Part of the bane of the picky generation is our many options. There are many digital SLRs in the market, making choosing the best camera challenging. And now, mirrorless cameras are among your options, making the list even longer.
Moreover, some features help you choose the best cameras for wildlife photography:
1. Shooting speeds
If you buy a camera with a delayed shooting speed, you’ll likely miss many important moments. So, it’s better to consider the shooting speed; a faster one will make getting the perfect shot easier.
The best DSLR cameras shoot about twelve frames per second. And although it’s not a non-negotiable requirement, you’ll be grateful for your choice.
It’s good to pay attention to the number of frames per second, but a faster reaction time may also make up for lagging shutter speeds.
2. Low light capabilities
Most of the wildlife is nocturnal, so you’ll need a camera optimized for dusk and dawn use.
Technically, you’ll need to be more active in the evening or early hours of the morning, which is also when most cameras lose efficiency.
Moreover, increasing the ISO speed enhances light sensitivity and brightens exposure. As such, it’s also essential to pay attention to this functionality.
3. Autofocus points
Consider the autofocus point system of the camera before paying for it. If you’re using a manual focus point, capturing sharp pictures will be more challenging.
So, you need to choose a camera that’s fantastic at focusing.
Accuracy and fast execution are important attributes of the autofocus point system. The higher the points, the better the efficiency at tracking and capturing images of moving wildlife.
4. Cropped or full-frame sensors?
Full-frame sensors offer enhanced image quality and ISO capabilities, advantageous to wildlife photographers. However, they’re more pricey than cropped sensors.
You can invest in cropped sensors if you’re on a budget. The lens has also been designed to allow the images you capture to appear zoomed in. In cases where you can’t get close enough to wildlife, you’ll need the extra range a crop sensor camera offers.
The Best Cameras for Wildlife Photography
Nikon D500
Almost every wildlife photographer worth their salt knows about the Nikon D500. It’s prevalent because of its enhanced crop sensor capabilities, and of course, the relatively lower price makes it endearing.
It also has an impressive ISO performance, and coupled with a 21-megapixel sensor, getting the most accurate shots of wildlife will be more manageable.
Sony a9
The Sony a9 is a 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera popular among wildlife photographers. This is thanks to the portable size and shooting speed of 20 frames per second.
It also has enhanced connectivity features, which are great for delivering pictures fast.
Canon 7D Mark II
With a shooting speed of ten frames per second and high autofocus points, the Canon 7D Mark II can help you capture better wildlife images with less stress.
Canon 5D Mark IV
This is a more expensive version of the 7D Mark II, but the price is worth it. It offers a whopping 30-megapixel sensor and a shooting speed of seven frames per second.
