Best Cameras & Lenses For Sports Action Photography

EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera

The EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera is one of our best cameras for sports photography. It can automatically identify and track people, vehicles and animals, making it well suited to a range of different sports. Unlike many other cameras, you can use the Eye Control Autofocus feature that lets you focus on a subject simply by looking at it through the viewfinder, before taking the photo with incredible speed. Speed is crucial for sports. Freeze a bike in its tracks with 1/64,000 shutter speeds or capture the moment a player strikes a ball with 30 fps continuous shooting. Up to 8 stops of IS mean that you can keep any subject sharp even without the use of a tripod. Finally, higher ISO and IS mean that the camera can handle dwindling light with ease.

Key points:
• 1/64,000 shutter speed and 30 fps can freeze a moment in time
• Eye Control Autofocus will focus on whatever you’re looking at in the viewfinder
• Image stabilisation keeps your subject sharp, even without the use of a tripod
• Good hybrid capabilities are great for any videographer

RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens

Our stand-out lens for professional sports photographers is the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM. The lens has an advanced super-telephoto focal range. At 500mm, you can capture sporting subjects from several hundred metres away in breathtaking detail and clarity, in-part guaranteed thanks to the 5-stop Image Stabilizer that keeps your image sharp. Additionally, a sports photographer will often be caught out in tough weather. Weather sealing and a heat-resistant paint will prevent any damage during extreme weather, while a range of L-Series Canon technology guarantees quality from frame to frame.

RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM Lens

This class-leading, ultra-telephoto sport prime lens offers sharpness from frame to frame, with f/2.8 aperture offering a level of creativity that is perfect for any professional photographer. Alongside 5.5 stops of IS, the lens will deliver great images in lower light. Dual power focus drive means you can focus at speed, meaning it’s well suited to capturing key events, even when you’re quite far from the subject. Intuitive, the lens is designed to work with you, with handy MF and AF Start-Stop buttons at your fingertips. Heat and rain resistance make it great for when you’re caught out in bad weather.

RF 28-70mm F2L USM Lens

Sports journalism can require different challenges to those long-distance shots. A great second option is the 28-70mm lens. The wide-to-telephoto zoom range means you can not just focus on long-distance images, but also players closer to the camera, such as players taking a corner or hitting a serve. The lens also has a wide aperture as well. Delivering uncompromising quality, the wide-aperture lets you play with bokeh and sharpness, even in tougher light conditions.

EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera

Throw yourself into the world of sports with one of our best action cameras - the hybrid APS-C EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera. Aimed at enthusiasts, it is a perfect entry into the world of sports action photography. Heavyweight features such as 1/4000 shutter speed and 23 fps continuous electronic shooting means you can always capture a player in time, while revealing great quality thanks to the 24.2 megapixel sensor. The camera has an advanced AI-based deep learning autofocus system that can track your subject, making your job easier when there’s a lot going on the pitch. As the camera is APS-C, it is small and compact, great for portability when moving from one event to the next.

Key points:
• 1/6000 shutter speed and up to 23 fps continuous shooting is perfect for past paced action
• One of our best action cameras, it is super small and compact
• AI based autofocus can identify, track and capture sports players
• Great for the hybrid enthusiast with impressive 4K video

RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens

The RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM gets you extremely close to distance subjects, with a super-telephoto zoom that makes you feel as though you’re in the middle of the action. This fantastic zoom range means you can make sports players feel as though they are close by, zooming in to see the detail on their faces or kit. At this range, 5.5 stops of IS will keep the image sharp, so your audience can see the whole detail. The lens blends Canon optical prowess with practicality, and includes handy zoom and control rings, lens function buttons and weather sealing for instantaneous control and protection whatever the conditions.

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM Lens

The EOS R7 confines powerhouse features inside a small and compact APS-C body, proving to be fast and powerful despite the lightweight design. AI-based autofocus can identify and track a player, revealing incredible detail when you print your photos thanks to the impressive 32.5 megapixel sensor. The APS-C sensor means that when taking a photo you’ll have 1.6x more reach, getting you closer to the action when photographing players at a distance. The camera also has a 30 fps electronic shutter that can capture the action as and when it happens, while weather sealing and an Image Stabilizer keeps the image sharp when the weather gets tough.

Key points:
• APS-C sensor gets you 1.6x closer to the action, perfect for sports at a distance
• Weather sealing and image stabilisation keeps images sharp in tough conditions
• Super fast, it has a 30 fps electronic shutter that captures action instantly
• 32.5 megapixels lets you print sharp photos of your work

RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM Lens

Our final option is a prime lens. A great second lens for your kitbag, it won’t be able to take long-distance images of players, but close-up images of subjects when they’re close to the camera. For example, if a footballer is taking a corner or a throw-in, then this lens is the one to reach for. A wide-aperture will deliver a soft background and sharp subject, letting enthusiasts play with creativity and expand their skills. The fast aperture also makes it great for lower light too – whether that be indoor sports or evening matches. This lens can excel during football, tennis, basketball and other court-based games.

10x32 IS Binoculars

With precision optics and Powered Image Stabilizer to counteract movement, follow the race to victory or curve of a free kick with a stable 10x view. Enjoy bright, handheld detail and comfortable identification, with handheld tracking that delivers clear and accurate visibility of the most distant action.