Selects: Top 5 Camera Bodies for Sports Photography

Sports photographers, are you thinking of upgrading your setup with a better camera body? If you’re not sure whether to go full-frame or crop-sensor, DSLR or mirrorless, take a read through our top five camera body picks for sports photography. With a number of options to fulfil your creative requirements, these used cameras from MPB represent great value for money. And, when you trade in your existing camera, you could upgrade for even less than you’d think.

Our top five camera bodies for sports photography includes:

• Canon EOS 1DX Mark II

• Nikon D5

• Sony A9

• Sony A9 II

• Fujifilm X-T4

1. Canon EOS 1DX Mark II

The Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is a veritable stalwart of the pro world. Its phenomenal ergonomics make its considerable weight feel great in the hand. Capable of capturing 14 frames per second from its full-frame 20.2-megapixel sensor, the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II cemented Canon’s reputation for creating top-tier professional kit. While Canon has since released further iterations of the 1DX series, many pros feel the Mark II provides them with everything they need.

2. Nikon D5

For every model that Canon releases, there’s an equivalent response from Nikon. And just as capable as the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II is the Nikon D5 Dual CF. With its 20.8-megapixel full-frame sensor, 12 frames-per-second shooting speed, and lightning-fast autofocus, it’s no wonder the Nikon D5 quickly found a home in pro-level Nikon kitbags around the world. With legendary ergonomics and balance, this is a camera that always makes the shooting experience as comfortable as possible.

3. Sony A9

As more and more sports photographers move to mirrorless, the Sony A9 is surely the camera that turned the tide. This was the first mirrorless camera to really challenge pro DSLRs. On paper, at least, the Sony A9 bettered the specs of everything else on the market on its release in 2017. It features a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, 20 frames-per-second shooting speed and great dynamic range, as well as excellent low-light performance. 

The original Sony A9 (read our Sony A9 review) represents great value for money and still holds its own in the pro market. But if you want to spend more and upgrade further, the Sony A9 II (read our Sony A9 II review) is also a brilliant choice. 

4. Sony A9 II

The Sony A9 II maintained image quality and autofocus from the original A9 while making a few important upgrades. A larger grip is always welcomed by pros, who appreciate the improved balance, stability and comfort. This camera boasts better connectivity and memory too, as the Sony A9 II added FTPS for secure transfers and two memory slots for UHS-II cards. The original Sony A9 was already so good, that we feel these upgrades demonstrated a real show of faith by Sony to secure its success in the mirrorless market—especially considering their impressive and ever-growing range of lenses.

5. Fujifilm X-T4

Are better features worth carrying extra weight? Bigger and heavier than the Fujifilm X-T3, the Fujifilm X-T4 boasts a range of impressive updates—including five-axis image stabilisation, longer battery life and improved autofocus capabilities. Stills or video, the Fujifilm X-T4 handles everything in a stylish and compact package. Not a fan of full-frame? If you’re looking for a crop-sensor mirrorless camera for sports photography, look no further than the X-T4 (read our Fujifilm X-T4 review). 

Looking for more sports photography content? Check out our sports photography guide, our best camera setups for sports and more articles on the MPB content hub.