What is a great pro-level camera for action shots particularly sports.?

Answer 1

Tony's answer is a good one, but there are many options. The "best" answer all depends on how much you are ready to spend. If you are going to do this more than a few times, you need a durable camera. Continuous shooting with good autofocus is very helpful for sports photography, unless you have the fastest shutter finger speed in the west. Tony's Mark IIN is the champ for speed with its 8.5 frames per second (fps) continuous mode. It is also built like a tank. For $3,500, it should be! For another thousand dollars, the Mark III will go up to 10 fps.

The next tier down, as far as burst rate, includes the Nikon D2Xs, Canon 30D and Nikon D200. "Normal people" can afford the D200 and 30D, which are about $1,340 and $1,120 at B&H Photo. These are both very durable cameras and they have shutter life ratings sufficient to allow for a lot of continuous shooting. They can stand up to some less-than-ideal weather, also, although they are not "waterproof" cameras.

The real concern would have to be the lens. Again, I will take the approach of recommending for someone who is kind of new at this, assuming you would not be asking here if that were not the case.

You would like some "zoom" capabilities, even though most of your work will be done in the telephoto range. "IS" or "VR" would be nice.

Nikon and Canon both have a fairly new 70-300 lens with their own brand of image stabilization. The Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Autofocus Lens for $480 is a consideration and it has been very well-reviewed. The Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens for $550 is nice, also.

This means you could get the Nikon D200 and lens for $1,820 or the Canon 30D and lens for $1,670. That's only $150 difference. In other words, you have to look at these cameras in person and see how they feel in your hands. You have to look at the line of lenses and see who makes the selection that appeals to you the most. Both really should have all of your needs covered, though.

In case you were not prepared to hear these kinds of prices, I've included the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 400D in the comparison page. I'd stick with the same lens I mentioned above as a starter and consider either of these cameras to be the "economy" route to sports photography, understanding that they will be okay for a while, but probably won't be suited for the long haul.

Answer 2

Well if the sidelines of the NFL are any indicator (speaking from the experience of having been there) - the Canon EOS 1 series body married with a 300 or 400mm F2.8 IS lens seems to be the pro camera body of choice (the MK IIn is the latest version with the MK 3 coming out in May). While there is still some Nikon equipment to be found, Canon tends to be dominant, at least at the pro level. I have a MK IIn and an original MK I and they do the job just fine.

Having said all that, you can certainly get some nice shots with the more prosumer type digital SLRs and the Nikon D70 and Canon 30D are two good possibilities. Even the D50 and Rebel will work - just not in the same league with the build and handling of the pro cameras.

Answer 3

it's not the camera, but the lens. If you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, spend the money on a great zoom lens. Then all you need is a super fast shutter speed setting!

I own a Nikon D70 and have a 70-300 zoom lens for it. I get gorgeous pics with it!

happy shooting!

Answer 4

Most of the pros are shooting a Canon EOS-1D Mark II N or the latest Canon Mark III. There are also a lot of Nikon sports shooters out there mostly shooting the Nikon D2Hs.

Answer 5

You can try out the Canon EOS 1V HS.It can do up to 10fps with no blackout.Excellent for sports along with the USM 600 mm f4 lens.

Answer 6

Hahah Ive acutally cant recall seeing a Nikon sport shooter, maybe its that theres just too many Canon's at sport games =) Glamor, thats a different story.

Answer 7

Nikon: no other manufacture ever made a 300 f2 lens thats one stop faster than a 2.8. they also make a AF 200 f2.