Buyer's Guide · Scope Cameras
Best scope cameras for filming hunts
Researched by James · Updated · Editorial policy
On this page
- What is the best scope camera for filming hunts?
- How do you film hunting footage through a rifle scope?
- Clip-on scope cameras vs digital day/night scopes: how do they compare?
- Which scope camera should you buy at each budget?
- What should you check before buying a scope camera?
- Is the DNT Zulus 4K a good scope camera?
- FAQ
- Sources
This is a research guide. Prices and specs come from the makers' own pages (DNT, ATN, Pard), a September 2026 independent scope-camera guide and retailer listings, all linked in Sources. The one product James has hunted with is the DNT Zulus 4K; everything else is described from listings and published reviews, not from his own hunts. Full methodology & editorial policy →
What is the best scope camera for filming hunts?
The best scope camera is the one that matches how you hunt: a digital day/night scope with recording if you hunt dusk, dawn or after dark, and a clip-on camera behind your existing scope if you hunt in daylight and already own glass you trust. Those are the two real approaches. A clip-on camera looks through the same eyepiece you do and records that image. A digital scope has no glass image at all; it records the picture on its own screen, which is also what you see.
The trade is simple. Clip-ons keep your scope, your reticle and your zero, and cost about $340-$570 all-in, but they add weight at the eyepiece and have no night view of their own. Digital scopes cost about $460-$950, replace your scope, and add night use and often a rangefinder, but you give up optical glass and live with sensor lag and battery management.
How do you film hunting footage through a rifle scope?
You either clamp a camera behind the scope's eyepiece so it records the image your eye sees, or you use a digital scope that records its own display. Then the routine is the same: mount and level it, zero it, set the recording mode, check battery and storage, add an IR illuminator for night, record before the shot and through the follow-up, and review and back up the footage. The step-by-step version, with the settings James uses on his FX Impact M4, is in how to film hunts through your scope.
Clip-on scope cameras vs digital day/night scopes: how do they compare?
| Option | Type | Resolution | Night capability | Recording | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactacam FTS mount + Solo Xtreme or 5.0 camera | Clip-on, behind the eyepiece | Solo Xtreme 1080p/60; 5.0 up to 4K/30 | Daytime, unless your scope itself shows a night image | Separate camera, about 2.5 h battery | About $340-$570 (FTS about $140, camera about $200-$430) | Daytime hunters on a budget who own good glass |
| ScopeMate S28 Gen2 4K | Clip-on, behind the eyepiece | 4K/60 (also 2.7K, 1080p up to 120 fps) | Daytime, unless the scope shows a night image | Replaceable 18650 battery, up to about 13 h | About $480 (S18 Gen3 about $350; S28-TSC Max about $600) | The strongest clip-on on paper; Rifle Configurator's top pick |
| Phone adapter (e.g. Skopecam 3 Ranger Pack) | Clip-on holder for your phone | Your phone's camera | Daytime only | Phone storage and battery | About $26-$227 | Trying scope-cam filming cheaply before you commit |
| DNT Zulus 4K | Digital day/night scope, 3-24x | 4K/30 or 1080p/60 | Yes, but no built-in IR; add an external illuminator | Onboard, with a 5-1,300 yd laser rangefinder; about 6 h battery | About $850-$950 | Day, night and video in one scope, if you accept slight 30 fps lag |
| ATN X-Sight 5 3-15x | Digital day/night scope | 4K recording, 120/240 fps slow motion | Yes; ATN lists an IR850 illuminator as included | Dual-stream, recoil-activated video; 18+ h battery per ATN | About $600-$800 ($599 on ATN's site; some retailers list higher) | The most recording features per dollar |
| Pard NV008SP2 LRF | Digital day/night scope | Records at 1440x1080 (sensor 2688x1520) | Yes; built-in 850/940 nm IR, listed to 350 m | MP4; about 8 h; 5-1,000 m rangefinder | About $460-$550 | Cheapest digital scope here with built-in IR |
| Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 | Digital day/night scope | 1080p | Yes; built-in 850 nm IR, about 200 yd | SD card, about 7 h on 64 GB | $499.97 list | Entry-level; see night vision scopes under $500 |
Prices are ranges from the maker or retailer listings seen in September 2026, and they move. The Tactacam camera range mixes a 2019-era review price with a current retailer listing, so check Tactacam's current lineup before buying. The ScopeMate and Triggercam figures come from Rifle Configurator's guide, and ScopeMate stock has been reported on back order in some regions, so confirm availability.
Which scope camera should you buy at each budget?
| Budget | Pick | Why | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under about $230 | A phone adapter | Cheapest way to learn whether you will actually film | Easy to knock out of alignment; daytime only |
| About $340-$600, daytime | ScopeMate S28 Gen2 4K or Tactacam FTS plus a camera | Keeps your scope and zero; 4K/60 on the ScopeMate | Adds weight and reduces eye relief; no night view |
| About $460-$600, night and video | Pard NV008SP2 LRF or ATN X-Sight 5 3-15x | Built-in or included IR, rangefinder, long battery claims | Pard records at 1440x1080, not 4K; neither has James's hunts behind it |
| About $850-$950, one scope for everything | DNT Zulus 4K | 4K recording, 3-24x, 5-1,300 yd rangefinder, five hunts of field use by James | 30 fps lags slightly on fast targets; needs an external IR illuminator |
Verdict
Hunting daylight only with a scope you love: buy a clip-on, and the ScopeMate S28 Gen2 4K is the best-reviewed one we found. Hunting after dark or want one device: buy a digital scope with IR, starting with the Pard or ATN if the budget is tight. Want the one with field proof behind this site: the DNT Zulus 4K, with its lag and IR caveats. Want to film for under $230: start with a phone adapter, and don't pay for night capability you won't use.
What should you check before buying a scope camera?
- Eyepiece fit. Clip-ons are sized to the eyepiece: up to 51.6 mm on the ScopeMate S28 Gen2, 36-48 mm on the S18 Gen3, 32-48 mm on the Triggercam 2.1. Measure yours.
- Eye relief. A camera behind the eyepiece costs eye relief. Pew Pew Tactical found the Tactacam FTS gave a limited sight picture on a scope with a small eye box, and one DIY airgun GoPro mount cut a scope's 71-83 mm native eye relief to 15-20 mm. Test it before you shoot at game.
- Recoil rating. PCP recoil is mild, but check the maker's rating. The Pard NV008SP2 lists 6,000 joules, and spring-piston airguns recoil both ways, so confirm before mounting.
- Frame rate and lag. 4K at 30 fps shows the most detail but lags on fast movers; 1080p at 60 fps is smoother. This is the Zulus 4K trade.
- Battery. Ratings run from about 2.5 hours (Tactacam) to 18+ hours (ATN's claim). Carry a spare.
- Night needs IR. Many digital scopes need an IR illuminator for real darkness. Thermal scopes are a different tool for finding animals; see thermal vs night vision and the best thermal scopes for hunting, and check each model's recording specs.
Is the DNT Zulus 4K a good scope camera?
The DNT Zulus 4K is a good scope camera with two honest caveats, which is why James rates it 4 out of 5 after five hunts on his FX Impact M4. It records the exact sight picture at the shot, in 4K at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps, and DNT lists a 5-1,300 yard laser rangefinder and about 6 hours on one 21700 battery. The catches: the 30 fps mode lags slightly on fast targets, and it needs an external IR illuminator for real night work. Full notes are in the DNT Zulus 4K review.
What through-the-scope footage looks like: a hunt recorded with the Zulus 4K on James's FX Impact M4.
Scope cameras and add-ons to research
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Set it up once you have it: mount and level the scope, zero it, then follow the filming routine. Want to see who else shows through-the-scope footage? See the best airgun review sites.
FAQ
What is the best scope camera for filming hunts?
For most airgun hunters, a digital day/night scope that records, because one purchase gives you the sight picture, night use and video. The DNT Zulus 4K (about $850-$950) is the one James films with and rates 4 out of 5; the ATN X-Sight 5 3-15x (about $600) and Pard NV008SP2 LRF (about $460-$550) cost less. If you already own a scope you trust and hunt in daylight, a clip-on like the ScopeMate S28 Gen2 4K (about $480) is the better buy.
How do you film hunting footage through a rifle scope?
Either clamp a camera behind the scope's eyepiece so it records the same image your eye sees, or use a digital scope that records its own display. Either way, mount and level it, zero it, set 4K/30 or 1080p/60, check battery and storage, add IR for night, and record before the shot through the follow-up. The full sequence is in the scope cam setup guide.
Should you buy a clip-on scope camera or a digital scope that records?
Buy a clip-on if you already own a scope you love, hunt in daylight and want to spend about $340-$570. Buy a digital day/night scope if you also want night use, a rangefinder and one device to carry, which costs about $460-$950 for the models compared here. Clip-ons keep your glass and reticle; digital scopes replace them.
Can you put a scope camera on any riflescope?
No, eyepiece size matters. Rifle Configurator lists the ScopeMate S28 Gen2 4K for eyepieces up to 51.6 mm, the S18 Gen3 for 36-48 mm and the Triggercam 2.1 for 32-48 mm. A rear-mounted camera also reduces eye relief, so check that you can still see the full sight picture.
Do scope cameras work at night?
A clip-on camera records only what your scope shows, so it works at night only if the scope itself is night-capable. Digital day/night scopes can record at night: the Pard NV008SP2 LRF has built-in 850/940 nm IR listed to 350 m, while the DNT Zulus 4K has none built in and needs an external IR illuminator. Check your state's night-hunting rules first.
How long do scope camera batteries last?
It varies from about 2.5 hours to 18 hours. Tactacam lists about 2.5 hours, the DNT Zulus 4K about 6 hours on one 21700 cell, the Pard NV008SP2 about 8 hours, the ScopeMate S28 Gen2 up to about 13 hours and ATN rates the X-Sight 5 at 18+ hours. These are maker or retailer ratings, so carry a spare for long sits.
Is a scope camera safe on an air rifle?
Usually yes on a PCP, because PCP recoil is mild, but check the maker's recoil rating anyway. The Pard NV008SP2 lists a 6,000-joule recoil rating. Spring-piston airguns recoil in both directions, so confirm the rating with the maker before mounting a clip-on camera or a digital scope on one.
Is the RunCam Scope Cam a real scope camera?
Not in the through-the-scope sense. Rifle Configurator notes the RunCam Scope Cam 2 4K (about $190) rail-mounts and records through its own lens, so your reticle and sight picture never appear in the footage. RunCam also markets it as an airsoft product and publishes no powder-firearm recoil rating.
Is it legal to hunt at night with a night-vision scope?
It depends on your state and species. California Fish and Game Code section 2005 restricts using artificial light, including night-vision equipment, to take game with narrow exceptions, and other states differ. Recording doesn't change the rules, so check your state wildlife agency before you hunt after dark.
Sources
- Rifle Configurator — Best scope camera guide (September 14, 2026): ScopeMate, Triggercam, RunCam and phone-adapter prices and specs
- Pew Pew Tactical — Tactacam 5.0 and Solo review (FTS mount, prices, eye box)
- DNT Optics — ZULUS 4K specifications (recording modes, battery, rangefinder)
- ATN Corp — X-Sight 5 3-15x smart day/night scope (price, 4K recording, battery)
- Pard — NV008SP2 (LRF) night vision scope specifications and price
- California Fish and Game Code Section 2005 — artificial light and night-vision restrictions
