Cameras For Wildlife Photography
Choosing a camera for wildlife photography used to mean selecting from a small group of professional-level DSLRs that had the speed and telephoto lens options needed to capture close-up views of fast-moving subjects. Today, there’s a much wider range of cameras that can meet the needs of wildlife photographers, including mirrorless systems that have some advantages over traditional DSLRs.
Many mirrorless cameras offer faster-than-DSLR continuous shooting speeds when using their electronic (as opposed to mechanical) shutters. While some mirrorless cameras also include a mechanical shutter, electronic shutters have the added benefit of totally silent operation, a decided advantage for wildlife photography when you’re trying not to disturb your subject. And as mirrorless camera makers and third-party lens manufacturers continue to expand the lens options available, there are now many choices in the super-tele range, including affordable zooms and premium primes, plus teleconverters that can get you to focal lengths equivalent to 1200mm and beyond.
Battery life remains an advantage for DSLRs, but, overall, the performance gaps between DSLR and mirrorless cameras have closed. What’s important is that the camera you choose has the speed and autofocus precision to keep up with the action and the lens options you need for your favorite subjects. Depending on your photographic style, the end use of your images and your budget for equipment, there are many terrific cameras—both DSLR and mirrorless—that are up to the challenge of wildlife photography.
Which Sensor Format To Choose
Telephoto lenses are one of the most important requirements for wildlife photography, bringing you close-up views of your subjects while allowing you to remain at a safe and respectful distance.
Though larger full-frame sensors are in some respects superior to smaller APS-C sensors, the magnification factor of a smaller sensor enhances the telephoto reach of your lenses. For example, comparing a 20-megapixel full-frame camera with a 20-megapixel APS-C camera, the APS-C model will give you approximately 1.5x magnification of your lens’ focal length, making a 400mm lens equivalent to a 600mm lens. Keep in mind that this advantage assumes you’re comparing two cameras with the same resolution, as a full-frame image from a higher-resolution camera can be cropped for a similar result.
Micro Four Thirds sensors offer even greater magnification of 2x. This allows Olympus and Panasonic to design lighter, more compact telephoto lenses for their Micro Four Thirds cameras compared to zooms and primes with equivalent focal lengths for larger-sensor cameras. The Olympus M.ZUIKO ED 300mmF4.0 IS PRO is an excellent example. It’s equivalent to a 600mm prime on a full-frame camera—but at 3.7 inches in diameter, 8.9 inches in length and 2.8 pounds, this lens is just a little over half the size and more than 60 percent lighter than the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (6.5-inch diameter, 17 inches in length and 8.4 pounds). The Olympus lens is also roughly one-fifth of the price at $2,899 versus the Nikon at $12,299. The point is that smaller-sensor cameras do offer an advantage of lighter, more compact lenses. For many photographers, any tradeoff in overall image quality due to a smaller sensor is acceptable in exchange for the portability—and relative affordability—of these systems.
Autofocus Performance
For wildlife action, AF speed and accuracy are prime considerations. Definitive numerical ratings aren’t available for AF performance, but higher-end cameras typically deliver better AF performance than entry-level bodies, and newer models with the most up-to-date AF technology improve upon earlier models.
More AF points are potentially an advantage, but evaluate the entire AF system. Cross-type points provide additional information to the AF processor and, therefore, improved accuracy. Algorithms
