How It Began – Leading Up To My Interest In Bird Photography
Growing up in Rochester, NY—home of the iconic Eastman Kodak Company—I was surrounded by the magic of photography from an early age. My dad worked at Kodak, and when I was about ten, I learned how to develop black-and-white film and prints at the Kodak Camera Club. By thirteen, I had saved up for my first 35mm camera, a Hanimex Pratika Super TL, and later upgraded to a Pentax. My fascination with capturing the world grew, and I even set up a basement darkroom where I experimented with developing color film.
While photography was a constant, birds were another quiet passion of mine, especially raptors and owls. I loved watching them soar, hunt, and perch, though I never thought to photograph them seriously. Occasionally, I’d snap a shot with my iPhone—quick, easy, but let’s just say, not exactly National Geographic material.
That all began to change after I retired in December 2022. With more time for hiking, I started noticing birds everywhere. My casual observations turned into deliberate searches, and soon, I was hooked.
One of my favorite places to hike is Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, NY. Recognized by the Audubon Society as an important birding area, this park is teeming with birdlife. In March 2023, I had an unforgettable encounter with a Pileated Woodpecker. It was busy feasting on insects from a downed tree right beside the trail—so close that even my iPhone managed to capture some surprisingly decent shots. A little later, I spotted a Northern Cardinal perched in a tree near the trail and managed to get some solid photos and videos.
That was the spark. Those first real attempts at bird photography opened a door to a whole new world, one I’ve been exploring ever since.
Phase I – Beginning Bird Photography With A Point-and-Shoot Camera
When I first started out, my trusty companion was a Sony HX-99C point-and-shoot camera. It had an 18.2-megapixel sensor and a 30x zoom lens—pretty impressive for a pocket-sized device. I loved its portability; I could slip it into my jacket and have it ready on every hike. Back then, I thought the image quality was great, and honestly, for a beginner, it was a solid starting point.
But let me tell you, photographing birds with a point-and-shoot was an adventure in itself. Finding a bird through the built-in viewfinder was like trying to spot a needle in a haystack—by the time I located and zoomed in, the bird was usually long gone. It was frustrating, but I kept at it. Over time, I developed a technique that worked for me, and I even started getting some respectable shots.
As I gained confidence, I began looking beyond simply “getting the bird in frame.” I started noticing their behavior, waiting for interesting expressions or unique activities that told a story. That’s when my photos started to feel more alive. It was proof that you don’t need fancy gear to start bird photography—just a willingness to learn and a bit of patience.
Phase II – Finding the Best Camera for Bird Photography – Point-and-Shoot
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Camera
After starting with the Sony, I decided to step up my game and bought a Canon PowerShot SX740 HS. This compact camera has a 40x zoom lens, giving me more reach for those elusive bird shots. However, it came with one big tradeoff—it didn’t have a viewfinder, relying entirely on an LCD screen. Let me tell you, switching to the LCD was no walk in the park. I missed so many birds while fumbling to line up the shot, and it was incredibly frustrating.
Still, I was determined. The extra zoom meant I could get closer to my feathered subjects, and with persistence, I started capturing some respectable shots. Before long, the Canon became my go-to hiking companion, and the Sony stayed at home.
But, like most photographers, I couldn’t help wondering: could I do even better? Enter the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80. This camera combined the best of both worlds—a 30x zoom lens for versatility and a viewfinder, which made tracking birds so much easier. It also offered some features that the Sony and Canon didn’t, making it an exciting new challenge. Of course, learning to use it was a process. My early photos were a mix of hits and misses, but with practice and patience, I started to see real progress.
Looking back, each camera I used taught me something new—not just about gear but about the art of bird photography itself. It’s proof that the right camera is the one you’re willing to practice with, even if it takes time to master.
NOTE: As of this writing in January, 2025, these cameras are not available from their manufacturers, although they are available on resale sites like eBay. However, Panasonic is going to introduce a camera similar to the DC-ZS80 but with more features – the Lumix ZS99.
Phase III – My Bird Pictures Were A Little Disappointing
Bluebird was taken with the Sony HX-99C Camera
Red-winged blackbird taken with the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Camera
While my bird photos were respectable, I couldn’t help but feel they were falling short of being truly good—let alone great. Something was missing. Curious to understand why, I compared my shots to those taken by “real” bird photographers, and it became clear: my images lacked the sharpness and focus that make bird photography captivating.
I experimented with various photo editing programs, trying to improve my pictures. While there was some improvement, it felt like the quality could be better. I wanted to know how to capture better photos straight out of the camera.
That’s when I dug deeper and uncovered the limitations of the gear I was using. The ability to zoom to 30x or 40x came at a cost—a small camera sensor. While convenient, smaller sensors impact image quality in several ways. For one, they struggle with sharpness and create noticeable “noise” in low-light conditions, which is especially challenging for bird photography.
This realization was frustrating, especially since I did manage to capture some great shots when the lighting conditions were perfect. But overall, I began to see why my cameras weren’t delivering the results I hoped for. It wasn’t just about the gear—it was about understanding its strengths and weaknesses and learning how to work within those limits.
Phase IV – Update My Gear To Get Better Bird Pictures
In August of 2023, I decided it was time to take my bird photography to the next level. After much research, I invested in a Sony a6700 camera paired with a Sigma 150–600mm zoom lens. The difference was night and day. Compared to my point-and-shoot cameras, the images were sharper, richer, and more detailed. For the first time, I felt like I was truly capturing the beauty and personality of the birds I encountered.
Since upgrading, I’ve been heading out with my camera two to three times a week, immersing myself in the craft. Over time, I’ve taken thousands of photos and learned a ton through trial and error. I also dove into a few online bird photography courses, which helped me refine my techniques and build on what I’d already discovered on my own.
Now, my focus is on getting the best possible shots with my new gear—whether that’s experimenting with lighting, fine-tuning my settings, or waiting patiently for that perfect moment. In future posts on this blog, I’ll share what I’ve learned along the way, from gear tips to photography techniques, so you can start your own journey into bird photography. If I can do it, so can you!
My Journey into Bird Photography: From Point-and-Shoot to Pro Gear
My bird photography journey began with simple point-and-shoot cameras like the Sony HX-99C and Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, where I learned the basics of framing and tracking birds, despite the limitations of small sensors and LCD screens. Each camera brought new lessons, from understanding zoom capabilities to overcoming challenges like noise and sharpness in my photos. Eventually, I invested in a Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 with a viewfinder, which helped me refine my techniques further. However, it wasn’t until I upgraded to a Sony a6700 paired with a Sigma 150–600mm lens that I truly transformed my photography. With this setup, I began capturing sharp, detailed images that brought my vision to life. Through thousands of shots, trial and error, and a few online courses, I’ve grown as a photographer and am excited to share what I’ve learned to help others start their own bird photography adventures.
