You might agree with me when I say that the demand for night vision camcorders has increased over the years as more and more people start filming in very dark environments. Whether they’re looking to hunt ghosts or record a night hike, a camcorder with nighttime shooting capability or even IR mode becomes a must.
The question now is:
Which night vision camcorder should you buy if recording video at night is an important selection factor for you?
Now there are a lot of options to choose from these days. From premium Japanese brands to more affordable entry-level Chinese camcorders with IR mode that are currently flooding the market.
Below I have recommended the best low light video cameras in my opinion.
Night Vision with Panasonic VX981K/WXF991K
The Panasonic WXF991k and VX981K are similar in almost every aspect, with the exception of one major difference. The WXF991K comes with a viewfinder, unlike the VX981K. The other features are almost the same, including the night vision capability.
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With a crisp and clear 4K display, super powerful zoom, and the ability to shoot in different lighting settings including 0 lux IR night mode, the Panasonic WXF991K / VX981K is our # 1 recommendation for the best viewing camcorder.
It offers excellent nighttime shooting performance, with a 2 lux low light scene mode, a 1 lux night mode with shading and a 0 lux entire night IR mode all paired with infrared light.
The Panasonic WXF991K can take decent videos and photos in dark environments, especially if you use its highly sensitive 1 lux night mode. However, you can take clearer images and videos, with improved range, if you want to invest in an additional infrared light source.
This is anyway totally discretionary. Buying an additional infrared light source is useful if nighttime shooting is a regular part of your job. But if you are a hobbyist who occasionally shoots night videos, the camcorder’s built-in infrared light is more than enough.
Of course, the Panasonic WXF991K is not just a night vision camcorder. Its 1 / 2.3-inch 8.29 MP BSI MOS sensor and Crystal Engine 4K image processor enable it to take clear and crisp videos and photos.
It also has a Leica Dicomar lens with up to 20x optical zoom, which can be increased to 40 xs thanks to the smart zoom. Even with such a powerful zoom, the quality of the video remains excellent.
The camcorder can shoot both 1080p videos and 4K UHD videos, and you can extract 4K stills from the latter using the camera’s built-in 4K photo mode and editing tools.
With a powerful zoom and 4k recording capacity, you can get really good quality videos if they are shot at night – even in the dark – something that cheaper night vision video cameras don’t boast about.
Benefits of Panasonic VX981K/WXF991K
- Lots of additional features to customize the way you take videos
- Very sturdy and well-built to take videos in all circumstances
- Video format can be edited in any video editing software available online
Night Vision Camcorder Alsone Full HD
Not only does it have all the essential features for a night vision camcorder, it is also economical, making it one of the best night vision video cameras in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of the premium features it offers.
It is one of the best budget camcorders with night vision. Unlike some of the other budget night vision cameras that promise 4K video when in reality deliver maximum 3K video, the Alsone Full HD Camcorder stays true to its word. You can record FHD 1080p videos during the day, and using IR mode, shoot videos in total darkness settings.
It has the option of being remotely controlled, can record while charged and has an 8 megapixel CMOS sensor to catch top notch pictures and recordings, it is perfect for beginners and hobbyists looking for a infrared camcorder.
It accompanies an outside mic in the case. Now an external mic is important because if you want to hunt ghosts or capture paranormal phenomena, you need to be able to capture even the slightest sound. The recorder built into most camcorders may not be sufficient to capture very low sound. Therefore, an external mic can be of great use.
Finally, it comes with a battery capable of recording in 1080p for up to 2 hours straight. This is a must have, especially when you are looking for ghosts in the dark and don’t want to miss any important footage while you are “out there”!
Benefits of Camcorder Alsone
The price is very reasonable. Therefore, if you are just starting out or want a camcorder mostly for ghost hunting or night recording, this is a good choice.
The Full HD display lives up to the company’s claim. Also, truly, in case I’m simply searching for a night vision camcorder for phantom hunting, a Full HD screen is enough for me.
The battery keeps going a decent 2 hours when utilized at 1080p.
Sony FDRAX53 4K Handycam
I’m really surprised at how much Sony has promoted the FDRAX53 as a night vision camcorder. It is primarily touted as a 4K camcorder with a ton of advanced features. Night vision ability with an IR lamp is considered a secondary characteristic.
Even people who bought the FDRAX53 bought it primarily for normal daytime use. But it has a working night vision IR lamp that can be used for all night shots and the images are quite good in the dark.
One thing that makes the Sony FDRAX53 one of the best night vision camcorders is its 4K display. Few camcorders with infrared light come with a screen that is truly 4K (some claim to be 4K, but upon inspection the highest display quality was 3K. You’ll see what I’ll talk about later). In IR mode, the display tends to get a bit grainy and is usually monochrome or with a greenish tint. Hence, a 4K display translates to a high quality night time display.
It has a high level of image stabilization – It uses Balanced Optical Steady Shot – which helps you take images and record videos with greater stability in the hand, thus reducing shake and distortion when shooting. Recording in motion or zooming.
For even better performance in the dark, you can use an external infrared lamp or an LED lamp.
Benefits of Sony FDRAX53
It is highly portable. When shooting videos in the dark, you need a portable device. Something you can carry around easily without feeling the strain.
The battery life is really good with the FDRAX53. It keeps going 2-3 hours on a full charge. That’s enough battery for a single outdoor shooting experience.
Balanced Optical Steady Shot technology which gives this additional image stabilization compared to standard technology.
Night vision images are not as grainy as you might see on some other camcorders.
Bestguarder WG50 Camcorder with Night Vision and low light
The Bestguarder WG50 is a monocular camcorder with digital night vision mode. This mode is supported by a 50mm lens with 6x optical zoom and up to 5x digital zoom. The camcorder also comes with a built-in high quality infrared illuminator that allows a viewing distance of up to 1150 feet.
The WG50 is outstanding amongst other night vision camcorders as a result of its tough structure. It is IPX4-rated, which means it’s water resistant and can withstand a bit of weather. Since it’s used more for hunting, you need it to withstand harsh weather conditions. Bestguarder WG50 does a great job in this regard.
Since it can be mounted on a tripod, you can leave it and record the subject activities you want to record. If you use it for hunting, it can help you identify the creature’s patterns and its presence in a particular area.
It’s a great companion when you spend most of your time outdoors and need sturdy, durable gear that can keep up with your rigorous lifestyle.
Benefits of Bestguarder WG50
- Very robust and robust
- High range visibility up to 300m
- Night vision is top notch
