9+ Best Cameras For Safari In Africa | Unrivaled Guide 2022

The question then arises: which Cameras For Safari In Africa?

There are a number of things to consider when looking for the Best Cameras For Safari In Africa. This post isn’t meant for professional photographers – if you’re at that level, chances are you already have in mind which one will fit your needs.

What is the best camera for safari?

This is probably one of the first questions a traveler to Africa will ask after booking a safari. If you are going on safari, we recommend that you bring a decent camera.

However, there is a certain excitement that comes with the pictures you take on safari.

It also allows you to safely share your wildlife experience with friends and family back home. There are a few things to consider when looking for the best safari camera. This article is not intended for professional photographers. If you are probably at that level, you probably have your own ideal safari camera image.

Best Cameras For Safari In Africa | Comparison Table 2022

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What features to consider while Choosing The Best Cameras For Safari In Africa 2022 | Detailed Guide

Here are the features to keep in mind when choosing Best Cameras For Safari In Africa.

Robustness and tropicalization

The African grasslands can be a rough place for humans and animals, but even more so for our technological equipment. Dust and debris aren’t the only risks you can take on your adventure. Rain is another factor to consider, even during the dry season, when there is a risk of heavy downpours. Choosing a waterproof camera can save you on more than one occasion. The last factor to consider is not related to time, but to the type of your trip: choosing a sturdy car will reduce damage in the event of an accidental fall.

Weight and size. 

If you are not planning to check in your equipment, you will need to stick to weight limits (especially if you want to take souvenirs home). Therefore, your camera will need to be as light as possible. This will also reduce the pressure on the neck as most safaris last most of the day and/or several days. Finally, a lighter camera will likely be smaller as well, and less conspicuous for thieves and pickpockets. Of course, with a lighter camera, you’ll have to sacrifice more features. You will need to find a balance between weight and image quality.

Lenses

Lenses are the most important element in wildlife photography. Even if you buy a good camera, you will not be able to take close-ups of wildlife with a wide-angle lens.

Many cameras allow you to interchange lenses with a wide range of focal lengths to capture wide landscapes or tight close-ups. Lens distance, or zoom, is important when photographing wildlife.

The distance of the lens is called the focal length. Focal lengths are measured in millimeters, with short focal lengths (<5mm) being wide-angle and long focal lengths (135mm<) being tight zoom lens images.

Choice of goal.

In this context, your photography will mainly target animals and landscapes. The better the zoom, the better the shots that will have animals as subjects. If you want great photos, you need to choose a lens that allows you to take close-ups of unapproachable animals, such as an African lion hunting. Choose a camera/lens that allows you to capture details that are lost with the naked eye.

On the other hand, African safaris offer photographic opportunities for beautiful and unspoiled landscapes. If you want to capture these scenarios, you need a camera that has a wide-angle lens.
However, the larger the angle of the lens, the smaller the zoom. What should a safari-goer in Africa do? You don’t have to choose: the idea is to bring two lenses, a wide-angle and a telephoto lens (fixed or zoom. Of course, not all cameras have interchangeable lenses. For this function, we recommend a reflex or mirrorless camera. camera (like GoPro) does not have zoom and lens add-ons.

Frames per second (FPS)

. The FPS is an important factor to consider when the context is that of the “photo hunt”. That value indicates the number of frames taken by the camera per second: the higher it is, the less chance you will have of losing action scenes.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Wi-Fi connection opens up interesting possibilities, because it not only allows you to connect your smartphone to the camera and transfer images, but also to control it remotely via the app, thus adjusting zoom, white balance, AF point, ISO, compensation of the exposure and, of course, shutter release.

Battery life.

 Always check how many shots your model can take with a battery, so you don’t end up with the camera turning off at its best. Bring a good supply of batteries with you (better if you have a battery grip available), but don’t forget a power bank, because many modern-generation cameras can be recharged with a simple USB cable.

Sensors. 

When it comes to details, the image sensor is key. Capture the light when taking a photo. Larger sensors, which capture more light, mean better photos full of lifelike color and detail. Full-frame and APS-C sensors are of the best quality.

Targets. 

Wildlife photography will generally take you to photograph from afar. Using a DSLR or mirrorless camera with an interchangeable zoom or telephoto lens offers better detail and quality. Zoom lenses with longer focal lengths (mm) will give the best results.

Automatic fire.

 An autofocus (AF) system helps the camera focus on the subject. Multiple focal points follow the subject as it moves along the frame. This is especially important when you want to photograph a fast-moving animal.

Weather protection. 

Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras are available with weather protection. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, photographing in rain, hail, and snow, this is a good option.

Manual settings. 

To gain skills in wildlife photography, you need to develop proper control of your camera, just like a rock star plays an electric guitar. And for that, you need manual settings for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

How to photograph animals: 3 golden rules

Photographing wildlife comes with many challenges. As each species is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. These wildlife photography tips should help, however.

• Don’t get too close. Wildlife photographers use the telephoto or zoom lens for a reason. Getting too close can be dangerous. Remember that at all times they do the best they can to survive predators.
• Let them come towards you. Likewise, don’t get close to wild animals. Keep a safe distance and observe them until you frame them.
• Show respect. You are in their territory. Always respect wild animals and their habitat and ask for permits when needed.

Working in different environments at different times

Wild animals do not follow office hours. Some species come out at night, others wake up with the sun. Here’s how you can get better results at different times.

During the day

The light changes throughout the day. Shots at sunrise will be different from shots at sunset. During the day, the best time to photograph is during what photographers call the golden hour. The golden hour appears twice, not once, just after sunrise and just before sunset. What makes it special is the warm soft light that makes your photos look great.

At night 

After sunset and before sunrise, it gets more complicated. Photography is all about light and after sunset it is scarce. To avoid using the flash, you can adjust the camera settings. A slower shutter speed lets more light into the camera to compensate for the darkness, but you will need a tripod to stabilize the camera.

Patience is the key to successful wildlife photography 

There are so many details in this guide. But the key point for any aspiring wildlife photographer is this: patience is a virtue. You have to follow the animals, spend time setting up the cameras and wait for them to come out to shoot. It could take hours, even days. Wildlife photographers are familiar with the waiting game. If you want to master this art, you have to learn it too.

How to Become a Professional Wildlife Photographer

To become a professional wildlife photographer, you need to invest, have skill, patience, and luck. Many specialists are hidden amateurs who leave on weekends with their cameras. To become a professional, you must:

Create a profile. Open an Instagram profile focused solely on your work. Post often and consider promoting your content to other photographers.

Participate in contests. Contests for wildlife photography range from larger ones like National Geographic to local ones. Participate in everyone.

Read all the time. The network boasts a rich archive of expert guides written by professional photographers – read them and learn. See the latest wildlife shots taken by creatives from around the world on the Behance Network.

Practice continuously. Spend as much time as possible outside with your camera. Explore different landscapes and different species.