Action photography can be challenging for even the most seasoned photographers as it takes great skill, patience, timing, and reflexes to capture that perfect split-second shot. Photographers also need to familiarize themselves with the proper camera settings to capture images that are fast and fleeting.
You’ll need to establish the necessary presets in your camera so you don’t have to make the required adjustments right before your shoot. These, and other factors, make high-action photography difficult but all the more exciting for intrepid photographers.
The Best Cameras for Action Photography
While most cameras have all-around features that make them suitable for various photography niches, some have specialized features that are ideal for taking action shots. Blazing fast shutter speeds and high frame rates allow you to stop all the movement and capture images that are free of blurs and other distortions.
Action cameras must also have fast autofocus systems and phase detection for you to track your subject well as you shoot them. Having a consecutive shot or burst mode is another big boon since it helps you take multiple photos of a subject within a span of a second or less. This gives you consistent images to choose from without having to press on the shutter button continuously.
Cameras that are used for action and sports photography have to be light and easy to operate as photographers are always on the move. Action photography cameras also need to possess a robust build to withstand the bumps and dents that are sustained from constant movement.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera ()
The small and lightweight Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II features all the pleasing qualities of an action-centric camera body, such as faster shutter speeds and autofocusing. It also boasts a higher resolution and ISO sensitivity range. Its 20.4-megapixel Live MOS sensor yields higher resolution and better image quality with the absence of a low-pass filter. The OM-D E-M1 Mark II features an advanced silent electronic shutter, allowing it to capture 20 MP RAW image files at up to 60 fps in S-AF Mode and 18 fps in C-AF Tracking Mode.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II can shoot fast-moving subjects and freeze moments well using its electronic shutter speed that goes up to 1/32000 seconds. Its Dual FAST AF system has 121 points of On-Chip Phase Detection and Contrast Detection AF. Additionally, the new Subject Tracking Cluster Display allows you to focus on moving subjects easily using C-AF Tracking. Freeze motion in your photos while maintaining all the details using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
Key Features:
- 4K video recording capabilities
- 18fps burst mode
- 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Pro Capture Mode for Lag-free Photography
- Silent Shutter Mode for eliminating shutter noise
- Dual SD card slots & USB-C jack
Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera ()
The Sony Alpha a9 II, released in late 2019, is loaded with a full-frame stacked CMOS sensor and an electronic shutter speed that can go as fast as 1/32000 sec. This compact mirrorless camera has 20fps of continuous shooting with the electronic shutter (10fps with the mechanical) and consistent AF/AE tracking thanks to its revolutionary sensor and BIONZ X processor. With 24.2 effective megapixels, high sensitivity up to ISO 51200, and AF/AE calculations that are completed up to 60 times per second, the camera ensures you don’t miss the shot.
Sony worked with agency, sports, and news photographers to bring this second generation a9 to market by improving networking and connectivity capabilities and adding Voice Memo functions, all to make sure professionals had the gear they needed to complete their jobs.
Key Features:
- 24.2MP Exmor RS CMOS full-frame sensor
- BIONZ X processor
- 20 fps burst shooting, up to 10fps with mechanical shutter
- Real-time eye AF for humans and animals
- 693-point autofocus system
- Voice memo function
- Dual media slots, supporting UHS-II
Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Camera ()
The Fujifilm X-T3 is a high-performance mirrorless camera that packs exceptional digital imaging capabilities in its compact design, making it one of the best action photography cameras around. This sleek camera features a back-illuminated 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, which improves image quality and provides a 2.16m-dot phase-detection AF system, allowing for fast and precise focusing. It packs the new X-Processor 4, enabling it to shoot continuously at 11fps and up to 30fps when used with the mechanical shutter.
The X-T3 has an improved autofocus system as it now has 2.16M phase detection pixels and a low-light limit of -3EV, enabling users to focus and shoot during nighttime or low-light scenarios easily. Its burst shooting mode, coupled with a revolutionary sensor and processor, makes capturing action shots easier and more consistent.
Key Features:
- 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor
- X-Trans™ CMOS 4 & X-Processor
- Built-in OLED 3.69m-dot electronic viewfinder
- Dust- and water-resistant battery grip
- 4K/60p video capabilities
- 3-inch LCD monitor
- Bluetooth-enabled for remote control & file- sharing
Panasonic Lumix G9 Mirrorless Camera Body ()
The Lumix G9 is Panasonic’s flagship model for shooting stills as it is built to be both fast and highly durable. The Lumix G9 features a 20.3-megapixel sensor and has a High-Resolution mode which can yield up to 80-megapixels of RAW recording. It has a super high-resolution 3,680k-dot OLED Live View Finder (LVF) that is perfect for improving visibility (which is crucial when framing under direct sunlight). It also has a 0.83x magnification with a 21mm eye-point distance that makes it exceptionally comfortable for people who wear glasses.
Its Depth-from-Defocus autofocus system can easily track and maintain its focus on a subject while keeping it isolated from its background. This is possible thanks to its 225-Area AF focus detection area that is highly customizable, allowing the user to select individual focus points within the 225-point focusing area. It also features a 5-Axis Dual Image Stabilizer 2.0 that almost completely eliminates body and lens shake while shooting. Its rugged design, coupled with improved autofocusing capabilities and high-resolution mode, makes the Panasonic Lumix G9 a compact powerhouse for action photography.
Key Features:
- Has 4K footage video recording & slow-motion effects
- Features speed burst shooting
- Dual SD card slots for improved capacity & file arrangement
- Integrated image stabilization
- Lightweight & compact build
- Downloadable PHOTOfunSTUDIO 10.0PE Software & SILKYPIX Developer Studio
Sony a77II (Alpha 77 Mark II) Translucent Mirror DSLR Digital Camera ()
The Sony a77II is a compact digital camera with fast shooting speeds and superior autofocus capabilities. This digital SLR camera features an upgraded Exmor® 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with gapless on-chip lens design and a BIONZ X processor for shooting at high speeds while yielding high-quality and low-noise images. It also has an ISO 100-25,600 sensitivity range for shooting in low light.
The Sony a77II now has a fixed translucent mirror as opposed to a DSLR moving mirror, enabling quick shooting while maintaining an accurate phase-detection AF. Its burst mode can shoot at 12fps and up to 60 frames per burst. Its 79-point Phase Detection AF System allows for even more precise focusing of subjects, with 15 of the points being cross-type and placed in the central area of the sensor that is frequently used. This allows the a77II to focus on horizontally-striped subjects, giving it an additional edge in action photography.
Key Features:
- 24.3-Megapixel APS-C sensor
- BIONZ® x image processor
- 3-way tilting 1228K dot LCD with WhiteMagic technology
- Diffraction-Reducing Technology
- XGA OLED Tru-Finder
- Built-in Wi-FI & Bluetooth for quick file sharing via smartphone
- Weather-Resistant Magnesium Alloy Body
