Qualities & Features
- New release
- 4K video at 20fps
- 30MP images
- 0.2s (photo) 0.4s (video) trigger speed
- 4 No-Glow LEDs
- Up to 512GB SD card storage
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Overview
The latest Bushnell Core S-4K wildlife trail camera offers 4K video resolution at 20fps, interpolated 30MP still images and improved SD card storage size.
However; we are seeing more and more wildlife cameras on the market saying 4K on the information but offering low frame rates which make this mode borderline unusable. The Core S-4K is offering 4K, but at 20fps. Below 25fps and videos tend to look jumpy. This is right on that borderline. The next model up - the Core DS-4K - offers 4K video at 30fps.
It is however capable of higher frame rates in the default 1080p HD mode.
The Core S-4K does have some other good specs however; trigger speeds are amongst the fastest in both video and photo modes, and battery life is very good too.
Finally, Bushnell have added the ability to use SD card sizes above 32GB - so now you can use up to a 512GB SD card in a Bushnell wildlife camera for the first time.
The Camo finish on the Bushnell Core cameras is some of the most realistic we’ve ever seen.
It is straight-forward to use and the menu will be familiar to Bushnell users, with no major departures or changes in the settings.
It’s powered by a 9V system from 6x AA batteries, less than normal in a Bushnell, but battery efficiency is a big improvement over the Aggressor models. This still means night time videos are limited to 15 seconds per clip with LED Control set to ‘High’. Turning this setting to ‘Low’ or ‘Medium’ means you can get 60 second clips at night.
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Video Quality:
Max res: 4k (20fps day, 20fps night) Max length: 2mins day, 15 secs night
Trigger speed: about 0.4 seconds Recovery time: about 1 secondVideo quality has always been a strong point with the Bushnell cameras, and now they've made the push for 4K. However, this is at a lower frame rate when set to this resolution which isn't to be ignored.
That said, when set to standard 1080p resolution, you get 30fps.
Performance is generally good both day and night, and coupled with the strong points of this model, this mode is a feature most users will go for.
Cameras are out gathering videos now - check back soon for updates
Photo Quality
Max res: 30MP (lowest 2MP) Max number per trigger: 6 photos
Trigger speed: under 0.2 seconds Recovery time: about 0.8 secondsThere is a large amount of interpolation happening with the Bushnell - its base sensor is 2MP and its interpolating that (the process of adding more, similar pixels around an original pixel) up to as high as 30MP. That means that at the 30MP option, most of the image is made up. We always suggest therefore to chose image resolutions at the lower end in the Core S-4K menu - i.e. 8 or 12MP, for better results in photo mode.
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Build quality & batteries
Warranty: 2 years (through NatureSpy)
Batteries: 6x AA (Lithium strongly recommended)The Bushnell Core S-4K is a well built wildlife camera that feels good in the hand and lasts in the field. The battery tray makes replacing the batteries much easier and everything is well put together.
As you’d expect from the Bushnell brand, the camera trap feels strong and robust and will hold up well in the field for extended periods of time.
The latch is better than previous models, although the door is quite lightweight. However, we have had no problems reported so far.
Battery life is very strong better than on previous Bushnells, with the camera using 6x AA batteries at a time. Lithium are strongly recommended to get the best out of the camera. Note that officially, rechargeable batteries are not recommended with this camera by the manufacturer.
If using Lithium AA batteries and taking about 20 videos every 24 hours, you will get just over 2 months from one set of batteries. If taking about 60 photos every 24 hours, you will get over 1 year. Very impressive considering only 6x batteries are being used, and in part it’s thanks to its modern IR LEDs.
The Bushnell Core S-4K is covered by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty in the UK when bought through NatureSpy.
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Ease of use
The current crop of Bushnell wildlife cameras are sturdy, well built devices. The forward-facing colour screen makes setup and review in the field easy, and the menu flow and changing settings is straightforward.
Those that have used Bushnell cameras before will recognise all the settings – there are no major changes or departures on the Core S-4K, but the layout is clearer and more intuitive. The manual is clear and easy to follow.
Overall a very straight-forward camera trap to use, but if you do require any help or have any questions you can just get in touch with us.
If you’ve found our review useful, please consider supporting our work and purchasing your next camera trap from us.
Speed and detection
Trigger speed: approx. 0.2s (photos), 0.4s (videos) Recovery speed 0.8s
Detection range: approx. 110ft LED type: No-Glow Power LEDs
Bushnell have always had some of the best detection circuits on the market, and the Core S-4K is no different. Detection ranges are really good - so good that sometimes, you need to turn them down to allow the animals to get a bit closer before the trigger happens!
Video trigger speed is very quick at just under 0.4 seconds and recovery is about 0.8 seconds. Photo is a similar story – very quick indeed.
Every purchase funds our projects
Buy a camera, back a project.
All profits from each sale goes back into our wildlife conservation work.- Audio Recording: Yes
- Battery Life - Photos: Up to 18 Months
- Battery Life - Video: Up to 3 months
- Can use rechargable batteries: No
- Cellular: No
- CMOS Sensor: 2MP
- Detection range max: Up to 110ft
- Encryption option: No
- External power jack: Yes - solar accessory only
- FPS: 20fps
- GPS Geotag: Yes
- Hybrid capture: Yes
- Image data strip: Yes
- IR flash range: 80ft max
- LCD Display: Colour
- LED Type: No-Glow
- Max Images per trigger: 6
- Max SD Card capacity: 512GB
- Max video resolution: 4K
- Memory overwrite: No
- Night vision flash: No-Glow
- No of batteries: 6x AA
- Number of LEDs: 4 Power LEDs
- PIR sensor: Up to 110ft
- Power supply: AA batteries
- Recovery speed: 1s
- Resolution: 30MP
- Solar compatible: Yes
- Start Stop Timer: Yes - day / night only
- Strap included: Yes
- Timelapse: Yes
- Trigger speed - Photos: 0.2sec
- Trigger speed - Videos: 0.4sec
- Tripod mount: Yes
- Video length: Up to 2 minutes daytime, 15 seconds night
- Warranty: 2 year
- Weatherproof: Yes
- Wireless connectivity: No
Bushnell
Our Bushnell camera traps are central to what we do. Their sturdy build quality, strong detection and video quality sets them apart. We have an intimate knowledge of what makes them tick after years of working with them.
The new Core and Core DS models represent a big step forward for Bushnell, with much improved case design and battery life, along with faster speeds and better video quality. The Core DS models in particular, with dual sensors for better day and night imagery, have been giving great results.
We ran a crowd-funding project at the end of 2013 to raise money for Bushnell camera traps as part of our Yorkshire Pine Marten Project, and still use more up-to-date Bushnell camera traps in our iWild North Wales and Deescover projects.
We used Bushnell cameras solely in the iWild North Wales project and to a lesser extent in the Deescover project, mainly due to their high video quality.
All of our environmental projects generate hundreds of camera trap videos every single month; you can see some of the highlights and quality of the Bushnell footage on our YouTube channel . Please note that all this footage comes from a variety of Bushnell models at different resolutions.
They are extremely hardy and able to resist both low and high temperatures very well, and the case is well designed.
The image quality is consistently good and it’s main stand-out feature is the video quality.
If you aren’t sure which camera trap is for you, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll provide the best advice we can. All of our staff actually use different camera trap models in the field every single day, so we are ideally placed to help you make the right choice.
Need some help?
We pride ourselves on our pre and post-purchase customer service.
We understand that occasionally, there is a question you can't find the answer for, or a tweak you need to make to improve the performance to help you get that shot you've been after.
Fortunately, we've seen it all before. We have a dedicated support section that covers loads of topics both simply and also in depth, depending on what you need.
Because we're Europe's experts and we work with the products we offer on a daily basis, we know them better than anybody. Our support area is based on years and years of working with the products we offer.
So instead of scratching your head to trying and figure something out, head over to the support centre or check our FAQs.
