Freeze Every Feather: Choosing The Right Camera Shutter Frame Rate For Bird Photography

^{Note: This tip comes from National Geographic’s article - The Best Cameras For Bird Photography}

Seek high frames-per-second rates in your choice of camera.

High frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting will help you capture exciting and unpredictable bird movements and behaviors. The greater the continuous shooting rate, the more variety of movements you can capture.

Aim for a camera with 15 to 20 fps or more, if your budget allows.

Cameras with electronic shutters typically offer faster shooting rates than those with mechanical shutters. Electronic shutters don’t have moving parts, allowing them to capture images more quickly and silently, often achieving frame rates of 20 fps or even higher in some models.

Mechanical shutters, which rely on a physical curtain mechanism, generally have a lower maximum frame rate due to the limitations of the moving parts, usually capping at around 10-15 fps in high-end cameras.

In addition, mirrorless cameras often offer higher frame rates as the mirror mechanism has been eliminated.

However, while electronic shutters offer speed, they can sometimes suffer from issues like rolling shutter distortion, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects.

Consider how you’ll use the camera.

Your camera for birding doesn’t need every bell and whistle—just the ones you’ll use. If you’re more into bird photography than photographing in general, with birding as an occasional endeavor, prioritize features like frames-per-second shooting rates and megapixels.

If you’re more into video, look for 4K, particularly at 60p or 120p. Both allow you to slow down footage without losing quality.

If you enjoy both crafts, consider a bridge camera, like the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500, to experience both worlds without breaking the bank.

Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)