Best Camcorders for Shooting Sports / Camcorder HQ Buyer's Guide
Last updated on 03/13/2013
So your kid's an ace on the field and you want to capture the domination while it happens so you can show it off to everyone you know. Or maybe you're a pro-sports fanatic (or shopping for one) and would love nothing more than capturing that regional MMA fight in gory, high-definition detail. In either case, one of the following models will definitely suit both your budget and the hankering for video to last a lifetime.
Canon's R42 boasts smooth action capture with up to 35 Mbps. This model's 53x zoom will let you get up close to the excitement, plus the new image sensor lets in more light for better indoor and night sports shots. Optical image stabilization helps keep the footage steady. Game headed into overtime? There's no worries with the 32 GB built in hard drive that can hold up to 12 hours of video.
The EX555 sits at a mid-range price point but includes several features, including some perks for the sports enthusiast. The 24 Mbps speed plus a 65x dynamic zoom make this one a decent choice for sports. Optical image stabilization, 16 GB of internal memory and wi-fi are also pluses. If you plan on shooting entire games, beware, however, of the limited battery life.
For the serious sports shooter willing to spend a little more, the AC90 is a great option. Variable shooting speeds allows you to choose the best setting for action, plus manual settings give the user plenty of control over the final product. The zoom is a bit less at 25x, but there are two memory card slots to make sure you don't miss a moment (or to back up your footage) and optical image stabilization for better hand-held shooting.
Best Camcorders for Shooting Sports / Camcorder HQ Buyer's Guide Comments & Questions (write your own!)
SoloShot (ATW — 04/23/2013)
SoloShot is a tripod with GPS tracker that will follow the athlete wearing a GPS armband.
reply to this comment
barbara (02/27/2013)
Hi I am looking for a camcorder to film my high school lacrosse player to then down load to you tube for college coaches to see? Fast action, outside, any suggestions? Don't want to pay too much.
reply to this comment
Hillary Grigonis (03/12/2013)
The Canon Vixa HF R30 or Sony HDR-TD10 are good HD options with a good zoom for sports, the R30 also has wi-fi for uploading to the internet.
reply to this comment
video tracking device for my cam corder (scott — 02/24/2013)
I have heard of a device that allows your camera to track one athlete during a game (soccer). The player places a chip in his boot and the camera received a signal to just follow him. I have no idea what this device is called, nor where to find one. Anyone out there have a clue? Thanks.
reply to this comment
auto follow (Tom RYdberg — 03/18/2013)
Did you ever find this camera. I remeber seeing it in Skymall magazine but have been unable to locate it now.
reply to this comment
High School Soccer: Samsung HMX-F80 or Sony HDR CX-190? (Chuck Cypert — 11/04/2012)
The Sony is about $100 higher, give or take . . . our HS Soccer Coach is more interested in the ability to cover at least 1/2 the playing field and using the film for tactical positioning as opposed to close-ups for technical fundamentals on individual players (although the ability to do both would be nice).
Which one would you recommend and if the Sony, is it $100 better for what we want to utilize it for?
reply to this comment
Which one would you recommend and if the Sony, is it $100 better for what we want to utilize it for?
Hillary Grigonis (03/20/2013)
The Sony will have a little bit better image quality, but both of them will only last around an hour of continuous recording on their battery. They both do come with USB cables to charge from a computer, however.
reply to this comment
Amy Howard (09/30/2012)
So if you were to suggest one in the mid-price range, specifically for shooting football to highlight an athlete for scouting purposes, which would you recommend?
reply to this comment
Softball (Coach Kay — 06/23/2012)
I need a camcorder for softball. I will be using it for coaching purposes. i want to be able to film the whole field and then while watching it back be able to play back frame by frame and zoom in on plays as needed. I would also like to film the speed and agility training we do for the same purpose so as to show the player what they need to correct.
reply to this comment
Lue Harper (06/30/2012)
Coach Kay, did you find a camcorder that will cover the whole field?
reply to this comment
Fred (01/27/2013)
I am looking for the same thing in a camcorder, did u ever find what u were looking for? Thanks for you time.
reply to this comment
Looking for the best camcorder to use for recording high school basketball games (Coach Williams — 05/27/2012)
I'm looking to purchase a good/reliable camcorder in the $200.00-$400.00 range. I would like a new camcorder that has been released in 2011 or 2012. It will be used to record my high school basketball team's practices and games. The camcorder must have an easy process to transfer the recorded files to my laptop, and software to edit the recorded files. It also needs to be able to record well in poorly lighted gymnasiums, and focus quickly to keep up with the action on the court. I have been told that HD cameras are not good to use, and that I should have an internal hard disk vs. flash memory. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
reply to this comment
Camera for dancefilm (Diane — 02/07/2012)
I am looking for a very good camcorder for making dance film,suggestions for a loghtweight high quality camera?
reply to this comment
Camera for dancefilm (Diane — 02/07/2012)
I am looking for a very good camcorder for making dance film,suggestions for a loghtweight high quality camera?
reply to this comment
Dilemma between four Sony Cx camcorders (Johnny — 04/27/2011)
I'm in a dilemma between these four camcorders....The Sony Cx130, 150, 160 and 350v. I can purchase them for about the same cost right now. Which one will be the best for the cash? Thank you!
reply to this comment
Recording soccer videos for college recruiters (Allison — 04/24/2011)
I am looking at the Canon fs 40 and the Samsung f 44 for recording soccer games, particularly my son who is a goalie. Videos will be edited and sent to colleges. Image stabilization and battery life are important. Would you recommend either of these, or another one. I'd like to stay under $300. Thanks!
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (05/07/2011)
the canon. sure that works.
reply to this comment
Track & Field Event (Rolando — 03/25/2011)
What is best HD camcorder for shooting track & field events?
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (04/02/2011)
What's your budget?
reply to this comment
Rolando (04/04/2011)
My budget is around $400
reply to this comment
Rolando (04/05/2011)
$450
reply to this comment
M. Illian (02/19/2011)
Looking at 3 cameras for shooting sports. Samsung SMX-F40, JVC Everio GZ-M110 or Sony DCR-SX44. Would you recommend any of these?
reply to this comment
Jason Liquori (03/15/2011)
It depends on the type of sports. If getting close to the action from far away is more important than High Def resolution than the Sony and Samsung have the advantage, but the JVC shoots HD video, has a decent zoom at 10x optical and has a preset for "Sports" that should be helpful. Zooming in 52x sounds like a great feature, but keeping the camera steady or following, say a golf ball, with a zoom that tight can be an issue.
reply to this comment
Tim Roach (11/05/2010)
Hello, I'm a baseball instructor and I'm looking for a HD camcorder. It will be used as a teaching tool.We need frame by frame,slow motion control and ease of operation.I'm very confused about all the choices these days.Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (11/10/2010)
What you want is a camera with a very high shutter speed and the ability to go 60 fps or higher. A faster lens helps as well. Of the three, I prefer the Canon.
reply to this comment
