From birds in the backyard to the big five on safari, the best cameras for wildlife photography will help you to get sharp and stunning animal shots every time. I'm lucky enough to have been on photo safari and to live near the world's first drive-through safari park, so I've spent a lot of time using these kinds of cameras!
Wildlife is one of the most challenging subjects to photograph, so this is one of the most difficult camera choices you'll face. Personally, my pick is the Canon EOS R5 – a camera I bought myself because it boasts the best autofocus on this list, with phenomenal image quality, weather-sealing and a great range of lenses.
But there are plenty of other great options, from affordable bodies and bank-breaking pro models to all-in-one bridge cameras. And if you want a camera to leave in your back yard, to snap the wildlife in your garden when you're not there to see, check out the best trail cameras.
I've spent hundreds of hours all over the world photographing wildlife, and here on DCW we've tested all the best wildlife cameras available. Here are my top recommendations right now…
Animal paparazzi
Animal paparazzi
James Artaius
I've enjoyed animal photography for years, whether it's photographing them at zoos and sanctuaries or documenting them in the wilderness. I had to be super selective about the kit I took on photo safari to Africa, so I've done plenty of research into the optimum wildlife setup!
For ease of use and the best zoom range of any camera, there's no contest – the P950, with its ridiculous 24-2000mm range, simply gets shots that no other camera can capture! Read more
With professional specs at an incredible price, combined with a sensor that makes your lenses longer, the EOS R10 offers phenomenal bang for your buck and is unbeatable value. Read more
In short, this is the camera I bought because I believe it's the best! Shoot 45MP stills at 20fps and capture 8K video, with the best autofocus in the business and rock-solid stabilization. Read more
Sony's ultimate wildlife camera shoots a retina-scorching 120fps at full 24.6MP resolution! With its lightning-fast global shutter sensor, you won't miss a microsecond of the action. Read more
Nikon's flagship camera matches the Sony for speed, if not quite resolution (120fps at 11MP) but offers huge 45.7MP files at slower frame rates – along with gorgeous 8K video. Read more
If you're looking for a DSLR, I recommend the 90D for its detail-packed 32.5MP files, rapid-fire speed, uncropped 4K video, chunky build quality and vast selection of lenses. Read more
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Technically, you can use any camera for wildlife photography – including your phone! But there's a reason why you don't rely on your iPhone or a compact camera when you go on safari. Like any photographic genre, you need the right tool for the job – and these are the right tools for photographing wildlife…
Best starter camera for wildlife photography beginners
(Image credit: James Artaius)
1. Nikon Coolpix P950
Best starter camera for wildlife photography beginners
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Bridge
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch
Megapixels: 16MP
Lens: 24-2000mm f/2.8-8.0
AF: Contrast detect
Burst rate: 7fps
Buffer: 7 JPEG or RAW
Weight: 1,415g
Reasons to buy
+
Monstrous 24-2000mm range
+
4K 30p video
Reasons to avoid
-
Only 16MP
-
Limited ISO sensitivity
Buy it if
✅ You want ultimate reach: The 24-2000mm focal range is impossible to replicate on an interchangeable lens camera!
✅ You only use images online: The smaller image sensor is ideal for social media, websites or viewing on a tablet.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to blow up your images: The small sensor and low resolution doesn't play well with big prints.
❌ You want to shoot fast action: The AF system isn't nearly as robust as the systems on mirrorless cameras.
The bottom line
🔎 Nikon Coolpix P950 The rating here is deceptive, based on raw technical performance. Fact is, a 24-2000mm camera system is incredible for wildlife – it just has caveats. ★★★
When photograping wildlife, the one thing I always want is more reach… unless I'm using this bridge camera! It boasts an integrated lens with an unbelievable 24-2000mm zoom range, which absolutely transforms your shooting ability.
Usually I have to take two bodies and two different lenses, one to cover close range (usually a 24-70mm) and another to cover distance (the longest I have, which is 150-600mm). But the P950 covers all that and gives me an extra 233% of reach!
The P950 is a hefty DSLR-like camera, certainly, but it's a lot lighter and less cumbersome than lugging around two cameras and lenses – and again, I get a vastly increased focal range.
Without having to swap anything, I can zoom from an animal a few feet away from me all the way to an animal grazing on the horizon. It's an absolute revelation, and provides the most fun I ever have when taking photos of wildlife.
There is a tradeoff, of course: the sensor is very small (1/2.3-inch) and low in resolution (16MP). This means that image quality is great at small or medium resolution (and with decent light), but not so much if you want to blow up your prints big and put them on the wall.
In addition, the autofocus here isn't going to keep up with fast-moving dynamic subjects anywhere near as well as the advanced AF systems on modern mirrorless cameras. You'd be surprised at how lazy most wildlife is – and for static, portrait-like shots of subjects at rest this is absolutely fine. But if you want to capture lions chasing gazelles, prepare to miss a fair few shots.
However, if you only want to show your images on a website, social media or your tablet, this is everything you need. And if you want even more reach, look for the Nikon P1000 with its even wilder 24-3000mm range (this is actually my top choice, but it's a discontinued camera so is hard to find).
✅ You need speed: The R10's boasts continuous shooting speeds that are faster than the flagship Canon EOS R3!
✅ You want "longer lenses": The APS-C sensor will make the effective focal length of any lens 1.6x longer!
Don't buy it if:
❌ You shoot in bad conditions: Since there is no weather sealing, shooting in moist or dusty conditions is a no-no.
❌ You want safety: With only one slot, if something happens to your memory card you will lose all your shots.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R10 Great image quality, fantastic autofocus, fast burst shooting and a sensor that makes all your lenses longer – this is fantastic bang for your buck. ★★★★½
If you're on a budget, but still want the power and versatility of an interchangeable lens system, I don't think you can get a better camera than the Canon EOS R10. You get pro-grade burst speeds and pro-grade autofocus in a camera that, in the US and UK, is under a grand – it's truly incredible value.
While other cameras on this list trump its burst modes, it's worth noting that its 23fps electronic / 15fps mechanical continuous shooting is faster than the flagship Canon EOS R3! Of course the buffer depth isn't the same, but still – wow.
Likewise, the autofocus system in this camera – Dual Pixel CMOS AF II – is the same one you'll find in the R3 (and the next camera on this list, the R5). With its subject detection algorithms, Canon's AF is simply unbeatable for wildlife; I've photographed animals all over the world, and I've never used a system this good.
The R10 also offers gorgeous (albeit cropped) 4K 60p, or uncropped 30p oversampled from 6K, along with FullHD in 120p for true slow-motion. So it's great for capturing video, particularly with its fully articulating touchscreen.
Of course, with the low cost comes a couple of compromises: namely the lack of any in-body image stabilization and no weather sealing. However, it has everything else going for it – and it's an excellent way to get started in Canon's fantastic ecosystem of RF lenses (which also enables you to use EF lenses, with an optional adapter).
✅ You need the best autofocus: I've used every wildlife camera out there, and nothing is more accurate!
✅ You want resolution: You can capture 45MP stills (actually up to 400MP!) and 8K video in amazing quality.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You primarily want to shoot 8K video: If 8K is your main focus, the Nikon Z9 is a better option.
❌ You want the best standard 4K: The R5's oversampled 4K HQ is fantastic, but vanilla 4K isn't anything special.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R5 Amazing AF, incredible resolution, superb stabilization, dual cards, weather sealing… the best wildlife camera you can buy for stills photography. ★★★★½
For my money (literally!) this is the best camera that Canon has ever made. It's also the best overall wildlife camera, thanks in large part to its autofocus – which is so good that I described it as a cheat code for wildlife photography.
It simply doesn't miss a beat, sticking to subjects like glue so all you need to do is keep them in the frame. I am amazed every time I use this camera at just how spookily good the AF is – the Nikon Z8 / Z9 and Sony A9 III have let me down, but the R5 never has.
The 45MP stills are crisp and clean, and can be rattled off at up to 20fps – more than enough to keep up with even the twitchiest animals. (You can even shoot 400MP stills – but only for completely static scenes, so it's not that useful for wildlife.)
In-body image stabilization (IBIS) offers up to 8 stops of compensation, which is perfect for shooting on long lenses where camera shake can be a factor. Canon's IBIS is among the best of any full-frame system, and makes a huge difference.
If you shoot video, the R5 offers stunning 8K 30p – along with the ability to extract a crystal clear 36MP still image from your footage! You can also capture 4K all the way up to 120p, as well as HQ footage oversampled from 8K. The camera has pretty tight recording limits when filming high resolution – if you're a video-first shooter, I recommend looking at the Canon EOS R5C.
Throw in weather sealing, dual memory card slots (one SD and one superfast CFexpress Type B), some of the most advanced lenses in the industry and the ability to use Canon's vast catalog of DSLR glass (with a separate adapter), and you've got a camera so good that I went out and bought one.
✅ You want maximum speed: Want the fastest full-resolution camera available? You're looking at it!
✅ You want zero rolling shutter: The global shutter sensor eliminates the "Jell-O effect" when panning.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want maximum resolution: The 24.6MP sensor isn't the most pixel-packed, compared to others on this list.
❌ You want the best sensitivity: With a native ISO250-25600 range, you aren't going to get the cleanest results.
The bottom line
🔎 Sony A9 III It's overkill for anyone other than elite level shooters, but the global shutter sensor and 120fps bursts are currently unmatched anywhere else. ★★★★½
Sony achieved a world-first with the A9 III, as it is the first camera to feature a full-frame global shutter image sensor. What does that mean? It captures the entire frame in one pass, rather than scanning it line-by-line the way traditional sensors do.
And what's the benefit to you? Two things, the first one being speed. This camera can shoot images at 120fps – and it captures them in full 24.6MP resolution. This unprecedented performance means that you'll record every instant of a lion hunting its prey, or a bird taking flight, or even your cat goofing around on the couch.
The second benefit is that it eliminates rolling shutter – the phenomenon caused by traditional sensors, thanks to their line-by-line scanning, when you pan with your subject and get a warped "Jell-O effect".
This is particularly noticeable when shooting video, which the A9 III can do in 4K 60p (oversampled from 6K) and slow-motion 4K 120p (uncropped) – though I would have preferred a video-friendly articulating screen to the the quirky 4-axis affair here.
There's also a bonus benefit if you shoot flash (which isn't relevant to most wildlife photographers) in that this camera can sync at any speed, again thanks to the near-instant readout of the global shutter sensor.
So what's the catch? In my experience, the autofocus very occasionally trips up (though it's on the whole incredibly robust) and the ISO sensitivity is more limited (which is a byproduct of the global shutter technology).
Those minor quibbles aside, there's only one other thing… the price! This is really an elite level camera designed for elite professional shooters, but if you need ultimate speed then there's nothing better.
Maximum continuous shooting speed: 120fps (low-res JPEG only)
Buffer: 1,000 RAW
Video: 8K 60p
Weight: 1160 g
Reasons to buy
+
45.7MP stills / 8K 60p video
+
Pro grip and big battery capacity
Reasons to avoid
-
Screen not fully articulated
-
120fps is only 11MP JPEG
Buy it if
✅ Resolution is important: With 45.7MP photos and 8K 60p video, this camera delivers all the detail you need.
✅ You want a "pro" body: A built-in vertical grip and a bigger battery can handle bigger lenses and longer shooting.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want full fat 120fps: The Z9 can shoot at 120fps, but only in JPEG at 11MP (unlike the A9 III's full res shots).
❌ You want a flippy screen: The 4-axis tilt screen is cool, but not as useful as a fully articulating screen.
The bottom line
🔎 Nikon Z9 The Swiss Army Knife that can take on any task, the Z9 is also one of only two current mirrorless cameras to feature the pro grip and bigger battery. ★★★★½
There's one thing that every interchangeable lens camera on this list has in common: a small body. However, when you're shooting wildlife photography, you're often using physically longer and heavier lenses – and those don't balance ideally on small bodies. This is when you need a camera with a professional form factor, featuring an integrated vertical grip.
This extra heft not only makes it easier to balance big lenses, it also duplicates the shutter and exposure control dials in the vertical position – enabling seamless shooting when you spin the camera around to portrait orientation. On top of that, the grip supports a larger and higher-capacity battery so you can shoot for longer when out in the field.
Size advantages aside, I think the Z9 is the best camera that Nikon has ever made. Its 45.7MP sensor delivers great-quality stills, and its stacked design also offers incredible speed – you can shoot all the way up to 120fps, though unlike the A9 III you can only capture 11MP JPEGs (but you can shoot RAW + JPEG at 20fps)
The 8K 60p video is unreal, with huge recording times, and while the autofocus is a step below Canon's it is still awesome for animal photography. You also have the advantage of being able to use Nikon's extensive range of F-mount lenses, via an optional adapter.
I believe that the larger grip and bigger battery makes this a superior wildlife camera to the Nikon Z8, which is otherwise almost identical in terms of specs. However, the Z8 is newer, smaller and cheaper – so if size isn't important to you, that may be the best option.
✅ You want the best battery: DSLRs simply obliterate mirrorless cameras when it comes to battery life!
✅ You want the most native glass: No need to adapt lenses, as there are over 200 Canon EF optics.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need top notch AF: Canon's first-gen Dual Pixel AF is good, but lacks the subject detection of the second gen.
❌ You want peace of mind: Just one card slot means that you don't have a backup in case something goes wrong.
The bottom line
🔎 Canon EOS R100 Simple and affordable, this is a no-nonsense stills camera with great image quality that will help you get to grips with photography. ★★★★½
If you prefer DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, I have no hesitation in recommending the Canon EOS 90D. Boasting the same 32.5MP sensor architecture at the heart of the new EOS R7, you still get great resolution – but you also benefit from the 1.6x crop factor that makes your lenses even longer.
And that's the reason I'm picking the 90D over full-frame DSLRs like the Nikon D850. Because when you put a 300mm lens on this camera, it has an effective focal length of 480mm – and when you're photographing wildlife, having that extra reach makes all the difference when it comes to filling the frame!
As does the 32.5MP resolution. There are plenty of APS-C sensors at around 24MP, but having more pixels gives you more room to crop – again, helping you fill the frame when you need to artificially extend your reach.
Mirrorless cameras may be the norm these days, but there's still a lot to love about DSLRs – such as the traditional optical viewfinder, the beefier and better ergonomics, and that unmistakably meaty clunk of a mirror mechanism. Plus, I just think that DSLRs feel more robust and better able to withstand the knocks and scrapes of outdoor photography.
My favorite thing about the 90D, though, is the battery life; at around 1,300 shots, it simply leaves mirrorless cameras in the dust. Not to mention that there are no gaps in the well-established EF lens lineup – and they're more affordable than modern lenses (especially on the second-hand market).
Add in uncropped 4K video and Canon's ultra-reliable Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, and this is a formidable wildlife camera. The only real strike against it is the lone memory card slot.
When you're looking for the best camera for wildlife photography, there are several things to consider. One of the main factors is fast, efficient autofocus. A surprising number of wildlife subjects are pretty stationary, but being able to focus quickly on a subject that's moving unpredictably is crucial.
Also important is a fast burst mode. Being able to shoot a lot of images continuously is desirable no matter what kind of wildlife you're photographing. Animals rarely stay still and may exhibit the behaviors you want to capture for just fractions of a second.
Related to this is buffer depth, which refers to how many continuous shots a camera can capturing without stopping. A bigger buffer means more shots, which means a longer burst, which means a greater chance of capturing the moment you want. The speed of your media is key here, too, so make sure to use the best memory cards.
I would say that the most important consideration of all, though, is lens selection. This isn't a consideration with bridge cameras, which have integrated lenses featuring zoom ranges that standard cameras can only dream of – making them clear winners in the most crucial category.
For interchangeable lens camera bodies, you need to add your own – so you want a good range to choose from! Depending on what you shoot, you're probably going to need the reach of a telephoto lens in particular. Take a look at the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.
First and foremost, I take every camera I review into the real world to shoting in real conditions! You can only evaluate animal autofocus by photographing animals, so that's what I do. Whether it's a safari in Africa, a domestic safari park, or photographing animals for my personal portfolio or client work, I test everything from focus accuracy and handling to burst rates and buffer depths to ease of use and video overheating.
After that, I pass the kit on to our lab manager Ben Andrews for detailed lab testing. He tests camera resolution, dynamic range, and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer. These enable us to evaluate:
1. Resolution (ISO-12233): We use a resolution chart based on ISO-12233 from Applied Image inc to indicate the limit of the camera’s vertical resolution at the centre of the frame. The higher the value, the better the detail resolution.
2. Dynamic range (DxO Analyzer): This is a measure of a camera’s ability to capture detail in the highlights and shadows. We use DxO’s transmissive chart, which enables us to test a dynamic range of 13.3 stops.
3. Noise (DxO Analyzer): We use the dynamic range transmissive chart to analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for RAW and JPG files at every sensitivity setting using DxO Analyzer. A higher value means the signal is cleaner.
What is the best camera for a beginner wildlife photographer?
Assuming that a beginner wants to shoot somewhere like a zoo or safari park, a great place to start is with one of the best bridge cameras. These all-in-one systems have built-in lenses, and enormous zoom ranges that enable you to shoot from long distance or close up. They're simple to use and deliver good results.
Bridge cameras like the Nikon Coolpix P1000 have crazy-long zoom ranges! (Image credit: Nikon)
How many megapixels do I need for wildlife photography?
There is no set amount – it all depends on your skill level and what you intend to do with your wildlife photographs.
Obviously, more megapixels is better; the more pixels you have, the more detail will be in your photographs when your subject fills the frame. On top of that, if you don't have a long enough lens to make your subject fill the frame, you also have more megapixels to crop in without losing image quality.
At the same time, professional wildlife photographers shoot successfully on cameras with 20MP! There is no substitute for having the right lenses, shooting skilfully, and most importantly knowing your subject and making sure you're in the right place at the right time.
What is the difference between a trail camera and a wildlife camera?
A trail camera is an unmanned camera (sometimes called a "camera trap") that you set up in a location to capture images remotely. It can be triggered by things like motion or body heat. A wildlife camera, in general, is any kind of camera used to manually photograph wildlife.
What is the best camera for beginner wildlife photography?
I have recommended the Nikon P950 (or even better, the Nikon P1000 if you can find one) above, as I think it offers the everything a beginner could need: unbeatable focal range, ease of use, image stabilization, 4K video, and an all-in-one package – the lens is built in, so you don't need to buy anything else.
If you're looking for an interchangeable lens camera, I would probably point to the Canon EOS R10 (for affordability) or the Canon EOS R7 (for its image stabilization that makes steady shots much easier).
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
