A question that we heard a lot: What are the best cameras for pet photography in 2020.
There are different cameras available, and it’s challenging to find out which one is suitable for pet photography and which one is not.
That’s why we listed the 5 best cameras for pet photography. These cameras are based on various factors that make the camera to perform amazingly for pet photography.
Some of them are cameras that take sharp and clear pictures at higher ISO numbers, fast autofocus systems, and more. You can read in detail from the below section.
Furthermore, pet photography is almost like wildlife photography and — depending on your pet — portrait photography.
So in this article, we will discuss everything regarding pet photography from the best cameras to the best camera setting for pet photography.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Cameras for Pet Photography
| # | Best Cameras for Pet Photography | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canon EOS Rebel T7 | [su_button url="https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-T7-18-55mm-II/dp/B07C2Z21X5/?tag=techcamerastalk-20" target="blank" style="default" background="#fb6902" color="#FFFFFF" size="3" wide="no" center="no" radius="auto" icon="" icon_color="#FFFFFF" text_shadow="none" desc="" download="" onclick="" rel="sponsored" title="" id="" class=""]Check Price[/su_button] |
| 2 | Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera | [su_button url="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera/dp/B01M586Y9R/?tag=techcamerastalk-20" target="blank" style="default" background="#fb6902" color="#FFFFFF" size="3" wide="no" center="no" radius="auto" icon="" icon_color="#FFFFFF" text_shadow="none" desc="" download="" onclick="" rel="sponsored" title="" id="" class=""]Check Price[/su_button] |
| 3 | Nikon D3500 | [su_button url="https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-DX-Format-3-5-5-6G-70-300mm-4-5-6-3G/dp/B07GW23M7T/?tag=techcamerastalk-20" target="blank" style="default" background="#fb6902" color="#FFFFFF" size="3" wide="no" center="no" radius="auto" icon="" icon_color="#FFFFFF" text_shadow="none" desc="" download="" onclick="" rel="sponsored" title="" id="" class=""]Check Price[/su_button] |
| 4 | Canon EOS 80D | [su_button url="https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-Megapixel-Sensor/dp/B01BUYK04A/?tag=techcamerastalk-20" target="blank" style="default" background="#fb6902" color="#FFFFFF" size="3" wide="no" center="no" radius="auto" icon="" icon_color="#FFFFFF" text_shadow="none" desc="" download="" onclick="" rel="sponsored" title="" id="" class=""]Check Price[/su_button] |
| 5 | Sony Alpha a7II | [su_button url="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera/dp/B00PX8CHO6/?tag=techcamerastalk-20" target="blank" style="default" background="#fb6902" color="#FFFFFF" size="3" wide="no" center="no" radius="auto" icon="" icon_color="#FFFFFF" text_shadow="none" desc="" download="" onclick="" rel="sponsored" title="" id="" class=""]Check Price[/su_button] |
1. Canon EOS Rebel T7
The very first choice on our list of best cameras for pet photography is EOS Rebel T7.
It is the perfect camera for beginners who are looking to start in photography, and those already knows about the cameras can use as well.
For a beginner or entry-level camera does not mean you’ll not get the best quality. It refers to the camera, which is easy to use and features are not as much good as a camera that has a higher price and more advanced features.
The camera features a 24.1 megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor, a great balance between high-quality images and compatibility with lenses.
In low light conditions or at high ISO, you can take excellent shots. The ISO range goes 100 to 6400, and these numbers can be increased up to 12800.
The camera has an excellent AutoFocus system that allows capturing fast-moving objects such as dogs, cats, and birds. Also, the optical viewfinder allows you to view the object clear and crystal.
EOS Rebel T7 camera also has image stabilization which makes the quality of photos and videos more clear and smooth.
It is a lightweight and compact camera that you can take along with yourself on travels.
It can also capture 1080p FULL HD videos at different frames rates, and the camera offers different connectivity options so you can transfer videos and images through WIFI, cable, etc.
In the range of approximately $400, it is an investment which offers excellent value for your money.
It is the camera that will not only work for pet photography, but you can use it for portrait and wildlife photography as well. EOS Rebel T7 is the best DSLR Canon camera for pet photography for beginners in this price range.
2. Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera
The Sony Alpha a6500 is our most favourite mirrorless camera in this list because it offers all start level to professional features which are important for pet photography.
The camera features a 2.95 inch LCD, APS-C CMOS sensor with 24.2MP, equivalent to shooting 35mm film.
The camera sensor offers excellent balance at high resolution and high ISO numbers.
With 5-axis in-body image stabilization and super fast AutoFocus system you can confidently follow your dog, cat, bird, or any fast-moving object even during continuous shoot mode.
The Sony Alpha a6500 has excellent noise reduction and colour fidelity system, and there is no need to worry while capturing the subject at night or high ISO numbers.
It offers a wide sensitivity range of 100-512005 so even if you capture pets at 1600 or 1600+ you will not see any grains in the image.
The next feature I want to mention is its excellent autofocus system and 5-Axis In-body image stabilization feature.
The camera has 425AF points that focus the object instantly, and there is no chance you miss any detail. Furthermore, 5-axis image stabilization eliminates hand or any type of shake that affects the image or video quality from all angles.
If I talk about the video quality of Sony Alpha a6500, it records 4k videos with 2.4x oversampling4. Means you’ll get high-quality cinematic videos.
The last absolutely incredible feature I want to mention is continuous shooting mode. The camera allows capturing pictures in continuous shooting mode at 11fps at 24.2MP with excellent AutoFocus and AutoExposure quality.
You can turn on and off Shooting sound as well.
If you are serious about photography and looking for the best cameras for pet photography, then consider Sony Alpha a6500. The price of the camera is around $800 and it worth every single penny.
3. Nikon D3500
If you’re a fan of point and shoot cameras and looking for the best point and shoot camera for pet photography then consider Nikon D3500.
The camera-equipped with 3 inch LCD, 24.2 megapixels resolution, optical viewfinder, 5 frames per second, image stabilization and more.
The wide and customizable range of ISO sensitivity offers to capture excellent shots from 100 to 25600. The quality of the photos not affected too much at maximum ISO but for pet photography ISO range between 100 to 1600 works great.
Combined with accurate, reliable and fast autofocus functions, Canon d3500 allows you to capture excellent shots.
The design of the camera is compact and build quality is robust. You can transfer photos and videos you capture on your mobile and tablet device through “Nikon’s SnapBridge” app.
The compact design of the camera makes it travel-friendly. The advantage of Nikon d3500 is you have no need of any expertise in photography. The super-easy layout and menus are easy to navigate, makes less thinking and more shooting.
Recording video on Nikon d3500 is as easy as capturing photos. The camera allows capturing 1080p FULL HD videos just by pressing the button.
The thing that makes shooting the photos and videos twice the fun is the extra Two Lens Kit. These lens kits cover all the angles, and you can capture a perfect shot of your beloved pet.
Along with pet photography, you can use Nikon d3500 for portrait, landscapes, and other wide perspective shots.
Overall it is a great budget camera for pet photography under $500. The ability to capture RAW photos, excellent autofocus system, image stabilization, and extra lens kits makes the camera a good choice. Unfortunately, the camera does not have WIFI, so you have to transfer files through Bluetooth.
4. Canon EOS 80D
The Canon EOS 80D is a semi-professional level in our list of best cameras for pet photography.
The one thing you’ll notice in the Canon cameras is their excellent AutoFocus quality. And Canon EOS 80D has dual pixel CMOS AF which takes the AutoFocus to the next level.
In simple canon EOS 80D has all the features required for pet photography. Whether you are a professional or beginner, you can easily use the camera.
The camera features 45 AF points that make the focus system quick, reliable, and accurate in any light conditions.
You can use the autofocus feature at AutoFocus(AF) and Electro_focus(EF) mode and videos as well.
The camera has a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and refined pixels that make the image more clear and high quality. Also, it enables the camera to take high clear and crystal images without any grains at high ISO values.
The camera allows shooting 7 continuous shots with an excellent tracking and focusing system.
The camera also allows users to capture photos and videos remotely through the Canon Camera Connect app.
The battery life of the camera is excellent as well and higher compared to other cameras and WIFI allows you to transfer files.
Another good thing of the camera is the 3 inches wide, touch and rotatable screen that allows to take pictures and makes videos from the different angles.
Canon EOS 80D offers 1080p videos at 50 frames per second, and the image stabilization feature makes the videos and photos more smooth.
Canon EOS 80 is weather and dust proofed that allows you to take it in any weather and shots the beautiful pictures of your pets.
Overall it’s one of the best and amazing cameras for pet photography whether you use it for hobby or professional purposes it’s worth the price. You can get the Canon EOS 80D approximately for $1000.
5. Sony Alpha a7II
If you are looking for the best deal and not want to browse further than the Sony Alpha a7II is for you.
Sony Alpha a7II is a mirrorless camera and comes with a full-frame sensor which is the perfect sensor for pet photography.
The design of the camera is compact and solid; you can take it for travel or outside easily.
However, if you used the lenses, it will not remain a small but luckily variety of interchangeable lenses available and compatible with the camera.
This is the camera that you can put into your bag and can put more accessories or dog foods and equipment.
The camera features 24.3MP resolutions which are mirrorless. Moreover, the camera has a 5-axis image stabilization feature that makes the camera perfect during capturing moving objects.
The battery life of the camera is not as good as Canon cameras have. But fortunately, batteries of sony cameras are cheaper, and you can get spare batteries for a longer photoshoot.
The button and layout system of the camera is nice, and you can explore more options using the menu.
The Sony Alpha a7II camera has hybrid autofocus with phase detection features that allow you to just mark the phase and rest of the work will be done by the camera. It tracks the object and takes it to the focus, which enables you to focus and capture pictures easily.
The camera has 3-inch widescreen and an electronic viewfinder that allows viewing the object more clearly.
Sony a7II offers capture 1080p videos at different frames rates. However, you may see that most cameras offer the same feature but keep the type of sensor and Sony a7II has a Full frame sensor.
If you are looking for a perfect camera in the price range of $1000 for pet photography, consider Sony Alpha a7II at the top of the list.
Buyer Guide: How to Choose the best camera for pet photography
Which sensor performs better and suitable for Pet Photography?
If you are already familiar with photography, then you may hear different words attached to the camera such as Micro-Four-Thirds, APS-C, and Full Frame.
These are the types of sensor, and for pet photography I recommend you to choose a camera that has Full frame or APS-C sensor.
Because the full-frame covers 1.5x more area than an APS-C sensor and APS-C more than the micro-four-third camera, and the more area the camera covers, the better.
Also, choose the CMOS sensor because it offers better dynamic range and noise control.
Interchangeable and lenses with good Zoom?
Camera lenses are very important and should be considered while choosing the best camera for pet photography.
The first thing is preferred cameras that offer interchangeable lenses with good zoom range.
Different types of Interchangeable lenses offer you to enhance the photo and video quality and a variety of other options. That you cannot get from cameras which don’t offer interchangeable lenses and they limited your creativity.
In addition, if your camera has built-in image stabilization feature then its good otherwise lenses with image stabilization feature offers more stable, smooth and good quality footage.
Cameras that Perform well on High ISO Range?
ISO range is the next thing that plays a key role in any type of photography. In pet photography sometimes we need to take images at high ISO range something like 1600.
But the problem is the high ISO range causes grains(random optical texture) in the images.
So to avoid this problem choose the camera that performs well at ISO range such as 100 to 1600. If possible, then go with higher numbers.
Taking care of ISO range, I include all cameras in our list (best cameras for pet photography) that captures excellent photos at high ISO range and low ISO range as well.
Autofocus Speed
AutoFocus speed and its quality are one of the top priorities while choosing the best cameras for pet photography.
For example, you have a dog that moves fast in the park or home, and you have to take pictures instantly. So you’ll only get a clear and sharp image if the camera can focus the dog instantly; otherwise, you will get a blurry or shaken image.
Choose a camera with a clear viewfinder, higher AF points that Focus your pet in a single and continuous shot rapidly and accurately.
Continuous shooting mode and frames rate?
When you capture continuous shots, you can take pretty amazing pets poses. And images are captured in a way that makes dogs, cats, or pets more interesting and funny.
It allows others to see the side of pets that they never thought of and take your photography to the next level.
So try to choose the best cameras for dogs or other pets photography that can capture images at higher frames rate. Cameras with the onward 7 frames rate you can consider ideal for pet photography.
Other handy things you can consider while choosing the cameras for pet photography are high resolution, excellent battery, and flip/tilt screen.
What are three tips for photographing pets and wildlife?
If you are new in pet or dog photography, you might have a hard time to capture a good shot. Might be your dog, cat, or pet you have, afraid of the camera or you cannot figure out which setting works better.
Furthermore, pet photography is almost like wildlife photography and action photography. The only difference between pet and wildlife photography is you can deal with pets such as dogs, cats, and so on.
Here I’m sharing with you 3 best tips that you can implement today and improve your wildlife pets photography.
- Create a bond: We know when we take a new toy our pets are afraid and sometimes they shy. Similar happens when you hold the camera with a long lens. So you need to make them comfortable and treat them like a kid. The best action you can take is place food or something to eat with the camera. It makes the pets familiar with the camera. Next time when you take pictures, the camera will not be annoying.
- Understand the environment and light: Know what the best location that your pets most enjoy a park or in an apartment is. After the deciding place, you need to understand from which angle you can capture more light and natural pictures. Taking care of background and light, you can save lots of shots plus you can capture high-quality photos.
- Get Down to the level of your dog or pet: The third most important thing is set to position to the level of the pet. If you have a camera with tilt or flip screen its good otherwise lay down to the surface. Focus the object and make eye contact and then press the shutter button. If you cannot do that, then you can sit your pet to an appropriate height where you can take good pictures, and if your pets jump, he/she will not get hurt.
Best Camera Settings for Pet Photography
There are not definitive numbers that you can set on the camera and take cool pictures.
The more time you spend with your dogs, cats, puppy, parrot, or whatsoever pet you have the more interesting pictures you can take.
But after listening and reading to a professional pet photographer, I came with an ideal setting to start.
So what are the Best Camera Settings for Pet Photography? First of all, remove all the distraction and make your pet comfortable.
As you know, pets like dogs and cats run fast, and you need to capture them with faster shutter speed. But you need to increase ISO as well. Try to photograph pets in normal daylight. It allows capture at low ISO numbers such as 400 or 800.
The best setting for pet photography to start with could be Set ISO as low as possible (between 200 to 1600) and minimize distractions, set the camera to the lower angle, fast shutter speed, and take pictures while the continuous mode is enabled.
The reason I’m saying capture with the continuous mode is when you shoot a fast-moving object like dogs. It allows you to capture the moment you are looking for. So set the continuous mode, hold the shutter button, and let the camera burst of photos.
If you capture when the light is not good, then you will have to increase more ISO at 1600 and onward. But for this, you required a good camera that doesn’t make the picture grainy when you increase ISO.
Conclusion
Not only these 5 best cameras for pet photography help you to capture excellent shots. These also help you to understand your pets more.
Get one of the cameras and explore the excellent poses of your beloved pets. Especially take pictures enabling the continuous shoot mode, and you’ll get pretty interesting pictures.
If you have any questions regarding this post about the best cameras for pet photography in 2020, let us know in the comment section.
I think I provide you enough information to understand dog or pet photography. If you found this guide useful, then please share it on any social platform and support us.
