The best cameras for sports photography need to be able to capture fast, fleeting moments in pin-sharp detail, nailing shots with speed and accuracy. This means we’re looking for something more specific than the best camera for photography – we’re looking for machines that can work at distance, and reliably capture moments that may never be repeated.
Fast burst rates are a must, and impressive focus are a must when shooting sports, and every model on this list offers this or more. This guide represents an up-to-date selection of the best sports cameras our team has ever tested, including budget-friendly models as well as high-end professional cameras, from majoy brands like Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm and OM-System.
Check out our guide to how to shoot action and sports photography for more tips, or read on as we count off the best cameras for action and sports photography that you can buy right now…
Best camera for action and sports photography: the quick list
- Best overall sports camera: Nikon Z8 – Buy now
- Best beginner sports camera: Nikon Z50II – Buy now
- Best Canon APS-C camera for sports: Canon EOS R7 – Buy now
- Best budget full-frame Nikon for sports: Nikon Z5 II – Buy now
- Best full-frame Canon for sports: Canon EOS R1 – Buy now
- Best Fujifilm camera for sports: Fujifilm X-H2s – Buy now
- Best Micro Four Thirds sports camera: OM System OM-1 Mark II – Buy now
- Best superzoom sports camera: Nikon Coolpix P950 – Buy now
- Best sports camera for pros: Sony A9 III – Buy now
Looking for the best deal on cameras for action and sports? You’ll find some of the best cheap camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons automatically take you to the best prices from trusted retailers. There is also a list of other retailers below each camera so you can find the right deal for you.
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Read on to find out what makes each of these cameras an exceptional choice for sports photography…
The best cameras for action and sports photography:
Best overall
Best overall sports camera: Nikon Z8
Amateur Photographer verdict
This pro-powerhouse will make mincemeat of pretty much any sports photography situation you could think of, with fast burst rates and frankly phenomenal subject-detection autofocus, overall a winner.- Brilliant, high-res image quality
- Remarkable shooting speeds
- Stunningly clever autofocus
- Pro-spec build and handling
- Pretty big and heavy
- On the expensive end of the scale
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Nikon Z8 |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 45.7MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor |
| Continuous shooting | 20 fps full-resolution RAWs (30fps JPEG) |
| Sensitivity | ISO 64-25,600 (standard) |
| Video | 8K 30p video |
| Price | $3,399 / £3,299 (body-only) |
After Nikon won a ton of plaudits for its professional flagship sports camera, the Nikon Z9, it followed up with a slightly slimmed-down version bearing a somewhat more affordable price tag – the Nikon Z8. While it’s still an expensive proposition for most people, the Nikon Z8 is significantly less of an outlay, and still packs in a lot of what made the Z9 so brilliant for sports photography.
There’s that high-resolution 45.7MP sensor and the capacity to burst-shoot at up to 20fps in full-resolution RAW (and 30fps JPEG), while also recognising and tracking focus on specific subjects. The fastest shutter speed is an incredibly fleeting 1/32,000sec. It’s a beast for sports shooting, there’s no doubt.
So what’s missing? Well, the Z8 doesn’t have the Z9’s big beefy battery, so doesn’t have the same kind of longevity (though buying the optional battery grip can offset this somewhat). It also fields one CFexpress card slot and one SD slot, rather than two CFexpress slots as on the Z9. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since while SD cards are substantially slower, they are also substantially cheaper.
All in all, the Nikon Z8 is a brilliant sports camera for enthusiasts and professionals alike, bolstered by the superb range of Z-mount lenses available.
Best for: sports pros who do a little of everything.
Read our review of the Nikon Z8.
Best for beginners
Best beginner sports camera: Nikon Z50II
Amateur Photographer verdict
An affordable, up-to-date mirrorless camera with cutting-edge autofocus and a deep shot buffer, the Nikon Z50II is ideal for getting started with sports on a budget, and it’s easy to use.- Excellent image quality, especially in raw
- Very capable autofocus system
- Generous shot buffer
- Unusually good viewfinder for its class
- No in-body image stabilisation
- No AF-area joystick (d-pad instead)
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Nikon Z50II |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 20MP DX-format CMOS sensor |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 11fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-51,200 (standard) |
| Video | 4K 30p video recording; 4K 60p with 1.5x crop |
| Price | $907 / £849 body-only |
If you’re looking for your first sports-photography camera, I can happily recommend the Nikon Z50II. A capable little APS-C mirrorless that’s ideal for novices, it’s small, portable and affordable, but boasts plenty of features that mean it punches above its weight when it comes to capturing action. The autofocus system is excellent, benefiting from the latest technology, including 3D tracking, a broad selection of focus area modes, and intelligent subject detection that can identify human subjects and lock onto them.
It’s also a nippy burst shooter, with up to 11fps available, and a surprisingly deep buffer for a camera of its class – in his full review, our technical editor Andy Westlake was managing sustained bursts of 16 seconds, which should be more than enough to capture the critical moment in a match. Its image quality is very attractive in both JPEG and RAW – 20MP of resolution might sound a little low compared to the monster cameras of today, but it’s perfectly fine for most purposes.
Nikon could perhaps do with hurrying up and releasing a few more DX-format (APS-C) zoom lenses for the Z system. But nevertheless, the Nikon Z50 II is a very capable sports camera indeed, and an ideal platform on which to learn the ropes.
Best for: sports-shooting novices
Read our full Nikon Z50II review.
Best APS-C Canon
Best Canon APS-C camera for sports: Canon EOS R7
Amateur Photographer verdict
Canon’s lightweight speedster with a smaller sensor, the EOS R7 impresses with 32.5MP of resolution and some truly muscular burst speeds. It’s pricier than the Z50II, but more advanced.- High-speed, high-resolution
- Lightweight, weather-sealed body
- In-body image stabilisation
- Limited RF-S lenses
- Kit lens isn’t weather sealed
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Canon EOS R7 |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 32.5MP APS-C sensor |
| Continuous shooting | 30fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-51,200 (extended) |
| Video | 4K 60p video |
| Price | $1,499 / £1,349 body-only |
Canon offers a few mirrorless cameras with smaller APS-C sensors. The EOS R7 is the most advanced, and consequently the most expensive, but in terms of value for money it’s one of the best sports cameras you can get. The sensor itself offers a topline resolution of 32.5MP, which gives you greater latitude for cropping into images without losing detail – useful if you’re restricted in how close you can get to the action. It will also hold up better if you want to make prints of your images.
In terms of its sports-shooting feature-set, the EOS R7 has a lot to shout about. Its 30fps burst shooting is more than enough to capture anything that moves, with a buffer that can go up to 126 JPEGs or 42 raw images. With the electronic shutter you can achieve speeds as fast as 1/16,000sec, allowing you freeze even the speediest of action. This is all complemented by a top-class autofocus system, with an impressive 5,915 AF points that are selectable, as well as 651 AF areas on automatic selection mode. As is obligatory on a modern camera, it also has automatic subject detection. In our review, Josh found the continuous tracking very reliable, with the camera able to keep focus on a subject’s face even as they moved quickly through the frame.
Bets for: amateur/intermediate sports shooters
Read our full Canon EOS R7 review.
Best full-frame Nikon
Best full-frame Nikon camera for sports: Nikon Z5 II
Amateur Photographer verdict
Nikon’s affordable all-rounder is one of the best-value full-frame mirrorless cameras around – and its spec sheet is well-tailored to sports.- Amazing value for money
- Excellent AF with subject-detection
- Reliable auto metering
- No top-plate LCD for quick viewing of settings
- Less portable/travel-friendly than APS-C or MFT rivals
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Nikon Z5 II |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame (FX format) BSI CMOS |
| Continuous shooting | 15fps in raw; 30fps JPEG |
| Sensitivity | 100-64000 |
| Video | 4K 60p (cropped); 4K 30p (uncropped) |
| Price | $1696 / £1599 |
It’s the camera so well designed that our reviewer, Amy Davies, went out and bought one when she was done – the Nikon Z5 II is a jack-of-all-trades with a large full-frame sensor. Delivering sublime image quality from a body that handles beautifully, the Z5 II also boasts plenty of features that make it a dab hand at sports. Probably the most important is the truly excellent autofocus system, which benefits from all the latest subject-detection tech, and can lock onto human subjects with quite simply preternatural accuracy.
But in truth, the Nikon Z5 II is an all-around fantastic package. One thing that really strikes about this camera is how it just works – its reliable metering system comes back with a well-judged exposure in the vast majority of shooting situations, and the colours are rich and vivid, just as you want them. Dual card slots allow you to keep on shooting for longer – or back up your images if you’re shooting something important – and you get all the modern conveniences you’d expect, like USB-C charging.
Perfectly pitched (and priced!) for photo enthusiasts, the Nikon Z5 II is one of the best cameras we’ve tested in recent years. It’s always a big moment when an AP writer is moved to get out the credit card!
Best for: enthusiast photographers, those looking to jump up to full-frame
Read our full Nikon Z5 II review.
Best full-frame Canon
Best full-frame Canon camera for sports: Canon EOS R1
Amateur Photographer verdict
The Canon EOS R1 is a superb camera in its niche of top-end sports and action photography. It’s super-fast and built like a tank. But its price means there are better options for most people.- Super-fast shooting
- Superb viewfinder
- Robust build and excellent control setup
- Prodigious battery life
- Eye control focus
- Works seamlessly with EF-mount SLR lenses
- Large and heavy
- Extremely expensive
- Slightly compromised dynamic range
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Canon EOS R1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24MP stacked CMOS sensor |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 40fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-102,400 (standard), 50-409,600 (extended) |
| Video | 6K 60fps video |
| Price | $6,799 / £6,799 body-only |
If you’ve got a bigger budget and want a seriously well-specced camera for sports shooting, the Canon EOS R1 is probably the best you can get before launching into real pro territory (where the prices climb vertiginously). An all-rounder with a very impressive spec sheet, the EOS R1 uses a 24MP sensor and offers the latest in shooting speeds, with burst rates of up to 40fps when you switch to the electronic shutter. That’s very, very fast – almost certainly faster than you need.
Its autofocus system is similarly high end, benefiting not just from subject-detection, but also Canon’s face registration function, which allows you to set faces of specific individuals for the camera to prioritise when focusing. Want the system to stay locked in on the star striker, even when other players are mobbing them? You can! There’s the Action Priority mode, which initially works for football, basketball, and volleyball. It employs ball tracking and an understanding of certain ‘action poses’ to determine when to switch focus between the players. With football, for example, it’s designed to recognise and prioritise such things as ‘save by keeper’ and ‘sliding tackle’.
If you need its particular strengths – that pro-spec reliability, blistering 40 frames per second speed, and immense battery life – this one is for you. But for those with smaller budgets, there are other more accesible choices like the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, which provides higher resolution in a smaller body for less money, but with otherwise almost all the same features.
Read our full Canon EOS R1 review.
Best Fujifilm
Best Fujifilm camera for sports: Fujifilm X-H2S
Amateur Photographer verdict
Hugely impressive, this high-performance mirrorless camera can stand toe-to-toe with full-frame contemporaries, boasting blistering speeds and fast focusing.- Super-fast shooting and responsive operation
- Great image quality in JPEG and RAW
- Effective subject-recognition autofocus
- Weather-sealed build
- Occasionally unresponsive touchscreen
- Expensive for APS-C
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Fujifilm X-H2S |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 40fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 80-51,200 (extended) |
| Video | 6K 30p, 4K 120p |
| Price | $2,499 / £2,499 body-only |
The Fujifilm X-H2S uses a 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS sensor which lets the camera shoot at an impressive 40fps, and on top of this the camera features an effective subject-recognition autofocus system which can detect animals, birds, cars, motorbikes, airplanes and trains! If you’re into motorsports, then this camera is designed for you.
The camera has a wide ISO range, meaning you can shoot in lower light conditions without having to worry too much about using higher ISO speeds when needed, meaning you can keep shutter speeds nice and fast. With a wide-range of X-mount lenses available, this is easily one of the best Fujifilm cameras available.
Best for: high-speed shooting for those who don’t want to go to full-frame
Best MFT for sports
Best Micro Four Thirds sports camera: OM System OM-1 Mark II
Amateur Photographer verdict
Lightning-fast and equipped with tons of clever features, the OM System OM-1 Mark II is a highly capable sports shooter. As long as the resolution isn’t too low for you, there’s a lot to recommend it.- Excellent subject-detection features
- Speedy shooting with improved buffer
- IP53 weather-sealed
- Only 20MP resolution
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | OM System OM-1 Mark II |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 20MP Four Thirds Stacked BSI Live MOS |
| Continuous shooting | 50 fps with C-AF, 120 fps with AF locked |
| Sensitivity | ISO 80-102,400 (extended) |
| Video | 4K 60p |
| Price | $1,900 / £2,049 body-only |
A refining update to an already excellent camera, the OM System OM-1 Mark II exemplifies everything that’s great about the Micro Four Thirds system. It’s a truly impressive sports-shooting package, capable of tracking and capturing even the most fast-moving subjects, and with an extensively weatherproofed shell that makes it well-suited to outdoor sports.
Even with a little price bump over the original OM System ‘Olympus’ OM-1, this is still a truly impressive sports camera for the money. It can manage 120fps burst shooting with AF locked, putting it almost on par with the Nikon Z9, which costs more than double the price. Knock that rate down to a still-impressive 50fps and you get continuous autofocus, as well as blackout-free shooting. There are plenty of full-frame rivals that can’t put in that kind of shift.
There are loads of other features we highlighted in our glowing review of the camera as well, like the extensive weather sealing, the 1053-point autofocus system, and the clever Pro Capture mode that can capture up to 70 shots before you press the shutter release button. Granted, the smaller MFT sensor with 20MP resolution may simply not be enough for some users – if you can live with it, there’s a fine camera here, with a wide range of lenses available.
Best for: outdoor sports-shooting enthusiasts.
Best superzoom compact
Best superzoom sports camera: Nikon Coolpix P950
Amateur Photographer verdict
Its image quality isn’t up to the standards of the best mirrorless cameras, but the Nikon Coolpix P950 offers an unparalleled zoom range for the money, which is perfect for sports shooting.- Huge 83x zoom range
- Impressive portability
- Can shoot in RAW format
- Small sensor impacts image quality
- Pricey for a bridge camera
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Nikon Coolpix P950 |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact (bridge) camera |
| Sensor | 16MP 1/2.3-in CMOS |
| Continuous shooting | 15 fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 – 6400 |
| Video | 4K 30p |
| Price | $797 / £849 |
A superzoom bridge camera gives you more zooming power for your buck than pretty much anything else on the market. The Nikon Coolpix P950 boasts a whopping upper optical zoom range of 200mm equivalent, and using the digital zoom technology this can even be pushed to 4000mm, close enough to make out the individual follicles on a football player’s head, if that’s something you want to do.
An equivalent setup in a mirrorless or DSLR system would likely run you into a five-figure price tag, so the Nikon Coolpix P950 is certainly offering value for money. You just need to be aware of its limitations; namely, the 1/2.3-inch sensor size, which has a notable impact on image quality, especially in low light. If this camera is out of your budget then it’s worth looking at its predecessor, the Coolpix P900, which can generally be picked up second-hand for under 500. It’s missing a few features like an accessory hotshoe, and has a smaller viewfinder, but it’s still got that colossal zoom range.
This is an older superzoom, with Nikon having more recently released successors like the Coolpix P1100. However, in general you don’t want to pay too much for a bridge camera as there are always going to be limits on quality, and the used price of the Coolpix P950 is pretty good at the moment.
Best for: budget photographers who want to keep things simple.
Read our full review of the Nikon Coolpix P950.
Best for pros
Best sports camera for pros: Sony A9 III
Amateur Photographer verdict
With groundbreaking global shutter technology, the Sony A9 III is a next-generation sports-shooting tool for professionals. It’s not cheap, but it is almost supernaturally capable.- Extraordinary autofocus and continuous shooting
- No rolling shutter distortion
- No banding under artificial light
- Flash sync available at any shutter speed
- Highly specialised for speed
- Over-complicated Sony menus
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Sony A9 III |
|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame stacked CMOS with global shutter |
| Continuous shooting | 120fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 250-25,600 |
| Video | 4K 120p |
| Price | $5,998 / £6,099 |
A world’s first of the kind that Sony has made its business out of over the past decade or so, the Sony A9 III is the first full-frame camera with a global shutter sensor. This means it is capable of reading out every pixel on the sensor simultaneously, and what this means in real terms is that there’s no subject distortion due to rolling shutter, and no flickering or banding artefacts in artificial light. Flash sync is also available at all shutter speeds without needing to use high-speed sync mode.
Speed is the name of the game here. The Sony A9 III, even more so than the previous Sony A9 II, is a professional tool designed for working sports photographers who need 120fps silent shooting in full resolution RAW, with focus tracking and no viewfinder blackout. All this comes at a price of course, but that’s why it’s a professional camera.
The A9 III does suffer in some areas, with compromises having been made in terms of raw image quality in order to achieve its dizzying speeds. In dynamic range and high-ISO performance, it lags behind peers from the likes of Nikon and Panasonic. It’s a specialist tool rather than an all-rounder. You’ll also find there’s a wide range of E-Mount lenses available.
Best for: working sports press photographers.
Here is our in-depth review of the Sony Alpha A9 lll.
Specifications compared:
| Specifications | Nikon Z8 | Nikokn Z50II | Canon EOS R7 | Nikon Z5 II | Canon EOS R1 | Fujifilm X-H2S | OM System OM-1 Mark II | Nikon Coolpix P950 | Sony A9 III |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Compact (bridge) camera | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 45.7MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor | 20MP DX-format CMOS sensor | 32.5MP APS-C sensor | 24.5MP full-frame (FX format) BSI CMOS | 24MP stacked CMOS sensor | 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS | 20MP Four Thirds Stacked BSI Live MOS | 16MP 1/2.3-in CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame stacked CMOS with global shutter |
| Continuous shooting | 20 fps full-resolution RAWs (30fps JPEG) | Up to 11fps | 30fps | 15fps in raw; 30fps JPEG | 24MP stacked CMOS sensor | 26.2MP APS-C stacked BSI CMOS | 20MP Four Thirds Stacked BSI Live MOS | 15 fps | 120fps |
| Sensitivity | ISO 64-25,600 (standard) | ISO 100-51,200 (standard) | ISO 100-51,200 (extended) | 100-64000 | ISO 100-102,400 (standard), 50-409,600 (extended) | ISO 80-51,200 (extended) | ISO 80-102,400 (extended) | ISO 100 – 6400 | ISO 250-25,600 |
| Video | 8K 30p video | 4K 30p video recording; 4K 60p with 1.5x crop | 4K 60p video | 4K 60p (cropped); 4K 30p (uncropped) | 6K 60fps video | 6K 30p, 4K 120p | 4K 60p | 4K 30p | 4K 120p |
| Price | $3,399 / £3,299 (body-only) | $907 / £849 body-only | $1,499 / £1,349 body-only | $1696 / £1599 | $6,799 / £6,799 body-only | $2,499 / £2,499 body-only | $1,900 / £2,049 body-only | $797 / £849 | $5,998 / £6,099 |
How to choose a camera for sports photography
You don’t necessarily need crazy speeds like 30 or 40 fps (which in reality are mostly just a fast way to fill up a card with junk shots), but at least 11 fps will ensure you can capture the moment when you need to. A fast, accurate autofocus system with reliable tracking is a must, and if it benefits from modern-day subject-detection, so much the better. It’s also useful if a sports camera offers good high-ISO performance, allowing you to crank up the sensitivity to keep your shutter speeds fast, without compromising quality.
I’ve selected a mix of APS-C and full-frame mirrorless cameras. While full-frame sensors offer superior quality, the smaller APS-C format has advantages of its own, not least of which is cost. The crop factor of the smaller format extends the effective focal length of lenses giving you more telephoto reach.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Yes, they are all excellent at recording video too, high-speed sensors and video are things that go well together, so if you want to find a good camera for video, then these should all be capable, but for more options have a look at our guide to the best cameras for video.
Essentially the things you need for sports photography, a high shutter speed, fast continuous shooting, and good auto-focus, all of these cameras have this. However, if you have a specific type of sport or activity you want to photograph, then check out what subject detection features each camera has, for example, the Nikon Z8 has subject detection that will detect people, animals, birds, vehicles and airplanes.
How we test cameras for sports photography
The latest cameras, particularly mirrorless cameras, offer fast continuous shooting, high-resolution sensors, and great image quality. So to fully test these cameras for how they perform for sports photography we use them in a variety of different ways to see how the continuous auto-focus systems perform. The majority of camera have subject detection auto-focus, and this means they can correctly detect and lock-on to subjects, essential for sports photography.
We took photos of high-speed cyclists with the Nikon Z8, as well as fast moving birds and planes. We took photos of athletes at the Olympics, and motorsports with the Sony A9 III, as well as kick-boxing in low-light. With the Canon EOS R7 we used continuous auto-focus, along with continuous shooting, using face detection auto-focus so that the subject stayed correctly in focus when shooting football. To test the Fujifilm X-H2s performance we took photos at Goodwood Festival of Speed, an event where the fastest cars (and bikes) in the world are driven past you.
Lead image: Andy Westlake, taken with the Sony A9 III.
Recent updates
- June 2026: Canon EOS R6 Mark III replaced with the Canon EOS R1 as the best full-frame Canon for sports, as the R6 Mark III is better suited for enthusiasts. Specifications tables updated.
- March 2026: Nikon Z8 added as best overall camera for sports. Specifications updated for clarity. FAQ added and how we test section added.
- January 2026: Refreshed the list with current best choices. Removed the Fujifilm X-T30 II, Sony A6000, Panasonic Lumix G9 II, Canon EOS 90D, Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and Sony A1. Added the Nikon Z50 II, Canon EOS R7, Nikon Z5 II and Canon EOS R6 Mark III.
Further reading:
- Best action camera to buy
- How to shoot action and sports
- Gerry Cranham on his legendary sports photography career
- Best drones with cameras
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