The Best Equipment for Bird Photography

The best equipment for bird photography

Photographing birds can be rather tricky. They're small, fast and often inconspicuous. Taking the right equipment with you is therefore very important. But which gear? Will you go for a mirrorless camera or a DSLR? To capture a bird, you'll also need a good lens. In addition, a sturdy tripod or monopod is far from a luxury when it comes to bird photography.

There isn't necessarily one single best camera for bird photography. There are several things to look out for when buying a camera, and every brand and model has its own pros and cons. That's why on this page we'll help you by highlighting the most important features of a camera for photographing birds. After that, you can start your own search. Because finding the right camera is perhaps even harder than spotting a kingfisher in the city.

What is the best camera for bird photography?

Birds are lightning fast! A fast camera is therefore a must. But what do we mean by fast? This can apply to several different aspects. A fast shutter speed is needed to 'freeze' the bird mid-flight. No blur caused by movement. A mirrorless camera generally achieves faster shutter speeds than a DSLR. They also tend to have a better burst mode, which lets you take multiple frames per second (fps) – very handy when that one rare bird flies past. That way, you'll always nail the shot.

We mustn't forget fast autofocus either. After all, a photo that isn't sharp is of no use to you. DSLRs often come out on top when it comes to fast autofocus. That said, you don't need to dismiss mirrorless cameras for this reason. Many of them have great features that automatically detect and track animals.

If you want to combine bird photography with a pleasant walk in nature, you may find a DSLR rather heavy to carry around all the time. The more expensive models in particular can become quite heavy when paired with a telephoto lens. A mirrorless camera is therefore just that bit more comfortable to take into the woods for a full day out.

Our favourite mirrorless cameras by level

Enthusiastic hobbyist

Semi-professional

Professional

Our favourite DSLRs by level

Enthusiastic hobbyist

Semi-professional

Professional

What is the best lens for bird photography?

What is the best lens for bird photography?
For photographing birds, you'll want a telephoto lens; one that delivers razor-sharp images at great distances. A focal length of at least 300mm is ideal. You can extend your reach even further with an extender. Your zoom range can also vary depending on the type of sensor you use and the crop factor. The big downside of shooting at long distances is that it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the image steady. As well as your camera, your lens can also have stabilisation built in. So pay close attention to this when buying, because trust us: stabilisation is essential for bird photography.

The best choice is a lens with a fast focusing motor. Not only does your camera's autofocus need to be fast, the lens has to keep up too. Of course, the more features a lens offers, the more expensive it becomes.

That said, more affordable lenses are more than fine for beginners. Ultimately, the most important thing is finding and capturing the bird – and you can do that perfectly with the lenses below.

Our favourite telephoto lenses by level

Enthusiastic hobbyist

Semi-professional

Professional

What are the best accessories for bird photography?

Camera with fast autofocus and burst mode? Check! Lens with a large zoom range and stabilisation? Check! Then it's now time for the necessary accessories. Even with stabilisation in both the lens and the camera, capturing a fast-flying bird handheld can still be tricky. A tripod offers the solution. With one, you're guaranteed stable shots. It can be inconvenient, though, having to unfold a tripod constantly during a walk. A monopod is ideal for that. It gives you almost the stability of a tripod, while keeping you much more mobile. For true professionals, there are special gimbal heads for tripods. These let you easily follow fast movements in the distance, even with a large telephoto lens.