10 Best Cameras For Safari (For Beginners in 2024)

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Finding the right camera for a safari can be challenging, especially for beginners. After all, the last thing you want is a fancy, expensive camera you don’t know how to use.

Thankfully (or maybe not so much), I have been in this position. As such, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to understand the camera jargon.

Sony A7 IV

Sony A7 IV

⚖️ Weight: 650g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 24.2
🎥 Video: 4K (10fps)

The Sony A7 IV is my go-to camera. It's relatively easy to get started with. However, the customisation options and different lenses means that it can grow with your abilities.

This is the fourth full-frame A7 camera that Sony has released. It boasts 5-axis image stabilisation as well as animal eye autofocus. This allows you to capture an in-focus, detailed image every time.

Pros
  • Easy to get started with
  • Interchangeable lenses
  • 5-axis image stabilisation
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive for a first camera
Canon G7X Mark III

Canon G7X Mark III

⚖️ Weight: 294g
👾 Megapixels: 20.1
🎥 Video: 4K plus image stabilisation

The Canon G7X Mark III is the third release in the G7X series and provides incredible value for money.

This camera is excellent for point-and-shoot photography and vlogging. Meanwhile, the size means that it fits comfortably in your pocket. However, you can't change lenses on the Canon G7X Mark III. Therefore, you may not always be able to capture animals from a distance.

Pros
  • Small & compact
  • Easy to use
  • Good value for money
Cons
  • Can't change lenses
  • Zoom isn't the best
Canon M50 Mark II

Canon M50 Mark II

⚖️ Weight: 387g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 25.8
🎥 Video: 4K

The Canon M50 Mark II is another fantastic beginner-friendly mirrorless camera. I took this camera to America for our wedding and honeymoon, as it's the perfect balance of size and image quality.

The Canon M50 Mark II is also incredibly easy to use. While the interchangeable lenses allow for more customisable shots.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Super easy to use
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • No USB charging
  • Limited settings
Olympus TG-6

Olympus TG-6

⚖️ Weight: 253g
👾 Megapixels: 12
🎥 Video: 4K

The Olympus TG-6 isn't the best camera when it comes to photography. However, what it lacks in photography abilities, it more than makes up for in durability.

This camera is labelled as 'damage proof' and certainly lives up to that. The Olympus TG-6 is waterproof up to 15m, drop-proof from a height of up to 2.1 metres, freezeproof up to -10c° and crushproof with loads up to 100kg.

Pros
  • Incredibly durable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Limited pixels
  • Lack of zoom
Sony Alpha 7R IV

Sony Alpha 7R IV

⚖️ Weight: 662g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 42.4
🎥 Video: 8K

If money is no object, then I recommend the Sony Alpha 7R IV. This camera has everything for shooting incredible photos. This includes the world's first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor and Eye AF for humans and animals.

This makes the Sony Alpha 7R IV a fantastic choice for photographing animals from a fast-moving jeep driving through the savannah.

Pros
  • World's first 61MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor
  • Eye AF for humans and animals
  • 8K Video
Cons
  • Expensive
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

⚖️ Weight: 383g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 20
🎥 Video: 4K

This entry-level mirrorless camera is both stylish and incredibly easy to use.

Sadly, it doesn't have as many features as some of the more advanced Olympus mirrorless cameras. However, it's still great for capturing high-quality images easily.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • No audio input
  • Limited customisation
Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon EOS Rebel T7

⚖️ Weight: 475g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 24.1
🎥 Video: 1080p

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a beginner-friendly camera at an affordable price point. This camera provides good image quality straight out of the box compared to similar cameras in this price range.

However, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 has also been known to struggle in low-light situations. Therefore, if you are heading out on a nighttime safari, you may want to look at an alternative.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Realistic colours
  • Solid build quality
Cons
  • Struggles in low-light situations
  • Limited speed in burst mode
Nikon D7500

Nikon D7500

⚖️ Weight: 720g (body only)
👾 Megapixels: 20.9
🎥 Video: 4K

The Nikon D7500 is an excellent professional camera for beginners. The unit is highly durable and weather-sealed, perfect for harsh conditions.

Meanwhile, the 51-point autofocus system can feed into an extended butter to expand shooting capacity. The only downside to this camera is that the 4K video is cropped and has just one memory card slot.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Weather sealed
Cons
  • 4K video is cropped
  • Only one memory card slot
  • Heavy
GoPro Hero11

GoPro Hero11

⚖️ Weight: 158g
👾 Megapixels: 19.6
🎥 Video: 5.3K

The GoPro Hero11 camera is a lightweight, compact action camera that's perfect for capturing photos and videos while on the move.

This is the 11th entry into GoPro's Hero lineup, featuring a revolutionary new image sensor that captures more of the scene in every shot.

Pros
  • Super lightweight
  • Durable
  • 5.3K video
Cons
  • Not great for photos
  • Short battery life
  • Has been known to overheat
Insta360 X3

Insta360 X3

⚖️ Weight: 178g
👾 Megapixels: 72
🎥 Video: 5.7K

The Insta360 X3 is perfect for capturing 360-degree photos and videos while on safari. These unique shots are ideal in addition to regular stills and videos.

The Insta360 X3 camera is affordable and lightweight. However, I recommend purchasing the Power Selfie Stick accessory to enhance your footage.

Pros
  • Unique footage
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
Cons
  • The Power Selfie Stick accessory is pretty much a necessity.

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