Your Best Options Today • PhotoTraces

Do you want to know how to do wildlife photography on a budget? Are you struggling to choose the gear for high-quality wildlife photos, but you don’t want to break the bank?

Look no further.

Because this article will tell you everything
you need to know about starting wildlife photography with a reasonable
investment. In fact, it’s entirely possible to capture amazing wildlife images
for under $2000 (and a lot less, in some cases).

Sure, you’ll upgrade your wildlife gear over time. You’ll eventually add to your kit.

But the first pictures you’ll have taken will
still be professional quality.

And you’ll be proud of them. Guaranteed.

Now, equipment is one of the most important
aspects of wildlife photography. Without great equipment, you won’t be able to
get sufficiently close to capture animals flying, feeding, nesting, playing,
and more.

In other words:

Without great equipment, you won’t be able to
get tack-sharp images of animals living in their own little world.

I previously explained how to find the best camera for wildlife photography.

And I also explained how to find the best lens.

But in this article, I’m going to take it a
step further. I’m going to show you the best affordable camera for wildlife
photography–one that will get the job done, but won’t cost an arm and a leg to
do it.

And I’m also going to show you the best budget
lens for wildlife photography. This is where the real expense is, but with some
careful evaluation, I’m confident you’ll be able to come away with a lens that
is perfect for your needs and your
budget.

Quick Links: Wildlife Photography on a Budget

Let’s get started.

Wildlife Photography with Bridge Camera: The Sony RX10 IV

As I said in the section above:

You do not have to invest in thousands of
dollars worth of equipment in order to capture stunning wildlife images.

You do need capable gear, yes. But there are
some great options for far less than the $10000+ paid by today’s professionals.

Plus, here’s the thing:

If you’ve never done wildlife photography
before, you may want to start small. You want to make sure you actually like
what you’re doing before you drop $6000 for a lens. Because what if you realize
that wildlife photography just isn’t the thing for you? Perhaps you’ll decide
to go into street photography instead, or portrait photography, or landscape
photography.

You don’t want to be stuck with a $6000 prime
lens when you do.

That’s why I recommend you check out the Sony
RX10 IV. It’s a compact camera, which means that you cannot switch out the
lens–but for wildlife photography, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better
option for beginners.

What’s so special about the Sony RX10 IV?

First, its lens, while not interchangeable,
packs some serious punch. It goes from an impressively wide 24mm, all the way
out to a ridiculous 600mm (with an f/2.4-f/4 maximum aperture).

Megapixels: 21MP
Sensor Size: 1″
Continuous Shooting: 24 fps
Weight: 1100g (2.40lb)
Size: 132 x 94 x 145mm (5.2 x 3.7 x 5.7″)
Price: Check the latest price here

With optics like that, you could easily get
close enough to capture birds in flight, as well as smaller wildlife in their
environment.

Of course, no wildlife photography camera can
get the job done without an incredible autofocus system, and I’m happy to say
that the Sony RX10 IV delivers in that area, as well. The RX10 IV features a
315-point phase detection AF system, for speedy focusing even in tough
situations. Combine this with a 24 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed
with autofocus, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Note that it’s impossible to buy a full-frame or APS-C mirrorless or DSLR option with specs even close to these for such a low price (around $1600). The equivalent cameras and lenses would cost you a significant sum more, and they wouldn’t be as compact nor as lightweight.

(I haven’t even mentioned the optical
stabilization on the RX10 IV, which allows you to capture images of wildlife
while shooting handheld in low light.)

If you think that the RX10 IV seems too good to be true, you might be right: It’s not a perfect camera. It’s just a really good one. You see, the RX10 IV’s sensor is only one inch in size, which seriously inhibits low-light shooting abilities. Compared to a full-frame or even APS-C camera, the noise performance on the RX10 IV is bound to be poor.

See also: Budget Lenses for Bird Photography

However, it’s worth noting that Sony does
manufacture the best one-inch sensors in the world. And given all the other
great features of the Sony RX10 IV, it’s certainly worth a look.

Canon Budget Options for Wildlife Photography

If you’re a Canon shooter and are looking for a budget camera, then look to the Canon EOS 90D.

It’s Canon’s latest crop sensor (APS-C) high-megapixel camera.

Megapixels: 34MP
Sensor Size: APS-C (1.6 x Crop Factor
Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
Weight: 700g (1.55lb)
Size: 141 x 105 x 77mm (5.5 x 4.1 x 3″)
Price: Check the latest price here

With a 34 megapixel APS-C sensor, it is the higher resolution camera in the industry among APS-C models. But at the same time, it allows for 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting, plus some good low-light capabilities (always useful for shooting wildlife in the mornings and evenings).

See also: How to Take Professional Wildlife Photos

While the 80D’s autofocus system isn’t as
powerful as some of its competitors, you’ll get decent bang for your buck,
including 45 AF points (all cross-type).

Megapixels: 21MP
Sensor Size: APS-C (1.6 x Crop Factor
Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
Weight: 700g (1.55lb)
Size: 149 x 112 x 78mm (5.9 x 4.4 x 3″)
Price: Check the latest price here

Another budget camera option worth checking
out is the Canon 7D Mark II. It’s somewhat dated (it debuted in September of
2014), but its autofocus system and 10 frames-per-second shooting rate are
unmatched by Canon’s other consumer DSLRs.

Lens Mount: Canon EF
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 710g (1.56lb)
Size: 80 x 146 mm (3.2 x 5.7″)
Price: Check the latest price here

As for Canon budget wildlife lenses, the Canon
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II is a great option. It’s well-priced, decently sharp
(especially when stopped down), and very fast. Not to mention the image
stabilization, which is an excellent bonus.

Altogether, you can grab the Canon 90D (or the Canon 7D Mark II) and the Canon EF 70-300mm for $1500-$1600.

Lens Mount: Canon EF
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 95mm
Weight: 1820g (4lb)
Size: 80 x 146 mm (4.1 x 10.2″)
Price: Check the latest price here

Another budget lens to consider is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3. This lens has an incredible focal length range, covering from standard telephoto to supertelephoto with a twist of the zoom ring. And autofocus is impressive, too; it’s certainly snappy enough for wildlife shooting.

One of my favorite things about the Sigma
150-600mm is the optics. Is it sharp from 150mm all the way out to 600mm, even
at the corners?

No.

But it remains sharp until you get near the 600mm end, allowing for some great wildlife images.

The Canon 90D plus the 150-600mm Sigma will set you back approximately $1700 (a bargain).

Wildlife Photography on a Budget
With Nikon

If you’re a wildlife shooter in the market for
a Nikon camera/lens combination, then you’re in luck. Nikon makes some of the
best low-light APS-C DSLRs on the market, most of which are equipped with
high-end autofocusing systems for fast, precise AF work.

Megapixels: 21MP
Sensor Size: APS-C (1.5 x Crop Factor)
Continuous Shooting: 8 fps
Weight: 640g (1.4lb)
Size: 136 x 104 x 73mm (5.3 x 4.1 x 3″)
Price: Check the latest price here

The Nikon D7500, in particular, strikes a
balance between price, image quality, and autofocus, managing to pack a great
sensor and AF system into a relatively inexpensive body.

The D7500 packs a 20 MP sensor with excellent
high ISO performance (you can even expand the ISO to 1,640,000 if you ever get
the urge).

Wildlife photographers will love the weather
sealing and overall usability, not to mention the 51-point autofocus system
that’s quick and efficient.

Unfortunately, the Nikon D7500 will be the
last of its kind–rumor has it that Nikon will not be updating the D7500–but
it’s still an amazing option for the budding wildlife shooter.

Note that anyone looking for a slightly more
powerful option, one with even faster autofocus and continuous shooting speeds,
should check out the D500, if you’re willing to foot an increased bill.

Lens Mount: Nikon F
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 95mm
Weight: 1820g (4lb)
Size: 80 x 146 mm (4.1 x 10.2″)
Price: Check the latest price here

As for a budget wildlife lens, I’d recommend the Sigma 150-600mm f/5.-6.3, just as I did in the previous section; the lens is fast, impressively sharp, and an all-around powerhouse.

It’s not perfect, but it’ll do a great job for the price (around $1500 when including the Nikon D7500).

Lens Mount: Nikon F
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 1160g (2.55lb)
Size: 86 x 182 mm (3.4 x 7.2″)
Price: Check the latest price here

Another option is the Sigma 100-400mm, which offers less reach than the 150-600mm, but better optics and a potentially more manageable focal length range.

See also: Sigma Art Lenses

(Carrying around a 600mm lens can sometimes become a bit frustrating.)

Unfortunately, the Sigma 100-400mm struggles with autofocus, working more slowly than I’d like, so it’s certainly worth considering both options.

The Sigma 100-400mm plus the D7500 come out to be around $1700.

Wildlife Photography on a Budget
With Sony

If you’re looking to start your wildlife
photography kit with Sony, then there’s no better budget camera than the Sony
a6400–which is a member of Sony’s venerable a6000 mirrorless lineup, and will
satisfy the needs of both hobbyists and professionals alike.

Megapixels: 25MP
Sensor Size: APS-C (1.5 x Crop Factor)
Continuous Shooting: 11 fps
Weight: 403g (14.2oz)
Size: 120 x 67 x 60mm (4.7 x 2.6 x 2.4″)
Price: Check the latest price here

While the 24 MP, APS-C sensor may not seem
that impressive, it’s the camera’s speed that makes the magic happen. The a6400
features 11 frames-per-second continuous shooting, which leaves its Canon and
Nikon competitors in the dust, and will allow you to keep up with even the
fastest wildlife.

Plus, the autofocus system on the a6400 is
amazingly fast, quickly locking onto moving subjects with ease.

Note that the a6400 is a mirrorless camera,
which comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. One of the biggest
reasons to buy mirrorless is the electronic viewfinder, which will give you a
preview of your wildlife photography shots before they’re taken. And, funnily
enough, one of the biggest reasons to stick with DSLRs is the optical
viewfinder, which is more crisp and clear than even the best mirrorless
electronic viewfinder (and the Sony a6400 isn’t particularly impressive in this
area).

Lens Mount: Sony E
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 625g (1.4lb)
Size: 77 x 142 mm (3 x 5.6″)
Price: Check the latest price here

But the Sony a6400 is a great camera for
wildlife shooting; that much everyone agrees on. And you could round out your
gear bag with the excellent Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3, which features top-notch
sharpness, as well as lightning-fast autofocus. The 70-350mm is also
impressively compact, which makes it a perfect option for photographers who
like to go on long treks looking for wildlife and don’t want to haul around a
600mm lens.

The Sony a6400 and Sony 70-350mm combo will cost you around $1800-1900

And speaking of 600mm:

Your other best lens for wildlife photography on a budget is, once again, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3. This lens would require an adapter to use on the Sony a6400 body, but for the budget-conscious wildlife photographer looking for some serious reach, there’s no better choice.

Wildlife Photography on a Budget
With Fujifilm

Over the past few years, Fujifilm has been
consistently releasing incredible APS-C mirrorless cameras–several of which
are perfect for wildlife photography, including our budget wildlife photography
camera:

The X-T30.

Megapixels: 26MP
Sensor Size: APS-C (1.5 x Crop Factor)
Continuous Shooting: up to 30 fps
Weight: 383g (13.5oz)
Size: 118 x 83 x 47mm (4.7 x 3.3 x 1.8″)
Price: Check the latest price here

At the heart of the X-T30 sits the 26.1 MP
APS-C sensor, which combines top-of-its-class low-light capabilities with a
nice dynamic range. This is featured alongside an excellent autofocus system
(in order to track animals on the move), and the X-T30s best wildlife
photography feature:

A 30 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed with a 1.25x crop, which drops to a still-impressive 20 fps shooting speed when shooting normally (but with the electronic shutter).

See also: How to Take Wildlife Photos

For any burgeoning wildlife photographer, the 20fps/30fps burst mode speed can make a difference between a portfolio of top-notch shots and a portfolio of mediocre shots–and for the price, who can resist?

Of course, any great camera requires a lens,
and I’m happy to say that Fujifilm has two great budget options:

Lens Mount: Fujifilm X
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 62mm
Weight: 580g (1.4lb)
Size: 75 x 118 mm (20oz)
Price: Check the latest price here

First, the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8.

See also: High Shutter Speed Photography

When combined with the Fujifilm X-T30 the total sits at around $1300, and you get an amazing camera and an amazing lens (with fast AF and stellar image quality).

Lens Mount: Fujifilm X
Image Stabilization: Yes
Filter Size: 77mm
Weight: 1375g (3lb)
Size: 95 x 210 mm (3.7 x 8.3″)
Price: Check the latest price here

Second, the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. This lens is extremely fast, features good autofocus, and a great focal length range.

See also: Tutorials for Wildlife Photography for Beginners

Altogether, the Fujifilm X-T30 plus the XF 100-400mm takes you to a (somewhat expensive) $2700. But if you’re after stellar quality, then it might be the way to go.

Wildlife Photography on a Budget | Conclusion

Now that you’ve finished this article, you
should know all about the best affordable camera and best budget lens for
wildlife photography.

You know which camera and lens combo will do
you good if you’re a Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Fujifilm shooter.

So pick a camera, pick a lens, and start
shooting.

You’ll be capturing some stunning photos in no
time at all!

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