Cameras for Wildlife Photography
A brief overview with a few notes about the different cameras we used for Wildlife Photography over the past few years.
Used Cameras - Models & Years
Lumix DMC-FH2 → Canon PowerShot SX50 HS → NIKON D7100 → NIKON D500 → NIKON Z6 → NIKON Z8
| Camera | Year |
|---|---|
| NIKON Z8 | 2024 - |
| NIKON Z6 | 2019 - 2023 |
| NIKON D500 | 2016 - 2019 |
| NIKON D7100 | 2015 - 2016 |
| Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | 2013 - 2015 |
No doubt, it is possible to take beautiful nature and wildlife photos with a camera like the Canon PowerShot or Nikon D7100. There is the question of probability though. Especially with the Canon PowerShot but also true to some extend for the Nikon D7100, focus is slow and makes you lose many opportunities of good shots. Concerning focus speed, Nikon D500 with 300mm prime lens is a power combo. Unfortunately not full frame.
The decision to acquire the Z6 has been made mostly due to the fact that the new mirror less line from Nikon is way superior regarding video recording.
If you are interested in recording wildlife videos, make sure that the camera you are using allows you to focus on the subject by viewing through the viewfinder while recording!
NIKON Z8
In 2024, we acquired the Nikon Z8 which replaces the Nikon Z6 as main camera for wildlife and macro photography.
Are you using Affinity Photo to edit RAW files? With NIKON Z8, do not shoot in RAW with High Efficiency* or High Efficiency format; instead, use Lossless Compression. Affinity Photo 2 (even in beta) cannot read NIKON Z8's High Efficiency RAW files: Video YouTube
Same as NIKON Z6 regarding mounting external mic on hot shoe. This time we resolved it using the SmallRig for the Z8 and mounting the external mic on the right side.
We experienced memory card overheating issues when recording video while saving to the memory card for a longer time (continuously recording close to an hour).
When you are using the Z8 connected to the computer via CamLink and record using OBS, you may experience a minor but noticeable delay in the video signal. Test different resolutions and frame rates with your setup. We get the best results at 2160/60.
Side note: We reverse-mount SmallRig's top handlebar, as the viewfinder becomes unusable otherwise.
NIKON Z6
First full frame camera, purchased shortly after this mirror-less camera has been released by Nikon. We acquired this camera because we were looking for a full frame camera meeting our needs for video recording.
Overall, we are pleased with the camera, in particular for video recording and macro photography.
There are a few annoying issues though:
- Not impressed about taking photos of birds in flight, we rarely get a good shot.
- Settings often are changed when in the field like focus point drifting into a corner or aperture value changed. Strangely just aperture, front wheel, and not shutter speed, back wheel.
- Internal Mic is useless. Mounting external mic on hot shoe interferes with view finder focusing while recording. We resolved it by using a sidebar to mount the mic.
Settings General
In case, I have to reset the camera: Image Quality RAW, Image Size RAW L, White Balance K, Set Picture Control FL, Color Space Adobe RGB, Focus tracking with lock-on 5, try Apply settings to live view off, Attenuator on
For detailed information about camera settings, see Photography Camera Settings, Video Recording Settings
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