Trail camera up grade: I've been using a Busnell 119716cw for about a year, and while it is fun to see the animals, the picture quality is poor. The model is labeled "16mp", but in...

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

I've been using a Busnell 119716cw for about a year, and while it is fun to see the animals, the picture quality is poor. The model is labeled "16mp", but in reality it has only a 3mp sensor.(you have to read the manual to figure that out) I read one article about trail cameras that said that is true of all of them until you get to the quality used by magazine photographers or scientists who spent $10,000+.
Does anyone have info on outdoor motion/heat detector cameras that have better sensors? Most trail cameras are in the $100-$300 range, but the sensors are not described. There a few that take stills and video at the same time going for about $3000. I don't need to take stills if I could get really good video. I can't find much info on the true quality of cameras sold for security, but prices lead me to guess they are similar quality to trail cams.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

ngrea wrote:

I've been using a Busnell 119716cw for about a yea... (show quote)

I'm interested in any replys too as I use a Browning trail camera. While daylight photos are great I'm finding more fun watching all the animals here at night. Because of the lag in trigger speed I find video is the only way to get a decent view but even so I suffer the same problems as you.
My camera is a Browning Recon Force but be aware you have to use the expensive AA Lithium batteries as other batteries quit in Browning cameras when used to when they have about 75% charge left. Pretty expensive if you try to get by just using Alkaline batteries.

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

buckbrush wrote:

I'm interested in any replys too as I use a Browni... (show quote)

I use rechargeable batteries in my bushnell. They last several weeks between charges.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I'll be watching this thread too, I also want to upgrade mine (bought on sale on whim) and have some pretty good captures with it, but want better. I use good qual rechargeables and get several weeks to a charge, more if not a lot of bursts and flash.....do want better night vision. Good daylight shots but night time and low range are hindering results. I have not tried video yet, need to give a go!

Time and day correct, backyard at edge of woods, we think she is pregnant!!!

(Download)

troutbum Loc: north central pennsylvania

The newer cameras with cellular capabilities I am told do a very well day or night, but as always the closer the camera to the travel lane or feeding site the better. Also these cameras can be daisy chained together, which means they download the pictures to a main base camera and that camera sends the pictures threw the cellular service to your pc or smart phone. I have no personal experience with them as all my cameras are located in a pretty remote area with no cell service.

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

olemikey wrote:

.do want better night vision. Good daylight shots but night time and low range are hindering results. I have not tried video yet, need to give a go!

I find video gives better results. The eye is distracted by the motion and doesn’t notice the low resolution as much. Plus it’s interesting to see the action. I get better results at night since I covered up part of the IR flash with tape. It was washing things out. I have a game trail in my backyard so I get lots of action.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

I use Moultrie A-30i that i found also less desirable for movies at night.
Another, much better camera I own is Browning Dark Ops proXD.
The night movies are pretty good.
Rechargeable batteries are necessary for both cameras.

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

Paul J. Svetlik wrote:

I use Moultrie A-30i that i found also less desirable for movies at night.
Another, much better camera I own is Browning Dark Ops proXD.
The night movies are pretty good.
Rechargeable batteries are necessary for both cameras.

What is the resolution?

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Mine is just an 8MP, I get max res at around .9 GB, and somehow had it set for .5 GB pics, I will try video with it, does ok with some light, night time is short range. That particular shot is a stream of about 30 shots, I liked the ones with her chewing grass.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

I am not sure, how reliable the information from the manufacturer is, but my Moultrie A-30i trail camera camera might have 12 megapixel sensor, 60 ft flash range and 0.7 trigger speed.
My Browning Dark ops Pro XD trail camera might have 24 megapixel sensor, 80ft invisible flash range, 0.15 trigger speeed and also has dual lenses.

Although this information I used for purchasing both cameras I do not know, how reliable specs they provide?

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

Paul J. Svetlik wrote:

I am not sure, how reliable the information from the manufacturer is, but my Moultrie A-30i trail camera camera might have 12 megapixel sensor, 60 ft flash range and 0.7 trigger speed.
My Browning Dark ops Pro XD trail camera might have 24 megapixel sensor, 80ft invisible flash range, 0.15 trigger speeed and also has dual lenses.

Although this information I used for purchasing both cameras I do not know, how reliable specs they provide?

There may be a spec chart buried in your users manual that gives sensor data. The problem is that almost always they interpolate pixels, rather than actually having better sensors. Then advertising and box can give a bigger number than what is actual.
The videos look ok on a screen until you try to zoom in. And still photos don’t have enough data to be post processed to be sharp when printed and can’t be cropped. I wish there was an inexpensive way to have a camera of the quality we use manually to be set up for motion detection. Even smart phones have better cameras.
So much that is interesting happens at night or when the animals don’t get spooked by humans! And they come up close. I have videos of deer and raccoons sniffing the camera. And a wonderful video of a doe nursing her fawn. But with low resolution I can’t make prints.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

ngrea wrote:

br The videos look ok on a screen until you try t... (show quote)

I second your frustration with all the trail cameras I've tried. I also agree that we need to get a better way of taking nighttime photos and videos of wildlife. Does anyone know of something available?
Glad you brought this subject up.
Alex

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

To really see the trail cameras results, you can check Tim Harrell's well presented videos on YouTube.
Tim is a photographer and is using his Canon DSLR, GoPro - besides his several pretty high quality trail cameras all the time and leaving his cameras in the wilderness for several weeks. His editted videos are showing the wildlife in the rain forest.
The daylight videos are ALWAYS of a better quality.

Innershield1

My Cabela's outfitter cameras have a solar panel and I haven't changed batteries in a year.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I was hoping that other trail cam afficiondos would post some pics (at least one) from their trail cameras, I am curious as to results from the step up from my little cheapie Wingscapes 8mp. My shot was in shadows, with minor deer movement, is the resulting shot OK, crap, so so, ?? It won't hurt my feelings if it is deemed crap or otherwise, I bought the cam from B&H on their Daily Deal thing, and I paid $24.99 delivered, was surprised it worked. Already had the NIMH batteries, and an old 8GB card, I've been happy with it for what it is/what I paid.