Which of these two cameras is the better choice for taking action shots?

Question

I have a Fujifilm Finepix S3100 and a Nikon S1.

I'm gonna be going to a basketball game tomorrow, and I'm just wondering which of these two would be the better choice for taking action shots?

And also, any tips for taking better action shots?

Thanks in advance! :]

Answer 1

I'm not familiar with those camera but I can offer you some advice on action shots. Take the camera that has the longer zoom so that you can zoom in on a player if you wish to. If either of those cameras allow you to choose shutter speed, aperture and ISO that would be good as well.

High shutter speed such as 1/250 or 1/500 will allow you to stop action. Slower shutter speeds will show some blur, which in turn can show motion, depending on what kind of affect you are looking for.

Most likely you will need to use a smaller f/stop (aperture) if you are going to be indoors. You most likely will have to bump up your ISO too.

Go for the unusual shot, The coach with his face in his hands or the disappointed athlete sitting on the bench covered in sweat.

Have a good time and experiment!!!!

Answer 2

If you are close enough to the action, and you are allowed to use flash, then either camera should work fine. Then the choice might be which has the higher resolution.

If you are too far away from the subject, then the flash will be of no use. You will have to trust the available light, and that means, either, longer exposure, which increases motion blur, or wider apreture, to allow for faster shutter. Find out which camera has the widest possible apreture, to allow the fastest shutter speed possible. If either camera as an ISO setting, set it for the highest one it has available.

If you have a camera bag, consider taking them both and trying out several shots with each, early in the game to see which ones give you the best action shots.

Answer 3

Not familiar with either camera but Nikon would be my bet. You would want a camera that allows you shutter priority. Rather than leaving it in automatic, shift the knob to "P". This will allow you to set your shutter speed to a faster speed and automatically set the aperture to the correct opening of the lens. Most camera's have a dial on the top that lets you set the camera automatically or to specific settings. You want speed to freeze the picture and what I explained should do it for you. Also, some camera's have a sport selection.