Camera good in low light?

[LeslieG]

I have a Kodak C180. Nothing special, just an everyday camera, but it's completely worthless unless you are in bright light. I would just like to be able to take an inside picture without every light in the house being on. I've tried looking at the settings and changing it to low light, but that doesn't seem to help. Do I not know how to work this camera, or do I need to start shopping for a new one?

 

[reimero]

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that larger sensors yield better low-light performance. I've got a Canon T2i DSLR, and it does reasonably well in low light, and I've heard that the Canon 5D DSLRs are outstanding low-light cameras. My hunch is that some of the mirrorless camera systems would offer improved low-light photos.

Unfortunately, though, the reality of photography is that cameras really like light, and offer the best performance in bright light conditions.
I looked at a few reviews on Amazon, and reading between the lines, the C180 looks like a solid entry-level camera for the price, but one which reaches its peak quickly. One reviewer specifically mentioned that it's a good camera in bright light. That indicates to me that if you need low-light performance, you should probably upgrade.

 

[photo_chick]

Low light shooting often requires a camera that has the ability to set aperture, shutter speed and ISO manually. Can your camera do that? What's your camera's ISO range? The higher the ISO numbers you have the better off you are in low light.

There are some point and shoots that can get great shots in low light, but you have to know how to push them to the limits of their capabilities. It is much easier to get low light shots using a DSLR and a lens with a really wide aperture. Low light shooting is all about understanding what your camera needs in order to record the light. You need a high ISO setting, a wide aperture or a slow shutter speed... and often it's a combination of the three.


Edited to add.... I looked up your camera and stops at ISO 1250. This is fine for shots of still subjects when you use a tripod or even fireworks with a tripod, but for hand held low light light shots it's not so great. And it stops at ISO 240 if you leave it on auto which is only good for bright sun. The lens isn't very fast either. While it opens to f/2.9 on the wide end, it's f/5.2 on the long end which will also make it difficult to shoot hand held in low light.

 

[linzbear]

The thing is, you're basically asking if you can get an electric stove to make a poached egg in 5 minutes.

An electric stove can make a poached egg. It takes more than 5 minutes, and it takes a knowledge of cooking.

A point and shoot can take a good night time shot. It takes a longer shutter speed, and you need to know what you're doing.

You can get a poached egg in 5 minutes if you have a pricey induction cooktop, but it still takes a knowledge of cooking.

The stovetop doesn't make good eggs. The cook makes good eggs.
The camera doesn't take good pictures. The photographer takes good pictures.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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