The Best Cameras for Filming Hunts of 2024

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Ethan Smith
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Video best video camera for hunting on a budget

Thanks to the surge in YouTube’s popularity, more hunters are looking to start filming their hunts. With hunting channels amassing tons of views, it’s tempting to get in on the action. Aside from YouTube stardom, there’s also the fun of sharing your hunts with friends and the practicality of reviewing questionable hits.

If you want to capture your hunting memories, you’ll need a camera for filming hunts. There are options galore and the prices of these options range drastically. You might hear that you need the latest and greatest camera with lapel microphones and pricy lenses, but that’s simply not the case. After sitting down and talking with experts who film their hunts for a living, I learned that it all depends on your experience level and what you’re looking to get out of filming your hunts.

Beginners need a camera to learn, and a camcorder is a great place to start. It will help you learn how to control your zoom, focus, and light sensors. Once you’re ready to step it up, there are plenty of mirrorless and pro-level cameras.

Here are the best cameras for filming hunts according to top YouTubers and camera operators:

  • Best Overall: Sony NX80
  • Best Value: Canon G30
  • Best Mirrorless: Sony Alpha 7S III
  • Best High-End: Sony FX6

Best Action Cameras

  • GoPro Hero 11 Black
  • DJI Osmo
  • Insta 360 X3
  • Tactacam Stabilizer Camera

How We Chose the Best Cameras for Filming Your Hunts

I interviewed four of the most prominent names in the YouTube hunting world, who have years of firsthand experience learning different camera platforms and finding what works best for them and their channels.

Greg Clements (The Hunting Public)

Greg Clements is one of the original founders of The Woodsguys Inc. and is fondly referred to as “the gear guy” by his peers at The Hunting Public. Clements has over 15 years of experience filming his hunts and has used numerous camera platforms to do so. From camcorders to mirrorless options, Clements has a lot of experience behind the lens.

Riley Weissinger (Chris Bee)

Riley Weissinger is the main camera operator for Chris Bee. Working full-time filming Bee’s hunts, Weissinger is incredibly familiar with high-end filming equipment, but comes from a humble background of self-filming on a camcorder in college. With years of experience behind the lens capturing some of the most intense moments in the field, Weissinger is full of great advice for beginners and hunters trying to up their filming game.

Robert Mendoza (Tethrd)

Robert Mendoza works full-time behind the lens for Tethrd, a team of saddle hunting fanatics born of a passionate addiction to whitetail hunting. Whether he’s filming hunts or promotional videos announcing a new product, Mendoza has been fully immersed in filming for years. While capturing every aspect of the hunt, he has learned exactly which camera helps him do the job quickly and effectively.

Joe Rentmeester (The Hunting Beast)

Joe Rentmeester worked alongside Dan Infalt at The Hunting Beast for years. During his time there, he learned a pile of information about self-filming and all of the tips and tricks someone might need to self-film effectively. Although he still classifies himself as a beginner, he is far from it with years of experience behind the bow and lens at the same time.

See also  .45-70 Government for Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .45-70 Government a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for grizzly or brown bear hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the grizzly or brown bear, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the grizzly or brown bear in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a grizzly or brown bear in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .45-70 Government within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear hunting?” our answer is: No, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .45-70 Government Animal Species Grizzly Or Brown Bear Muzzle Energy 2270 foot-pounds Animal Weight 595 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government round is approximately 2270 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .45-70 Government. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the grizzly or brown bear being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear - and to this question, the response again is no, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 22 Comments RJ Adkins - Jan 02, 2024Completely disagree with article. The 4570 is the caliber of choice for many bear hunting guides. With correct bullets and charges it’s great for penetrating through bones in big bears. Also, I n a short lever action, it gets on target quickly with capability of fast follow up shots. Also quoted energy in the article is about half of the cartridge capability. Craig Sellier - May 23, 2024What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. Craig Sellier - May 23, 2024What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. JTAC - Jul 04, 2024I am confused by this article… rated as “Underkill”. I got charged by an 800 lb male grizzly that surprised me after I stumbled upon a fresh kill. I had just enough time to pull my rifle up and get 2 shots off. The first round was so rushed I barely grazed the animal. The second round I tighten up my mechanics and took my shot for its chest. Right as I squeezed the trigger the bear dropped its head and that 45-70 405 round blew its skull cap off and dropped that bear about 18 yards from me. A lot closer than I ever want to be to any Grizzly in a full speed charge. I would suffice to say it was very effective. I get ethics of hunting shot placement and everything else when hunting. But, most of the time you do not normally get a 200 yard shot, depending on your location. I know if I hunt using my 45-70 for bear I am trying to take my shot between 100 to 125 yards away. Big hard flat tipped rounds work great. Z - Jul 04, 2024With the custom loads I have for my vintage JM Marlin 1895, I am confident 45-70 would be prevalent over any mammal indigenous to this planet. (Maybe not in one shot, because placement is a big factor…) I stand strong on this statement. Robert House - Jul 04, 2024With the right load the 45-70 Government can take any game on this Earth like with +P Hard cast and +P Underwood Extreme penetrator. EBob - Jul 04, 2024🤣 Have you ever actually hunted Grizzly Bear, or had to defend yourself against a Grizzly Bear dude? This article is total B.S.! LOL! Drew - Aug 10, 2024You can’t look at the most anemic factory loads and suggest a hunter might use those for a once in a lifetime brown bear hunt. Have you ever heard of Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Hornady or other +P hardcast or solid copper loads? Come on now, some approach 4000 ft/lb of energy. My own go to load throws a 300 gr Speer hotcore @ 2430fps @ 12’. Use your bullet energy calc. That’ll stop anyting on the planet except Elephant, Rhino, hippo or cape buff.. Mike - Sep 09, 2024Every article posted by foundry outdoors always states the same thing. Yall assume a lot. Never assume cause it makes an ass out of you and me. People aren’t quite as ignorant as assumed by writers and politicians. 4570 has killed bears for decades. No body armor on these critters. Shot placement is . 223/5.56 with 55gr fmj does it all the time do in reasonably sure a 45/70-430gr hard cast or a 325gr extreme hunter mono bullet will do the trick. G - Oct 18, 2024This article about .45-70 being underkill is full of blasphemy. Old time hunters were using black powder 45-70 with 405 grain bullets and they STILL stopped bears and any other critters that got in their way. Even to this day, .45-70 can be used to take down Safari game such as tigers and lions, albeit a bit light for that use but is practical. Whoever wrote this has clearly never hunted before or is trying to spread untruthful facts. 1 2 3 Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

Best Cameras for Filming Hunts: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Sony NX80

Key Features

  • Price: $1,991
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Screen Size: 3.46 inches
  • Optical Zoom: 12x
  • Special Features: Night vision, anti-shake, time lapse, low light

Pros

  • Shoots in 4K
  • Bigger sensor than other cameras at 1-inch
  • A much better low light experience
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to install shotgun microphone
  • Zoom controller compatible

Cons

  • Lacks the frame rate options available from higher-end mirrorless cameras

Clements and the crew over at The Hunting Public use the Sony NX80 on 99 percent of their hunts. It films in 4K which is a great resolution for YouTube and other social platforms. They opted to make the Sony NX80 their main camera because it’s incredibly easy to learn and use. When their yearly interns start out in the summer, they lock the NX80 in their hands and get comfortable with it. By the time September rolls around and their hunting season kicks off, they’re filming what you see on the channel.

A key feature with the NX80 is the 1-inch sensor which allows for filming in low-light conditions, which most whitetail hunters face during the prime time for deer movement. While this is still a camcorder style camera, it punches above its weight class with the 4K film and low-light sensor.

Best Value: Canon G30

Key Features

  • Price: $999
  • Memory Type: SDHC
  • Screen Size: 3.5 inches
  • Optical Zoom: 20x

Pros

  • Budget-Friendly
  • Shoots in 1080p
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to install shotgun microphone
  • Easy to mount on camera arms and window clips

Cons

  • Smaller sensor
  • Harder to see in low light
  • Lacks the frame rate options available from higher-end mirrorless cameras

The Canon G30 is our best value choice for a few reasons. It’s incredibly easy to use, it’s intuitive to learn, and it won’t break the bank for someone looking to get their foot in the door when it comes to filming their hunts. While it doesn’t shoot in 4K, the 1080p resolution is still anything but grainy and plenty for YouTube or blowing up on the big screen to review your shot.

Joe Rentmeester used to buy cheap camcorders from Walmart before he got his hands on the Canon G30. The G30 made it easier to film in low light when compared to the super cheap options he had before, and it’s easy enough to use while he is self-filming his hunts. Clements also recommends the Canon G30 for beginners. It’s the perfect combination of price, quality, and usability.

Best Mirrorless: Sony Alpha 7S III

Key Features

  • Price: $3,259
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Screen Size: 3 inches
  • Optical Zoom: Lens dependent
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Pros

  • Shoots in 4K
  • Plenty of lens options
  • 120 frames per second (fps) at 280 megabits per second (Mb/s)
  • Lots of post production options
  • Great for B-roll footage

Cons

  • Does not allow for zoom controller
  • Much more difficult for self-filming
  • Not beginner friendly

The Sony Alpha 7S III is one of Robert Mendoza’s go-to cameras in the field. It allows him to film zoomed all of the way out and due to the 4K quality, simply crop in during post-production. This makes filming during the heat of the moment a lot easier on him. It’s also a great camera for B-roll since you can swap out the lenses easily and obtain high-quality close ups with relative ease.

Clements uses the Sony Alpha 7S III when he’s the second cameraman on a hunt. Having the second camera angle filming with the mirrorless camera allows him to obtain high quality footage from a different angle or slow motion. The Alpha 7S III also offers a large sensor, so it captures incredible low light footage. This is certainly a higher end camera and isn’t nearly as easy to use in the field, but if you’re already into filming and looking to up your quality, don’t skip over the Alpha 7S III.

Best High-End: Sony FX6

Key Features

  • Price: $7,704
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Screen Size: 3.5 inches
  • Optical Zoom: Lens dependent

Pros

  • Shoots in 4K
  • Plenty of lens options
  • High frame rate options
  • Lots of post production options
  • Great for B-roll footage
  • Cinematic camera

Cons

  • Does not allow for zoom controller
  • Incredibly hands-on
  • Not to be used for self-filming
  • Not beginner or intermediate friendly

The Sony FX6 isn’t a beginner’s camera. It’s for pros who know their way around a mirrorless DSLR and are ready to step up to the big leagues. Riley Weissinger relies on the FX6 to capture incredibly clear footage at a high frame rate and resolution while filming hunts for Chris Bee.

The FX6 is Weissinger’s go-to camera when filming western hunts where he might need to film at farther distances than most would encounter in the whitetail woods. Weighing in at 20-pounds, the FX6 certainly isn’t recommended for self-filming, but it does offer an impressive array of customization options for the camera guru.

Best Action Cameras for Filming Hunts: Reviews & Recommendations

We tested the best action cameras for filming hunts.
The Hunting Public relies on GoPro’s to capture their second-angle shots on almost every hunt. The Hunting Public

GoPro Hero 11 Black

  • Great for 2nd angles and a solid back-up option in case your main camera stops working.

DJI Osmo

  • Has a bigger sensor compared to Go-Pro for a better low light experience.

Insta 360 X3

  • A really cool way to film your hunt using 360-degree footage. Never miss a shot or angle with the Insta 360 X3.

Tactacam Stabilizer Camera

  • A great option for beginners looking to capture their first kill on film. The footage is clear enough, but when the shot goes off, expect some vibration in the footage.
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Other Great Buys

  • Canon G40 – $719
  • Sony AX53 – $954
  • Sony AX700 – $1,243
  • Sony A6500 – $648
  • Sony A6600 – $1,438
  • Sony Alpha 7R IV – $2,819

Tips and Tricks for Filming Your Hunts

Hunter films from tree saddle.
Once you have one of the best cameras for filming hunts, your journey has only just begun. The Hunting Public

When it comes to filming your own hunts, or filming for a buddy, there’s a lot of trial and error to be had for a beginner. Our experts all touched on how they seemingly failed and learned at every step along the way. To help you avoid some heartache and missed opportunities in the woods, we’ve compiled a list of the top tips from our experts.

Tips on Filming

  • “Just have fun learning. Heck, you can even use your phone at a minimum, just focus on framing a shot or photo and how to use the basic settings.” —Robert Mendoza
  • “When you’re self-filming, keep the camera arm right at the height of your D-loop when you’re shooting and keep the camera on the side of your body you release with. This will allow you to adjust the camera with minimal movement before you draw.” —Joe Rentmeester
  • “Sometimes it’s best to just point it in the direction of the deer and forget about it. You will lose shot opportunities while self filming; it’s a part of it.” —Joe Rentmeester

Words of Encouragement

  • “If you’re just getting started, lock a camcorder in your hand and just give it a try. Don’t expect perfection, but learn from every mistake you make along the way.” —Riley Weissinger
  • “Don’t get into it and expect the highest quality footage and edits. Enjoy the learning process and lean on people for tips and tricks along the way.” —Greg Clements

Final Thoughts on the Best Cameras for Filming Hunts

When it comes to filming your hunts, there are tons of options out there to fit any skill level. Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to upgrade for a higher-quality production, be sure you’re taking every aspect of the camera into consideration. A larger sensor will help you tremendously in low light situations, and a higher resolution will make your life easier in post-production and in the field so you don’t have to worry about zooming in and focusing on the animal as you try to get your shot opportunity.

If this will be your first season filming your hunts, remember to just have fun with it. It’s not going to be what you see on TV the first time you press record, but every single one of our experts started just where you are. With time, patience, and a lot of learning in the field, you too can capture the entire story of your hunt. Good luck this season!

  • Best Overall: Sony NX80
  • Best Value: Canon G30
  • Best Mirrorless: Sony Alpha 7S III
  • Best High-End: Sony FX6

Best Action Cameras

  • GoPro Hero 11 Black
  • DJI Osmo
  • Insta 360 X3
  • Tactacam Stabilizer Camera
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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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