What is the best Action Camera for under $500?

[BettorFan]

Any ideas?

[compusatman]

Any ideas?

 

I think the under $1000 range is relegated to POS cameras. Somewhere around $1500 is where decent SLR's begin. And true sports cams are $2500-$8000+. Sorry, but that is what my research told me.

[score3]

I got started with what coacht uses for around $800. It served me very well until I updated cameras. The combo coacht uses is a 85mm f/1.8 lens with a Rebel XTi. While there are cameras in the $6,000 range, those are mainly used for studio work.

 

I think the under $1000 range is relegated to POS cameras. Somewhere around $1500 is where decent SLR's begin. And true sports cams are $2500-$8000+. Sorry, but that is what my research told me.

[BettorFan]

I got started with what coacht uses for around $800. It served me very well until I updated cameras. The combo coacht uses is a 85mm f/1.8 lens with a Rebel XTi. While there are cameras in the $6,000 range, those are mainly used for studio work.

 

 

Thanks I'll look into it.

[BDURHAM]

Canon has great cameras, and they are what most of the pros use.

You can get a good camera between $500 - $1,000. The lens is

what takes your money, and the lens is very important.

 

What Coach T has is the way to go. I have something very similar,

and it will get your started.

 

Talk to as many people as possible who shoot sports with cameras before

you make a purchase. And go to the high end stores to window shop and

pick up information.

[compusatman]

Is there a (Canon) lens size that will go from football field to basketball court or am I dreaming? Do these two venues require two distinctly different lens? TIA!

[TrojanSportsFan]

I use the same camera as coacht. I have been using the lens that came with it but I got dark pics because flash is not allowed at most games. Last week i got a new lens. The 50mm/1.8 and I love it. Makes getting a good shot under the goal as it is zoomed in close on the subject, but I get a lot better picture. The lens is more inportant than the camera for a good picture. A zoom lens is best used on the football field. The one coacht uses is in the $500 range. I plan on seeing how the new one I just got will work for football. Only thing without a zoom lens your not going to get a close-up shot across the field.

[MCHSFAN]

Any ideas?

 

I've had good luck picking up cameras and lens on Ebay and Pawn shops. My son got a really good lens that was with a film camera in apawn shop. Of course we didn't want the film camera, even though it was a very good Canon. Bought a 10d, one owner like new on Ebay for $200...you're looking for f1.8 lens, to be able to take pictures at night, on poorly lighted Football Fields. Megapixels above 4 or 5 aren't that important unless you plan on making giant posters or something. it's out there you just have to look and not get in a hurry. 50mm f1.8 is good for basketball and volleyball . 80mm and up for football. The last poster is right about the lens being most important, but some of the older Canon's are too slow. FPS is important, and also the speed of the zoom can cause you to miss good pictures. Yard sales can even be a good source, but not as often. I've found that most Pawn shops don't know that much about cameras, and don't always know what they're really worth. Of course new is better, but if you're poor like me you've got to be creative.