March 13, 2023
Things to consider for your camera when pursuing astrophotography.
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One of the most common questions we get at Kolari is “What is the best infrared camera?” Well, there are a few things that we look for:
With all of this in mind, read on for our top picks for the best infrared cameras of 2022.
The Kolari Pocket is user-friendly and is a great economical choice, especially for beginners. You can shoot in raw with the help of a CHDK-enabled SD card, allowing you to have the most control over your images in post-processing. We have modified the lens to fit 37mm filters, giving you plenty of filter options for perfecting your shot.
The Lumix ZS100 features a larger sensor than the Kolari Pocket and allows for manual controls. It also shoots in raw without the need of a CHDK-enabled card and takes compact 40.5mm filters over the lens, giving you plenty of creative control.
Much like the ZS100, the Canon G16 features a large sensor, shoots in raw, and allows for manual controls. It’s physically bigger than the other point and shoots we’ve mentioned and takes 52mm filters. Between the Canon G16 and the Lumix ZS100, it really comes down to brand preference.
As far as budget DSLRs go, the Canon T100 (4000D) packs a punch. It’s perfect for shooting in UV and infrared since older Canon lenses are known for being UV and IR friendly. It allows for much more creative control than the point and shoots without too high of a price tag.
When going mirrorless, we’re big fans of the Sony A6000. Although an older model, it’s still a popular one among our customers for good reason. It is a good size and comes at a reasonable price. It’s compatible with Sony or adaptable lenses, giving native Sony users a great advantage.
For full-frame cameras, we love the Canon RP for infrared. With an adapter, Canon users can still shoot with their IR and UV-friendly EF lenses. Additionally, setting a custom white balance in-camera is a breeze with Canon systems. The Canon Mirrorless R-series even allows for a rear filtering system through drop-in adapting units. Our Kolari Clip-ins are also compatible, leaving you with plenty of possibilities for stacking combinations. To see what combinations you can make with your setup, try using the Canon Mirrorless Filter Compatibility Tool.
A close runner-up to the Canon RP is a used Sony A7. While this model isn’t available new, it is an inexpensive full-frame camera with native live view, a huge asset when shooting infrared. Although they won’t work with our favorite IR-friendly Canon EF lenses, Sony does have a few hidden gems as far as IR-compatible lenses go. Check out our Lens Hotspot Database to see which Sony lenses we would recommend.
The R5 is simply one of the best. It checks all the boxes: easy-to-set custom white balance, no IR light leak, no sensor line artifacts, and great lens compatibility. Add all of this together with a camera that has incredibly large resolution and 8K video capabilities, and we’re sold. The Canon R5 is our go-to camera for all your infrared needs.
The R6 gives you nearly all the benefits of the R5. The resolution isn’t as ridiculously large, and if you can forego 8K video for 4K, this camera can be a great option for shooting in infrared.
For Sony shooters, the Sony A1, A7R IV, and the A7S III all stack up. The decision here all depends on your personal preferences for additional features. Both the A1 and the A7R IV are great sports cameras to convert to infrared. For lowlight shooting, the A7S III really shines with extra night shooting modes. None of these cameras contain the internal IR LED diagnostic light that causes IR light leaks.
The Sony A7 IV is great for most and is worth mentioning, but it may cause problems for astrophotography or anything using ultra-long exposures as this camera shows an IR light leak with 30+ second exposures while over 10,000 ISO.
The best-selling Sony A7 III is essentially the budget version of the A7 IV, and this older model still holds up in infrared.
We think that out of all that Nikon has to offer, the Z9 takes the cake in terms of IR performance. The rest of the Nikon Z-series cameras suffer from fairly severe sensor lines when used for infrared. The Z9, however, is the first in this series to eliminate these lines altogether.
As an honorable mention for Nikon, we have to talk about the Nikon Z7 II. Although it does experience sensor lines, they are much more subtle than on other models and can be edited out with some post-processing.
Although the Canon R5 can record in 8K, it often suffers from an overheating issue. Get a Canon R5 with the Kolari Cooling modification, and you’ll be able to push through and use the camera for longer.
If you’re looking for an R5 with the cooling modification built-in, try the Canon R5 C instead.
For a hefty price, you can shoot in 8K without any modifications with the Sony A1. It also shoots in 4K at 120 fps, leaving videographers with a variety of options.
While the Canon R6 may not offer 8K like the R5, it can handle 4K shooting up to 60fps. We may not recommend the R6 for those in warmer climates as the camera can overheat. Unfortunately, there is currently no cooling modification available for it, but for many, it can be a great option.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Sony A1, try out the Sony A7R IV. It handles 4K and the native tracking technology can help in various shooting situations.
If you’re ready to get your camera converted, click here for a dedicated infrared conversion or here for a full spectrum conversion.
If you’d like to buy a converted camera directly from us, you can browse our options here.
If you’re interested in learning more about infrared, check out our education hub for more information.
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