There’s a common misconception that to get serious about wildlife photography, you need a €10k+ setup with a flagship camera and a giant prime lens. I get it, the glossy ads and gear forums can make you feel like anything less is a compromise. But the truth is, in 2025, you can build an incredibly capable wildlife photography kit under €3,000. I’m talking sharp, fast, and field-ready, the kind of gear that’s good enough for pro results if you know how to use it.

I’ve tested and built kits across different brands, and there are a few key principles that make this work:

Prioritise the lens (reach and sharpness matter more than body specs)
Go APS-C or MFT to get free "extra reach" from crop factor
Mix new and used gear, but know what to check when buying used
Choose reliability and usability over pure spec-sheet glory

Here are three complete kit examples that hit the €3k mark or less, including the camera body and a telephoto lens. Each one has been selected based on actual prices you can find in Europe, and all are capable of tracking action, focusing fast, and producing detailed, publishable images.

Option 1: Canon APS-C Kit – EOS R7 + RF 100–400 IS USM

This combo is my go-to recommendation for beginners or serious hobbyists who want a fast, light, and incredibly versatile setup without breaking the bank.

Canon EOS R7 is Canon’s flagship APS-C mirrorless camera. It packs a 32.5MP sensor, dual card slots, 15fps mechanical (30fps electronic) shooting, and advanced animal-eye AF, all in a body that weighs just 612g. Built-in IBIS helps with handheld work, and weather sealing is solid.

RF 100–400mm f/5.6–8 IS USM may seem slow on paper with that variable aperture, but don’t let that fool you. It’s incredibly sharp, especially considering its price point. Autofocus is silent and quick, and it pairs beautifully with the R7 for wildlife. On APS-C, this combo gives you a field of view equivalent to 160–640mm, which covers nearly all wildlife situations.

Body: Canon EOS R7 — ~€950 new
Lens: RF 100–400 IS USM — ~€700 new
Total: ~€1,650

That leaves plenty of room in the budget for key accessories or even a second lens. If you want to stretch it, add Canon’s RF 1.4x teleconverter; it works well at the long end, especially in good light.

Option 2: Sony APS-C Kit – a6700 + Tamron 150–500mm f/5–6.7

Sony’s mirrorless system is mature and extremely capable, and this combo gives you one of the most versatile wildlife zooms on the market today.

Sony a6700 is their latest APS-C camera. It brings top-tier subject tracking, a 26MP BSI sensor, excellent battery life, and 11fps shooting with a real mechanical shutter. It’s compact, responsive, and very video-friendly if that’s your thing.

Pair it with the Tamron 150–500mm f/5–6.7 Di III VC VXD, and you’ve got a killer wildlife lens. It has excellent image stabilisation (VC), weather sealing, and surprisingly fast autofocus thanks to its linear VXD motors. The reach is impressive: on APS-C, that 500mm becomes a 750mm equivalent — enough for distant birds and shy animals.

Body: Sony a6700 — ~€1,450
Lens: Tamron 150–500mm — ~€1,250
Total: ~€2,700

A compact setup that punches way above its weight in performance. This is also a great platform to grow into Sony’s broader full-frame ecosystem later on.

Option 3: Nikon Value Kit – Z6 II (Used) + Nikkor Z 180–600mm

If you’re open to used gear, Nikon offers a great path to full-frame reach and quality.

The Nikon Z6 II isn’t APS-C, but with 24.5MP full-frame resolution and dual EXPEED 6 processors, it delivers excellent dynamic range and fast burst shooting (14 fps with a single AF point). It’s built like a tank and handles beautifully. While new it’s outside our budget, used prices have dropped to ~€1,100–1,200.

Nikkor Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR is Nikon’s answer to the wildlife market, and they nailed it. This lens offers internal zoom (meaning it doesn’t extend during zooming), fast, quiet AF, excellent VR, and a weather-sealed build. It’s surprisingly sharp across the range, especially around 400–500mm.

Body: Nikon Z6 II (used) — ~€1,150
Lens: Z 180–600mm — ~€1,850 new
Total: ~€3,000

The significant advantage here? You’re getting a full-frame sensor with pro-grade dynamic range and a lens that goes out to 600mm natively. This is a very serious setup, especially if you do a lot of hide photography or distant shooting.

Bonus: OM System Micro Four Thirds Kit – OM-5 + 100–400mm

If you value weight savings, compact gear, and robust stabilisation, MFT still has a place.

OM System OM-5 (successor to the Olympus EM5 III) is light, weather-sealed, and has one of the best IBIS systems in the game. Paired with the M.Zuiko 100–400mm f/5–6.3, you get a 200–800mm equivalent range in a compact package that fits in a small bag. This is ideal for travel, birding, and handheld shooting from hides.

Body: OM-5 — ~€1,200
Lens: 100–400mm — ~€1,250
Total: ~€2,450

Downsides? Less subject separation (depth of field is deeper), and lower dynamic range compared to full-frame. But if you shoot in good light and need portability, this kit delivers.

Essential Low-Cost Accessories (Don’t Skip These)

Even with a tight budget, the right accessories can massively improve your experience and results.

Bean bag or window mount: Crucial for vehicle shooting. A €20–30 bean bag filled on location is often better than a flimsy tripod.
Rain cover: ThinkTank or LensCoat has great options. Even a cheap one protects your investment.
Battery-powered blower: Dust is the enemy, especially on safari. A good blower like the Nitecore BB2 is a game-changer.
Fast backup SSD: Something like the SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 lets you back up each evening, even without a laptop.

Smart Strategies for Buying Used Gear

Buying used can be one of the most effective ways to stay under budget while getting access to pro-level camera bodies and lenses, but it requires some caution.

First off, know where to shop. Avoid shady online marketplaces and stick with reputable retailers or platforms with strong buyer protection. They check the gear, often offer 6- to 12-month warranties, and clearly state the cosmetic and functional condition. eBay can work, too, but only buy from sellers with great feedback and detailed listings.

When checking out used gear in person or after delivery, here are some things I always look at:

Shutter count on cameras (just like mileage on a car). Under 50,000 is ideal for mirrorless. Canon R5 and Nikon Z6 II bodies, for instance, are rated for around 200k+ shutter actuations.
Clean sensor — no major scratches, no stuck pixels. Test with a narrow aperture (f/22) and shoot a plain white wall.
Ports, mounts, dials — test everything. Gently wiggle the lens mount to check for play. Plug in cables to confirm HDMI and USB-C ports work if you’ll use them.
Autofocus and stabilisation should work smoothly and without stuttering. Try real-world focus tests on moving subjects, if possible.
Lens glass — look through both ends. A few internal dust specs are normal and don’t affect image quality, but haze, fungus, or large scratches are red flags.
Buttons and joysticks — are they responsive? Do any feel loose or sticky?

Always ask about the reason for the sale and the original receipt or proof of purchase if buying from an individual. A legit seller will have no problem sharing those.

One last tip: keep an eye out for bundles. Often, sellers throw in extras like batteries, memory cards, or even a camera bag, which can easily save you €100–200.

In short: buying used can stretch your budget further than you’d think, but only if you do the legwork to vet what you’re getting. When in doubt, buy from dealers that offer a return window and always test thoroughly before your next big trip.

Final Thoughts: Use the Money for the Trip

The best part about building a budget wildlife setup? You can put money toward actually going somewhere wild and using this gear.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need the latest €6,000 camera to create amazing images. The gear above will serve you incredibly well. I’ve shot magazine covers with setups that cost less than half of what today’s flagship kits cost. What matters more is your time in the field, your ability to anticipate animal behaviour, and your willingness to learn.

So build smart, pack light, and go shoot. The wild is waiting.