LIFESTYLE

The best cameras for bird photography

You can take stunning images while birding, even with an entry-level camera. Here are our top picks, from basic workhorses to pro-level models.

A colorful bird perched on a thin branch with green leaves on the end, has teal yellow red feathers.

Photograph By Timothy Laman, Nat Geo Image Collection

ByStephanie Vermillion

September 19, 2024

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Birdwatching surged in popularity during the pandemic, with up to a third of Americans now identifying as birders, according to the latest National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. For many, avian awe has opened the door to another hobby—photography. Choosing the best camera for bird photography requires a bit of know-how and experience.

We turned to Luciano Lima, a leading photographer in bird-rich Brazil, for his expertise, including which features to prioritize when shopping for a camera. “Fast autofocus coupled with animal eye detection is a game changer for bird photography,” Lima says, noting that sharp, focused eyes can elevate all types of wildlife photography. “The ability to use high ISO with minimal noise translates to faster shutter speeds, which is crucial in wildlife photography, especially with birds.”

Our choice for best overall birding camera, the Sony A9III, has all the above and then some. But cameras for bird photography don’t have to be as expensive as our top choice. “With the recent advancements in autofocus and ISO performance in the new generation of mirrorless cameras, you can now achieve amazing pictures with an entry-level mirrorless camera and lens,” Lima says.

To find the best cameras for bird photography, we analyzed tons of options, from basic workhorses to pro level models. Our top picks are based on our own experiences as photographers and other expert analysis. Here are our favorites, plus tips on what to consider before investing in new gear.

The best cameras for birding

When analyzing your next camera, Lima suggests looking for core bird-photography features: fast autofocus, animal eye detection, continuous shooting rates, high shutter speeds, autofocus accuracy, and ISO performance. “Another tip is to use your bird photography equipment to capture amazing videos,” Lima says. Video capabilities, such as 4K or higher quality, are key. “Once I get a good photo, I switch to video mode and become a bird videographer.”

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Best camera for bird photography overall: Sony A9III

A small black camera body with a flipped out screen. — Photograph Courtesy Merchant

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Why we like it: The Sony A9III revolutionized wildlife imagery when it hit the market in 2024. It’s the first full-frame camera to feature a global electronic shutter, which eliminates unwanted warp when photographing quick-moving subjects, such as flying birds. Additionally, the Sony A9III nabbed our title for best bird photography camera because of its impressive shooting rate of 120 frames per second (fps) with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000, so you don’t miss key moments.

Autofocus is essential in wildlife photography and the Sony A9III’s built-in AI ensures accurate subject tracking, with bird-eye detection that helps nail each shot. For filmmakers, 4K video at up to 120p allows for extreme slow-motion videos that won’t compromise quality. At less than 1.5 pounds, this camera is light and comfortable enough for long days of shooting in the field.

Keep in mind: The Sony A9III is a major investment at $6,000. While its features are impressive, reviewers note that image quality lacks when the ISO is bumped way up, and the ISO range (you can’t shoot lower than ISO 250) limits the camera’s non-wildlife uses.

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Best bird photography camera for beginners: Sony A6700

A black camera body without a lens affixed showing the interior. — Photograph Courtesy B&H

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Why we like it: With fast and accurate AI-driven autofocus, a 26 MP sensor, 11 fps continuous shooting, weather-resistant sealing, and a price around $1,400, the Sony A6700 is about as good as it gets for beginner birding cameras. It has face and eye detection with 759 phase detection points for stills and AI-powered real-time subject tracking—ideal for keeping quick-moving birds sharp throughout an image series.

The wide ISO range of 100-32,000 (expandable to ISO 50-102,400) offers impressive low-light performance as well. A fully articulating LCD screen helps photographers and filmmakers dodge bright glare from sunlight. Video creators will also enjoy 4K video up to 60p, with a cropped option at 120p for ultra-slow-motion films.

Keep in mind: This is a beginner camera with a cropped sensor, which means it doesn’t have the quality of a full-frame camera like the A9III. Additionally, the camera’s loud shutter can be disruptive when photographing birds or other animals in quiet settings like a forest.

Best camera for bird photography on a budget: Canon EOS R10

A black camera body with a pop up lens. — Photograph Courtesy B&H

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Why we like it: The Canon EOS R10 doesn’t have the bells and whistles of pricier cameras, but at less than $1,000 (body only) it has a myriad of features, from a 24 MP sensor to up to 23 fps continuous shooting. With 651 automatic autofocus points, photographers can pinpoint their subject, whether it’s a fast-moving kingfisher or a tree-perched owl. Built-in subject detection and tracking ensure you can follow the bird without breaking focus too.

The lightweight build (just under a pound) makes the Canon EOS R10 ideal for travel, while a UHD 4K video recording at up to 30p (60p with crop) lets photographers dabble in high-quality bird filmmaking.

Keep in mind: In photography, you typically get what you pay for, and this rings true with the Canon EOS R10. The camera lacks weather sealing, which is helpful for off-grid and adventurous birding expeditions. The battery life is short, with reviewers reporting between 200 to 400 shots per charge, depending on usage.

Best professional camera for bird photography: Nikon Z9

A large black camera body on a cream background. — Photograph Courtesy B&H

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Why we like it: With a massive 45.7 MP sensor that promises detail-rich quality and a 20 fps shooting rate with a buffer that allows up to 1,000 RAW frames, it’s easy to see why the Nikon Z9 nabbed our “best professional camera for bird photography” title. The Nikon Z9 is a favorite among bird photographers and filmmakers alike, with useful features like the pre-release capture to log frames even before fully pressing the shutter, which helps ensure you never miss important shots.

The camera’s high-efficiency RAW file format also compresses file sizes for speedier shooting while retaining full quality. An electric and silent shutter means you won’t disturb the birds you’re photographing. And for filmmakers, 4K at 120p capabilities make for dreamy slow-motion films of fast-moving birds.

Keep in mind: This camera is powerful, but that all that power comes with extra weight. The Nikon Z9 weighs nearly three pounds without a lens, and the body isn’t as compact as other similar mirrorless cameras. As a professional-level camera, the Nikon Z9 is also expensive; it runs for around $5,500.

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Best bridge camera for birding photography: Panasonic Lumix FZ2500

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Why we like it: The Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 is an exceptional bridge camera (a camera that’s partway between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR/ mirrorless device) that’s designed for photographers and videographers alike. It stands out for continuous autofocus and subject tracking—a must-have for keeping birds in focus. It’s also got a 20.1 MP sensor for producing images with enough detail to print and frame. A built-in super telephoto 24-480mm lens lets you get extra close to birds without disruptions, and an aperture of f/2.8-4.5 lets you blur backgrounds to help subjects pop.

Bird photographers can enjoy up to 50 fps shooting—an impressive figure for a camera that costs just under $1,000. With 4K video recording at 24p or full HD at 59.4p, budding filmmakers have the tools to create captivating birdwatching content.

Keep in mind: As a bridge camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 straddles the lines of photography and video, which means it doesn’t necessarily excel in either field. Filmmakers may feel constrained with 4K that’s only useable at 24p. While photographers will enjoy 20.1 MP images, the quality isn’t as good compared to higher-level cameras with full-frame sensors. This camera is best for a hobbyist or beginner still deciding which route to take, photo or video.

Best camera for bird photography with a superzoom lens: Nikon Coolpix P1000

A camera with a large lens attached on a cream background. — Photograph Courtesy Amazon

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Why we like it: As far as bird photography point-and-shoot cameras go, it’s hard to top the Nikon Coolpix P1000’s superzoom 24-3000mm lens. This much power put this camera on our best list, but we also took note of its 4K video capabilities, tilting screen (great for avoiding glare), and five stops of built-in image stabilization (important for minimizing shake and keeping photos sharp and films steady).

Even better, this camera comes with a bird mode, helping beginners land their shots. It’s not the most feature-rich camera on this list, but the Nikon Coolpix P1000 has another major perk: it’s relatively budget-friendly, at around $1,000.

Keep in mind: This is a beginner or hobbyist camera. The 16 MP photos will display well on compact screens or small prints, but they may not be detail-rich enough to blow up and hang on the wall. Additionally, the camera’s limited ISO range means it doesn’t perform well in low light.

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How we chose the best cameras for bird photography

We researched a variety of sources to select and write this thorough list of the best bird photography cameras, including:

Third-party reviews: We read and watched myriad reviews for each camera to understand not only the specs, but how they held up during use and potential pitfalls that the manufacturers don’t share.
Expert insights: We turned to expert and longtime bird photographer Luciano Lima to get his insights on the best features to look for in a birding camera—based on his own personal use. I also drew from my own experience as a travel journalist and photographer.
Online videos: We watched hours of third-party videos to understand how these cameras operate and what they look like in action.
Review boards: We dug through camera review boards and sites like Reddit to get real-life feedback from photographers of all experience levels.

Tips for buying a camera for bird photography

Prioritize autofocus

Autofocus is important in all sorts of wildlife photography. In birdwatching, where the subjects can fly off at any second, it’s even more critical. Look for cameras that come with intelligent autofocus features, such as animal eye detection or, better yet, bird detection, like the Sony A9III.

Seek high frames-per-second rates

High frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting will help you capture interesting and unpredictable bird movements and behaviors. The greater the continuous shooting rate, the more variety of movements you can capture. Aim for 15 to 20 fps or more if your budget allows.

Consider how you’ll use the camera

Your camera for birding doesn’t need every bell and whistle—just the ones you’ll use. If you’re more into photography, prioritize features like frames-per-second shooting rates and megapixel counts. If you’re more into video, look for 4K—particularly at 60p or 120p, as both allow for slowing down footage without losing quality. And if you’re deciding between the two crafts, consider a bridge camera, like the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500, to experience both worlds without breaking the bank.

Go lightweight

Lima, who travels far in the field for bird photography, says it’s critical to consider weight when making your camera choice. “I often walk long distances in hot weather, carrying not just my camera and lenses but also binoculars, sound recorders, and other equipment,” he says. “The weight of photo equipment is important to me.” Brainstorm your photography goals and settings, as well as the other gear you’ll be carrying before settling on a camera.

Choosing a sensor

If you plan to blow up or sell prints of your bird images, look for a camera with top-level image quality—typically a full-frame sensor with at least 24 MP or higher. APS-C sensors, also known as crop sensors, are ideal for hobbyist or beginner photographers, particularly given their lower price point, but they do lack full-frame image quality.

High ISO, minimal noise

When photographing birds at high shutter speeds, you’ll need to bump up the ISO. Look for a camera with a versatile ISO range that performs well with minimal noise at a higher ISO point. This will help you capture the action without compromising quality.

Frequently asked questions

What camera do most wildlife professional photographers use?

Most wildlife professional photographers use either high-end mirrorless or DSLR cameras that prioritize high frames-per-second continuous shooting rates, image quality, and intelligent autofocus. While the camera and brand largely depend on the photographer, you can expect most professional-level cameras to have large full-frame sensors, continuous shooting rates of 20 fps or higher, versatile ISO ranges with low-light capabilities, and smart autofocus technology, particularly bird detection.

What is the best Canon camera for birding?

Many bird photographers swear by Canon’s mirrorless EOS R6 Mark II for its full-frame 24.2 MP sensor, 30 frames-per-second shooting, 6K video, and animal-detecting autofocus features. Other Canon wildlife cameras include the Canon EOS R5. Those on a budget will also enjoy our pick, the Canon EOS R10.

What camera lens is best for birding?

For birding, a telephoto lens that can get close to the bird without disrupting it is best. Lima typically uses a 400mm or 500mm lens with an f/4 to f/8 aperture—an ideal focal length that won’t require lugging a heavy tripod into the field. “Using a tripod is almost mandatory for lenses over 500mm, or even smaller lenses with a large aperture,” he says.

Stephanie Vermillion is a freelance journalist and photographer covering adventure travel, astrotourism, culture, and conservation for National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and Vogue. Her National Geographic book, 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark, publishes in December 2024. Find her on Instagram.

*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.