Best Action Cameras for Sports Photography

Action and sports photography requires cameras that can capture fast, fleeting moments in sharp detail. To meet these needs, you’ll want cameras with fast burst rates and high frames per second (fps) to ensure you don’t miss a single moment. Additionally, a good sports camera should have a fast and accurate autofocus system that can keep up with moving subjects, even when they are constantly moving in and out of frame. High ISO performance is also important for better sensitivity and shorter shutter speeds to freeze the action.

In this guide, we will explore the best action cameras for sports photography across different price ranges, starting with budget-friendly options for beginners and moving up to professional-grade cameras. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in and find the perfect camera for capturing action and sports photography.

Best Beginner Sports Camera: Fujifilm X-T30 II

• Mirrorless camera
• 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS IV APS-C sensor
• Up to 30 fps with electronic shutter (cropped), 20 fps uncropped
• ISO 80 – 51,200 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• $899 / £769 body-only

The Fujifilm X-T30 II is an excellent choice for beginners looking to get into sports photography. With its APS-C sensor, it offers extra effective telephoto reach for capturing sports action. The camera can reach a maximum burst speed of 30fps in a cropped shooting mode with its electronic shutter. It also has a generous ISO range of ISO 80 – ISO 51,200, providing flexibility in various lighting conditions. The X-T30 II is competitively priced, considering its impressive specifications, making it great value for money. Fujifilm X cameras are known for their satisfying handling and dial-based controls, and the X-mount lens range offers a fantastic selection of pin-sharp optics perfect for freezing action.

Pros:
– Excellent out-of-camera JPEGs
– Satisfying physical handling
– Superb lens range
– Great value for money

Cons:
– Easy-to-knock exposure comp dial
– No in-body stabilization

Best for: Sports-shooting novices who want to learn the ropes.

Best Budget Sports Camera: Sony A6000

• Mirrorless camera
• 24.3MP full-frame Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor
• 11 fps shooting
• ISO 100 – 25,600
• Full HD 60p video recording
• $500 / £429-499 body-only

Although it’s an older camera, the Sony A6000 is still a solid choice for sports and action photography on a budget. It is often available for less than £500, making it one of the most affordable options on the market. Despite its affordability, the A6000 performs well in various shooting conditions and offers a lightweight and portable design. It features an autofocus system that has been refined in subsequent Sony cameras, making it reliable even with moving subjects. The camera’s 11fps shooting speed ensures you won’t miss the action. Sony also offers a good range of E-Mount lenses to choose from.

Pros:
– Affordable and getting cheaper
– Impressive autofocus
– Lightweight and portable

Cons:
– No stabilization
– No 4K video

Best for: Budget-conscious photographers who want mirrorless flexibility.

Best Travel Sports Camera: Panasonic Lumix G9

• Mirrorless camera
• 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds MOS sensor
• 60 fps shooting
• ISO 100 – 25,600 (extended)
• 4K 60p video recording
• $997 / £999 body-only

The Panasonic Lumix G9 is a weather-sealed sports camera designed for photographers who want to be ready for any situation. Whether you’re shooting pickup basketball games in New York City, muddy motorsport races, or beach volleyball tournaments, the G9 is a fantastic companion. It performs exceptionally well in challenging conditions, as proven by its field test on a remote sub-Antarctic island. The camera is supported by an extensive range of Micro Four Thirds lenses, offering plenty of choices. The G9’s electronic viewfinder with a massive magnification of 0.83x puts you right in the action.

Pros:
– Extensive weather sealing
– Comprehensive lens range
– Superb electronic viewfinder
– Blistering 60fps burst

Cons:
– 4:3 default format may not be for everyone
– Relatively heavy for a Micro Four Thirds camera

Best for: Adventurous sports photographers who love to travel.

Best Superzoom Sports Camera: Nikon Coolpix P950

• Compact (bridge) camera
• 16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, 24 – 2000mm equivalent lens
• 15 fps shooting
• ISO 100 – 6400
• 4K 30p video recording
• $797 / £799

If you’re looking for a camera with a big zoom lens, the Nikon Coolpix P950 is an excellent choice for action shooters. It offers a whopping 2000mm equivalent zoom range, which can even be extended to 4000mm using digital zoom technology. This allows you to capture action from a distance and still maintain detail. While the P950’s 1/2.3-inch sensor size may impact image quality, especially in low light, it offers great value for the price. If the P950 is out of your budget, you can consider its predecessor, the Coolpix P900, which offers a similar zoom range at a lower price point.

Pros:
– 83x optical zoom range
– Impressive portability
– RAW format support

Cons:
– Small sensor impacts image quality
– Relatively pricey

Best for: Budget-conscious photographers who want simplicity and a large zoom range.

Best Enthusiast Sports DSLR: Canon EOS 90D

• DSLR
• 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 10 fps continuous shooting
• ISO 100 – 51,200 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• $1,199 / £1,209 body-only

The Canon EOS 90D is a versatile DSLR that provides a satisfying shooting experience for enthusiasts. It features a revamped 32.5MP sensor that produces exceptional images with enough detail for cropping. The camera’s ergonomic design and optical viewfinder offer a traditional shooting experience that many photographers love. While it may lack some advanced features found in professional sports cameras, such as a second card slot, the EOS 90D offers excellent image quality and a long-lasting battery. Investing in a high-quality Canon EF-mount lens is recommended to complement this camera.

Pros:
– Excellent resolving power
– Beautiful optical viewfinder
– Superb ergonomics
– 1300-shot battery life

Cons:
– Only one card slot
– Cheap lenses may not do justice to the sensor
– Aging autofocus system

Best for: Enthusiasts who prefer an optical viewfinder and the versatility of a DSLR.

Best APS-C Mirrorless Camera for Sports: Fujifilm X-H2s

• 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS sensor
• ISO 80-51,200 (extended)
• 40 frames per second shooting
• 6K 30p / 4K 120p video recording
• 5-axis in-body stabilization
• $2,499 / £2,399 body-only

The Fujifilm X-H2s is one of the most sophisticated APS-C cameras ever made. It boasts a 26.2MP stacked BSI CMOS sensor that allows for impressive 40fps shooting. The camera’s subject-recognition autofocus system can detect various subjects, including animals, cars, and trains. With a wide ISO range, the X-H2s performs well in low-light conditions, allowing for faster shutter speeds. The extensive range of X-mount lenses available makes it an excellent choice for sports photographers.

Pros:
– Super-fast shooting and responsive operation
– Great image quality in both JPEG and raw
– Effective subject-recognition autofocus
– Robust, weather-sealed build quality

Cons:
– Occasionally unresponsive touchscreen
– Expensive for an APS-C model

Best for: High-speed shooting enthusiasts who prefer APS-C sensors over full-frame.

Best Sports Camera for Burst Shooting: Nikon Z9

• Mirrorless camera
• 45.7MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
• 120 fps shooting at 11MP (20 fps full-resolution RAWs)
• ISO 32-102,400 (extended)
• 8K 30p video
• $5,499 / £5,299 body-only

The Nikon Z9 is the flagship mirrorless sports camera from Nikon and offers the most advanced continuous shooting capabilities on the market. With its 45.7MP sensor, it can capture images at up to 30fps in JPEG and 20fps in RAW format. The camera’s AI-powered autofocus system is groundbreaking and provides precise subject detection. The Z9 is ideal for professional sports photographers who need the fastest burst shooting capabilities. Keep in mind that the Z9 is a high-end camera with a high price tag, and you’ll need advanced CFExpress memory cards to fully utilize its speed.

Pros:
– Class-leading burst shooting
– AI subject-detection autofocus
– Efficient, space-saving RAW files
– Pro-quality handling

Cons:
– Expensive
– Large and heavy
– Requires expensive memory cards

Best for: Sports professionals who require the fastest burst shooting.

Best Sports Camera in Low Light: Sony A9 II

• Mirrorless camera
• 24MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
• 20 fps shooting
• ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• $4,498 / £4,299

The Sony A9 II is a sports camera designed for working professionals. It offers features that can save time and make the workflow more efficient, such as voice-tagging images and fast transfers through the ethernet port. The camera’s 20fps continuous shooting speed and outstanding autofocus, especially Eye AF, make it a reliable choice for capturing fast-moving subjects. The A9 II excels in low-light conditions, with its ability to focus in dim conditions as low as -3EV. The camera’s 10fps mechanical shutter further enhances its low-light performance. Sony offers a wide range of E-mount lenses to complement the A9 II.

Pros:
– Reworked mechanical shutter
– Superb Eye AF
– Voice tagging feature

Cons:
– No CFExpress support
– Complicated menu system

Best for: Working sports press photographers who require exceptional performance in low-light conditions.

Best Micro Four Thirds Sports Camera: OM System Olympus OM-1

• Mirrorless camera
• 20.4MP Four Thirds stacked CMOS sensor
• 50 fps with C-AF, 120 fps with AF locked
• ISO 80-102,400 (extended)
• 4K 60p video recording
• $1,999 / £1,999 body-only

The Olympus OM-1 pays tribute to the original Olympus OM film SLR and is a highly impressive camera for its price. It offers an incredible burst shooting speed of 120fps with AF locked and 50fps with continuous autofocus, making it comparable to much more expensive cameras like the Nikon Z9. The camera’s extensive weather sealing makes it suitable for outdoor sports photography, and the 1053-point autofocus system ensures precise focus. The OM-1 also features a unique Pro Capture mode that allows you to capture up to 70 shots before pressing the shutter release button. While the Micro Four Thirds sensor may not offer the same resolution as full-frame cameras, the OM-1 is a great choice for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Pros:
– Seriously fast burst shooting
– Half the price of pro sports cameras
– IP53 weather rating
– Exceptional stabilization

Cons:
– 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor may not satisfy all users
– Menus are not touch-sensitive

Best for: Outdoor sports photography enthusiasts.

Best Sports DSLR: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III

• DSLR
• 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• 20 fps shooting
• ISO 50 – 819,200 (extended)
• 4K 60p video recording
• $5,999 / £6,499

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is likely to be remembered as the last great sports DSLR. It offers exceptional performance for action shooting, with its deep-learning autofocus system that improves with use, 20fps burst speed, and virtually unlimited shot buffer. The extensive range of EF lenses ensures you’ll never run out of options. While the EOS-1D X Mark III is big and heavy compared to mirrorless cameras, it offers unparalleled handling and image quality. It’s an incredible camera that can serve sports photographers for years to come.

Pros:
– Futuristic deep-learning autofocus
– Virtually unlimited shot buffer
– Excellent high-ISO performance
– Unmatched DSLR handling

Cons:
– Large and heavy
– Not the future direction of camera technology

Best for: Professionals and serious enthusiasts who prefer the handling of a DSLR.

Best Sports Camera Overall: Sony A1

• Mirrorless camera
• 50.1MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• 30 fps shooting
• ISO 50-102,400 (extended)
• 8K 30p video recording
• $6,499 / £6,500 body-only

The Sony A1 is the ultimate sports camera that combines speed and resolution. With its 50.1MP sensor, it can capture incredibly detailed images at a rate of 30fps, with autofocus adjustments between shots. The camera’s autofocus system is powered by artificial intelligence and makes capturing fast-moving subjects effortless. The A1 also offers 8K video recording and a wide ISO range for low-light performance. Sony’s E-mount lens range is the most extensive for full-frame mirrorless systems, providing plenty of options for sports photographers. While the A1 comes with a high price tag, it represents the cutting edge of camera technology and delivers unmatched performance.

Pros:
– Full-resolution 30fps burst with AF
– Exceptional viewfinder
– 8K video recording

Cons:
– Expensive
– Not ideal for use with gloves

Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts who want the best of the best.

In conclusion, the best action cameras for sports photography vary depending on your budget and specific needs. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there are options available to suit your requirements. From budget-friendly models like the Fujifilm X-T30 II and Sony A6000 to high-end cameras like the Nikon Z9 and Sony A1, you can find the perfect camera to capture fast-action moments in sports. Consider factors such as burst shooting speed, autofocus performance, low-light capabilities, and lens compatibility when making your decision. With the right camera in hand, you’ll be able to freeze the action and capture stunning sports photographs.