The best concert cameras for capturing the magic of live music

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.

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.

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.

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.