Whether you're trying to capture the crack of a bat hitting a homer or the swoosh of skis hitting the slopes, you'll want a camera that can record every moment. Though your smartphone is great in a pinch, and many can even record 4k 60 fps video these days, a dedicated camera can take your sports videos to the next level. When deciding on the best camera, you'll want to make sure it has high frame rate options to capture the action smoothly or add slow-motion flourishes. In-body image stabilization (IBIS) can also help if you're shooting handheld and want to minimize camera shake. Watch out for cameras with heavy rolling shutter distortion, which can be distracting if you find yourself panning the camera a lot. Of course, all of that is moot if the camera's autofocus can't keep up with your subjects. Look for 4k at 60 fps or higher, and check whether the camera crops the frame at 120 fps, since a crop narrows your view and changes how your lenses frame the action, which can also be a bonus if you want to get more reach. Reach matters too, so interchangeable-lens cameras paired with telephoto lenses are better suited to filming from the sidelines than compacts.
We've stuck mostly to mirrorless interchangeable-lens models here, with the intended use of filming sports and action from the sidelines. While action cameras are the best choice for POV-style footage, mirrorless cameras have become increasingly video-capable and make for great video cameras to record action from a distance.
We've bought and tested over 135 cameras, and below, you'll find our top camera recommendations for non-POV sports videos. If you're a sports vlogger, you can also look at our recommendations for the best cameras for vlogging. Otherwise, if you need something more advanced, check out the best cameras for videography more broadly or our top 4k video cameras.
We've independently purchased over 125 cameras and tested them using a standardized methodology. All the results are available to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs, with objective, data-driven reviews. We keep every product in our lab inventory to ensure we can go back, retest models, and verify that all the information we provide is still accurate.
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Best Video Camera For Sports
Vlogging7.5Studio Video9.5Action Video5.4Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:Full FrameThe Canon EOS R6 Mark III is the best video camera for sports we've tested. It records 4k at up to 120 fps without a crop, so you can slow down fast plays while keeping your full field of view. Its video autofocus is outstanding, locking onto players and keeping them sharp as they move across the frame. It also records 7k open gate and RAW video internally if you want extra room to reframe in post. The main trade-off is rolling shutter, which is more noticeable than on stacked-sensor cameras when you whip-pan to follow the action.
It's also dependable on long game days. It didn't overheat during our testing, its in-body stabilization smooths out handheld footage, and the weather-sealed body handles rain on the sidelines. Its battery drains quickly when recording, though, so bring spares, and it's a large, expensive camera. If rolling shutter matters more to you, the Nikon ZR is a great alternative at a lower price. Its partially stacked sensor shows much less skew in 4k, it records 1080p at up to 240 fps for super slow motion, and it didn't overheat in our testing either. However, it needs a crop to record 4k at 120 fps, and it has no viewfinder for tracking subjects at eye level.
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Best Mid-Range Video Camera For Sports
Vlogging7.9Studio Video9.1Action Video7.8Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CIf the Canon EOS R6 Mark III sounds like overkill, the Sony α6700 is a fantastic mid-range hybrid camera. It's one of the few cameras at this price to offer 4k video recording at 120 fps. Shooting at 120 fps incurs a crop, but it's still very useful for those who want to capture high-resolution, high-frame-rate action footage or slow motion. The camera also has a great battery life, a fully articulated screen, and one of the best autofocus systems on the market, ensuring you rarely miss focus, even with more erratic subjects. However, it doesn't have a stacked sensor, so you'll get more rolling shutter distortion with panning shots, and it overheated during our 4k testing.
If you want the option to record in 6.2k resolution or output RAW video to an external recorder, the Fujifilm X-S20 is another great choice at this price point. However, unlike the Sony, it's capped at 60 fps in 4k; this is still great for capturing high-speed footage and slowing things down a bit, but it'll be harder to generate super slow-motion clips in 4k. Its autofocus system is also less reliable than the Sony camera's.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Video Camera For Sports
Vlogging8.5Studio Video9.3Action Video5.5Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CIf the Sony α6700's price is still too steep, consider the Sony ZV-E10 II instead. As part of Sony's vlogging lineup, it's more pared-down and less versatile than the α6700, with no viewfinder, cheaper build quality, and no in-body image stabilization. However, given it has modern internal recording capabilities, like 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, this model offers a ton of bang for your buck.
While it can only record regular video at up to 60 fps in 4k, it includes a slow-motion mode that captures 4k at up to 120 fps. Though it falls behind cameras with stacked sensors, its rolling shutter performance isn't bad and marks an improvement over its predecessor (our budget pick below). Plus, its autofocus performs remarkably well in video, though its subject detection modes are more limited than the AI-driven AF on the α6700. The biggest drawback here is really the lack of built-in stabilization, but you can still get good results with an optically stabilized lens or gimbal if needed.
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Best Budget Video Camera For Sports
Vlogging8.6Studio Video8.2Action Video4.2Body Type:SLR-StyleMirrorless:YesSee all our test resultsSensor Size:APS-CThe Sony ZV-E10 is our top budget pick. Though it's aimed primarily at vloggers, it also makes for a great general video camera for videographers on a tighter budget. Like the newer Sony ZV-E10 II, there's no viewfinder, and you're still missing IBIS here, meaning you'll need to rely on optically stabilized lenses to get smoother footage when shooting handheld. However, if those aren't dealbreakers, you'll find a lot to love with this camera.
At the top of the list is its fantastic autofocus system. Sony cameras are known for their quick and accurate AF systems, and the ZV-E10 is no exception. It has a fully articulated screen to help shoot at different angles, a good battery life, and no recording time limit. Frame rates are more limited compared to high-end options, but it can still record 4k video at 30 fps, with a slight crop, and 1080p video at up to 120 fps if you want to slow down the action. All in all, this is the best camera for sports videography at this price point. If you'd rather have an all-in-one camera, the Canon PowerShot V1 is a great alternative. Its stabilized 16-50mm-equivalent zoom lens means you don't need to buy extra lenses, but you'll be limited to that 50mm reach. That said, it records 10-bit 4k at up to 60 fps with outstanding video autofocus. However, it costs more, its lens doesn't reach far enough for distant action, and recording 4k at 60 fps adds a large crop.
Notable Mentions
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Fujifilm X-M5:
For a highly portable option for sports vlogs, the Fujifilm X-M5 is a great entry-level alternative to the Sony ZV-E10 II. It's notably more compact and has useful features like 6.2k open gate recording, with frame rates up to 60 fps in 4k with a slight crop. However, it has worse rolling shutter distortion, and its AF isn't quite as reliable.
See our review -
Nikon Z 6III:
The Nikon Z 6III is a great alternative to the Canon EOS R6 Mark III if you want less rolling shutter in a body with a viewfinder. Its partially stacked sensor shows less skew during quick pans; it records 1080p at up to 240 fps, and it records RAW video internally. However, it needs a crop to record 4k at 120 fps, and its video autofocus isn't quite as reliable.
See our review -
Panasonic LUMIX GH7:
The Panasonic LUMIX GH7 matches the Canon EOS R6 Mark III with 4k at 120 fps without a crop, and its Micro Four Thirds sensor doubles the effective reach of your lenses, which helps when filming from the sidelines. However, its footage is noisier in dim light, and it’s bulky for an MFT camera.
See our review -
Fujifilm X-H2S:
The Fujifilm X-H2S is a great alternative to the Canon EOS R6 Mark III if you pan a lot. Its fully stacked sensor showed the least rolling shutter of any camera on this list, and its autofocus is just as dependable. However, it overheated during our 4k testing, and its smaller APS-C sensor isn't as clean in dim arenas.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 03, 2026:
We replaced the Fujifilm X-H2S with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III as the 'Best Video Camera For Sports,' with the Nikon ZR mentioned as an alternative, and moved the X-H2S to the Notable Mentions. We also added the Canon PowerShot V1 as an alternative to the Sony ZV-E10, removed the DJI Pocket 2 along with the 'Best Cheap Video Camera For Sports' category, and removed the Sony α6600 from the Notable Mentions.
Feb 10, 2025:
We added the Fujifilm X-M5 as a Notable Mention because of its compact size and excellent video specs for the price.
Nov 08, 2024:
We replaced the Canon EOS R10 with the Sony ZV-E10 II as the entry-level pick because it's better suited to action video and has more lens options. We also replaced the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 and Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II with the more recent and more capable Panasonic LUMIX GH7 in the Notable Mentions.
Aug 13, 2024: We added the Nikon Z 6III to Notable Mentions because of its exceptional video capabilities and removed the Fujifilm X-T4, as it's harder to find now and less relevant for this use than some of our newer picks.
May 16, 2024: We replaced the Fujifilm X-S10 with the Canon EOS R10 because it has better overall availability, renamed it 'Best Entry-Level Video Camera For Sports' to more accurately reflect the Canon's standing in the market, and consequently moved the Sony α6700 to the mid-range spot. We also renamed the DJI Pocket 2 the 'Best Cheap Video Camera For Sports' and added some information about the DJI Pocket 3.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best cameras for most people to buy for sports video, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our camera reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.