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5 Best Cameras for Sports Photography in 2020 (Plus Best Lenses for Action Shots)
Look:
I believe that choosing and buying specialized photo equipment should be a fun process.
That is why I created this list for you with the top 5 best cameras for sports photography in 2020 across various price points (plus the recommended lenses for action shots).
It gets better…
In my latest update, I also included the 3 great action cameras for sports/adrenaline lovers (besides GoPro) that offer excellent price-quality ratio.
Now, when choosing which gear to list here, the following things were taken into account:
- experts’ recommendations
- personal experience
- user reviews
- its capabilities (fast focusing and high frame rate)
- price
Here is what to expect in the article:
Best Cameras for Sports Photography in 2020
- Canon T6i – Budget-friendly camera for action shots (for beginners).
- Canon 7D II – Best value in the Canon line up for sporting events.
- Nikon D500 – Awesome sports camera under $2000.
- Sony a9 – Best mirrorless camera for 2020. The official EISA Award winner.
- Nikon D5 – Best sports DSLR camera under $6500 (XQD version)
* Please note that the prices on Amazon are subject to change.
Also, the prices exclude the lenses recommended here. *
Now…
If you want an action cam for extreme sports, you may consider GoPro or these alternatives:
- Sony FDR X3000R – One of the best action photography cameras right now.
- COOAU – Sweet little 4K action cam, best bang for your buck.
- Apeman – Yet another awesome camcorder (ideal for water sports).
As you can guess, unlike mirrorless and DSLRs, these are super light, compact and cost a lot less.
(But it also means a totally different level of quality.)
Note:
These are not for children, so if that’s something you’re looking for, then here’s an article listing the best kids cameras for sports and underwater activities.
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For what it’s worth, fast focusing and high frame rate is what you need to look for in cameras for this photography genre.
Did You Know?
You can get highly affordable adventure & sports photography classes online on CreativeLive. Click here to check them out now.
Alright:
Let’s start with a good camera at a low-price point that will help you become a better photographer and take pretty awesome photos – the Canon Rebel T6i.
Best Cameras for Sports Photography (2020)
Canon EOS Rebel T6i
Quick Specs:
- Type: Compact SLR
- Weight: 555 g
- Resolution: 24MP
- LCD: Fully articulated
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-sealed: No
- ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (expandable to 25600)
- Category: Best low-end sports cameras in 2020
- Price Tag: Under $700 (subject to change*)
Look:
Canon Rebel T6i (or 750D outside the US) is a sweet camera in many ways.
- First of all, it is one of the best and budget-friendly DSLRs for beginner photographers.
- Secondly, it is also one of the great travel DSLR cameras to take that will help you improve your (travel) photography skills.
- And finally, since we are talking about sports photography, at the base end it’s recommended that you get Canon T6i.
(Don’t get it with the kit lens though!)
As I mentioned before sports require fast focusing and high frame rate.
Well, when it comes to T6i, we are seeing a lot of improvements compared to its predecessors.
The camera supports shooting at an exposure of 1/4000 to 30 seconds. During the continuous shooting, it can output up to 5 fps in JPG and up to 8 fps in RAW.
This mode is useful for you in case of reportage shooting (to avoid photo with a mouth open and/or eyes closed), for group photos, and of course during the important moments of sports-related events.
The updated CMOS sensor offers a 24 MP resolution.Together with the new sensor works DIGIC 6 processor.
Even though DIGIC 6 may be well-familiar to us from the professional camera models, it was installed in the entry-level DSLR camera for the very first time.
This processor provides good image clarity and minimizes noise even at high ISO values.
For examples, pictures at 6400 ISO are of very good quality. Not over-saturated with noise, eating up the detail.
But even greater improvements have been made to the phase detection autofocus used for shooting through the viewfinder.
Instead of the 9 autofocus points that are often found in amateur camera models, in this camera we see 19 of them. All points are cross type and they cover a large area of the frame.
This means that when shooting, you can manually select not only individual points, but entire groups of points.
Check out the video-review of the T6i camera done by Jim from Jims Review Room:
✓ What you might like about it:
- excellent work in auto mode
- responsive touch screen
- tilting display design
- fast focus
- 19-point phase autofocus with the ability to select groups of points
- continuous shooting up to 5 fps
- large buffer when shooting in JPG
- high quality images up to ISO 3200 inclusive
- NFC and Wi-Fi connection
- an abundance of additional modes from HDR to creative filters
- video shooting with smooth and fast autofocus
✕ What you might not like about it:
- no direct focus point selection when viewed through the viewfinder
- non-ideal skin tone when shooting with automatic white balance
- a small amount of buffer when shooting in RAW
Which Lens to Choose With Canon EOS T6i?
Most of the kits come with the 18-35 lenses but those are not long enough, so that’s why you should get 18-135mm lenses for sports photography.
Make sure you get that 18-135mm lens.
Canon T6i: A Good Budget Camera for Sports Photography in 2020
Canon EOS Rebel T6i (EOS 750D) has received a lot of improvements in comparison with its predecessor, which makes it a very tasty purchase.
Such a workhorse with a bunch of advantages included:
- the 24-megapixel sensor,
- the tenacious autofocus,
- and the availability of Wi-Fi and NFC modules,
… all make the Rebel T6i a very good investment in your photographic future.
Best Cameras for Sports Photography (2020)
Canon 7D II
Quick Specs:
- Type: Mid-size SLR
- Weight: 910 g
- Resolution: 20MP
- LCD: Not articulated
- Touchscreen: None
- Weather-sealed: Yes
- ISO: Auto, ISO 100-16000 (expandable to 51200)
- Category: Best DSLRs for sports photos 2020
- Price Tag: Under $1,000 used, or under $1,500 new (subject to change*)
Truth is…
Canon EOS 7D Mark II is one of the most advanced APS-C DSLRs at the moment.
In fact, it is one of the best Canon cameras available on the market today.
There is no abundance of secondary functions in it common for novelty cameras, but everything a professional photographer or a videographer needs is always at hand.
This is a real workhorse with a perfectly functional shooting functionality.
It has excellent autofocus, both when viewed through the viewfinder, and when using the display.
It also has the highest speed of continuous shooting and a large buffer.
Last but not least is the camera’s high ISO performance and a resolution of 20 MP sensor which allows you use it literally in any situation: from the “greenhouse” conditions of the studio to the dynamic reportage.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II simply shoots: confident in any conditions, without requiring any technical tricks or special shooting techniques from the photographer.
Basically, it doesn’t interfere with the photographer’s work, and this is the most valuable thing in a professional camera.
During the test, there was not a single time that I had any complaints about the autofocus, to the speed of work, or the quality of the image.
The result is always predictable, and this allows you to select the optimal settings before shooting.
Another favourite photography vlogger of mine Chris Nicholls shares a video-review of Nikon D7 Mark II:
✓ What you might like about it:
- Advanced ergonomics and fine-tuning controls
- excellent fine-tuned autofocus
- burst rate up to 10 frames per second
- high volume of buffer
- high image quality up to ISO 3200 inclusive
- optical viewfinder with an abundance of shooting information
- work with two memory cards of different types
- built-in GPS
- full HD video shooting with an abundance of fine settings
- high battery life
✕ What you might not like about it:
- the screen doesn’t support touch control
- the screen isn’t articulated
- lack of 4K video
- comparatively high price
The Best Sports Lens for Canon EOS 7D II
As was recommended earlier, you should get it with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens, which is long enough for sports photography.
To make it cheaper for you, definitely consider getting a used 7D II camera but absolutely do get that 18-135mm lens.
Canon 7D II: Best Value in the Canon Line Up for Sports Action Shots
So…
I recommend Canon EOS 7D Mark II above all to those photographers who are interested in stable operation of the camera in any conditions.
First of all, we are talking about professional reportage shooting and related genres, including sports photography.
Mark II will also be an excellent working tool for a wedding photographer.
Lovers of natural photography should also pay attention to this model.
Why?
Because photo hunting and macro photography is the native element of Canon EOS 7D Mark II.
Best DSLRs for Sports Photography (2020)
Nikon D500
Quick Specs:
- Type: Mid-size SLR
- Weight: 860 g
- Resolution: 21 MP
- LCD: Tilting
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-sealed: Yes
- ISO: ISO 100 – 51200 (expandable to 50 – 1640000)
- Category: Best mid-range sports cameras for 2020
- Price Tag: Under $2000 (subject to change*)
Truth is…
Nikon D500 is one of the most amazing digital cameras ever produced by Nikon, equipped with a sensor DX format.
You’d think that full-frame cameras successfully took over the world and wonder what a “professional crop” camera could offer to a demanding photographer.
Well, a lot actually.
Let’s first mention the boring technical features.
The Nikon D500 uses a new 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor and a new Nikon Expeed 5 image processor.
High burst rate (10 frames per second) and 153 points of autofocus, located throughout the frame area are an excellent offer for that kind of money!
It is complemented by a magnificent inclined touch screen, which enhances the convenience of the camera. The camera has excellent video capabilities and allows you to shoot 4K-videos.
Another bonus is the promising wireless technology based on the SnapBridge application.
Among other features is an XQD card slot, and an optional SD card slot.
Who is Nikon D500 camera NOT for?
First of all Nikon D500 is not for those who really need a full frame camera.
In this category I include photographers engaged in stage portrait photography, as well as those who prefer landscape photography.
They are often able to work with a single point of autofocus, perfectly live without continuous shooting, and they don’t always need high ISO.
Also, this camera is not suitable for those who are looking to buy their first SLR: all the charms of this device will be appreciated only by an experienced photographer, whereas it will be difficult for a beginner to master.
Who is Nikon D500 camera for?
Nikon D500 will be appreciated by those who work in the reportage genre. After all, the speed and accuracy of the device are beyond praise.
The camera can become the main tool of a photo-reporter, sports photographer, traveler, blogger, or a street photographer.
People working with telephoto lenses (animal photographers, photography spotters) will benefit from Nikon D500 too because its lenses give a magnified image 1.5x stronger!
A sensitive even at aperture F8 autofocus will make it possible to shoot with a powerful teleconverter (extender).
The Nikon D500 will be an excellent second camera in the arsenal of a wedding photographer.
Check out the video-review of the camera below by Chris Nicholls:
✓ What you might like about it:
- excellent autofocus system: fast, sensitive and tenacious
- continuous shooting at a rate of 10 fps and an almost infinite buffer
- excellent ergonomics
- tilting touch screen
- quick and convenient focusing in Live View mode
- close to professional video and audio recording capabilities
- low level of digital noise: good image quality up to ISO 6400
- wide dynamic range and a well-stretched RAW
✕ What you might not like about it:
- a bit “damp” wireless communication with SnapBridge
Best Sports Lens for Nikon D500 DSLR
I would pair that camera at a relatively lower price-point Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens.
The new ones are a bit better but the older one will be just a bit cheaper if you are on a lower budget. (Don’t worry you won’t see that much of a difference in the lenses overall).
Nikon D500 is A Powerful Tool for Sports Photos
I’ll say this:
What we have here is an interesting and in many ways unique camera.
Of course, there are this camera fans, and those who absolutely don’t understand how you can pay for the “crop” camera as much money as for the full-frame digital camera.
But what’s the point in a large sensor, if you get poor-quality photos?
By all means Nikon D500 is a powerful and convenient creative tool. To understand how good it is, you must first shoot with some other camera.
The camera will certainly find its admirer and will be in demand by many photographers.
If you use D500 with the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens, then you have an amazing tool for sports photography.
This camera has every chance to become a new legend in the world of photography equipment.
Top Mirrorless Camera for Sports (2020)
Sony a9
Quick Specs:
- Type: SLR-style mirrorless camera
- Weight: 673 g
- Resolution: 24 MP
- LCD: Tilting
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-sealed: Yes
- ISO: Auto, ISO 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800)
- Category: Best Sports Cameras 2020
- Price Tag: Under $4500 (subject to change*)
Guess what?
At the one of the EISA Awards events, Sony a9 was voted as the best camera for 2018.
(And still is great for 2020).
Now…
The Sony a9 is a high-speed full-frame mirrorless camera that’s designed to go head to head with Canon and Nikon’s flagship professional DSLRs.
Today this camera already demonstrates that in reportage, sports and many other genres, mirrorless cameras can compete with and in some ways surpass SLR cameras.
At the same time, for the more “mobile” photographers in sports, weddings and other events (in comparison to those working for photo agencies), the transition to A9 can become a technical step forward.
An undeniable advantage of Sony ILCE-A9 is its speed of work.
This camera shows a high rate of burst of up to 20 frames/s, and a large buffer of up to 200 RAW frames, as well as a high ISO performance.
Even though smart modes of autofocus (such as focusing on the eyes, Lock-on AF and priority in the recognition of faces) require some time getting used to, they can significantly facilitate photographer’s work.
The 5-axis stabilization this hybrid camera works well (both in photos and videos).
I must say that this camera is great for video shooting: there is 4K and slow-motion shooting of 100/120 frames/s in Full HD. There is only no support for S-Log profiles, however the rest of the traditionally wide range of features is preserved.
Sony a9 should appeal to the lovers of continuous shooting.
This camera will show itself best for example at sports competition events to select the most successful shots of jumping or running.
Check out an in-depth video-review below for further details.
✓ What you might like about it:
- dust and waterproof metal body
- built-in five-axis stabilization system
- tilting touch display
- fast and confident autofocus with native lenses
- the possibility of full-fledged work with non-original lenses
- wide possibilities of customization of controls
- direct selection of the autofocus area by joystick
- speed of continuous shooting up to 20 frames/s
- possibility of completely silent shooting
- buffer up to 200 frames in RAW and 360 JPEG
- works with a quick card UHS-II
- unique 3.8-megapixel electronic viewfinder without “blackout”
- very high detail on low and medium ISO, overall high ISO performance
- accurate color rendering, good work of the automatics and white balance
- wide dynamic range in RAW
- the ability to manage and transfer images over Wi-Fi
- 4K-video shooting
- Full HD video shooting up to 100/120 fps
✕ What you might not like about it:
- it is preferable to shoot in RAW at ISO above 6400 for optimum results
- the battery life is lower than that of top-end SLR cameras
- the speed of continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter is limited to 5 frames/s
- the display may overheat
Best Lens to Choose With Sony a9 for Sports Shots
Given that we are talking about sports, the best lens that’s recommended to buy along Sony a9 camera is Sony 70-200 GM fixed zoom lens.
Best Mirrorless Camera for Action Shots in 2020
According to the manufacturer, Sony a9 is the most functionally powerful camera of all existing, both mirror-less and DSLR cameras.
With this in mind, its high cost doesn’t seem surprising then.
However, if you are looking for the “complete package”, then the Sony a9 camera price will definitely justify itself.
Oh, and did I mention that this camera is an official EISA winner as the best camera for 2018?
Best Cameras for Sports Photography (2020)
Nikon D5
Quick Specs:
- Type: Large SLR
- Weight: 1415 g
- Resolution: 21 MP
- LCD: Fixed
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-sealed: Yes
- ISO: Auto, 100-102400 (expandable to 50-3280000)
- Category: Best DSLRs for sports photography 2020
- Price Tag: Under $6500 (XQD Version)
Now…
Nikon D5 is a serious camera for a reportage (documentary) photographer.
Everything in this camera, every little thing is set up to ensure a simple and guaranteed result when shooting in any conditions.
- The camera is not afraid of dust and moisture.
- It easily, if not the best out of all cameras, copes with the lack of light.
- D5’s autofocus works so stably and quickly that you simply forget about it.
- The speed of the continuous shooting and the large volume of the frames in RAW can guarantee you catching the right moment in any photo-shooting scene.
- The resource of the battery makes it possible to shoot for a day without stopping, or limiting yourself with the number of frames.
In other words, this is primarily a working tool that is designed to facilitate the work of a professional photographer to such an extent that he doesn’t think about the technical side of shooting at all.
That is the main advantage of the Nikon D5.
Especially it would be worth noting the updated system of an autofocus with 153 points, which works ideally.
Also, a separate praise deserves the image quality at high ISO.
The touch interface that we see present in this camera model has limited functionality, yet still is really a convenient and thought-out management tool.
Check out the video-review below by the amazing Tony and Chelsea Northrup.
✓ What you might like about it:
- continuous shooting up to 12 fps with autofocus
- large buffer: up to 200 frames in RAW
- excellent image quality up to ISO 6400
- high image quality even at ISO up to 51200
- ideal work of autofocus when looking through the viewfinder
- video shooting in Full HD format at 60 frames per second
- 4K-video with the ability to save a still picture
- dust and waterproof construction
- excellent build quality
- selecting the autofocus area using the touch screen
- large battery life
- thoughtful ergonomics
- ability to work with two memory cards
- silent shooting in Live View mode
✕ What you might not like about it:
- no built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- there is no focus peaking or Log Gamma profiles
Best Sports Photography Lens to Buy with Nikon D5
We now established what is the best DSLR if you are into sports.
If you decide to go with Nikon D5 instead of Sony a9 mirrorless camera, then the recommended sports lens for it would be Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 Sports DG Lens.
D5 is the Best DSLR for Sports Photography (Worth Buying in 2020)
Nikon D5 is an excellent choice for those photographers who really do shoot in difficult conditions and are required to guarantee the result.
These include reportage photography, sports and wedding photography, and the shooting of wildlife.
We can safely recommend this camera for photographers in the aforementioned fields.
However…
If you are a landscape and/or portrait photographer, it is recommended that you have a look at other models: both because of the mass-dimensional characteristics, and because of the not too wide possibilities for RAW-files.
Best Action Cameras for Extreme Sports 2020
In this section, I won’t be talking about DSLR action cameras for sports shots.
Instead we’ll talk about the action cameras for extreme sports like surfing and skiing. The ones that are small, light, and waterproof camcorders that you can use to capture/record your adrenaline-full activities.
Now…
One of the most popular action cameras on the market right now is GoPro Hero 7 (click to see exact price on Amazon).
But in here, I want to offer excellent GoPro alternatives.
Note:
This section won’t be as detailed as when I talked about DSLRs but it should help you guide in the right direction in terms of action cameras with good price-quality ratio.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Action Photography Camera Right Now
Sony FDR X3000R
Quick Specs:
- Weight: 4.1 oz/114 g (incl. battery)
- Photo resolution: 12MP
- Video resolution: up to 4K at 30fps
- Touchscreen: None
- Waterproof: Up to 60 m (with housing)
- Battery life: 8 hours inactive, 1 hour recording
Look:
While GoPro Hero7 is a good overall action camera that MANY bloggers recommend, in my opinion it doesn’t really have a good sound.
And if I were to choose between these two, I would probably place Sony FDR X3000R first in the list, and Hero7 second.
So, what’s so special about this Sony camcorder?
Well…
First of all, you can use Live View remote to capture your adventures.
Second of all, it features a Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization that works in any resolution, even when shooting video in 4K.
Another strong point of this action cam is the built-in stereo mic. It allows you to make realistic recording with high-quality sound at a pretty high level.
And finally, unlike other action cameras, Sony FDR X3000R offers better image quality in low light conditions.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Be sure to turn off the recording ONLY on the camera itself, and not on the remote!! Otherwise, stopping recording via Wi-Fi will result in broken files.
==> Click here to check the exact price on Amazon.
Best Bang for Your Buck 4K Action Camera
COOAU
Quick Specs:
- Weight: 15.8 oz/447 g
- Photo resolution: 20 MP
- Video resolution: up to 4K at 30fps
- Touchscreen: None
- Waterproof: Up to 40 m (with case)
- Battery life: 60 min on 4K, 90 min on 1080P
I’ll say this:
The features this little sports cam offers, in my opinion, is the best bang for your buck. It costs less than 100 bucks and you get vivid and incredible footage of your adventures.
The things you’ll love about COOAU:
- rich stills and video resolution
- shockproof, waterproof, with smart image stabilization chip
- the ability to control remotely
- lots of functions and modes such as time-lapse, slow motion, burst photo etc
- offers built-in and external microphone
… Just to name a few.
As you can see, one of the things with this product is that it comes with an external mic which don’t often come with other action cams.
This means that you can use it for situations where it’s not easy to collect sound or in noisy places. Some people use the said external mic for vlogging purposes for their YouTube channel.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a quality action camera and don’t want to spend a lot, this will be your best bet.
==> Click here to check the exact price on Amazon.
Ideal Action Cam for Water Sports
Apeman A80
Quick Specs:
- Weight: 15.8 oz/447 g
- Photo resolution: 20 MP
- Video resolution: up to 4K at 24fps
- Touchscreen: None
- Waterproof: Up to 40 m (with case)
- Battery life: 90 min on 4K, 120 min on 1080P
Many people ask:
Why pay 2-3x more when you can get a budget action cam that offers pretty much the same capabilities/features as other high end cameras like GoPro?
That’s a valid question.
You CAN go with budget options as long as they DO offer quality.
Well…
I think this Apeman camera certainly does.
Resolutions supported: 4K/24p, 2K/30p, 1080/60p, 1080/30p, 720/120p, 720/60p, 720/30p, 850×480/30p(WideVGA), 480/240p, 480/30p, 240/30p.
Note:
I think you should know that it’s max is 2K (UHD 24p) 2160 interpolated to 4K. The quality is up to par but I think if you use this resolution then it’s best to use a stabilizer.
The thing is that Apeman A80 has its own digital image stabilizer, but it only works in HD 30p 1080 x 720 resolution. H.264 MP4 compression format is the perfect format for YouTube.
And this is where you don’t see any shaking going on.
(By the way, that’s one of the reasons why certain action cameras are so expensive… because they are packed with optical and digital image stabilization features.)
In any case…
If you’re looking for your first budget camera, especially for water-related action shots, then definitely consider this device!
==> Click here to check the exact price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What cameras are used for sports?
While you can use both crop and full-frame sensor cameras, when it comes to action shots you need fast focusing and high frame rate. The popular cameras among professional sports photographers are Nikon D5, Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and Sony a9.
Q: What type of lens is best for sports photography?
As a rule you need a lens with a long focal length for sports shots. A telephoto lens that falls into the 300-400mm range would be ideal. You’ll also need a fast lens, for example the one that offers an f/2.8 or lower speed. Lastly, your sports lens should autofocus fast. If you’re a Canon user, consider USM lenses; if you’re a Nikon user, choose silent wave motor (SWM) ones.
Q: What is the best shutter speed for action shots?
First of all, set your camera to Shutter Priority mode. Next, using 1/500 of a second would be a good starting point for most sports events. To stop the motion of even faster moving objects, you might need to go up to 1/1000 of a second (which what most pro sports photographers use). At night time however you’d also have to compromise by increasing your ISO values.
A Few Tips on Taking Better Action Shots
In here, I’d like to share a few basic tips.
1) Preparation
Prepare for the sports event. Learn about the game and the players, get as much info as you can so that on the field you are fully ready.
2) Find your style
I know I know, everyone says this but it’s true. Sports photographers are always alert and find ways to get that shot taken. They often try to predict the moment and that’s why they happen to be “in the right place at the right time”.
3) Position
The position you take directly depends on the type of sports you’re shooting and how you plan to shoot it. Try to find a convenient spot and take note of lighting. Also, having knee pads will certainly help!
4) Background
Background determines how good your image is. Pay attention to it and try to take shots of players with abstract background. If you don’t want posters to grab attention, what you can do is open up aperture to create a bokeh effect.
5) Choose the right shutter speed
Many beginners make the mistake of using the fast shutter speed. This way racing cars, for example, will look as they are standing still.
If you shoot fast-moving subjects at a speed of 1/2000 sec, then you won’t be able to picture the movement. Try using a slower shutter speed of 1/15-1/60 (depending on sports) and this way you’ll be able to add more dynamic to your photos.
6) Autofocus modes
It’s critical to understand that when your subject is moving, you need to adjust autofocus so that your camera understands that it needs to constantly follow the scene you’re shooting. Turn on the tracking focus.
(Read the camera instructions/guide if needed.)
Anyway…
There’s a lot to cover, especially depending on what exactly you’re shooting. You can also have a look at my article on sports photography tips (even if you are a beginner).
Choosing the Right Gear for Sports Photos
All of the aforementioned products are absolutely great, whether you are looking for a digital camera under $1000 or under $5000 price tag.
In fact, all of them are used by professional photographers and it shows that the quality really is top-notch (especially Sony a9 and Nikon D5).
And all the lenses chosen here are great for sports photos as well.
As many of you may know, it’s the lens you have that’s more important.
So…
If you are on a budget, it might be a better idea to get a cheaper camera BUT a stellar lens.
However, these cameras are not great for those who prefer shooting landscape images or into portrait photography, for the reasons mentioned earlier in the post.
Your Thoughts?
As you can from the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you!
So, leave your questions on the best cameras for sports photography for 2020 and I’ll get back to every comment I get as soon as I can.
Do include the following:
- what is your current budget,
- what is exactly is that you (plan to) shoot the most,
And/or any other thoughts on choosing the gear for action shots!
Click here to jump straight to the comment form.
About Author
Zarina
Founder & CEO of Digital World Beauty. My main objective here is to create a valuable resource for photography enthusiasts with honest tech reviews, course recommendations, and how-to tutorials.
This is a great, super informative and very easy to read review of really good cameras.
I have been involved in some sports and some of my friends still are and I always wanted to know what they used to get such great pictures and videos when they were training.
Now I reached the point when I am interested in shooting the sports-related events myself.
I appreciate the effort you (and your team) put into keeping us up to date with your extensive testing and experience. Putting the budget along with the uses is just the most practical way to approach it and It helps me figure out what to decide on, especially when comparing across comparable disciplines such as sports.
(I did check your article on the best landscape cameras too).
I am thinking of getting Canon 7D II and invest in a 18-135 lens. I will get a used camera since it’s a cheaper combination.
You explained everything well and you was super thorough. Thanks for this and nice work.
I am glad your found this article on the top 5 sports cameras useful.
Canon 7D II with 18-135mm lens is a great choice on a budget for sure.
Just one advice for future reference – when buying a used digital SLR camera, it’s extremely important that you check the camera’s shutter count, which is a running total of how many photographs have been taken. (The higher the shutter count, the greater the risk of imminent malfunction.)
I think you’ll be fine though as most cameras are rated to at least 150k shutter operations.
I’ve got a Nikon D5 and love it. Nikon is an awesome camera brand that a lot of professional photographers like myself use. Personally, I have owned several Nikon cameras over the years.
Here is what I love about it:
– The autofocus is amazing!
– Face detection helps big time.
– Can shoot both in RAW and JPG.
– Low light settings are very accurate.
Hey Chad,
Awesome to see professional photographers commenting on this sports photography related article. I think a lot of Nikon cameras do very well with the action, wildlife, sports kind of scenes.
Of course, any modern DSLR camera will do pretty well given if you find the right lens, but an excellent choice will be fast “reportage” cameras like Nikon D7100, Nikon D750 or Nikon D810. I see that you are a “Nikonian” so you can totally relate, don’t you?
As for Nikon D5, it is definitely the best professional camera. It is a quick burst-rate SLR in a killer body.
I have a Nikon d5300 camera with an 18-55mm VR lens.
Now I’m thinking about buying a 70-300mm lens f/4-5.6 for shooting mini soccer indoors and big, regular type of soccer outdoors.
Now I can’t decide whether a stabilizer is needed in the lens for these sports-related needs or getting a monopod/tripod is enough?
And will the aperture of this lens be enough in obtaining high-quality photographs of sports?
Action and sports photography definitely can be challenging!
1. The stabilizer in the lens is useful for the convenience (the image in the viewfinder doesn’t shake), and it’s also easier for the autofocus.
However, the stabilizer doesn’t save you from having blurry images if you are shooting moving subjects. Yesterday, I published a post on how to photograph sports events for beginners – you may want to check it out.
2. Monopod/tripod is useful for long-term handheld shooting, since it takes the weight of the camera to itself. It stabilizes the camera about as effectively as the stabilizer in the lens, but it also doesn’t save you from the blurry images of the moving subjects.
3. Aperture 1:5.6 for indoor shooting is worse than 1:2.8, but the price difference between these lenses is also huge.
Most likely you will have to compromise with ISO and expect the corresponding influence of this on the image quality. Definitely, don’t expect any miracles.
BUT, if you don’t approach the quality of your sports photography with the same criteria that you’d use to evaluate, for example, the professional advertising photographs, then everything will be fine.
Becoming a better photographer whether in sports, or landscapes or portrait photography takes some time and energy but practice makes it perfect 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I totally understand your point.
OK, I will the tripod for extra convenience when shooting.
In terms of f/5.6 and f/2.8 – the price difference between the lenses definitely is pretty big, so I will stick to a cheaper alternative for now.
Appreciate the resource on sports photography tips, will check it out now.
Hi Anne-Marie,
Glad I could help.
In the future, I will likely create a guide on the best digital cameras that are under $1000, for example. Need to gather more info on what exactly my audience is looking for on my digital technology website.
For now my team and I are writing posts in no particular priority.
Hi! Since I’m very interested in sports photography but really don’t know where to begin, this article explained everything in detail! Still, do you have a suggestion for those of us that is following and take photos on watersports? I’m thinking of sailing etc..
It would be great if you had a recommendation for that also.
//Patrik
Hey Patrik, glad you found this article on sports cameras useful.
If you are a newbie, I strongly recommend you check out the article on sports photography tips to ensure you get the best photos 🙂
As I understand you are not talking about underwater cameras. These cameras should definitely be fine for the sailing photos (or actual fast moving subjects/sports on water).
Actually you are not the first one to ask about water-related photography, so it’s likely I will create an article on underwater cameras in the future.
By the way, if you are on a boat, you sure will get amazing landscape photos with these digital cameras.
I have Canon 7D M2. Interested in dog racing sports. What lens would you recommend? I was considering Canon 70-200mm f2.8 but frankly it’s a bit heavy.
If shooting outdoors during the day, then take the lighter and more compact Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM.
It’s a great lens!
This is super super helpful. I’m a complete novice but also want to get into Sports photography. Ideally for more pitch sports; football, rugby, hockey etc debating between Nikon D500 or Canon 7D as my budget isnt huge. Which would you pick?
Hi Rochelle, glad to hear you found our website/article useful!
See, there aren’t TOO many differences between Nikon D500 vs. Canon D7D II but if I were to choose between the two, I’d likely go with Nikon D500. I don’t want to bore you with details so I will highlight the main reasons of my choice.
When you choose a camera for sports, it’s VERY important to look at fast focusing and high frame rate. Now, both the D500 and 7D have 10 fps (frames per second), which is good, however D500 has more focus points than D7, which means that you will have less blurry images.
The only major downside is the price. Canon 7D II is cheaper than Nikon D500. The good news is that when we created this article, we tried to suggest great, yet cheaper, options of camera + lenses in case our readers are on a budget.
So, if you decide to pay slightly more for a better camera, go with Nikon D500 WITH Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens (that’d be cheaper).
If you need an even cheaper alternative, then by all means do pick Canon 7D II (used is fine too) WITH Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens. I’d like to emphasize that you do pick this lens, even if it means getting a used camera. The proper lenses for sports are important!
Last but not least, a while ago I asked one of my team members compose a mini guide on shooting sports events. You said you’re a novice in this field, so you might enjoy the sports photography tips for beginners.
P.S. Luckily, I checked my website today and could answer your question right away before the surgery. And when you test your new camera, do let me know how you like it! 🙂
This is perfect, I’ve been looking for a new camera and couldn’t decide between Nikon or Canon. Great post with comparison and lots of info, easy to read.
Without doubt, these are all great cameras but I think the Canon Rebel is going to be one I’ll get since you recommend it for beginners and because it’s a budget friendly option.
To be honest, I was considering GoPro for shooting soccer practice outdoors (during the day), but when I browsed your website, I only found it in your list of top rated vacation cameras for this year.
Hey Marcel, glad we could be of help.
GoPro action camera is good only if it’s attached to an athlete or somewhere close to him (the goalpost, for example), otherwise, it’s not the best option for shooting sports.
GoPro is listed as one of the best vacation cameras is because it’s waterproof, so people can enjoy capturing their moments on vacation, whether underwater or sailing in the ocean (as seen in the video-review).
If you’re a beginner and on a budget, Rebel T6i is definitely a wonderful option. When you’re ready both emotionally and financially, you can upgrade.
This is a great sample of what cameras are available for specifically photographing action sports. I’m looking for a package of camera plus lens to photograph horse races as well as show competitions — lots of action. One other feature required is the capability to photograph in low light conditions such as dawn workouts at the track where no flash can be utilized around such sensitive athletes. I have some familiarity with Nikon cameras and wonder if the most sophisticated options are easy to come to grips with. SONY or Nikon for this particular photographic situation? Thank you.
Hi Peggy,
I thought some of the guides out there might be confusing to beginner photographers and thought it’d be a good idea for my team to create guides on specialized cameras, be it for sports, portraits or landscape photography.
And it’s definitely a hit to have included lenses too because as you know finding the right camera is only winning half the battle without the lens.
Anyway, back to your question.
If you are asking whether you need Nikon vs. Sony in general, I’d go with Nikon for the following reasons:
I wanted to start off by saying that Nikon holds the 1st place in terms of the number of focus points and flash capabilities in comparison with analogues, when I re-read your comment about no flash can be utilized.
And still I’d go with Nikon.
Historically, Nikon DSLRs provide the best quality of images in low-light situations. (So, it’s good that you not considering Canon in this particular photographic situation).
If you’re asking whether you want Nikon D5 vs. Sony a9 specifically, then honestly you can’t go wrong with any of these options. I’d still lean towards D5 though. It’s just known to be slightly better for sports than a9.
Without doubt, Nikon D5 is the winner when it comes to sports and wildlife photography. I mean, it’s just incredible.
I know it’s a bit pricey that’s why in the list I included Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 sports DG lens – and despite it being a third-party lens, it’s definitely a quality one.
If you’re more on a budget and you’re deciding between Nikon D500 vs a9, I’d again go with Nikon because of your sensitive photographic situation and particularly the low-light conditions. I recommend D500 with Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens.
I hope this was helpful, Peggy. I’d appreciate you sharing what you ended up going with and sharing your experience with your new camera! 🙂
Hi Zarina,
I personally using Canon G7 X, but I have faced some problem with it. That’s why I want to buy Nikon D500. Can you give me personal suggestions on this?
Thanks
Hi Harris,
If you’re looking for a sports camera, then Nikon D500 is a great choice. Works great with Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens as was recommended to Peggy (see comment above).
Honestly, all my suggestions are written out in this post unless you’re looking for something OTHER than sports photography gear/tips. Happy camera shopping!
Hi. I was wondering, is there an option for a mirrorless camera no more than $600 USD for shooting at the racetrack?
Edit: Specifically, shooting at the barrier with 50-20 meters from the approaching rider. F4 format.
TL;DR: you can search for Sony a6000 or Olympus OM-D E-M1 and by ALL MEANS with long-focus lenses of 200mm.
FULL response:
In theory you can find mirrorless hybrid cameras for that price (especially if it’s used), but what about the lenses?
We did a bit of calculation here and here are our thoughts.
From a distance of 20 meters a man of 190 cm in height enters the vertical frame with a margin on the chest, if the focal length of the lens is 200 mm, and the camera is APS-C, that is, a crop.
We will assume that the rider from this distance will enter the vertical frame entirely.
We can also assume that from 50 meters with such equipment a group of riders in full growth will enter a horizontal frame.
Either way, you need a lens with a focal length of 200 mm.
Now, the mirrorless camera systems in the current market are Sony, Olympus and Fujifilm.
Out of these 3 brands, Sony has the most affordable cameras.
Sony also has a 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS lens, which seems to be the most inexpensive with such a focal length. Click here to check it out on Amazon.
The Sony 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens would be great for your reportage shooting. Check it out on Amazon here.
All these lenses are bad only in one thing: even with the used options, you will likely not fall within your $600 budget.
Same with Olympus and Fujifilm.
Recently I was photographing the Sydney International tennis with a Nikon D750. It got pretty good photos but the guys alongside me had the full on pro cameras and lenses.
I am wanting to upgrade to a better camera and lens package and was leaning towards the Nikon D5 but then came across the Sony A9 which now has a 400mm F2.8 prime lens. It is expensive but the photos it takes are amazing. There was one photographer using that package at the tennis and I loved his photos.
I also love the fact that the mirrorless camera can shoot with no shutter clicking sound. There was a press conference with Angie Kerber and as it was raining at the time there were about eight photographers in the room. The clicking of shutters got a bit much, as it always does at Parliament House during a press conference.
Hi Robert,
I agree with you on the shutter noise and yeah, a lot of professional sports photographers love the Sony a9. Seems like you joined their “club” too 🙂 So, will you be getting a9 then instead of Nikon D5?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Zarina – this article is helpful but as a husband of an aspiring photographer/sports mom I’m still lost. My wife wants to be able to take action shots from the stands/sidelines of our 11 yr old son hitting during a game. My wife has a cannon eos t3i and I got her a cannon 70-200 f4 lens last year and that didn’t allow for great pictures. I’m looking to try to surprise her (again) but don’t know whether I need a better lens or a new camera. If it’s a lens what attributes are the most important. I was thinking of buying used and I’m looking to spend 750-1500 but would spend more if there is a material difference.
Any advice would be appreciated
Hi Kevin,
Sports photography is one of the trickiest genres because every sport has its own nuances to consider, so it’s good you asked.
Without a doubt, your wife will definitely need a longer lens.
She’ll need at least 300mm lens if she’s actually on a full field baseball area. If by “sidelines” you meant standing behind the fence of a typical rec or high school field, then you’ll need a 400-500mm lens.
Basically, you want your subject to fill at least 1/2 the vertical frame in-camera. If the subject doesn’t fill that much of the frame you’re too far away for the lens you are using.
Anyway…
Based on the info you gave me here, it’s safe to assume that it’s a youth sport on full field and your wife is shooting during daytime. If so, then consider getting Canon 100-400mm lens (around $2K right now).
It’s a high performance L-series telephoto lens which is amazing for sports and action nature photography. Definitely recommended for sporting events that involve kids.
The 100-400mm lens will certainly work with Canon T3i. In case your wife won’t know, you might want to tell her that a 1.6x factor will apply.
Now…
I really don’t want to overwhelm you with lots of info but I will provide an alternative option, just in case.
Canon 6D body + 70-300mm type L (this one) also work well together for sports. It’ll for sure provide great detailed images, whether daytime or evening shots. If you buy used camera body and a new lens, it might fit your budget.
This is an alternative. I’d still for the 100-400mm lens that I mentioned earlier.
I really hope this helps, Kevin. Let me know if you have any further questions 🙂
Zarina – the insight is amazing. I think I’m going to follow your recommendation on the canon 100-400mm lens. I noticed on amazon that a lot of people also tend to purchase the canon Ef 1.4 III extender. Is that a good thing to get too for what my wife is looking to do (sports action pics) or is that not really worth it? I’m not exactly sure what an extender does. Thanks again for helping look like a hero with my wife. I can’t wait to surprise her with the lens!!!
Hi Kevin,
It really warms my heart when I get such positive feedback from my blog readers 🙂
It’s people like you who inspire me to keep pumping out more (and better) content, thank you!
But I digress.
Simply put, teleconverters (Canon calls them “extenders”) are optical accessories that are attached between the camera and the lens and its job is to multiply the lens’ focal length.
For example:
These extenders are great for birding, sports and wildlife photography.
As a rule, Amazon gives great suggestions, they really know what people want/need. A lot of photographers will tell you to go for it, if you can afford it.
Now…
I want to be completely honest with you here, Kevin. There are a couple of things that you need to be aware of:
1) The teleconverters don’t work that well on the original 100-400 lens. So, stick to the one I mentioned earlier! (This one.)
2) Your wife has a T3i DSLR, so the image quality might take a hit and I’m pretty sure it will not deliver any kind of autofocus with f/8 aperture.
(Having good autofocus is especially important for sports and wildlife photography).
This being said:
You can either just buy the lens only, or you can buy it with an extender and your wife can totally use it when she gets a newer DSLR. Truth is, the 100-400mm II lens with an extender is a combination your wife could rely on for many years to come.
Hope this helps, Kevin!
Feel free to let me know if you have any further questions. Also, let me know if your wife loved the lens!! 🙂
P.S. I’d like to thank you for buying through my links and, in doing so, supporting me run this website. I truly appreciate it!
Hi. Great article. Very helpful. I was thinking of buying the 750D which is the cheapest of the list that you mentioned and Ias I was searching in the market I saw the 800D at the same price as the 750D. What is your opinion?
Hi Kleanthis,
Had to remember that 750D is T6i and 800D is T7i (I’m used to the North-American versions).
To answer your question:
While both of these Canon DSLRs come with 24MP sensor and other similar features, T7i (800D) certainly better. It has better battery life, continuous shooting is faster, higher max ISO etc.
Right now, the T6i body on Amazon.com (US) is under $400 whereas T7i is around $700 – that means the difference in price is about $300.
If you found the market that sells T7i for the same price as T6i, then it’s awesome!
Reasons to choose T6i (750D) over T7i (800D):
Generally speaking, pretty much the only advantage of T6i is its cheaper price for those photographers who are on a budget and still want to shoot great sports action shots. But in your case, given that both cost the same, buying 800D is a no-brainer.
I hope this helps!
Amazing Read. I have been pondering since a few months lately and I have not been able to make a choice between Nikon D850 with NIKKOR 400 mm f2.8 or Sony a9 with the new Sony 400 mm f2.8 for full fledged professional sports photography? Have been doing lots of reads and research, but haven’t been able to make the choice yet.
Hi Shourabh,
I know mirrorless speed king vs D850’s high resolution (ever from a Nikon DSLR), must be a tough choice to make.
I’d point one feature out:
The Sony has a 3686k electronic viewfinder (EVF), which means that you’ll experience no blackouts during continuous shooting. As a rule, this is what greatly appeals to action photographers (wildlife or sports). And if I’m not mistaken, overall, Sony a9 was created with sports shooters in mind.
Some people really focus on having good battery life and it’s slightly better in D850. Generally, old-school photographers prefer the Nikon because Sony has some getting used to do. Also, if your hands are big, maybe Sony’s compactness won’t be a good thing?
Perhaps, you can go to a local store and see how it feels in your hands? Also you could rent both cameras out and shoot some sports events and after testing it out in real life, you’ll see which camera you like best.
Basically, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each camera considering your specific situation, likes, comfort etc and then make a decision.
Hope this helps!
Great article and also thanks for providing detailed feedback in the user comments/questions. Similar to Kevin, my wife is interested in photographing our kids in their sporting events. Right now it would primarily be for hockey and gymnastics, so both indoors with potentially poor lighting. Also with hockey, there would be times she would be photographing through the plexiglass. For both sports it would also typically be from the stands (or not close to the action). Through reading your article and the comments, i am leaning toward the Nikon D500. Do you think that is a good choice? I am struggling with the lens though. What would be a couple good options to pair with that camera for these types of photo environments? Thank you
Hi Jake,
Glad to hear you benefitted from this article and the comments! It always makes my day 🙂
Apologies for the delay. I thought I’d reach out to pro hockey photographers because there are a LOT of nuances involved with this kind photography. My aim is to provide you with the best advice possible.
Choosing a camera:
Without a doubt, Nikon D500 is a great choice for indoor sports.
(Some would argue that for parents a compact super-zoom type camera might be the best option because shooting from the stands is never ideal and a long lens is going to be the very tool that will make a difference.)
In the article I also mention 7D II (#2 in the list) but there’s also a slightly cheaper option Canon 6D II (see Amazon reviews here).
Choosing the lens:
Overall, a 70-200mm f/2.8 is the most versatile lens for hockey and gymnastics. You can get one, whether you choose Canon or Nikon.
In case you’re curious, here are Kenneth’s NCAA regionals photos that were shot with his 6D + 70-200mm lens.
Additional points:
Now, I’d like to provide you with a feedback from a pro I connected with, who’s done hockey photography multiple times:
“Hockey is different from other sports because of the high speed and the giant white rink surface.
Do a custom white balance off the ice first. Then find an exposure that works, and use manual exposure to lock it in. If you change shooting angle double-check it.
Equipment-wise, a camera that can shoot at higher ISO with low noise is useful; hockey moves fast so if you can shoot at high shutter speeds (I like 1/1000s +) you can freeze the action. Also of course a longer zoom lens is ideal.
If you must shoot through the glass, find a clean spot and get as close to it as you can (touching the glass, even). It’s not ideal but you’ll get something decent.
(At pro games they usually have a small panel in the glass they can open to shoot through.) If you want to shoot from the bench you’ll need special permission and likely need to sign insurance waivers.
(Your ideal gear will include the long zoom lenses with wide apertures and high price tags.)
Other sports benefit from the same gear, but often are shot in lower light. You may need to use ultra-high ISO (10,000 or even higher) if it’s a dimly lit gymnasium or a dance recital.
If you’re the ‘official’ photographer you might be able to ask for lights to be turned up but don’t count on it, and as a spectator you get what you get.”
Final thoughts:
Overall, we agreed that the camera + lens that I mentioned above will work in your specific situation (hockey and gymnastics + low light).
I hope this helps you Jake!
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Oh wow, thanks a lot Zarina! We did end up getting a Nikon D500 w/ a Nikon AF S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5. The store didnt have many options for lenses and we wanted to get something at least. I certainly appreciate your response. The information from the hockey photographer is fantastic, so i appreciate you getting that and sharing with us. My wife is also enjoying many of the other articles you have on your site. Your knowledge and passion for photography is amazing and we appreciate you sharing that with the world! keep up the great work
Hi Jake,
Thanks so much for your kind words and your feedback here!! When I get responses like this it motivates me to put out even more awesome content 🙂
Also, appreciate you taking the time to comment back here, other blog readers who had the same question as you did will benefit too.
Congrats on your gear purchase and happy photographing!
Cheers,
Zarina
Awesome post, Zarina. Would these work for wildlife and scenery photography?
Currently I own one of Sony’s old compact interchangeable lens cameras with a standard 16-50mm. However I’m ready to upgrade to an advanced level DSLR and am seeking your advice.
I’m an amateur, mainly like shooting landscapes, birds, wildlife, and sometimes sports.
With the gear that I currently have there are a lot of drawbacks – not the best lens for wide angles due to its distortion, problematic focusing system, distance and low-light capabilities. I’m not happy even with the image quality to be honest.
I have about $3000-3500 to invest, what camera and lens would you recommend me in my case? Thank you vm for your help!!
Hey man,
Great that you asked your question providing details, it really helps giving the best answer possible!
Since you like taking a lot of moving objects photos (birds, wildlife, sports), go with the Nikon D500. Ideally you’d want a 500mm lens for wildlife shots but, considering your budget, a 200-500mm lens would be more appropriate.
Nikon D500 coupled with 200-500mm is a setup that most wildlife photographers use and you can’t go wrong with it!
Let me know if you have any further questions.