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There are a ton of reasons why you might consider sports video cameras. Maybe you want to highlight talent for recruiting purposes, or you just want to show some action. And while a modern smartphone is certainly capable of filming sports, having a dedicated camera for the job will elevate the professional quality of your footage. So read on to find some of the best sports camcorders that will fit a variety of budgets and needs.
Best Digital Camera For Sports Action Shots
Before purchasing a sports camera, it’s important to consider the particular nuances of the specific sport (or sports) you’ll be shooting and where your footage will go. It’s also important to assess whether you’re filming a professional-level sporting event, a mid-level event, or something more casual. This will also influence what type of camera makes the most sense to carry. For example, if you want to cover a head-to-head event, you’ll want a camera with no recording limits. This feature will be less critical if you just want to create a highlight reel from your footage.
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In this buying guide, we explore a few different styles of sports cameras that suit different budgets. At the high end are the cinema cameras. A film camera will allow you to shoot at very high resolutions and also allow you to change lenses depending on what you’re shooting, making it the tool of choice for many pro-level shooters.
If you don’t need something so advanced, there are other options. For example, a small action camera will be better for capturing unique angles or shooting in POV. They are also ideal for filming action sports because they are usually durable and waterproof. Finally, a mirrorless camera can be a great option if you want something to shoot 4K video, but don’t mind having the ability to shoot high-quality stills.
Our picks for the best sports camcorders Best professional sports camcorder: Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2
Why it made the cut: This versatile film camera offers 15 stops of dynamic range, can record up to 300 fps (great for capturing slow-motion footage), and its external controls make it easy to change settings while the camera is running.
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If you’ve used a DSLR camera before, you’ll have no problem getting comfortable with this Black Magic cinema camera. While it seems like an expensive option for filming sports, it’s a fraction of the price of the equipment most broadcasters use. But it will still give you high quality images of the big game. It also features ATEM switcher integration, which means this is an excellent choice for multi-camera live streaming.
The Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2 can record 120 fps in 4.6K and up to 300 fps in 1080p for spectacular slow-motion photography. It offers 15 stops of dynamic range at ISO 3200 and has a USB-C expansion port for recording directly to external drives. Lastly, Blackmagic RAW capture is stunning and its external controls make it much easier to change settings on the fly.
Why it made the cut: The best choice for capturing extreme sports from unique perspectives, the Hero10 has class-leading image stabilization, can record 5.3K video, and has a durable, waterproof build. It is ideal for filming action sports such as snowboarding and surfing.
GoPro’s Hero10 is a step above the crowded field of action cameras. Built around an all-new G2 processor, you’ll get greater resolution and HyperSmooth 4.0 digital image stabilization. Image stabilization results in smooth footage without a gimbal, even when moving a lot. And it can record 5.3K video at 60fps or 4K video at up to 120fps.
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Camera quality isn’t the only useful feature for action sports. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet without a housing, and if you pair it with an underwater housing accessory, it’ll be protected up to 196 feet. In addition, it has a built-in 2-prong bracket that makes it easy to attach to a variety of accessories and supports. It’s an excellent choice for capturing unique perspectives of a sporting event by mounting it to a hoop or goal post. And with the right accessories, you’ll capture stunning POV footage.
If you want to invest in a GoPro but don’t have the budget for the Hero10, the Hero9 is still a more than capable camera. Read our full review here.
Why it made the cut: This all-in-one pocket gimbal and 4K camera offers sports shooters beautiful stabilized images in a small, affordable package.
This all-in-one gimbal/camera combo makes shooting stabilized sports footage a breeze. And as the name suggests, it’s compact enough to fit comfortably in your pocket. It’s built around a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and has a fast f/1.8 lens with a 20mm equivalent field of view.
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Despite the small size, you’ll be able to get a lot of quality out of it as it can record 4K videos at up to 60 fps. In addition, the tracking mode can follow faces, which makes it an exciting option for capturing a solo athlete like a gymnast or figure skater.
Why it made the cut: This hybrid mirrorless camera is an excellent choice for shooting video and stills due to its excellent in-body image stabilization system and powerful internal 10-bit recording capabilities 4K.
The Fujifilm X-T4’s video capabilities make it an excellent choice for amateur sports shooters who would also benefit from a stills camera. In-body image stabilization combined with 10-bit 4K video capabilities make it a great tool for sports filmmakers looking for a lightweight option to bring to the game.
It can record 4K at 60 fps and can continue to shoot for approximately 30 minutes. This limit should cover most of the action. While it doesn’t have subject tracking when shooting video, it can still track faces while recording, which is nice if you’ll be pairing the body with a long lens to capture game details.
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Why it made the cut: It’s an affordable sports option that doesn’t skimp on features like face detection and image stabilization.
If your budget is tight, Sony’s entry-level Handycam can be a great low-cost option for shooting sports. Although it lacks 4K capture, the 60x zoom found in this camera will be superior to the zoom quality you get from your smartphone. In addition, there are additional features such as face detection and image stabilization. Don’t expect top-quality video images, but this camera is definitely capable of capturing sports, especially at the amateur level.
Many cameras on the market today can keep up with the fast pace of shooting sports. When selecting the best camera for the job, you should consider the sport you’re trying to film, where your footage will go, and your budget. The best camera for a broadcast professional will be very different from the best camera for someone who wants to film their kids’ little league game.
The GoPro Hero10 is the best for filming sports. This is due to its high-quality construction, excellent image quality, electronic image stabilization and the new GP 2 processor. Although it is more expensive than other action cameras on the market, its high-end features set it above the rest.
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Techniques for filming a sporting event will change dramatically depending on the sport. As a general rule, it is essential to stay away from competing athletes and match officials. If you’re a game capture enthusiast, it’s also important to stay out of the way of camera operators and professional photographers.
A good sports camera depends on the sport you are trying to film. If you want to shoot something end-to-end, you’ll want a camera that has no recording limits. If you’re shooting field sports, you’ll probably need a long lens to capture the details. Indoor sports will need a camera that performs well in low light. If the sport is played outside, it will also be valuable to have a setup that has a robust, weather-resistant construction.
Choosing the right camera for shooting sports has a lot to do with what sport you’re shooting. Before buying a camera for work, it can be helpful to make a list of the sports you will likely be shooting. A camera that is good for capturing action sports may not be the best choice for shooting a baseball or football game.
While you could certainly mount a GoPro near the hoop to get some interesting angles, filming a basketball game end-to-end from the stands with a GoPro might not make for the most interesting footage. Its extreme wide angle will cause players to look farther away, making it harder to make out the details of the game when they watch it again. But mounting anything near the hoop would require permission, and there’s always the chance your GoPro will be knocked off in the action.
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