Maximum Dynamic Range
Nikon D800 The Nikon D800 has the largest dynamic range we've seen of any camera at 14.4 EV.

Dynamic range refers to the maximum range a camera can capture from lightest to darkest. Cameras with more dynamic range can capture more variation in tone from light to dark, and can capture detail in lighter and darker parts of the image. This is especially useful when shooting RAW, the more range you have to start with, the more easily you can pull detail back from over or under exposed parts of the image.

Snapsort uses measurements from DxOMark for dynamic range. DxOMark recommends having a lot of dynamic range for landscape photography. These measurements are only available for cameras that shoot RAW which includes all DSLRs and a few high-end point and shoots.

Great Dynamic Range
A b&w photograph taken by Astragony with a Leica M8 An incredible black & white portrait taken with a Leica M8 rangefinder. Photography by Astragony via Flickr. ISO 320, 1/125s, unknown aperture and focal-length.

RAW Measurements

DXOMark logo

Dynamic range is measured by DxOMark based on the RAW images produced by the camera, not the final JPEG images. If you normally shoot in RAW, then you can be confident that these measurements will affect the dynamic range you'll see in your images. If you shoot JPEG though, there is further processing done by the camera once the image has been captured, which is not measured by these numbers, which may mean some cameras JPEG images are slightly worse or better than you'd expect.

Digital Cameras with Great Dynamic Range

Compact Cameras

The following compact cameras the largest dynamic range we've seen, keep in mind that only a few compact cameras are measured.

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
from $648
Sensor size Large sensor Help
Nikon CX 13.2x8.8mm
True resolution High true resolution Help
20 MP
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/1.8

Learn more about the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
from $348
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/1.4
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 60fps

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Nikon Coolpix P330
Nikon Coolpix P330
from $329
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/1.8
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
921k dots
Wide angle Wide angle lens Help
24 mm

Learn more about the Nikon Coolpix P330

Nikon Coolpix P7700
Nikon Coolpix P7700
from $389
External mic jack External mic jack Help
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.0
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
921k dots

Learn more about the Nikon Coolpix P7700

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Mirrorless Interchangeable-lens Cameras

The following mirrorless interchangable lens cameras have the largest dynamic range we've seen.

Leica M Typ 240
Leica M Typ 240
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,860 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
84.0
Sensor size Large sensor Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

Learn more about the Leica M Typ 240

Sony NEX-7
Sony NEX-7
from $948
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
81.0
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,016 ISO
True resolution High true resolution Help
24 MP

Learn more about the Sony NEX-7

Sony Alpha NEX-6
Sony Alpha NEX-6
from $648
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,018 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
78.0
Viewfinder Great viewfinder Help
Digital

Learn more about the Sony Alpha NEX-6

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5R
from $498
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
78.0
Autofocus Phase detection autofocus Help
fast and accurate
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
910 ISO

Learn more about the Sony NEX-5R

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Entry Level DSLRs

The following entry level SLRs have the largest dynamic range.

Nikon D7100
Nikon D7100
from $1,197
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,256 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
83.0
Focus points Many focus points Help
51

Learn more about the Nikon D7100

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-5 II
from $780
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,235 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
82.0
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
14.1 EV

Learn more about the Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D5200
Nikon D5200
from $697
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,284 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
84.0
Color depth Great color depth Help
24.2 bits

Learn more about the Nikon D5200

Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 IIs
from $980
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
1,208 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
82.0
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
14.1 EV

Learn more about the Pentax K-5 IIs

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Pro DSLRs

The following Pro SLRs have the largest dynamic range.

Nikon D600
Nikon D600
from $1,997
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,980 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
94.0
Color depth Great color depth Help
25.1 bits

Learn more about the Nikon D600

Nikon D800
Nikon D800
from $2,797
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,853 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
95.0
True resolution High true resolution Help
36.2 MP

Learn more about the Nikon D800

Sony SLT-A99
Sony SLT-A99
from $2,798
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
89.0
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
1,229k dots
Color depth Great color depth Help
25 bits

Learn more about the Sony SLT-A99

Nikon D4
Nikon D4
from $5,997
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,965 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
89.0
Battery life Great battery life Help
2600 shots

Learn more about the Nikon D4

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