The Best Camera for Wildlife Photography

What’s the best camera for wildlife photography? In this video, Will Nicholls and Sam Rowley test a number of DSLR cameras currently leading the charge amongst wildlife photographers. We’ve got cameras from different price brackets, and look at the Canon 1DX Mark II, 5D Mark IV, and 80D. From the Nikon range, we have the Nikon D850, D500, and D7500.

There are so many different cameras to choose from, and it can be a bit of a minefield when choosing the best camera for wildlife photography. After all, you don’t want to choose the wrong one! Being stuck with a camera not suited for your shooting situation can limit your progress as a photographer (or at least make it more difficult).

In this video, we run through a number of the considerations you might want to make when choosing your next camera. Factors such as the ISO capabilities, frame rate, megapixel count, and autofocus systems will play a big part in your decision. However, the most expensive camera is not necessarily the best choice for you. Plus, the more affordable cameras can do a great job too.

It’s all about knowing which camera is suited for you. If you’re just starting out, then buying a 1DX Mark II is probably a waste of money! By the time you’re at a point that you can make use of all of its capabilities, there will be a Mark III or IV equivalent on the market. Pace yourself, and hopefully the advice in this video will help you to make an informed decision when the time comes!

Here are the cameras we tested:

This video was produced in partnership with photography insurance specialist PhotoGuard. Head to their website for a quote, with a 10% discount for Nature TTL readers!

Will Nicholls is the founder of Nature TTL and a professional wildlife photographer and film-maker from England. Will now works in natural history television as a wildlife camera operator for the likes of Netflix, AppleTV+, and other services.