Ted's Top 5 Sports & Action Cameras
Action photography requires speed and lots of it. While a lot comes from your own reaction time - knowing what to look for and when to shoot - a suitably capable camera is essential for the best sports photography. Ask any professional sports photographer, and they’ll tell you just how frustrating it is to have a camera that can’t keep up with the pace of the action.
Whether you’re bringing your camera track-side, capturing high-speed images of the cars zooming past, or to the local footy club on game day, any one of these cameras will get the job done. So, here it is! Discover the best camera for sports photography with Ted’s top five sports and action cameras.
1. Canon EOS R5
- 20 FPS continuous shooting
- 5940 AF points
- Up to 8-stop Image Stabilisation
- 45.7MP Full-Frame sensor + 8K video capture
Joining Canon’s hugely popular full-frame mirrorless camera lineup, the Canon EOS R5 arrives with one hell of a feature list. Boasting a 45.7MP Full-Frame Sensor with up to 8-stops of image stabilisation and 5940 auto-focus points that capture Ultra-HD 8K video, 4K at 120p for slow-motion video, and continuous shooting at 20 frames per second, the EOS R5 an unprecedented leap forward in photography. The Canon EOS R5 is an incredible mirrorless camera that is more than up to the challenge of sports photography.
What makes this camera so damn good is its 5-axis Image Stabilisation, a first for a Canon interchangeable lens camera. Photographers can pair their EOS R5 with compatible stabilised lenses to deliver up to 8 stops of stabilisation. And with a vast lineup of Canon EF-Mount full-frame lenses at your fingertips, the only limit is your imagination.
2. Canon EOS 90D
- 11 FPS continuous shooting
- 45-Point Cross-Type AF
- Optical Viewfinder
- 32.5MP APS-C Sensor
Despite being considered a mid-level Digital SLR, the Canon EOS 90D is one of the best affordable sports cameras suitable for beginners and even professionals. Although lacking a full-frame sensor, its 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor is more than capable, recording 4K30p video and snapping incredible photos under low light conditions.
Plus, with 45 points of auto-focus, the Canon EOS 90D can capture still images in a super quick burst of up to 11 frames per second while also keeping track of fast-paced action thanks to additional auto-focus features like dual pixel focus and eye detection. To extend the shooting power of the 90D, add the Canon BG-E14 battery grip for a boatload of battery life.
3. Fujifilm X-T4
- 15 FPS continuous shooting
- 425-Point AF System
- In-Body Image Stabilisation
- 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans Sensor
If you’re a fan of the traditional SLR design, you’ll love the Fujifilm X-T4. However, the real draw of this camera is not the aesthetics or its impeccable construction quality but performance. Shooting with a Fuji Mirrorless camera is a joyous occasion. Harkening back to an analogue past, the X-T4 replicates this with dedicated ISO and shutter speed dials, alongside physical aperture rings across many compatible lenses.
The Fujifilm X-T4 features a 26.1MP APS-S X-Trans sensor heralded for its brilliant colour performance and low-light image quality. Boasting a rugged, weather-sealed construction, the Fujifilm X-T4 features a lightning-fast 425-point AF system, in-body Image Stabilisation and 15 frames per second continuous shooting, making it a dependable and gorgeous looking sports camera. No action is too fast for the X-T4.
4. Sony A7 Mark III
- 10 FPS continuous shooting
- Fast-Hybrid AF System
- 5-Stop Image Stabilisation
- 24MP Full-Frame Sensor
If you want all the bells and whistles, you want the Sony A7 Mark III. This full-frame mirrorless camera captures professional quality images inside an ergonomic form factor that photographers can wear around their neck all day long without fatigue.
Lightweight, compact, yet still packing one hell of a punch, the A7 Mark III is no wilting flower. Inside its weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis is the BIONZ X image processor. Capable of capturing ten frames per second in continuous shooting mode, you can take a whopping 89 RAW photos before your camera needs a break to process it all. Oh, and it captures Ultra-HD 4K video too.
Coupled with a hybrid AF system that employs both phase-detection and contrast-detection points, and you’ve got both remarkable speed and accuracy. There’s even a 5-axis in-body stabilisation system that delivers up to 5 stops of protection from blur for sharp handheld shooting. From kickoff to the final whistle, you’ll be more than happy with the performance of the Sony A7 Mark III.
5. Nikon Z6II
- 14 FPS continuous shooting
- 273-Point Hybrid AF System
- Built-In VR Stabilisation
- 24.5MP backside-illuminated Full-Frame Sensor
The Nikon Z6II is yet another mirrorless camera on our list of the best cameras for sports photography, and for a good reason. Known for its multimedia qualities, the Z6II captures jaw-dropping, tack-sharp stills and gorgeous 4K UHD video that will appeal to even the pickiest of cinematographers.
In addition, this impressive compact mirrorless camera can shoot at up to 14 frames per second in a single burst, meaning you can hold down your finger and pan an entire stretch of road as the cars race by, giving you several brilliant frames to choose from. Coupled with its blistering fast 273-point AF system and built-in VR Stabilisation, and you’ve got yourself likely the best camera for shooting sports.
Composition is made super easy with a tilting LCD screen and a high-quality electronic viewfinder for accurately finding focus and composing your images. A top OLED panel is also available on the body, giving users a quick readout of their most important settings without taking their eye off the action.
Paired with an expanded ISO range, high shutter speeds, dual memory card slots and one of Nikon’s many Z-Mount lenses, you have yourself one of the best cameras and lenses for sports photography.
Keep up with all of the action with the right camera gear
That's our pick for the top 5 sports and action cameras to help you capture the best action shots. But don't forget: fast shooting also requires fast lenses. Check out Ted’s great range of fast action lenses to pair your new sports camera with.
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