The sports video camera is a device that will certainly interest you if you like to immortalize your sports outings. When hiking, biking, climbing, and even rafting, the sports camera will make you enjoy it to the fullest and you can keep a memory of your activities.
If you want to buy the best video camera for sports that will best suit your needs, it can be useful to compare several models in order to better understand which are the most important criteria that are of particular interest to you.
Our buying guide below will provide you with useful and practical tips and information to help you find a cheap, high-performance sports camera. If you don’t know which is the best sports camera on the market or are wondering how to buy a better value sports camera, you will find all the answers below!
Best Video Camera For Sports
Table of Contents
Sports cameras capable of taking high-resolution photos and capturing the best moments thanks to full HD movies are becoming more and more popular on the market and not just for extreme sports lovers. In fact, they can be used in the filming of bikers, cyclists, skiers, divers, while surfing and in a thousand other situations such as extreme sports.
They must therefore be ultra-resistant cameras suitable for extreme characteristics and with high performance. The Action Cam then has to meet all of these requirements to be loved by the public of extreme sports.
Our buying guide to the best sports cameras will help you make your choice faster. Also, consult our comparison table that allows you to compare our 4 sports cameras at a glance!
Best Video Camera For Sports | Comparison Table 2022
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless Camera | Sony | Check Price | |
| Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body - Black | Fujifilm | Check Price | |
| Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, 4K 60P Video Recording with Flip Screen & WiFi, LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens, L-Mount, 5-Axis Dual I.S, DC-S5KK (Black) | Panasonic | Check Price | |
| GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization | GoPro | Check Price | |
| Sony Alpha a6400 Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black ILCE-6400L/B) & 55-210mm Lens Bundle with Accessory Package Including 64GB Memory, Spider Vlog Tripod & More (21 Pieces) | Sony Intl. | Check Price | |
| GoPro HERO10 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 23MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization | GoPro | Check Price | |
| DJI Osmo Action - 4K Action Cam 12MP Digital Camera with 2 Displays 36ft Underwater Waterproof WiFi HDR Video 145° Angle, Black | DJI | Check Price | |
| DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo - 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera, 1/1.7” CMOS, 64MP Photo, Pocket-Sized, ActiveTrack 3.0, Glamour Effects, YouTube TikTok Video Vlog, for Android and iPhone, Black | DJI | Check Price | |
| Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs Silver Body with Silver M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 IIR Lens (V207111SU000) | Olympus | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Video Camera For Sports | 2022 Products Overview
1. Sony Alpha A6600
- World’s fastest AF at 0 02 sec W/ real-time AF & Object tracking
- 24 2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ front end LSI and ISO up to 102 400
- Wide 425-phase/425-contrast detection AF points over 84% of sensor
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting at 24 2MP RAW w/ AF/AE tracking
- Real-time AF Tracking Real-time Eye AF for human animal movie
- 5-axis in-body image stabilization 5 step shutter speed advantage
- External mic jack and headphone jack for professional audio monitoring
- Touch Tracking provides smooth continuous focus tracking of your subject activated with a simple touch of the display screen
- In the box Lithium Battery (NP-FZ100) AC Charger (AC-UUD12) USB cable Body cap Strap
2. Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
- Putting stability in your hands: A huge part of creating great photos or videos is making sure you are in the right place at the right time – and that often means making handheld images to get to the heart of the action. X-T4’s state-of-the-art, five-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) provides up to 6.5 stops of image stabilization to make sure that, even in the midst of all the excitement, your images remain steady and sharp. Combine this with the new four-axis digital image stabilizer, and you have lots of room to maneuver.
- Performance you can rely on For any serious image-maker, having a tool that can be relied upon to perform flawlessly whenever it is required is extremely important. For this reason, X-T4 features a newly developed mechanical shutter that is the fastest and most robust in the history of the X series. Not only can it make images at 15 frames per second, but it is also rated for 300,000 actuations 2. When you combine this with its larger capacity battery that is capable of up to 600 frames per charge 2, X-T4 has the power and the durability to give you the peace of mind that you’ll never miss the perfect opportunity.
- Find the best angle for your story: When chasing the perfect image, versatility is key, so the last thing you want is to be hampered by awkward angles. The 1.62 million pixels vari-angle touchscreen LCD featured on X-T4 can be adjusted to make it visible from a wide range of positions. This not only gives you a high-quality monitor to frame with but also provides quick and simple controls when you need them most. On the flip side, there are times when you need to minimize the light and distractions that a screen can create. That’s why X-T4’s LCD has been designed to easily fold away so it is completely hidden from view, leaving the updated 3.69 million pixel/100fps electronic viewfinder to help you focus on the moment at hand.
- When your story needs movement: The modern image-maker is blurring the lines between photography and videography, and X-T4 has been designed to celebrate this new generation of hybrid creativity. With the simple flick of a switch, movie mode is activated, meaning X-T4 is capable of recording both professional-level DCI 4K/60p and Full HD/240p super slow-motion video. It is also possible to record F-Log footage in 10-bit color, straight to the card. What’s more, the innovative AF-C subject tracking works in low-light conditions down to -6EV, and the camera’s use of a new, high-capacity battery lets you push your creative limits.
- Powerful image manipulation made easy: For over 85 years, Fujifilm has produced photographic films that have been used by some of the world’s best-known moviemakers to create some of the world’s most successful movies. This legendary reputation in color science is celebrated with their hugely popular selection of Film Simulations, which digitize some of the industry’s most iconic films and put them right at your fingertips. X-T4 introduces Eterna Bleach Bypass, the newest addition to this much-loved collection of film simulation modes available in the X Series product line, which creates a beautiful de-saturated, high-contrast look that any image-maker will find irresistible.
3. Panasonic LUMIX S5
- A LIGHTWEIGHT, POWERFUL HYBRID CAMERA FOR VIBRANT STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATIC VIDEO: Realize your creative vision with extraordinary 4K 60p, 10-bit video, FHD 180fps Slow Motion option as well as 4:3 Anamorphic support.
- DETAILED PHOTO AND VIDEO THAT WILL DELIGHT ENTHUSIASTS AND EXPERTS ALIKE: Capture content in impressive high quality with 96MP High Resolution mode, Dual Native ISO to minimize noise in high sensitivity and V-Log/V-Gamut with 14-plus stop dynamic range.
- IMPROVED, HIGH-PRECISION AUTOFOCUS AND POWERFUL IMAGE STABILIZATION: Improved autofocus includes detection of the head as well as eyes, face and body, to capture subjects with ease and precision. 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 enables 6.5-stop slower shutter speed.
- EXPANDED FEATURES OFFER NEW LEVELS OF CREATIVITY: Use Live View Composite mode to instantly create a stunning image out of several live shots to capture fireworks or a starry sky
4. GoPro HERO9
- 5K Video - Shoot stunning video with up to 5K resolution, perfect for maintaining detail even when zooming in
- 20MP Photo with SuperPhoto: Capture crisp, pro-quality photos with 20MP clarity. And with SuperPhoto, HERO9 Black can automatically pick all the best image processing for you
- Front Display + Rear Touch Screen: A new, larger rear touch screen with touch zoom on HERO9 Black and a dazzling new front display makes for easy framing and intuitive camera control
- Live Streaming + Webcam: Live stream in 1080p on social, get HyperSmooth stabilization as you broadcast
- HyperSmooth 3.0: Experience the ultimate smoothness with our most advanced video stabilization ever.TimeWarp 3.0: Record mesmerizes time lapse scenes as you move on the road, on foot or anywhere else.Rugged + Waterproof: Shoot in the gnarliest conditions imaginable. HERO9 Black can take it. Its tough as nails, and waterproof down to 33 feet right out of the box
5. Sony Alpha a6400
- This Grace Photo Camera Bundle Comes Complete With Manufacturer Supplied Accessories(U.S. Compatible) and a 1 Year Seller Provided Warranty, Package Includes
- Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Import Model): 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor - BIONZ X Image Processor - Real-Time Eye AF & Real-Time Tracking - XGA Tru-Finder 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF - 425 phase-detection AF points - 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) movie recording
- Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens: E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format - 24-75mm (35mm Equivalent) - Aperture Range: f/3.5-5.6 to f/22-36 - One ED Element; Four Aspherical Elements - Optical SteadyShot image stabilization - Enjoy smooth zooms ideal for shooting movies - Rounded seven-blade diaphragm + Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS Lens
- The versatile a6400 is a solid video camera, offering internal 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning to collect about 2.4x the amount of data required for 4K movies, and then oversamples it to produce high quality 4K footage with detail and depth.
- Bundled Accessories: 32GB High Speed Class 10 Memory Cards - Tulip Lens Screw On Hood - Deluxe Shoulder Camera Bag - Flexible Spider Tripod - High Def UV = Ultra Violet Filter - High Def CPL = Circular Polarizer Filter - High Def FLD = Fluorescent Light Filter - Microfiber Cloth - Auxiliary Telephoto and Wide Angle Macro Lens Combo
6. GoPro HERO10
- Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls, and doubles the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever.
- High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro ever. Upgraded to incredible 23MP photos and 5.3K video resolution at 60fps, HERO10 offers double the frame rate for amazingly smooth motion. Plus, there’s 8x slo-mo at 2.7K and you can pause videos and grab 15.8MP still photos from 5.3K video that look amazing.
- Unbelievable Image Quality: Shoot with fine detail, realistic textures, and stunning contrast, even in low light. Images look their best thanks to a new water-shedding hydrophobic lens cover that repels water while helping to eliminate lens flare and other artifacts.
- HyperSmooth 4.0: HyperSmooth has never been smoother, and it’s easy to dial in the best stabilization at all times. Plus, get even better low-light performance and horizon leveling with a higher tilt limit, so your footage looks perfectly straight when you want it.
- Fast, Reliable Connectivity: Super easy, super fast. Transferring photos and videos from your cloud-connected GoPro to your phone is simple and versatile, with your choice of an effortless wireless upload via the Quik app or a lightning-fast wired connection via USB. There’s also unlimited cloud storage with the hassle-free auto-upload. Just plug in your camera when connected to your home Wi-Fi and the camera does the rest.
7. DJI Osmo Action 4K
- Dual Screens: Osmo Action’s dual screens allow you to capture it all with the touch of a button. A vivid front screen lets you frame yourself effortlessly in any setting, while the back screen delivers a crystal-clear, hyper-responsive display. This durable, versatile action camera is jam-packed with advanced technology that lets you spend less time worrying about equipment and more time living the action.
- The RockSteady technology combines EIS with complex algorithms, delivering stable, shake-free footage no matter how heavy the action gets.
- Action camera with 1/2.3 CMOS Sensor, 12MP, wide-angle 145° that allows you to shoot 4K HDR videos.
- 8x Slow Motion: Capture every epic move with jaw-dropping clarity and detail when you use 8x slow motion with 1080p resolution and 240fps. Time-lapse: Condense time and movement for stunning, easy-to-achieve results. Charging Time: 90 mins
- 11m Waterproof, -10℃ Temperature Resistant Sporting a watertight seal and a hydrophobic coating on the back touchscreen, Osmo Action is waterproof at depths of up to 11 meters, making it the perfect underwater companion. Versatile batteries perform well even in extremely cold environments with temperatures as low as -10℃.
- What you get: DJI Osmo Action, Camera Frame, Flat Adhesive Mount, Curved Adhesive Mount, Quick-Release Base, Battery, Battery Case, Locking Screw, USB-C Cable
- DJI Mimo App requires iOS 10.0, Android 7.0 or above. Compatible devices include: iPhone 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11, XS Max, XS, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 Plus, 6, SE, Samsung Galaxy S10+, S10, S9+, S9 , S9+, S9, S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, Note 8, Huawei P30 Pro, P30, P20, P10, Mate 10 Pro, Mate 10, Mate 9 Pro, Mate 9, Honor 10, Honor 9, Vivo NEX, Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S, Mi 8, Mi 6, OnePlus 7, 6T, 5, Pixel 3 XL, 2 XL, 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 2
8. DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo
- 【MOTORIZED STABILIZATION】: A 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera for smooth video on the move. This technology is also great for a crisp photo at any time. The gimbal keeps the camera steady, even for long-exposure shots and in low-light environments.
- 【HIGH IMAGE QUALITY】: An upgraded 1/1.7-inch sensor captures images with 64MP photo and 4K video. A sweeping 20mm f/1.8 lens provides a wide, vivid cinematic look.
- 【ENHANCED AUDIO】: Consisting of four microphones, DJI Matrix Stereo offers sound recording in different directions, as well as Audio Zoom and SoundTrack, which enhance audio based on the direction of the camera and focus.
- 【GLAMOUR EFFECTS】: Always share your best selfie with Glamour Effects. Boasting a 93° angle view, Pocket 2 allows for more flexible capture and perfectly-composed shots for social media.
- 【AI EDITOR】: AI Editor automatically combines your clips with transitions and music to create share-worthy content..【POCKET-SIZED】: DJI Pocket 2 weighs only 116 g and offers up to 140 minutes of battery life. It fits perfectly in the palm of your hand so that you can take it anywhere. DJI Pocket 2 turns on in a second so you can capture photos and videos in an instant..【COMPATIBLE for MOST SMARTPHONES】: The DJI Mimo App Requires iOS 11.0 and Android 7.0 or above. Compatible devices include: iPhone 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11, SE 2020, XS Max, XS, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, Samsung Galaxy S20+, S20, S10, S9+, S8, Note 9, Huawei P40 Pro, P40, P30 Pro, P20 Pro, P20, Mate 30 Pro, Mate 30, Mate 20 Pro, Mate 10 Pro, HONOR 30 Pro, 20, Mi 10 Ultra, 10 Pro, 10, 9, Redmi K30 Pro, Vivo X30 Pro, X30, X27, OPPO RENO 3 Pro, OnePlus 8, 7 Pro, Pixel 4XL, 3XL, 2, LG V40..【VIDEO CAPTURE RESOLUTION】: 2160p
9. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs
- If you want something more affordable, take a look at the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.
- 16 megapixel live MOS sensor and TruePic VIII image processor
- 4K 30P video plus HD 120 frames per second high speed video
- Timeless, easy to use body design; Compact & lightweight with 2 dials, arrow pad and shortcut button
- In body 5 axis image stabilization for blur free stills and smooth 4K video
- Its autofocus system does an excellent job of tracking moving subjects in videos as well.
- In body 5 axis image stabilization for blur free stills and smooth 4K video
- 16 megapixel live MOS sensor and TruePic VIII image processor
- 4K 30P video plus HD 120 frames per second high speed video
- Timeless, easy to use body design; Compact & lightweight with 2 dials, arrow pad and shortcut button
- If you want something more affordable, take a look at the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.
How To Choose The Best Video Camera For Sports in 2022 | Unrivaled Guide
Buying an action camera is not like buying a traditional digital video camera to put in your bag before every trip, family party, or evening with friends, to immortalize monuments, dream beaches, special moments, and events.
A sports video camera is made to accompany you in the most agitated and adrenaline-pumping situations, to film yourself and/or your adventure companions during the most exciting sports and skill evolutions, in the city, in the open sea, in free fall, or along the dirt roads of the countryside. For this reason, sports cameras must meet certain technological requirements, the most important of which are reported in the purchase guide that follows. At the end of the reading, you will know how to choose a good sports camera.
Differences between sports cameras and traditional video cameras
If you are about to buy a sports camcorder, also called an action cam was or more briefly action cam, it is because you are passionate about sports, outdoor activities, or, more generally, travel and adventure. And why would you like to transform the emotions that your passions give you into video, to relive them, whenever you want, through your smartphone, tablet, or high-definition TV display?
To best capture your sporting performances or simply the quieter Sunday ski descent, you need a special video camera, which is able to compensate for the strong vibrations induced by movement and which is capable of creating wide-angle images (wide-angle ), so as to fit more into the frame than you can see with your own eyes. Another feature that unites the various sports cameras is given by the size: the sports cams must be small and light, easy to carry or fix to the bicycle handlebar, the wind surfboard, the helmet (in this case we speak of an action helmet cam ), skateboarding and so on. In other words, an action camera it must be ultra- portable.
These are basically the main aspects that distinguish a sports video camera from a traditional digital video camera. Capture technologies and video quality, on the other hand, do not show great differences. Just as the rear displays are similar, useful both for having full control over shooting and for viewing those already taken (including images). Usually, the displays of sports cameras are of the touch type, with diagonals that hardly exceed 2.5 inches. Better if, in addition to the classic color display, the action cam also has a small monochrome screen that displays the remaining battery life, the minutes or hours of recording available on the memory card, the type, and quality of the recording as well as information that is always good to keep an eye on at all times.
It goes without saying that if you buy the cheapest sports shooting device on the market, the videos you will get and the ease of use may not satisfy you in all respects. This does not mean that you will necessarily have to spend a lot of money: online offers sometimes allow you to have action cameras sent home, if not the best brand, respectable, even with very low economic investments.
Full HD (1,920 × 1,080 pixels) and 4K Ultra HD (3,840 × 2,160 pixels) resolution video
Most current sports cameras record video at 4K Ultra HD resolution (3,840 × 2,160 pixels). Many also offer the possibility to choose the Full HD resolution (1,920 × 1,080 pixels), equally valid but lighter as regards the files. Our suggestion is to opt for a 4K model, but make sure that it is also possible to film in Full HD and, why not, in HD (1,280 × 720 pixels).
The latter resolution can in fact be fine when capturing test videos, with the certainty of getting a good shot but not bulky on the memory cards.
The choice between 4K Ultra HD and Full HD will then be dictated by the TV and the computer with which you will perform any video editing.
In fact, to enjoy the detail guaranteed by 4K shooting, it is important to have an adequate TV or monitor. If you plan to edit a video, you must also equip yourself with a suitable computer. Otherwise, you will play 4K videos on Full HD displays, resulting in reduced resolution.
Consider that a 4K file of many minutes can occupy several Gigabytes on memory media and that the computer with which you will have to cut and edit the various scenes must necessarily be very powerful.
Advantages of cameras for sports shooting
Now it could be argued that you already have a high-end smartphone capable of HD video or a decent enough digital camera with fantastic video quality, so why invest in another camera to film sports?
Well, if you just want to film short clips of your favorite sport to put on the internet, these devices would be enough. But if you want to film an entire basketball game, zoom in on that impressive slam dunk, and then watch the full recording with your friends on a TV screen at home, you need a dedicated video camera for filming sports.
If you still have doubts, we are enlisting some advantages that sports cameras offer:
Great for shooting long videos
Digital cameras and smartphones, with their limited battery life and memory card memory, are not ideal for shooting long videos. This is where a sports camera comes into play.
Better video and audio quality
Almost all sports cameras can record 4k videos in excellent quality without any problems. They usually come with large sensors that allow for excellent photo capture and high-quality built-in microphones to deliver impressive sound quality.
Designed for extreme environmental conditions
Sports cameras are designed to be tough and rugged to withstand all kinds of weather conditions. They are waterproof and have a temperature tolerance ranging from 10 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius.
Better creative control
The dedicated sports cameras have a long zoom range, multiple focus options, a variety of creative filters, adjustable exposure, large auto-focus, and many other useful features that give you better creative control when shooting fast action.
After discussing the many benefits sports cameras have to offer, let’s now take a look at their different types.
Camcorders
The good old camcorder had its moment of glory when it was widely used to record precious family moments or your child’s first league game. Today their popularity has faded a little, especially when it comes to filming sports, but they are still used because the cameras are lightweight, simple to use, inexpensive, and offer a great optical zoom.
Cameras without mirrors
They have only been around for a few years, but are enjoying great popularity. Mirrorless cameras use sensors similar to those used by DSLRs, but their video quality is better than the latter and they perform fantastic in low light conditions.
Action cameras
Action cameras have gained immense popularity over the past fifty years as they are small in size and offer incredible performance when shooting visually video even for extreme sports such as mountain biking.
DSLR
No matter what sport you want to film, a DSLR camera is one of the most popular options on this list. This is because they are extremely versatile, take very detailed photos, and also do quite decent video recordings.
Professional video cameras
Undoubtedly the best of the lot, but these pro-grade cameras can cost you a few thousand dollars. They are usually used by sports broadcasting studios and are not very practical for the average home user.
Features of high-quality cameras for sports shooting
As we mentioned earlier, there are a wide variety of cameras available on the market today for sports shooting, so you might feel a little overwhelmed deciding which one to choose. We recommend that you look for the following features that most high-quality sports cameras come with:
Good video performance
Video resolution is certainly one of the most important things to consider when looking for a high-quality camera for sports shooting. Look for 4k resolution, followed by 1080p.
Wireless capability
All high-quality sports video cameras are equipped with wireless connectivity options to transfer all video recordings and images over the internet, computer or smartphone.
Waterproof
It is always advisable to look for a sports camera that is waterproof or weatherproof for long life and that allows you to use it in the rain, snow, or underwater.
Accessories
We recommend choosing camcorders with the right accessories to make shooting action sports easier and hassle-free. For example, you can search for media, memory cards, microphones, etc. which makes the sporting event registration process easier.
Good battery life
Most sports cameras have a battery life of one to three hours depending on whether or not you have WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. on or off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an action camera and a regular camera?
An action camera is equipped with an extremely wide-angle “fish-eye” lens and is designed to record the action from the shooter’s point of view. As such, it is used extensively in high-action sports where it is mounted on a mountain biker’s helmet, or a surfer’s surfboard, or a bicycle handlebar, or on a tripod for use by hand to capture l action of a football match.
Can I use an action camera like a normal camera?
Certain! An action camera is like any other regular camera that you use to point and shoot photos or videos. It’s just that with an action camera, you’re able to record everything in stunning 4k quality, and they’re mostly waterproof too.
How long can a DSLR record sports videos?
Most standard DSLRs limit the length of a video recording to about half an hour. However, there are some DSLRs that don’t have such recording limits
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