The optimal cameras for wildlife photography must operate quickly, featuring advanced and precise autofocus, while delivering exceptional image quality with dependable exposure metering. However, there exists another factor of a quality wildlife camera that is frequently ignored, yet can distinguish between capturing an outstanding image or failing to capture anything at all: weatherproofing.
It’s likely that the local wildlife won’t be seeking shelter when the rain pours down, but you might need to if your camera isn’t waterproof. Therefore, one could argue that weatherproofing is of greater importance to passionate wildlife photographers than the camera’s megapixel count or most other image quality indicators. Certainly, many cameras can be safeguarded by waterproof cases, coverings, or bags, but these solutions can be inconvenient if you prioritize easy access to buttons and controls, plus you could waste valuable time applying one to your camera, thus jeopardizing that vital shot.
Ideally, it is wise to purchase a camera that is inherently weather-sealed with rubber gaskets that block water (and dust) from entering the camera housing. For premium models intended for capturing sports and wildlife, this is generally straightforward, as all significant interchangeable lens camera manufacturers provide weather-sealed versions of their top-tier models. Nevertheless, determining the extent and effectiveness of said weather sealing can be quite challenging. We analyzed the weather-sealing capabilities of the flagship cameras offered by Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm – here are our findings:
Canon EOS R1:
Canon’s documentation for the EOS R1 simply confirms “yes” to the ‘Water/Dust Resistance’ category, but with a caveat: “Though the camera showcases a dust and water-resistant design, this does not entirely prevent dust or droplets from infiltrating the camera. To ensure sufficient weatherproofing, it is recommended to utilize the supplied hot shoe cover unless a weather-sealed accessory is connected to the Multi Function shoe.”
Assuming the hot shoe cover is employed, the EOS R1 is expected to be weather sealed, although classified as only “adequately” – no specific ingress protection (IP) rating is provided.
Nikon Z9:
Nikon claims that “the Z9 is engineered to endure extreme temperatures and humidity. Extensive weather sealing ensures both the camera—and Z series lenses and mount adapters—functions as long as you do.” Thus, like the EOS R1, the Z9 is weatherproofed, yet Nikon does not provide any quantifiable ratings or assurances to substantiate this claim.
Sony Alpha 1 II:
From what we can observe on its English product page, Sony does not specify anything regarding the A1 II’s weatherproofing. We presume it possesses seals, as a top-of-the-line versatile camera at this price level is almost certain to include them, yet more detailed information would have been appreciated.
Fujifilm X-H2S:
“With 79 weather-sealed points providing high levels of dust and moisture defense, X-H2S is constructed to endure the demands of daily professional use.” “High levels” is comforting, yet not as reassuring as an actual ingress protection rating, as this would allow us to determine exactly how much dust and water the camera can withstand.
There is only one manufacturer of mirrorless cameras that specifies a proper ingress protection (IP) rating for its high-end models, and that is OM System. The OM-1 Mark II and OM5 are certified IP53, and OM System claims they are designed to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C.
‘IP53’ The first digit in an IP rating denotes solid particle (dust, in this scenario) resistance, while the second digit indicates the level of liquid protection. A solid particle resistance rating of 5 means a camera is safeguarded against dust entry to the extent that while dust may infiltrate the camera, it shouldn’t “interfere with the safe operation of the equipment.” A liquid ingress protection rating of 3 certifies that the camera can resist “water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60°” for a minimum of five minutes, at a rate of 10 liters per minute. Consequently, the OM-1 Mark II and OM5 shouldn’t suffer damage from typical rainfall, enabling you to confidently utilize them for wet-weather wildlife photography.
So there you have it: while any flagship mirrorless camera should be safe to utilize in the rain, only OM System truly guarantees this with a quantifiable protection rating.