What Features Should I Prioritize in a Camera for Wildlife Photography?
- What Makes a Great Wildlife Photographer?
- Camera for Wildlife Photography: Photo Features
- Camera for Wildlife Photography: Video Features
- The Best Cameras for Wildlife Photography
- The Best Wildlife Photography Tours
- Recommended Photography Gear
- These Tips for Wildlife Photography Will Help You Get Breathtaking Results
- How Wildlife Photography Tours Enhance Your Photography Skills
- Serengeti Photo Safari
- Mara Big Cats Photo Safari
- Birdwatching and Rhino Photo Safari
- Nairobi National Park Photo Safari
- Solo and Family Tours
- Capturing the Perfect Shot: How to Choose the Right Photography Tour
- Basic Wildlife Photography Gear List
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
If you like taking pictures of animals and are shopping for a new camera, this article is for you! Here, we’ll share all the most important features you should prioritize in a camera for wildlife photography. Since the most popular cameras today are hybrid cameras, we’ll discuss features for both photography and videography.
Additionally, we’ll cover topics like what you can do to be a good wildlife photographer besides owning the right gear, the best cameras for wildlife photography, and our favorite wildlife photography tours for 2024.
Now, whether you’re a budding photographer new to wildlife photography or a pro with decades of experience, join us as we explore the key features and specs to look for in a camera for wildlife photography!
Check out the video above by Tony & Chelsea Northrup to learn the best camera settings for wildlife photography.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Wildlife Photographer?
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
Before we dive into the specific photo and video features to prioritize in a camera for wildlife photography, we want to emphasize one crucial thing. At the end of the day, it’s not the camera, lenses, and other gear that makes someone a great wildlife photographer—it’s knowing what to do with said gear!
That means learning the basics of core photography elements like the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), lighting, composition, framing, etc. It also means spending time in the field with your camera to learn how it works and become as fast and efficient as possible. Because as you’ll see later, speed is king when it comes to wildlife photography.
An excellent way to improve your photography skills at home is by enrolling in an online wildlife photography course or signing up for a local wildlife photography club. Alternatively, wildlife photography tours are a fantastic option for people who want to learn from professionals in real time while making memories and friends that will last forever.
Camera for Wildlife Photography: Photo Features
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
Since wildlife photographers spend long hours walking and working with their cameras, the first feature to look for is a camera body that’s as light and compact as possible. That’s why we recommend going with a mirrorless camera over a DSLR.
The next thing you will want to prioritize is sensor size. Simply put, the larger the sensor, the better. A larger sensor will have more pixels, larger pixels, and gather more light. These often-overlooked specs improve detail retention and low-light performance. You will see the best results from a medium-format or full-frame sensor.
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
Fast continuous shooting (aka burst shooting) speed is another feature to prioritize in a camera for wildlife photography so you can capture fast action (as shown above). The more frames per second (fps) a camera can capture, the more chances you have to nail the perfect shot. As a rule of thumb, look for a camera with a max shooting speed of at least 11.0 fps.
Other photo features to think about are image resolution, EVF resolution, buffer speeds, and lens compatibility.
Learn More:
Camera for Wildlife Photography: Video Features
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
For videos and photos alike, one of the most important features to prioritize is autofocus (AF). Nearly all modern cameras today have AF capabilities, but unfortunately, not all AF performs equally, so you have to know how to differentiate them.
Four things to research about autofocus are speed, the type of autofocus (phase detection vs contrast detection), the number of AF points, and subject recognition/tracking. Regarding subject recognition, some newer cameras can even identify, lock onto, and track the eyes of animals and birds.
Other video features to consider are video resolution, video frame rates, the rear screen, audio controls, and the number/type of memory card slots.
The Best Cameras for Wildlife Photography
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
Now that you know the key features and specs to prioritize in a camera for wildlife photography, here are two lists of some of the most sought-after cameras today. The first is for experienced photographers and professionals, while the second is for beginners and people on a budget.
Best Professional Wildlife Photography Cameras
Best Budget Wildlife Photography Cameras
The Best Wildlife Photography Tours
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
Finally, have you ever considered going on a professionally-organized wildlife photography tour? If not, you absolutely must sign up for one in 2024!
Why? Well, they travel to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet, help you capture once-in-a-lifetime photos of exotic wildlife, and organize everything (travel, accommodation, meals, etc.) from start to finish. Wow!
Photo courtesy of Exposure Tours
With that in mind, one company we highly recommend is Exposure Tours. They are an experienced tour operator that has run photography expeditions in Africa for over 30 years. Their director of photography (Bryan Pereira) is an award-winning photographer, and their tour director (Simon Ball) has led trips in Africa for 10+ years and has a degree in zoology.
If that wasn’t enough, their small-group experience and one-on-one instruction provide value other companies can’t match. First, all of their tours have a max size of six people. Second, only two people travel in each safari truck, meaning better views and a more comfortable journey. Third, every guest receives individual feedback on their photos from the professional guides. What’s not to like?!
Here are some of the amazing trips offered by Exposure Tours:
As I said earlier, it isn’t the gear you have that makes the most difference in the shots you take. Instead, it's your skills behind the lens. Level up your skills in short order by joining Exposure Tours for a photo safari in 2024!
Recommended Photography Gear
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