Although there are several factors to consider for one to become a top-notch wildlife photographer, it ultimately boils down to how good the camera is. There is only so much the best photographer can do when shooting through the worst lens, while the best lens can make the worst wildlife photographer look decent.
In the end, the camera quality is about 50% of your picture output already, therefore you must get it right. To do this, there are certain qualities you must look out for in a camera before purchase.
What makes a camera good for wildlife photography?
A good camera for wildlife photography is simply the one that best suits the need of the exact photography factors. For example, you wouldn’t want to take shots of wildlife underwater and make use of an ordinary camera. It certainly has to be waterproof with specially designed lenses to compensate otherwise you’re going to capture nothing.
Generally, you should look for the following characteristics in a camera before it can be said to be suitable for wildlife photography:
Sensor size
Cameras with a full-frame sensor are the best choice for optimal image quality and low-light performance. However, smaller sensors such as the APS-C would also make a great wildlife camera.
These cameras even have an advantage over the full-frame sensors when taking long-distance pictures. In the end, they both have their specialities, leaving it down to you to choose what you need.
Autofocus
Autofocus is a non-negotiable feature in a wildlife camera. It is mostly indicated by the abbreviation AF with several grading to act as AF points.
Autofocus allows your camera to identify the necessary information available to it quickly, and focus on the image you want to snap exactly. For wildlife photography, the camera should have a minimum of 50 AF points.
Shooting Speed (FPS)
This is how fast the camera is able to snag those breathtaking moments while wildlife is in action. You should go for a camera that can do this excellently.
The minimum shooting speed of the camera should be at least 5 FPS, however, you would need so much more if you intend to take shots of rapid moving wildlife. For such a task, you would need a camera with a frame rate of 10 FPS or more.
What else should be considered ?
Aside from the basic features listed above, there are also some qualities that a camera should possess before qualifying for wildlife photography. Firstly, the point and shoot feature is really great, especially when the camera has a proper zoom attached to it.
Also, having a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) is another thing to consider, as it allows users better control over the shots they take.
Wildlife cameras should also be mirrorless in order to not reflect the image found on the lens to the viewfinder. Getting a camera with all these qualities is the sure way to remove the obstacle of poor equipment when taking wildlife photos. With this, the outcome of the image is left to your expertise and caution.
The camera used when taking wildlife photos plays a huge role in the outcome of the picture. Regardless of how good you are, a poor-quality camera would provide you with poor-quality images, and a high-quality one, excellent images. Choose adequately!