The Best Cameras & Binoculars To Bring On Your African Safari.
Every tour operator or agency will tell you that a camera and binoculars are essential equipment to have while traveling on safari in Africa, however some individuals do not see enough evidence to support this recommendation. This post will explain why you really need them, provide you with the finest advice for selecting one, list the top binoculars and cameras to go on safari, and explain how to take care of them.
Does an Africa Safari need binoculars?
“Do I really need binoculars?” is the question that every traveler wonders while getting ready for an African safari. And the response is in the affirmative. Even if you are not going to be bird watching on your safari, you will still need binoculars. Binoculars make it easier to spot creatures like the Big Five that don’t often wander down the roadsides of the various parks. If you want to go birdwatching, you must bring binoculars with you since they make it easier to see birds that have blended in with their surroundings.
Does an Africa Safari Require a Camera?
Along with binoculars, you’ll also need cameras for this amazing excursion to take the greatest pictures of the many animals and birds you observe on your safari in Africa. However, since the creatures are constantly moving, it might be challenging to get good pictures. We’ll examine the top cameras for safaris and the factors to take into account before making a purchase.
Now, before we examine the various binoculars you need and the things you should know before buying them, we must examine the meanings of the various components and the reasons they are crucial when making a binocular purchase.
Important things to think about while selecting safari binoculars
A prism
Rather of carrying many lens types for a single camera, a prism functions similarly to a lens by aiding in picture magnification. These also make it easier to carry the binoculars around throughout the safari by lowering their weight.
There are two types of prisms: roof prisms and porro prisms. The roof prism is considered the best because it is streamlined and makes the binoculars easy to carry, despite the fact that it is somewhat pricey. If you are on a tighter budget, you can carry the porro prism, though they are always heavy to carry around.
What do the numbers on binoculars mean?
The numbers indicate the lens size and magnification of the particular binoculars you want to purchase. For instance, a 10×50 figure indicates that the creatures you will be observing will be ten times larger with your binoculars and that the lens is 50mm in size. Additionally, you should be aware that if you use a larger lens, more light will enter.
The element of eye relief
The distance between the eyes and the eye piece is referred to as the eye relief. 16mm is ideal if you use glasses, and 12mm is acceptable if you don’t. Keep in mind that the greater eye relief, the less strain there is.
The coating on the lens
The best lenses are multi-coated ones, which are pricey but well worth the investment because of the coating that keeps them strong.
Increasing the size
Although the size of the lens affects magnification, a larger magnification does not always translate into a better vision. The optimum magnifications are 10 or 8, since you will need to reduce your field of vision if the magnification is high, usually 12 and higher.
The binoculars’ dimensions and mass
During your safari, you will need to get binoculars that are portable.
The lens’s dimensions
Allowing light to enter the binoculars is crucial, and for low light conditions, larger lens diameters are always preferable. You will need large lens size binoculars since most game is best seen at dawn and twilight. If you purchase tiny lenses, you will not be able to see the animals well.
Water- and fog-proof
You should get binoculars that are less likely to spill and that can survive the morning fog that most African nations suffer.
The Top 5 Best Binocular Types for Safaris in Africa
After discussing the factors to take into account when selecting the finest binoculars for a safari, it’s time to examine the actual binoculars. The following are some of the top binoculars to bring on safaris in Africa for wildlife and bird viewing.
The 10×42 Bunshell H20 Waterproof
For a safari, they are regarded as the most resilient binoculars. They are of excellent quality and are renowned to be waterproof. Their Bak-4 prism guarantees sharp and clear seeing. Their 42mm lens diameter makes them perfect for bird viewing, and they perform very well in low light. They are quite light to handle and feature a soft grip feel that will help you grasp them even when your hands are wet. At over $100, these binoculars are regarded as among of the best available, making them the ideal accessory for an African safari.
The Celestron 72347 10×25 Outlandx
These are small, lightweight, fog- and water-resistant binoculars. They feature a 25mm lens and a Bak-4 prism. They are further shielded from any damage by an armor made of rubber. The device is lightweight and convenient to carry in your pocket.
The 8 x 42 Prostaff 3s binoculars
The Prostaff 3s binoculars perform very well in low light conditions. Because of the multi-coated lenses that come with the Prostaff, its 42mm lens lets in a plenty of light while blocking off glare and reflections. It should be noted that they cannot be carried in pockets, but they are small and light enough to be carried around the neck when on safari.
An 8×32 Wingspan Optics Spectator
These binoculars are tiny yet renowned for their strength and power, making them excellent for bird viewing. They are suitable for an African safari because of the following.
Because you don’t strain while using them, their 14.8mm diameter lessens eye strain.
With just 15.2 ounces, they are very light to take on a safari and excellent for long-distance viewing.
They are handy to carry for sudden and unexpected game watching because of their non-sling grip.
The 8×22 BRY&BVL Bingo
If you are bringing your kids on the safari, they are excellent. With its 8×22 magnification, children can see their third favorite animals from a distance and feel as if they are right next to them. They are very sturdy and made to fit into little hands. Get these for your kids and take them on a safari to foster strong family ties since they are also less costly than the other binoculars.
The guidelines you should adhere to while selecting cameras
You must get a camera that is lightweight enough to carry about without feeling heavy.
Be mindful of your spending while purchasing a camera. Although high-quality ones are costly, you may still find one that suits your needs on a budget.
You should get a camera that focuses quickly and captures images as soon as you push the shutter. You will be able to take more pictures of Africa’s wildlife in this technique, and the digital SRL is the best.
The ideal lens camera to get is a telephoto zoom lens, which will make it simple to photograph wildlife that is quite far from you and give the impression that it is close by.
Purchase a camera with a wider lens so you may capture images of landscapes, which also have some amazing creatures.
The top 12 safari cameras for a safari in Africa
Although there are many different types of cameras available for safaris, I have compiled a list of the top twelve (12) options that will ensure your African safari is a success.
The Canon 80D
When on an African wildlife safari, this waterproof camera is the best option to use as you travel through this stunning nation, which has dusty roads in the far-flung countryside and sees rain. It has a crop sensor with a dynamic range that provides excellent focal length and strong processing to produce high-quality images.
You can utilize a wide range of lenses on it since it is an EF-mount Canon. For movies and low-angle or ground shots, it has a flip screen. Because the camera supports Wi-Fi, users can shoot pictures straight from their phone. Its touch screen makes it simple to adjust the focus and modify the settings. It costs around $890 on B&H Photo and Amazon.
The RX10 IV from Sony
The finest camera to bring on a safari is said to be the Sony RX10 IV. It has a 25xzoom camera, so you can capture clear images, and it is weather sealed, so even if you replace the lens, the pictures still come out well. Although they are rather pricey, they are well worth the investment.
The D7500 Nikon
The Nikon D7500 series offers 8 frames per second high-speed image shooting, a touch screen, a very responsive autofocus feature, and a tilt screen—a feature that sets it apart from other D7000 models. Its 4K high definition video shooting and 1080p video stability make this mirrorless camera a favorite among bloggers and reasonably priced at about $1,199. On the down side, it only has one SD card slot.
The Linux DMC F1000 from Panasonic
This incredible camera features a digital and optical zoom in addition to its fixed lens, which allows it to provide high-quality images. Compared to other bridge cameras, it has a larger sensor and can record 4K videos with its built-in lens, which ranges from 25mm to 400mm.
Its sturdy and pleasant body makes it comfortable to hold in your hands. The Panasonic Lumix DMC F1000 is a bridge camera that is a great option for both novice and expert photographers, offering incredibly high-quality images and user-friendly features.
The Canon 1dx MkIII
This all-around, incredibly fast, full-frame camera produces a very beautiful image quality and can output up to 20 frames per second of Raw images. Because of its exceptional qualities, many people who record wildlife documentaries, such as National Geographic, use this camera today. It has a touch screen that allows you to adjust all the settings, including the focus while you’re filming, and its rear LCD is very useful for viewing the shots you’ve taken, even in the bright African sun.
It can shoot up to 60 frames per second of 5.5k Raw with 1080 at 120 frames per second, which enables you to take slow motion and high definition shots. However, this amazing camera is very expensive, and can cost up to $6,500 on some online retailers; check out Amazon and B&H Photo for comparable prices.
The X-T3 from Fujifilm
This mirrorless camera is the best ASP-C camera on the market, weatherproof, and reasonably priced at around US $1700 on B&H Photo, Amazon, and other online retailers. Its advanced CMOS 4 sensor and X Processor provide a high-sensitivity auto focus function, and its electronic shutter can capture up to 30 frames per second (30 fps). It can also shoot videos at 4K 200mbps (120 fps video at 1080p).
The Alpha a6000 from Sony
Because of its useful face identification function, which aids in object detection, this auto-focus camera works well for both still and video shooting. It has 24.3 MP sensors and a BIONZ X image processing. The benefit of this camera is that it has interchangeable lenses, allowing for shooting in various settings. The camera is quite easy to use, and all you need is a set of lenses to get started on your Africa Safari and capture a number of images and movies. The Sony Alpha a6000, which retails for around $499, is now available on Amazon and B&P Photo.
The Rx100 III-VA from Sony
There are many Sony cameras available, and which one you choose will depend on your budget. Right now, we’re concentrating on the RX100 model, which has a 1-inch sensor, records 4K films, and boasts one of the quickest still picture frames per second in the world, with an output of 24 photos per second. The Rx100 includes an integrated lens and provides picture stabilization, particularly for movies.
It doesn’t need many accessories, but you will need memory cards and maybe a lightweight tripod, depending on the kind of photography you perform. This edition ranges in price from $350 to $1,200 from several reliable internet retailers like Amazon or B&H Photo. Considering its drawbacks, its size may make it uncomfortable to use all day, its 70mm zoom is restricted, and its battery life is insufficient to last you the whole day.
The Lumix LX10 II from Panasonic
Both seasoned and inexperienced photographers will find this point-and-shoot small camera to be a fantastic choice. Its multifunctional UI makes it easy for novice photographers to operate, while its sophisticated manual settings let more seasoned photographers alter their shots as they choose.
Its lens has an aperture of 1.7 to 2.8, which is perfect for macro photography or working in low light. It records in 4K high quality. Although it features an electronic viewfinder, I should caution you that this will quickly deplete the battery. It costs between $750 and $819.
The Fuji X-T30
This is the ideal camera for stylish vacationers who want to maintain their stylish appearance while on an African safari. It is a sophisticated, lovely model with a pop-up flash, a metallic body, and a vintage vibe. Because the Fuji X-T30 produces some of the best jpeg files and has flawless color output, its photos need very little retouching.
This is the ideal camera for bloggers who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to editing. Although this camera’s drawbacks include its restricted lens, lack of waterproofing, and short battery life (perhaps due to its high internal power), having a few additional batteries on hand will undoubtedly be useful.
The Sony A7 III
With its full-frame sensor, full-screen focusing, and outstanding high ISO quality, this incredible camera is among the best professional cameras available. It records 4K full-frame movies, however the sensor output is cropped. However, I should note that, like its inconsistent battery life, its concentrate function needs to be improved. The cost of this breathtaking beauty is over US $2,000, which could be too much for a typical safari traveler who wants to shoot simple wildlife shots.
The cameras on the bridge
Although bridge cameras are very substantial, they are ideal for those who don’t want to carry extra gear like a camera body and additional lenses. If you don’t mind the weight, you may use them on your safari since they are smaller than DSLRs and feature longer lenses and more shooting settings all in one.
How can I keep my binoculars and camera safe while I’m traveling?
Place them in cases that are well-padded.
While on the plain, let them be in your hand baggage and use a shoulder bag instead of a backpack.
By hiding the brand of your camera or binoculars, you may prevent burglars from knowing how much that item costs.
Always wear the camera strap to prevent it from dropping and to ensure you have a firm hold in case someone snatches it.
Keep your camera and any associated equipment hidden, particularly while you’re out in public. Retrieve it only when necessary. Leave your camera locked in your hotel room instead of taking it with you while you are touring the bustling “down town” or other popular regions of big cities.
How to keep your binoculars and camera in good condition while on an African safari
Stay away from dirt and sand.
Because the majority of Africa’s safari sites are found in isolated, often dusty regions, or on windy, sandy beaches, stay away from dusty places and make sure your case locks securely. Instead of utilizing compressed air, just softly blow away any debris or sand that may have gotten on your equipment.
Avoid touching the lens and LCD.
The oil on your skin may cause lasting harm to the lens and LCD if you continue to contact them. Always use a fresh microfiber towel to wipe your finger prints from the lens and LCD.
Steer clear of liquids;
As a general rule, unless your camera or binoculars are protected by a waterproof case, you should never place them near liquids.
Keep the lens out of direct sunlight:
Since DSLR cameras are very sensitive, it is well known that the lens and camera never contact. In addition to harming the picture sensor, the sun may cause an interior fire.
Make use of a vacuum bag;
Keeping your equipment in a vacuum bag is a great idea. Even the dirty sand and dirt that could have entered the case will be kept out thanks to this.