The pet photography camera market has never been more crowded or competitive. It can be tough to know which one is right for you with so many options available. This is why we’ve put together a list of the 10 best pet photography cameras on the market, based on our findings.
When ranking the cameras, we considered several factors, including image quality, features, ease of use, and price. We also took into account user reviews and ratings from reliable sources.
No matter your budget or needs, there’s a pet photography camera on this list that’s perfect for you. So, without further ado, here are the 10 best pet photography cameras:
Best Camera for Pet Photography
Sony Alpha 7R IV
The Sony Alpha 7R IV is the best pet photography camera overall. It’s a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with a 61MP sensor, 4K video recording, and other features. It’s also one of the most expensive pet photography cameras. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, the Sony Alpha 7R IV is it.
Here’s why we love this camera the most:
Features
- The first 61-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor in the world
- ISO 50-102,400 (in 1/3 EV steps) 24.0-megapixel full-frame image sensor with no optical low pass filter and a native ISO range of 50 to 102,400
- At 61 megapixels, you can shoot up to ten frames per second
Benefits
- Real-time tracking and real-time eye AF for people, animals, and film
- The 5.76 million dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder is outstanding in brightness, resolution, and color.
- It features a shutter that doesn’t make any noise when it’s opened or closed, and it provides the benefit of avoiding camera shake. A vibration-free shutter keeps your images clear and sharp.
Amazon User Reviews
“Combined with the Sony 90mm Macro, I can attain tac sharp focus handheld on insect eyes. I can shoot tiny jumping spiders, assassin bugs, flowers, lichen, moss, and incredibly tiny subjects. APSC mode (or crop in Lightroom) makes this both the highest resolution Full Frame and a phenomenal Crop Sensor camera. Win-win!” –Omnifine
“Incredible camera. I upgraded from the A7iii, and I am amazed by the picture quality and the ability to crop the photos and still retain the resolution. I took it on a recent trip to Key West for a wild dolphins watch. I am so glad I brought the A7riv with me. I was able to take some amazing pics of the dolphins from far away using the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and then crop in. The focus tracking works amazingly well as well. Noise is worse than the A7iii in the low-light situation. But I am willing to live with that with all the other amazing features of the A7Riv.” –Ann
Best Budget Pet Photography DSLR
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Our most affordable camera for pet photography is the Canon EOS Rebel T8i EF-S 18-55mm STM Lens Kit. It’s a great all-around camera that offers excellent image quality and features at a reasonable price.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is a great pet photography camera for several reasons:
Features
- It has a 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 8 image processing
- The sensor is 100–6400 (H: 12800)
- It can shoot 4K video and has an advanced autofocus system
- 24 1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C)
- Built-in WiFi and NFC technology
- 9-Point AF System and AI Servo AF
Benefits
- Optical Viewfinder with approx 95percent viewing coverage
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Software to transform your compatible Canon camera into a high-quality webcam (Mac and Windows)
- The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is also very user-friendly, making it an excellent option for those who are new to pet photography
Amazon User Reviews
“I started with a Canon SX720HS 40X small digital camera and took pictures of wildlife in my back yard and people, places, etc. So call me a beginner to mid-range camera buff. Then I bought this Canon Rebel 8ti and a 24-105 Canon Zoom Lens. I love the camera because not only does it take the sharpest, clearest. most fantastic pictures I have ever produced, I can operate it!!…” –FishinDan49
“I had waited for this specific camera to come into stock and was very happy when I got it! I had the same DSLR for 12 years, and it was time for something new. I was keeping that in mind I am not a prof. By any means, but I am thrilled so far with what this camera offers! Great pics so far, and I love how light it is! The other plus for me is that all the other lenses that I have invested in over the years work well with it and for me not wanting to spend more than necessary, it was a plus when buying this one over other options…” –Kinmom
Runner-Up Best Pet Photography Camera
Nikon Z7
Our runner-up best pet photography camera is the Nikon Z7 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera Body with Mount Adapter FTZ. It’s more expensive than the Canon EOS Rebel T8i, but it offers professional-grade features and performance.
Features
- The Nikon Z7 is a great pet photography camera for many reasons:
- It has a 45.7 megapixel CMOS sensor with EXPEED 6 image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 30p
Benefits
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 273 focus points
- It has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system
- It’s weather-sealed and dust-resistant
- 3.69 million dot Quad VGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
Amazon User Reviews
“This camera is as perfect a camera as I have ever held. I am a D850 shooter, which is hard to beat. But imagine the D850 at half the weight with excellent in-camera stabilization. Not a pro. Just pretty serious amateur. This camera is the one to beat for the foreseeable future. Period.” –nnachlasmd
“This is hands-down the best camera I’ve ever used (and I’ve been doing photography for years). It also takes amazing movies. The kit lens is superb, and the image sensor is just dynamite. It’s hard to overstate how better the photos are than any other camera I’ve ever owned. Usability is also good, and it’s weatherproofed. Finally, it has things like WiFi support that let you remotely control it (and see the pictures) from a phone.” –MarkZ
Best Camera for Pet Photography Under $700
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
If you’re looking for a great pet photography camera but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II + EF-M 15-45mm STM Kit is great. It’s an affordable mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with excellent image quality and features.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a great pet photography camera for some reasons:
Features
- It has a 26.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with DIGIC 8 image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 25p
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 143 focus points
Benefits
- It has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has a vari-angle touch screen LCD
Amazon User Reviews
“So, I had bought the M200, which I liked except that it didn’t support an external mic. I returned that and decided to go with the m50 Mark ii since I read it had the newer features I liked about the m200, such as eye detection and good focus. I am very happy with this camera because I now can use an external mic for quality audio (and not feel like I’d just gotten back from a run after a project-shouting into the cam haha). Also, the m200 could only do less than 10 minutes on 4K before the battery heats up and the camera shuts down. I do not have that problem with this one.
All in all, I’d recommend this product over the m200 like 100%! I’m not a professional, so I can’t compare with DSLR cameras and stuff, but here are my 2 cents. I depended on reviews to buy, so I’m paying it forward.” –Hiwot
“…Takes good quality pictures with a 24 MP crop sensor, and the built-in flash is adequate for her non-professional applications. It seems a little small, but the bundled lenses balance it well.”–Zoot
Best Pet Photography Camera Under $500
Canon EOS Rebel T7
This photographer bundle is ideal for novices, with all the essential tools needed to take your SLR abilities to new heights in one simple package. Even when the lights go down, count on the EOS Rebel t7’s superb 24.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and a wide ISO range of 100-6400 (H: 12800) to capture high-quality pictures, even in low-light situations.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great pet photography camera for several reasons:
Features
- It has a 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4+ image processing
- It can shoot Full HD video at up to 30p
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 9 focus points
Benefits
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has an optical viewfinder with 95% viewing coverage
- It has a 3.0″ LCD screen
- Great for the beginner photographer
Amazon User Reviews
“Great starter camera. Took amazing photos on my travels to the desert and the Arches. Autofocus is great and takes superb close-ups. It struggles to adjust to high contrast lighting and can be slow to adjust. It is super well made and can survive a beating- which I found out when a dog ran away with the strap in its mouth. *oops*. Happy with this purchase overall!”–Xena
“At first, I was hesitant to purchase this at such a low price and also used, but after receiving the camera and accessories, I am in love! It is just like new with zero scratches. I didn’t realize when I bought this used that it did not come with a Canon brand battery and charger, but that’s fine with me. The seller forgot to send the neck strap and has been promptly keeping in touch with me and is shipping one out ASAP! I love the way it looks; the picture quality is surprisingly good! It’s a great beginner’s camera for sure.“–Brenda J.
]Honorable Mentions for Pet Photography Cameras
Sony a7 III
One of our loved cameras that didn’t quite make the best list is the Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera.
Features
- The Sony a7 III is a great pet photography camera for several reasons:
- It has a 24.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with BIONZ X image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 30p
Benefits
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 693 focus points
- It’s weather-sealed and dust-resistant
- It has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system
- It has an electronic viewfinder with 100% viewing coverage
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
The Canon PowerShot Digital Camera is a great pet photography camera for some reasons:
Features
- It has a 1-inch 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 7 image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 30p
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 31 focus points
Benefits
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has an optical viewfinder with 100% viewing coverage
Nikon D5600
The D5600 is a great pet photography camera for many reasons:
Features
- It has a 24.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor with EXPEED 4 image processing
- It can shoot Full HD video at up to 60p
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 39 focus points
Benefits
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has a vari-angle LCD touchscreen
- It has an optical viewfinder with 100% viewing coverage
Panasonic LUMIX S5
The Panasonic LUMIX S5 is a great pet photography camera for several reasons:
Features
- It has a 24.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with Venus image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 60p
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 225 focus points
Benefits
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has a vari-angle LCD touchscreen
- It has an optical viewfinder with 100% viewing coverage
Fujifilm X-S10
Features
- The Fujifilm X-S10 is an excellent pet photography camera for many reasons:
- It has a 26.1 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor with X-Processor 4 image processing
- It can shoot 4K video at up to 30p
Benefits
- It has an advanced autofocus system with 693 focus points
- It’s compact and lightweight
- It has in-body image stabilization
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions On Cameras for Pet Photography
What lens is suitable for dog photography?
Different lenses can be suitable for dog photography, depending on what you want to achieve with your pet photography. For example, if you want to take close-up portraits of your dog, a macro lens would be a good choice. If you want to capture action shots of your dog playing, a telephoto lens would be a better option.
What is the best aperture for pet photography?
Again, this depends on what you want to achieve with your pet photography. If you’re looking to take close-up portraits of your pet, then a higher aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) will give you a shallow depth of field, which can help make your subject stand out from the background. If you’re looking to capture more of the environment in your pet photography, then a lower aperture (e.g., f/8 or f/11) will give you a greater depth of field, which can help keep everything in focus.
What is the best ISO for pet photography?
ISO is another setting that will depend on the results you’re trying to achieve with your pet photography. A higher ISO will give you a brighter image, but it can also introduce noise into your photos. So, if you’re looking to take low-light photos of your pet or if you want to capture fast-moving action, then a higher ISO might be necessary. However, if you’re looking to take high-quality photos with minimal noise, a lower ISO would be better.
What is the best shutter speed for pet photography?
Again, this depends on the results you’re trying to achieve. A faster shutter speed will freeze action, which can be helpful for pet photography where you want to capture your subject in mid-movement. A slower shutter speed will result in a blur, which you can use creatively to convey a sense of motion.
What are some tips for taking better pet photos?
Some tips for taking better pet photos include: using a fast shutter speed to freeze action, using a lower aperture to get more of the scene in focus, and using a higher ISO if you’re shooting in low light or trying to capture fast movement.
