On a Friday night under stadium lights, photographers line the sidelines, cameras raised, waiting for the perfect moment to capture the action. For many students, however, finding a camera that can keep up with fast-paced sports without breaking the bank can be a challenge.
In photography, there are many different styles. Each style demands certain things from the camera. Whether it’s the highest resolution, the longest battery life, the most pictures it can take per second, how quickly the autofocus is, or how well it handles low-light scenarios, certain factors play into which camera a photographer should buy. Getting into photography and cameras can be confusing and overstimulating, and with high costs involved, it is important to understand what the best fit is.
When it comes to sports photography, what matters most is how many pictures your camera can take per second, also known as the burst rate. A higher burst rate increases the chance of capturing the winning photo. Low light is also a factor in sports, as many games are played indoors or at night under floodlights. Key specifications such as ISO range, buffer depth, sensor size (APS-C vs. full-frame), and autofocus points all impact performance in these conditions. This article focuses specifically on camera bodies rather than lenses, which should be budgeted for separately.
#5 Canon T7i
Despite its big, professional look, this camera is really only suitable for beginners. Many photographers opt for this as their first camera for general photography. Featuring a 24 MP APS-C sensor and a burst rate of 6 frames per second, it sits on the lower end for sports photography.
Unfortunately, the T7i lacks strong low-light performance. According to Image Resource, ISO should not be pushed above 6400, as noise becomes too distracting and image quality drops. It has 45 autofocus points, which can be limiting when tracking and focusing on fast-moving subjects in sports.
The T7i can be found on used websites like eBay for around $350-$450 for the body alone, which is relatively high given its specifications.
#4 Nikon D7200
The Nikon D7200 is known for its impressive low-light performance at a relatively low price. It can capture usable images at ISO 6400, making it suitable for indoor or nighttime sports photos. The D7200 shoots 6 frames per second with a 24 MP APS-C sensor, just like the T7i. It has 51 autofocus points, however, offering slightly better tracking capability.
It is available on second-hand websites for around $200-$350 for the body.
#3 Sony a6000
The Sony a6000 was ahead of its time. Boasting 11 frames per second and 179 autofocus points, it is practically made for action. With a 24.3 MP APS-C sensor, it remains competitive with other APS-C cameras. Unfortunately, the a6000 really struggles in low-light conditions. Significant grain is reported once ISO 6400 is reached, so it performs best in outdoor and well-lit environments. Prices range from $250 to $350 on second-hand websites.
#2 Canon 7D Mark II
The Canon 7D Mark II is a tank: big, bulky, loud, and durable. While it lacks the resolution of some newer cameras, its 20 MP APS-C sensor can shoot at 10 frames per second and has a nearly infinite buffer when shooting in JPEG, allowing continuous shooting for several seconds, making it a worthy trade-off for dedicated sports photographers.
Its ISO performance is not great, but it excels in color science even at higher ISO levels. ISO values above 12800 are not recommended; lower values remain usable, with the best results below 8000.
The 7D Mark II is available for $250-$450, depending on the seller and the body’s condition.
#1 Canon 5D Mark III
Widely considered one of the best bang-for-your-buck cameras, the Canon 5D Mark III is known for its strong low-light performance and clear images. It features a 22.3 MP full-frame sensor, making it a versatile camera – a true workhorse.
Although the 5D Mark III only shoots at 6 frames per second, it includes a large buffer for JPEG images. Despite having fewer megapixels, the full-frame sensor is approximately 2.3-2.6 times larger than an APS-C sensor, allowing it to capture more light and produce better overall image quality. Because of this, full-frame often reduces the need to raise ISO in low-light conditions.
The 5D Mark III can typically be found used for around $300–$600 for the body, with higher prices for low shutter counts or bundled kits with lenses.
A true sports photographer knows that the quality of the images is better than the quantity of the images, which is why the Canon 5D Mark III takes the number one spot.
