Illuminated / backlit / backlighted buttons are a rare feature in digital cameras, only a handful of mirrorless and DSLR models offer them. Yet, it's a key element of a truly professional-level camera. Many pros shoot in dimly lit environments, such as concerts or events, where being able to see and operate the buttons in the dark can make a big difference.
Nikon D500 is the only APS-C sensor camera with real Illuminated Buttons
DSLR Era
Nikon was a pioneer in offering illuminated (backlit) buttons, starting with its flagship D4, and continuing the feature in the D4s, D5, and D6. Interestingly, two non-flagship models also received this pro-level feature: the D850 and D500. The D500 remains the only APS-C Nikon DSLR to include illuminated buttons. Canon eventually joined the trend with the EOS 1D X Mark III, but that model marked the end of Canon’s flagship DSLR line.
Nikon Z9 Illuminated Buttons
Mirrorless Era
Nikon kept the tradition alive in the mirrorless world with the Z9 and Z8, while Canon followed suit with the EOS R3 and the upcoming EOS R1. Panasonic also embraced illuminated buttons with the original S1, S1R, and S1H models, but oddly, the newer S1 II / S1 IIE and S1R II dropped the feature.
Here’s a list of all the cameras with illuminated buttons that we could find. If you know of any models we missed, feel free to let us know in the comments!
Cameras with Illuminated / Backlit / Backlighted Buttons
Future of Illuminated Button Cameras
We suspect that Nikon and Canon will remain the only two manufacturers continuing to offer illuminated buttons, likely limited to their flagship models. But we genuinely hope we're wrong. Yes, incorporating backlit buttons adds some complexity to the internal design, but we believe it's a worthwhile effort. At the very least, any camera marketed as professional or semi-pro should include this feature moving forward.
Canon EOS R1, EOS R3, Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z8 all have backlit buttons
Below you can find a comparison table of the latest four mirrorless cameras that have backlit buttons:
| FEATURE and SPECS COMPARISON | |  |  |  |  |
| Model | Canon EOS R1 | Canon EOS R3 | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z9 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP | 46.0 MP | 46.0 MP |
| Announced Date | 2024-07-17 | 2021-09-14 | 2023-05-10 | 2021-10-29 |
| Camera Type | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full frame | Full frame | Full frame | Full frame |
| Sensor Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 102400( expands to 50-204800) | ISO 100 - 102400( expands to 50 - 204800) | ISO 64 - 25600( expands to 32 - 102400) | ISO 64 - 25600( expands to 32 - 102400) |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
| Image Stabil. | Sensor-shift ( up to 8.5 stops) | Sensor-shift ( up to 8.0 stops) | Sensor-shift ( up to 6.0 stops) | Sensor-shift ( up to 6.0 stops) |
| Eye Tracking Focus | | | | |
| Weight | 1115g | 1015g | 910g | 1340g |
| Dimensions | 158 x 150 x 87mm | 150 x 143 x 87mm | 144 x 119 x 83mm | 149 x 150 x 91mm |
| Weather Sealing | | | | |
| Focus Points | 4897 | 1053 | 493 | 493 |
| Min AF Detecting Range | -7.5eV | -7.5eV | -7.5eV | -7.0eV |
| Animal Eye Tracking | | | | |
| Focus Stacking | | | | |
| Focus Bracket | | | | |
| Minimum Shutter | 30 sec | 30 sec | 900 sec | 900 sec |
| Maximum Shutter | 1/8000sec | 1/8000sec | 1/32000sec | 1/32000sec |
| Maximum Shutter Electronic | 1/64000 sec | 1/64000 sec | 1/32000 sec | 1/32000 sec |
| Continuous Drive | 12.0fps | 12.0fps | 30.0fps | 30.0fps |
| Max Video Reso | 6000 x 3164 | 6000 x 3164 | 7680 x 4320 | 7680 x 4320 |
| Video fps at Max | 60p, 30p, 24p,23.98p | 60p, 30p, 24p,23.98p | 30p, 25p, 24p | 30p, 25p, 24p |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 | H.264, H.265 | H.264, H.265 |
| High Speed Video | 120fps | 120fps | 120fps | 120fps |
| Max Video Color Depth | 10bit | 10bit | 10bit | 10bit |
| Storage Slot | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| CFexpress Support | Type B | Type B | Type B | Type B |
| Battery Life | 700 | 760 | 330 | 740 |
| Battery Model | LP-E19 | LP-E19 | EN-EL15c | EN-EL18d |
| RAW Video | | | | |
| Webcam | | | | |
| Anti Flicker | | | | |
| Microphone Port | | | | |
| Headphone Port | | | | |
| Wifi | | | | |
| Weather Sealing | | | | |
| Timelapse | | | | |
| Screen Type | Fully articulated | Fully articulated | Tilting | Tilting |
| Top LCD | | | | |
| LCD Size | 3.20" | 3.20" | 3.20" | 3.20" |
| Screen dots | 2100000 | 4150000 | 2088960 | 2088960 |
| Touch Screen | | | | |
| Viewfinder | | | | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9x | 0.76x | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 9,440,000 | 5,760,000 | 3,686,400 | 3,686,400 |
| Selfie Friendly Screen | | | | |
| High Resolution Mode | | | | |
| AF Joystick | | | | |
| Bluetooth | | | | |
| Full-size HDMI Port | | | | |
| Vehicle Tracking | | | | |
| Eye Control AF | | | | |
| Price | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo |
