by KSQ
I love shooting wildlife! Perhaps, I should say, I love photographing wildlife. Getting the shot takes several things: patience, some skill, being in the right place at the right time, having the right camera equipment, a little bit of luck and did I mention patience?
Choosing the right camera for wildlife photography can be tough. There are many things to consider and some of the options are pricey. However, in my experience, I believe there are a few key things you can concentrate on that can help you make a good choice.
Point and shoot vs. dSLR: Go dSLR. Even an entry-level dSLR would be better than the most advanced point and shoot. In many cases, the cost will be comparable between the two. Whether you are taking pictures of the birds in your back yard or migrating raptures at a wildlife refuge, at some point you will be frustrated by the limitations and performance of a point and shoot. Get the dSLR now and save yourself the regret later.
Brand: Go with a well-known brand. There are several dSLR manufacturers that offer great quality and often with good value. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji and Pentax are a few of the major brands.
Lens length: Get the longest lens you can afford. I would suggest 300mm at a minimum. Obviously, 400mm is better and 500mm is awesome! Again, stick with known manufacturers. You can often get knock-off lenses for a "great" price but the quality of your photos will not be so "great".
Image sensor size: Larger sensor sizes allow for clearer photos and better performance at higher ISO settings. If you are comparing camera models, the model with the larger sensor size will generally deliver better photos.
Continuous shooting: Burst or continuous shooting is how many frames per second the camera will capture. The more frames you can get per second, the more likely the chance that you will capture the photo you want.
Image stabilization: Image stabilization is a wonderful feature that allows you to handhold your camera longer in low light. It also helps to keep the images clearer when you are using long focal lengths (like 300mm or more). I prefer cameras with IS in the lens and not in the camera body. This does make the lenses more expensive but I believe IS in the lens does a better job than IS in the camera body. Now, keep in mind, image stabilization won't help you take blur free photos as you're running along side of a doe with her twin fawns but it will help you get clearer pictures of the cardinals in your bird bath at dusk without having to use a tripod.
Price: Prices on dSLR bodies vary widely and some come packaged with great lenses (referred to as kit lenses). Personally, I tend to focus more of my money on the lenses and not the body. When the choice comes down to a more expense camera body or a better lens, then I would totally chose the better lens. The reality is that for most amateur photographers not selling their photos for a living, the most basic dSLR body is going to perform well. Where you will see the biggest benefit is when you can use that long zoom lens to get a nice close up shot of the yawning baby fox cub that just came out of its den.
In addition, make sure you spend some time looking at the brands that most interest you in a store as well. Often people have chosen one brand or model over another just because of the feel of the camera in their hands. One was more comfortable, or the buttons were placed better or it just felt right. Also, some camera specialty shops will allow you to rent cameras for a few hours or even a week. If you are really having trouble making a decision, this may be a way to help.
Purchasing a camera for wildlife photography is a big decision and can be a big investment. However, the day you are reviewing your photos after an afternoon of picture taking and you find the perfect shot, the shot YOU took, you'll know it was all worth it!
Learn more about this author, KSQ.
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