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Best Camera for Sports Photography

  • Writer: Sage Albanese
    Sage Albanese
  • Mar 13, 2023
  • 4 min read

5 cameras that are the best fit for you to get in on the action!


There’s multiple different types of photography that many can get into and with so many options to choose from, finding the right camera can become overwhelming. When it comes to sports photography, the main goal in a camera isn’t necessarily the best quality or biggest megapixel, but quick shutter speed and focus. Sports move fast, and they won’t stop just because you need to take a photo, your camera's reaction time needs to be just as fast as you.


Here’s a list of cameras to help you find what would best fit your experience, quality expectations, reaction time & more!


Best For Beginners


The Nikon CoolPix is raved about over its huge zoom lens. When you’re in a crowd, high up in the stands trying to get photos, this can be a major plus. The camera does have some sharpness issues, especially in high ISO settings, but most affordable, starter cameras usually do.


SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch

Megapixels: 16MP

Lens: 24-2000mm (equivalent) f/2.8

AF points: Not specified

Burst rate: 7fps

Buffer: 10 shots (JPEG)

Weight: 1005g


Best for Camera Enthusiasts

Nikon Z 50 - $859.95


If you’re new to photography and looking for a camera to just have on you at all times, won’t give you a hassle with security at the front gate of the arena and still want the high quality and fast reaction shutter speed then the Nikon Z 50 is the perfect choice. It’s a great choice for sports photography thanks not only to its 11fps burst shooting but also to its sophisticated autofocus system and impressive image quality.


SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 20.8MP

Lens mount: Nikon Z

AF points: 209

Burst rate: 11fps

Buffer: Not specified

Weight: 395g


Best for Budget


If you’re looking to take up sports photography, but the big price tag scares you, there are still many affordable options out there for getting the ball rolling. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great camera for beginners and/or photographers on a budget. This camera is a great start with impressive “high quality shooting, even in low-light situations”. Photography is one of those things that comes with a price tag though, so it’s no surprise that you will be substituting a more high quality camera for a better price.


SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Digital

Sensor: CMOS

Megapixels: 24.1MP

Lens mount: Canon EF mount

AF points: 9

Burst rate: 30fps

Buffer: Not specified

Weight: 475g


Best for Seasoned Photographers

Fujifilm X-H2S - $2,499.95


This is a steep purchase and we know that the price tag can be scary. But once you move from beginner to seasoned, you’ll quickly realize more things that you wish your current camera had, and all those added on things come with a price. Like mentioned earlier, the one thing you’ll want in your camera for sports photography is quick reaction time. This camera takes the cake with a class-leading 40 fps continuous shooting with full autofocus functions, which also helps knock out the focus requirement.


SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C

Megapixels: 26.1MP

Lens mount: Fujifilm X

AF points: 425

Burst rate: 40fps electronic, 15fps mechanical

Buffer: 140 shots (electronic), unlimited (mechanical, until card runs out)

Weight: 579g


Best for Professionals


If you’re a professional sports photographer, or just a camera junkie in general, it’s likely that you’ve heard of this camera. The Canon EOS 1D X has been considered the top rated DSLR camera since its arrival with the Mark I. With this newer version in the Mark III, photographers can quote “just shoot and shoot and shoot” and remain calm knowing that their quality and handling are in good hands.


SPECIFICATIONS

Type: DSLR

Sensor: Full-frame

Megapixels: 20.1MP

Lens mount: Canon EF

AF points: 191

Burst rate: 16fps

Buffer: 1,000+ shots (essentially unlimited)

Weight: 1,250g


How to Choose the Best Camera for Sports Photography


As mentioned above, one of the most important things in a camera when it comes to sports photography is a quick reaction time, AKA burst rate. When you’re in the store, looking for a camera, don’t be shy to ask an expert about each camera's burst rate. The higher the FPS (frames per second) the better the reaction time.


Another good thing to keep an eye out for when shopping for a camera is its buffer depth, which means how many photos it can take continuously. Sports are very fast paced and holding your finger down and continuously shooting is almost definitely going to happen, so a long buffer depth is always a good plus to have if you’re looking to take sports photography more seriously.


Autofocus is also a key feature when it comes to sports photography. Manual focus can be fun but when you’re in a quick environment, it’s better to take the easy route and just let the camera do it for you. This will prevent more stress in an already stressful environment and allow you to shoot photos quicker.


Above all else, one thing that I always try to stress to anyone that asks for advice on how to get into sports photography or photography in general is one thing, a telephoto lens. Most companies offer a telephoto attachment to most DSLR cameras they make. If you have the extra money to splurge, this is the top thing I always recommend. The interchangeable lenses help you take a variety of different shots at one event and most telephoto lenses have an outrageous zoom capacity, allowing for more up close and detailed photos.


If you’re on a budget though, highly consider investing in a compact camera with a good zoom as well, such as bridge cameras like the Nikon CoolPix 950 mentioned above, or the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80K, which is about $500 cheaper than the CoolPix.


One Last Thought


Trying to get into sports photography can definitely seem scary, like it is when trying most new things. You’ll have a trial and error phase and you’ll learn how to grow and what works best for you. It’ll take time but finding the right camera that’s best for you and best for your style of shooting, whether it’s sports photography or just regular photography, is the first step to a hobby that can lead you to so many wonderful places. Happy Shooting!





 
 
 

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