What is the best camera for wildlife photography? Or, what is one of the best cameras for wildlife and bird photography? Four years ago, I purchased Nikon’s D500 flagship cropped sensor camera for bird and wildlife photography. As a user of both cropped (Nikon D500) and full frame sensor cameras (Nikon D810 and Nikon D850), to this day the D500 is my go-to for birds and wildlife.
Why? Nikon’s D500 delivers when I’m in the field. Period!
Taken with Nikon D500 and500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens
Note: For a brief overview of the differences in cropped vs. full frame cameras, see my Light Stalking article of: What to Expect from A Full Frame vs. Cropped Sensor Camera.
Nikon D500 for Wildlife Photography
Benefits of the Tech Specs
When I read tech specs, my eyes start to glaze a bit. The specs are important, they make the camera perform. From a pure human view, I want to know up front what my experience is. After all, it’s our experience and results that validate our purchase.
What I’ve Experienced:
As a wildlife and nature photographer, we have our own personal buying criteria. My criteria was fast shooting speed, fast focusing speed and accuracy, great image quality, performance at higher ISO’s for birds in flight. How has the D500 delivered?
- Fast moving subjects – solid focusing, beautiful images: When I’m shooting birds, they don’t pose. They hop, they fly. Nikon’s D500 is a 21 Megapixel APS-C DSLR that uses the Expeed 5 image processor. With a shooting speed of up to 10 frames per second and fast autofocus capabilities, it’s quick and responsive. The image quality beautifully reflects what I saw in the field.
- Birds in flight, wildlife and sports action shots, lowlight: The sensor and processor also provide a native sensitivity range of 100 up to ISO 51200. The D500’s ISO reaches up to 1640000. This gives more flexibility when shooting in dark and challenging lighting conditions. While I have never pushed it to the max, I’ve captured birds in flight images at ISO of 2500-4000. In these cases, sensor noise is easily removed in post, using Lightroom’s noise reduction sliders or Topaz’s DeNoise AI.
- Focusing machine: Yes, this is the second time I’ve mentioned focusing. If our images aren’t in focus, well, they get deleted. I’d rather delete multiple good ones because I have more to choose from versus hoping for one or two good shots. The D500 includes an expansive Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, which features 99 cross-type points for fast performance and accurate subject tracking capabilities. The focusing speed and accuracy equates to more quality images to choose from in post.
- Usability and durability: In my hands, Nikon’s D500 camera just feels good. The build includes a magnesium alloy top and rear cladding. Combined with weight saving carbon-fiber reinforced chassis, it’s rugged and ready to for the elements. As a Michigander and traveler, I shoot in extreme cold and heat. From snow, ice, to temps in the 90’s, it performs.
Taken with Nikon D500 and 70-200mm f/2.8 with 1.4III TC
Outside of Wildlife Photography
Versatility: While this review is centered on wildlife photography and bird photography, Nikon D500’s versatility in movies, travel, macros, landscapes and portraits shines.
Other Features: For those who enjoy digging in to the tech specs, here’s a few: Multi-CAM 20K Autofocus sensor with 153 total & 99 selectable AF points, Dedicated AF Processor, 180,000 pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering, Long life shutter, Dual card slots: XQD and SDXC media, Electronic VR (Vibration Reduction), Cinematic 4K UHD video, Simultaneous live view & uncompressed HDMI output, Tilting 3.2in ultra high resolution touch screen LCD monitor, Instant image sharing with built-in SnapBridge (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth), plus others!
For photographer purists and generalists, the performance and high image quality of Nikon’s D500 never disappoints.
An Added Cost: Battery Grip
After taking my Nikon D500 in the field a few times, I burned through my battery faster than I liked. The high performance consumes battery power. I initially carried a spare, which worked.
Over time, I invested in the battery grip. At first, I was annoyed. Another expense! But, after using the camera with the grip attached, I really liked the feel, the additional sturdiness in my hands.
Taken with Nikon D500 and 500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens
Wildlife Photography & Your Budget
Four years later, my D500 reflects a solid investment. Since they’ve been on the market for a time, buyers have options. A new camera or quality used camera. If I were buying today, I’d definitely weigh both options.
NEW: If you’re purchasing a brand new or refurbished camera today, B&H photo’s selection and delivery time is fast. To see their current Nikon D500 inventory selection: B&H Nikon D500 If you’re interested in the battery grip: Nikon D500 Battery Grip at B&H . They sell Nikon and third party options. I personally opted for Nikon’s version, but others work as well.
USED: If you’re looking for a used gear, consider KEH Camera. They’re the world’s largest provider of high quality, previously used camera and photographic equipment that come with warranties and return periods. To see their current offering: Nikon D500 at KEH.
SELLING YOUR GEAR: Looking to sell your current gear to buy other gear? Check out KEH’s Most Wanted Gear List.
Before You Buy: Commit to….
….learning your camera, your lenses.
First, it is up to us as photographers to get great images. You can’t buy your way to great images, but you can buy gear that enhances your great work!
Second, play with your camera’s settings right out of the box. Through trial an error, you’ll find what works. Plus, you’ll further hone your eye and own style. Our framing, lighting, color and overall composition shines from our evolving skills.
Third, lenses. For success in the field with any camera and lens, find what settings and techniques you prefer. Each lens renders scenes differently at various f/stops, ISO and focal lengths. Look for an upcoming article on lenses for wildlife.
Taken with Nikon D500 and Nikon’s 300mm f/4E PF ED VR
Lastly, the controls on your camera. When I first pulled my camera out of the box, I needed to relearn a few buttons and menu items. Today, I adjust settings without looking at the camera. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen through practice, forced learning and yes, having a blast shooting my subjects!
We easily spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on our gear. If we don’t learn how our tools work, if we don’t practice, we will be disappointed in our images. When we commit to learning what we’ve purchased, we’re investing in ourselves and our results.
Learning
If you’re interested in coaching tips or more focused learning, I offer custom, individual coaching and instruction classes via Zoom and in the field. If interested, send an email sheensnaturephotography@gmail.com for more information.
There’s also formal online courses via Creative Live offering a huge range of online photography instructions.
For more info on birds and birding photography: Birding and Bird Photography, A Perfect Pair and Create a Bird Garden Studio for Photography
