The Best Camera for Pet Photography (Top 7 and Accessories)

With the best camera for pet photography, you can capture your beloved animals in all their glory. But which camera is the best for your photography and your pet?

It’s best to have a camera that produces stunning images so your furry and feathered friends look their finest. The autofocus (AF) system must cope with animal subjects. And you might need other features like a fast burst or high-quality video recording.

The Nikon Z5 is our top camera for pet photography. It’s Nikon’s most accessible full-frame mirrorless camera, meaning users of any skill level can use it. The picture quality is fantastic. And it’s packed with features that make pet photography easier and improve results.

What Is the Best Camera for Pet Photography?

The short answer is that the best camera for pet photography helps you take stunning images of your pets. Of course, that sounds obvious. But the longer answer is not so simple.

Several factors must be considered when choosing the best camera for this genre. First, your skill level. Are you a beginner, enthusiast, or looking to go professional? Your skill level might then affect your budget.

You then have to think about your objectives. What kind of photos or media are you creating? Are you taking pictures of pets for fun or as part of a pet photography business?

You must also consider the features you might want in a pet-photography camera. We all want great picture quality, and that’s not a concern in our camera list. But you might want specific features like a fast burst mode to capture photos of energetic pets.

You might also want video features to create different types of pet-focused media. Oh, and an animal-friendly AF system is very important for pet photography. Our top three picks have eye-detection autofocus.

We chose the cameras in our article because they hit some or all of these targets. Below, you can see an overview of the cameras. We then look at each model in more after that. At the end of the article, we also have a bonus section that looks at other gear useful for pet photography.

7 Best Cameras for Pet Photography

This section lists all the best cameras for pet photography in more detail. We’ve included cameras for beginners, enthusiasts, and professional pet photographers. And we’ve selected cameras from all the best camera brands. It’s a concise list but contains a camera for anyone.

The Nikon Z5 is the best camera for pet photography. It’s Nikon’s most compact full-frame mirrorless camera, making it convenient to pack and use. The image quality and features are excellent. And it’s compatible with all of Nikon’s best Z-series lenses.

A 24.4 MP resolution might not sound like much for a full-frame sensor, but the picture quality is fantastic. This gives you accurate details and vibrant colors. The larger pixels give a better dynamic range, revealing more detail from bright and shaded areas.

The advanced autofocus system is ideal for pet portraits. It has eye-detection technology for humans and animals like cats and dogs. The system is accurate even with moving subjects, so you always get sharp portraits of your puppy or kitten.

Excellent video features let you create other types of pet-based media. The 4K video resolution is crisp and sharp. A 30 frames per second (fps) frame rate is fast enough for most pet videos. But you can also use a 60 fps rate when shooting in Full HD.

Other features include multiple exposures and time-lapse. These make it a great camera for experimental photographers. You can create unique images in-camera, so you don’t have to rely on photo editing software.

This Nikon camera also has focus-shift shooting. It automates the series of photos you need for focus stacking. Combining several images in post-processing, you get sharper images front to back.

Wi-Fi connectivity is another useful feature that helps you transfer media to other devices. You can easily post your pet photos on social media moments after taking the picture. 

Pet photographers at all levels should consider the Nikon Z5. The picture quality is pro-level imagery. But it’s also easy to use and has features that make a pet photographer’s life easier. It’s also one of the most affordable full-frame cameras on the market. 

The EOS R10 is a great Canon entry-level camera for pet photography. Its APS-C sensor makes the body compact and lightweight. And Canon’s excellent ergonomic design ensures comfort in your hands.

With 24.2 MP resolution, you can expect superb images. You can shoot in several JPEG formats, or you can shoot in RAW for more options in post-processing. Either way, the picture quality is fantastic.

The autofocus system is advanced for an entry-level camera. It’s responsive, reliable, and can accurately track moving subjects. It even has eye-detection capabilities. The system works best with humans. But it can also detect the eyes of common pets like dogs and cats.

A wide ISO range lets you work in low-light conditions. And there’s a built-in flash for darker situations. Just be careful not to spook your animal subject.

Burst shooting is a great way to capture animals on your camera. This Canon camera has a fast 15 fps continuous shooting mode with its mechanical shutter. If that’s not fast enough, you can switch to the electronic shutter for a 30 fps burst rate.

Features like the vari-angle touchscreen and custom control dial improve user experience. This helps you master the camera quicker and get better results. Beginners will love the Canon EOS R10. It’s the perfect starting point for any aspiring pet photographer.

 

If you want a high-resolution camera for pet photography, the X-T5 is an excellent option. Its incredible 45 MP APS-C sensor can capture mind-blowing images of people’s beloved pets. The camera is also ideal for producing images to print or enlarge.

You also have a pixel-shift mode if the 45 MP resolution isn’t enough. This Fujifilm camera can produce images with a staggering 160 MP resolution. It creates a composite image using several exposures. That’s overkill for most pet photographers, but it’s handy if you need more power.

A sophisticated AF system quickly detects and tracks subjects. It also has an eye-detection mode for humans and animals. Thus, you’ll have no problem snapping portraits of pets or their owners.

The camera’s video specs are also impressive. It can record stunning 6.2K videos at a 30 fps frame rate. It’s perfect for capturing animals at play for high-quality video content.

Extra features include the vari-angle touchscreen and the on-camera controls. Inside the camera, you have Fujifilm’s unique film simulation modes. These in-camera effects give your images a cool retro look without the hassle of shooting film.

While the Fujifilm X-T5 is overkill for hobbyist pet photographers, it’s ideal for creating high-quality pet media. Whether you want to print or enlarge the photos or publish them, the X-T5 gives you what you need. It’s also a top choice for pet video media.

If you want all the top features of a mirrorless camera but still want something small, the OM-5 is perfect. It’s brimming with advanced features. But its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor keeps it compact and portable.

An MFT sensor is smaller than an APS-C or full frame. While that does bring some limitations, you still get fabulous image quality. The sensor has a 20 MP resolution. And there’s a high-resolution shot mode that gives you 50 MP images.

In addition to a responsive and reliable AF system, the OM-5 also has a super-fast burst mode. At full resolution, it can capture 30 fps. It’s perfect for pet photographers who capture animals at play or running around. No animal is too fast for this system.

It also records video content. This Olympus camera can take beautiful 4K videos with a smooth 30 fps frame rate. And the built-in stabilization means you can shoot handheld without a camera gimbal.

A specialist night sky autofocus system and built-in live neutral density (ND) filter round out the creative features. And the weather-sealed body means you can conduct pet photoshoots outdoors in any weather.

The Olympus OM System OM-5 is a convenient yet creative camera. It allows you to shoot anything from cat portraits to cinema-style videos of your dog out for a walk.

The price makes it accessible for beginners. And its quality makes it a convenient option for professional pet photographers. You also have a wide variety of MFT lenses to pair this camera with.

The EOS R7 is an incredible camera and the best option if you’re considering pet photography as a career. With its performance and price, it’s out of reach for most amateur pet photographers. But it’s ideal if you’re investing in your new pet photography business.

With a powerful 32 MP full-frame sensor, you get dynamite picture quality. Details are sharp, while colors are rich, vibrant, and true to life. You also get a wide dynamic range and brilliant low-noise performance when shooting in low light.

A 651-zone autofocus system gives you accurate focus with moving subjects. That’s helpful for when those pets won’t sit still. It also has a specialist eye-detection mode for animals, accurately detecting and tracking your pets.

Like most pro cameras, the R7 has excellent video features. There’s even a 60 fps frame rate when recording in 4K. This gives you super-smooth footage that’s even better for fast-moving animals. And there’s no 30-minute time limit on video recording.

The built-in image stabilization is useful for both photography and video shooting. It allows for more exposure control in low light. And it lets you shoot sharp pictures or videos without a tripod or camera stabilizer.

Extra features like the custom control dial and rotating touchscreen make the Canon EOS R7 a highly usable camera. This high-tech machine doesn’t hinder lower-skill-level users. That makes it a great choice for up-and-coming professional pet photographers.

The Olympus OM System Tough TG-7 is a rugged camera that can withstand all types of punishment. This compact camera won’t be what pro pet photographers are looking for. But it’s a great choice if you’re a pet lover who wants to capture shots of your pets having fun outdoors.

When I say the Tough TG-7 is rugged, I mean it. It’s completely waterproof, so rain or water splashes are no issue. And it’s also dustproof, freezeproof, and shockproof.

The camera is also well-equipped on the inside. A 12 MP resolution isn’t outstanding, considering the power of the latest smartphones. But the picture quality is still excellent.

You also have a 4x zoom, solid low-light performance, and built-in macro shooting modes. The macro modes are perfect for snapping smaller pets like hamsters or insects.

Pet vloggers will appreciate the video features. The camera records in 4K resolution at 30 fps. And there’s a 120 fps recording speed for 4K slow-motion videos. The TG-7 also has a vertical video mode for social media-optimized content.

Whether you’re taking the dog on a country walk or going horse riding, the Tough TG-7 is the perfect choice. It’s a robust camera that fits in your pocket. And you can use the special shooting modes to take unforgettable pet photos while enjoying the great outdoors.

Best Camera Gear and Accessories for Pet Photography

After you find the best camera for pet photography, you need some extra accessories to complete your kit. We look at the best lenses so you can bring your gorgeous pets into sharp focus. And we look at other pieces of gear that make a pet photographer’s life easier.

Best Lenses for Pet Photography

A 50mm prime lens is a great place to start with pet photography lenses. You can pick one up for a reasonable price. They have excellent picture quality thanks to being a prime lens. And they often have wide maximum apertures.

A wide or “fast” max aperture is a useful feature for pet photography. It helps with low-light performance and lets you use a shallow depth of field. This is where the foreground and background are blurred while your subject is in focus.

Here are some of the best 50mm prime lenses for pet photography.

Telephoto prime lenses are great for portrait-style pet photography. They make it easy to capture cute close-ups of your pets’ faces. You lose a bit of versatility because they’re prime lenses. But you get better optical quality and often a faster max aperture.

Any focal length between 70mm and 135mm is great for portraits and pet portraits. The larger the focal length measurement, the higher the magnification and the tighter the crop. A smaller focal length gives you a wider angle of view.

These are our favorite telephoto prime lenses for pet photography.

You can also buy a zoom lens for added versatility. Zoom lenses are more prone to imperfections than primes. But that’s often minimal with good-quality lenses. Being able to zoom in and out considerably increases shot versatility. 

Something like a 24-70mm lens is perfect for pet photography. You can get a wide variety of shots with this type of lens. You can shoot wider shots or group pictures with the 24mm end. Or you can zoom in for tighter portraits with the 70mm side.

Here are the best zoom lenses for pet photography.

Best Tripod for Pet Photography

Using a tripod is a good idea if you want to take portrait-style pet photos. It provides more stability, freeing your hands. It also lets you more effectively control your camera settings.

A tripod lets you use slower shutter speeds without risking blurry images. You can also use timers and shutter remotes. You don’t want to slow the shutter down too much when taking pictures of pets. But the extra freedom is handy.

Make sure the tripod can support the combined weight of your camera and lens. A ball head is the best tripod head for pet photography. It is strong and stable and allows a healthy range of movement.

Extra SD Cards and an SD Card Case

Shooting pet photographs can be so much fun, and quickly filling up a memory card is easy. That’s why you always need extra SD cards during a photoshoot.

The problem is that SD cards are small, easy to lose, and break. But with a reliable SD card case, you can carry as many memory cards as you need safely and securely. 

Extra Batteries or a Portable Charger for Cameras

There’s nothing worse than your camera running out of battery power during a photoshoot. And if you’re shooting outside, that can be a real problem. Be sure to pack extra camera batteries.

A portable power bank might also be the perfect solution to this problem. If your camera is USB chargeable, like the OM System OM-5, you can charge it anytime and any place. That means your pet photography photoshoot never needs to stop prematurely.

Extra Accessories for Pet Photography

Now, we look at non-photography accessories photographers can use when taking pictures of animals.

Animal Toys and Treats

Toys and treats are must-haves for adorable facial expressions and happy ears! It may surprise you how many pet owners forget these essentials when they rush out to meet you for a photoshoot.

It’s always better to have some for those situations. I like squeaky toys or a toy that rustles. Be sure to ask the pet owner if their best friend has any food allergies before offering treats.

Different Kinds of Tape

The golden rule is that something will likely break during a pet photography photoshoot. A great way to fix things on the spot is with really good tape! I always keep tape in my car so I’m prepared.

Sometimes, you need to hang something up on a wall or attach an object to another object. For flat surfaces, tape is your best friend. I prefer to carry a mix of masking and packing tape for whatever needs arise.

Metal Clamps

Metal clamps are just as important! They’re helpful for surfaces you can’t tape and for hanging fabric as backdrops. Just throw a bag of these into the trunk of your car, and you’re set.

Towels and Cleaning Products

Pet photography photoshoots can get messy. Even the best pets can have an accident. And it’s not just toilet troubles you have to worry about. You’ll be wiping up drool, fur, feathers, and anything else a pet can shed.

Paper towels are always useful. Keep proper towels and cleaning clothes close by. You never know when you’ll need them. And when you do, you have to act fast.

Pet-safe disinfectant sprays are essential. You’ll have to clean up as you go. Plus, your shooting space needs a thorough cleaning after every shoot. That’s not just for the sake of hygiene, which is important. But the smell of other animals might make some pets act out of character.

Conclusion: The Best Camera for Pet Photography

Taking pictures of your beloved animals is much easier when you have the best camera for pet photography. Whether you photographing pets for fun or business, having the right camera makes all the difference.

And it’s not just the camera. As we’ve seen, there are plenty of pet photography accessories you can invest in to improve your results. A good pet-photography lens is just as important as the camera. But you also have optional pieces like tripods.

The Nikon Z5 is our choice as the best camera for pet photography. Having looked at the specs and features, it’s easy to see why it’s our top choice. It’s a full-frame mirrorless that delivers in all the right areas. And it’s a bargain for a camera at that level.