WILDLIFE VIDEOGRAPHY

Option 1 - Canon XA11
Weekend from £60 - hire now!

The Canon XA11 HD camcorder is an ideal travel companion; it shoots in HD rather than 4K, but it’s small and weighs only 1135g when fully loaded with a battery, memory card and top handle, which is extremely helpful – not only for comfort when on the prowl for wildlife, but also when trying to avoid those pesky luggage fees at the airport! It boats GPS functionality which will pinpoint your location when shooting, which is very useful when filming rare animals, or performing conservation work. 

A grand feather in the cap of Canon’s XA11 is the infrared function, which allows you to shoot in almost complete darkness. The images won’t have the same colours as footage shot in the day, but the detail you’ll capture of nocturnal creates, such as badgers, owls or even hyenas if you're travelling to a far-flung location is incredible. Just don’t leave the safety of the vehicle! 

Despite its small size, the Canon XA11 has a colossal 20x optical zoom lens – the equivalent of 28.8-576mm on a full frame camera, which will give you plenty of reach when capturing distant creatures, or staying out of the way of the more ferocious ones! 

Autofocus is fast and responsive and can be fine-tuned using the touchscreen to select the exact point you need pin-sharp. This is a super handy tool when you want to lock on to a fast or erratically moving subject and much quicker than relying on a joystick to move the focus point where you need it. 

Dual card slots give you ultimate freedom, either set it to switch to the second card the moment the first is full, or record to both simultaneously – meaning you have an instant back up on the second card the instant your footage is captured. 

One slight drawback of the Canon XA11 is the absence of image stabilisation, you may want to add a tripod or monopod to your kit to compensate for that, but if you’d rather have more freedom of movement, and less kit to carry around then you may want to look at a higher-end option with this function. 

Option 2 - Sony PXW-Z90
Weekend from £90 - hire now!

The Sony PXW-Z90 is a great option if you’re looking for a handheld video camera as opposed to a more DSLR-sized mirrorless option. Highlights include dual media slots, 2 XLR ports, and a raft of other features to help make your shoot as simple as possible. The ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens provides great versatility and allows you to get close to the action, without disturbing your subject - ideal for wildlife.

The camera shoots in 4k, but also shoots 1080p footage at up to 120 frames per second, which works well for slow motion. It does have a built-in microphone, but to achieve better quality sound it’s advisable to use the RODE NTG-1 shotgun microphone that it is supplied with. One important thing to note is a lack of image stabilisation, so you may want to consider a tripod or gimbal if there’s a chance light will be limited. Alternatively, a camera with better low light capabilities might be a better option for you. 

Included with the camera, 2 batteries and a charger, plus a memory card. Do bear in mind that the included card will only store so much footage, so if you don’t have one of your own, you may want to hire an additional SD card from our accessories section. 

Option 3 - Canon XF705
Weekend from £125 - hire now!

The Canon XF705 is seen in the industry as the Swiss Army knife of fixed lens 4K camcorders; it boasts an image stabilised, L Series 15x f/2.8-4.5 optical zoom, which is approximately a 25-382mm 35mm equivalent – giving you plenty of reach and versatility. Plus, this focal length is multiplied up to 30x if you are happy to shoot in 1080p. It’s slightly bigger and more cumbersome than some cheaper options, but in return for this slight downside you get 4K UHD 50P footage in 4:2:2 10-bit and wonderfully sharp image quality, thanks to Canon’s L Series glass. In addition to all of this, the camera can shoot with a shallow depth of field, meaning you can isolate the subject from the background and produce truly professional, cinematic results. Blue Planet eat your heart out! 

The Canon XF705 features infrared shooting, which allows you to shoot in almost complete darkness. The images won’t have the same colours as footage shot in the day, but the detail you’ll capture of nocturnal creates, such as badgers, owls or even hyenas if you're travelling to a far-flung location is incredible. Just don’t leave the safety of the vehicle! 

The camera has two memory card slots, meaning you can set it to switch to the second card the moment the first is full, or record to both simultaneously – meaning you have an instant back up on the second card the instant your footage is captured. 

The physical design of the camera is well thought-out, it’s tough, durable and weather sealed, giving you peace of mind when out in the field and giving you freedom you to create without worry. Additionally, buttons and dials are positioned in logical and comfortable locations, allowing for a truly intuitive shooting experience – whether you’re left- or right-handed. 

Autofocus is fast and responsive and can be fine-tuned using the touchscreen to select the exact point you need pin-sharp. This is a super handy tool when you want to lock on to a fast or erratically moving subject and is much quicker than relying on a joystick to move the focus point to where you need it.