Top pick · Nikon£500
Nikon D3500 + Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
Body £190 + lens £310 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-600mm equivalent · 1125g
Why: 5fps bursts, 1.5× crop for extra framing reach.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Best camera for wildlife under £500
Wildlife is about reach, autofocus tracking and burst speed. Crop sensors frame tighter with smaller lenses; high-resolution full frame lets you crop deep. The telephoto lens is usually the biggest cost. Here are the best complete setups (body plus the right lens) you can buy for £500 or less, using real UK prices.
Quick answer
The best £500 setup for wildlife is the Nikon D3500 with the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, about £500 with the body bought used. Why: 5fps bursts, 1.5× crop for extra framing reach.
Best £500 setups for wildlife, brand by brand
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits wildlife. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Best bodies for wildlife under £500
OM System
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
2016MirrorlessOlder model
20MP
60fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 574g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£329–499
Pro-Capture pioneer. A cheap, sealed way into Micro Four Thirds wildlife.
Panasonic
Lumix G9
2018MirrorlessOlder model
20MP
20fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 658g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£399–459
Big viewfinder, great handling and 60fps bursts with focus locked. Cheap wildlife entry.
Nikon
D7500
2017DSLROlder model
20.9MP
8fps max
OVFviewfinder
51.2kmax ISO
Low light 720g · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£299–594
D500 sensor in a lighter, cheaper body. Excellent value APS-C.
Canon
EOS R50 V
2025Mirrorless
24.2MP
15fps max
—readout ms
32kmax ISO
Low light 370g · no EVF
New ≈£529
Used at MPB*£459–519
Video-first R50 with a front tally light, vertical tripod mount and no viewfinder.
Sony
ZV-E10
2021MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
11fps max
—readout ms
32kmax ISO
Low light 343g · no EVF
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£444–494
Light APS-C vlogging body with a flip screen and good mic. No IBIS or viewfinder.
Fujifilm
X-T2
2016MirrorlessOlder model
24.3MP
8fps max
—readout ms
12.8kmax ISO
Low light 507g · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£329–484
Weather-sealed retro flagship from 2016. Still a satisfying camera to shoot.
What to look for
Wildlife is about reach, autofocus tracking and burst speed. Crop sensors frame tighter with smaller lenses; high-resolution full frame lets you crop deep. The telephoto lens is usually the biggest cost.
Animal & bird detectionHigh burst ratePre-capturePixels on the subject (crop or 45MP+)
Lens: As much reach as you can carry: 400–600mm equivalent or more.
Other budgets
More to spend? Best under £1,000. Or read the full wildlife buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camera for wildlife under £500?
Our top pick is the Nikon D3500 with the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, about £500 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the OM System Olympus E-M1 Mark II scores highest at this budget.
What is the best £500 wildlife camera setup?
Nikon D3500 + Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (£500).
Should I buy new or used for wildlife?
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £500 for a better lens, which usually matters more. New gives a full warranty and the latest firmware.
What lens do I need for wildlife?
As much reach as you can carry: 400–600mm equivalent or more.
Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB price range for the body and the lens on that mount; new prices are typical UK prices. Picks are ranked from the specs in our database for this type of photography.