Smaller, lighter setups perfect for handheld or gimbal shots, offering fantastic fidelity and an expansive, stress-free range of movement on your wildlife shoot.
Sometimes lightness and mobility are at the very top of your wish list, especially in situations where your subject is on the move and you’re in pursuit. Elsewhere, you might just want that mobility to afford you more shot options, speed and range of movement. Here we’ve compiled some great lightweight camera packages, offering speed and precision, and excelling when popped onto a gimbal.
Here we’ve compiled some great lightweight camera packages, offering speed and precision, and excelling when popped onto a gimbal.
Option 1 - Sony RX10 and Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £72 - hire now!
When it comes to wildlife videography, keeping it simple and traveling light can sometimes yield impressive results. The Sony RX10 IV is a fixed lens bridge camera that can shoot at 4K 30 frames per second in-body, as well as offering up to 120 frames per second at 1080p. This camera also benefits from an incredible Zeiss lens: a 24-600mm F2.4-4, offering the equivalent of 25x optical zoom – helping you achieve the sort of results that would normally require a DSLR and an arsenal of lenses. Other standout features include rapid autofocus and Sony’s remarkable in-body image stabilisation, helping you shoot crisp footage whilst hand-holding – even when an animal is far away in the distance.
Also included in this package, the Rode Videomic Pro+ for crisp on-camera audio recording, a 64GB memory card, 2 batteries and a charger will help you worry less about power problems and focus more on your craft.
Option 1 - Sony RX10 and Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £72 - hire now!
When it comes to wildlife videography, keeping it simple and traveling light can sometimes yield impressive results. The Sony RX10 IV is a fixed lens bridge camera that can shoot at 4K 30 frames per second in-body, as well as offering up to 120 frames per second at 1080p. This camera also benefits from an incredible Zeiss lens: a 24-600mm F2.4-4, offering the equivalent of 25x optical zoom – helping you achieve the sort of results that would normally require a DSLR and an arsenal of lenses.
Option 2 - Fujifilm X-H2S, Fujifilm XF50-140mm F2.8 Lens, Fujifilm XF200mm F2 lens with 1.4x Teleconverter, Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £215 - hire now!
Continuing Fujifilm’s proud tradition of producing sleek and fully-featured cameras, the X-H2S is a powerful hybrid with a stacked 26.1 megapixel 5th gen X-Trans CMOS sensor, advanced tracking, IBIS and weather sealing. For video, expect a camera capable of 6K internal recording at 4:2:2 10 bit, as well as 4K 120p for slow mo. If you do decided to take some photos, this beast offers 40fps burst shooting too!
In terms of lenses, this package partners the X-H2S with the XF 50-140mm F2.8 (equivalent 76-213mm), the XF 200mm (equivalent 305mm), and the XF 1.4x teleconverter, giving you ultimate versatility and offering a total focal range across all equipment of 76-427mm at F2.8!
You will also find 2 batteries and a memory card included. Do be aware that the card provided will only hold so much footage, so if you don’t have one already, an SD card from the accessories section will be a must for longer recording sessions!
Option 2 - Fujifilm X-H2S, Fujifilm XF50-140mm F2.8 Lens, Fujifilm XF200mm F2 lens with 1.4x Teleconverter, Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £215 - hire now!
Continuing Fujifilm’s proud tradition of producing sleek and fully-featured cameras, the X-H2S is a powerful hybrid with a stacked 26.1 megapixel 5th gen X-Trans CMOS sensor, advanced tracking, IBIS and weather sealing. For video, expect a camera capable of 6K internal recording at 4:2:2 10 bit, as well as 4K 120p for slow mo. If you do decided to take some photos, this beast offers 40fps burst shooting too!
Option 3 - Nikon Z 6 II With FTZ Adapter, Nikon Z 70-200mm F2.8 lens Lens, Nikon Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 Lens, Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £249 - hire now!
The Nikon Z 6 II is a great little companion to take on the search for wildlife as it’s small, lightweight and inconspicuous. It packs a full frame sensor and offers 4K resolution, along with superb image stabilisation, which is invaluable - particularly if you’re filming from a moving vehicle!
70-200mm is a true classic focal length loved by many, and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a shining example. It’s tough, durable and weather sealed, giving you more freedom when out and about, plus image stabilisation frees you from the restraints of tripods and gimbals when you want to travel light.
The new Nikon 100-400mm gives you the reach you need for far away subjects, whilst striking the balance of not being too bulky or difficult to lug around. With silent zooming and smooth operation, coupled with the gorgeous quality of Nikon lenses in general and robust weather resistance, this is a must for any Nikon shooter exploring the wildlife and nature around them.
For even greater lens choice, this package includes the FTZ adapter, opening up the full range of Nikon’s DSLR F mount lenses for you to investigate. Finally, the Rode Videomic Pro+ is also included, offering crystal clear on-camera audio recording.
Option 3 - Nikon Z 6 II With FTZ Adapter, Nikon Z 70-200mm F2.8 lens, Nikon Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 Lens, Rode Videomic Pro+
Weekend from £249 - hire now!
The Nikon Z 6 II is a great little companion to take on the search for wildlife as it’s small, lightweight and inconspicuous. It packs a full frame sensor and offers 4K resolution, along with superb image stabilisation, which is invaluable - particularly if you’re filming from a moving vehicle!