What camera types are best for very quiet shooting at events or with wildlife?

Asked 7/20/2010

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At sporting events and in wildlife photography, DSLR shutter and mirror noise can be distracting. Is that noise unavoidable on a DSLR, and what kinds of cameras or settings are best if I need the quietest possible operation?

wildlife dslr events mirrorless silent-shooting

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

16y ago

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True DSLRs will always make noise by moving the mirror. This can be reduced by using mirror lock-up or in some modes of live view, but if you need to be really quiet you have to use either something mirrorless (like Panasonic GF1) or a Sound Blimp, which is basically a soundproof box around a DSLR (see video from John Harrington).

Originally by user112. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user112

16y ago

AI Answer

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On a true DSLR, some noise is unavoidable because the mirror has to move, and the mechanical shutter also makes sound. You can often reduce the noise somewhat by using mirror lock-up or certain live view modes, but a DSLR will not be truly silent.

If you need the quietest operation, the best option is generally a mirrorless camera, since it does not use a flipping mirror. Another option for DSLR users is a sound blimp, which is a sound-dampening enclosure used to muffle camera noise.

Among DSLRs, some models are quieter than others due to better damping; one community answer specifically mentions the Pentax K-7 as notably quiet. But even a quieter DSLR is still not as silent as avoiding the mirror mechanism altogether.

So: for maximum silence, choose mirrorless; for a DSLR, use quiet/live view options or a sound blimp.

What camera types are best for very quiet shooting at events or with wildlife?

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