Which Digital Camera for Wildlife Safaris?

tpowell

Hi all,

I live in East Africa, so get quite a few opportunities to go on African wildlife safaris. The camera I have at the moment doesn’t do any justice for me, it’s just a small beginners one, I’d like to upgrade!


Can anyone recommend any good camera’s which are going at bargain prices at the moment? I want something that will last me a good 3+ years. My rough budget is around £350, but if the right deal is around then I may go over this.


Thanks

victor2

There's so much to choose from and no single camera will meet everyone's requirements. Worth looking at www.dpreview.com, they have a buying guide as well as reviews of many cameras currently available.

tpowell

victor2 wrote: »

There's so much to choose from and no single camera will meet everyone's requirements. Worth looking at www.dpreview.com, they have a buying guide as well as reviews of many cameras currently available.

Ok, well I really don't know what I'm looking for to be honest, looking for advice and opinions

victor2

If you've just got a pocket digital camera at present and have little experience with photography, then I'd seriously look at what is known as a "bridge" camera - sort of halfway between a pocket and a true SLR (more professional type). Presumably you want a good zoom lens, but a fairly compact unit, plus you don't want to have the inconvenience of carrying extra lenses around and having to change them. If I were to pick one model out of the current choice, I'd say it's worth looking at the Panasonic Lumix range, they are getting good reviews at the moment. If you can get to a supplier, try and get a look at one. Don't forget the extras you'll need when costing it up, like memory card, spare battery, carrying case or bag, possibly even a small tripod.
Does depend on how serious you think you'll get, but that's not a bad way to proceed within the budget you're talking about.

Laz123

Where in Africa are you? My Kenyan family are here with me in the UK and with all this cold weather we're missing Kenya.

Victor2's advice is good.

Enterprise_1701C

I bought myself an entry-level DSLR before I went on safari in Kenya, it was fantastic, it was quick enough to get the shots I would have missed with a compact, and the pictures came out extremely well. Mine is a Nikon D40, not sure what today's equivalent is. Also useful to have a telephoto lens to go with it. Still didn't get a picture of the leopard that we are sure was watching us though!!

googler

Depends on how close you can get to the wildlife, because I'd reckon you need a looonnnggg lens; which will easily swallow a £350 budget all on its own, and more if you go for brands like Canon, Nikon etc. Example being the Canon 400mm F5.6 USM lens, which clocks in at £900-1000, depending on where you buy.....

pmlindyloo

My husband has just bought this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003WOKU4W/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

This was previously recommended on a thread (thank you!). He is still using it on 'idiot mode' as he calls it and is extremely pleased. Have a look at the reviews and see if it meets your requirements.

Not sure if Amazon is the cheapest now but it was when I did my research a few weeks ago.

ps Have just shown this thread to my husband and he thinks it would be perfect for you.

AuntyCat

hi, we have also been considering a new camera for similar reasons.
I've done some research & agree with Victor 2 about the bridge camera. The one i picked out is the Panasonic Lumix FZ45, which coincidently is the same as pmlindyloo suggests.

Now to find the best price!

BelindaArch

If you're not overly biasedtowards a DSLR, I would like to put forward the Canon G12 as and alternative. Mine is the best camera I've owned to date - and I've had a few (both SLRs and compacts). Google it and check out the reviews.

ukcarper

Normally I would recommend a DSLR but you will need a telephoto lens and to get a reasonable camera and lens would be well over your budget so I think a bridge type camera preferable with image stabilisation.