Chossing the right camera for Costa rica
Choosing the right camera for your wildlife photography trip in Costa Rica can be an overwhelming process if you don’t know what you’re looking for in a camera or in a lens for that matter. So let us remove all that pressure and provide you with a helpful guide for you to pick the best camera for your wildlife photography vacations in Costa Rica.
DISCLOSURE: costarica-trip.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
SENSOR:Cropped 23.5 x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor (APS-C), 20.9 MP AUTOFOCUS: 153 AF points Frame Rate & Burst: 10 fps up to 200 frames, 79 RAW ISO Range: Native ISO 51200, extend to ISO 1640000 LENS MOUNT: Nikon F mount (AF coupling & contacts) EXTRAS: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, 4K UHD video recording at 30 fps, time-lapse up to 9999 frames. Includes Li-ion battery, charger, USB & HDMI cable clip, DK-17 eyepiece, USB cable and strap.
This camera features a cropped (APS-C) CMOS sensor with 20.9 megapixels, a great balance between high-quality images and the advantages of the smaller and lighter DX lenses in the Nikkor line.
Even with a telephoto lens, you’ll stay agile and are able to capture exquisite details, colors and textures.
In low-light conditions, you can still use every bit of light with a native ISO range of 100-51,200. Down to an exposure value of -4, the Nikon D500 can still bring out rich details in shadows.
The camera is up to the task of shooting moving animals thanks to fast technology: the EXPEED 5 processor is paired with a fast Multi-CAM 20k autofocus system featuring 153 AF points. Great for taking photos of Costa Rica’s wildlife!
This effectively gives you a frame rate of 10 fps with excellent subject acquisition in a wide range of situations.
For fast reading and writing of images, you can use XQD memory card technology, but there is also a second slot for regular SD cards.
The build of the Nikon D500 is durable, rugged and ergonomic, using magnesium alloy and carbon fiber materials. With water-drop and dust resistance, you can go all-in to get that breathtaking shot.
If you can use the eye-level viewfinder at difficult angles, the 3.2” tilting LCD touchscreen is there to help you out.
You can also shoot 4K Ultra HD video at 30 fps, and the camera has a range of connectivity options so you can transfer images via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC.
This camera is an investment where you receive excellent value for the money.
This camera that will not only perform well during all sorts of wildlife photography in Costa Rica, but might well stay with you a lifetime. This is the overall the best camera for wildlife photography in its price range.
SENSOR: Full frame 35.9 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor, 20.8 MP
AUTOFOCUS: 153 AF points
Frame Rate & Burst: 12 fps up to 200 frames, 200 RAW
ISO RANGE: Native ISO 102400, extend to ISO 3280000
LENS MOUNT: Nikon F mount (AF coupling & contacts)
EXTRAS: 4K UHD video recording at 30 fps, time-lapse with auto-ISO. Includes Li-ion battery, charger, USB & HDMI cable clip, DK-17F eyepiece, strap, body cap, accessory shoe & battery chamber cover.
This Camara, great for Wildlife Photography in Costa Rica features a full frame CMOS sensor with 20.8 megapixels, the equivalent of shooting 35mm film.
With image stabilization and a new mirror driving mechanism, you can confidently track your subject matter even during high-speed continuous shooting, excellent for bird photography.
The camera uses the same fast and reliable autofocus system as the D500 with 153 AF points, 99 of which are cross-type points.
Thanks to improved noise reduction and color fidelity, you need not fear night shots as the camera performs in near darkness with an exposure value of -4. Should you need to shoot with flash, the camera supports Advanced Wireless Lighting for expanded flash photography, excellent for nigh photography tours in Costa Rica !
If you’re serious about photography and want the best wildlife photography camera, the Nikon D5 is your perfect match !
SENSOR: Full frame 36 x 24 mm CMOS sensor, 20.2 MP
AUTOFOCUS: 61 AF points
Frame Rate & Burst: 16 fps, 170 RAW
ISO RANGE: Native ISO 51200, extend to ISO 409600
LENS MOUNT: Canon EF Mount (excluding EF-S and EF-M lenses)
EXTRAS: Built-in GPS for geotagging, 4K UHD video at 60 fps and Full HD at 120 fps for slow motion. Includes battery pack & charger, wide strap, eye cup, cable protector and interface cable.
The Canon EOS-1DX Mark II is among the fastest DSLR cameras available and therefore an excellent choice as the best camera for bird photography in Costa Rica. The full frame CMOS sensor is equipped for high-speed signal reading and features 20.2 megapixels.
The full frame sensor of the EOS-1DX Mark II features gapless micro-lenses for enhanced low-light performance, resulting in less noise in dark areas of the image even at higher ISO speeds.
The standard ISO range is 100 to 51,200 with powerful noise reduction. Expansion is possible down to ISO 50 and up to 409,600. Full auto or manual ISO are possible.
You can also shoot professional videos with this camera: 4K Ultra HD is possible at up to 60 fps, while Full HD delivers 120 fps, giving you slow-motion capabilities.
Geo-tagging your Costa Rica wildlife shots is easy to do thanks to the built-in GPS.
The camera’s 3.2” touch panel TFT LCD guides you reliably through all settings. In-camera optical corrections include elimination of lens aberration, distortion and diffraction correction for shooting at a small aperture.
The shutter uses lightweight carbon fiber blades for uncompromised performance. If you don’t mind spending more on a full-frame DSLR for wildlife photography in Costa Rica, this camera is the perfect candidate.
SENSOR: Full frame 36 x 24 mm CMOS sensor, 30.4 MP
AUTOFOCUS: 61 AF points
Frame Rate & Burst: 7 fps
ISO Range: Native ISO 100-32000, 50-102400 extended
LENS MOUNT: Canon EF Mount (excluding EF-S and EF-M lenses)
EXTRAS: 4K UHD video at 30 fps, WiFi, NFC, GPS for geo-tagging. Includes battery pack & charger, wide strap, eyecup, cable protector and interface cable.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a full frame DSLR at almost entry-level price with comparable specs to the previous model.
You get a fast and accurate autofocus. Same as on the EOS-1D X Mark II, the camera incorporates 61 AF points, 41 of which are cross-type while all points are compatible down to f/8, even with lens extenders attached.
Capturing moving animals is straightforward with a wide area for subject tracking with consistent focus. Apart from shot-to-shot precision, low-light performance is good with an intensity limit of EV -3.
With a solid ISO range, signal-to-noise ratio is great thanks to a special algorithm for high-level light sensitivity at high resolution, maintaining fast shutter speeds while suppressing blurring from camera shakes.
You can record professional videos in 4K UHD at 30 and 24 fps, whereas Full HD delivers a frame rate of 60 and regular HD even 120 fps. The 3.2” touch-sensitive LCD allows for fast and intuitive operation.
With built-in GPS, you can collect crucial location data along with your wildlife shots. WiFi and NFC allow you easy transfers of your images without a cable connection.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV comes with all the advantages of a full frame camera at a very attractive price for such advanced technology making one of the best cameras for wildlife photography in Costa Rica.
Before you leave I recommend you to check our Costa Rica Packing List to be ready for your trip!
Thanks for sharing..