Best birding camera

[tareqphoto]

I'm not a birder, but several friends of mine are pro birders. I use almost the same equipment for sports photography.

You will see a lot of what I respectfully refer to as "gear snobs" recommending the most expensive bodies Canon has to offer. They mean well, and those cameras are certainly awesome. Who wouldn't want an R1?

But, it's my understanding that an APS-C ("crop sensor") camera body is best for birding and wildlife in general strictly because of their reach. So you don't disturb the birds you're hoping to photograph, it's probably best to be as far away as possible while still producing tack-sharp prints.

For example, if you're using a 300mm full-frame lens on a full-frame camera, you're only going to have 300mm of focal length. But, if you put that same 300mm lens on an APS-C body, you're extending the reach of that lens by about 1.5x. So, instead of 300mm, with an APS-C body and the same lens, you can now reach 450mm without losing clarity.

That being said, from what I understand, the best APS-C camera from Canon is the EOS R7, which is expected to receive an upgrade to the EOS R7 Mkii in 2025. This camera's crop sensor, high shutter speeds, in-body Image Stabilizing and moisture-sealed body help make the R7 the perfect birder without breaking the bank. I currently shoot all my sports photography on an R7 primarily because of the crop sensor, and I love it.

I hope this helps.

I asked before about R7, I don't remember where, but people just suggested me to go for R6 or R5 that time, so I assumed maybe it is not a good camera to have, and they pointed cons over pros, I asked about it because of the crop factor precisely, when I shoot sports with my 1DX and 300mm I always crop, ALWAYS, even with 1DIII which is APS-H, but the quality cropped from 1DX was amazing, but not much from 1d3, so that I want to upgrade from 1dx and 1d3 to latest mirrorless, even with crop they will outperform those old dslr cameras, R5ii will be 1dx replacement, and I will wait more for R7 upgrade to be like 1D3 replacement.

 

[Zach J]

I asked before about R7, I don't remember where, but people just suggested me to go for R6 or R5 that time, so I assumed maybe it is not a good camera to have, and they pointed cons over pros, I asked about it because of the crop factor precisely, when I shoot sports with my 1DX and 300mm I always crop, ALWAYS, even with 1DIII which is APS-H, but the quality cropped from 1DX was amazing, but not much from 1d3, so that I want to upgrade from 1dx and 1d3 to latest mirrorless, even with crop they will outperform those old dslr cameras, R5ii will be 1dx replacement, and I will wait more for R7 upgrade to be like 1D3 replacement.

That's understandable. Typically, if someone owns a "flagship" camera, like the R1, R3 or R5, they're not going to recommend something different or what they perceive to be less of a camera. BUT, Canon is doing something different with its mirrorless lineup. For example, they're putting the same R7 sensor ($1,300) and putting it in the R50 ($700). Similarly, the R8 ($1500) contains the same sensor as the R6 Mk ii ($2,500).

So, what they're allowing all of us to do is keep the same sensor technology as their highest-end cameras without being forced to pay for features we don't need. That's pretty impressive. They know not everyone needs weather resistance ... and not everyone needs IBIS ... and not everyone needs 40 fps, 50 Mb, or 6k video.

Simultaneously, if you buy higher-end camera but don't need half of what it offers, you might have spent a lot of money for tech you'll never use.

So, I'd go with those who recommend making a budget first and deciding what you want to spend. Then, I'd recommend deciding on what sensor you want, finding out which bodies offer that sensor and lastly decide what technology you absolutely must have. That might still mean you end up going with an R1 ... or, it might mean you go with an R5, which costs about $3,000 less but gives you everything you want and need.

Lastly, the greatest thing in my opinion is that I'm using all my old L series lenses on a new mirrorless body with an adapter, and they all work fantastic. I've heard it said that new RF lenses focus faster, but I'm yet to be convinced. Even L lenses from the 1990's work fantastically with the Canon EF-R adapter.

I don't know everything, but I hope I can help.

 

[tareqphoto]

If you’re planning to shoot birds with a 300mm lens, you’ll probably want an extender and perhaps more MP, i.e., the 5-series.

You can certainly use your 300/2.8, it pairs well with the 2x TC and is (relatively) small and light. Many years ago, I ran into Lillian Stokes (birding field guide author) on a New Hampshire mountain top shooting kettling hawks, and she told me her primary birding set up was a 1-series body (it was a 1DIV at that point) and the 300/2.8 with a 2x extender.

300mm is a very capable and flexible lens, i use it for sports even for far actions, and it served me well on 1DX with crop, i tried it few times with 1.4x and 2x and it was nice and just ok with 2X, for birds i don't want highest quality because it was just test, but later i might add one of the zooms such as 100-500 then it will be nice, i do have scopes but lack of AF definitely, i first need to get cameras replacements then i will focus on lenses.

 

[tareqphoto]

That's understandable. Typically, if someone owns a "flagship" camera, like the R1, R3 or R5, they're not going to recommend something different or what they perceive to be less of a camera. BUT, Canon is doing something different with its mirrorless lineup. For example, they're putting the same R7 sensor ($1,300) and putting it in the R50 ($700). Similarly, the R8 ($1500) contains the same sensor as the R6 Mk ii ($2,500).

So, what they're allowing all of us to do is keep the same sensor technology as their highest-end cameras without being forced to pay for features we don't need. That's pretty impressive. They know not everyone needs weather resistance ... and not everyone needs IBIS ... and not everyone needs 40 fps, 50 Mb, or 6k video.

Simultaneously, if you buy higher-end camera but don't need half of what it offers, you might have spent a lot of money for tech you'll never use.

So, I'd go with those who recommend making a budget first and deciding what you want to spend. Then, I'd recommend deciding on what sensor you want, finding out which bodies offer that sensor and lastly decide what technology you absolutely must have. That might still mean you end up going with an R1 ... or, it might mean you go with an R5, which costs about $3,000 less but gives you everything you want and need.

Lastly, the greatest thing in my opinion is that I'm using all my old L series lenses on a new mirrorless body with an adapter, and they all work fantastic. I've heard it said that new RF lenses focus faster, but I'm yet to be convinced. Even L lenses from the 1990's work fantastically with the Canon EF-R adapter.

I don't know everything, but I hope I can help.

The main point for me now is whatever camera i buy now i make sure it is the latest, i know how great R5 and R6 were and still, also R6II and R7 and R8, but those are all old and they might have upgrades anytime next year, while R1 and R5II will not be upgraded for a while, R3 maybe, in that case i assume if i buy R5II it will automatically cancel my plan on R6/R6II/R7/R8 ad maybe R3, while if i buy R1 it will cancel everything else as less and it won't be upgraded by Canon for a while, it is still wet new, but it costs that much, and your point about features i might never use is valid, but isn't this also the same case when i bought my cameras such as 1DsII and 1DsIII and 1DIII and 1DX? I mean we buy high end to use it like amateurs and we never care, and i don't regret that, but that time i was in a job and i lost it so i stopped, now i got new job but less income and life situations changed, i still can afford with this new job but i try to choose very few things, before i was able to upgrade and buy every year, now i will try to buy once every 3-5 years span.

For lenses, as sports and birds i know few lenses in this category, while for anything else i am buying Sony latest model, and that i use my Canon lenses perfectly with adapter and no lack of quality, such as my TS-E 17/24, 135mm, 100 macro and such, even when i tested Canon 24-105 on A7R it was nicer and more beautiful than with 1DX/1Ds3 for example, but in sports and maybe birds i will stay with Canon cameras.

 

[koenkooi]

[...]BUT, Canon is doing something different with its mirrorless lineup. For example, they're putting the same R7 sensor ($1,300) and putting it in the R50 ($700).[...]

No, the R7 shares its sensor with the M6II and 90D, but the R50 has a different, lower resolution and much slower sensor.

 

[AlanF]

No, the R7 shares its sensor with the M6II and 90D, but the R50 has a different, lower resolution and much slower sensor.

The R10 indeed has a 24 Mpx sensor with a readout time of 35 ms compared with 29.2 ms for the 32 Mpx R7. The R7 is basically superior in just about every way. The R7 is a decent camera for bird photography when you learn to work within its limitations. I'm very happy to use it still even though I have an R5ii.

 

[meywd]

Hi all,

Let me make it simple and clear straight forward question like to start over

What is the best Canon cameras for birding [and wildlife]?

I prefer it to be a brand new and mirrorless rather than DSLR which is a thing of the past now.

Thanks

Tareq basha, its all about the budget.

 

[tareqphoto]

Tareq basha, its all about the budget.

Ok, so it means i must afford $10k to have best choice?

 

[tareqphoto]

The R10 indeed has a 24 Mpx sensor with a readout time of 35 ms compared with 29.2 ms for the 32 Mpx R7. The R7 is basically superior in just about every way. The R7 is a decent camera for bird photography when you learn to work within its limitations. I'm very happy to use it still even though I have an R5ii.

Reading this it makes me to think about buying R7 even if i will buy something else, but the regret will be if Canon decided to make a replacement/upgrade version of R7 soon.

 

[AlanF]

Reading this it makes me to think about buying R7 even if i will buy something else, but the regret will be if Canon decided to make a replacement/upgrade version of R7 soon.

They probably will do. But there are some good deals at present.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Keep in mind that with the R7, the high pixel density means it’s best used with relatively wide apertures. Diffraction starts to affect sharpness at f/5.2. It’s not like the IQ falls off a cliff, but with a lens like the RF 100-500 that is f/7.1 at the long end there will be a slight detriment.

 

[tareqphoto]

They probably will do. But there are some good deals at present.

I don't care about deals because it is really amazing and i can buy one, but the point is if i buy it now with a deal, next year if they release something like R7II or even R6III then suddenly i won't use R7 much and i keep thinking about selling it to buy the new one, so it will be like a lose more than a gain, and i don't do any photography now so i am waiting, but another reason i don't do photography is that i didn't upgrade yet, like i want a new camera to return back, not vice versa.

 

[tareqphoto]

Keep in mind that with the R7, the high pixel density means it’s best used with relatively wide apertures. Diffraction starts to affect sharpness at f/5.2. It’s not like the IQ falls off a cliff, but with a lens like the RF 100-500 that is f/7.1 at the long end there will be a slight detriment.

That is another and important topic to think about, and it is a reason why i don't rush to buy anything yet until i have enough details and knowledge about pros and cons and expectations so i buy with full confidence and no regret.

 

[meywd]

Ok, so it means i must afford $10k to have best choice?

it means after you decide the budget, everything else is secondary, if you can afford the best you get it, if you care about the cost, then again the problem is the budget, the best is already known R5II and R1, you already owned 1DX, so you know if you need more MP or not, and you know if you care about the camera size or not.

so the problem you face is, do you have a budget? do you want to buy a lens?

 

[tareqphoto]

it means after you decide the budget, everything else is secondary, if you can afford the best you get it, if you care about the cost, then again the problem is the budget, the best is already known R5II and R1, you already owned 1DX, so you know if you need more MP or not, and you know if you care about the camera size or not.

so the problem you face is, do you have a budget? do you want to buy a lens?

It is very clear and valid point about budget, and this i can't answer now yet, because there are factors also that can affect the choice and the budget, for example will i buy 1 camera or two, will i buy lens also, will i do photography more often and such, if i have $8k to buy R1 easy but i only do photography like once or twice per month until end of the year not much then i feel the budget was wasted really, I bought 1DX and it is still having low shutter counts and i used it for about 3 years then stopped, i never regret buying it, but i regret i didn't use it much enough.

 

[meywd]

It is very clear and valid point about budget, and this i can't answer now yet, because there are factors also that can affect the choice and the budget, for example will i buy 1 camera or two, will i buy lens also, will i do photography more often and such, if i have $8k to buy R1 easy but i only do photography like once or twice per month until end of the year not much then i feel the budget was wasted really, I bought 1DX and it is still having low shutter counts and i used it for about 3 years then stopped, i never regret buying it, but i regret i didn't use it much enough.

Why buy a new camera then? Either buy a lens or spend the money on a more useful endeavor.

 

[frankchn]

It is very clear and valid point about budget, and this i can't answer now yet, because there are factors also that can affect the choice and the budget, for example will i buy 1 camera or two, will i buy lens also, will i do photography more often and such, if i have $8k to buy R1 easy but i only do photography like once or twice per month until end of the year not much then i feel the budget was wasted really, I bought 1DX and it is still having low shutter counts and i used it for about 3 years then stopped, i never regret buying it, but i regret i didn't use it much enough.

Yeah this is not something a camera forum can answer. It is really about how much do you want to spend on your photography hobby and if you feel the money is "wasted" or not.

If you think spending $8k on something you might use once or twice a month is wasteful, then perhaps a lower budget is better. Of course, then you won't have the "best", but that's how it is.

 

[tareqphoto]

Why buy a new camera then? Either buy a lens or spend the money on a more useful endeavor.

New cameras are the present and future, if this question is applied in life then we can say why buy Toyota 2020-2024 or iPhone 11-16 and such, we can still use products that was available in 1990-2010, majority did upgrade and change and buy new, only few didn't for their own reasons, thanks.

 

[tareqphoto]

Yeah this is not something a camera forum can answer. It is really about how much do you want to spend on your photography hobby and if you feel the money is "wasted" or not.

If you think spending $8k on something you might use once or twice a month is wasteful, then perhaps a lower budget is better. Of course, then you won't have the "best", but that's how it is.

True, but best can be a lower second thing too, i mean R5II is best overall to be honest, R1 will be best in one or two things to make it that expensive but everything else, not, it is just why and when that one or two extra things can be a big factor or not, R7 is best crop factor which will be amazing for birding, but that isn't enough to make it even as second choice, difficult to define best, is it best as value or best as performance or something else?

 

[frankchn]

True, but best can be a lower second thing too, i mean R5II is best overall to be honest, R1 will be best in one or two things to make it that expensive but everything else, not, it is just why and when that one or two extra things can be a big factor or not, R7 is best crop factor which will be amazing for birding, but that isn't enough to make it even as second choice, difficult to define best, is it best as value or best as performance or something else?

I mean the best with an unlimited budget is obviously to have all of them (and all the superteles as well as a sherpa to carry them around for you). Short of that you have to decide for yourself what you can and cannot compromise on.

That's a question you have to answer for yourself. Everyone's answers will be different.