Even though compact Point and Shoot cameras have a sports mode on the scene dial, they lack the capabilities for serious sports shooters. Their small sensors and restricted maximum lens apertures at longer focal lengths limit their usefulness in the challenging sports environment. Many models suffer from unacceptable shutter lag, this may be fine for snapshots, but too often in fast action situations, the moment has passed before the camera reacts. There are a number of DSLRs on the market offering the performance required for serious sports photography
The Pro’s choice
Professionals make business decisions based on cost benefit analysis on any new equipment purchases. The question is will the purchase of new or more expensive items of equipment generate more business or higher fees to cover the extra cost? Part of the answer lays in the sports covered and the professional’s target market.
Examining and analyzing, some important requirements of sports cameras will help photographers decide which system suits their own requirements. The relative importance of the various features depends on the photographer’s style, type of sports photographed, and budget.
Shutter Lag
Capturing fast-paced action requires the camera respond immediately the photographer presses the shutter release. This is the province of the wide range of DSLR cameras, as all have negligible shutter lag. There is a greater delay in the photographer’s decision to press the shutter and the finger completing the operation.
For sports situations where there is a sequential nature to the event or action then the DSLRs continuous shooting mode and high frame rate capabilities are important.
Weather Resistant
Sport is very often an outdoor activity subject to the vagaries of local weather and conditions. To capture all the action the cameras and lenses need to handle a degree of rain or dust so the photographer can continue shooting. In extreme conditions, additional covers and protection are still a prudent investment. When comparing camera and specifications they are only weather resistant if it says so in the specs. It is important there are weather resistant lenses available in the focal length ranges required to photograph the intended type of sports.
Noise and High ISO
Sports photographers usually have to work with whatever light is available, as often officials prohibited using a flash, or the distances make them ineffective. Compounding the problem is the need to use high shutter speeds to avoid unwanted motion blur. Sports photographers rely on using high ISO settings to allow for the faster shutter speed in low light. The unwanted consequence of high ISO is digital noise, resulting in grainy images.
Battery Capacity
Sports shooters tend to take a large of photographs at a sporting event, and they all use power from the battery. Large battery capacity minimizes any shooting interruption due to fitting a fresh battery to the camera. Models with more modest standard battery capacity benefit greatly when fitted with an accessory battery grip.
Lens Range
Photographers should carefully consider the lens range before deciding on a camera system. Good sports lenses are a long-term investment, even though they are expensive, and in the current digital climate will probably outlast several camera body upgrades. For outdoor sports photographers should consider if they are dust and water-resistant. It is essential they have a range of focal lengths to suit the photographer’s main sports interests and come with wide maximum apertures.
Autofocus Speed
The speed of this system is a combination of the camera’s control system and the motor driving the focusing system in the lens. The better lenses have their own ultra sonic motor while others rely on screw-drive coupling from a motor in the camera body. The manufacturers each have their own names for the lens motors, such as Ultra Sonic Motor or Silent Wave Motor or Supersonic Drive Motor.
The need for fast autofocus varies from sport to sport. In racing where the subjects tend to follow predictable paths it is not as important as ball sp[orts where the action rapidly shifts all over the field.
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