From Autofocus to Speed: The 6 Best Cameras for Bird Photography in 2024

^{Note: This tip comes from National Geographic’s article - The best cameras for bird photography.}

A common question with new bird photographers is. “What kind of camera should I use?”

Here, you will find the six current recommended cameras in 2024 and why.

Best Camera For Bird Photography Overall: Sony A9IIIWant more?

When it hit the market in 2024, the Sony A9III revolutionized wildlife imagery. It’s the first full-frame camera to feature a global electronic shutter, eliminating unwanted warp when photographing quick-moving subjects such as flying birds. Additionally, it has an impressive shooting rate of 120 frames per second (fps) with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000, so you don’t miss key moments.

Keep in mind that this option is a significant investment.

Best Bird Photography Camera For Beginners: Sony A6700

With fast and accurate AI-driven autofocus, a 26 MP sensor, 11 fps continuous shooting, weather-resistant sealing, and a price of around $1,400, the Sony A6700 is about as good as it gets for beginner birding cameras. It has face and eye detection with 759 phase detection points for stills and AI-powered real-time subject tracking—ideal for keeping quick-moving birds sharp throughout an image series.

Keep in mind that this is an APS-C sensor which cannot use lenses designed for a full frame camera body. Additionally it has a slightly more noisy shutter than the higher priced full frame model.

Best camera for bird photographers on a budget: Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS R10 doesn’t have the bells and whistles of pricier cameras, but at less than $1,000 (body only), it has many features, from a 24 MP sensor to up to 23 fps continuous shooting. With 651 automatic autofocus points, photographers can pinpoint their subject, whether a fast-moving kingfisher or a tree-perched owl. Built-in subject detection and tracking ensure you can also follow the bird without breaking focus.

Remember that you typically get what you pay for in photography, which rings valid with the Canon EOS R10. The camera lacks weather sealing, which is helpful for adventurous birding expeditions. The battery life is shorter, with reviewers reporting 200 to 400 shots per charge, depending on usage. So, remember to pack those extra charged batteries.

Best Professional Camera For Bird Photography: Nikon Z9

With a massive 45.7 MP sensor that promises detail-rich quality photos, a 20 fps shooting rate, and a buffer that allows up to 1,000 RAW frames, it’s easy to see why the Nikon Z9 nabbed the “best professional camera for bird photography” title.

The Nikon Z9 is a favorite among bird photographers. It has many useful features, like the pre-release capture, which logs frames even before fully pressing the shutter, helping ensure you never miss important shots. 

The camera’s high-efficiency RAW file format also compresses file sizes for speedier shooting while retaining full quality. An electronic shutter means you won’t disturb the birds you photograph with a mechanical ‘clicking’ noise.

Remember that this camera is expensive and bulkier and heavier than the other models mentioned.

Best Bridge Camera For Birding Photography: Panasonic Lumix FZ2500

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 is an exceptional bridge camera (a partway between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR/ mirrorless device). It stands out for continuous autofocus and subject tracking—a must-have for keeping birds focused. It also has a 20.1 MP sensor for producing images with enough detail to print and frame. A built-in super telephoto 24-480mm lens lets you get extra close to birds without disruptions, and an aperture of f/2.8-4.5 enables you to blur backgrounds to help subjects pop. 

Bird photographers can also enjoy up to 50 fps shooting—an impressive figure for a camera that costs just under $1,000.

Remember that while photographers will enjoy 20.1 MP images, the quality isn’t as good compared to higher-level cameras with full-frame sensors. This camera is best for a hobbyist or beginner.

Best Camera For Bird Photography With A Superzoom Lens: Nikon Coolpix P1000

Regarding bird photography point-and-shoot cameras, it’s hard to top the Nikon Coolpix P1000’s superzoom 24-3000mm lens. This much power put this camera on our best list, but we also noted its tilting screen (great for avoiding glare), and five stops of built-in image stabilization (essential for minimizing shake and keeping photos sharp).

Even better, this camera has a bird mode, helping beginners land their shots. It’s not the most feature-rich camera on this list, but the Nikon Coolpix P1000 has another significant perk: it’s relatively budget-friendly, at around $1,000.

Keep in mind this is a beginner or hobbyist camera. The 16 MP photos will display well on compact screens or small prints, but they may need to be more detail-rich to blow up and hang on the wall. Additionally, the camera’s limited ISO range means it doesn’t perform well in low light.

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!)