The Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera is our best game camera because of its many incredible features. It has an automatic IR filter that allows it to be used for both night and day shooting and the ease of use is considered because of its one switch operation. You can use it within bad weather because of its weatherproof design. This game camera can be a cam trail camera and its compact size allows it to be anti-theft.
Top Pick: Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera
Our step-up pick is the Stealth Cam P18 7MP Scouting Camera which is a 7 megapixel camera with a rugged design with camouflage pattern. Adding to that, the flash range is up to 60 feet and has a burst rapid fire mode. The EZ dial programming helps the stealth cam to be easily operated and also, the burst mode can take from 1 to 6 images and has a min recovery timeout of 5 to 59 seconds or 1 to 59 minutes. There are 18 IR emitters which have a 50 feet range and it can record 15 second videos.
The budget pick is the BoneView Trail and Game Camera Viewer which is compatible with most iPhone and iPad devices and comes with a free lightning extender for those who have protective cases. You can easily connect this card reader to the phone’s charger port to view, browse, delete or copy photos and videos and it has easy compatibility with a lot of SD and microSD memory cards and other trail cameras.
A Little Background
A game camera, also called a trail camera, is a convenient camera for shooting in the woods without getting noticed or alarming the game or target such as deer and other animals. It can also be used as a surveying camera or spy camera for other undercover purposes and take high quality photos and videos.
How We Picked
When it comes to picking the best game camera we based from the following criteria:
Is it weather resistant? A game camera is usually placed on the great outdoors and therefore, it must pose as a great game camera that will be able to work even on the toughest weather conditions and it must be waterproof and weatherproof.
Does it take high quality photos? Check the megapixel specifications of the game camera and compare. The higher megapixel and resolution makes for the better and the same goes for the video quality.
What do the reviews say about the game camera? There must be more positive than negative sides of the game camera and a higher rating can really help you to decide the best game camera.
Is the price all worth it? Check the price and compare it with other contenders to see which price suits you best but with a lot of neat features for an affordable value or price.
What are its specifications for the flash? The flash must be low and not startle the targets so you can get that perfect shot, even at night.
Does it have good night vision capabilities? A game camera is like a CCTV in the woods and therefore, it should be able to function even at night and take high quality photos and videos that are not blurry.
Does it come with mounting accessories? The game camera should be easily mounted on any tree or hidden surface with a tripod mount or belt to secure it to any tree. In addition, a well-camouflaged game camera is also a good thing to consider, especially one that mimics the bark of a tree.
Our Pick
Top Pick: Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera
The Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera is our top pick as the best game camera which has an automatic IR filter that allows it to be used for both night and day shooting. One can easily use it within bad weather because of its weatherproof design and it can take up to 32 GB of SD cards can be supported by this game camera.
The LED vision technology of the Primos 5MP enhances the image quality of the camera and in addition to that, its compact size allows it to be anti-theft. It has a resolution of 5 megapixels and furthermore, the trigger speed of this game camera is up to 1 second. The ease of use is considered because of its one switch operation. All in all, there are 12 night vision LEDs that come with this game camera so it is truly versatile as a game camera.
In addition, this game camera can be a cam trail camera, as the extension of image quality is up to 30 feet even ignoring the light conditions. It is remarkably very affordable price compared to most brands and it only uses 4 or 8 AA batteries so you can easily power it up. In addition to that, it also records data on time, date and moon phase. The Primos Camera is given a smooth black finish.
Who Else Likes It?
According to the reviews from the website Woodbury Outfitters , the Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera is quite easy to set up and takes very clear and crisp pictures even for the nighttime shot. It has a simple one button touch that makes it user-friendly. Set at a very great price, it prints the time and date on the pictures.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The only known flaw of the Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera is that it might be a bit of hassle calibrating the date and time using the computer. Nonetheless, this is common for most game cameras and not a big deal if you are a serious wildlife photographer or videographer.
Step-up Pick
Stealth Cam P18 7MP Scouting Camera
The 7 megapixel camera is our step-up pick, the Stealth Cam P18 7MP Scouting Camera. With this game camera, there are 18 IR emitters which have a 50 feet range which gives it a high quality shooting capability. It also comes with EZ dial programming that includes a quickset feature to make it user-friendly.
With a rugged design with camouflage pattern, the Stealth Cam P18 has a burst rapid fire mode and in addition, it is equipped with a mini USB output so you can easily download other features. The EZ dial programming helps the stealth cam to be easily operated for convenience and furthermore, the burst mode can take from 1 to 6 images and has a min recovery timeout of 5 to 59 seconds or 1 to 59 minutes.
The flash range is up to 60 feet and generally, it can record 15 second videos. There is also an external LCD display that shows the time, date and the current moon phase. When you order, the package contains 8 AA batteries and a 4 GB SD card that is class 10. The camouflage design fits any tree bark so you can easily monitor the woods to your liking.
The Stealth Cam Scouting Camera weighs 1 lbs and it has overall dimensions of 2 in x 4 in x 6 in. In addition to that, it has a quick set dial that includes up to 3 preset modes and it also comes with a manual setup mode for a frustration-free setup in the woods. It has a range of 50 feet and adding to that, it also includes an external 12 volts power port.
One more thing to consider about the Scouting Camera from Stealth Cam is that there is also a very convenient test mode. In addition, the low battery indicator allows you to monitor the battery life whether you need to charge it or not. For storage capability, the SD card slot can accept up to 32 GB of memory card. It produces high quality images for game and wildlife and it is also ideal for home security purposes like a CCTV.
Budget Pick
BoneView Trail and Game Camera Viewer
The BoneView Trail and Game Camera Viewer is our budget pick and it is compatible with most iPhone and iPad devices. It can be used for iPad 4, iPad Air, Mini, Mini2 and iPad 6 and in addition to that, it does not require an internet connection or batteries to work. With its easy compatibility with a lot of SD and microSD memory cards and other trail cameras, this game camera comes with a free lightning extender for those who have protective cases.
You can easily connect this card reader to the phone’s charger port to view, browse, delete or copy photos and videos and in addition, it is also compatible with iPhone 5, 5S and 5C and it is also compatible with iPhone 6, 6S and 6 Plus. You can use an app to control your game camera shots and it also has a money back guarantee. The BoneView Trail Game weighs 3 oz.
Game Camera with No Glow Feature
Bushnell 14MP Trophy Cam HD
Bushnell 14MP Trophy Cam HD is available in different colors such as brown and RealTree Xtra Camo designs. Its trigger speed is only 0.2 second, which is remarkably fast for a game camera. In addition, the image resolution is up to 14 megapixels.
The video is HD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 with the ability to record audio so it is a high quality game camera. Also, it has a unique time lapse mode field scan that helps to take beautiful time lapse picture at preset intervals. There is also an open latch system for this camera and furthermore, the PIR sensor is also highly adjustable.
You can also imprint date and time stamps on images, including the name, temperature, moon phase and GPS stamps as well. Adding to that, the set of batteries can last up to 1 year of use and the SD card it can hold is up to 32 GB, which is pretty big but also standard among game cameras. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it is also a weatherproof game camera to take on the harshest of weather conditions so you can take it with you anywhere.
The Bushnell 14MP is definitely a high quality no glow trail camera that does not spook out the game it is currently shooting. In addition, this game camera shows in a very excellent 1080p quality for its price value, unlike most cameras out there. Adding to that, it also has a removable anti-reflection LED cover and it has other neat features as well to keep it safe and durable at the same time.
When you use the Bushnell HD, the video clips it can record are about up to 60 seconds and in addition, there is also a multi flash mode to help conserve battery life. Worth noting is that the PIR motion sensor can reach as far as up to 60 feet and also, the time lapse technology that is built-in is 2X. Furthermore, when you use this game camera, the PIR sensor can be set in different modes: low, medium and high.
One more thing to note about the Cam HD by Bushnell is the fact that it also includes an extra sharpener Hyper Night Vision for night images and photography. In addition, there is also a freeze frame shutter feature. As an advantage, you can take photos and videos simultaneously using the Hybrid Capture feature.
The time lapse feature can be set between 1 to 60 minutes interval and when using the Trophy Cam as your game camera, there is also a hyper recovery speed of 1 second between every shot and overall, it weighs 1 lb.
Best Motion Detection Featured Game Camera
Amcrest ATC-801 720P HD Game Camera
If you want a great motion detection game camera then the > Amcrest ATC-801 720P HD Game Camera is definitely for you.Its night vision is up to 65 feet and it includes infrared LED technology for better vision and detection.
This game camera is super high sensitive when it comes to its motion detection features and adding to its features, it has a viewing 2 inch LCD screen for previewing your photos and videos. One more thing to consider about this game camera is that it is perfect for game hunting and trailing.
The > Amcrest ATC-801 is an 8 megapixel camera and it also has dynamic capture feature. This unique game camera also has a motion sensing feature that is automatic and long range. It is definitely great for night photography and videography due to its 720p HD video resolution and in addition, it has a 100 degree wide PIR and field of view.
One greater feature is that it can accept an SD card with up to 32 GB of capacity. When you use it, the trigger speed of this game camera is incredibly fast at up to 0.7 seconds for its burst shot mode. In addition, you can check out its neat specs – the video resolution can be 720p, as well as WVGA and QVGA. The SD card memory support is from 8 MB to 32 GB so it is very versatile.
The record length can vary from 10 seconds to 30, 60 and 90 seconds and adding to that, the multi-shot feature can record single, 3 pictures, 6 o 9 all at once. With this game device, the camera settings can be chosen – from 8M, 5M to 3M. In addition to that, the delay timer can be set from 5 to 30 seconds and 1 to 30 minutes and the weatherproofing of the tough case is under IP54 standards.
The 2 inch LCD of the Amcrest Game Camera has a very user-friendly UI and in addition to its game camera features, its night vision mode automatically activates when there are low light conditions in the surroundings. Furthermore, the fix method uses belt as well as a tripod and also, the periodic shot can be chosen from the range between 1 second and 24 hours.
It has ISO settings of 100, 200 and 400 and it also has various TV modes include selecting between PAL and NTSC. It records videos in AVI format and pictures in JPEG format. One more thing to consider is that the power supply is either 4 AA batteries or 8 AA batteries.
The battery life of the> Amcrest has a standby life of about 3 months and the package includes the camera, a USB cable, an A/V cable, nylon fastening belt and a wireless remote control for safely controlling it in the distance as a game camera in the woods. It also comes with a mounting strap and it has a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase.
Best Game Camera with Low Glow Feature
Moultrie Game Spy A-5 Gen 2
The Moultrie Game Spy A-5 Gen 2 is colored in a gray brown finish and it also has a 5 megapixel resolution.
You can choose from 1 pack to 10 pack sizes and it has a low glow feature to not ward off game and animals. In addition, there is a 1.5 second time trigger speed after the motion trigger when the camera resets after capturing an image. This Moultrie Camera 2 has a good flash range of 50 feet so it can easily hunt down and take high quality features.
One neat thing about the Spy A-5 Gen 2 is that it also has a good detection range of 40 feet. In addition to that, the battery life is up to taking 16,000 images and you can also use 8 AA batteries instead of using a C-cell battery. Furthermore, it has an IR LED infrared long range 850nm flash technology and it also comes with a strap that lets it be wrapped around any tree.
Game Camera that comes with a Large Capacity Memory Card
Browning STRIKE FORCE BTC5HD
This is a 10 megapixel resolution game camera that comes with a 16 GB SD card. It has a zero blur technology that ultimately focuses on keeping your photos sharp and not blurry and in addition, it has a PIR motion sensor as well as a CMOS image sensor.
This game camera can take and record up to 720p HD video that has audio and the motion trigger speed is 0.67 seconds. The detection range is up to 55 feet and also, the infrared illumination is accompanied with a good shutter speed of 1/20 second. There are also two other modes: time lapse and time lapse plus to shoot beautiful time lapses at designated intervals and in addition, there are also multi-shot and rapid fire modes that allow to record up to 8 frames of images so that moving objects can be shot clearer.
The camouflage pattern allows this game camera to be hidden in plain sight and among the rest; you can use up to 32 GB of SD or SDHC memory card. There are also ports for USB and TV out that can be used for playing back footage or saving it to your computer. The camera runs on 6 AA batteries or a 12V power jack connection and it can be easily attachable for tripods with its 1/4 inch 20 mounting socket.
With the Browning STRIKE FORCE camera, the nylon strap included is 6 feet that can help tie up this game camera to a tree for better viewing. It has overall dimensions of 10 in x 8 in x 7 in and it weighs 1.4 lbs.
Best Bark Design Camouflage Game Camera
Browning Strike Force HD Sub Micro
The Browning Strike Force HD Sub Micro’s trigger time is up to 0.67 seconds and is really fast and it can record a 720p video with a resolution of 1280 x 720. It uses a zero blur technology that allows it to take clearer pictures at night and it also includes time lapse viewer software by Browning Buck Watch to easily preview your time lapse.
With this camera, the flash range at night time is up to 100 feet and it comes with an SD card with a capacity of 8 GB. It also comes with a battery pack while the shutter speed is up to 1/20 seconds. You can run it on 6 AA batteries or a power source and the storage capacity for the SD card slot is up to 32 GB.
In addition, the range of detection is up to 55 feet and furthermore, there are time lapse and time lapse plus for shooting the perfect time lapses. One more thing to consider is that it also has a TV out and USB port for easy connectivity for playing back footages stored and recorded in the game camera.
The Browning camera is equipped with a 6 feet long nylon strap as well as a 1/4 inch 20 mounting socket allows it to be connected to trees and it weighs 2 lbs.
Game Camera with Time Lapse Feature
Crenova Game and Trail Hunting Camera 12MP
The Crenova Game and Trail Hunting Camera 12MP has a 2.4 inch LCD screen for previewing. It also uses a 120 degree wide angle lens for sensing with its 2 PIR design and has a function for infrared night vision.
This game camera can shoot up to 1080p resolution. Take note that this is a 12 megapixel camera great for game hunting and trailing and there are 42 pcs IR LEDs to track your target. It can reach up to 65 feet of distance and it is an ideal digital surveillance camera.
Furthermore, this game camera has a time lapse feature. One cool option is that it also has a password protection so that it cannot be used without your permission. The black IR flash has a no glow feature so it cannot scare the game and in addition, the night time vision can reach up to 20 m. Also, there is a serial alarm that powers up when the battery power is lower and it has waterproof rating of IP54.
The Crenova Game 12MP has a time stamp feature for images and also comes with a timer. It also has multi-shot and interval features as well as time lapse and the time lapse technology is accompanied by its flextime technology.
This game camera has 16:9 aspect ratios and it uses a technology called Redux Anti-Blur technology to make images clearer. It has an interpolation at 12 megapixels and has a 5 megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 dimensions). The central sensor zone has 40 degrees and lateral sensor zones have 30 degrees. The startup time for the system is about 1 second only and the video can resolution can vary from 1080p at 15 FPS, 720p at 30 FPS, 848 x 480 at 30 FPS to 480p at 30 FPS.
When you order, it includes the camera, user’s manual, AV cable and USB and has overall dimensions of 7 in x 4 in x 3 in and weighs 1.1 lbs. The Crenova camera also comes with a tripod socket and tree mounting strap and you can use either 4 AA or 8 AA batteries. The HD videos can be recorded up to 10 minute and it can also be used for a variety of weather conditions due to its durability. This game camera is under a 1 year warranty.
Best Triad Game Camera
Stealth Cam G30 Triad Armed Camera
The Stealth Cam G30 Triad Armed Camera has overall dimensions of 10 in x 7 in x 3 in and has 8 megapixels and up to 3 resolutions (8 MP, 4 MP and 2 MP).
It is capable of recording HD videos from 5 to 180 seconds and has a test mode and a video output display. It can store a SD care with storage capability up to 32 GB and the reflex trigger is 0.5 seconds only. In addition, it is capable of USB output and it has an 80 feet range.
All in all, the Stealth Cam Triad has up to 30 IR emitters and also, it has a matrix blur reduction. The menu programming is backlit and also intuitive in design and interface and it weighs 4 lbs.
The Competition
The other game cameras that did not make it to our review are a bit overpriced and lacked features that we need for any game camera to operate smoothly in the woods and survey on animals and take high resolution photos.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the guidelines to choosing a game or trail camera?
A: According to the website eBay , it should have a good detection zone and the flash is not visible so that it will not startle game and targets. There should also be high resolution images and the recovery, speed and trigger are important for a game camera. It must also have a built-in viewer and the batteries which are usually AA, D or C battery types. There should be memory and SD card slot options and the video quality is important.
Q: What are the tips on using game cameras?
A: According to My Land Plan , it must be on a stable location and it should be in a shady spot. You should aim it near food or water source and use locations with animal tracks or hints.
Q: How do you maintain a game camera?
A: You should look for signs of exterior damage and always keep a regular maintenance and check up routine. You should make sure it is protected against pests and the camouflage must be kept. You should clean the lens regularly.
Wrapping It Up
The Primos 5MP Game or Trail Camera is our best game camera not just because of its friendly price but the ability to shoot photos and videos of game even at night with high quality, clarity and reliability.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.