Best cameras for sports

The A7R VI pairs a 66.8MP stacked sensor, more resolution than the 45.7MP Nikon Z8, with bursts up to 30 fps. That lets a shooter stuck behind a fence or in a fixed press position crop tightly and still deliver a usable file. Its measured readout of 13.5 ms is quicker than the Nikon Z8's 14.5 ms, and autofocus detects people and vehicles. The 9.44M-dot, 0.9x viewfinder is very sharp, battery life is rated at 710 shots, and both card slots take CFexpress A or SD.

The large files slow transfers on deadline and fill cards fast. Native ISO tops out at 32,000, and its electronic shutter stops at 1/8000 s. Its readout is also slower than the Canon EOS R1's 8.3 ms or the Nikon Z6 III's 9.4 ms. Sports shooters who send images during the game should look at the Canon EOS R1 or Sony A7 V for smaller files.

The EOS R1 has a measured readout of 8.3 ms, faster than the Nikon Z6 III's 9.4 ms, from a 24.2MP stacked sensor. It shoots up to 40 fps, and its electronic shutter reaches 1/64000 s. Autofocus detects people and vehicles and is rated to -7.5 EV. Battery life is rated at 1,130 shots, more than the Nikon Z9's 740, and it records to two CFexpress B cards. The 9.44M-dot, 0.9x viewfinder is very sharp, and native ISO reaches 102,400 for dim arenas.

At 1,115 g it is large and heavy, and 24.2MP leaves less room to crop than the Nikon Z8 or Sony A7R VI. It is built for daily professional use, which is more camera than most part-time shooters need. Canon users who shoot on weekends rather than every week should look at the Canon EOS R6 III, which reaches the same 40 fps at 699 g.

The EOS R6 III reaches 40 fps with autofocus that detects people and vehicles down to -6.5 EV. Its 32.5MP sensor gives more cropping room than the 24.5MP Nikon Z6 III, and its measured readout of 14.3 ms keeps most action straight with the electronic shutter. It is weather sealed, has 8.5 stops of stabilization, and records to a CFexpress B and an SD card, so each frame can be written to both. At 699 g it is easy to carry through a long tournament.

It does not use a stacked sensor, and its readout is slower than the Nikon Z6 III's 9.4 ms or the Canon EOS R1's 8.3 ms, which can show on very fast swings. The 3.69M-dot viewfinder is lower resolution than the finders on the flagship bodies. Professionals who shoot fast indoor sports every week should look at the Canon EOS R1.

The Z6 III's 24.5MP partially stacked sensor has a measured readout of 9.4 ms, faster than the Nikon Z8's 14.5 ms. That keeps bats, rackets and fast-moving players straight with the electronic shutter. It reaches 60 fps, and its autofocus detects people and vehicles down to -10 EV, very good for dim gyms and night games. The very bright 5.76M-dot viewfinder helps when following action, and it records to CFexpress B plus SD.

The 24.5MP sensor leaves less room to crop than the 45.7MP Nikon Z8, and dynamic range is a step behind rivals. Battery life is rated at 390 shots, so carry a spare. It is also heavy for its class at 760 g. Shooters who need tighter crops from a distance should consider the Nikon Z8, and Canon users after a similar balance should look at the Canon EOS R6 III.

The Z9 is Nikon's flagship body, with a 45.7MP stacked sensor, bursts up to 30 fps and an electronic-only shutter with a measured readout of 14.5 ms. Autofocus detects people and vehicles and is rated to -9 EV. Battery life is rated at 740 shots, and two CFexpress B slots give fast, matched backup for paid work. Its larger body suits long, heavy telephotos on a monopod, and the high resolution leaves room to crop when the action is on the far side of the field.

At 1,340 g it is heavier than the Canon EOS R1 and tiring to carry for a full day on foot. It is also an older design than the Z8, and its readout is slower than the Canon EOS R1's 8.3 ms and the Nikon Z6 III's 9.4 ms. Nikon shooters who want the same sensor in a smaller body should choose the Nikon Z8.

The A7 V shoots up to 30 fps from a 33MP partially stacked sensor with a measured readout of 14.5 ms. Its autofocus detects people and vehicles, and battery life is rated at 750 shots, enough for a full day of games without a change. At 695 g it is lighter than the Canon EOS R6 III. It is weather sealed and has two card slots, one taking CFexpress A or SD and the other SD.

Its autofocus is rated to -4 EV, less sensitive than the Z6 III's -10 EV, which matters under poor stadium lighting. Its readout is slower than the Nikon Z6 III's 9.4 ms, and its 3.69M-dot viewfinder is well below the 9.44M-dot finder of the Sony A7R VI. Shooters who mainly cover indoor sports should look at the Nikon Z6 III or Canon EOS R6 III. Sony users who crop heavily should consider the Sony A7R VI.

The Lumix S1 II reaches 70 fps, faster than the Nikon Z6 III's 60 fps, from a 24.1MP partially stacked sensor with a measured readout of 12.7 ms. Its autofocus detects people and vehicles, it is weather sealed, and it records to CFexpress B and SD cards. Stabilization is rated at 8 stops. For shooters who also film games, it adds a cooling fan, open-gate recording and internal ProRes RAW, which makes it a strong body for mixed photo and video coverage.

Battery life is rated at 360 shots, fewer than the Z6 III's 390, and at 800 g it is heavier than the Z6 III. Its autofocus is rated to -6 EV, less sensitive in very dim gyms than the Nikon Z6 III's -10 EV, and its measured readout is slower than the Z6 III's 9.4 ms. Shooters who mostly take stills should compare it closely with the Nikon Z6 III.

The Z8 uses the same 45.7MP stacked sensor as the Nikon Z9, with bursts up to 30 fps and a measured readout of 14.5 ms. Its shutter is electronic only, so there is no mechanical shutter to wear out over a season and no sound during quiet moments such as a golf swing or a tennis serve. Autofocus detects people and vehicles and is rated to -9 EV, which helps in dim arenas. The high resolution allows tight crops from the sideline, and the CFexpress B plus SD slots can keep a backup of every frame.

Battery life is rated at only 340 shots, so spares are essential for a full game. At 910 g it is lighter than the Z9 but heavier than mid-size bodies such as the Canon EOS R6 III. Nikon shooters who want a faster readout and do not need 45.7MP should choose the Nikon Z6 III.