Best Night Vision Camcorders And Video Cameras
Day by day, we see a growing trend in nighttime photography. Most of you are thinking any camera can shoot in low-lights. Well, that's not true; if you are working in extremely dark scenarios, a normal camera will not work for you. That is why I have come up with the list of the best night vision camcorders for you. And the best part is you can use a night camcorder even in the daytime by just turning off the night shot/IR mode.
If you are a newbie to photography, and wondering how a night vision camera is different from other camera models, then this article will rightly guide you.
Apart from providing you with the list of top night vision video cameras, I've also explained what a night camcorder means, their benefits, and a detailed buying guide that will help you quickly choose the right product. On that note, let's get into the list.
In a hurry?! here are my top picks
REVIEWS OF THE BEST NIGHT VISION VIDEO CAMERAS
1. ZOHULU ULTRA HD FULL SPECTRUM - BEST PORTABLE NIGHT VISION CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
My first recommendation for a night vision video recorder will be the Zohulu 4K Ultra HD Wi-fi Full Spectrum Camcorder. It beautifully captures the IR spectrum even from far-off distances.
And guess you needn’t worry about the storage as the digital video camera itself automatically compresses the files when saving so that you can play them at 1080p later.
You can use this handheld night vision video camera for paranormal activity with perfect video quality, as the camera is specifically built for that.
DESIGN:
The camcorder’s in-built lens has a good field of view, so it covers most of the scene in the frame. Unlike most night vision video cams with an IR LED built-in, this HD camcorder consists of a dedicated IR flashgun to give a whole new experience. You just have to press the IR button to enter the night vision mode.
Like most digital camcorders, this Zohulu night video camera also has a TFT-LCD touch screen (3”) for display. The best part is you can take your paranormal shots from different angles as the screen allows 270-degree rotation. The screen resolution is also excellent, so I give it a thumbs up for low-light shoots.
Lastly, it comes with a Remote Control and a Hot Shoe mount for connecting external devices.
PERFORMANCE:
You’re not going to miss any shot as the frame rate is appreciable for this camcorder model (60 fps). As you know, it is extremely difficult to get smoother footage at dark environments, but with this Zohulu camcorder, that is no more an issue because it has an in-built Electronic Image Stabilization system.
And the video camera is loaded with some filter effects and picture modes like Face recognition technology & self-timer modes. So, if you want a simple camcorder to be used for your night vlogs, then this is a good option for that as well.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
2. ORDRO HDR-AC3
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
The 2nd on my list is from the brand Ordro, which is there in the camcorder market since 2002. It is one of the most trending camcorders for taking night vision videos as it can shoot with video resolutions up to 4K, with a completely black and white nighttime capture.
It performs exceptionally well in dark pitch environments where you have to crave some light. And to get the best night pictures, all you have to do is simply turn on the IR mode in the camera's settings.
Note: The image in digital night vision mode is black and white.
DESIGN:
This HC3 camcorder with night vision, has got a SONY IMX258 CMOS 13.0MP sensor that can deliver pictures upto 24 megapixels resolution. The lens is a 2-in-1 model type, meaning it can be used as a wide-angle lens or a macro lens.
Note that there is no in-built auto-stabilization in this video recording device. So to compensate for shakes, there is a stabilizer holder provided. The external mic ORDRO CM520 that comes along with the camera is a shotgun-style microphone that records audio.
PERFORMANCE:
The camera's night vision works well with the Infrared sensing element for delivering clean white and black pictures, even in extremely dark environments.
Next, unlike the previous camcorder, the images in the infrared spectrum are not colored. It is black and white. And one more thing, by purchasing this night video recorder , you will save money in purchasing a separate day camera. Yes, because this Ordro HC3 camcorder is both a day-and-night camera.
Overall, the Ordro HC3 is one of the best professional night vision video cameras for watching animal behavior at night, night vlogging, and hunting.
ALSO CHECK MY IN-DEPTH REVIEW ON ORDRO HC3 4K CAMCORDER
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
3. BESTGUARDER WG-50 - BEST HAND HELD NIGHT VISION CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
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If you take any professional hunting magazines, then you can definitely find Bestguarder's monoculars and binoculars featured there. That is the fame of this brand.
This Bestguarder night vision monocular has a digital night vision mode and a built-in infrared illuminator (850NM) to deliver a wide range of views of up to 1,150 feet (or 350 meters).
DESIGN:
The device is designed so that it is very easy to use and is very portable. You will hardly feel like you are holding thermal imaging equipment in your hand. But that doesn't mean the monocular isn't durable. It is very durable, will work fine in harsh weather conditions as it is made of high-quality waterproof material. So it is great for hiking, hunting, surveillance, and other night monitoring activities.
NOTE: For monitoring any night activities, you can connect this monocular to a computer wirelessly and track the data on a large screen
The lens in this monocular gives a 50mm field of view, perfect for covering most of the scene into the frame. The best part is, you needn't invest in a tripod/any stabilizer as this monocular itself comes with a tripod stand.
PERFORMANCE:
One of the unique features of this night vision monocular is that it can be operated with 4 different levels of IR. So, depending on the environment in which you're using the camera, you can choose the level of IR detectvity.
Everything works great with this device; the image and video quality is good, it delivers the best performance at night.
However, you must keep extra batteries with you as the monocular camcorder tends to drain out fast. Next, you must change the focus manually as the monocular doesn't assure a power focus feature.
What I liked about this MONOCULAR:
4. SEREE FULL HD - BEST CHEAP NIGHT VISION VIDEO CAMERA
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FEATURES:
If you are looking for an entry-level night vision camcorder, this Full HD Seree 24MP camcorder is the best option. For a price under $100, it is loaded with many numerous features like 16x digital zoom, 1080p FHD video recording facility, and mainly an in-built IR night vision function.
DESIGN:
I wouldn't recommend using this device/camcorder model for professional nighttime shooting; however, this is a good choice if you want to shoot some indoor family footage at your home.
The camcorder is also compatible with external fill light, which is a bonus for a budget night vision recorder like this.
PERFORMANCE:
The video quality of this IR full spectrum camcorder is only mediocre. So, if you wish to enhance the video quality, you can attach an external UV lens with it.
Even while charging the camcorder, you can record videos, which is nice. Also, the time-lapse, slow-mo, and motion-detection features are useful for recording the video footage at night.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
5. SAULEOO 4K 56MP - BEST HD NIGHT VISION DIGITAL CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
If you are a newbie to vlogging and looking for an affordable night camera that can be used in extremely low-lit situations, then you can opt for the Sauleoo Full HD camcorder.
Its in-built IR night vision and the fill light mechanism combinedly give the best quality HD footage even while recording in extremely dark situations.
DESIGN:
Like most budget 4k camcorders, this Full HD camcorder with night vision also has an external mic, Wi-Fi, a wide-angle lens, and an anti-shake feature. As the video camera is not heavy, you can use it anywhere and anytime (Can be used in day time as well).
Apart from that, there are numerous operating modes and pre-built filter effects installed in the video camera.
PERFORMANCE:
You can use your smartphone to operate this video camera by just downloading the "DV-CAM" APP. Now your phone is ready to act as a remote control to operate the night video cam.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
6. AITECHNY 4K CAMCORDER WITH IR NIGHT VISION
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Aitechny brings us a camera for night shooting that provides the money's worth. The camcorder captures 4K videos at 24 fps and UHD videos at 30 fps, even in lowly-lit environments. It has an digital night vision that captures clear black and white night time images.
It also comes with an additional lens capable of shooting wide-angle and macro pictures. An integrated 3" display panel is there with complete touch-screen capabilities and accuracy to review the shots.
In terms of performance, the camcorder has an 18x digital zoom, which can provide clear images with a minimal tear in them even at the highest magnification. An external shotgun microphone is also included to capture the sound and the video, capturing audio properly and clearly.
The additional foam windscreen helps with windy situations and minimizes disturbance in sound overall. An attachable LED flashgun is also provided making it the best camera for night video.
It supports many types of inputs and outputs such as USB and HDMI, in and out, which can be used to view the content on TV or PCs directly. It can also send the images directly to a smartphone with the help of an app that pairs with the camcorder.
To improve the stability of the videos, a stabilizer is also included with this video camera with night vision. A carry bag is also provided for all the accessories that come with the product.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
7. ZOHULU 4K ULTRA HD - BEST CAMCORDER WITH NIGHT VISION MODE
PRODUCT DETAILS:
If you searching for the best night vision video recorder in this list with excellent color IR night vision, then, you must check out this one.
ZOHULU did not just provide a simple video camera. They gave us a whole set, which is more than enough for video and image capture's regular needs. It records in 4K at 24fps with accurate color images.
It also comes with 30x digital zoom for close-up photography and has decent quality at the highest magnification. An additional 4K wide-angle lens is also included to shoot landscapes.
All the functionalities are controlled by a remote which has a good range to it, the only issue being that the remote has to be directly pointed at the camera. The external shotgun mic records high quality audio and comes with a foam windscreen to help windy situations.
This video camera also comes with an SD card to further increase storage and a card reader, which can easily transfer all the images and videos to a PC. To provide stability to the video, a handheld stabilizer is also provided.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
8. KOT 4K CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
KOT brings a camcorder that records 4K videos at 24 fps with good color accuracy. It also comes with 16x digital zoom for magnifying the images, but it has no autofocus. The camera has an IR sensor, which shoots best quality night time shots. All the content recorded and captured can be viewed on the 3-inch IPS panel that rotates to 270-degrees.
The external shotgun microphone mounts on top of the video camera and provides good quality audio recording. It comes with a foam windscreen for windy conditions. The camera can be connected to a computer and can be used as a webcam. It also comes with quite a few accessories, such as a 2-in-1 wide-angle/macro lens, an external LED light, a travel adapter, and a camera bag to carry all of the accessories around.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
9. AASONIDA 4K 60FPS VIDEO CAMCORDER ULTRA HD
PRODUCT DETAILS:
This video camera by Aasonida advertises more than it can record in 4K at 60fps, while not being able to record in complete 4K.
The night vision works well with the video camera because of the IR sensor, capturing good quality black and white night time images. It also has a 16x digital zoom for close-up shots, which works fine, but the images start to tear at higher magnification levels. The 3-inch touch screen panel can be used to review the night videos and images.
The external microphone is of decent quality, and the foam windscreen that comes with it certainly helps with overall sound quality. The video camera can be connected to a TV or a laptop with HDMI and USB cables. It also comes with a handheld stabilizer to avoid shaking while recording. Overall, this is a good pick for the features that it offers.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
10. SEREE CAMCORDER 4K HD 48MP VIDEO CAMERA
PRODUCT DETAILS:
I am ending this list with another SEREE camcorder, which is budget friendly and functional. The camera shoots videos in 4K, but it lacks keeping the fps stable, which also hinders the quality. The infrared night vision works fine and allows for some good night time shots and captures. The video camera also has a digital 18x zoom, which works well for small range magnification but completely distorts at higher levels. The 3-inch display panel shows all that is captured by the camera.
The external microphone has good quality, and the foam windscreen helps with windy conditions. It comes with quite a few accessories like a USB cable to connect to a Laptop, lens hood, battery holder, handheld stabilizer, and a bag to carry all the accessories.
What I liked about this CAMCORDER:
WHAT IS NIGHT VISION CAMCORDER?
The purpose of using a Night vision full-spectrum camcorder is to take pictures in dark-pitched environments. Night vision video cameras have IR detectivity, meaning they can detect the invisible infrared wavelengths, provided the IR mode is turned on.
As we know, we cannot see infrared light with our human eyes; however, IR night vision video cams can do that. So basically, a video camera with an IR detection facility will absorb the infrared light and convert it into a monochrome display that can be seen with human eyes.
You might think a regular DSLR/ mirrorless camera can do the same job, but the keynote is you won't get the same perfection as a night vision camcorder. However, there are some expensive cameras that excel in night photography. You could also opt for that if you want.
In case you're opting for a night shot camera, make sure to check out the best night photography lenses as well.
BENEFITS OF USING A NIGHT VISION VIDEO CAMERA
Some excellent features of a night vision video camera include:
- They have a long viewing distance.
- Rugged build (mostly they are waterproof)
- Night vision video recorders have better sensitivity to light because they use CCD (Charged Coupled Devices) image sensors.
- Can take good-quality pictures and videos even in highly low-lit conditions.
HOW DO NIGHT VISION CAMCORDERS WORK?
You might be thinking there is no light in extremely dark-lit environments. But, that's not true; even in such cases, there is something called (infrared light); however, we can't visualize it with our human eyes.
Now the CCD sensor of a night vision video camera will absorb that light, which falls onto its photocathode, leading to the ejection of a series of electrons. And when these electrons hit the phosphor screen of the camcorder, you can see that light with your human eyes.
This is how a night vision camcorder takes pictures even at night. The working of night vision goggles is also almost the same. However, the tech is still more advanced with night vision goggles. You can use a night vision camcorder for shooting in extremely dark situations or any paranormal activity.
BUYING GUIDE
1. VIDEO QUALITY AND IMAGE RESOLUTION
Choose a night vision camcorder with a larger sensor to capture more light in environments where you have to crave some light. According to me, a video camera with a 6x large image sensor will have a better low-light performance. Let me say straightforwardly, give more importance to the quality of the low-light videos quality rather than resolution because the former is the most important for nighttime shooting.
If you are looking for a night vision camera that you can use in all lighting conditions, then give importance to resolution. Otherwise, for low-light and night videography, a 720p resolution video camera also does justice.
2. OPTICAL ZOOM OR DIGITAL ZOOM, WHICH IS RECOMMENDED?
To understand which of these is better, first know what optical and digital zoom means. When you adjust the zoom ring, the lens moves and zooms in direct to the subject you’re trying to focus on? This is what is called an optical zoom facility. This is the best option because the effective resolution of the image remains the same but, only the magnification, say like 10x, 20x, is improved.
Whereas digital zoom means the in-built software present in your camera that will allow you to crop, zoom the pictures. Now, only the size of the image is magnified; however, the resolution gets reduced. So, I would recommend digital zoom only post-taking your night shots.
So, overall while using a night vision camcorder, I would recommend you to go for the one that provides an optical zoom of at least up to 10x. But remember, camcorders with optical zoom are expensive than others.
3. MOTION DETECTION FUNCTION
One of the critical areas where night vision camcorders are used is surveillance and to take paranormal activity. In that case, it is best if you find a video camera with this motion detection feature.
How it works is that, say you mount the camcorder somewhere and select an area you want to monitor, now when the motion detection feature is turned on, it will be constantly be taking images. If there is a considerable change of pixel rate between those frames, it will immediately send an alert message to you. This is because the camcorder’s software has sensed that something has moved and wants you to take note of it.
4. BATTERY LIFE
Night time videos/image shooting, like fishing, recording hunt videos at night, paranormal investigation, etc., are tedious and will take more time. So, it is necessary that the camcorder has a rechargeable battery and has good battery life.
5. DURABILITY
Make sure the camcorder you are using has a rugged construction to use it in rugged terrains and harsh weather conditions. This is a must-have for night vision camcorders because these are primarily used outdoors only.
6. Stabilization
Most models mentioned in this list have a stabilizer handle. Having a camcorder with a built-in stabilizer is always better because getting steady footage without any motion blur is tedious when taking videos at night.
7. LUX RATINGS
Lux is a measure of the amount of visible light the camcorder can capture on its sensor. A professional night vision video camera is expected to have a lux value of 0.0001.
8. OTHER FEATURES:
- Long distance-of-view (focal range)
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Allows live streaming of videos
- Allows you to use their mobile apps for file transfer.
- Their compact size, makes them a portable companion for night shoots.
FAQ
1. Can video cameras record in the dark?
Not all camcorders can do that. However, if your video camera is equipped with an infrared night vision facility, you can take ultra-clear footage even in extremely dark situations.
Other types of video cameras like CCTV cameras, surveillance, and security video cameras also have this facility installed in their making.
2. Does Sony Handycam have night vision?
Yes, Sony camcorders like Sony FDRAX53 4K Handycam, FDR-AX700 4K HD Video Camera, Sony HXR-NX80 4K HD NXCAM Camcorder have a built-in night vision capability. I did not include these in my list because I targeted only budget ones here. But if you wish to get a pricey one, you can opt for any of these Sony night vision handycams.
CONCLUSION
These are some of the best night vision cams on the market right now. You must have noticed that these camera models vary in price, size, features, and additional capabilities, but one thing they all do is record videos in night vision, and they do it best.
The article has shortlisted around 10 top Night vision full-spectrum camcorders listed along with their features, pros, and cons, so hopefully, this article could help you decide which camcorder to buy.
