New camera advice: I am a relatively new photographer and currently use a Sony RX10iii. It has been great but now I am looking for a camera that can take indoor sports action shots. I...

betsyhumphrey

I am a relatively new photographer and currently use a Sony RX10iii. It has been great but now I am looking for a camera that can take indoor sports action shots. I will be either in a barn (horse shows) or ice rink (hockey games); both places do not have great lighting! Any advice?

Bill_de Loc: US

This article is old enough to list cameras that have been replaced by newer {better?}models. For example the D7100 mentioned has been replaced by the D7200, and then the current D7500. The advice is pretty good and worth reading.

The latest digital SLRs—including most APS sensor models—will deliver outstanding (or, at least, acceptable) image quality even when you pump up the ISO above 1000. If you are buying a new camera with indoor sports capabilities in mind, look for one that will deliver images no noise (pro level) or very little noise (enthusiast-level) at ISO 1600. Most likely, you’ll be shooting at around ISO 3200 or even higher in order to get both reasonable depth of field and a shutter speed of at least 1/250 second while shooting action in non-professional sports venues.

https://www.adorama.com/alc/indoor-sports-photography-camera-and-lens-gear-guide

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PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Low light isn't easy. Generally speaking, FOR THE SAME NUMBER OF MEGAPIXELS, the larger the sensor the better, the newer technology, the better. Wide aperture (low f numbers) lenses are a big help!

dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

betsyhumphrey wrote:

I am a relatively new photographer and currently use a Sony RX10iii. It has been great but now I am looking for a camera that can take indoor sports action shots. I will be either in a barn (horse shows) or ice rink (hockey games); both places do not have great lighting! Any advice?

Since you're already familiar with the Sony menu, look at one of their other cameras, like the 6500 or the a7r series. The buttons are pretty much the same as is the setup.

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

Sounds like you will need good AF tracking and low light performance, the Sony A7III or the Nikon D500 would be my choice. The D500 will have a much larger buffer.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

For indoor action sports in low/mediocre light, there is no substitute for full frame. A good low light FF will deliver excellent results at ISOs up to and including 12,800, and you can trade that for higher shutter speed and/or greater DOF. Indoor sports are one of the most demanding environments for equipment.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

An idea of your budget would be helpful.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Hi - I am a horse show photographer, and indoor arenas.. ugh !!! For the indoors and covers, I use a Canon 7D Mii with the 70-200 2.8 L II lens. If you really want good action shots in an indoor or covered arena you will need an APS-C or Full Frame Sensor camera AND a good 2.8 zoom lens !!! Any brand should do fine as long as you have this basic configuration. You will also need to know how to do some post processing. AND - practice practice practice !!! Good Luck -

lbrande

betsyhumphrey wrote:

I am a relatively new photographer and currently use a Sony RX10iii. It has been great but now I am looking for a camera that can take indoor sports action shots. I will be either in a barn (horse shows) or ice rink (hockey games); both places do not have great lighting! Any advice?

My friend, who shoots NHL games, gave me this advice,
1-f2.8 or better lens,
2-full frame camera with 10+ fps ability.
I used a Canon 50D with a 70-200, or a 200mm f1.8 with 1.4 extender and got some pretty decent shots.
Check Hockey Girl on UHH.

BJW

betsyhumphrey wrote:

I am a relatively new photographer and currently use a Sony RX10iii. It has been great but now I am looking for a camera that can take indoor sports action shots. I will be either in a barn (horse shows) or ice rink (hockey games); both places do not have great lighting! Any advice?

I do indoor high school ice hockey with a D500 and a 70-200mm f/2.8. It is a fabulous camera. I just got a Sony a9 which I am hoping will be better and produce even sharper images. Having used the D500 for 3 years now and having just started using the a9, I can say with certainty that you will do very well with either.

markwilliam1

If the budget is available I’d purchase the Sony RX10 M4! Best bridge camera ever made! Great low light abilities! 600mm f4 lens!

wetreed

You should cut your losses with the Sony and get yourself a Nikon D500. It’s the best low camera made.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I think another factor is how you intend to use the images. Online posting on social media, smaller prints, large prints or magazine / publishing. Also do you plan to shoot RAW, RAW plus JPEG or JPEG only... I would say realistic solutions would range from $1000-$12,000.

wloftonphotography Loc: Eastanollee Georgia

shot high school football where the light is not very good with a Nikon d500 it is not an issue at all, and 10fps make it easy, you can crank up the iso and shoot a minimum of 500th a second, always...

radiojohn

While a camera body, higher ISO, stabilization are all body factors, think about the LENS.

Most zooms can start out at 2.8 or whatever,but quickly drop to 5.6 or smaller as they zoom. AF also does not work as well.

Assuming you do not have a full frame body, would a 58( mm film equiv) f/1.4 do the job better? It would provide a fast slight telephoto.