Over the past 15 years, there is no other product that has changed the way we hunt more than the trail camera.  15 years ago, we were loading cameras with 24 exposure film, taking the film to the nearest 1hr photo, and anxiously waiting to see if that big buck happen to step in front of the camera before the 24 pictures were taken.  Today, there are hundreds of cameras ranging in price from $40-$700 that will hold thousands of pictures at a time.  When I’m looking for a camera, I consider price, picture quality, functionality, and ease of set-up.  Below is a list of the 5 best affordable cameras that meet all four criteria:

5) Browning Strike Force HD 10mp –  Extremely easy to set up, high quality pictures and video, great trigger speed and distance.  At <$130, this camera is hard to beat.

4) Browning Dark Ops 8MP – Similar review as the Browning Strike Force, but if you are concerned about wildlife being spooked by the standard infrared bulbs, then the Dark Ops is for you.

3) Moultrie M-880 8MP –  Extremely easy set-up, high quality pictures and video, great battery life, great customer service.

2) Plotwatcher Pro –  Different style of camera.  Only take pictures in daylight, but on a continuous basis.  Great for scouting food plots for deer or turkeys, or for placing on a trail to scout day time activity.

1) Reconyx Hyperfire HC 500 –  The Rolls Royce of cameras.  This is the best.  Easy set-up, longest battery life at 20 months, best picture quality, longest camera life.  The downside is price at over $500, but you get what you pay for.

As a side note, I have found, regardless of price, cameras in the $150 and under range have about a 90% chance of working right out of the box, and about a 75% chance of working for two years or more.  With that said, customer service is very important.  Out of the big box stores, I have been most impressed with Cabelas.  At the company level, Moultrie is the best.  Keep your original box and receipt, and if you have any trouble with a camera, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or retailer.