The best cameras (2023) - A birdwatcher's camera guide for the holidays and fall
Cameras are expensive gear. Read on to learn our recommendations for quality cameras for birding and wildlife watching for a variety of budgets.
Many birdwatchers, birders, and wildlife watchers love taking photos of their favorite wildlife or during spectacular adventures. However, when it comes to selecting a camera, it can be difficult to balance needs, wants, and a budget. This post hosts a lot of information but can help narrow your search down to a few great options. Within each category, we list our top three or four options, but the option with the image is our overall recommendation for each tier.
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For skimmers and those wanting a summary, I give you our overall recommendation for a birding camera from the list: Panasonic Lumix FZ80. For a more complete summary, see the following table.
Camera Category | Camera | Link to Amazon |
|---|---|---|
Alternative (<$100) | Gosky Mount | |
Entry-level (<$300) | Panasonic FZ80 | |
Mid-tier (<$600) | Nikon P950 | |
High-budget (<$2000) | Sony RX10 IV | |
Entry DSLR (<$3000) | Sony a6600 | |
Top DSLR (>$3000) | Sony a1 |
Cheap wildlife cameras | Camera options for under $100
You do not need an actual camera to take quality documentation photos of birds and other wildlife. In fact, you can get some quality images from what is known as "digiscoping." Digiscoping is using your cell phone as the camera, and your optics as the lens, mimicking what actual cameras with large lenses do. The photos are not flawless, but you can still have great results.
Cheap Camera Alternative (Scope): Gosky Universal Cell Phone Mount
The Gosky Universal Cell Mount is the digiscoping mount that I use in conjunction with my Celestron Regal M2 100ED. It allows me to use the phone in portrait and landscape mode, on multiple sizes of scopes. This mount is versatile and works for my needs for documenting rare and unusual species for eBird checklists. However, do not expect perfection from a <$20 camera alternative.
Cheap Camera Alternative (Binocular): Cell Phone Binocular Mount
I only recommend the cell phone binocular mount because it is well-rated for binocular use. The Gosky mount does not work quickly with binoculars, so this mount would be a feasible option for those without scopes. I have not personally tried this option, but there are few other options for binocular mounts. If you don't have a scope and still want to document birds, the low price tag on this mount should be appealing.
Best low-budget cameras | Cheap cameras under $300 for birds and wildlife
If you want to carry an actual camera into the field, superzoom cameras are always my first recommendation to bird and wildlife lovers. Why? You can learn the basics of wildlife photography without investing tons of money. Additionally, they are lightweight and compact. I have carried a 600mm lens into the field, and I will never do it again. Go compact, go simple. If you are just taking photos for personal use, then staying in this class of camera makes great sense! Of these choices, the Panasonic FZ80 has the best price-to-feature ratio. These cameras fall into the $200 to $300 range.
Canon low-budget Camera: Canon Powershot SX540
This Canon Powershot SX540 superzoom camera from Canon has 50x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer. What does that mean? It means the physical and digital lens components reach an equivalency of 1200mm. The image stabilizer helps with shaking, panning, and motion blur from moving while shooting. It has a 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor and allows for 1080p full HD video. You can quickly share from camera to smartphone with the WiFi and NFC capabilities.
Features:
50x Optical Zoom = 1200mm lens equivalence
20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor
1080p full HD video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi and NFC
Best Low-budget Canon Camera: Canon Powershot SX60
The Canon Powershot SX60 is a slight upgrade over the SX540 due to its larger zoom capabilities. How much larger? This camera boasts a 65x optical zoom which is equivalent to a 1365mm lens. The image stabilizer helps with shaking, panning, and motion blur from moving while shooting. It has a 16.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and allows for 1080p full HD video. You can quickly share from camera to smartphone with the WiFi and NFC capabilities. While the zoom is greater, the sensor is smaller, meaning the SX540 is better in lowlight conditions than this camera. I have owned two generations of the SX line, and they are an excellent camera for those who are trying to capture bird memories through photos. Check out some of the example photos at the end of the post.
Features:
65x optical zoom = 1365mm lens equivalence
16.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
1080p full HD video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi and NFC
Best Overall Camera for Low-budgets: Panasonic Lumix FZ80
Panasonic is an often underrated brand for wildlife photographers. Why? Canon, Nikon, and Sony pushed to the front of the line so quickly, other brands have not gotten the publicity they have. However, Panasonic cameras are often more affordable and at a quality on par with their competitors. The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is a great example. It has 60x optical zoom, 4k video capabilities, and an 18.1 Megapixel sensor. Oh, and it's about half the cost of the following cameras on this list.
Features:
60x optical zoom = 1220mm lens equivalence
18.1 Megapixel MOS sensor
4K video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi
Best mid-budget cameras | Mid-priced cameras under $600 for birds and wildlife
These next tiers of superzoom cameras are newer models and/or have more features than the previous group. If you need more zoom power, the Nikon P900 is the go-to camera. If you want 4K video, the Canon SX70 is your camera. However, when compared to the price tag of the Panasonic FZ80, you may desire a return to the previous category or move on to the next tier of cameras. These cameras fall into the $500 to $600 range.
Favorite medium-budget camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ300
A powerful 24x zoom with a constant f2.8 aperture lets you shoot the Panasonic FZ300 with confidence in low light conditions and without the risk of blurred results due to slower shutter speeds. Panasonic’s renowned high-speed focusing technology ensures your subject is sharp, whether shooting photos or video, while smart, 5-axis correction technology reduces blur by compensating for five different types of movement. Need a camera to take along on your outdoor adventures? This long-zoom digital camera features a worry-free splashproof/dustproof rugged body, so it stands up to some of the most challenging environments.
Features:
24x optical zoom = 600mm lens equivalence
12.1 Megapixel MOS sensor
5 axis hybrid optical image stabilizer (great for the shakes)
4K video
Splashproof and dustproof
WiFi and NFC
Can be used as a high-quality webcam
Best mid-priced Canon camera: Canon Powershot SX70
The Canon Powershot SX70 is the newer version of the SX60. It has the same 65x optical zoom as the SX60. It has an upgraded 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor with 4K video. You can quickly share from camera to smartphone with the WiFi and NFC capabilities. I have owned two generations of the SX line, and they are a great camera for those who are trying to capture bird memories through photos. There is a special app that allows for this camera to be used as a high-quality webcam.
Features:
65x optical zoom = 1365mm lens equivalence
20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor
4K video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi and NFC
Can be used as a high-quality webcam
Best mid-priced wildlife camera: Nikon COOLPIX P950
The Nikon COOLPIX P950 is one of the top superzoom cameras on the market due to its 83x zoom abilities. Its digital zoom effectively doubles that reach to 4000mm. WHOA! One of our guest authors, Tina Toth, uses the P900 and I have never seen her without it. Example photos can be found at the end of the post.
Features:
83x optical zoom = 2000mm lens equivalence
16.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor
1080p full HD video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi, NFC, GPS
Can be used as a high-quality webcam
Best large-budget cameras | Cameras under $2000 for birds and wildlife
The cameras in this category typically cost $2,000 or less. These are upper-tier superzoom cameras and are still a great choice over DSLR cameras. Why? You still do not need to buy top-tier glass to match the capabilities of the camera. If you have a hefty budget, the next category is for you.
Best zoom camera: Nikon COOLPIX P1000
WOW. That's all I can say about the Nikon COOLPIX P1000. The zoom capabilities of this camera are unmatched. However, the sensor has not been upgraded much over the P9000. So, images at full zoom may be of lower quality. There is a tradeoff when you have a camera with that much zoom power but keep the price lower than professional-grade cameras.
Features:
125x optical zoom = 3000mm lens equivalence - WHOA
16.7 Megapixel sensor
4K video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi, NFC, GPS
Can be used as a high-quality webcam using an HDMI output
Best superzoom camera: Sony DSC-RX10 IV
Sony has been making a lot of noise in the camera world for the past 10-ish years. Their sensors allow for amazing photo quality, but that quality increase will be felt in your pocketbook. The zoom on the Sony DSC-RX10 IV is nowhere near the COOLPIX P1000, but the quality makes up for the zoom power. When the day comes that I downgrade from a DSLR, this will be my new camera for the field.
Features:
25x optical zoom = 600mm lens equivalence
20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with DRAM
4K video
Quickly share media to your phone with WiFi and NFC
24 frames per second continuous shooting
Best entry-level DSLR cameras | Cheap DSLR cameras under $2000 for birds and wildlife
These cameras are entry-level DSLR cameras for those upgrading from superzoom cameras. If you are jumping into this category of camera, you will want to do extensive research on each model, associated lenses, and local stores that can help with warranty questions and issues. Why would you want to upgrade from a superzoom? Faster shutter speeds for moving targets, larger sensors for shooting in low light, faster continuous shooting for better captures, and overall better quality.
Top 3:
If you have questions about any of these cameras, please reach out to us! We would be happy to personally discuss each one when you are considering such a major camera purchase.
Best professional cameras | Top cameras for birds and wildlife
We all want to take better photos, and better equipment can help with that. But these cameras are priced for those who regularly sell photos and videos. You will want to talk to MANY professionals about which camera will fit your needs if you are looking at these models. The price tags on these are... intimidating.
Best camera for birds and wildlife: Sony a1
The Sony a1 is the best birding camera a person can own if their budget is unlimited. Why? Let's start with the 50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ integral memory 8x more powerful, next-generation BIONZ XR image processing engine, blackout-free shooting up to 30fps from fast sensor readout speed, world’s first 240 fps refresh rate, 8K video, and real-time Eye-AF and tracking (humans, animals, birds).
Top 5:
If you have questions about any of these cameras, please reach out to us! We would be happy to personally discuss each one when you are considering such a major camera purchase.
Superzooms vs DSLR's - Image Quality
The photos below have both been compressed to show the same quality you may experience when uploading to Facebook or eBird. Why would I show you that? Unless you plan to print your photos for a gallery or to sell, online compression will turn the photo from a professional camera into a similar quality as a compressed superzoom image. What is your goal with your camera and images? If you do not plan to make money selling images, a superzoom will be enough camera for you.
Horned Lark shot with Canon Powershot SX60
Horned Lark shot with Sony a7rIII
I hope this article helped you in your search for a camera to carry into the field while birding. Cameras can be a great tool to carry while enjoying wildlife, but with the associated costs, proper research is always a must! If you have a question about these items, ask them in our Flocking Mailbag!
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