The Best Cameras for Wildlife Photography, Ranked!

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. This week on the PetaPixel Podcast, Jordan Drake and I are without Chris Niccolls who is on assignment in Japan. That's okay though, because this past week was huge in the video and broadcasting space with the launch of the Canon C50 and the Nikon ZR.Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro13:55 - PetaPixel is now on Apple News (correctly!)15:57 - Canon C50 is the smallest and lightest Canon Cinema camera20:46 - Nikon ZR is the first collaboration camera with RED24:59 - RED V-Raptor XE is half the price of the V-Raptor X26:41 - The Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55 costs $16,500: https://petapixel.com/2025/09/10/fujifilms-cinema-camera-is-called-the-gfx-eterna-55-will-cost-16500/31:19 - Pixboom Spark shoots 4K at 1,000 FPS35:42 - Nikon is developing dedicated cinema lenses39:36 - Leitz announced a set of cine lenses for mirrorless cameras42:19 - Blackmagic made a super-powered dock for iPhone filmmaking45:04 - Canon C50 vs Nikon ZR vs Sony FX347:47 - What's the deal (or lack thereof) with open gate?52:19 - Does rolling shutter on the Eterna 55 actually matter?58:40 - How much of Apple's iPhone 17 marketing turned out to be real and good? And what didn't they mention that they should have?1:04:48 - Why Jordan is so excited about ProRes RAW1:06:52 - What have you been up to?1:11:02 - Tech support 1:26:38 - The Kodak Charmera blind box camera sold out in just a few days: https://petapixel.com/2025/09/09/the-kodak-charmera-is-a-tiny-digital-keychain-camera-sold-in-blind-boxes/

Audiio just dropped Elements 2.0 — sharper, cleaner, more precise stems powered by Audioshake, the industry-leading AI sound separation technology trusted by Disney, Universal Music Group, and other top names in film, TV, and music. The stems sound as good as the original masters, and now Strings join the lineup alongside bass, guitar, piano, wind, and more.Normally, stems are exclusive to the Audiio Pro plan. But Audiio has opened up a special Lifetime Elements package just for Lifetime Music subscribers and they set aside 100 spots for PetaPixel’s viewers. Here’s how it works:If you’re not already a Lifetime Music subscriber, join today for just $199 with code petapixel199. After checkout, you’ll unlock the option to add Lifetime Elements for only $149.Already a Lifetime Music member? Just sign in and head to the Stems menu on the Browse page.Don’t miss out — this is your chance to get unlimited access to Audiio’s music catalog + stems for every song. And once those 100 memberships are gone, they’re gone. Go to https://audiio.com/petapixel and make sure to use offer code "petapixel199" today!In this episode, we're talking about our experience making a documentary film in Alaska (with more stories that didn't make it into our BTS video) as well as a conversation with director of photography Oren Soffer on why someone would even be interested in the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55. Then, Chris and Jordan are joined by Tyler Stalman at Apple Park to talk about the new iPhone and why this year's models actually have them excited (spoiler: it's because there are hardware updates). Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro15:35 - We made a movie in Alaska!44:47 - Why would someone want to use the GFX Eterna 55? w/ Oren Soffer59:56 - All about iPhone from Apple Park! w/ Tyler Stalman

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team (mainly Chris Niccolls) takes a look at every camera brand that supports wildlife and birding and asks which one of their cameras is the top pick and which one is the best overall. Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro11:34 - Canon teased a new cinema camera16:06 - Global market share numbers show how lopsided camera sales are24:46 - Nikon Z6 III firmware adds Bird AF, auto capture, and C2PA27:36 - Viltrox joined the L-mount alliance30:14 - Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro for Fujifilm is less than $60032:30 - DJI announced the Mic 336:08 - Sigma is changing the price, availability, and name of the 14mm f/1.4 Art due to production shortages: https://petapixel.com/2025/09/02/sigma-changes-14mm-f-1-4-arts-design-availability-and-price-to-address-production-woes/39:29 - Which camera brand best serves wildlife photographers?1:07:58 - What have you been up to?1:14:14 - Tech Support/Never Read the Comments1:33:11 - Feel good story of the week

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. This week on the PetaPixel podcast, the team discusses the Hasselblad X2D II 100C and the Ricoh GR IV. Two very different cameras, but both have their merits. But while the Hasselblad actually came down in price compared to its predecessor, the opposite is true of the GR IV. So, was it worth it?Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro12:30 - Abode is dead16:18 - Kodak says it has no plans to go out of business despite "substantial doubt" it can pay it debts.20:11- Yashica is trying again with a City 30021:42 - Arri is considering selling26:19 - Antigravity from Insta360 is an immersive drone with a unique controller29:58 - Canon got its camera placed in one of the world's most popular anime34:12 - Sigma announced two new lenses: a 12mm f/1.4 and a 200mm f/237:56 - Fujifilm will raise its prices again because of increased tariffs1:14:10 - What have you been up to?1:17:08 - Tech Support

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. This week on the PetaPixel Podcast, the team is joined by Michael Specht and Isaac Reynolds, Pixel team Product Managers at Google who answer some tough questions about the new Google Pixel 10 smartphones and the philosophy behind the design decisions.Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro12:30 - Abode is dead16:18 - Kodak says it has no plans to go out of business despite "substantial doubt" it can pay it debts.20:11- Yashica is trying again with a City 30021:42 - Arri is considering selling26:19 - Antigravity from Insta360 is an immersive drone with a unique controller29:58 - Canon got its camera placed in one of the world's most popular anime34:12 - Sigma announced two new lenses: a 12mm f/1.4 and a 200mm f/237:56 - Fujifilm will raise its prices again because of increased tariffs1:14:10 - What have you been up to?1:17:08 - Tech Support

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. We did it: The PetaPixel Podcast has reached 100 episodes! Come celebrate with us! Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - We're back! Happy 100th episode!08:24 - Camp Snap has a new Super8 inspired video camera11:24 - Sony RX1R II is selling well despite high price13:11 - The Panasonic S1 II shows partially stacked sensors can have incredible dynamic range: https://petapixel.com/2025/07/17/panasonic-s1-iis-excellent-dynamic-range-shows-the-power-of-partially-stacked-sensors/15:35 - Harman launched Phoenix II (Review)18:57 - Lomography has a new full line of Petzval lenses22:38 - Insta360 launched a new drone brand29:20 - DJI launched a 360-degree camera31:47 - DJI won't deny its drones are being sold under a different brand in the US35:00 - Leica is working on a 135mm prime lens for L-mount37:40 - Fujifilm is the last camera maker to increase prices due to Trump's tariffs38:46 - US and Japan agree to 15% tariff39:47 - Canon plans to cut costs and increases prices to adapt to tariffs40:44 - Sigma won't raise prices again due to the additional 5%42:52 - The BEST and WORST experiences shooting the YouTube show1:05:38 - What have you been up to?1:10:09 - Never read the comments / Tech Support1:33:43 - Feel good stories of the week

Surprise! Today, Sony dropped the announcement of the RX1R III right before the PetaPixel Podcast team was scheduled to record, so we are coming to you with an early episode this week to talk about what we think of the new premium compact camera.With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro07:57 - Sony surprised with an RX1R III announcement28:02 - Samyang expands the affordable Prima line with two new primes33:49 - Judge says Insta360 may have infringed on GoPro patent, Insta360 will challenge38:12 - The Fujifilm X half is very popular44:49 - Canon to add password protection to 10 EOS R-series cameras, but it's not for what you think49:15 - Canon's re-mount of an ancient lens is very affordable54:32 - What happened to gap primes?

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. Join today! It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Some of the hottest cameras on the market today haven't been made in years, so this week The PetaPixel Podcast team goes back in time to go fixed-lens camera shopping! Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro 15:52 - Synology requires "certified" SSDs for its new NAS and, suprirse, they cost 5x as much19:10 - The NPPA is in trouble21:40 - OM System is considering in-camera AI upscaling to address resolution complaints30:13 - Apple patents a new image sensor with 20 stops of dynamic range34:43 - Cameras and lenses are in danger of getting even more expensive37:23 - If you could go back and use any fixed lens digital camera from the past, which would it be?1:00:01 - A brief film aside...1:05:56 - What have you been up to?1:09:11 - Tech support

To celebrate the summer, DxO is offering a great deal for the PetaPixel Podcast listeners. You can get 25% off any DxO software, including Nik Collection 8, by using the code JULY25 at checkout. This is a limited-time offer for new customers, valid until July 6th, so, if you want to unlock some serious creative potential, head over to dxo.com and check out Nik Collection 8. Use code JULY25 to save 25%!In what is quickly becoming a bi-annual tradition, the PetaPixel Podcast team welcomes Camera Labs' Gordon Laing back onto the pod to play proctor! It's time for the midterms: how is every camera maker doing so far in 2025? Well, that is, if they decided to show up and take the test. Support Chris and Jordan directly with a PetaPixel Membership!Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro11:58 - Tamron has a new 16-30mm f/2.8 G214:11- Tamron says it's the #1 third-party lens maker by total sales15:38 - You can finally download that big Z8 firmware update16:11- But that Z8 update borked Tamron lenses18:16 - Sadly no, Fujifilm isn't bringing back beloved old films19:51 - About that Leica film... 21:55 - The specific things Mint updated in the production Rollei35AF24:42 - Midterm Review: Grading Every Camera Maker's 2025 Performance w/ Gordon Laing

Thanks to Audiio for sponsoring this episode! If you sign up for Audiio's lifetime music plan in the next 24 hours, you’ll also get the opportunity to add on lifetime access to the Audiio Pro mobile app (typically only available to audiio pro members!)! We offer these lifetime upgrade very seldomly, so you won't want to miss out! Visit http://audiio.com/petapixel or use promo code "petapixel199" to take advantage of this stellar deal today!This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team chats about the state of the "midrange" camera and how it might not be in the place it was just a few short years ago. Come to think of it, what even is every brand's "midrange" option right now? The team debates!Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro12:32 - The Bild Expo was HUGE, and we had a blast16:19 - The largest camera ever made took its first photos (and we were there to see it)17:29 - Thypoch has a new 21mm f/1.4 for Leica M-mount20:43 - Panasonic Lumix cameras are getting a nice firmware update and S1R II photographers will be especially pleased22:58 - Magic Lantern for Canon cameras is back25:20 - It's been two years, but still no Abode28:43 - Leica announced a new film and it's a black and white 50ISO emulsion. 33:45 - Yashica adds a version of the FX-D that has a viewfinder 38:01 - What is the state of the midrange camera? 1:10:33 - What have you been up to?1:15:28 - Tech Support (and Never Read the Comments)nce)