Home » Wildlife Photography » Gear » Cameras » Best Wildlife Cameras under $1,000
Written by Antonio Cala.
Wildlife photography is a challenging yet rewarding genre that requires the right equipment to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitats. However, finding the best camera for wildlife photography can be a daunting task, especially for those on a budget. Fortunately, there are many excellent cameras available for under $1000 that offer great features for capturing wildlife.
After researching and analyzing various options, several cameras stood out as the best choices for wildlife photography on a budget. These cameras offer great features at an affordable price, making them ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
For a complete analysis of all wildlife cameras, not just from Sony, make sure to check out the ultimate guide to wildlife photography cameras.
Feel free to check out this summary with our favorite wildlife cameras under $1,000, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.
Our Pick For
The Absolute Best Wildlife Camera under $1,000
The Canon Rebel T8i presents one of the best options for wildlife photography on a budget, particularly for enthusiasts and beginners seeking a capable DSLR. With its 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, the camera offers good resolution for capturing wildlife details.
The 45 cross-type autofocus points enable effective subject tracking, essential for wildlife photography, while the 7 frames per second burst mode allows for capturing fast-moving wildlife moments. Additionally, the camera’s 4K UHD video recording capability provides an added dimension for wildlife documentation.
Pros:
Cons:
In summary, the Canon Rebel T8i serves as a solid option for beginners who want to get started in wildlife photography, offering good resolution, effective autofocus and burst mode for less than 1000 bucks.
Our Pick For
Runner Up
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a solid contender to the Rebel T8i as a budget-friendly camera that offers advanced features suitable for wildlife photography. With a compact and lightweight design, this mirrorless camera is easy to handle in outdoor settings.
It features a 20.3MP Micro 4/3 sensor, 121 autofocus points, and a burst mode of up to 15 frames per second, making it capable of capturing fast-moving wildlife with precision.
Pros:
Cons:
In summary, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great entry-level option for wildlife photography, offering advanced features at an affordable price point.
Our Pick For
Best DSLR Camera under $1,000
The Nikon D7500 presents a compelling budget-friendly option for wildlife photography enthusiasts, particularly those looking specifically for a DSLR model. With its 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor, the camera delivers good image quality, suitable for capturing wildlife details while remaining cost-effective.
The 51-point AF system enables precise and quick focusing on wildlife subjects, essential for wildlife photography. Its weatherproof construction adds durability and reliability when shooting in outdoor environments, making it a practical choice for wildlife photographers on a budget.
Pros:
Cons:
In summary, the Nikon D7500 serves as a cheap option to get initiated in wildlife photography with a very capable camera.
Our Pick For
Best Mirrorless Camera under $1,000
The Sony Alpha 6400 is an incredibly versatile mirrorless camera that offers a good balance of features at a competitive price point. With a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 425 autofocus points, and a burst mode of up to 11 frames per second, it provides the necessary tools for capturing wildlife moments effectively.
The camera’s compact build and lightweight design make it easy to handle in outdoor settings, while its autofocus system ensures sharp and detailed images of fast-moving subjects.
Pros:
Cons:
All in all, the Sony Alpha 6400 is a solid choice for wildlife photographers on a budget, due to its compact size, advanced autofocus system, fast burst mode and competitive price point. For less than a thousand bucks, you can get a solid and capable camera to capture stunning wildlife shots.
Our Pick For
Best Compact Camera under $1,000
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 is a powerful and versatile compact camera that offers lots of bells and whistles wanted for wildlife photography. Despite its affordability, this camera provides advanced features tailored for capturing wildlife scenes effectively.
Pros:
Cons:
In summary, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000/FZ2500 presents a cost-effective solution for wildlife photography enthusiasts seeking a compact camera with advanced features.
Best Budget Cameras for Wildlife Photography
(Under $1,000)
- |
Canon Rebel T8i |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV |
Nikon D7500 |
Sony Alpha 6400 |
Lumix DMC-FZ2000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAMERA |
|
|
|
||
BODY |
DSLR |
Mirrorless |
DSLR |
Mirrorless |
Compact |
WEIGHT |
1.13 lbs |
0.85 lbs
|
1.41 lbs |
0.89 lbs |
2.02 lbs |
MEGAPIXELS |
32.5 MP |
20.3 MP |
24.1 MP |
24.2 MP |
20.1 MP |
BURST RATE |
Up to 10fps |
Up to 15fps |
Up to 7fps |
Up to 11fps |
Up to 12fps |
AUTOFOCUS POINTS |
45 |
121 |
45 |
425 |
49 |
|
When it comes to wildlife photography, having the right camera can make all the difference. However, with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for.
Here are some top features to consider when searching for the best wildlife photography cameras under $1000:
One of the most important features to look for in a wildlife photography camera is fast autofocus. This is especially important when capturing animals in motion. Look for cameras with advanced autofocus systems that can track moving subjects and quickly adjust focus.
Wildlife photography often takes place in low light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. A camera with high ISO performance can help you capture clear, sharp images in these conditions. Look for cameras with ISO ranges up to 6400 or higher.
When photographing wildlife, it’s important to have a steady hand. However, even the steadiest hands can sometimes result in blurry images. A camera with good image stabilization can help compensate for this. Look for cameras with built-in stabilization or lenses with stabilization capabilities.
Wildlife photography often takes place in rugged outdoor environments. A camera with weather sealing can help protect it from the elements, such as rain, snow, and dust. Look for cameras with durable, weather-resistant bodies.
Animals move quickly and unpredictably, so having a camera with a fast burst mode can help you capture the perfect shot. Look for cameras with burst modes that can shoot at least 5 frames per second or higher.
When considering wildlife photography cameras under $1000, the Canon Rebel T8i and OM-D E-M10 Mark IV emerge as standout choices due to their exceptional image quality and versatility.
The Nikon D7500 remains a solid option for those inclined towards DSLRs, offering reliability and performance in capturing wildlife scenes.
The Sony Alpha 6400 proves to be a compelling mirrorless alternative with its advanced features and capabilities.
Finally, the Lumix DMC-FZ2000 shines as the premier choice for individuals seeking a point-and-shoot camera, combining ease of use with quality results for wildlife enthusiasts on a budget.
Each of these cameras caters to distinct preferences and skill levels, ensuring a diverse range of options for aspiring wildlife photographers looking to capture stunning moments in nature without breaking the bank.
For those on a budget, the Canon EOS Rebel T8i is a great entry-level camera for wildlife photography. It has a 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and a 9-point autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion.
The Nikon D5600 is a great camera for wildlife photography under $1000. It has a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and a 39-point autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a great budget-friendly DSLR for nature photography. It has a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and a 45-point autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 6 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion.
The Sony Alpha a6000 is a great mirrorless camera for wildlife photography under $1000. It has a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a 179-point autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 11 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion.
The Canon EOS M50 is a great camera for beginners and wildlife photography under $1000. It has a 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and a Dual Pixel autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion.
The Panasonic Lumix G85 is a great camera for vlogging and wildlife photography under $1000. It has a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and a 49-point autofocus system, which is great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a continuous shooting speed of 9 frames per second, which is perfect for capturing animals in motion. Additionally, it has 4K video capabilities, which is great for vlogging.
If you would like to read more about camera options for wildlife photography, make sure you check out our Master Guide to Wildlife Photography Cameras.
For even more specific options, you can check out our other reviews below:
Camera Type
Skill Level
Budget
Brand
Planned activitiy
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into the best cheap cameras for wildlife photography.
Below are a few resources that caught my interest.
6 of the Best Cameras Under 1000 That Have Won Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards – nomadnaturetravel.com
What’s the best camera for wildlife under $1000? – Quora.com
Born and raised in Southern Spain, Antonio quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight.
Their passion for adventure and wildlife encounters took them to visit 150+ countries and experience countless of wildlife experiences. They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions.
Today Antonio runs Adventure Fix with Amanda, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
We believe everyone should be able to make decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or travel service available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.