Wildlife – ExpertPhotography

7 Best Binoculars for Wildlife in 2024 (Updated)

Nick Constant — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:27:48 +0000

If you’re looking to buy the best binoculars for wildlife photography, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is what type of wildlife you want to see. The second is what type of terrain you’ll be using them in. And the third is your budget.

Based on price and performance, we list seven of the best binoculars for wildlife. Our top choice is the Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars. They give you an amazing range of magnification in a relatively compact design. And Best of all, the price is amazing for its capabilities.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Binoculars For Wildlife

Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars

Maven B3 ED Compact Binoculars

Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars

What Are the Best Binoculars for Wildlife?

The top three manufacturers of binoculars are all German or Austrian. And their optics are very expensive. Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski have unbeatable quality, durability, and warranties. If you want the very best, these three brands will please you.

But many other manufacturers like Nikon, Bushnell, Vortex, and (my favorite) Maven exist. They make excellent glass without the price tag of the big three.

Here is a quick look at our top choices! Jump to our buying guide at the end if you need more info about wildlife binoculars.

Our Top Choice

Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars

10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses
HD Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for high resolution and color fidelity
Dielectric, multi-layer prism coatings for bright images
Rubber-armored chassis and ArmorTek coating
Argon purged and O-ring sealed for waterproof, fogproof performance

High-Performing for Great Value

Maven B3 ED Compact Binoculars

Winner of Outdoor Life's Best Buy award (2016) and Grays Best award (2017)
10 ED glass elements for true color transmission and amazing brightness
Anodized aluminum adjustments for years of durability
Superior low-light performance and tack-sharp edge-to-edge clarity
Unconditional life-time warranty

Best Mid-Range

Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars

Field-flattener lens system for wide field of view
ED glass for clear, sharp view
Locking diopter control for personal settings
Exceptional handling
Rugged and durable design

Best Value

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars

Prime ED glass for high-resolution image
Ultra-Wide Band Coating for maximum light
RainGuardHD water-repellent lens coating
Lightweight, magnesium chassis
Waterproof, fogproof, and includes accessories

Best Compact

Leica Ultravid BR Binoculars

8x magnification and 20mm objective lens for a clear, detailed view
Roof prism for increased brightness and sharpness
15mm eye relief for comfortable usage
Compact design for maximum portability
Weighs 240 g / 0.54 lb for easy handling and carrying

Best High-End

Swarovski EL Binoculars

8x magnification and 32mm effective objective lens diameter
4mm exit pupil diameter and 20mm eye relief
Lifetime limited warranty for optics
10-year warranty for other parts
Includes field bag, eyepiece cover, objective lens cover, and lift carrying strap

Great High-End Option

Zeiss Conquest HD Binoculars

Designed and manufactured with traditional German quality
The largest field of view compared to other binoculars in its class
Rotating and lockable eyecups for eyeglass or non-eyeglass wearers
Lightweight and ergonomic design for ultimate comfort on location
LotuTec water shedding outer coatings for all-weather use

7 Best Binoculars for Wildlife

Binoculars for wildlife photography are extremely useful. I can’t tell you how often I’ve stood atop a hill or mountain, removed my binoculars from my bag, and scanned the landscape for wildlife.

I’ve used them to scout hiking routes and rapids. Binoculars have helped me avoid bears in the backcountry and check on clients photographing a distance away. They are a must-have for every outdoor photographer.

1. Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars

Brand	Brand Vortex Optics
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 10x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 42mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 5.1 ft / 1.6 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 22.1 x 17.8 x 9.7 cm / 8.7 x 7 x 3.8 inches
Weight	Weight 725 g / 1.6 lb
Key Features	Key Features HD Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, rubber-armored chassis, waterproof, fogproof
Best For	Best For Photographers who want high-end binoculars for a mid-range price

I love the Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 binoculars. They feature high-quality glass and lens coatings. So they have excellent resolution, accurate colors, and brightness. And it has the best minimum focus distance on our list at 5.1 ft (1.6 m).

With modern styling and sleek green rubberized housing, these binoculars look and feel like the best on the market. And they are darn near close to the best for outdoor use, even in wet and foggy conditions.

Vortex has binoculars ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to over $2000. So you can find a pair to suit your budget. And for a great mid-price option, check out the Viper HD series. You’ll be hard-pressed to find something better for the price.

2. Maven B3 ED Compact Binoculars

Brand	Brand Maven
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 10x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 30mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 8.2 ft / 2.5 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 11.9 x 11.6 x 4 cm / 4.7 x 4.6 x 1.6 inches
Weight	Weight 458 g / 1.01 lb
Key Features	Key Features 10 high-quality ED glass elements, durable anodized aluminum adjustments, waterproof, unconditional lifetime warranty
Best For	Best For Photographers who want great, cheap binoculars that easily fit in your bag

The award-winning Maven B3 ED 8xx30 compact binoculars are my constant companion. They are relatively small and light. And the binoculars with cameras fit nicely in my camera bag. At around $500, they are a reasonable price for the high quality.

Its quality glass ensures true colors, excellent brightness, sharpness, and low-light performance. Their binoculars are durable, waterproof, and have exceptional quality. And the B3 ED‘s anodized aluminum dials are less susceptible to corrosion.

US brand Maven is a relative newcomer to the mid-range and high-range market. Their quality easily competes with the big three European brands at a much lower cost. And you can’t lose with their lifetime offer of repair and replacement!

3. Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 10x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 42mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 6.5 ft / 2 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 23.8 x 15.9 x 10.7 cm / 9.3 x 6.2 x 4.2 inches
Weight	Weight 680 g / 1.4 lb
Key Features	Key Features ED glass, field-flattener lens system, locking diopter, waterproof
Best For	Best For Photographers looking for inexpensive mid-end to high-end binoculars

Nikon Monarch HG 10×42 binoculars are one of the best options for mid-range binoculars. Again, these feature ED glass for sharp, clear views. They are waterproof, tough, and relatively lightweight. So they’re ideal for wildlife photography outings.

They have a field-flattener lens system that provides a wide field of view. And the locking diopter means you can personalize settings.

Nikon binoculars, like their cameras and lenses, are high quality. You get a lot of bang for your buck with the Monarch HG!

4. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars

Brand	Brand Bushnell
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 10x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 42mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 6.5 ft / 2 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 13.4 x 10.2 x 17.5 cm / 5.2 x 4 x 6.8 inches
Weight	Weight 710 g / 1.5 lb
Key Features	Key Features ED glass, lens coatings, waterproof, fogproof
Best For	Best For Photographers looking for great binoculars for a reasonable price

The Bushnell Legend 10×42 Ultra HDs for a good, low-price option. You get high resolution with Bushnell’s high-quality ED glass. And it has an Ultra-Wide Band Coating to let in lots of light, plus a water-repellent lens coating.

Bushnell is a legacy brand of optics. They’ve been around for many years and warrant a place here. While most of their binoculars fall into the mid and low price range, the quality, even in their entry-level gear, is worth noting.

Again, these are another pair of lightweight and durable binoculars. The Legend Ultra HDs are made for wildlife photographers to use in the wet outdoors.

5. Leica Ultravid BR Binoculars

Brand	Brand Leica
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 8x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 20mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 5.9 ft / 1.8 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 11.2 x 9.4 x 3.8 cm / 4.4 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches
Weight	Weight 240 g / 0.54 lb
Key Features	Key Features Leica optics, portable design, waterproof
Best For	Best For Compact binoculars for those who want as little weight as possible

The Leica 8×20 Ultravid BRs are a great set of binoculars. Its incredible glass, good ergonomics, and compact size make up for many of the shortcomings of compacts.

As a birder, picking out the details of a flitting bird in dense, dark woods is hard enough with bright binoculars. It can be nearly impossible with the poor light gathering of compacts. But the views you get with this pair are sharp, detailed, and bright.

I rarely recommend compact binoculars. But these lightweight Ultravid BR binoculars are an exception.

6. Swarovski EL Binoculars

Brand	Brand Swarovski
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 8x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 32mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 6.2 ft / 1.9 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 34.9 x 19.6 x 9.5 cm / 13.75 x 7.75 x 3.75 inches
Weight	Weight 453 g / 1 lb
Key Features	Key Features High-end glass, ergonomic design, optics and parts warranties
Best For	Best For Photographers who want High-end binoculars with incredible optical quality

In high-end binoculars, Swarovski EL 8×32 binoculars are extraordinary and my favorite. They are tough, elegant, and have unbeatable optical quality. And they have a nice, wide field of view of 150 m (492 ft).

Of course, you pay for that quality, but the EL 8x32s are priced less than the larger 10×32s. If you want and can afford the best, these will not let you down.

Swarovski does stand by their product with a limited, lifetime optical warranty and a 10-year warranty for parts.

7. Zeiss Conquest HD Binoculars

Brand	Brand ZEISS
Maximum Magnification	Maximum Magnification 8x
Lens Diameter	Lens Diameter 42mm
Shortest Focusing Distance	Shortest Focusing Distance 6.6 ft / 2 m
Dimensions	Dimensions 11.9 x 11.9 x 16.5 cm / 4.6 x 4.6 x 6.4 inches
Weight	Weight 795 g / 1.7 lb
Key Features	Key Features Excellent optics, large field of view, lightweight, ergonomic, all-weather design, warranties
Best For	Best For Professional photographers who want a reliable set of high-end binoculars

Lastly, we have the Zeiss Conquest 8×42 HD binoculars. It’s a good combination of magnification and light gathering. It’s durable, waterproof, and has excellent optics.

It has the biggest field of view compared to similar binoculars. It handles well and is portable. Plus, it comes with a 5-year “no-fault policy” and a limited lifetime warranty.

All Zeiss binoculars are excellent but pricey. If you want top-notch glass, you can’t go wrong with the Conquest HD binoculars.

Binoculars for Wildlife Buyers Guide (FAQs)

We answer a few common questions about wildlife binoculars to help you buy the right ones!

What Are the Best Binoculars?

That’s impossible to answer. There are many brands, sizes, and price ranges. What is right for me may not be right for you. But knowing how to choose the best binoculars is the most important thing.

We recommend the Vortex Optics Viper HD binoculars for their quality design and price. But each pair of binoculars on our list has its strong points, depending on your needs and budget.

What Do Binocular Numbers Mean?

Binoculars are sized by two numbers. You’ll see numbers like 10×42 or 8×30. The first number is the magnification. The second is the diameter of the lens.

The larger the second number, the more light your binoculars will collect. Think about this like you would the maximum aperture on your lens. More light is good. But it comes at the cost of size.

What Is the Best Magnification for Binoculars?

If you have a steady hand, 10x binoculars might be best. If you have a less steady hand, then consider 8x. Less than 8x is usually too little magnification, while more than 10x is often too difficult to hold still.

Too much magnification, and you may not be able to hold the binoculars steady enough for a good look. Too little, and it may not be enough to see anything.

What Lens Size Should You Choose?

42-diameter binoculars are the most you are likely to want or need. A 10×42 binocular is hefty but not overwhelming. You don’t need as wide a lens if you have less magnification, say 8x. So 8×30 binoculars are a great compact option.

Picking the best compact binoculars is challenging. Like a slow lens, you lose a lot of quality and light-gathering ability in compact ones. If you opt for compact, it’s worth spending the extra money to get them from a high-quality manufacturer.

Do I Have to Consider the Focusing Distance?

Yes, it’s best to consider focusing distance when selecting binoculars. A pair of binoculars that lets you focus on a very close subject will be much more useful than ones that do not.

Whenever I’m shopping for a new pair, I disregard binoculars that do not allow me to focus on my toes. A close focus will allow you to admire the details of insects and flowers from a comfortable standing height.

Conclusion: The Best Binoculars for Wildlife

If you take outdoor photography, a pair of binoculars should be a part of your regular photo kit. If you’ve never carried a pair, you’ll be surprised to see how often you use them. Want to scan for wildlife on the mountainside? Easy. Want to check out the route down the trail? Done.

Our top choice is the Vortex Optics Viper HD binoculars. This is a pair of quality binoculars you can hold onto for years and years. They have ED glass and are durable, waterproof, and fogproof. And they will help improve your wildlife photography.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Binoculars For Wildlife

Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars

Maven B3 ED Compact Binoculars

Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars

7 Best Photographer Vests and Jackets in 2024 (Updated)

Trevor Marshall — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:13:10 +0000

The best photographer vest solves several problems at once. It provides easy access to a wide range of items. It frees your hands to focus on operating your camera. And it keeps your gear evenly distributed on your torso, which is better for your back. These considerations are what we looked at while choosing the best photographer vest.

Our top pick is hugely practical and has a bit of military chic about it. We think it offers great value for money, great design, and long-lasting materials. The Spanye Men’s Black Utility Vest is a great choice if you’re looking for the best photographer vest.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Photographer Vest

Spanye Men’s Black Utility Vest for Outdoor Activities

The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III

Gihuo Men’s Outdoor Fish Vest Plus Size Khaki Large

What Is a Photographer Vest?

We’ve put together a range of vests and jackets. They range from entry-level prices to full-on extreme weather gear. Some are lightweight, some are waterproof. Some emphasize style, others are focused on practicality. And all of them are excellent in their own way.

Before we look in detail at the choices we’ve made, here is a summary of all our recommendations.

Our Top Pick

Spanye Men’s Black Utility Vest for Outdoor Activities

100% nylon construction
Range of 17 colors
16 pockets of various sizes
Lightweight, breathable fabric

Best Severe Weather Choice

The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III

550-fill goose down insulation for warmth
DryVent shell with sealed seams for waterproofing
Relaxed fit for layering and comfort
Convertible design with adjustable cuff tabs

Best Lightweight Choice

Gihuo Men’s Outdoor Fish Vest Plus Size Khaki Large

Lightweight and quick-drying fabric
Multi-pocketed gilet
20/80 cotton/polyester for comfort and strength
Available in 15 colors

Most Stylish Vest

Men’s 9 Pocket Utility Vest for Travel & Work

90/10 polyester/cotton for strength and comfort
6 zippered pockets
Understated style
Lightweight and comfortable

Best Women's Vest

Women’s Q.U.E.S.T. Travel Vest: 42 Secure Pockets

42 pockets - 40 are concealed
Water bottle pocket
RFID-safe pocket for security
Detachable keychain

Most Practical Vest

CampCo Humvee Safari Vest: Hunting, Fishing, Camping

21 pockets with excellent variety of sizes
D-rings, mesh pockets, and epaulets
Pen pockets and large patch pockets
100% cotton for comfort

Biggest Carrying Capacity

Rothco Uncle Milty Travel Vest, Black, X-Small

55/45 cotton/polyester mix for comfort and durability
Huge 17 x 11-inch rear pocket
17 pockets in total
Belt loop for comfort

Choosing the Right Photographer Vest

As you can see, there is quite a range out there. But here are the details of each recommendation. And why we think they are worth your consideration.

1. Spanye Men's Black Utility Vest

Brand	Brand Spanye
Material	Material 100% nylon
Waterproofing	Waterproofing No
Sizes	Sizes XS to 3XL
Key Features	Key Features Mesh panels, 16 pockets, 17 colors
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a practical vest at a low price

This Spanye 100% nylon photo vest is a durable, tear-resistant, and versatile option. It’s lightweight, breathable, and washable. You can wear it for any activity from photography to fishing, hiking, or traveling.

It has multiple zippers and flip pockets that you can store any kind of gear in. These pockets have a large capacity, so you can easily carry smaller camera bodies or lenses in them.

You can find pockets on the inside to keep your most important things safe. D-rings also allow you to store things for easy access.

It comes in two styles and 15 colors. So you have a lot of designs to choose from. Photography vests usually don’t come in so many colors. So if you’d like to stand out from others, choose from these color options.

The Spanye vest is even available in fluorescent green. This can be practical in bad or other extreme situations.

2. The North Face Men's McMurdo Parka III

Brand	Brand THE NORTH FACE
Material	Material 100% nylon faille
Waterproofing	Waterproofing Waterproof and windproof
Sizes	Sizes XS to 3XL
Key Features	Key Features Removable hood, taped seams, certified goose down filling
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a coat for any weather

The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III is a photographer jacket. This is the perfect photography jacket for colder weather.

It’s a really cool-looking jacket that’s also practical. It’s waterproof, made with a DryVent shell, and has sealed seams. It also allows water vapor to escape, so it’s breathable.

There is an internal pocket to keep your important documents or gadgets safe and warm.

The external pockets are large, so you can fit sizable pieces of equipment in them. It’s not going to be enough for carrying several camera bodies or lenses. But if you go out with one camera, you can easily store everything you need.

Handwarmer pockets are also beneficial. You’ll enjoy your time outdoors more with warm hands. But it also makes using the buttons and menus on your camera easier. It’s not cheap, but the North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III will protect you in almost any weather.

3. Gihuo Men's Outdoor Fishing Vest

Brand	Brand Gihuo
Material	Material Cotton and polyester
Waterproofing	Waterproofing Water-resistant
Sizes	Sizes S to 3XL
Key Features	Key Features 15 different colors, 10 pockets and two D-rings, breathable fabric
Best For	Best For Staying cool while carrying plenty of gear

If you are looking for a lightweight yet durable photography vest, this Gihuo Men’s Outdoor Fishing Vest might be the one for you. It’s also a multifunctional vest. You can use it for fishing, traveling, or any outdoor adventures.

This vest is 20% cotton and 80% polyester. It’s moderately waterproof and quick drying. It won’t fully protect you from heavy rains, but it can keep your gear safe in a light drizzle.

It comes with 16 pockets. That’s enough space for your personal items and smaller pieces of camera equipment. These pockets are not bulky, so the vest feels comfortable even if you have to wear it for a long time.

The Gihuo vest is available in 15 colors, so it’s another vest that offers you more style options.

4. Beat the World Men's 9 Pocket Utility Vest for Travel & Work

Brand	Brand Beat The World
Material	Material Polyester and cotton
Waterproofing	Waterproofing No
Sizes	Sizes S to 3XL
Key Features	Key Features 10 colors, 6 zippered pockets, lightweight
Best For	Best For Carrying a small amount of kit in warm weather

This Beat the World Men’s 9 Pocket Utility Vest is a subtle yet fashionable choice. It’s 90% polyester and 10% cotton, which means it’s lightweight.

There are 11 different colors to choose from. The pockets are well-constructed, but not too big. You probably won’t be able to fit your bigger lens in them, but smaller ones can be easily carried.

You’ll still need to carry your bigger pieces of equipment with you in a bag or on a camera strap. But this Beat the World Vest helps you by keeping your smaller accessories easy to access. And there is an internal pocket that’s perfect for storing your wallet.

5. SCOTTeVEST Women's Q.U.E.S.T. Travel Vest

Brand	Brand SCOTTeVEST
Material	Material Cotton and nylon
Waterproofing	Waterproofing Water-repellent
Sizes	Sizes XS to 4XL
Key Features	Key Features 40 hidden pockets, handwarmer, RFID, and electronics pockets
Best For	Best For Women looking for stylish and practical travel solutions

This SCOTTeVEST Women’s Q.U.E.S.T. Travel Vest is a surprising piece. At first sight, it looks like a simple vest with a clear-cut design. But if you look closely, you can see that it has 42 pockets. Yes, 42!

It comes in two colors—beige and black. They’re timeless enough so you can wear them to any occasion.

It’s perfect for carrying your camera gear, passport, or tablet. This makes it suitable for travel photography as well.

It has 18 interior pockets that help you keep your valuables safe.

It has small practical features. It has things like an eyeglass cleaning cloth, a detachable keychain, and a water bottle holder. It also comes with a hood that can be folded and hidden.

There is even an RFID wallet pocket that prevents credit card skimming.

And last but not least, the SCOTTeVEST Women’s Q.U.E.S.T. Travel Vest has a weight management system. That prevents you from being uncomfortable with your gadgets weighing down your pockets.

6. CampCo Humvee Safari Vest

Brand	Brand CampCo
Material	Material 100% cotton
Waterproofing	Waterproofing No
Sizes	Sizes XS to 3XL
Key Features	Key Features 21 pockets of various sizes, D-rings, and epaulets
Best For	Best For Carrying lots of equipment while staying cool and comfortable

The Humvee Cotton Safari Vest is 100% cotton, so it’s ideal even in hot weather. Along with photography, it can also be used for hiking, camping, or fishing.

It comes with nylon-lined pockets so you can keep your valuables dry. The hooks, D-rings, elastic, and snap epaulet pockets make organizing your gear easy. There are 21 pockets to keep your gear in, so there’s plenty of room.

It’s available in two colors—khaki and black. The black one might be better for photographing on the streets or indoors. And khaki might be better in nature.

Note that the Humvee Vests run large to allow you to stuff all 21 pockets. So if you don’t plan to carry a lot of things, maybe try a smaller size.

7. Rothco Uncle Milty Travel Vest, Black, X-Small

Brand	Brand Rothco
Material	Material Cotton and polyester
Waterproofing	Waterproofing No
Sizes	Sizes XS to 4XL
Key Features	Key Features Large (17 x 11-inch) rear cargo pocket, 17 pockets and three D-rings
Best For	Best For Carrying lots of gear in cooler weather

This Rothco Uncle Milty vest has enough pockets for all your gear. Maybe a tripod wouldn’t fit in it, but you can carry lenses or smaller camera bodies in it. And if you’re a documentary photographer or photojournalist, you could store your notebook in this.

It has 13 front, one rear, and three inside pockets.

The expandable pocket on its back has a side zipper closure. Here you can fit a sweatshirt or anything else you wish. The D-rings found on both sides allow you to clip small items and carry them without a bag.

You can purchase this photographer vest in three different colors—olive, black, or khaki. Maybe black is more versatile as it fits more situations than others. But with three choices, you can find the one that best suits your style.

The Uncle Milty is made of 55% cotton and 45% polyester, so it’s durable.

Do You Need a Photographer Vest?

Photographer vests can be very helpful while shooting. Read on to see if it’s the right choice for you.

What Are Photographer Vests and Jackets?

A photographer vest or jacket is a piece of clothing that makes carrying your camera gear easier.

They come with different-sized pockets and straps. They provide solutions to situations where it’s not possible to carry a camera bag. You’ll find them the most useful if you are into photojournalism, adventure, or wildlife photography.

They all have different features and they are made of different materials. So you’ll have to decide which best fits your needs. So you’ll need to consider size, comfort, and durability.

The price range is wide, so you’ll find something that fits your budget.

Why Do You Need a Photography Vest or Jacket?

With a vest or a jacket, you might only need a small camera bag, or perhaps none at all. They are ideal when you are photographing in crowds and it would be hard to move with a huge bag on your back.

They are also designed to distribute the weight of equipment equally so that the photographer is comfortable. You don’t have to stand with a bag strap on one shoulder for long periods. And they’re usually lightweight, which adds to mobility.

Also, you can reach small accessories quickly. Keeping all your memory cards in one pocket and your cleaning cloth in another ensures that you can grab them easily.

This is what makes these vests ideal for wildlife photography. Besides having to move a lot in nature, you also want to be silent. It’s quicker and quieter to reach in one of your pockets than having to open a bag.

They are also great against harsh weather conditions. They keep you warm. But they also protect your gear and your body heat prevents your equipment from getting too cold.

What I also like about them is that they can look professional. If you see people wearing these in any situation, you recognize that they are photojournalists or press photographers.

And last but not least, they can also be hidden. A jacket over a photo vest allows you to keep your gear away from prying eyes.

Conclusion: The Best Photographer Vest

There’s no doubt that a photographer vest can be a game-changer in a number of situations. It’s often not practical to carry a bag around with you. And many vests allow you instant access to your gear. They also keep your hands free.

We think that the Spanye Vest hits just the right balance between style, versatility, and practicality.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Photographer Vest

Spanye Men’s Black Utility Vest for Outdoor Activities

The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III

Gihuo Men’s Outdoor Fish Vest Plus Size Khaki Large

13 Best Monopods for Cameras in 2024 (& What to Look for!)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:22:56 +0000

Using a monopod for cameras will revolutionize the way you work. They provide extra stability when shooting. That stability reduces camera shake and gives you more exposure control. But you have more freedom of movement than using a tripod. Whether you’re shooting photos or videos, a camera monopod is exactly what you need.

The Altura Photo Camera Monopod tops our list. It folds down to a small and convenient size. It weighs next to nothing. But it’s strong enough for many DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It’s also an absolute bargain.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Monopod For Camera

Altura Photo Camera Monopod

Manfrotto XPRO+ Monpod with Fluid Head

3 Legged Thing Trent 2.0 Monopod

What Is the Best Monopod for Cameras?

The best monopods for cameras give you extra stability when shooting. But they also allow you to move quickly and freely between shots. A camera monopod can’t stand freely like a tripod. But they are more convenient if you have to move around when shooting.

That’s why monopods for cameras are favored by sports photographers. The photographer has more control over exposure settings. They can use slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake. But they can still move with the flow of the game.

They can change positions when they need to. But they still get precision image quality with every shot. (You can also see our list of the best cameras for sports photography).

Monopods are also popular with wildlife photographers. They’re especially useful for capturing animals on the move, like migrating herds. Event and fashion photographers use monopods all the time. And photojournalists are often seen using monopods for their cameras. A camera monopod has become a must-have for any photographer who can’t stay still.

The table below looks at all the monopods for cameras in brief. Then we take a deep dive into each camera monopod in the following section. And we have a buyer’s guide for photography monopods at the end of the article.

Our Top Choice

Altura Photo Camera Monopod

Lightweight and compact design
Quick and easy setup with flip locks
Extendable to over 60 inches (1.5 m)
Supports up to 5 lbs (2.3 kg) of gear
Rubber foot with retractable spike

Best Photo and Video Monopod

Manfrotto XPRO+ Monpod with Fluid Head

Fluid head and control handle for excellent control
Maximum stability and smooth movements
Supports up to 11 lbs (5 kg)
Mini tripod base for fantastic stability
Universal head for all camera types

Most Durable Monopod

3 Legged Thing Trent 2.0 Monopod

Durable yet lightweight build
Supports up to 66 lbs (30 kg)
Twist leg locks for easy and secure adjustments
Non-slip rubber boot
Rubber handle for a secure hand grip

Best Video Monopod

Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod

Supports up to 35 lbs (16 kg) of gear
Mini tripod base with ball joint for tilting
Features 4 leg sections with secure twist locks
Rubber handle and wrist strap for security
Extendable up to 62 inches (1.5 m)

Best Value Monopod

Neewer Extendable Camera Monopod

Lightweight and easy to carry
Adjustable from 20 to 66 inches (.5 - 1.67 m)
Non-slip rubber foot grips
Universal 1/4" screw for most DSLR cameras
Tripod legs can be adjusted independently

Best for Smartphones

Vanguard VEO 2S Monopod

Lightweight and compact
Smartphone holder included
Supports up to 13.2 lbs (6 kg)
Mini tripod base with angle adjustment system
Versatile and adjustable

Most Portable Monopod

SIRUI AM-326M 6 Camera Monopod

Lightweight and compact design
Supports up to 22 lbs (10 kg)
Wrist strap included for extra safety
6-section adjustable legs with twist locks
Non-slip rubber foot for grip

Best Carbon Fiber Monopod

Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber 4-Section Monopod

Lightweight and durable carbon fiber construction
Supports up to 11 lbs (5 kg) of gear
4-section rapid locking system
Ergonomic rubber grip handle
Retractable spiked feet for added stability

Best Lightweight Monopod

Koolehaoda 6-Section Compact Monopod

Lightweight and Portable
Maximum Height of 61 inches (1.56 m)
6-section leg locks
Removable foot spike
Carry case included

Best Heavy-Duty Monopod

3 Legged Thing Alan 2.0 Monopod

Enhanced stability for any camera setup
Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
Patented Tri-Mount plate for versatile positioning
Quick-release leg locks for fast setup
Extendable from 17 to 56 inches (.44 - 1.43m)

Best All-in-One Monopod for Video

Avella CD324 Carbon Fiber Monopod Kit

Lightweight and durable carbon fiber construction
Quickly and easily extendable to 6.2ft (1.9 m)
Includes a carrying case and adjustable wrist strap
Supports up to 13 lbs (6.2 kg) of camera equipment
Perfect for outdoor photography and videography

Best for Action Cameras and Vlogging

Manfrotto Compact Extreme 2-in-1 Monopod & Pole

Compact and lightweight design
2-in-1: use as a monopod or a hiking pole
Stable and secure with a maximum load of 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Adjustable height from 14.2" to 63" (36 - 160 cm)
Non-slip rubber foot for added stability

Best for DSLR Cameras

Benro MSD46C SupaDupa Monopod

Lightweight aluminum construction
Load capacity up to 17.6 lbs (8 kg)
4-section adjustable legs
Non-slip rubber feet for stability
Quick-release twist leg locks for fast setup

13 Best Monopods for Cameras

This is our selection of the best monopods for cameras. We have monopods for photography and video shooting. There are monopods for cameras of different sizes. And we’ve included camera monopods to suit all budgets. You will definitely find the monopod you need for your next shoot.

1. Altura Photo Camera Monopod

Brand	Brand Altura Photo
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 0.6 lb / 300 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 16.7 inch / 42.5 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 62 inch / 1.57 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 5 lb / 2.3 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features 4 leg sections, flip locks, spiked foot
Best For	Best For Beginner to enthusiast photographers

The Altura Photo Camera Monopod is the best place to start with camera monopods. It’s tough and reliable. And it can support a decent amount of camera gear. But it’s compact and lightweight. And the affordable price means it’s an absolute bargain. You can’t miss this camera monopod.

It measures only 16.7 inches (42.5 cm) when it’s folded down. And it weighs nothing more than 0.6 lb (300 g). It easily fits in your camera backpack. And it won’t weigh you don’t when traveling from shoot to shoot.

The quick-release leg locks make it easy to extend and fix in position. And the four leg sections allow you to find the perfect height for comfortable shooting. You get a max height of 62 inches (1.57 m), which is enough for most photographers. The foot is attached to a ball joint, giving you a good range of movement. And the rubber foot has a retractable spike for extra grip.

The strength might surprise some users. Despite its compact size and light weight, it can carry a load of up to 5 lb (2.3 kg). That’s enough for APS-C DSLR cameras with telephoto lenses. And it’s strong enough for full frame mirrorless cameras with large lenses attached.

The upper section has a foam handle for extra grip and comfort. You also get a wrist strap for extra security. This stops the monopod from toppling over if it slips out of your hand. That’s a lifesaver when you’re using expensive equipment. And it’s vitally important when shooting in wet weather.

The universal thread mount works with a wide range of cameras. You can attach Nikon, Canon, and Sony Models. You can even use it with Fujifilm and Olympus Cameras. The Altura Photo monopod is a practical and versatile camera monopod. And the more-than-reasonable price makes it the best monopod for cameras right now.

2. Manfrotto XPRO+ Monpod with Fluid Head

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 30.7 inches / 78 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 79.9 inches / 2 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 11 lbs / 5 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Fluid head, quick-release plate, control arm. mini tripod base
Best For	Best For Professional photography and videography

The Manfrotto XPRO+ is the best camera monopod on the market right now. It isn’t the cheapest. But it offers the best balance in quality and price. It’s a multipurpose monopod, supporting DSLR, mirrorless, and video cameras. It’s a professional-standard monopod for photography and videography.

Manfrotto has been making a name for itself as one of the best manufacturers of camera accessories. And this XPRO+ monopod is a prime example. The build quality is excellent with a strong aluminum body. There’s a bit of heft to it, which adds stability and security. But it’s not so heavy you’ll feel fatigued when you need to move.

The maximum height is 79.9 inches (2 m), so it’s suitable for photographers of all sizes. And you can even shoot above your head if necessary. And you can keep the camera attached when retracted, using it as a camera stabilizer for shooting video.

The stereoscopic leg is adjusted using quick power locks. They provide a secure grip when attached, so the head doesn’t slip down. But they’re quick and easy to release when you need to make a change.

The Manfrotto XPRO+ monopod has mini tripod legs at the base for extra stability. It won’t support a full load on its own. But it keeps your shots steady and avoids unwanted camera shake. The tripod base is connected with a ball joint, making it adaptable to uneven surfaces. It also allows you to move and adjust the shooting angle while shooting.

3. 3 Legged Thing Trent 2.0 Monopod

Brand	Brand 3 Legged Thing
Build Material	Build Material Magnesium Alloy
Item Weight	Item Weight 2.1 lbs / 960 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 23.6 inches / 60 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 79.5 inches / 2 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 66 lbs / 30 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Rubber boot, twist leg locks, rubber grip
Best For	Best For Full frame cameras and heavy gear

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Trent 2.0 gives you one of the longest extended ranges. But it’s also one of the most lightweight monopods for its size. It gives you excellent bang for your buck, with a reasonable price tag and fantastic stability. The Punks Trent 2.0 is worth considering if you’re looking for the best monopod for photography.

This monopod is stripped-down and simple. But I mean that as a positive. You position your camera directly on top and the four-piece monopod allows you to get stable shots. It can support a staggering 66 lbs (30 kgs) of gear. That’s more than enough for heavy camera bodies and big lenses. You can use it with full frame cameras and telephoto lenses for wildlife photography.

The height is easily adjusted using the twist locks found at the bottom of each leg section. The starting height is 23.6″ (60 cm), which is expandable to a massive 79.5″ (202 cm). That gives you incredible scope and flexibility for getting the high-angle shots you want. And despite the height, the magnesium alloy frame is light and easy to carry.

The base of the monopod has a detachable rubber foot. It gives you additional grip on slippery surfaces. And it can be swapped for other foot accessories if you need something different. This allows you to adapt to any situation you find yourself in. You could be pitch-side in the rain or in the arctic tundra.

The 3 Legged Thing Trent 2.0 is simple in design but highly effective in application. It gives you tremendous height and can support any camera you need to use. It’s durable, portable, and helps you get sharp shots in trying conditions. It’s a durable monopod for sports and wildlife photographers with heavy gear. And if you love animal photography, our Wonderful Wildlife ebook is a must-read.

4. Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.5 lbs / 700 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 17 inches / 43 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 62.6 inches / 1.5 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 35 lbs / 16 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Mini tripod base, wrist strap, twist locks
Best For	Best For Video and cinematography

There’s no surprise that Manfrotto is again featured so highly on our list. Their equipment is some of the best on the market. And the Manfrotto Element MII is another superb camera monopod. It’s more affordable than the XPRO+ model. But you still get quality and stability.

The aluminum body is lightweight, compact, and easy to transport. It weighs only 1.48 lbs (700 g), making it perfect for travel photography or landscape expeditions. And it’s small enough to fit in your backpack when reduced to its smallest form.

The central column is made of five sections. And you adjust them for height using the waterproof twist locks. The twist locks are uncomplicated, making changing the height a straightforward and quick operation. That’s helpful if you need quick mobility to capture the pictures you need.

The base has three foldable feet that give you extra stability for sharp shots. The three feet each have their own rubber foot for grip. And the base is attached to the main pole with a pivoting ball joint. It can cope with any terrain and gives you the flexibility you need as a busy photographer.

The aluminum construction might be lightweight, but it’s also robust and reliable. It has a maximum capacity of 35 lbs (16 kg). That’ll support a full frame DSLR or mirrorless camera. And you can use the best lenses for landscape photography. You can shoot sports, nature, or action photography. But when it comes to shooting video, you can’t go wrong with this Manfrotto Element monopod.

Videographers should also check out our article on the best DSLRs for video.

5. Neewer Extendable Camera Monopod

Brand	Brand Neewer
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum Alloy
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.3 lbs / 600 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 20.4 inches / 52 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 66 inches / 1.67 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 11 lbs / 5 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Mini tripod base, twist locks, 15-degree tilt in foot joint
Best For	Best For Photographers on a budget

Neewer is another brand that’s built a solid reputation for photography accessories. And the Neewer extendable monopod is definitely worth your consideration. It’s a well-made piece of equipment with an affordable price tag. It doesn’t break any records for height or capacity. But it’s a versatile and reliable piece of photography gear.

The five central poles are carbon fiber. And they’re adjusted with their waterproof and dustproof twist locks. When fully extended, you get a maximum height of 66 inches (1.67 m). And it’s quick and easy to make adjustments when shooting. You attach your DSLR or mirrorless camera directly to the top. And there’s a foam grip and wrist strap for security.

The 11 lb (5 kg) weight limit is strong enough for most photographers. It’ll hold an APS-C or full frame camera. And you can use large lenses and extra gear.

The base has three foldable feet for extra-stable support on all terrain. They’re strong aluminum stands with rubber feet for grip. And the flexible joint between the base and the pole gives you 15 degrees of tilt. It’s supportive and flexible enough to get the shots you need.

6. Vanguard VEO 2S Monopod

Brand	Brand VANGUARD
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.96 lbs / 890 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 21.5 inches / 54.6 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 64 inches / 1.62 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 13.2 lbs / 6 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Angle adjustment system, mini tripod base, smartphone holder
Best For	Best For Mirrorless cameras and smartphones

The Vanguard Veo 2S AM-264TR combines fantastic build quality and versatility. It’s durable and lightweight, built for the hardworking life of a professional photographer. This camera monopod offers excellent value for money. It has an action-orientated design and a reasonable price tag.

The central pole is made of aluminum, which is both strong and lightweight. The telescopic leg gives you an excellent height range, making it a suitable monopod for photographers of all ages. And the easy-twist leg locks are a simple and reliable solution for adjusting the height. There are no fiddly locks, so you can erect or retract your pole in seconds.

The Vanguard Veo 2S AM-264TR has tripod legs at the base for extra stability. The legs are retractable so you can fold them away when moving to your next shot. And the main pole is connected to the base with a flexible joint for pivoting the monopod. This gives you the stability you need when working on uneven surfaces.

The maximum load weight is 13.2 lbs (6 kgs). That’s enough for a professional-grade mirrorless camera and a large lens. And the monopod adds less than 2 lbs to the total weight, making it easy to move when shooting. The lightweight and retractable frame also makes it perfect for travel photography. And the camera wrist strap is another handy feature. This monopod is a great alternative to travel tripods.

This option from Vanguard is also a great monopod for smartphone photographers. There’s a smartphone connector that holds your phone in place. And the light weight of the phone means the monopod can stand unaided. Or you can use it as a selfie stick. And with the Bluetooth remote, it’s perfect for selfies or travel blogs and vlogs.

7. SIRUI AM-326M 6 Camera Monopod

Brand	Brand Sirui
Build Material	Build Material Carbon fiber
Item Weight	Item Weight 0.9 lbs / 400 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 15.6 inches / 39 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 61 inches / 1.55 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 22 lbs / 10 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Wrist strap, 6 leg sections, rubber foot
Best For	Best For Travel photography

This compact and portable monopod from Sirui offers excellent value for money. It’s small and light enough for your travel camera bag. But it has a robust construction, so you know it will survive the trip intact. It’s an ideal monopod for travel and adventure photographers.

The total weight is only 0.9 lbs (.4 kg), so you’ll barely feel it in your backpack. But the carbon fiber frame is strong enough to burden a max load of 22 lbs (10 kg). That’s not the strongest on the list, but definitely enough for your travel cameras.

The six sections have twist-leg locks. And a half-turn twist of the lock gives you a controlled release so you can get the exact length you need. The foam grip on the upper section makes the monopod a pleasure to use. And the rubber foot at the bottom allows you to get a steadier shot indoors and outdoors. The wrist strap is another thoughtful feature.

8. Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber 4-Section Monopod

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.1 lbs / 500 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 19.3 inches / 49 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 59.4 inches / 1.5 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 11 lbs / 5 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Quick-release locks, wrist strap
Best For	Best For Photographers wanting a carbon fiber monopod

The 290 camera monopod is one of the simpler designs from Manfrotto. But this simplicity is precisely what some photographers are looking for. It’s usable and uncomplicated. And the build quality is as good as you’d expect from Manfrotto.

There are aluminum and carbon fiber models of the monopod and both are excellent. But while the aluminum Manfrotto 290 option is cheaper, the overall quality of the carbon fiber model is worth the extra cost.

The 290 camera monopod can carry a weight of 11 lbs (5 kg). That’s not the heaviest load, but it’ll support professional standard cameras with lens attachments. The height range isn’t record-breaking. But a max extension of 59.4 inches (1.5 m) is more than enough for most photographers.

The individual leg sections are tightened and released with aluminum flip locks. They’re quick to release and easy to tighten when you need to readjust for your next shot. It also has a rubber leg warmer design and a wrist strap for extra security. And the bottom of the pole has a rubber foot that grips uneasy surfaces.

If you like the Manfrotto 290 monopod, you should also see our list of the best carbon fiber tripods.

9. Koolehaoda 6-Section Compact Monopod

Brand	Brand koolehaoda
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 0.94 lbs / 430 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 15 inches / 38 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 61.4 inches / 1.56 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 22 lbs / 10 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Carry case included, removable foot spike, wrist strap
Best For	Best For Easy transportation

The Koolehaoda Compact Monopod is a great option if your budget is tight. It’s an affordable option for all types of photographers. It’ll hold a surprising amount of gear. You can use pro-grade DSLRs. And it can manage some telephoto lenses.

It’s a lightweight piece of gear, weighing only 0.94 lbs (430 g). And it gives a reasonable max height of 61.4 inches (1.56 m). That’s enough for most photographers to get a comfortable shot. The maximum load weight is 22 lbs (10 kg). That’s plenty of support for adding heavier lenses to your camera.

It folds down to 15 inches (38 cm), which is small enough for your camera bag. The upper section has a foam grip area for comfort. And the base has a rubber foot and metal spike to grip the ground.

The Koolehaoda Compact Monopod is a lowkey but reliable monopod for camera bodies of all kinds. It also comes with a handy carry case for easy transportation.

10. 3 Legged Thing Alan 2.0 Monopod

Brand	Brand 3 Legged Thing
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.35 lbs / 620 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 17.3 inches / 44 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 56.3 inches / 1.43 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 132 lbs / 60 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Twist locks, rubber grip, spring-loaded camera thread
Best For	Best For Heavy-duty equipment

The Alan 2.0 monopod from 3 Legged Thing is a beast. It doesn’t have the highest expandable reach. But it does have a load capacity of 132 lb (60 kg). That’s genuinely impressive for a monopod. And it’s much more than most photographers and videographers need. It’s also a solid piece of kit you can rely on.

The central poles are tough carbon fiber. And the upper section has a rubber grip area making it easy and comfortable to handle. Each leg section has a twist lock to release and tighten. The twist-action on the leg locks is smooth, making height adjustments easy even when you’re in a hurry.

The Alan 2.0 comes with a detachable rubber boot. It provides the grip you need in any environment. And it can be replaced by other 3 Legged Thing accessories. You also have the tri-mount plate at the top for your camera.

The Alan 2.0 isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the toughest photography tools you’ll find. If you use heavy camera equipment, you also need to see our list of the best heavy-duty tripods.

11. Avella CD324 Carbon Fiber Monopod Kit

Brand	Brand AVELLA
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Item Weight	Item Weight 5.95 lbs / 2.7 kg
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 71 inches / 1.8 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 13.2 lbs / 6 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Fluid head with control handle, mini tripod base, quick-release locks
Best For	Best For Videography and cinematography

The Avella CD324 Monopod isn’t the lightest option. Nor is it the smallest monopod on this list. But it’s a solid piece of photography gear. And definitely worth your consideration if you make videos.

The central leg sections are made of carbon fiber. And you have strong flip locks that release the sections when you need to make a change. The head has a quick-release plate for your DSLR or mirrorless camera. The fluid head is perfect for filmmakers. And there’s a control handle for effortless tilting and panning.

The base has aluminum tripod legs you can unfold for additional support on tough terrain. The legs are connected to the central column with a ball joint. You can rotate and tilt the monopod without losing stability. You can also attach the quick-release plate onto the tripod base to make a mini tripod for a lower shooting angle.

It can stand freely provided the weight isn’t too heavy. You also have a wrist strap for added security, so there’s no fear the monopod won’t topple over. Videographers also need to see the best video tripod list.

12. Manfrotto Compact Extreme 2-in-1 Monopod & Pole

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Item Weight	Item Weight 0.7 lbs / 320 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 16.1 inches / 41 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 51.5 inches / 1.3 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 2.2 lbs / 1 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features All parts are adjustable, rubber grip, wrist strap
Best For	Best For Vlogging and small cameras

The Compact Extreme 2-in-1 Monopod from Manfrotto is perfect for small and lightweight cameras. It has a max weight capacity of 2.2 lbs (1 kg), meaning it can’t support heavy cameras and large lenses. But it’s perfect for compact cameras, smartphones, and action cameras.

Despite the weight limitations, you still get plenty of reach with the 51.57-inch (1.3 m) maximum height. And the four leg sections have a quick-release flip lock for rapid changes. The top section has an aluminum ball head for smooth panning and tilt movements. This is ideal for filming with 4K cameras or vlogging cameras.

The Compact Extreme is one of the most affordable Manfrotto monopods if you want to shoot video or stills. The price is very reasonable and the build quality is excellent. It’s not a monopod for professionals. But it’ll give amateurs the enhanced stability they need.

13. Benro MSD46C SupaDupa Monopod

Brand	Brand Benro
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Item Weight	Item Weight 1.3 lbs / 590 g
Retracted Height	Retracted Height 16.5 inches / 45 cm
Max Extended Height	Max Extended Height 72 inches / 1.82 m
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 88 lbs / 40 kg
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Flip and twist leg locks, rotating foot, waterproof leg joints
Best For	Best For DSLR cameras and all-weather photography

The SupaDupa monopod from Benro is another versatile option for enthusiasts and professionals. It sits in one of the middle price brackets, so it’s not the cheapest monopod. But the robust construction means that the SupaDupa monopod is worth the money.

It gives you plenty of height with a maximum reach of 72 inches (1.82 m). That’s enough for even the tallest photographers. And it folds down to a portable size to easily fit in your travel bag. The main leg sections are made of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber. And even though there are stainless steel elements, the overall weight remains low.

The central legs have waterproof twist locks for easy tightening and loosening. And leg locks are also dustproof, giving you extra protection. This protection prevents the threading from becoming blocked with grit and sand. This keeps the twist-action smooth. You also have a fast-action flip lock for the main leg section for more security.

Buyer’s Guide for Best Monopod for Cameras

This section looks at the benefits of using a camera monopod. We’ll look at why you might choose a monopod over a tripod. And we’ll look at the specific features you need to look for in the best monopod for photography and videography.

Monopod For Camera vs. Tripod

Monopods and tripods both serve the same purpose in photography. They give a photographer stability with their camera, giving them more control over their camera settings. Monopods and tripods act as a platform for the camera. This means the photographer doesn’t have to support the camera with their hands while shooting.

The main physical difference is that a tripod has three legs and a monopod has one. The three-leg system allows the tripod to stand independently, holding the camera in place. A monopod has one vertical leg and can’t balance on its own.

While a tripod gives you excellent stability when taking a photo, erecting it and taking it down again can be a nightmare. And this is especially true if you have to move a lot to take pictures. You can move it erected with the camera attached, but this is far from an ideal solution.

The monopod gives you the stability you need to get the shot. But you don’t lose any mobility. The vertical leg stabilizes the camera while you take a picture. And then you’re free to easily move your position when you need to.

Tripods remain popular with landscape, portrait, and fine art photographers. But sports, action, and wildlife photographers need to be more mobile when shooting. And the monopod has provided them with the perfect solution.

The monopod has become an essential piece of camera gear for photographers in these fields. Sports photographers can shoot night events, with the monopod allowing them to use slower shutter speeds. They can keep their ISO low. And they can move about with the action on the field.

It’s the same with wildlife photographers working at dawn and dusk. They need more freedom with the exposure settings. And it’s also about supporting the weight of the camera. These types of photography also require telephoto lenses. These are bulky pieces of equipment. And the monopod takes the weight so your arms don’t feel fatigued.

What to Look For in a Monopod

The budget is the first thing you need to think about when buying any camera gear. And the monopod is no different. Thankfully, there are high-quality monopods in every price bracket. There is a difference in quality between the top and bottom of the scale, but there is something for everyone.

Your camera is your most valuable piece of equipment. You need to make sure the monopod you buy can support your camera and the different lenses you use. Look at the maximum weight limits. And go for monopods made from strong and durable materials. Avoid cheap plastic models. Trying to save money here could cost you dearly in camera damage later.

Consider the type of photography you do. Do you need something lightweight and mobile for moving around a sports field? Or do you want something more sturdy for more precise shooting? Knowing this will help you choose the weight and the material of the monopod.

Many monopods have features some photographers will like. There are ball-head joints for changing shooting angles. Some have quick-adjust telescopic legs for changing height and position. And some have padded feet so the monopod doesn’t slip. They’re all features you may want in your monopod.

Conclusion: The Best Monopod For Cameras

The use of monopods is on the rise. They give you extra stability to get perfect shots every time. But they don’t restrict your movement the way a tripod does. You have more camera control and better options with your exposure settings. And you can move freely between shots. They’ve beloved by sports and wildlife photographers. Photojournalists love them. And more and more filmmakers are using camera monopods.

The Altura Photo Camera Monopod is the best monopod for cameras right now. It’s compact and lightweight. It can hold pro cameras and lenses. And the price is hard to argue with. It’s the best place to start if you’re looking for a quality all-around monopod.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Monopod For Camera

Altura Photo Camera Monopod

Manfrotto XPRO+ Monpod with Fluid Head

3 Legged Thing Trent 2.0 Monopod

6 Best Heavy Duty Tripods in 2024 (For Big Lenses & Cameras)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:10:36 +0000

A heavy-duty tripod is an essential piece of equipment if you’re using pro cameras with large lenses. They keep your camera steady and help you avoid the fatigue of holding heavy equipment. And they allow you to work in low-light situations. They’re also excellent for time-lapse and long-exposure photography.

The 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod is the best heavy-duty tripod. It’s strong, durable, and can support the heaviest camera and lens setups. It’s the perfect choice for shooting epic landscapes and wildlife.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Heavy Duty Tripod

3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

Gitzo GT5563GSUS Systematic Tripod

Oben CT-2491 4-Section Tripod

Finding the Best Heavy-Duty Tripod

What do we mean by heavy duty? A heavy-duty tripod has to be tough, strong, and rugged. It needs to have excellent built quality. And it has to support your camera with heavy lenses attached.

You could buy a cheap travel tripod. But what if the tripod buckles under the weight of your heavy camera? That’s a nightmare scenario. And it’s a waste of time, money, and effort.

It’s best to buy a tripod you know you can rely on. That’s why you need a heavy-duty tripod.

The key features we focus on are build material, maximum load capacity, and tripod height. These three specs give you a good indication of whether the tripod meets your photography needs or not.

Here’s a quick look at the seven best heavy-duty tripods right now. We’ll go into more depth on each tripod in the next section.

Our Top Choice

3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

Durable design with an 88 lb / 40 kg load limit
Max height of 6.4 ft / 1.95 m
Fully adjustable legs with ergonomic twist locks
Rubber feet for extra grip on any surface
Modular design for easy customization

Best Premium Tripod

Gitzo GT5563GSUS Systematic Tripod

Rock-solid support for heavy camera gear
Incredible load capacity, enough for any professional setup
Multiple leg angle stops for low-angle shots
Easy Link attachment port for quick and easy head attachment and removal
6x carbon fiber tubing for superior stability

Best Oben Tripod

Oben CT-2491 4-Section Tripod

Supports up to 40 lb / 18 kg of gear
Easy to set up and adjust
Non-rotating twist logs for easy height adjustment
Retractable spiked feet for extra grip on any surface
Lightweight and compact

Highly Recommended

Gitzo GT3543LS Systematic Tripod

Maximum load capacity of 55 lb / 25 kg
Carbon eXact tubes for maximum vibration absorption
G-Lock Ultra Twist locks for secure height adjustments
Safe-Lock head platform for more security
Lightweight and compact design

Best Neewer Tripod

Neewer Style III Camera Tripod

Fully adjustable: tilt, pan, and swivel ball head
Quick-release plate for easy setup
Durable aluminum alloy construction
Non-slip feet grips for added stability
Lightweight and portable

Best Budget Tripod

ZOMEi Z818 Camera Tripod w/Ball Head

Affordable price
Rotatable ball head and built-in bubble level
Secure quick-release plate
Durable aluminum construction
Compact and lightweight—perfect for travel

6 Best Heavy-Duty Tripod

Here’s our list of the best heavy-duty tripods on the market. If you want to know what to look for in a heavy-duty tripod, read our buyer’s guide at the end of this article.

1. 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

Brand	Brand 3 Legged Thing
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Max Height	Max Height 6.4 ft / 1.94 cm
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 4.8 lb / 2 kg
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 88 lb / 40 kg
Head Included	Head Included No Head
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Monopod and boom functionality, rubber feet, weight-balanced locks, two color options
Best For	Best For Landscape, wildlife, and time-lapse photography, heavy cameras and camcorders with large lenses

The British-made 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod comes in earth bronze or metallic slate grey. And it scores well in all the major categories. The head can support a maximum load of 88 lbs (40 kg)—more than you ever need!

The height range of 5.7 to 6 ft 4.4 inches (14.5 cm to 1.94 m) also lets you take pictures while standing up. (Unless you’re even taller than I am at 6 feet 3 inches.) Ad this eight-layer carbon fiber tripod weighs only 4 lb 8 oz (2.05 kg).

The folded length of 24.1 inches (61.2 cm) is bearable unless you want to put it inside your camera bag. In that case, you’d be better off with the Leo 2.0, which folds down to just 14.7 inches (37.3 cm).

Once you’ve mounted your camera, the tripod shows great stability. You can even convert the 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 into a monopod, boom, or tabletop version.

On the other hand, there’s no thread on the crown to mount accessories, like an iPhone mount. And there’s no quick-release mechanism to remove your camera.

2. Gitzo GT5563GSUS Systematic Tripod

Brand	Brand Gitzo
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Max Height	Max Height 9 ft / 2.78 m
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 7.8 lb / 3.56 kg
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 88 lb / 40 kg
Head Included	Head Included No Head
Key Features	Key Features G-Lock Ultra Twist leg locks, Easy Link attachment port
Best For	Best For Professional photography, wildlife and landscape photography, heavy cameras, lenses, and camcorders

The Gitzo GT5563GSUS Systematic is a carbon fiber tripod. It’s in a class of its own in terms of load capacity, maximum height, minimum height—and price! It’s a serious piece of equipment for professional landscape or wildlife photography.

Its nickname is “Giant” because it can support up to 88 lbs (40 kg) of camera gear. This is even at heights of 3.9 inches (10 cm) up to 109.4 inches (2.78 m)!

But that comes with a massive compromise in terms of weight and length. It tips the scales at 7.8 lbs (3.56 kg). And it only folds down to 28.7 inches (73 cm).

The general design is similar to the less expensive GT3543LS. It has Carbon eXact Tubing, G-Lock Ultra Twist locks, and an Easy Link attachment port. But the legs come in six sections. So don’t try setting this one up in a hurry!

The specifications are second to none. But stability at this level doesn’t come cheap. The GT5563GSUS is an expensive tripod. But it’s also the strongest. Sometimes you just need the best of the best!

3. Oben CT-2491 4-Section Tripod

Brand	Brand Oben
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Max Height	Max Height 6 ft / 1.84 m
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 3.5 lb / 1.6 kg
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 39.6 lb / 18 kg
Head Included	Head Included No Head
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Non-rotating twist locks, 1/4 and 3/8

The Oben CT-2491 is an affordable carbon fiber tripod. It offers a great combination of build quality, strength, and value.

It can hold 39.6 lbs (18 kg) at a maximum height of 72.5 inches (184.1 cm). That gives you plenty of versatility with camera setups and shooting angles.

The minimum height of 6 inches (15.2 cm) is also perfect for low-level, macro work. And it weighs only 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg). But the folded 23.3 inches (59.2 cm) is rather long. And the Oben CT-2491 doesn’t come with a tripod head.

But you can add the GH-30 gimbal head to make a rock-solid platform for sports and wildlife photography. It consists of a solid cast-aluminum alloy chassis and 6x carbon fiber. And it has non-rotating legs in four sections.

The twist locks are quite stiff. But the rubberized feet retract to reveal spikes for better grip on ice, snow, or sand. The only slight issue is that the center column doesn’t lock down completely to prevent it from slipping.

4. Gitzo GT3543LS Systematic Tripod

Brand	Brand Gitzo
Build Material	Build Material Carbon Fiber
Max Height	Max Height 4.8 ft / 1.46 m
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 4.27 lb / 1.94 kg
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 55 lb / 25 kg
Head Included	Head Included No Head
Key Features	Key Features Safe-Lock platform, G-Lock Ultra Twist locks, removable feet
Best For	Best For Landscape and wildlife photography, time-lapse videos, professional-grade DSLR and mirrorless cameras with super-telephoto lenses

The French company Gitzo is probably the biggest name in high-end, heavy-duty tripods. The Gitzo GT3543LS Series 3 is a systematic tripod made of carbon fiber.

It offers best-in-class vibration resistance despite its slim legs and narrow stance. But it comes with a hefty price tag!

The maximum height is relatively low at 57.5 inches (1.46 m). But that won’t matter if you’re not particularly tall or plan to use a gimbal head or center column. The minimum height of only 3.5 inches (9 cm) is fine for macro work.

The tripod weighs only 4.27 lbs (1.94 kg), making it the most lightweight heavy-duty tripod in Gitzo’s Series 3 lineup. It has a good load limit of 55 lbs (25 kg) and folds down to 21.6 inches (55 cm).

The GT3543LS Series 3 doesn’t include a head. But you get a 70 mm Gitzo Safe-Lock platform clamped on the side with a release button. It can be removed or replaced with a video bowl or center column.

There’s also a large ballast hook under the platform. And the apex has a bubble level.

The four-section Carbon eXact legs show no flex even when fully extended. They can be locked at 23, 53, or 86 degrees. And you can choose 33mm or 55mm removable feet.

The G-Lock Ultra Twist locks are weather sealed. And you can twist to unlock all three locks simultaneously with only a quarter turn. It’s a real timesaver.

5. Neewer Style III Camera Tripod

Brand	Brand Neewer
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Max Height	Max Height 6 ft / 1.84 m
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 4.4 lbs (2 kg)
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 33 lb / 15 kg
Head Included	Head Included Panoramic Ball Head
Key Features	Key Features Arca-Swiss quick-release plate, multi-angle center column, non-slip feet, monopod functionality
Best For	Best For Sports and wildlife photography, pro cameras with telephoto lenses

The Neewer Style III is an aluminum tripod that comes in red and black. It’s the tallest in the Neewer range at 72.4 inches (1.84 m).

But the minimum height of 25.6 inches (65 cm) is rather disappointing. It supports 33 lbs (15 kg), weighs 4.76 lbs (2.16 kg), and folds to 26.4 inches (67 cm).

The panoramic ball head has an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate. It also has three adjustment knobs and two bubble levels to ensure a straight horizon.

The multi-angle center column lets you adjust your shooting angle (0, 22.5, 45, 67.5, or 90 degrees). And it can be rotated 360 degrees in the horizontal position.

The Neewer Style III‘s column can also be reversed to shoot low-level macro photos. And there is also an eye from which you can hang a weight for extra stability.

The legs come in four sections and are made of magnesium-aluminum alloy. They have sponge grips for better grip in hot or cold weather.

There are twist locks. And the legs’ angles are independently adjustable using spiral-type locking knobs. You can also use one of them as a 20.7 to 56.9 inches (52.5 to 144.5 cm) monopod or walking stick.

6. ZOMEi Z818 Camera Tripod w/Ball Head

Brand	Brand ZOMEI
Build Material	Build Material Aluminum
Max Height	Max Height 5.4 ft / 1.65 m
Tripod Weight	Tripod Weight 3.7 lb / 1.7 kg
Max Load Capacity	Max Load Capacity 33 lb / 15 kg
Head Included	Head Included Ball Head
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Pan and tilt locks, weather sealing, quick-release plate, built-in bubble level
Best For	Best For Travel, landscape, wildlife, and sports photography, DLSR and mirrorless cameras with telephoto lenses

The orange or blue ZOMEi Z818 is an affordable, all-weather aluminum tripod. And it copes well with heavy DSLR camera lenses. It also converts into a monopod if you screw the center column and one of the legs together.

The combination of magnesium and aluminum in its construction means it’s quite light at 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg). The whole thing is also weather-sealed using anodic oxidation. So it’s perfect for extreme conditions.

The legs come in four sections. And you can hold them at three different angles. They have independent twist locks to fix or release them. You can also fold them back 180 degrees. So the whole tripod measures only 18 inches (45.7 cm).

The maximum height of 65 inches (1.65 m) is a little on the low side if you’re tall. And the minimum height of 22 inches (55.9 cm) is a little on the high side if you like to get low to take wildlife or macro shots.

But the ZOMEi Z818 has a 360-degree panorama ball head with individual head tension and lock knobs. It also has a pan lock to help you adjust it to the exact position and keep it there.

Finally, you get a few useful features, like the column hook underneath the center column. And it has a convenient quick-release plate (with a built-in spirit level). This allows you to release your camera with the push of a button.

Heavy-Duty Tripod Buying Guide

If you’re buying a camera, the key factors are sensor size, frame rate, and the autofocus system. If you’re buying a lens, the most important specifications are optical quality, focal length, and whether it’s zoom or prime.

In both cases, these factors are critical to your ability to do the job. And it’s the same with a tripod.

Any camera shake will ruin your images if the tripod vibrates in windy conditions. If the tripod’s build quality is so poor that it’s likely to fall over, you might even lose your camera!

So what are the factors to consider when buying a heavy-duty camera tripod? The tradeoffs are between size, stability, and price. You can usually get two of them, but not all three!

Some specifications are dealbreakers, but some are just a matter of personal preference. It’s vital to be clear in your own mind about the differences between the two.

Photographer with tripod and reindeer.

Dealbreakers

For myself, these must-have features for heavy-duty tripods:

Maximum Load Capacity: This must be enough for your needs. A good rule of thumb is that a heavy-duty tripod’s capacity should be 1.5x the weight of your camera and your heaviest lens.
Height Range: This must match the level at which you generally want to take pictures. I’m 6 feet 3 inches tall. And there are plenty of times I need to shoot standing up at eye level. That means I need a full-size tripod that extends to at least 72 inches (183 cm). There are also times when I want to get down really low. So the lowest height has to be only a few inches.
Folded Length: This is obviously not a factor when you’re shooting. But it might be vital when traveling. A security guard once banned me from taking my tripod on a plane from Buenos Aires. They classified it as an “offensive weapon!” It would have been much easier if it was compact enough to stow in my travel camera bag.
Weight: This might also be crucial when flying abroad. I always struggle to meet the carry-on limit when I travel with my camera bag. This is especially true when it’s only 33 lb (15 kg) on local flights in Africa. That’s impossible for me to make if I take all my lenses. So the last thing I need is even more weight to carry with a heavy tripod!

Personal Preferences

To me, these features fall more under preferences.

Tripod Head

The tripod head must be appropriate for the type of shots you’ll be taking:

Ball Head: This works well if you need flexibility and a quick response.
Fluid Head: If you like panning shots, the greater precision and adjustability of the three-way or pan-and-tilt head might be better. Any fluid head also helps to dampen any erratic camera movements.
Gimbal Head: This is perfect for keeping your camera balanced if you shoot a lot with a long lens.
Nodal or Panoramic Heads: These help avoid parallax errors and stitching problems in your panoramas.
Systematic Tripod: This has an open area at the top where the head would usually be. It lets you swap between different attachments, such as a video bowl, center column, or leveling base.

A photographer using a gimbal head tripod. © Nick Dale

Other Tripod Features

Material: Tripods come in plastic or even wood. But aluminum and carbon fiber tripods have much better strength-to-weight ratios. But be aware that carbon fiber is expensive!
Leg Diameter: Gitzo’s Series 3 heavy-duty tripod legs measure 1.3 to 1.4 inches (33 to 36mm) at the top. And that’s now a kind of industry benchmark among many manufacturers.
Hooks: A hook under the center column lets you hang your camera bag underneath to add stability in strong winds.
Feet: Rubber feet are generally the best for most surfaces (either indoors or outdoors). But metal spikes are better in icy conditions. Some models have both types built in. You may just have to retract the rubber feet to reveal the spikes.
Center Columns: These are useful if you want to extend the height of a tripod. And they can be turned 90 degrees or reversed to get low-angle shots.) But tripods tend to become more unstable with the center column extended. The general rule is to lift the center column as a last resort. Do it only after you’ve extended the legs completely. So you might not need one.
Leg Locks: You can fix tripod legs using twist or lever locks. In theory, both types of leg locks might fail. But at least the twist locks will give you a second or two to catch your camera if the tripod starts falling over. But the only twist-lock tripod I ever bought broke the first time I used it. I had to throw it away!
Number of Leg Sections: This is a tradeoff between stability and convenience. The more sections there are, the smaller the tripod is to carry. But the tripod won’t be as sturdy and will take longer to put up and take down.
Leg Angles: This determines how high and stable the tripod is for a given leg length. There are usually three preset angles at which the legs click into position, such as 23, 53, and 86 degrees. Each leg lifts independently. So you can always lift one or two if you’re on uneven surfaces or there’s a tree in your way.

Hook underneath the Gitzo GT3543LSUS

Conclusion: Best Heavy-Duty Tripods

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty tripod, you can’t go wrong with Gitzo. Whether you opt for the “Giant” or the more modest GT3543LS, the design and build quality will never disappoint you. And that’s true wherever you are and whatever the weather. But plenty of other models cover the bases in terms of my “dealbreakers.” And they can be found for a fraction of the price.

All photographers are different. We all work in different genres and environments with different cameras. I often use long telephoto lenses to take panning shots with long exposures. And I couldn’t have taken pictures of the northern lights without a stable tripod. And a heavy-duty tripod is useful for time-lapses.

The 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod is the best of the best. But 3 Legged Thing, Neewer, and FLM have excellent tripods that can handle heavy gear. Everything on this list is strong, stable, and won’t let you down. You won’t regret buying a heavy-duty tripod.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Heavy Duty Tripod

3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

Gitzo GT5563GSUS Systematic Tripod

Wildlife Photography Tips (How to Shoot Great Photos of Animals)

Jaymes Dempsey — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 14:17:41 +0000

Wildlife photography is a challenging and rewarding art form. It takes patience, practice, and skill to capture the perfect photo of a wild animal in its natural habitat. It involves working with wild animals, so sometimes you can’t predict the behavior of these animals.

For this reason, you need to consider many things before photographing wildlife. Plus, there are the creative and technical aspects of photography. These include light, composition, focus, and shutter speed.

This post will take you through everything you need to know to improve your wildlife images. And these 14 tips apply whether you are photographing in the wilderness or in your own backyard!

Wildlife Photography Tips for Better Photos

Here are 14 wildlife photography tips to take fantastic photos. Come back to them often and watch your photography improve!

1. Do Research on When and Where to Take Wildlife Photos

The most important skill of a good wildlife photographer has nothing to do with cameras or technique. If you want to get a good shot, it takes a lot of hard work and preparation. And using the internet as a research tool can greatly increase your chances of success.

Say you want to photograph your local migrant birds. You should know what time of year those birds are present and their habitat. You might even want to know what they sound like so you can better find them in the field.

Animals have different behavioral patterns depending on the season. And knowing their approximate location in a given month will help you to find them sooner (and photograph animals safely).

Find out where animals live, what time of year they are present, what they eat, and how they interact with their environment. Not only will this knowledge help you find wildlife, but it will also help you make better images. So get to know the animals you want to photograph.

For example, research informed me about early-season coastal brown bears in southeast Alaska. I had to be there in late April to photograph one (pictured below).

And as part of my preparation to photograph harbor seals, I researched the tidal charts off the coast of Long Island. At low tide, the water recedes to reveal large offshore rocks. These boulders are ideal for the harbor seals to rest and warm up on (pictured below).

Wildlife is typically more active early and late in the day. So for a more natural wildlife experience, try heading out early in the morning when the animals are more active. With less of a crowd to frighten them, your photo opportunities become more abundant.

Combine this knowledge with up-to-the-minute tweets of local wildlife sightings. And it suddenly becomes much easier to be in the right place at the right time.

Research helps you move beyond animal portraiture. It helps you discover compelling, story-telling images of wildlife and their environment.

If you can’t find material on your particular subject, don’t fret. Sometimes learning about your subject is an observational process. That means you have to make your own field notes and do your own research while out shooting.

Either way, if you consciously try to learn about your subject, you’ll have better images in no time!

2. Respect Wildlife, the Environment, and Others

Wildlife photography has become more accessible. And overall, I say it is a good thing. It increases awareness of wildlife and generates interest in conservation. But it also comes at a cost. So much enthusiasm for wildlife photography can impact the animals themselves.

Your absolute top priority as a wildlife photographer is to not harm the creatures and the environment you photograph. So practice ethical photography to ensure the welfare of your subject.

Don’t stress wild animals. They should always have a route of escape. And if you’ve been stalking one, don’t corner them. So please pay attention to their behavior. And if an animal begins to look agitated, back off.

Whenever an animal has run away, it means you got too close, and that animal had to use precious energy to escape. Every time that happens, it causes them extra stress.

The reason why we photograph wildlife is to capture the beauty of the natural world. If we harm our subjects, there won’t be much of a natural world left. The welfare of your subject matters most!

Interactions create interesting images like this gazelle and bluebird in Botswana.

Also, follow the wildlife photography rules of the area you’re taking photos. For example, stay on trails and respect other users.

I’ve often seen disrespectful photographers rudely step in front of others to make a shot. Or I’ve seen oblivious people tromp off a trail into a closed area. Please don’t be that person.

And one autumn, I watched a photographer go dangerously close to a large bull moose in Alaska’s Denali National Park. He put himself between a couple of buses loaded with tourists eager to see the moose.

Not only was he acting disrespectful to the moose, but also toward all his fellow visitors. So be mindful not only of your impact on the wildlife but also of the experience of other users.

Eventually, if we don’t police ourselves, someone will start policing and restricting us. No matter how big your long lens is, it doesn’t grant you an exception to the rules.

3. Get Down Low for More Intimate Shots

On the photo workshops and tours I lead, my students’ most frequent mistake is also one of the easiest to fix. (Assuming, of course, they don’t mind getting their knees a little dirty.) It’s to get down low!

Wildlife images are almost always best when made from the eye level (or lower) of the animal you photograph. This might mean going as low as laying flat on your stomach!

Images made from above lack a connection to the animal. I always encourage photographers to get down on their knees or, better yet, lie down. They’re all surprised by how much a lower perspective can improve their photography.

A lioness close-up in Botswana.

Plus, walking up to an animal in the wild usually causes it to flee in fear. By crawling, you become far less threatening. Working from this bug’s-eye perspective, the photo also gives a more revealing portrayal of their habitat.

To add even more impact, use a wide aperture like f/2.8. This will turn background and foreground elements like grass and flowers into soft washes of color.

4. Use a Long Telephoto Lens to Crop and Isolate

There is little question that a long lens is a vital part of any wildlife photographer’s equipment. A telephoto lens plays a couple of important roles. The first is magnification.

A long lens, like 500mm, will make the animal appear much closer and take up a larger part of the frame. A long lens also allows you to cut out distracting elements from your frame. You can take a narrow slice of the scene to isolate the best parts and cut out the rest.

A long lens let me isolate the pattern of this sleepy king penguin.

A telephoto also compresses your depth of field (DOF). The DOF is the amount of the image in focus from front to back in the frame. Long lenses are particularly good at blurring foregrounds and backgrounds. This makes your subject stand out from their surroundings.

The magnification of long lenses allows you to isolate the best part of your scene from side to side and top to bottom. And a shallow DOF allows you to isolate the best part from front to back.

A large aperture (low number) let me isolate the lionesses in front.

5. Use Shorter Lenses for More Shot Variety

Long lenses are an indispensable part of a wildlife photographer’s equipment, but not every wildlife picture has to be made with a long lens. Wide-angle lenses can make great photos under the right circumstances.

I was photographing on South Georgia Island a few years back, creating images of a few nesting gentoo penguins. I was lying on my stomach with a long lens, going for that low perspective I mentioned earlier. Then, out of the sky above me, a skua descended and alighted just a foot in front of me.

Curious skua on South Georgia Island.

The scavenger bird was curious about me (perhaps hoping I was carrion). And it kept inching forward, reaching out with its beak toward the lens of my camera. I slowly grabbed for my second camera body behind me that was equipped with a wide-angle zoom I’d been using for some landscapes.

Slowly, I maneuvered the camera to my eye and snapped two photos of the skua. My motion and the camera’s noise made the bird realize that I wasn’t dead or dying after all, and it took to the air. But I managed to get two pictures first!

Like the image above, this caracara was curious about me as I lay on the ground.

The wide shot I created is much better than anything I could have created with a long lens under those circumstances. It showed some interesting behavior and the bird’s habitat, complete with nesting penguins in the background. Those aspects are all important and tell the viewer about the wildlife and how they live.

Your images can get monotonous with just one kind of lens. So embrace a variety of focal lengths like mid-length telephotos and even wide-angle lenses. They will help improve your wildlife photography.

6. Get Up Close to Show Compelling Details

In wildlife photography, it’s often tempting to keep your distance. After all, animals are skittish. But sometimes, getting close and having those wild animals fill the frame is safe. Compelling shots transport the viewer into the world of the wild animal with intimate detail.

And just like my skua image above, getting close to animals is a great way to help your audience connect to them. You can get close using a long lens or by getting close yourself.

As I noted above, long lenses make an animal appear closer. And when it comes to large, dangerous, or delicate wildlife, this should be the only way you approach them.

Extreme close-up of a crocodile swimming in a river.

But getting close to animals (without disturbing them) offers an intimate connection for the viewer. Details will emerge like the textures in fur or feathers, eyes appear to glitter, and your viewers will begin to relate to the animal in the image.

How to get close is another issue entirely, but the best way is the simplest… be patient. Simply place yourself in a likely area and waiting is a tried and true method.

I’ve spent hours sitting quietly next to ponds waiting for waterfowl to paddle past. And I’ve sat on mountain ridges as a herd of caribou moved across the valley below. Though simple, this isn’t the same as easy. It’s hard to be patient.

Young moose in Alaska.

Other methods for getting close to wildlife warrant their own articles. That said, blinds are a useful tool. And even vehicles in areas where animals are accustomed to them can be a great way to get close.

On a recent safari in Botswana, I was shocked at how close vehicles could approach wildlife without disturbing them. Of course, if I’d set foot outside the Land Cruiser, the animals would have either been spooked or eaten me!

But one of my favorite methods for getting close is called the meander. It’s very simple—just two steps:

Get low—really low! On your hands and knees or even your stomach.
Move toward your subject slowly. Allow yourself to start and stop, to move left and right. Look as non-threatening and uninterested in your subject.

And that’s it! If you’re patient enough, wildlife will soon view you as a boring landscape feature. I’ve used it hundreds of times, and it rarely disappoints.

Extreme close-up of an elephant in Botswana.

7. Use the Right Camera Settings for Sharp Images

People often ask, “What is the correct shutter speed?” The surprising truth is that there is no single right or wrong answer. Ultimately, the “correct” setting depends on how fast your subject moves and what you try to achieve.

You can choose to either freeze a subject or reveal its motion. Automatic options like a sports mode are unpredictable at best, typically serving up an array of blurry images.

Instead of leaving this critical decision to the camera, set it yourself. To freeze most wildlife, you must be around 1/500 or 1/1000 s. If the animal is largely stationary, 1/250 s will be enough.

It’s best to have a fast shutter speed to make a sharp image of wildlife with a long lens. A general rule of thumb is to set your shutter speed at least as fast as the length of your lens.

Dolphin mid-jump.

If you shoot with a 500mm lens, you need at least a shutter speed of 1/500 s to create a sharp image. But if you are going for sharpness, the faster your shutter speed, the better.

Even applying the rule of thumb above, using some lens support will help you achieve the sharpness you want. So when possible, use a tripod.

When you can’t, brace off something instead. A tree, a car, or even a rock might work. Or you can lie down on the ground (getting that low angle) and use your backpack to support the lens.

Most lenses are sharpest at a stop or two down from wide open. That means if your fastest aperture is f/4, you’ll get a sharper image around f/8 rather than wide open.

A crane eating a fish.

Once you have selected the proper shutter speed and aperture, your exposure may still be too dark. If so, the solution is to raise your ISO. It’s a very effective method of perfecting exposure.

Don’t worry about using extremely high ISOs. Cameras on the market today can be used at extraordinarily high ISOs. And they create just a fraction of the noise that previous models exhibited. Couple this with noise reduction in most image editing programs, and it’s a non-issue.

Using the center autofocus options along with the AI Servo mode (Al Servo AF or Servo AF) will provide the best results for moving subjects. The outer points are difficult to adjust quickly and are not as sensitive as the middle point.

Keep your active focus area on the animal with your shutter button held halfway down. This enables the AI Servo mode to track the subject and automatically adjust the focus.

It works for subjects passing left to right and those heading directly toward you. Rather than using a one-shot mode, select the continuous high-speed burst mode to capture more frames per second.

8. Include Blur to Show Dynamic Motion

Animals seem to be in constant motion. Birds fly by, caribou run, and elephants swirl around water holes. So images showing some of that movement as motion blur can be compelling.

A pan blur of flying sandhill cranes.

Creating a good motion blur requires some experimentation. Start by slowing your shutter speed. For a long lens, a shutter speed of around 1/60 s is often more than enough to show enough motion blur in fast-moving animals.

Start there, then adjust up or down until you get the amount of blur you want.

A slow shutter speed worked well for this herd of elephants who came to a water hole in Africa in low light.

There are two methods to create these kinds of shots:

A Steady Camera for Moving Wildlife: In this image, the background and surroundings should be sharp, as your subject, the animal, is blurred. A subject that’s too blurred almost disappears in the frame, while an image not blurred enough looks out of focus. It’s a balancing act and a tricky method to get right.
Pan Blurs: A panning blur is when you move your camera to stay even with moving wildlife. This creates an image where the animal’s background and the moving parts are blurred. The best of these keep the focus on the eye and head of the wildlife, creating a sharp-looking subject area in an otherwise motion-blurred image. These can be extremely effective and beautiful shots when done correctly.

A stationary blur keeps the bear sharp while the waterfall blurs into a flowing texture.

9. Focus on the Eyes

Most wildlife images look best when the animal’s eye is in focus. When you look at an image, whether it’s a portrait of a human or a picture of a wild lion, the entry point is the eyes. If those are out of focus, even just a bit, it throws off our perception of the image.

So because eyes are the first thing we look at, their sharpness is doubly important. If I hadn’t caught the eyes of this lion in focus, this image would not have been successful. You can even try and capture catchlights in their eyes for interesting detail.

Focus on a lion’s eyes in Botswana.

Sometimes, you might be able to focus precisely on the eyes. This might happen if the animal is moving. But that’s okay. Just focus on the part of the animal near the eyes.

You might focus on the face of the animal or the head. If you can get these in focus, the eye will generally be in focus.

10. Find the Right Background

A good background can make all the difference. The main subject can be lost if the area behind your focal point is bright and distracting. So the best background often doesn’t detract from the subject.

A good background is often a background that doesn’t detract from the subject. That means no lines running through your subject’s head. No trees seemingly sprouting from your subject’s body. No mess of clashing colors.

An ideal background is simple. It can be a nice green palette of nearby plants or a nice, neutral white sky.

The background behind this white-morph reddish egret is a simple yet elegant shade of blue.

A darker backdrop allows your subject to pop out of the frame. This is not overly technical but rather one of those techniques that help photographers develop their eye for a shot.

But the actual background doesn’t have to be black. Heavy shade is the perfect way to get started. The trick is to find a subject in bright sun while the area behind it lies in shadow. Everything else becomes darker when using the main subject to expose the photo.

Plus, a well-composed shot can show the environmental habitat and the animal itself. These kinds of images are more descriptive. They can tell a more compelling story than a simple portrait.

Backgrounds are often neglected in wildlife photography. So pay attention to avoid this common mistake. You’ll come away with images that are even more impressive!

A dark background helps make this deer in a meadow pop.

11. Go Beyond a Portrait Shot and Tell a Bigger Story

In just about every kind of photography, the best images are those that tell a story. In wildlife photography, those stories can be dramatic, like predation in action.

But they can also be simple. An image of an animal within its habitat is one way. Or a simple interaction between two individuals is another. One iconic story is of caribou migrating across the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska (pictured below).

Think about the species you are photographing. How or where does it live? What does it do to survive? Then consider how your image can tell that story.

Below is a photo of a black-browed albatross in front of early sunlight, sea haze, and a storm-tossed ocean. It proves that you don’t need to be close to create a quality wildlife image.

Wildlife photographers put a lot of effort into getting close. We buy long lenses or sit for hours in trees waiting for the right opportunity.

But a close image is not always a great image. Nor is a distant animal a poor shot. Close or far, what matters is the story, the relationship, and how your viewer relates to the subject. Show how animals relate to one another!

Three lions interact in Botswana.

12. Practice Near Home to Improve Your Skills

Extensive travel is not a prerequisite for creating great wildlife photos. You will often find wonderful and willing subjects outside your front door or just a short car ride away. Maybe it’s your backyard garden, a flower bed, or a bird feeder.

Not all great wildlife photography is of predators or even large animals. Some of the most compelling images are those of small creatures— birds, insects, or even ground squirrels (pictured below).

Creating images of common animals in your backyard or local parks is a great way to learn the necessary skills for animal photography. Practicing with common animals prepares you for more exciting moments in the wild.

Arctic ground squirrels are very common in Alaska, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great photo subjects.

Identifying this home base is an important piece of wildlife photography. It’s a no-pressure zone where you can take your time, explore creative techniques, and test new equipment.

By frequenting the same place, you start to observe the subtle changes in nature. Plus, you see the weekly improvements in your overall photography skills!

13. Be Safe When Photographing Wildlife

The internet is full of videos of “photographers” doing stupid things with wild animals:

Tourists holding cell phones up to bison in Yellowstone National Park charging too close
Fools wielding selfie sticks wandering into the Brooks River with fishing bears
People on a safari patting lions from through their vehicle’s windows

While animal attacks are exceedingly rare, it is important to remember that they are wild. Even in national parks where the wildlife is accustomed to having humans around, they are not pets.

Keep a respectful distance. And learn a bit about animal behavior. That way, you’ll know when your subject is becoming agitated or stressed. By recognizing a dangerous situation, you can proactively remove yourself from the environment.

Fighting bears in a river in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.

14. Be Patient With Wildlife Photography

I can think of no advice more important in wildlife photography than patience. You can’t rush the process. Plan your shoot and approach the image you want to create as a problem to be solved.

Given the number of photographers worldwide, your images must be special if you want to be a great wildlife photographer. You have to go beyond taking simple snapshots. So how do you do this?

The best way to create powerful wildlife images is to wait for unique moments. These are moments when your intended subject is doing something interesting or unusual.

A puffin eating fish.

For birds, this often involves preening, bathing, or wing flaps. If you can catch wildlife in these unique situations, you’re guaranteed a shot that will stand the test of time. So don’t just snap away with your camera.

Maybe take a few shots to record the beauty of your subject, then start thinking about more impressive images. Think about camera placement, how to get where you need to be, the lighting, and the animal’s activity.

All this takes time. So above all, wildlife photography takes persistence. Stay determined, work hard and remain present and patient. The best photos come to those who wait!

I spent half an hour in the water, inching forward to capture this close-up of a roseate spoonbill.

Camera and Gear for Wildlife Photography

When I think about wildlife photography techniques, a few things stand out. Surprisingly, the first that comes to mind has nothing to do with equipment. But your gear does play an important role. Your kit for wildlife does not need to be huge. But a few things will prove useful:

Camera: What brand, sensor size, and camera type you choose are completely up to you. Many cameras, even some advanced point-and-shoots (compact cameras), work great for wildlife. You can also read our article on the best cameras for wildlife photography.
Telephoto Lens: A long lens is a near-necessity in wildlife photography, and lenses from 200-600mm are standard. You can read our article on the best telephoto and super-telephoto lenses (over 40mm).
Wide Angle Lens: This one may surprise you, but I’ve made some of my favorite animal images with a wide-angle lens. You can read our articles for the best Canon and Nikon wide-angles.
Tripod: A sturdy tripod or monopod will help steady your camera for sharp images.

But don’t let your gear hold you back. Be creative and shoot with what you have. As my penguin photo (below) shows, you don’t always need a big telephoto lens!

This was taken with a 70-200mm lens. It was enough to capture king penguins emerging from the Southern Ocean.

Conclusion

Put everything together, from camera settings, perspective, and story-telling to equipment. Then you’ll start creating fantastic wildlife photos.

Above all, make your wildlife photography thoughtful. Think about your creative choices and use them to tell the story of the animal. You’ll have much greater success and create better images if you do that.

Wildlife photography can be a challenging but rewarding form of photography. Getting good at it takes time, practice, and patience, but the results are often worth it!

12 Best Camera for Wildlife Photography in 2024

Trevor Marshall — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:33:39 +0000

Wildlife photography is as demanding of gear as it is of skills. So choosing a camera for wildlife photography can be tough. If you’re determined to try your luck in it, you want to get the best wildlife camera possible.

We’ve looked at a range of cameras, from cheap to expensive and from crop sensors to full frames. Picking an overall winner isn’t easy. But the combination of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and great autofocus (AF) makes the Sony a9 II our top pick.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera For Wildlife Photography

Sony a9 II

Pentax K-70

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

The Best Camera for Wildlife Photography

Before we look at the cameras we’ve selected in detail, here is a summary of all the picks in this review.

Our Top Pick

Sony a9 II

Impressive 20 fps continuous shooting
Lightning-fast autofocus
Improved ergonomics
Great file transferring speeds
5-axis in-body image stabilization to counter camera shake

Best Budget Camera

Pentax K-70

Brilliant low-light performance with a wide ISO range
Excellent image quality and sensor
Built-in image stabilizer reduces camera shake
High-quality pentaprism viewfinder
Durable body with full weather sealing

Best Micro Four Thirds Mount

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

High Resolution mode for detailed images of static subjects
Lots of custom button options and touchscreen functionality
An LCD screen on the top plate
Easy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Durable, weather-sealed body
Excellent 4K / 60p Ultra HD video

Best ISO Range

Nikon D500

Excellent low-light performance
10 fps RAW burst with 200-image limit
Weather-sealed body
Long-lasting battery life
4K video with ports for external sound recording

Most Rugged Micro Four Thirds

Olympus OM-D E-M1X

Good resolution and dynamic range
Excellent subject tracking
A great frame rate and deep buffer
Pleasing JPEG colors
Up to 7.5 stops of in-body image stablization with supported lenses
Weather-sealed body

Most Stylish Camera

Fujifilm X-T4

Decent APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor
A great frame rate of 15 fps
6.5 stops of image stabilization
4K video (DCI or Ultra HD) up to 60 fps
A fully articulating rear touchscreen
12 Film Simulation modes

Best Autofocus

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

65-point cross-type autofocus system
Integrated GPS
Dual CF and SD card slots
10 fps continuous shooting

Best Allrounder

Canon EOS 1D X Mark III

Excellent low-light capabilities
Dual Pixel AF and AI detection
Fantastic buffer for continuous shots
High frame rate for video recording
Great battery life

Best Pro-Level Nikon

Nikon D6

Advanced 105-point AF system
Excellent ISO range and low-light performance
Extra-capacity dual card slots
Weather-sealed, durable body
Long-lasting battery life

Best Canon Mirrorless

Canon EOS R6

Relatively affordable
Excellent in-body image stabilization
Compact and ergonomic design
Fantastic expandable ISO range
Rapid burst speeds

Best for Video

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H

Great optics for low-light situations
Dual in-body image stabilization of up to 6.5 stops
Excellent-quality 6K video
Fantastic tools for recording video
Cooling vent allows longer filming time

Best Nikon Mirrorless

Nikon Z6 II

Excellent low-light focusing
Lightweight and portable
Superb low-light dynamic range
Dual memory card slots

And now, let’s dive in with some more detail, starting with our top pick overall.

1. Sony a9 II

Brand	Brand Sony
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Sony FE
Megapixels	Megapixels 24.2 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 693
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

The Sony a9 II is a 24.2 MP full frame gadget. A perfect camera for wildlife photography.

It can capture 20 fps (frames per second). And it has 5-axis image stabilization. These make your job easier if you are trying to catch the greatest moments.

Also, it has advanced subject recognition. It is capable of real-time tracking and eye autofocus for humans and animals. This feature makes it one of the best wildlife photography cameras.

The a9 II has dual UHS-II SD card slots and a tiltable touchscreen. And it has an incredibly wide AF coverage with 693-point phase detection and 425-point contrast detection AF points.

This camera is not only fine for taking high-quality images. It’s also suitable for video recording.

2. Pentax K-70

Brand	Brand Pentax
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Pentax KAF2
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 11
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 102400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 6 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

The Pentax K-70 offers great value for money, with weather sealing and in-camera IS at a very attractive price. Both can be invaluable for wildlife photography. And if your subject is small and stationary, the fine-tuning AF feature is a real bonus, especially at this price.

It gives you a great grip, weather resistance, and practical controls. It also has a lot of great features, including Wi-Fi and GPS. It’s also capable of sensor shifting.

You can choose from 27 autofocus points, 25 of which are more sensitive cross-type. Its ISO performance maxes out at an extraordinary 819,200.

The Pentax K-70‘s vertical tilt LCD monitor facilitates high- and low-angle shooting. So you can vary your angles easily. Overall, it is a great budget, entry-level camera.

3. Panasonic Lumix G9

Brand	Brand Panasonic
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Micro Four Thirds
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Micro 4/3
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 225
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 200
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 25600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

The Panasonic Lumix G9 is an affordable Micro Four Thirds camera from Panasonic. And it’s among the best options in its category. It was introduced in 2018 and has remained a great camera option.

It’s also capable of creating fascinating videos, but it’s listed here because it’s a versatile camera for taking photos. Its features make it one of the best cameras for wildlife photography.

Because it comes with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, the crop factor is 2.0x. It provides a 20.3 MP image resolution. And it’s excellent in terms of dynamic range.

The Lumix G9 is a great action camera with 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS). If you use it with a lens that has optical stabilization, you can get 6.5 stops of correction.

With continuous autofocus and the mechanical shutter, it can capture 9 fps. If you switch to the electronic shutter, it shoots at 20 fps.

You can read our full review of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 for more info.

4. Nikon D500

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon F DX
Megapixels	Megapixels 20.9 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 153
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 50
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 10 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2

The Nikon D500 is one of the best crop sensor cameras on the market today. It was first introduced in 2016. But it’s still an exceptional choice.

It offers everything a wildlife photographer might need. It’s well-balanced, and its ergonomics are great. The grip is solid, and the materials are superb.

You get a lot of buttons, a joystick, and a touchscreen, which allow for quick and easy operation.

The autofocus system is highly effective. The Nikon D500‘s 99 cross-type points offer excellent tracking and snappy focusing throughout most of the frame.

ISO performance is the best among all APS-C cameras, reaching 1,638,400. That’s just one stop below the D5’s industry-leading sensitivity.

You also get dual card slots. This time there are ones for XQD and SD cards.

Burst shooting goes up to 10 fps. And unlike in similar cameras, it continues for at least 20 seconds without slowing, thanks to the enormous buffer.

5. Olympus OM-D E-M1X

Brand	Brand Olympus
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Micro Four Thirds
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Micro 4/3
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 121
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 200
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 25600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

This is a dual-grip 20 MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless option from Olympus. It is a durable, weather-sealed, and sturdy option. So the Olympus OM-D E-M1X could be the best camera for wildlife photography for you.

It comes with two BLH-1 rechargeable batteries, which can simultaneously be charged in two hours. This gives you incredible freedom as you won’t have to worry too much about your batteries dying.

It has an amazing focus system with 121 AF points and deep-learning subject recognition. And it has phase detection and contrast detection as well.

Built-in image stabilization and 18 fps (with continuous AF tracking) up to 60 fps also make the OM-D E-M1X an outstanding action camera.

A little other extra is the Live ND option, which provides the effects of an ND filter without having to use one.

5. Fujifilm X-T4

Brand	Brand Fujifilm
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fujifilm X
Megapixels	Megapixels 26 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 425
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 160
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 12800
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

In-camera image stabilization, up to 15 fps continuous shooting, and long battery life make the XT-4 a great choice for wildlife photography. Plus, you don’t need to worry about the elements, as the camera body is weather sealed for inclement conditions.

The XT-4 has a 26 MP APS-C sensor and can shoot 4K video up to 60 fps. The fully-articulating screen is a real bonus in awkward shooting situations. And let’s not forget that this camera looks fantastic with its stylish retro vibe.

6. Canon EOS 7D MkII

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon EF-S
Megapixels	Megapixels 20.2 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 65
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 16000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 10 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

A rugged weather-sealed body, fast continuous shooting speed, and a superb AF system make the Canon EOS 7D Mark II a great choice for wildlife photography.

The AF system is comprised of 65 cross-type focus points. It’s blazingly fast and accurate. You can track a subject throughout the whole frame without problems.

The ergonomics of the 7D Mark II are similar to the original Canon 7D. The materials are slightly better, but they were top-notch to begin with.

There are other top-level features. They include mic and earphone sockets, two card slots, and programmable user-defined buttons. And you have access to probably the best range of lenses available.

Remember, if you’re shooting distant wildlife, a big EF lens like 500mm is 750mm on the APS-C sensor.

7. Canon EOS 1D X Mark III

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon EF
Megapixels	Megapixels 20.1 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 191
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 102400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2

The Canon 1D X Mark III is more familiar at sports events and in the hands of news photographers. But it can also be the best camera for wildlife photography if you want a DSLR with a full frame sensor.

It offers high image quality with a 20.1 MP CMOS sensor and low pass filter.

The wide ISO range, with a maximum setting of 819,200, lets you photograph in bad lighting conditions.

Its superb low-light performance and outstanding 20 fps frame rate make it a great camera for action photography. You won’t miss any moment with it.

The 1D X Mark III also comes with an intelligent autofocus system consisting of 191 AF points. This provides stunning clarity and sharpness in your images. And its Deep Learning technology can track faces even when a helmet hides them.

This gadget is perfect for wildlife photographers who like making videos as well. It can capture full frame videos at up to 4K resolution.

8. Nikon D6

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon F
Megapixels	Megapixels 20.8 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 105
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 102400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 14 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2

The Nikon D6 is a top-level pro camera. Like the Canon, it is heavy. At 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg), you’ll notice if you carry it all day. But wildlife photography often involves a heavy kit. A big camera, big lenses, and a sturdy tripod are common and ideal.

Coming with a 20.6 MP full frame sensor and an iso range of ISO 100 to 102,400, it’s a powerful camera. It captures high-quality images even in low light. It can capture 14 fps, and it has 105 all-cross-type AF points.

The silent mode, the long battery life, the touchscreen, the built-in GPS, and the fast Wi-Fi connection also add to the attraction of the Nikon D6 for serious wildlife photographers.

9. Canon EOS R6

Brand	Brand Canon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 20.1 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 1053
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 102400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 20 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3

It seems like the march of the mirrorless camera is becoming unstoppable. And with the Canon EOS R6, it’s easy to see why. This is another great choice for wildlife photography with high-quality images from its 20 MP full frame CMOS sensor.

It has an ISO range of 100 to 102,400, which is expandable to 204,800. You probably won’t use the highest values for wildlife photography, but it’s a nice feature, just in case.

High-speed continuous shooting at up to 12 fps is impressive enough. But with the electronic shutter, this increases to 20 fps. That’s perfect for fast-moving wildlife.

The EOS R6 also has up to 8 stops of image stabilization which is great for long exposures. You can also take incredibly sharp images without using a tripod.

The 100% horizontal and 100% vertical AF system with face detection and auto selection modes adds to the image quality and sharpness.

10. Panasonic S1H

Brand	Brand Panasonic
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Leica L
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 225
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 9 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2

The Panasonic Lumix S1H is a full frame mirrorless camera with a 24 MP CMOS sensor. And it could easily become your favorite camera for wildlife photography.

It was made specifically for video recording, so if you want to make wildlife videos, this is for you. It offers incredible 6K videos.

It has dual SD card slots, so you don’t have to worry about not having enough space on your memory card.

The IBIS and the OLPF (optical low pass filter) also contribute to beautiful wildlife photography.

It’s heavier than the usual mirrorless cameras. If compactness is important to you, go with a Sony instead.

But the Lumix S1H‘s rugged design makes it dust, water, and freeze resistant. It’s safe to shoot in almost all outdoor conditions.

11. Nikon Z6 II

Brand	Brand Nikon
Sensor Format	Sensor Format Full Frame
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Nikon Z
Megapixels	Megapixels 24.5 MP
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization 1
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 273
Minimum ISO (Native)	Minimum ISO (Native) 100
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 51200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 14 fps
Video	Video 1
Screen Size	Screen Size 3.2

Another mirrorless camera from a photography heavyweight, the Nikon Z6 II delivers beautifully sharp images from its 24.5 MP backside illuminated image sensor. The 273-point hybrid AF system covering 90% of the frame greatly benefits wildlife photography.

The camera is ideally suited to fast action with a maximum burst speed of 12 fps. The 5-axis in-body stabilization is another plus for shooting with long lenses or in poor light.

It has a touch screen and a tilting LCD, so it’s suitable for any shooting angle. If you need a camera to take videos too, you can use the Z6 II for it as well. It captures 4K UHD videos.

What to Look for When Photographing Wildlife

A lot of cameras are capable of shooting great wildlife images. If you want to get into wildlife photography, but have a camera that isn’t listed here, don’t get discouraged.

However, there are some features you should pay attention to if you are planning to invest in new gear. Whether you get a mirrorless or a DSLR, the best camera for wildlife photography should perform well in all these areas.

First, you are going to need a high frame rate. It means you’ll be able to shoot more frames per second (fps). This means there will be a higher chance of capturing the decisive moment.

Since you will shoot a lot, a long shutter life expectancy is necessary.

A fast shutter speed and a silent-shutter mode also help you to freeze the moments perfectly without bothering the animals. It’s important to stay invisible, and you must stay silent.

A weather-sealed camera body is essential, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. Also, great low-light performance, a wide ISO range, and image stabilization are needed.

You can find full frame and crop sensor camera options. Both can be perfect for the purpose and have their own advantage.

Our last but not least important tip is to buy an interchangeable lens camera. You will need a telephoto lens, and compact cameras usually don’t come with it. The best camera for wildlife photography depends on the lens you are using.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that wildlife photography is a challenging genre. And it isn’t easy to do on a tight budget. It requires patience, technical knowledge, skill, and the right equipment.

To get yourself ahead of the curve, the Sony a9 II is the camera we recommend as our best buy. It has fantastic AF, image stabilization, and continuous shooting (20 fps) to get the perfect wildlife shot!

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera For Wildlife Photography

Sony a9 II

Pentax K-70

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

12 Best Telephoto Lenses in 2024 (Updated)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:22:39 +0000

A telephoto lens redefines the limitations of photography. They get you up close and personal with your subject even when they’re far away. Not every photographer needs one. But for certain photographers, a telephoto lens makes all the difference. They’re a game-changer and can elevate your photography to another level.

The Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 is our choice as the best telephoto lens. The 70-300mm zoom range makes it a versatile option. It has the quality for portrait and product photography. And it has the magnification for sports and wildlife photographers.

Our list includes telephoto lenses for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. And there’s a section for other camera brands too. Every photographer can find the telephoto lens they need.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Telephoto Lens

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM | S for Nikon F

Finding the Right Telephoto Lens For You

Before you buy any lens, you need to know it’s compatible with your camera. We’ve separated our list into sections that include lenses of a certain camera brand. If you’re a Nikon user, skip to the Nikon lens section. If you have a Sony camera, skip to the Sony section.

Nikon Telephoto Lenses
Canon Telephoto Lenses
Sony Telephoto Lenses
Other Brand Telephoto Lenses

Best Telephoto Lenses for Nikon Cameras

These are the best telephoto lenses for Nikon cameras. The roundup table gives you a quick look at our Nikon lens choices. Then we’ll go into detail on each one below. You’ll have all the info you need to make an educated decision.

Our Top Choice

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3G ED VR

Affordable telephoto with good optical quality
Vibration reduction system for sharper images
Lightweight and portable

Best Full Frame Nikon Telephoto Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Incredible magnification with stunning optical quality
Excellent vibration reduction system for better low-light performance
Constant max aperture for better exposure control

Best Sigma Lens for Nikon

Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM | S for Nikon F

Fast and constant f/2.8 max aperture for excellent exposure control
Optical image stabilization reduces signs of shake for crisp images
Fantastic AF motor with a handy focus range limiter for faster focusing

1. Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-300 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 0.91 lb / 415 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Excellent value telephoto with good image quality and vibration reduction.

The Nikon AF-P DX is the best telephoto lens for Nikon users. This zoom lens is lightweight, affordable, and has excellent build quality. It’s the perfect partner for a Nikon APS-C DSLR camera.

It has a focal length range from 70 to 300mm. The range will get you into the heart of the action without having to risk life and limb. The 70mm end is lovely for tightly framed portraits. And the 300mm focal length gives you excellent magnification for sports or wildlife photography.

As a Nikon AF-P lens, the AF system won’t work with some older Nikon models. But that won’t be a problem if you’ve bought your Nikon in the last few years. The AF motor is fast and reliable. And it’s very quiet when focusing.

The lens doesn’t have the fastest max aperture, with only f/6.3 at full reach. Thankfully, Nikon’s vibration reduction system gives you more options with your exposure settings. It gives you 4.5 stops of shake reduction. That means you can shoot with slower shutter speeds without blur.

2. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 200-500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 5.07 lb / 2.3 kg
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Incredible magnification and optical quality. Built-in vibration reduction for sharper images and improved low-light performance.

The Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 is the best telephoto for Nikon full-frame cameras. You can use it with their ASP-C DSLRs. But you’ll experience some cropping. The optical quality is fantastic. And you get incredible magnification.

With a 500mm maximum focal length, the lens gives you excellent reach. It’s perfect for sports photography, getting you to the heart of the action from the stands. And you can capture stunning wildlife photos without having to leave your hide.

The f/5.6 max aperture isn’t terribly fast. But it is constant throughout the zoom range. And it still gives you a lovely shallow depth of field. It’s easy to achieve a soft bokeh effect in your background.

The vibration reduction system gives you more exposure control. It allows you to shoot with a slower shutter speed. And you get sharper images even in low-light conditions. That’s ideal for dawn and dusk nature shoots. And it’ll improve your results at the next nighttime sporting event.

3. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-200 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 3.08 lb / 1.4 kg
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Superb optical quality with optical stabilization and a fast aperture.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 doesn’t have the magnification of the Nikon lenses. But this lens has other things going for it. The optical quality is superb, with very little chromatic aberration throughout its range. And it has features many photographers will appreciate.

The fast f/2.8 max aperture is one of the main attractions of this Sigma lens. It’s constant throughout the zoom range. It gives you fabulous shallow depth-of-field options. And it performs well in low-light situations.

The built-in optical stabilizer also aids sharpness and exposure. It reduces the effect of camera shake, giving you sharper images. And it allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds.

The autofocus system is fast and accurate. And the focus limiter helps you focus even quicker. That can be a lifesaver if you’re shooting fast animals or rapid sporting action.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 is also available for Canon cameras.

Best Telephoto Lenses for Canon Cameras

Now we’ll look at the best telephoto lenses for Canon cameras. Check out the quick preview, then dive into the detailed reviews below.

Our Top Choice

Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM

Affordable telephoto with excellent optical quality
Built-in image stabilization for better exposure control
Versatile lens with a wide zoom range

Best Canon Telephoto for Mirrorless

Canon RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM

Fantastic magnification for sports and wildlife photography
Built-in image stabilization gives you sharp and clear images
The USM AF system is fast enough for any moving subject

Best Pro-Level Canon Telephoto Lens

Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM

Superfast f/2.8 max aperture for excellent exposure options
Image stabilization and a fast and quiet USM AF system
Protected against the elements for outdoor photography

1. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-300 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.56 lb / 710 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Lightweight telephoto with excellent magnification and image stabilization.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is a versatile telephoto for any Canon user. The focal length range gives you fantastic shot options. You can shoot everything from portraits to motorsports. It’s compatible with Canon’s full-frame DSLR cameras. But you can use it with their APS-C cameras too.

The autofocus is powered by Canon’s Ultrasonic Motor (USM). That’s Canon’s more advanced AF system. It’s fast and reliable, which is excellent for working with moving subjects. And it’s whisper-quiet. It won’t spook the animals or startle the players.

The lens has image stabilization built-in. It gives you more exposure control and keeps your images crisp and clear. You don’t need to worry about camera shake or motion blur.

The Canon EF 70-300mm combines performance and value. The results are impressive. And it’s excellent value for money.

2. Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 8.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.8 lb / 816 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Wide zoom range for shot versatility and excellent magnification. Reliable AF and image stabilization systems.

The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 is one of the best telephoto lenses for Canon’s mirrorless camera range. The wide focal length range gives you excellent shot options. It’s ideal for sports, wildlife, and bird photography. It’s lightweight and affordable for a telephoto lens, making it perfect for any camera bag.

This lens doesn’t have the fastest max aperture, especially at the larger focal length. The built-in image stabilization system helps compensate for this. By reducing the effect of camera shake, you can use slower shutter speeds without the risk of image blur.

Canon’s USM autofocus motor is ideal for sports and wildlife. It’s quiet in operation. And it’s fast and accurate too. You’ll get the shot you need no matter how fast the action is.

3. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-200 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 3.17 lb / 1.44 kg
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Outstanding optical quality with a super-fast max aperture. Reliable image stabilization for better low-light performance.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L doesn’t have the reach of longer telephoto lenses. The 200mm focal length might be too short for some photographers. But it’s unrivaled in image quality. And features give it a broad appeal with professional photographers.

The fast f/2.8 aperture is a major selling point. You don’t often see telephoto lenses with an f/2.8 aperture. It gives you incredible low-light performance. You get fantastic exposure control. And it gives you wonderful bokeh for portrait, product, and food photography.

The image stabilization gives you 3.5 stops of shake reduction. You’ll have crisp images with pinpoint sharpness. And the USM autofocus system can handle even the fastest sporting action.

It’s a durable telephoto lens. It’s dust-resistant and weather-sealed, protected for photography in all conditions. It’s ideal for wildlife expeditions and outdoor sporting events.

Best Telephoto Lenses for Sony Cameras

Here’s the section of our list for Sony camera users.

Our Top Choice

Sony E 70-350mm F/4.5-6.3 G OSS SEL70350G

Fantastic magnification and powerful reach
Built-in image stabilization gives you 3 stops of shake reduction
Weather sealed for outdoor photography

Best Full Frame Sony Lens

Sony FE 70-200mm F/4 G OSS SEL70200G

Incredible optics with minimal aberrations
Dual-mode image stabilization system for more creative options
Constant f/4 max aperture gives you good exposure control at longer focal lengths

Best Super-Telephoto Sony Lens

Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS SEL100400GM

Powerful magnification with impressive optics
Dual-motor AF system is fast and responsive
Sony's OSS stabilizer gives you sharper images

1. Sony E 70-350mm f/4 G

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-350 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.37 lb / 625 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Wide zoom range with excellent quality throughout. Special glass reduces glare and flare. Excellent optical image stabilization system.

The Sony E 70-350mm f/4 G is the best telephoto lens if you have a Sony APS-C mirrorless camera. The wide zoom range gives you plenty of shot options. And the 350mm max focal length gives you enough magnification for sports and wildlife photography.

This lens gives you excellent image quality with minimal ghosting and flare. The three extra-low dispersion glass elements suppress aberration. And you can achieve a lovely bokeh effect with a shallow depth of field.

The autofocus stepping motor is fast and efficient. Tracking moving subjects is no issue. And the 3-stop optical image stabilization gives you sharper images. It also improves performance in low-light situations.

It’s weather-sealed and robust—excellent for outdoor shooting. You won’t find a better telephoto lens for your Sony APS-C mirrorless camera.

2. Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-200 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.85 lb / 840 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Fantastic optical quality with minimal distortion. Reliable AF system with dual-mode image stabilization.

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G is the best telephoto lens for anyone with a Sony full-frame camera. It’s rugged and versatile. And it’s a popular choice with many Sony photographers.

An f/4 maximum aperture isn’t the fastest. But it still gives you plenty of natural light for exposure control. And it’s constant throughout the zoom range.

This Sony FE has a dual-mode image stabilization system. It gives you switchable static and panning modes. That gives you more creative options. And the stepping motor for the autofocus is excellent for fast action and moving subjects.

The three double-sided glass elements reduce aberration and ghosting. This wide-angle telephoto lens maintains stunning resolution right to the edges. Sony users won’t be disappointed.

3. Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 3.07 lb / 1.4 kg
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Powerful telephoto with excellent optical quality. Built-in stabilization and dual-motor AF.

The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G is the best super-telephoto lens for Sony users. It delivers professional quality in every aspect. It has top-class glass engineering. There’s minimal distortion of any kind. It has powerful magnification for sports, wildlife, and bird photography. And it has fantastic image stabilization and AF.

The lens uses Sony’s Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization system. It gives you more exposure options by reducing camera shake. And it improves low-light photography.

The double linear motor DDSSM AF gives you super-quick autofocus. It’s responsive and reliable, giving you sharp images even with fast-moving subjects.

The 9-blade aperture diaphragm gives you a lovely bokeh. And it’s dust and moisture-resistant. It’s up to the challenge of the most testing sport and wildlife photoshoots.

Best Telephoto Lenses for Other Brands

This section looks at telephoto lenses for other camera brands. We have the best telephoto lens for Fujifilm, Olympus, and Pentax cameras.

Best Fujifilm Telephoto Lens

Fujifilm FUJINON XF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Excellent build quality with impressive optics
Optical stabilization gives you sharper images and more exposure control
Tele-macro photography options with a close focusing distance

Best Olympus Telephoto Lens

Olympus ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3

Focal length equivalent to 400mm on full frame cameras
Durable and weather-sealed for outdoor photography
Compatible with all Olympus MFT cameras

Best Pentax Telephoto Lens

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F/2.8 ED DC AW

Super-fast max aperture of f/2.8
Shake-reduction system gives you sharp images without fail
Durable build quality for shooting in all conditions

1. Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6

Brand	Brand Fujifilm
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-300 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.75 lb / 795 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Excellent build quality with powerful magnification and image stabilization.

The Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is a must-have telephoto lens if you’re a Fujifilm user. The wide zoom range gives you excellent versatility. And the image quality is fantastic throughout the focal length range.

Many photographers will appreciate the optical image stabilization system. It gives you five stops of shake reduction. That keeps your images crisp and clear. And it gives you more options in low-light situations.

It has a close focusing distance of 32.7 inches (83 cm) throughout the zoom range. This allows you to create tele-macro images. It’s another way to get creative with this telephoto lens.

This lens loves a challenge. It’s dust and moisture-resistant for outdoor photography. And it can operate in temperatures down to 14 °F (-10 °C). It’s ready for any photography expedition.

2. Olympus ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3

Brand	Brand Olympus
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 3.5-6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 12-200 mm
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1 lb / 455 g
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points A versatile lens with a wide zoom range. Excellent optics and a durable design.

The Olympus ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 is the best telephoto lens if you have an Olympus Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera.

A 200mm max focal length might not sound like much. But due to the smaller sensor of an MFT camera, it’s actually equivalent to 400mm on a full-frame camera. That’s incredible magnification.

There’s no built-in stabilization. But thankfully, most Olympus MFT cameras have an image stabilization system. The lens does have a reliable AF motor. And it’s weather-sealed for outdoor photography.

3. Pentax D FA 70-200mm f/2.8

Brand	Brand Pentax
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-200 mm
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 4.45 lb / 2 kg
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Robust lens with stunning image quality. Fast max aperture for outstanding low-light performance.

The Pentax D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 is the best telephoto lens for Pentax photographers. The build quality is second to none. The image results will knock your socks off. And it has all the features pro photographers need to succeed.

A max f/2.8 aperture is excellent for a telephoto. It gives you fantastic low-light performance with more exposure control. And with the 9-blade aperture, you get a lovely bokeh effect.

The lens is equipped with Pentax’s shake-reduction system. It allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without the risk of blur. That gives you even better results in low light.

The AF motor is fast and accurate. And there’s a quick shift focus system that allows you to switch effortlessly between auto and manual focus. It’s also dustproof and weather-sealed for photography in all conditions.

What is a Telephoto Lens?

A common misunderstanding is that a telephoto lens is just another name for a zoom lens. But this is not the case. A telephoto lens can have zoom capabilities, but not always.

Telephoto lenses come in zoom and prime lens form. It allows you to be more selective when deciding which lens to choose. You can consider your needs as a photographer, as well as size and cost.

A telephoto lens has a long reach. For a lens to be considered telephoto, it needs a focal length of at least 60mm. You will also find medium and super-telephoto, which will have a focal length of over 300mm.

The extended focal length brings you closer to your subject when you’re far away. This allows you to capture anything small or far away in superb detail. The telephoto lens allows you to get the composition you’re after, no matter what the distance.

A good telephoto lens will also help control your depth of field. You can increase the blurriness of your background, emphasizing your subject. It’s perfect for photographing animals in the wild or for adding power to your portraits.

Things to Look For in a Telephoto Lens

Good telephoto lenses can be expensive. That’s why you need to think about what you need before you buy one. You don’t want to waste your money on a lens that’s ineffective in your field of photography.

Is Your Camera Compatible With the Telephoto Lens?

The first thing to consider is the camera you have. You will need a lens that is compatible with the brand and camera model. Do you have a camera with an APS-C or full-frame sensor?

There are lenses designed specifically for full-frame cameras. But generally, you can also use full-frame lenses with crop sensor cameras. This can boost the effective focal length of the lens, increasing zoom capabilities.

Using a full-frame lens with an APS-C camera will crop your final images. But the image quality is at its best in the center of the frame, so the tighter composition can be beneficial. You won’t experience any vignetting towards the edges.

There are also lenses for APS-C cameras. They tend to be smaller and lighter than the full-frame options. But you can’t use an APS-C lens with a full-frame camera.

Check if Your Camera has Image Stabilization

Lenses can be heavy and hard to handle. If you’re not using a tripod, keeping everything steady can be difficult. At that magnitude, the slightest movement can affect the final image.

That’s why built-in image stabilization systems can be so important. They will counteract any vibration or shake, solving the problem “in-camera.” This can save you a lot of work in post-processing.

Some full-frame cameras have stabilization systems. If so, having one in the lens is less important. But if you do have both, you can be assured of a sharp and precise final image.

Look for a Telephoto Lens With Autofocus

All modern digital cameras have top-quality autofocus systems. But focusing is more complicated when a telephoto lens is involved. That’s why it’s good to look for a lens with a built-in autofocus feature.

In-lens autofocus features run on either a supersonic or ultrasonic motor. They will assist you in getting a fast and sharp focus on your subject. And most modern systems are entirely silent. This is a benefit if shooting sport or wildlife photography.

Some include a focus limiter. This feature allows you to tell the camera to only focus within a certain range of distance. The lens won’t have to search the entire frame for the subject, which saves time.

Conclusion: The Best Telephoto Lens

A telephoto lens changes the possibilities of your photography. It redefines the limitations. You can capture sporting action on the pitch from the sidelines. And you can capture incredible wildlife photography without leaving your hide.

The Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 is our top telephoto lens. It’s the perfect combo of quality and value. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is our favorite Canon choice. And Sony users need the E 70-350mm f/4 G. We’ve also included options for Fujifilm, Olympus, and Pentax.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Telephoto Lens

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM | S for Nikon F

13 Best Super Telephoto Lenses in 2024 (Updated)

Nick Dale — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:23:37 +0000

Today we’re looking at the best super telephoto lenses. I’m a wildlife photographer, and I love taking close-ups of animals. But they can be pretty skittish, so I often have to shoot from a distance.

Fortunately, it’s much easier with a super telephoto lens. That means anything over 400mm… the point at which lenses start to get very heavy—and expensive!

After looking at all the factors, we decided the best super telephoto lens is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. It performs to a high standard while also being available for an amazing price!

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Super Telephoto Lens

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA

13 Best Super Telephoto Lenses

We have divided our list into two parts:

Best Super Telephoto Lenses for DSLRs

There are plenty of zoom lenses available for a DSLR. Everything depends on your camera brand and on how far your budget stretches!

Our Top Choice

Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 for Canon EF

Amazing price for its abilities
Very lightweight
Flex lock allows the zoom lens to be set in any position

Widest Zoom Range

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Wide zoom range for multiple styles of photography
Sharp and contrast-heavy imagery
Short minimum focusing distance

Best Prime Lens

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA

Super-fast autofocus abilities
Wide maximum aperture
Great build quality and handling for a large lens

Best Nikon Choice

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm F/5.6E FL ED VR

Exceptionally sharp
Supplied teleconverter pushes focal length to 1000mm
Fast and near-silent autofocus

Best 600mm Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm F/4G ED VR

Amazing image quality
Super-fast autofocus abilities
Great vibration reduction (VR) abilities

Sharpest 500mm Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm F/5.6E PF ED VR

4-stop vibration reduction with Normal and Sport mode
Fast and near-silent autofocus
Relatively lightweight

Great Build Quality

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Sharp results from edge to edge
4.5-stop vibration reduction with Normal and Sport mode
Strong and rigid build quality

Best Canon Lens

Canon EF 800mm F/5.6L IS USM

Amazing image quality
Fast and precise autofocus
4-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes

Best Image Stabilization

Canon EF 600mm F/4L IS III USM

5-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes
Fast and near-silent autofocus
Wide maximum aperture

Best Canon 500mm Lens

Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM

Sharp results from edge to edge
4-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes
Wide maximum aperture

1. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Brand	Brand Tamron
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5-6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 150-600 mm
Best For	Best For Photographers who want a super telephoto for a great price

This Tamron lens is an upgraded version of the SP 150-600mm G1, first introduced in December 2013. The SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 provides better overall optical performance. And it has a faster autofocus speed.

It also features vibration compensation enhancements, fluorine coating, and a flex zoom lock. And it has an optional custom-made 1.4x teleconverter.

It’s designed for amateurs who’d rather not spend quite so much as professionals… but want to squeeze that last drop of sharpness out of their images!

2. Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 60-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Photographers who want a wide zoom range

Sigma’s 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is the only lens with that range on the market. It offers such a huge zoom range. You could look at it as two lenses in one!

It also has a reasonably lightweight body. It comprises magnesium alloy, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, and a thermally stable composite. But the max aperture is a little narrow and gets narrower as you zoom in.

3. Sigma 500mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Photographers who love prime lenses

The 500mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM is Sigma’s flagship lens for sport and nature photography. It provides sharp images with a fast and accurate autofocus system and a wide max aperture.

It has one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and two Fluorite Low Dispersion (FLD) lens elements. They help minimize chromatic aberration and distortion and preserve image clarity.

4. Nikon AF-S FX 800mm f/5.6 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 800 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want the longest focal length

The AF-S FX 800mm f/5.6 ED VR is the longest Nikon lens. The sharpness of the images is outstanding, and it paired very well with my old Nikon D850. It comes with a 1.25x attachment.

It’s the one I owned until very recently. If you don’t mind the weight and don’t often need to handhold, this is the lens for you!

5. Nikon AF-S FX 600mm f/4.0 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Nikon users who need a wide f/4 aperture

Nikon’s AF-S FX 600mm f/4.0 ED VR is the slightly longer equivalent of the 500mm AF-S f/4G ED VR SWM. It’s aimed at professional sports and nature photographers.

It has a wide max aperture. It features a sophisticated autofocus system for good low-light performance. And it shows Nikon’s usual level of sharpness and camera build quality.

It introduces lighter fluorite elements at the front. This makes it much easier to handle than the previous version. But it’s still heavier than the latest 600mm Canon equivalent.

6. AF-S FX 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want complete control over manual focus

The AF-S FX 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is a brilliant super-telephoto lens for Nikon DSLR cameras. It doesn’t have the fastest max aperture at f/5.6. But the built-in vibration reduction system helps you achieve the right exposure in low light. It’s also one of the sharpest 500mm lenses on the market.

7. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 200-500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want a super telephoto zoom lens

The AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR is designed for the “enthusiast” rather than the professional. Still, it outperforms the 150-600mm counterpart from Tamron. The Nikon has better focusing ability. And it performs better in low-light conditions or with a teleconverter.

It also has a constant max aperture of f/5.6. It’s an advantage over similar third-party lenses.

8. Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 800 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Canon photographers who want the longest focal length

The EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is the longest lens in Canon’s current range. And it’s excellent for getting close-ups or distance shots if you’re a wildlife photographer.

I had a Nikon 800mm lens for many years. And I took around two-thirds of all my shots with it. It was about the same weight as this Canon one. But that meant it was too heavy to handhold for more than a few seconds at a time.

9. Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Canon users who need a wide f/4 aperture with a long focal length

The EF 600mm f/4L IS USM is another L-series lens. It’s great for sports, wildlife, or photojournalism. It’s also light enough to handhold. The new design shifts most glass elements to the back of the lens to improve balance and handling.

It’s the sixth generation of Canon’s 600mm f/4 series. And it’s the third version with image stabilization to help with camera shake. It encapsulates the very best in lens technology.

10. Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Canon users who need a wide f/4 aperture

The EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM is part of Canon’s premium L-series of telephoto lenses. This lens is designed for wildlife and sports photographers. It provides sharpness, fast autofocus, and exemplary performance in low light.

Best Super Telephoto Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras

There are very few extreme telephoto lenses available for mirrorless cameras. And Nikon doesn’t have a single one over 400mm! This will change in the next couple of years. But Canon and Sony are currently the market leaders.

Our Top Choice

Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM

Fast and precise autofocus
Great selection of lens controls
Durable and lightweight build quality

Best Zoom Option

Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G

Wide telephoto zoom range
Teleconverter compatibility
Internal zoom design

Best Canon Lens

Canon RF 100-500mm F/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Sharp telephoto from edge to edge
Adjustable zoom tension
Lightweight and compact design

1. Sony FE 600mm f/4.0 GM

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Sony mirrorless users

Sony’s FE 600mm f/4.0 GM prime lens belongs to the premium G Master series of lenses. It is the longest lens in the Sony lineup and the lightest 600mm lens on the market.

It’s designed for wildlife, sports, and action photography. And it boasts excellent image quality and rapid, precise autofocus. I already have the 400mm f/2.8… and this is next on my list!

2. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 200-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Sony photographers who want a wide zoom

Sony’s FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is another lens designed for wildlife, sports, and action photography. It boasts excellent image quality. And its affordable price shows that it’s aimed at the “enthusiast” market.

3. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.5
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Best For	Best For Canon mirrorless users

Canon’s RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens is part of Canon’s premium L-series. It is a specialist mirrorless lens designed for sports and nature photographers. It gives you sharpness, fast autofocus, and portability. The weather sealing and lens coatings also make it a durable kit.

What to Look for in Super Telephoto Lenses

There are four main factors for super telephoto lenses:

Focal length
Max aperture
Image quality
Autofocus

All those come at a price, though. You might have to compromise in a few different ways:

Buy zoom lenses rather than primes.
Buy a third-party lens from Sigma or Tamron.
Buy a lens with a narrower maximum aperture. (Larger f-stop number)

Conclusion

If you shoot wildlife like me, I’d go mirrorless and pair a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with a Sony a1. But not everyone can afford the best super telephoto lenses at any price. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, I recommend going for the Sony 200-600mm with a cheaper mirrorless camera, such as a second-hand Sony A7.

Finally, do you already have a DSLR and can’t face trading it in? I suggest saving for either the Nikon AF NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR or the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with a built-in extender. But most importantly, which is the best super telephoto lens for you?

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Super Telephoto Lens

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA

The Best Lens for Bird Photography in 2024 (Updated)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:40:22 +0000

The best lens for bird photography helps you make the most of your birding experiences. Bird photography requires a lot of patience. Opportunities can be few and far between. Even when your feathered subject arrives, they’re gone with a single flap of their wings. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. And you’ll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Lens For Bird Photography

Sigma 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C for Nikon F

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Best Lens for Bird Photography

Here’s a quick overview of our list of best lenses for bird photography list. The awards will give you an idea of which lens might be the best bird photography lens for you.

We’ll look at each lens in detail in the next section. We’ll look at the functions and features that make them the best choices for bird photography. If you need more information to help you find the perfect lens, skip to the buyer’s guide at the end of the article.

Our Top Choice

Sigma 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C for Nikon F

Incredibly wide 150-600mm focal length with powerful magnification and great optical quality
Excellent value for a super-telephoto lens
It's available for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras

Best Lens for Canon Cameras

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Canon's improved image stabilizer gives you sharp images every time
The USM AF system is responsive enough for capture the fastest birds
It's a durable lens that can handle long outdoor shoots

Best Lens for Nikon Cameras

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Powerful magnification with superb optical quality througout the zoom range
The vibration reduction system gives you sharper images and compensates for the slow max aperture
The constant max aperture allows for more exposure control

Best Lens for Sony Cameras

Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G

Incredible focal length and magnification
The DDSSM AF and OSS stabilizer are pro-level features that suit bird photography
You'll get a lovely soft bokeh from the 11-blade diaphragm

Best Lens for Panasonic Lumix Cameras

Panasonic LUMIX G 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Zoom Lens

400mm focal length is equivalent to 800mm on a full frame camera
You'll have sharper images with the optical image stabilizer
Ultra-fast focusing times with the focus range limiter

Best Lens for Olympus Cameras

Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS Zoom Lens for Micro 4/3

Compatible with all Olympus MFT cameras
Incredible reach with the 800mm-equivalent focal length
The weather sealing allows you to shoot outdoors in all conditions

Best Lens for Fujifilm Cameras

Fujifilm FUJINON XF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Class-leading image stabilization gives you 5 stops of shake correction
Fantastic weather sealing for outdoor shooting in any weather
Compatible with Fujifilm's X series cameras

Best Budget Lens for Canon Cameras

Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM

Wide zoom range for a variety of shots
Canon's USM AF system is their best to date
The image stabilizer improves performance in low light

Best Budget Lens for Nikon Cameras

Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6E ED VR

Nikon's vibration reduction system ensures you have sharp bird images
Excellent zoom range for beginner wildlife photographers
It has some weatherproofing for outdoor photography

9 Best Lenses for Bird Photography Ranked

Now we’ll look at all our top picks in detail. We’ll highlight the specs and features that make them the best bird photography lenses. You’ll have all the info you need to find the best bird photography lens for you.

1. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 150-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 4.25 lb (1.93 kg)
Top Selling Point	Top Selling Point It offers incredible magnification with excellent value. The build quality is fantastic and it's available for Nikon, Canon, and Sony.

Sigma has produced the best lens for bird photography. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary is the ultimate blend of power and value. You get the wide 150-600mm focal length range. And you also have fantastic AF and image stabilization to help you capture the best bird photos.

The 600mm focal length gives you incredible magnification. You can snap closely cropped bird images from long distances to show off feather details. And the wide focal length range gives you lots of composition options. You can capture incredible bird images without leaving the hide.

The optical quality is excellent. You might experience some chromatic aberration at the upper limits of the zoom range. But you’ll have no such trouble lower down the range.

While a max aperture of f/5 isn’t the fastest, Sigma has compensated for this with its optical image stabilization. It reduces the effect of camera shake, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds. It’s a fantastic feature for low-light situations.

Bird photographers will appreciate the Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) used to power the autofocus. It’s accurate in daylight. And it’ll lock onto your subject with quick precision. AF speed is important because every fraction of a second is crucial in bird photography.

This lens is available for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras.

2. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 3.46 lb (1.57 kg)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Excellent magnification with Canon's improved image stabilization. The rugged build is ideal for outdoor photography.

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II is the best lens for bird photography if you have a Canon camera. It’s compatible with their full frame DSLR cameras. And it’ll work with their APS-C cameras with a 1.6x crop factor. It has a wide focal length range. And the rugged construction makes it perfect for bird photography.

The lens has a fantastic optical image stabilizer. It gives you four stops of image correction. You can shoot at slower shutter speeds with a reduced risk of camera shake and motion blur. That gives you better performance in low light.

The optical image stabilizer has three modes. You get standard, panning, and exposure only. These modes give you more options for composition and better results in different environments.

Canon’s USM focusing system is their best to date. It’s responsive, fast, and accurate. That’s exactly what you need when shooting fast-moving birds. You might only get a second or two to get the shot.

The durable build quality gives you plenty of location options. It’s dust-resistant for drier climates. And the water-resistant body means you can also shoot in wetter locations like rainforests or coastlines.

3. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 200-500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 5.07 lb (2.30 kg)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Powerful magnification with incredible optical quality. The vibration reduction system increases sharpness.

Nikon bird photographers need the Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 super-telephoto lens. It’s a heavy piece of equipment. But it has the reach to get close-ups of the birds from your hide. And the excellent vibration reduction and AF systems are exactly what a bird photographer needs in a lens. It’s excellent value for money, too.

The 200-500mm focal length range is ideal for bird photographers. 500mm gives you the magnification to capture small birds from far away with your camera. And you have enough room within the zoom range for a variety of shots. The angle of view gives you a tight composition that suits bid photography.

The f/5.6 maximum aperture isn’t the fastest. But it is constant throughout the focal length range. That makes it easier to shoot distant birds or birds in low light.

Nikon’s fantastic vibration reduction system also compensates for the slow max aperture. It gives you 4.5 stops of image stabilization. That allows you to use slower shutter speeds with less risk of blurred images.

The Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 gives you a big focal length for a low price. You will still need a healthy budget to buy this lens. But it’s excellent value for a super-telephoto lens. It’s a must-have if you use a full frame Nikon DSLR.

4. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 200-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 4.66 lb (2.11 kg)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points Incredible magnification coupled with outstanding image quality. The AF and stabilization systems give you pro-level performance.

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G is ideal for serious bird photographers. It’s a super-telephoto lens with advanced features for high-performance shooting. It has the best example of Sony’s AF motor and image stabilization. It’s also excellent value for a super-telephoto lens from Sony’s G series.

A 600mm focal length gives a bird photographer fantastic possibilities. You can capture close-up images of small birds from your hide. And you can snap birds at high altitudes or off the coast.

The lens uses Sony’s direct drive supersonic wave motor (DDSSM) for the autofocus. It’s one of the fastest AF motors from any manufacturer. And it’s practically silent. You won’t scare the birds away before you’ve got your shot.

You only get an f/6.3 max aperture at the higher focal lengths. But the optical image stabilization system helps with low-light performance. It gives you four stops of shake corrections for more exposure options. And you’ll have sharper bird images every time.

The 11-blade diaphragm gives you lovely soft bokeh. The shallow depth of field effect is an excellent technique for bird photography. The extra-low dispersion lens elements also improve quality by reducing aberration and flare.

5. Panasonic Lumix G 100-400mm f/4-6.3

Brand	Brand Panasonic LUMIX
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4-6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 2.17 lb (985 g)
Tops Selling points	Tops Selling points Leica's precision elements give you stunning optical quality. It has reliable image stabilization and a durable construction.

Bird photographers with a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera need this Panasonic Lumix G 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens. It’s compatible with all Panasonic’s MFT cameras. And it has the precision performance bird photographers need. That includes fast AF, solid stabilization, and a durable build.

The 100-400mm focal length might seem modest to some. But this focal length is equal to a 200-800mm focal length on a full frame camera. That means you get incredible magnification. It’s perfect for shooting birds in flight or from great distances.

Camera shake and motion blur aren’t an issue with this Panasonic Lumix G 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens. It has built-in optical stabilization. And this partners with the image stabilization system found in Panasonic’s MFT cameras. You’ll have outstanding sharpness, even in lower light.

Bird photographers will appreciate the Panasonic Lumix autofocus system. It’s fast, accurate, and quiet. And there’s a focus range limiter to help reduce focusing times further. It’s a helpful feature if you’re using feeders to attract birds. It also helps snap nesting birds.

It’s a rugged telephoto lens that allows you to shoot outdoors in almost any conditions. It’s dust and splashproof. And it doesn’t freeze in sub-zero temperatures. It’s an excellent lens if you’re shooting in colder climates.

6. Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3

Brand	Brand Olympus
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5-6.3
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 9.29 lb (1.32 kg)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points A rugged MFT lens with powerful magnification. Excellent optical quality and image stabilization.

This Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 lens is the most powerful lens from Olympus’s ED range. It’s compatible with all their Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras. It gives you the reach a bird photographer needs. And it’s well equipped for the outdoor life of a bird photographer.

A 400mm focal length gives you good magnification. But with an MFT camera, a 400mm focal length is equivalent to 800mm on a full frame camera. That means you get incredible reach. You can snap offshore seabirds and birds at high altitudes.

You only get an f/6.3 max aperture at 400mm. But Olympus has included its image stabilization to help compensate. It gives you three stops of exposure compensation. You can use slower shutter speeds and still shoot crisp images.

The focus limiter is another handy feature for bird photographers. It’ll reduce focusing times, especially if you have a fixed target like a nest or bird feeder.

It’s a weather-sealed lens. You can shoot outdoors in all conditions. And it gives you peace of mind if you’re shooting on the coast or on a boat. It’s the perfect lens for any bird photography expedition.

7. Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6

Brand	Brand Fujifilm
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 100-400 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 4.2 lb (1.9 kg)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points It's an all-weather telephoto lens with excellent glass quality. The image stabilization is one of the best of any manufacturer.

Fujifilm fans need this Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens for bird photography. It’s their best telephoto lens. As well as a large focal length, you get fast AF and fantastic image stabilization. It’s also tough enough for most . It’s a worthy investment with you’re crazy about bird photography.

Image stabilization is the best of any manufacturer. It gives you five stops of image correction. That means you can drop your shutter speed down five stops without fear of camera shake. You’ll have super sharp photos even in low-light conditions.

This Fujifilm lens is thoroughly weather sealed. It’s dust and water-resistant. You can shoot in any weather or climate. And it can cope with temperatures down to -10°C. You can check penguins off your bird photography checklist.

8. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-300 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.57 lb (712 g)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points The large zoom range gives you shot versatility. It has Canon's improved image stabilization and it's excellent value.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II is the best lens if you’re new to bird photography. It doesn’t have the focal length of the super-telephoto lenses. But you get good magnification and optical quality. The AF and image stabilizer are excellent. And you don’t need a professional budget.

The 70-300mm focal length gives you plenty of shooting options. The 70mm end allows you to shoot wider environmental shots. And 300mm length gives you enough reach for backyard bird photography. You’ll have tightly cropped bird shots from your garden or local park.

The autofocus and image stabilizer are both pro-quality. It uses Canon’s USM system to drive the autofocus. It’s quick and quiet. And the image stabilizer gives you more options with your exposure settings. You’ll have sharper images in low light.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II is compatible with Canon ASP-C and full frame DSLR cameras. But there is a 1.6x crop factor when used with an APS-C camera.

9. Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range	Focal Length Range 70-300 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization 1
Lens Weight	Lens Weight 1.5 lb (680 g)
Top Selling Points	Top Selling Points You get ensured sharpness with reliable vibration reduction system. The zoom range gives you fantastic shot variety.

This Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens is the best bird photography lens if you’re a Nikon user on a budget. It’s the perfect entry-level lens for bird photography. It’s compatible with some of Nikon’s best DSLR cameras. And it’s excellent value for a telephoto lens.

The 70-300mm focal length gives you plenty of shot options. The 70mm side lets you shoot wider shots. You can shoot environmental shots that include many birds. And the 300mm end lets you get tighter shots of individual birds. It isn’t the longest focal length. But you can shoot fantastic bird photography in a garden, park, or woodland.

Nikon’s vibration reduction system is a massive asset for bird photographers. It reduces the effect of camera shake, which is helpful with large focal lengths. And it allows 4.5 stops of shutter speed compensation. That’s helpful in low-light situations.

It isn’t completely weather-sealed. It is dust resistant and protected against water droplets. That gives you good protection when shooting outside. But you will have to be careful in heavy downpours.

Buyers Guide for Bird Photography Lenses

This section looks at some of the finer details relating to bird photography lenses. We’ll look at what’s best for bird photographers and why. It’ll give you all the information you need to find the best lens for bird photography.

What Is the Best Focal Length For Bird Photography?

Like many things in photography, there is no clear answer to this question. The best focal length depends more on the situation than the subject. I’ve photographed birds at 17mm, but would I recommend that as your primary lens for bird photography? Nope.

Generally speaking, bird photography lenses are long. Is 300mm enough for bird photography? How about 400mm? The answer to those questions depends on a couple of things—What size is your camera sensor?

On a full frame camera, 300mm might be fine for birds in flight, but is likely too short for perched songbirds. Yet, if you shoot with an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds camera, then 300-400mm could be more than enough. (A 300mm on an APS-C camera equals 450mm, and 600mm on MFT). Before you decide what’s right for you, consider your camera.

Generally speaking, 400mm to 600mm lenses are the most useful for bird photography.

What Lenses Do Professional Photographers Use?

It seems all professional photographers use big 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses, but it’s not true. For years, my primary wildlife kit was a Canon DSLR and a Canon 500mm f/4L. The equipment was sharp and fast, but also large, heavy, and cumbersome. And the big lens drew unwanted attention from nosy passersby.

My work involves travel to many remote locations. I’m based in Alaska, but assignments often require me to fly in small planes to remote locations. Weight is a top concern. Many times, I’ve had to leave behind my big 500mm. Frustrated, I sold my Canon equipment and switched to the compact Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses.

My primary bird photography lens is now an Olympus 300mm f/4 PRO equipped with a 1.4x teleconverter. That combination yields a full frame equivalent of 840mm at f/5.6. And it has the best image stabilization available! All at a fraction of the size and weight of a full frame 500 or 600mm f/4.

Pros use all kinds of lenses. What a pro chooses depends on the situation and the needs of the shoot. Lenses are sure to be sharp and fast, with top-notch image quality. But that doesn’t always mean the biggest!

Deciding on the Best Lens for You

Technology has trickled down from high-end lenses to entry-level equipment. Glass and image quality of today’s affordable gear rival the top-end equipment of 5 or 10 years ago. To get professional results, you don’t need the most expensive gear. A $10,000 lens is not necessary to capture high-quality photographs of birds and other wildlife.

Conclusion

Photographing birds is incredibly rewarding. But bird photography isn’t easy. You can’t get close to them. They live in remote and dangerous places. And they come and go with a few flaps of their wings. Having the best lens for bird photography puts the odds back in your favor.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is the best lens for bird photography. It gives you incredible magnification at an excellent price. You won’t find that kind of focal length for less. The lens quality is superb too. It’s a must-have for bird photographers.

We’ve also included Nikon and Canon lenses. And bird photographers with Fujifilm, Olympus, and Sony cameras have also been catered to. There’s a bird photography lens for all shooters.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Lens For Bird Photography

Sigma 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C for Nikon F

Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR