4 best concert cameras for 2023: hands-on reviews

Overview

Best overall

Sony RX100 VII

Jump to Details

$1,298 Amazon

Best for photo and video

Fujifilm X100V

Jump to Details

$1,399 Amazon

Best smartphone for concert photography

iPhone 15 Pro

Jump to Details

$999.99 Best Buy

Best for all-weather

GoPro Hero12 Black

Jump to Details

$399 Amazon

While everyone else in the crowd holds up their smartphones, only the very best cameras for concert photography let you snap the perfect picture.

Whether it’s Taylor Swift’s "The Eras Tour" (how lucky are you?) or Big Time Rush’s "Can’t Get Enough Tour," 2023 has been an epic year for live music. Although making sure you have your tickets ready for show day and coming up with the perfect outfit are essential, so is solidifying how you’re going to capture your favorite moments from your favorite artists.

You’ve probably seen the countless TikTok videos on your “For You” page about how people have been using digital cameras at concerts to capture professional quality photos and videos that are clearer than their smartphone. Swifties alone have created an entire sub-genre on TikTok about how to best record "The Eras Tour" memories.

To find the best camera for concert photography, I tested popular cameras from Sony, Leica, and Fujifilm. I took hundreds (thousands?) of photographs and videos at recent concerts, and I also chatted with professional concert photographers.

What makes a good concert camera?

Good cameras are very expensive, so you'll want to be extra careful before making a purchase. To learn more about the best cameras for fans and photojournalists alike, we spoke to concert photographers Madison Raney (who has photographed artists including Twenty One Pilots and Blink-182) and Janet Eckles (who has photographed artists including Hozier and Hayley Kiyoko).

Raney and Eckles told me that there are many cameras that can be used for concert photography, but if you're serious about capturing gorgeous photos and crystal clear videos, there are several key elements you should seek out.

Unless you have a press pass that lets you get right up next to the stage, I also found that zoom lenses, low-light capabilities, and continuous shooting provided me with the best results. Below, you can see some of the photographs I took while testing cameras.

rick springfield performing at epcot garden rocks concert

A photo taken using the Sony RX100 VII camera. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

A photo taken at the same concert using the Leica D-Lux 7. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

A concert photograph taken with the Fujifilm X100V camera. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

A concert photograph taken with the Sony RX100 VII digital camera. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

It has a full-frame

“Getting a full-frame camera is always top of mind for me,” says Raney. “Full-frame cameras are going to produce higher-resolution photos as opposed to a crop sensor, which is especially important when you're shooting in low-light situations.”

By full-frame, Raney means a camera with a 36mm x 24mm image sensor, equivalent to the 35mm film cameras of old. To learn more about image sensors, check out Mashable's review of the best travel cameras.

It can handle a high ISO

Because you won't be able to use flash at most venues (and even if you technically can, it's still considered quite rude), the best concert cameras must be able to compensate for the lack of flash. “Your camera will need to be able to handle a high ISO (3200 or higher) without producing a ton of noticeable noise (grain),” says Eckles.

If you're already feeling lost, don't worry. Photography is much more complicated than simply pointing your smartphone at the stage. To get up to speed, you may want to brush up on photography jargon and concert photography for beginners.

Has a large resolution size

A good concert camera would and should have a large resolution size. “The larger resolution you have, the higher quality images you're going to get and the more detail you're going to retain in each image,” says Raney. Modern cameras most often use megapixels to measure resolution size. If you want to capture every possible facial twitch in T-Swift's face as she performs, then you'll want a high megapixel camera. Remember that these high resolution photos result in huge file sizes.

Can shoot in RAW

A camera that has the ability to shoot in both RAW and JPEG is key. “I'd highly recommend shooting in RAW as opposed to JPEG,” says Eckles. “The files will be a lot bigger, but there will be more information stored in the image so you can better manipulate shadows and tones later when editing.” For serious photographers, these RAW image files are essential to make every single picture look its best.

I put several digital cameras to the test by attending outdoor concerts and testing several photo and video functions of each. All of the cameras featured in this review have been tested by myself or someone else on the Mashable team.

Read on to discover more about my favorite concert cameras.

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Our Pick

Sony RX100 VII

Best overall

$1,298 Amazon

Out of the concert cameras I tested, the Sony Rx 100 VII was my favorite. It was easy to learn, and after watching a couple of YouTube videos and taking a couple of practice shots, you should be ready to snap photos.

Even for a compact and lightweight camera, it had many features that made the shooting experience more enjoyable, including the 180-degree flip touch screen that can be used to take selfies during the concert. This could also be useful if your favorite artist makes their way into the crowd and you want to snap a quick photo with them.

Additionally, its touch-to-focus feature was a personal favorite that made it easy to focus on the artist’s face when shooting. However, it is important to note that the touch screen does not work for menus, as its sole purpose is for focusing. This camera also took some really great photos when using continuous shoot settings. I kept the camera on the continuous shoot setting for most of the concert. I also appreciated this camera’s wristlet, which made it easy to hold without fear that it was going to drop, as its exterior was somewhat slippery to the touch.

The only issues I had with this camera? It took about an hour to figure out how to connect it to its corresponding app. The battery also died relatively quickly (from a full charge) in under three hours. However, considering how well the camera captured photos and videos at the concert, I can see why the battery was working so hard. Even with its higher price tag, this is one of the best cameras for concerts and is worth adding to your cart.

Buying Options

$1,298 from Amazon

The Good

The Bad

Details

Fujifilm X100V

Best for photo and video

$1,399 Amazon

The Fujifilm X100V isn't an ordinary camera. It's a camera with an uber-passionate cult following, and as a result it's incredibly hard to find. (You can check the Fujifilm online store or buy it from third-party sellers at Amazon for an inflated price.) Why is it so popular? Because it can capture professional-quality photos with rich color and detail even if you don't have advanced photography skills.

If you’re looking for a concert camera with leading video capabilities, the Fujifilm X100V also shines in this category. Even though figuring out how to work the camera’s video settings were somewhat confusing at first, I was impressed with how this camera could take slow-motion videos in addition to more “normal” ones. And, of course, it captured amazing still images as well.

During the show, zooming was made easy thanks to the camera’s slide piece on the lens that could be easily rotated. Even so, this camera doesn't have a true zoom lens, only a digital zoom feature, so it's not a great camera for the nosebleed section. I was able to quickly alter the camera's settings (including aperture, ISO, and shutter speed) during the show by spinning the dials on top of the camera.

I do wish this camera was a little bit lighter, but other than that, I was impressed with the quality of the photographs and videos. I especially liked that when viewing the photos back, I could zoom in and scroll through the different areas of the photos to look at the smaller details.

As a concert camera, I did have one problem. During testing, a notification popped up on the screen stating that the camera was experiencing a temperature issue. Although this was not surprising considering I was testing the camera at an outdoor concert on a 90-degree day in Florida, the other two cameras I tested weren't as sensitive to temperature.

When I wanted to transfer the footage off of the camera, all I had to do was connect the camera to the app. This was very simple to do and only took a couple of seconds. I was able to send content to my phone in a matter of minutes.

Buying Options

$1,399 from Amazon

The Good

The Bad

Details

iPhone 15 Pro

Best smartphone for concert photography

$999.99 Best Buy

Because not everyone aspires to be a hardcore photographer, we wanted to include a smartphone in this guide. And on balance, we think the best smartphone for concert photography is the new iPhone 15 Pro. Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a higher zoom and larger display, but $1,000 is already expensive enough for a new phone.

For music lovers, the iPhone 15 pro lets you easily record photos and videos in high resolution. The main camera has an ultra-wide lens that captures 48MP photos, and if you want to record the chorus of your favorite son, the iPhone 15 Pro can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, an impressive feat for a camera that weighs only 6.6 ounces.

Apple announced a ton of improvements when it first revealed the new iPhone 15 lineup, including some serious upgrades to the cameras. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone 15 Pro recently, and he found that the new iPhones took much clearer photos in low-light conditions, which is also perfect for taking concert photos.

Buying Options

$999.99 from Best Buy

The Good

The Bad

Details

GoPro Hero12 Black

Best for all-weather

$399 Amazon

GoPro's action cameras are best known for recording HD and 4K video in all types of conditions, but this sports camera can also double as a traditional digital camera. In photography mode, you can take super-detailed 27MP images, although you can't adjust the settings or zoom in like you can with more traditional photography cameras. Still, with GoPro's signature motion stabilization and fully waterproof design, it's a "beast of a camera," as Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth noted in a recent review of the GoPro Hero12 Black.

So what makes this camera ideal for concert photography in particular?

Unlike most digital cameras, you don't have to worry about getting this camera muddy or wet. For those rain-or-shine concerts, this camera is ready for anything. While it's not the best option for close-up video of your fave artists performing, if you want to capture the crowd and energy of the show, the ultra-wide lens is perfect for making viewers feel like they're at the show with you.

As a video camera, it can record 5.3K and 4K video (although that will drain the battery in under an hour). The microphone inside the camera definitely isn't the best for recording live music, but you can connect the new GoPro to a Bluetooth microphone if you want to.

If you want a concert camera that can capture the vibes of the show (and it's all about the vibes, right?), then GoPro is up to the challenge.

Buying Options

$399 from Amazon

The Good

The Bad

Details

Topics Cameras

How we tested

For this review, Mashable contributor Jenna Clark hands-on tested a Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica camera by taking them to outdoor concerts at Epcot in Walt Disney World and taking a variety of photographs and video clips using the manual mode. We also decided to include the GoPro Hero12 Black action camera, which was recently reviewed by Mashable contributor and editor Timothy Beck Werth. Finally, to include a smartphone option, we selected the iPhone 15 Pro, which was reviewed by Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder.

While testing cameras, here are some features we looked for:

Zoom capabilities: We compared the concert cameras looking at how much zoom they were able to achieve. We also looked for whether or not the zoom impacted the quality of the photos and videos.

Compatibility with varying light conditions: When testing concert cameras, we compared them to see how well they were able to work with various lighting conditions, including both natural and artificial lights on stage.

Cool factor: We noted whether or not these cameras had any unique features or settings that made them stand out from one another and/or contributed to capturing the best content possible.

Ease of use and learning curve: Digital cameras may feel overwhelming, especially for those without a photography background. Our dependence on smartphones for capturing the moment with the click of a button has made us eager to do the same on other devices. We tested these concert cameras to see how intuitive they are for users.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, yes. However, we're not saying smartphones can't capture beautiful photos and videos (that's why we included a smartphone in this guide). Flagship cameras like the newly released iPhone 15 can capture 4K video, while Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra has an almost magical ability to zoom in on the stage. However, for serious concert photography, professional cameras are more conducive to capturing higher-quality photos at shows.

“With a professional camera, you have so much more control over your settings and how the photo is taken,” says Raney. “While smartphones are great when you're front row at a show, if you get any kind of distance away from the stage, you inevitably end up with some degree of blurry, grainy images — something that you don't have to worry about with a professional camera and a good lens.”

Additionally, Eckles adds that cameras are more successfully able to maintain steady shots when there are various lights and motions happening simultaneously. For the best results, a mirrorless or DSLR camera will outperform the average smartphone.

Although you may have a camera that's well-equipped for portrait or still photography, that doesn't mean that it's the best fit for concert photography.

There are several factors at concerts that could affect your photography that you have no control over, which may include how quickly the artist moves as well as the lighting. “A camera that is able to focus quickly in low light is key,” adds Raney.

You can usually bring a camera to outdoor concerts and music festivals, but the rules will vary depending on the venue and artist. Events like Broadway shows and stand-up comedy absolutely forbid recording photos or videos during the show, and you don't want to get kicked out before the show even starts. Do your research to find out what types of cameras and audio recording equipment are allowed at your upcoming shows.

Finally, if you do bring a camera, don't be a jerk! Be mindful that your photography doesn't impact anyone else's enjoyment of the show.

After testing out cameras from Sony, Leica, Fujifilm, and GoPro, we believe the Sony RX100 VII is the best concert camera for most people. In our experience, we found that this camera is compact, has a good zoom lens, and quickly focuses on the subjects of your photograph.

Of course, the right camera for your needs will depend on your budget, level of experience, and your concert photography goals. Photojournalists, vloggers, and photographers will need more expensive cameras that can shoot in low light, while fans who just want to record memories might be better off with a beginner-friendly camera like the Fujifilm X100V or the iPhone 15 Pro.

Jenna Clark

Contributor

Jenna Clark is a freelance writer who covers commerce, travel, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Insider, The Daily Beast, Well+Good, and Taste of Home. When not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you'll likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show.

You can follow her on Instagram @JennaElizClark and Twitter @JennaElizClark