 or Z9 is out of your budget.

If you like the ‘do it all’ nature of the Z8 but aren’t ready for the almost $4000 price tag, then this next one is a good compromise…

2nd Runner-Up

5. Nikon Z6II

The second version of the Z6 has improved focusing, an exceptional sensor, and dual card slots while the Z mount means you’ll have some of the best lenses on the market available to you. It also has a price tag that won’t break the bank.

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Another camera body that is a bit of a compromise compared to the Z8 above, the Z6II is still an excellent all around camera that would excel in just about every situation a concert photographer might find themselves.

Think of it as the Z8’s little brother. It does everything well, just with less resolution, slower continuous shutter, and slightly less dynamic range and high ISO performance.

But it is a very affordable camera for a full frame professional quality body.

Which Cameras To Avoid

The digital camera world is fully bought into the changeover to mirrorless cameras. When it comes to shooting concerts, you really can’t beat the features that you get with mirrorless, like previewing your exposure on the screen and the viewfinder and the frequently amazing eye autofocus system that nails focus on the eyes with great consistency.

So the 6 cameras I am going to tell you to avoid are the Nikon DSLRs that are popular for concert shooters.

I’m not saying they’re bad cameras, but if you are looking for a new body…then there’s no reason to buy one that is part of a lens system that isn’t going to be getting any updates anytime soon.

D850/D750/D780

These are great cameras and perform very well. But they’re still part of the F-mount system, which means that you won’t get the benefit of the new technology that Nikon is rolling out.

These are great if you already have a big collection of F lenses and can find a good price on a used body, but I wouldn’t spend the money to get these new anymore.

D500/D7500

Like the cameras above, these are two very popular cameras from the Nikon DSLR lineup but they are crop sensor cameras. Some photographers prefer the 1.5x crop factor when shooting concert so they don’t have to use a long a lens for some situations.

I tend to disagree and think that a full-frame camera is much better for shooting concerts.

But if you want a crop sensor option, I would go with the Z50 above.

What To Look For When Choosing A Nikon Camera for Concert Photography

Concert Photography is hard enough even with the right gear, so here are some things to look for when choosing a camera for shooting shows.

Good Low Light/High ISO Performance

Concerts often have low light conditions. Look for cameras with good low light capabilities, which usually means a larger sensor (full-frame or APS-C) and the ability to use high ISO settings without significant noise.

Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to low light performance. Full frame cameras will perform better than crop sensor cameras and more expensive full frame cameras generally do better than the less expensive models.

High ISO performance is critical for shooting in low light without a flash. Look for cameras that offer high ISO settings with minimal noise to ensure clear, detailed images even in dim lighting.

In addition, a high dynamic range allows you to capture more details in the shadows and highlights, which is essential in concerts where lighting can vary dramatically.

That being said, all the Nikon Z cameras do quite well with these and the Z8 and Z9 are among the best.

Great Autofocus System

Subjects move quickly during concerts. A camera with fast and reliable autofocus, capable of tracking moving subjects, is crucial. Look for cameras with phase-detection AF, eye-tracking, or other advanced autofocus systems.

You don’t get a second chance at exciting concert moments. So if your camera missed focus, then you might miss out on an epic shot.

The autofocus systems in modern mirrorless cameras, Nikon included, are kind of amazing. Which is why all the cameras on this list are from the Z mount mirrorless system.

High Resolution

Not everyone will agree with me that high resolution is important to concert photography but here’s why I think it is.

First, you’re shooting a live event and you don’t get the opportunity to position people or shoot parts of a the concert over again so if you didn’t quite get the right framing of the image then you’ll probably need to adjust the cropping to improve the image.

So having those extra megapixels to crop in on and still get a high resolution image is pretty important, especially if you don’t have a long telephoto or didn’t have it on your camera at the time.

Lens Compatibility and Selection

The lens is as important as the camera body. Ensure the camera system you choose has a good selection of lenses suitable for concert photography, such as fast prime lenses or versatile zoom lenses with wide apertures.

Silent Shooting Mode

Some concerts require photographers to be discreet. A silent shooting mode or a quiet shutter can be beneficial to avoid disturbing the performers or audience.

Size and Weight

Consider the camera’s size and weight, especially if you’ll be moving around a lot or shooting for extended periods. A compact and lightweight camera can be less obtrusive and easier to handle.

Video Capabilities

If you plan to shoot video along with stills, look for cameras with strong video specs (4K recording, high frame rates for slow motion, etc.) and good autofocus in video mode.