by Kathy Heasarlen

Created on: August 02, 2011   Last Updated: August 03, 2011

Knowing and having the best cameras for bird watching definitely will be a great investment and help you take your favorite bird photographs, and capture some of the greatest moments that you can. Birds are always in motion, and usually seen at a distance, therefore, making this challenge easier to accomplish when you have a good camera. Plus, the newest digital cameras, make bird photography more fun and easier than ever before.

Digital birding cameras need to be compact, and lightweight, and most important be able to zoom in without distorting the picture and have a very quick shutter rate for you to have quality photographs. You can use point and shoot cameras for most of your family pictures and family activities. but they do not work well for bird photography. 

You will need to find a camera with different lenses. This allows you to select the best lens for your birds you are wanting to photograph. Camera's need to be well built and very sturdy. Getting a camera that will hold up in outdoor conditions is an important factor when choosing your camera, too. 

Capturing the birds that are in motion, like a hummingbird, needs a camera that manually adjusts the aperture. This is where the camera lens opens. Being able to adjust these will allow you to have a faster shutter speed, which in turn allows you to take pictures more quickly. The recommended shutter speed is 1/500 of a second.

You need a camera that can adjust light. This can be crucial as you are not always in the direct sunlight.  You should consider getting a good camera with an ISO setting. This is good for proper exposure. Another very important aspect to consider is getting the highest megapixel camera you can afford.

Cameras for bird watching are a great investment and can be costly. For the avid bird watcher there may be no price tag for getting that perfect shot. There are a few cameras listed here that would be of great value to any bird watcher. Sony Cybershot DSCH1 5.1MP Digital Camera with 12x "Steady Shot" Zoom is a great camera for bird watching. The price on this can run around about $500. Shop around and get a good deal for your money. The Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens and the Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens are both excellent cameras for bird watching. They are more costly but you get what you pay for. If you are really in to bird watching and want to capture some amazing shots, one of these would work for you.  

Just remember to be prepared when you are going out in the field to take pictures. Take along with your best camera for bird watching, lots of batteries and memory cards. Always make a back up drive of your photos too. This helps if something should go wrong with your computer. Enjoy capturing some great moments with the birds.

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