Best Cameras for Sports & Action

There’s nothing more frustrating as a photographer than shooting with a camera that is unable to keep up with the action.

Whether you are taking your camera track-side, wanting to get tack-sharp images of the muscle cars passing by, or you are wanting to submit your shots of the local footy club for publication, any one of the cameras on this list is capable of helping you on your journey.

Starting things out right at the top-end of the market, is the high-performance Nikon D5 Digital DSLR. With 153 AF points, which includes 99 cross sensors, the D5 provides stunning autofocus performance and subject tracking, features which are maintained even when firing away at the top continuous shooting speed of 12 frames per second.

All of this on its own is impressive, but what makes the Full-Framed D5 even more of a winner in our eyes is the lack of perceivable buffer. Nikon claim a 200 RAW file buffer, so you can literally hold down the shutter button and continue firing for lengthy periods, and this camera will keep up the pace.

Next up is Canon’s own flagship Digital SLR, the EOS 1DX Mark II. The 20MP full-framed 1DX Mark II is built for speed, with a top continuous shooting speed of 14 frames per second and Canon’s new dual pixel AF system, which is remarkably fast and accurate.

The 61-point AF system of this body is vastly improved over the original 1DX, with 24% more vertical coverage, which improves focus speed and tracking performance. When used with compatible CFast cards the 1DX Mark II delivers an impressive buffer of 170 RAW files, shot at continuous high speed.

Much of the fast performance of the Sony A9 stems from the unique 24MP stacked CMOS sensor. The 693 points of the AF system cover 93% of the image sensor, so focus speed and accuracy are not surprisingly top-notch.

The 20 frames per second continuous shooting performance will hunt down any subject you can poke a stick, or camera lens at, while the electronic shutter allows for an outstanding top shutter speed of 1/32000 of a second. This is a speed-seeker’s dream camera.

The top of the line offering from Olympus, it is no surprise that this Micro Four Thirds camera features performance that far outweighs its compact body.

The weather-sealed OM-D E-M1 Mark II can shoot at an unbelievably high speed of 15 frames per second and it delivers blistering AF speed thanks to its advanced phase-detection AF system. By using the electronic shutter and not using continuous AF you can increase on the burst shooting rate even more, but the real clincher for the E-M1 is its in-body stabiliser, promising blur-free shooting with any lens attached.

When using continuous focus this flagship model from Panasonic, delivers a notable burst rate of 20 frames per second. AF speeds are super-fast, so you can make the most of that burst shooting rate, while much like the previously discussed E-M1 Mark II, this body is all the better for its built-in image stabilisation.

A compact body, although larger than other mirrorless offerings, the G9 features a body design that is comfortable in the hand, which is a real benefit for action shooting, while its magnesium alloy construction leads to supreme weather-sealing, great for shooting in more extreme and adventurous conditions.

That's our pick for the top 5 sports and action cameras, but don't forget, fast shooting also requires fast lenses. Which is why Ted's stock a great range of fast action lenses HERE.