The 7 Best Cameras For Wildlife Photography - Summer 2021 Reviews

The best camera for nature photography that we've tested with a mirrorless design is the Nikon Z 6II. This full-frame model features a fast and accurate autofocus system that should do a good job of tracking small birds and wildlife. Its in-body image stabilization feature is also helpful when snapping photos at an extended focal length without using a tripod. If you use a CFexpress card slot, it has a virtually limitless photo buffer in JPEG and RAW, allowing you to take full advantage of its fast 13 fps maximum shooting speed and capture clear stills of fast-moving subjects.

Image quality is also excellent, with good noise handling capability and a minimal loss of sharpness even when shooting at high ISO levels, which is good for nighttime photography. Depending on your settings and usage habits, it should offer sufficient battery life for most of a day's use. It's also remarkably comfortable to use and has a solid-feeling magnesium alloy body that's rated as being weather-sealed. However, we don't currently test for water resistance.

Unfortunately, this is a large, heavy camera, making it a bit of a hassle to bring with you to remote shooting locations. Its tilting screen also doesn't offer the same range of flexibility as that of a fully-articulated display, though it is very sharp and more than bright enough to see under direct sunlight. Overall, this camera's amazing image quality, fast continuous shooting speed, and effective, consistent autofocus system make it a great option for sports and wildlife photography.

Of the DSLRs we've tested, the best camera for nature photography is the Nikon D780. Unlike mirrorless options, going with a DSLR gives you access to a wider selection of lenses, including telephoto options that would be well-suited to wildlife photography. While we don't currently evaluate lens systems, Nikon generally offers many DSLR lenses to choose from. The D780 also feels remarkably well-built, and its optical viewfinder gives you an unfiltered look at your subjects.

Its full-frame 24.5 MP sensor delivers excellent image quality with a good amount of dynamic range to bring out more detail in high-contrast scenes. It also has incredible RAW noise handling capability, so photos stay sharp and noise-free when shooting at higher ISO levels in more dimly-lit conditions. While its 8 fps continuous shooting speed isn't as fast as some mirrorless alternatives, it's quick for a DSLR, and it has a virtually instantaneous buffer empty time, so you can shoot without interruption. It also has a remarkably reliable autofocus system for tracking moving subjects like birds.

Unfortunately, it's quite heavy and bulky, so it's not the most convenient to carry around for long days of shooting. It also lacks in-body image stabilization, which may mean less stability when shooting in low light without a tripod, though it still does a good job of stabilizing images with its kit lens. It's also weather-sealed to protect from rain, though we don't currently test for this. If you're looking for a DSLR for wildlife photography, this is one of the best DSLR cameras that we've tested, and it should be well-suited for this use.

The best camera for wildlife photography with a bridge design that we've tested is the Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 II. This camera has a built-in optically-stabilized zoom lens, helping you capture fairly clear images at extended focal lengths. You can achieve its max continuous shooting speed of 12 fps in its silent shooting mode, which should be helpful when trying to snap images of skittish animals. Image quality is great, with a wide dynamic range and good noise handling capability, though image sharpness can degrade at high ISO levels.

The camera's autofocus system does a decent job tracking moving subjects and features some fairly unique functions. 'Post Focus' allows you to change the focus point of an image after you take it, while 'Focus Stacking' stitches together a series of photos taken with different focus points and generates an image with an expanded focus range. However, we don't currently evaluate these features. The camera feels well-built, is comfortable to use, and has an intuitive menu system along with a fully articulated touchscreen display that's bright enough to be easily seen under direct sunlight.

That said, this camera is bulky and somewhat heavy, so you may find it to be a bit of a hassle to carry around in a bag or handheld during long days on the go. It isn't weather-sealed and might not be the best option for shooting wildlife in poor weather conditions. However, note that we don't currently test for water resistance. Overall, if you're looking for a comfortable-to-use bridge camera with a relatively broad range of features, this is a good option.

If you're looking for a point-and-shoot, the best camera for outdoor photography that we've tested is the Sony RX100 VII. This compact camera is remarkably lightweight and portable, with a screen that flips out if you want to shoot at lower angles and a pop-up electronic viewfinder for photographers who prefer to shoot through a viewfinder. Its built-in lens has a max 200mm equivalent focal length, so you can capture far-off subjects.

It has a remarkably fast continuous shooting speed that can capture photos at a speed of 22 fps in its silent drive mode, which is great for shooting wildlife. It also has a burst mode that can shoot seven photos in succession at a speed of 30 fps, 60 fps, or 90 fps to capture very fast movement, though we haven't tested this feature. Its autofocus system does a fantastic job of tracking moving subjects as well, ensuring that they stay in focus. Image quality is excellent overall, particularly in JPEG, though it doesn't perform as well in low light due to its smaller sensor.

While its compact size makes it easy to take anywhere, its lack of a proper handgrip makes it difficult to maintain a secure hold on the camera. It can also be uncomfortable to use for those with larger hands. The camera also has a disappointing battery life, although this can vary drastically with real-world conditions and settings. On the upside, you can keep using it while it charges. All in all, if you're looking for a compact for wildlife photography, this is a solid choice.