Bird watching, also known as birding, is a popular hobby that involves observing wild birds in their natural habitats. With over 10,000 species of birds worldwide, bird watching can be an incredibly rewarding activity for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Having the right gear, especially a good pair of binoculars and a camera, makes birding even more enjoyable.
When it comes to choosing the best camera for bird photography and videography, there are a few key factors to consider:
Image Quality
Since you will often be photographing small, fast moving subjects from afar, you need a camera that can capture crisp, clear images. DSLR and mirrorless cameras typically have larger image sensors that allow more light capture and produce better image quality. Look for a camera with at least 20 megapixels.
Optical Zoom
To get close-up shots of birds far away, you need a powerful optical zoom lens. Many birding photographers recommend getting a camera with at least 300mm of reach. Some good options are DSLR lenses in the range of 300mm to 800mm or point-and-shoot cameras with 20x to 50x optical zoom.
Continuous Shooting Mode
Since birds are often in motion, you’ll want the ability to take pictures in rapid succession. Look for a camera with continuous shooting mode of at least 5 frames per second (fps), but 10 fps or more is ideal.
Autofocus System
Fast and accurate autofocus will help you capture sharp shots. Phase detection autofocus and mirrorless camera autofocus systems work best for tracking moving birds. You also want a camera that lets you quickly switch focus points.
ISO Range
Having a wide ISO range will allow you to adjust to different lighting conditions. Look for a camera with a native ISO between 100 to 6400, as well as expanded ISO settings up to 51200.
Shutter Speed
To freeze the action of moving birds, you’ll need a fast shutter speed. Look for a camera capable of shutter speeds of at least 1/4000 second.
Stabilization
Optical image stabilization (OIS) or in-body image stabilization (IBIS) helps reduce blur from camera shake, especially at long focal lengths. This allows you to get sharper images when hand-holding your camera and lens.
Manual Controls
Look for a camera that offers full manual controls over exposure settings. This will give you the creative flexibility to achieve your desired depth of field, motion blur, and exposure compensation.
Video Capabilities
Recording birds in action can be just as compelling as still photography. If you plan to shoot video, look for a camera capable of shooting 4K video at high frame rates.
Durability
Since you’ll be carrying your gear outdoors to various environments, you want a sturdy, weather-resistant camera body and lens. Some high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras feature weather sealing.
Weight
As you’ll likely be carrying your camera for extended periods, weight is an important consideration. Mirrorless cameras and superzoom point-and-shoots tend to be more lightweight and portable.
Budget
Bird photography cameras span a wide range of price points. Generally, expect to spend $500-$1000 for a good entry-level DSLR setup with a zoom lens. Higher-end DSLR or mirrorless bodies and pro-level super-telephoto lenses can cost several thousand dollars.
The Best Cameras for Birding
Based on the criteria above, here are some top recommendations across different categories and budgets:
DSLR Cameras
| Nikon D500 | Nikon D7500 |
| Canon EOS 7D Mark II | Canon EOS 90D |
These advanced DSLR bodies offer professional performance and handling. Expect excellent image quality, fast burst rates, sophisticated autofocus, and robust build quality.
Mirrorless Cameras
| Sony a6600 | Fujifilm X-T4 |
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Panasonic Lumix GH5 |
Mirrorless cameras provide top-notch image quality in more compact, lightweight bodies. They also have state-of-the-art autofocus capabilities and many offer in-body image stabilization.
Superzoom Point-and-Shoot Cameras
| Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II | Nikon Coolpix P1000 |
| Canon PowerShot SX70 HS | Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV |
Superzoom point-and-shoots provide incredible zoom ranges up to 3000mm in an all-in-one package. They offer an affordable, portable option for hobbyists.
Recommended Lenses for Bird Photography
For DSLR and mirrorless cameras, you have the flexibility to pair different lenses optimized for birding. Here are some top lens choices:
All-in-One Zoom Lenses
- Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
- Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports
- Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
These extended zoom lenses provide incredible reach in one versatile package. They allow framing flexibility for birds at varying distances.
Prime Super Telephoto Lenses
- Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4E FL ED VR
- Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM
- Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
Prime super-telephotos like these allow for the clearest, sharpest images but they are very large and expensive. They are best suited for professional bird photographers.
Teleconverters and Extenders
- Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 AF 1.4x
- Tamron SP 2X Teleconverter
- Nikon TC-14E III
- Canon Extender EF 2X III
Teleconverters can extend the reach of compatible lenses by 1.4x or 2x. They provide additional magnification at the cost of losing some image quality and light.
Other Bird Photography Equipment
Beyond your camera, there are some other essential accessories for bird photography:
Tripod
A sturdy tripod provides stability for sharper shots, especially with large heavy lenses. Look for one that extends to eye-level height.
Gimbal Head
A gimbal head allows fluid panning and tracking of subjects. This helps keep super telephoto lenses balanced.
Remote Shutter Release
A remote shutter release or cable trigger allows you to fire the camera without touching it, reducing vibration.
Binoculars
Binoculars are essential for scouting and tracking bird activity. Roof prism binoculars provide bright, clear viewing for birding.
Bird Call Recorders
Recording bird songs and calls helps you identify species by their sounds.
Camouflage Gear
Wearing camo clothing helps you blend into the environment and avoid disturbing birds.
Blinds and Vehicle Hides
Portable blinds and vehicle hides conceal you from birds for close natural views.
Camera Settings for Photographing Birds
Once you have your gear, proper camera settings and technique will help you maximize your chances of getting great bird photos:
Exposure
Use aperture priority or manual mode to control depth of field. Select an aperture between f/8 and f/11 for sharpness. Increase ISO and use exposure compensation as needed in low light. For very fast birds, use shutter priority to freeze motion.
Focus
Select continuous autofocus mode and single point, dynamic, or group area focus for tracking birds in flight. Pre-focus on a perch and wait for the bird to land.
Drive
Choose high-speed continuous drive mode to capture sequences of images. Shoot bursts of shots as birds take off, land, or fly by.
Composition
Watch bird behavior and anticipate action. Frame shots to include the whole bird with space in the direction it is looking. Capture eye contact when possible. Shoot from the bird’s eye level.
Advanced Techniques
With practice, you can master some more advanced skills:
Panning
Pan horizontally as a bird flies by with a slow shutter speed to blur the background while keeping the bird sharp.
Flash Photography
Add a flash to freeze motion and illuminate shadows at dusk. Use high-speed sync for fill-flash in daylight.
Baiting
While controversial, baiting involves strategically placing birds’ preferred foods to reliably attract them to a photogenic perch.
Audio Playback
Use prerecorded bird calls to lure certain species into view. This takes careful research and skill.
Hides
Photograph from blinds or vehicle hides near bird feeders, nests, and other hotspots for close encounters.
Post-Processing
Use post-processing software to edit your photos and improve the colors, exposure, sharpness, and cropping:
Raw Processing
Shoot RAW images to allow greater editing flexibility, such as recovering blown highlights and adjusting white balance.
Noise Reduction
Reduce unwanted graininess at higher ISOs. Programs like Lightroom have effective noise reduction tools.
Sharpening
Carefully sharpen details like feathers and eyes without overdoing it and causing artificial effects.
Cropping
Crop tightly around the subject to cut out distractions while maintaining resolution for prints.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camera technology along with the proper technique is key to succeeding in bird photography. Look for DSLR or mirrorless cameras with long telephoto lenses to help you capture these remarkable winged creatures in their natural environments. With practice and preparation, you’ll be ready to document diverse species and behaviors.
Some final tips are to be patient, move slowly, observe bird patterns, and respect their space. This will allow you to get closest to birds without disturbing them. Also take advantage of optimal lighting in the early morning and late afternoon golden hours. And don’t forget the joy of just watching birds with your own eyes – binoculars and cameras should enhance the birding experience, not overwhelm it.
