With the best trail cameras, it's possible to capture incredible images of wildlife in their natural habitats, exhibiting behaviours that would never be seen if a human were around. A trail camera is designed to be left out for a long time – days, weeks or even months – and capture images of whatever passes. And thanks to powerful infrared technology, trail cameras can keep on shooting at night.
Hardy and weatherproof, trail cameras are built to withstand the elements. While they tend to be lower in resolution and overall image quality than mirrorless or DSLR cameras, they have the advantage of operating independently. They also may not be the camera you use to capture your final image; many wildlife photographers use them to scout out promising locations, and figure out the movements of wildlife to know where to place themselves to bag the shot.
In this guide, we’ve picked out our favourite trail cameras from the major manufacturers like Bushnell, SpyPoint and Zeiss. We’ve also included more general timelapse cameras, and even an indoor option for pet owners to get in on the action. There are trail cameras here for a range of budgets – so let’s take a closer look…
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Our Top 5 Trail Cameras
Pros:
- 4K video and 32MP stills
- Day and night sensors
- No-glow flash with 33m range
Cons:
- Can’t connect wirelessly
Long gone are the days where trail cameras were synonymous with grainy, indistinct images – the Bushnell Core DS-4K 32MP No Glow Trail Camera is a glorious machine with 32MP of resolution to play with. It can capture 3840 x 2160 video at a frame rate of 30fps, with sound, giving you an exceptionally clear window into the world of wildlife.
While it’s powered by AA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable, the Bushnell Core DS-4K can run for a heck of a long time on a single charge. Its motion sensors can be set to different sensitivity levels, and the trigger takes just 0.2 seconds to fire – ensuring you won’t miss the moment. Also, with dual sensors for light and dark, it’s as adept at capturing nocturnal animals as it is creatures that come out in the daytime. It’s also aided by the no-glow flash, which has a maximum range of 33m. An exceptional achievement in trail camera design, the Bushnell Core DS-4K 32MP No Glow Trail Camera is great for just about any wildlife enthusiast.
Pros:
- Impressive Zeiss-made image quality
- LTE connectivity
- Long-lasting battery
Cons:
- Relatively low resolution (3MP)
It's great to see a manufacturer with as much image-making pedigree as Zeiss getting involved with trail cams. The Zeiss Secacam 1 is an affordable, entry-level offering, designed to be an accessible entry point for anyone who's thinking about dipping their toe into the world of trail cameras.
The camera uses a 3MP sensor, which may sound quite low, but this resolution enables larger pixelsites that boost its sensitivity, especially in low light. In the daytime, you get sharp and vibrant images with gorgeous Zeiss-made colours, while at night, the power of 940nm infrared LEDs kicks in. Using IR Boost Technology, this tech allows for continuous monitoring in dark conditions, ensuring that any movement of wildlife wil be captured in dynamic, high-contrast infrared.
The camera is equipped with an LTE module, allowing for remote connectivity. Rather than an SD slot, it offers 32GB of integrated memory, and its battery delivers impressive longevity, with up to 3400 images expected from a single charge.
Pros:
- Super-fast trigger detection
- 110ft detection range
- Multi-shot mode increases hit rate
Cons:
- 4K tops out at 10fps
- Small screen isn’t easiest to use
One of SpyPoint’s top-end trail cameras, the FORCE-PRO boasts a best-in-class trigger time of just 0.2 seconds. Given how quickly things can move in the wild world, even fractions of a second can make a big difference in terms of capturing a moment. You can also help increase your chances by activating the Multi-Shot mode, which fires off six frames in quick succession. The detection range stretches to 110ft – longer than most trail cameras, which tend to cluster around the 80ft mark.
Video-wise, the SpyPoint FORCE-PRO Trail Camera can capture 4K footage, albeit at a maximum frame rate of 10fps. At lower resolution the frame rates bump up, with 2.5K footage available at 25fps, Full HD at 30fps and HD at 60fps. Clips can be captured for a maximum of 60 seconds, and the camera is compatible with SD cards up to 128GB for plenty of data storage.
Pros:
- High-quality Full HD timelapse capture
- Long life from just four AA batteries
- Wide 118° angle of view
Cons:
- Not natively weatherproof
- No 4K
A camera designed to specialise in capture timelapse footage, the Brinno TLC 2020 Time Lapse Camera is perfect for leaving in one place for a long time. It takes just four AA batteries, but can still last for up to 99 days on the right settings, meaning you can take a really long view of your subjects if you want to. The wide 118° angle of view allows you to capture plenty of the scene around the camera, and the Full HD footage (no 4K) looks consistently sharp and punchy. There are a number of preset storytelling modes that make it easy to assemble shareable timelapse clips from your clips or stills – ideal for those who don’t want to spend too much editing.
Designed more for general timelapse use than for wildlife specifically, the Brinno TLC 2020 Time Lapse Camera is not natively weatherproof. Casings are available that will protect it from the elements, but it’s best to proceed with caution.
Pros:
- Small, durable and easy to install
- Can be paired with other Petcube cameras
- Two-way audio features
Cons:
- Not suitable for use in the wild
- No SD card slot
And finally, we couldn’t finish off the list without providing an option for pet owners. While the Petcube Pet Camera certainly isn’t something you’d leave on a riverbank to capture images of kingfishers, if you want something to keep an eye on your pets while you’re not at home – and maybe capture a few shareable clips of what they get up to – this is definitely it.
It’s easy to set up, with an unobtrusive profile that means it can slot just about anywhere in the home. The footage it captures is Full HD, with a cloud storage option for clips, and recording can be triggered by sound or motion. The camera also has night vision, for those whose pets are especially active at night, and you can use the two-way audio function to say hello to your pet, soothe them if they’re anxious, or tell them to get off the counter (they’ll never learn otherwise).
FAQs
Nope! Trail cameras are designed to be set up and left in remote connections, and therefore do not require Wi-Fi in order to work. Some will allow you to connect to them remotely via 4G/LTE mobile networks in order to monitor and download images. Some don't have connectivity at all, and need to be physically retrieved in order for the images to be recovered.
How far away can a trail camera detect motion?
It varies, but most trail cameras will have a detection range of between 10 and 20m. Some have a longer range; the Bushnell Core DS-4K 32MP at the top spot on our list can detect motion at distances of up to 33m.
Do trail cameras continuously record?
No. Most trail cameras are designed to record only when they detect motion within their field of view. This saves on battery and memory space, ensuring that only moments worth capturing are captured. We have included some time-lapse cameras on this list, such as the Brinno TLC 2020; these cameras do record continuously (or according to a set schedule) and do not have motion-detection functionality.
Can trail cameras see in the dark?
Yes. Night vision, using no-glow infrared light, is one of the key features of trail cameras, and allows them to capture imagery of elusive nocturnal wildlife. Bear in mind that images captured in dark conditions will be infrared monochrome; for full-colour night images, you'll need a full low-light setup such as a mirrorless camera with a fast-aperture lens.
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