13 Best Video Camera for Shooting Sports in 2023 – Reviewed
If you are into the shooting of fast-paced sports, you would know how difficult it is to frame the perfect shot you want. Here comes the part where the right camera for shooting sports plays a vital role
When it comes to buying the best video camera, we always go for a long term investment.
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In this article, we are reviewing the 13 best video camera for shooting sports. So let’s start:
Buying guide
Nowadays, cameras come with different functionalities and features, which makes it difficult to choose anyone.
To make it easier, we are writing a buying guide that will help you pick up the best camera. There are a lot of sports that require different types of shooting cameras.
The primary key features you should consider are Autofocus (AF) tracking, AF speed, and, most importantly, built-in body stabilization, which is an essential feature to capture fast-moving objects.
You’ll need a higher ISO camera and better performance in low light scenarios to shoot any sports. A good optical zoomis also an essential component to capture the players playing across the field.
If you want to capture more details in your shots, you need a camera that can shoot in a higher bit of depth. These features will allow you to capture more accurate colors and detailed information in your shots.
But to capture the right detailed images, you’ll need to plan the correct color settings and might need to color grade your picture too. In this buying guide, we have mentioned different sports and requirements of every sport according to it.
These are the important things you should consider before going for a camera.
Lighting conditions.
Light-matter a lot, so make sure you must consider the lighting conditions of the sports you will shoot. Are the sports you are shooting played indoors or outdoor and also played at night or day? If you are shooting a game at night, you will need a better low light performance camera.
Can you move with the game, or are you stuck in your seat?
Some sports are played with requiring less area so you can move along with the action scene. But some sports are played in large fields where you can capture the details while moving every moment. A lens with a reasonable zoom rate and built-in body stabilization is always needed in such a situation.
Speed of play.
Sports like basketball, football, hockey, and soccer require you to keeping moving every moment to capture the scene. To shoot the fast-moving game, you’ll need a camera with a fantastic Autofocus system.
Your position relative to the action.
Another important aspect while capturing any sports is your position with the scene. If you will be far away from the action scene, then pick up a camera with good Zooming capabilities and also a built-in Optical Steady Shot body stabilization feature.
Resolution of the footage you want (E.g., 4k, 1080p, video bit depths available).
The resolution of the camera also plays a vital role while capturing almost everything. Different models of the camera come with different resolutions with the frame rates in the camera. Some video cameras can shoot in 60 frames per second in 4K or at 120 Frames per second in 1080p.
At the same time, some other cameras cannot. It’s simple to understand the higher resolution, and the better it will be the result. So, the resolution is an important aspect to keep in mind while buying the best video camera for shooting videos.
Finally, your total budget.
There is a wide array of cameras that comes with a different price range. It’s always better to do some calculations and set a budget so that you’ll be mentally prepared to stick to that budget while buying.
Sports and which camera is best for which sports
Football
Football is a game that is being played at bigger fields, which means that you will need a longer lens with a camera that features built-in body stabilization. Usually, it’s played day and night in a bigger stadium with strong light conditions, so the low light performance of a camera isn’t an essential factor here.
Soccer
Soccer is a game also played at bigger stadiums, with the same conditions as Football. Still, you may or may not be able to move along with the action scene, so you’ll need a camera with zooming range and built-in body stabilization.
Basketball
Another kind of ball game that is played indoors requiring much lesser area than Football and soccer. As it is played indoors, so it means that a video camera with good low light performance is a major aspect to consider here. To capture the fast-moving game, you’ll also need a fast AF system to capture the ball with the player.
Baseball
While capturing baseball, you will be sitting in one position. The camera that will work best for you should be a mirrorless camera with good zoom range and body stabilization that will help you capture the match’s perfect catch.
Golf
Golf, a gamer that is usually in the daytime, you’ll be walking the course along with the player, so a camera with a good zoom range on the ground is something you should consider here. Low-light is not a big deal here. AF system and good zoom range, and that’s it.
Tennis
Sports in which you’ll be closer with the action, you may want an excellent flexible zoom range to capture the perfect serves, but there’s a condition to this too. You should close enough to the scene, or else you’ll need an extra-long zoom in lens along with an excellent AF system.
Watersports and extreme sports: Skydiving, Snowboarding, Skiing, and surfing
There is a condition here, too, if you’ll be shooting from the perspective of the first person. The best type of camera you can have is an action camera. On the other hand, if you are a third-person shooter, then a video camera with broad zooming capabilities coupled with built-in body stabilization is your thing.
Cricket
A game similar to baseball, and so are the needs. So, in short, you need a camera with a good zoom range, with good body stabilization is the best bet for you.
Car Racing
On the fast-moving tracks, the lighting conditions change rapidly, so the key to capture the best shots is to use a video camera with blazingly fast AF tracking, smooth results in low light scenarios with a good range.
Table tennis and badminton
Indoor but fast-speed games, which means a camera with good low light performance and blazing fast, accurate AF system, is a go for the type.