markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I also shoot a great deal of sports. I have the 5d M III & the 7D M II. Both are fantastic cameras. The 7D M II is a 1.6 crop - The 5D M III is full frame. I take both with me to shoot sports. I think you also want to consider the lenses you want to mount. For outdoor, long distance shots, I use the Canon 7D M II with the Canon 70 - 200 f/2.8 II and the Canon Extender fast telephoto lenses available for sports.

I suggest you call B & H or visit a local camera shop to discuss your needs and hear their suggestions.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Good luck,
Mark

cmc65

FYI Canon online store is currently having a decent sale including rebates.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

If you choose Canon, the best prices anywhere by an authorized Canon dealer is http://www.profeel.com. Speak with Ester or David. You may have to ask for their "best price". I found it very easy dealing with them.

They will beat any price - fast free shipping - great service & customer service. Almost true for B & H, but their prices are not quite as good as Profeel. Both are located in NY, so no state taxes on the purchase.

Mark

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I have no idea why anyone would try to answer this question and so many like it without additional information. i.e budget, hobby or income need, type of sports, motor, baseball, swimming and he did not ask about lenses? I don't even know if the OP has the skill sets regarding composition, light and post processing to even use as D4s or DX1. With the question pretty much wide open, almost every camera would work.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I use this same combo when shooting wildlife and sports.

Look around at any sporting event and what do you see? I always notice a sea of white lenses is what I see. This tells me that there are an awful lot of Canon products being used at sporting events these days.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Sony pro lenses are white, too (I own one.) I believe Nikon are too, aren't they? I read that they color them white because it looks so cool. Well, that and because it helps them stay cool in the sun.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mark, we know his skill set. He said he needs to crop, crop, crop!!!
For any sport, might as well go straight to canon!!!
The only other choice is the old codgers camera..., Nikon!
Or do what the amatuers do, get a little brand camera and use Canon lenses on adaptors.
Or do what the pro sport shooters do, get Canon lenses and hang a Canon body from them!!!
Does it really matter which sport he shoots?!?!
Budget:
$500= used 7dmkl
$1500= 7dmkll on sale
$2300= 5dmklll on sale
$5000= 1Dx refurb.
All the best sports cameras in their price ranges.
I think he mentioned a quality 70-200. That would be the Canon 70-200mkll! The most versatile sports lens on the planet.
For the birthday parties, an iPhone 6 with JoJo lenses!! :lol: :lol:
SS

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Canon, Nikon and Sony all will provide the best sports images providing you are up to it.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

You don't have to directly reply to my post. You can just make recommendations, but no matter. I am so pleased you provided a complete list. Glad you are covering all the bases including an iPhone (sorry, Canon does not make one). I am off to a Photo Safari. Keep up the good work. We always need mature and experienced oversight.

Sportsphoto

Wow
Thanks everyone I am getting tons of great advice ! I am looking at shooting in a new way.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

While they still last, the best value in the industry, is the Canon 7d. $800 new at B&H. Put it together with a 2.8 70-200 lens and you have the best sports and all-round camera combination available.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Do you have a budget? "a bit of money " is not very helpful.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Nikon D4 or Canon 1Ds... Your choice depends on lenses and ergonomics. If you're interested in spending less, try the Nikon D7200 or Canon 7D Mark II. These "crop" sensor cameras will narrow the angle of view by 1.5X or 1.6X at any given focal length, compared to "full frame" cameras.

There is no "one best" or "perfect" camera... just the one or ones that suit YOUR particular needs. I know pros who have several systems for different, targeted assignments. I know others who can't stand particular systems because of the menu structures, handling "feel", or lack of lens availability... RENT before you buy, and try the gear on suitable subjects!

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

If you already own the A77, then you know the capabilities and drawbacks of that platform.

As Desert Gecko suggested, the A77II would be the logical step up if you are interested in staying in the APS-C format.

It has 79 autofocus points compared to 19 in the original, and they are all hybrid phase/contrast detection af points. The AF module is the fastest currently available, including the professional grade Canon and Nikon cameras, and the focus tracking is outstanding, especially with fast glass.

Not knowing your budget, you'll be happy to know that this camera can be had for much less than any comperably featured camera on the market, and since you already have A mount glass, you won't have to dispose of your legacy lenses.

The A77II shoots 6, 8, 10, or 12 frames per second, depending on mode and settings. The 12 fps rate is limited to f/3.5 or the largest aperture available if it is smaller than f/3.5. Bursts range from 2.5 seconds at RAW + JPEG to 5.2 seconds at Extra Fine JPEG, to 9 seconds at Fine JPEG, and 14 seconds at Standard quality JPEG.

With fast cards, the camera does not lock up at the wall, but rather drops to 3 or 4 fps until the buffer is cleared, another big advantage over your A77.

So unless you plan to go full frame, if you want a great sports shooter, then the A77II is certainly a camera that deserves your consideration.

GOOD LUCK!

JPL

I never shoot sports, not interested in that so I have no experience, but in addition to the typical Nikon and Canon sports cameras you should look at the Samsung NX1, 28 mpx crop sensor and lot of frames pr. second, more than in any Nikon or Canon camera with same size sensor or bigger. Not many lenses but all you need I would say. Have seen lot of good reviews about this camera.

Another combo worth considering is the Nikon 1 V3 and the 70-300 lens with it. Gives you very fast autofocusing, good stabilizing and a zoom range not matched by other systems for nearly as few dollars. Also lot of good reviews about this combo.