Best Cameras for Sports Photography (Top Picks)
Simply put, the best cameras for sports photography are those that are designed for speed. Yes, a fast and precise AF system is required, and features such as IBIS are beneficial for shooting sports. It is a significant investment. We will help you make that choice.
Our 3 Top Sports Cameras for Photography
What are good cameras for photography? Well, here are our top 3.
The most important feature to look for is a camera with a fast frame rate. A good sports camera should be able to capture a large number of frames in quick succession. This is due to the speed with which most sports are played.
The best cameras for sports photography will have a high burst rate as well as a large buffer. For those new to shooting sports and action, the buffer is the number of consecutive shots your camera can take before it cools down.
So how quickly your camera can process those files and move on to the next one is equally important to its frame rate. Buying a camera with the most recent iteration of that manufacturer’s image-processing engine ensures you get the most power.
Understanding Buffer Capacity and Continuous Shooting
When determining a camera’s maximum continuous frame rate, consider the buffer capacity as well. A high frame rate is great, but if your camera locks up for a long time after you’ve taken a few shots, it can mean missed opportunities. As a result, a camera with a slower frame rate but a greater burst depth may be a better option.
Best Overall: Canon R3 Sports photography camera
- High Image Quality with a Back-illuminated Stacked 24.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor with an ISO range of 100-102400; Expandable to 204800
- High-speed continuous shooting of up to approx. 30 fps with electronic (silent) shutter and up to 12fps with Mechanical Shutter
The best video camera for filming sports. Its precise autofocus, fast burst speeds, and outstanding ergonomics make it the go-to for shooting action.
Specs:
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Resolution: 24.1 megapixels
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.6 x 3.4 inches
- Weight: 35.8 ounces
What we like:
- Excellent ergonomics
- Fast AF with a wide range of customization options
- Viewfinder with a large field of view
- Rapid burst rates
- Long battery life
What we do not like:
- The eye AF function may not be suitable for everyone.
Sports photography frequently necessitates high-ISO shooting, and the R3’s sensor is capable of doing so. In difficult situations, I’ve gone as high as ISO 12,8000 and still gotten usable images. This is due in part to the relatively low megapixel count (at least for 2022).
The AF system provides several configuration pages. It may take some time to get the right settings, but once you do, the tracking does an excellent task of maintaining fast-moving objects in focus.
It has a full-sized DSLR-style body with an integrated grip on the bottom and an additional shutter button for vertical shooting. Personally, I believe that the R3 is the comfiest large camera I’ve ever held. When partnered with a long lens, it feels especially well-balanced.
Its low megapixel count and bulk make it a difficult sell as an all-around camera, but it checks all the boxes for sports.
Best Nikon: Nikon Z9 Professional Sports camera
- 45.7MP Stacked CMOS sensor and EXPEED 7 image processing. Fast powerful AF that can keep up with the fastest subjects and frame rates.
- Subject detection uses deep learning to automatically detect and track people, cats, dogs, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and planes in still and video with no menu changes.
- Capture 45.7MP stills at 20 or 30 fps; 120 fps stills at 11MP, all with full AF and AE, and no viewfinder blackout. 8K/30p video capture in-camera for over 2 hours recording time. 4K 120p slow motion video capture.
The best Nikon for sports photography is the Z9. Nikon designed a camera that can do everything, including sports photography.
Specs:
- Lens mount: Nikon Z
- Resolution: 45.7 megapixels
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 inches
- Weight: 47.3 ounces
What we like:
- Surprisingly fast burst rates
- When you need more image data, a high-resolution sensor is ideal.
- Excellent AF tracking.
- The most adaptable screen is available on any camera.
What we do not like:
- Big
- Heavy
The Nikon Z9 truly is the camera that can do it all. The 45.7-megapixel sensor reads at ridiculously fast speeds, allowing for still capture at up to 120 frames per second, the equivalent of 4x slow-motion video. That combination of fast shooting and high-resolution image capture is difficult to match by any other camera on the market.
The Nikon Z9 truly is the camera that can do it all. Because the camera lacks a mechanical shutter, all of the speed is provided by an entirely electronic shutter. That helps, but some sports photographers chose the sound and feel of a mechanical shutter to time shots. That is not an option in this case.
Because of its ability to tilt both vertically and horizontally, the rotating screen provides more viewing angles than its competitors. However, it’s a large, heavy camera that weighs about 12 ounces more than the Canon R3, which can be a concern after a long day of shooting.
Best Budget: Canon R7 Professional grade cameras
- DIGIC X IMAGE PROCESSOR: Enhances performance for sharp photos and ultra-high definition videos
- CMOS SENSOR: Canon’s 32.5 mp APS-C CMOS sensor ensures images appear crisp
- RF-S 18-150MM LENS: Easily attach the included RF-S 18-150mm lens to the EOS R7 camera body with the compatible RF mount
The Canon sports camera took some of the R3’s autofocus smarts and put them in a much less expensive camera.
Specs:
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Resolution: 32.5 megapixels
- Sensor size: APS-C
- Dimensions: 5.20 x 3.56 x 3.61 inches
- Weight: 17 ounces
What we like:
- The autofocus system is inspired by high-end cameras.
- Sensor with high resolution
- Rapid burst rates
- Much less expensive than professional-grade bodies
What we do not like:
- Weatherproofing to enthusiast standards
Canon has produced excellent sports-oriented cameras under $1,500 since the days of the original 7D. The R7 carries on that tradition. It’s one of the first APS-C bodies to feature Canon’s current RF lens mount, so it’ll work with new and upcoming lenses.
The autofocus system in the R7 is heavily influenced by more advanced cameras such as the R5 and even the R3. When it comes to searching and locating subjects, the AF tracking is impressively accurate. The camera also has several pages of AF options in the menu, allowing you to fine-tune the performance for specific situations. For example, you can instruct it to focus on subjects and reject other objects in the frame. A learning curve is unusual for a $1,500 camera, but it is well worth the effort to figure it out.
Canon created an entirely new APS-C sensor for the R7, and it produces excellent image quality. It won’t match the quality of full-frame gear (especially when shooting in low light), but the crop will essentially give your lenses a little more reach.
Best Sony: Sony A1 Sport cameras
- 50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ integral memory
- 8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
- Blackout-free shooting up to 30fps from fast sensor readout speed
It has one of the fastest sensors we’ve ever seen inside, which translates into real-world performance.
Specs:
- Lens mount: Sony E
- Resolution: 50.1 megapixels
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Dimensions: 5.07 x 3.81 x 2.74 inches
- Weight: 26 ounces
What we like:
- The stacked, full-frame sensor reads extremely fast.
- Flash sync that is lightning fast
- 30 frames per second at 50 megapixels
- High-quality video features
What we do not like:
- Expensive
- Because there is no built-in grip, the battery life is shorter than that of the competition.
Sony’s A1 doesn’t look much different from the rest of the A-series cameras, but it has one of the fastest sensors on the market. Because it’s a stacked sensor, the computing hardware (such as the signal processor and DRAM) is built into the same silicon. This increases speed, reducing undesirable effects such as rolling shutter during video recording and temporary viewfinder shutdowns during image capture.
With the electronic shutter, that fast sensor can produce full-resolution images at up to 30 frames per second. It also allows for impressive feats such as flash sync at 1/400th second. This is faster than most other cameras, which top out at 1/250th or slower. It can be extremely useful when shooting flash in bright conditions.
It is not a full-sized professional camera because it lacks an integrated grip. This limits you to a single battery, which will not last as long as the cells in the Canon R3 or Nikon Z9. However, you can add a grip after the fact. The A1 is also the most expensive product on this list, but you’re getting top-tier performance for your money.
Best for action sports: GoPro HD Hero10 Black
- Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls and double the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever.
- High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro ever. Upgraded to incredible 23MP photos and 5.3K video resolution at 60fps, HERO10 offers double the frame rate for amazingly smooth motion. Plus, there’s 8x slo-mo at 2.7K and you can pause videos and grab 15.8MP still photos from 5.3K video that look amazing.
- Unbelievable Image Quality: Shoot with fine detail, realistic textures and stunning contrast, even in low light. Images look their best thanks to a new water-shedding hydrophobic lens cover that repels water while helping to eliminate lens flare and other artifacts.
If you like a camera you can truly abuse, one of the best sports video cameras in the market, the GoPro is an excellent choice for any adventure seeker.
Specs:
- Lens mount: N/A
- Resolution: 23 megapixels
- Sensor size: N/A
- Dimensions: 2.79 x 2.16 x 1.32 inches
- Weight: 5.4 ounces
What we like:
- When it comes to toughness, it is unbeatable.
- There are numerous excellent video features.
- App-based control is simple.
- The capture of raw data
What we do not like:
- Because of the small sensor, image quality is only basic.
You might not think of the GoPro as a still photo camera, but its capabilities may surprise you. The HD Hero 10 Black can be easily mounted to almost any surface (or even a human or animal) and can withstand severe punishment. That makes it an excellent candidate for a remote camera that you place in danger and then forget about until later in the shoot. Operating via the GoPro app is simple, allowing you to trigger the shutter from a distance.
Even though the angle of view is somewhat limited, the main wide-angle lens is sharp and captures detailed images. It also opens up possibilities for a variety of other photographic projects, such as epic time lapses.
Things to Think About When Looking for the Best Sports Cameras
Sports photography is challenging. The subjects move quickly and unpredictably, the settings are harsh, and you never know when an incautious ball or player will collide with your equipment. Choosing the best camera for sports photography will expand your creative possibilities.
Speed
We imagine shutters flapping wildly at high speeds when we think of sports cameras. The Nikon Z9, for example, is incredibly fast but has no mechanical shutter, which some sports photographers favor to feel the timing of their shots. And if you’re shooting 60 full-res frames per second, you’ll quickly deplete your memory cards and leave yourself in a bind when it comes to editing. Finally, you want something quick but not ridiculous. Most situations require 10-12 frames per second, but it’s nice to have direct exposure to 30 fps for relatively fast action or critical moments when you have to hit peak action.
Resolution
Professional sports photographers typically do not require images with extremely high resolution. They cause the camera to slow down, consume memory card space, and take more time to send to their editors. That’s one of the things we like about the Canon R3. If you want a pure sports camera, you probably won’t need more than 24 megapixels of resolution. If you want a camera that can do everything, the Sony A1 or Nikon Z9 may be a better fit.
Even high-resolution cameras typically have lower-resolution capture modes, but this leaves the door open for situations where you select the incorrect setting for a given situation.
Autofocus
In recent years, AF systems have become truly ridiculous. While DSLRs focus quickly, high-end mirrorless cameras provide AF tracking and customization that DSLRs do not.
Although all of the high-end and professional cameras have very accurate and fast AF, I prefer Canon’s customization options over the competition.
Ergonomics
The majority of professional-grade sports cameras use full-sized, DSLR-style bodies with inclusive grips on the bottom. This unlocks a larger battery as well as an additional shutter button for filming vertical images. The extra girth also helps balance out large lenses, which sports photographers frequently use. If you buy a camera without an integrated grip, I suggest adding one later. It typically significantly increases battery life and, in some cases, unlocks camera features that would otherwise be unavailable, such as faster burst rates.
One of the most exciting and difficult ways to practice the craft is holding a camera on a sporting event’s sidelines. If you’re a serious enthusiast, aspiring pro, or full-fledged professional, investing in a camera like the Canon R3, Nikon Z9, or Sony A1 will be worthwhile. Alternatively, you could begin with something like the Canon R7. Whatever you choose, even the best camera for sports photography will not compensate for a lot of practice.
FAQs on The Best Cameras for Sports Photography
What camera do most sports photographers use?
This response has recently changed. Until recently, the Canon 1D X Mark III and Nikon D6 DSLRs dominated professional sports photography. Although those cameras are still in use, high-end mirrorless bodies have taken a sizable share of the market. Professionals typically use flagship bodies.
Are DSLR cameras good for sports?
DSLRs were the industry standard for many years before mirrorless cameras made a significant breakthrough in their most recent generation. In fact, unless you’re purchasing a high-end mirrorless camera, you’re probably better off with a DSLR for sports photography. DSLRs use dedicated phase detection autofocus sensors, which typically focus faster than mirrorless cameras. Learning to shoot sports with a DSLR differs slightly from learning with a mirrorless camera, but mirrorless cameras are still more than capable.
How many megapixels do you need for sports?
In sports, unlike in other disciplines, having too many megapixels can be a disadvantage. The 24-megapixel mark is adequate, but more will suffice. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a lot of memory cards to store all of that image data. Even older DSLRs with 18-20-megapixel sensors are capable of producing stunning images.
How much do cameras for sports photography cost?
If you want the same cameras that professionals use, be prepared to spend a lot of money. Flagship cameras are commonly priced between $5,000 and $6,500. That’s a lot, but these are professional tools designed to withstand a lot of abuse in harsh environments. Cameras like Canon’s R7 start at $1,500 (which is still a reasonable price) and offer some of the desirable features that sports photographers seek, such as fast burst rates and AF tracking, at a much lower cost.
