For any camera system, sports photography could be a real challenge. In line with that, it includes whether you want to snap a few shots of a back-to-back action or when you prefer to just be on the sidelines. Not long ago, you’d find it hard to look for the best mirrorless camera for sports that could keep up with the demands of sports and action photography. You have a lot of choices nowadays that can meet your preferences. That said, here are the 7 best mirrorless cameras for sports that you might want to check out.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Camera | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Camera is a fast, durable, and versatile camera that offers a broad range of skills and video-minded functionality. Most sports photography enthusiasts have been impressed with its build quality, image quality, and a tremendous amount of manual control and a boatload of features. | ||
| Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera | The Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera is a proud product of an evolutionary leap in image processing power and efficiency. It combines a high resolution 42.4 MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with impressive shooting speeds up to 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking. Simultaneously, the camera offers a beautiful 4K HDR video quality, and a wide 15 stops feature a dynamic range and high sensitivity with noise reduction of almost a full stop. | ||
| Sony a9 Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera | Sony a9 Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera sports impressive multimedia capabilities and ups the processing capabilities for ultra-fast continuous shooting. It employs a 24.2MP full-frame Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor. The a9 is known to shoot at up to 20 fps, while recording UHD 4K video internally, and shooting with an expanded sensitivity range to ISO 204,800. | ||
| Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/ 2.95″ LCD | Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera is equipped with a 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS sensor that uses the world’s fastest AF speed at 0.05 seconds and the highest number phase-detection AF points at 425. Sony Alpha a6500 is also known to be a higher-end version of the company’s a6300 mirrorless camera. | ||
| Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera | Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera is a splash-resistant premium interchangeable lens camera with a large OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). The model employs the latest generation 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III with an APS-C sensor with no low-pass filter, boasting the highest performance in the X Series history. | ||
| Nikon Z6 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera | Nikon Z6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is the ideal and all-around camera for those seeking the right amount of balance between resolution, speed, and low-light performance. It sports a 4K Ultra HD video with full pixel readout and 12 fps 12-bit RAW or JPEG shooting. | ||
| Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera | Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera is characterized by its large sensor, advanced imaging capabilities, and modular design that is highly versatile and distinctly portable. |
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Detailed Reviews on the 7 Best Mirrorless Cameras For Sports
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Camera
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Camera is a fast, durable, and versatile camera that offers a broad range of skills and video-minded functionality. Most sports photography enthusiasts have been impressed with its build quality, image quality, and a tremendous amount of manual control and a boatload of features.
Product Highlights
The OM-D E-M1 Mark II features an advanced system of innovative technology and has been designed to change your photography forever. It comes with powerful in-body image stabilization with up to 18 frames per second sequential shooting with precision, C-AF Tracking, 121 Cross-Type On-Chip Phase Detection AF points of up to 5.5 shutter speed steps of compensation. Plus a 50MP High-Res Shot Mode, it’s guaranteed that you’ll get that fantastic shot you’ve always wanted.
The Good
It’s also worth noting that both DCI and UHD 4K recording modes can be used for video shooters, together with a Time-lapse Movie mode for producing in-camera 4K time-lapse sequences. Additionally, the sensor’s design also features 121 on-chip phase-detection points, all of which are cross-type, along with 121 contrast-detection areas for quick and accurate focusing and subject tracking performance.
The Bad
Reports say that the camera’s CAF modes may not be functional, especially in a low light setting. It was also found that its firmware tends to freeze often.
PROs
- It has a durable magnesium alloy design that is weather-resistant for working in harsh climates.
- Its sensor and processor combination yields a full-resolution
CONs
- Its 50MP High Resolution still requires a tripod. Any movement whatsoever, especially the movement of you tapping the shutter button, results in a blurry image, which is beaten by the standard image mode or can easily be fixed by Photoshop.
- CAF modes may not be fully-functional, especially in a low light setting.
Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera
The Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera is a proud product of an evolutionary leap in image processing power and efficiency. It combines a high resolution 42.4 MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with impressive shooting speeds up to 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking. Simultaneously, the camera offers a beautiful 4K HDR video quality, and a wide 15 stops feature a dynamic range and high sensitivity with noise reduction of almost a full stop.
Product Highlights
This best mirrorless camera for sports is a versatile, high-performance camera characterized not only by its resolution but by its multimedia versatility. This updated Fast Hybrid AF System highlights a combination of 399 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection areas for a faster acquirement of focus regardless of the lighting conditions while maintaining focus on subjects more effectively.
The Good
The model sports its greatly enhanced EyeAF that can focus on and track an eye with great precision and speed, even when a subject moves, looks down & away, or is backlit. Sony a7R III also features Pixel Shift Multi Shooting that is guaranteed to deliver an overwhelming resolution, color fidelity, and texture reproduction, capturing the subject and environment’s atmosphere.
The Bad
Several reports say that the camera is too bulky, weighing 657g. Additionally, the Menu and interface also tend to be super slow for a professional camera.
PROs
- It has an advanced 1200-zone evaluative exposure metering sensor designed to deliver consistent and accurate results using multi-segment, center-weighted, or spot metering modes.
- The anti-flicker shooting immediately recognizes and times the shutter action while minimizing the flicker effect for more consistent results on still images.
CONs
- The camera is too bulky, weighing 657g.
- The Menu and interface also tend to be super slow for a professional camera.
Sony a9 Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera
Sony a9 Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera sports impressive multimedia capabilities and ups the processing capabilities for ultra-fast continuous shooting. It employs a 24.2MP full-frame Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor. The a9 is known to shoot at up to 20 fps, while recording UHD 4K video internally, and shooting with an expanded sensitivity range to ISO 204,800.
Product Highlights
This best mirrorless camera for sports imaging capabilities is matched with its well-rounded physical construction that is fully weather-sealed for use in trying environmental conditions. Sony Alpha 9 is the brand’s first camera aimed at a professional wedding, action, and sports photography. The brand’s 24MP, full-frame mirrorless camera can shoot at 20 frames per second with full autofocus. Simultaneously, it comes with very low viewfinder lag and absolutely no blackout during continuous shooting.
The Good
It’s worth noting that all of the camera’s capabilities is rooted from a stacked CMOS image sensor that includes processing circuitry nearer the pixels and features built-in memory to deliver all this data to the off-board processors at a rate they can cope with.
The Bad
Several professional photographers say that the model comes with an overheating issue. Additionally, it’s relatively the same with the A7 series as it also features 24 megapixels, dynamic range, and the sensor noise remains the same, which might not complement its expensive cost.
PROs
- It has improved low light performance and sharper pixel-level imagery.
- It comes with dual SD memory card slots, a customizable menu system, and various physical controls.
CONs
- The model comes with an overheating issue.
- It’s relatively the same with the A7 series as it also features 24 megapixels, dynamic range, and the sensor noise remains the same.
Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/ 2.95″ LCD
Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera is equipped with a 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS sensor that uses the world’s fastest AF speed at 0.05 seconds and the highest number phase-detection AF points at 425. Sony Alpha a6500 is also known to be a higher-end version of the company’s a6300 mirrorless camera.
Product Highlights
Since this best mirrorless camera for sports is an upgraded version of the a6300, significant additions are a new LSI that dramatically improves AF and burst shooting performance, 5-axis image stabilization, and a touchscreen LCD with touchpad AF.
The Good
The built-in stabilization is a huge advantage of this model, especially if you own lenses that don’t have any. Further, having a touchscreen LCD monitor with the same size and resolution makes selecting the focus point quicker and easier, especially when recording videos.
The Bad
It was found that this model tends to overheat in under 30 minutes based on several tests, both in 4k and HD. Also, dust is a big issue, unlike the Sony F5, as its dust cleaner does not perform well; more often than not, you have to remove dust from the sensor manually.
PROs
- It is lightweight.
- It has touchscreen LCD monitor that makes selecting the focus point quicker and more accessible, especially when recording videos.
CONs
- If you prefer bigger cameras with a more oversized grip, this model may not be ideal for you.
- This model tends to overheat under 30 minutes based on several tests, both in 4k and HD.
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera is a splash-resistant premium interchangeable lens camera with a large OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). The model employs the latest generation 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III with an APS-C sensor with no low-pass filter, boasting the highest performance in the X Series history.
Product Highlights
Fujifilm X-T2 produces crisp image resolution similar to cameras that use larger sensors and higher pixel counts, but all in a more compact and classically-designed body. And for the first time, the new FUJIFILM X-T2 now supports 4K video recording that can use each available Film Simulation mode, including ACROS, to effortlessly produce premium-quality footage as unique as the photographer behind the viewfinder.
The Good
With Fujifilm X-T2, you can be sure that image quality is fantastic. It sports a 325 AF point system, with 169 of that phase-detection for improved speed. Even the body has an AF point selection joystick to focus on the point that you want quickly.
The Bad
According to reports, although the model is equipped with weather sealing features, it may not be ideal for rain. Additionally, it tends to have some issues with the wireless features such as the software for iOS needed for geotagging, and for Mac, needed to do Wi-Fi transfer, which could be appalling.
PROs
- It features AF-C Custom Settings for even higher accuracy in focus-tracking moving subjects.
- It captures approximately 1.8x the required number of pixels for 4K video to deliver superior movie quality free from moiré or artifacts.
CONs
- Its weather sealing feature may not be ideal to use in the rain.
- It tends to have some issues with the wireless features such as the software for iOS needed for geotagging, and for Mac, needed to do Wi-Fi transfer, which could be appalling.
Nikon Z6 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
Nikon Z6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is the ideal and all-around camera for those seeking the right amount of balance between resolution, speed, and low-light performance. It sports a 4K Ultra HD video with full pixel readout and 12 fps 12-bit RAW or JPEG shooting.
Product Highlights
This best mirrorless camera for sports is arguably one of the most versatile cameras that the company has ever created. It’s at the sweet spot of speed, resolution, and low-light performance. All features combined with the advantages of a lightweight mirrorless design, a revolutionary new full-frame lens mount with matched lenses, and seamless integration with the Nikon DSLR system-including the F-mount NIKKOR lenses that you love.
The Good
The Nikon Z6 is the best full-frame mirrorless camera on the video market, which offers a full-frame, full-pixel sensor readout for super crisp 4K video. You can output 10-bit, 4:2:2 log video to maximize dynamic range and shoot 1080p video up to 120 fps. The model is excellent in terms of image quality and colors from the 24.5-megapixel sensor. Plus, your images and video are more likely to be sharp and smooth, thanks to the 5-axis in-body stabilization.
The Bad
Nikon Z6 offers a lower 24.5-megapixel resolution and not quite as many AF points as the Z7. Further, Nikon Z6 (and Z7) both do not have in-camera AF motors, so if you have older AF lenses without internal drives, these will be manual focus only.
PROs
- It’s the best full-frame mirrorless camera for video.
- It offers excellent images and color science and is relatively affordable than the Z7.
CONs
- The single card slot uses a hard-to-find XQD format.
- The model has weak 330-shot battery life.
Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera
Fujifilm GFX 50S 51.4MP Mirrorless Medium Format Camera is characterized by its large sensor, advanced imaging capabilities, and modular design that is highly versatile and distinctly portable.
Product Highlights
The heart of the GFX camera system features the 43.8 x 32.9mm 51.4MP CMOS sensor, which pairs with the X-Processor Pro image processor specially designed to produce extensive dynamic range files resolution. Simultaneously, the model has an extended sensitivity range of ISO 50-102400 for working in difficult lighting conditions.
The Good
The model sports a removable 3.69m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder that can be used for high-resolution eye-level viewing. It can be paired with an optional tilt adapter, which allows working with the finder from various working angles. Further, the camera’s operability is reinforced by using several dedicated dials for adjusting exposure settings. A top LCD screen is also featured for checking settings and exposure data.
The Bad
Recording with this camera is limited to 720p and 1080p at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second. Additionally, video has never been the company’s strongest suit, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that even this medium-format mirrorless beast falls short in that regard.
PROs
- It is the world’s first focal-plane shutter specifically designed for medium format mirrorless cameras.
- It comes with multiple exposure modes that allow you to shoot two consecutive overlaid frames, and the first frame will be shown on the rear LCD to aid in alignment for the second exposure.
CONs
- Fujifilm GFX 50S doesn’t come with image stabilization.
- The camera has a weak 400 shots battery life.
Conclusion
Remember, you can shoot action and sports with any camera, so don’t be disheartened if what you own is not part of the list. Ultimately, it’s worth noting that the best mirrorless camera for sports is only as good as the lens you put on it. Find out more about mirrorless cameras.