Our best camera for sports mom review. For sports moms, afternoons and weekends are spent at a field or court somewhere. Creating memories of your children doing something they love and learning the importance of competition is important. Of course, you’re always on the lookout for that one perfect shot, the one where you capture your child doing something amazing. Having a quality camera, and knowing how to use it, can be the difference between a lifelong memory or a lost opportunity.
A Rundown on Our Top Recommendations:
Top Point and Shoot Image Quality: Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K available on Walmart and Amazon
Best Compact – Budget: Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 Digital Camera – on Walmart and Amazon
Top Full Package Pick: Nikon D7500 DSLR Sports Camera Kit on Walmart and Amazon
Best Premium Pick: Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Sports Camera on Walmart and Amazon Canon EOS Top Beginner Camera: Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle on Walmart and Amazon
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When it comes to finding the best camera for sports moms there is no shortage of options and price ranges. But, to get that perfect shot you don’t necessarily need to have the most expensive camera.
We’ll breakdown some of our top picks and give you the information you need to choose the best camera for you and your budget. That way, you’ll have everything you need to create lifetime memories of your kids’ sporting life.
Photography Tips
To get the most out of your new camera, there are a few things you need to know to be successfully photograph your kids in action:
- Learn your camera: Even the best camera for sports mom will have features on it you’ll need to be familiar with. Take some time before the next game or practice to learn your camera. Start with the owners manual and learn the basic functions and settings so you’re not wasting time trying to figure it out and potentially miss that goal your kid just made.
- Use Continuous shooting mode: This is a great way to make sure you never miss an action packed second. This setting means that the shutter on your camera will continue to click away for as long as you are holding down the button.
- Know the game: Some familiarity with the sport your child participates in is important. Understanding the basics mean that you’ll be better able to gauge when a great shot might be coming up.
- Adjust the ISO: Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, you can change the ISO setting to make sure you get all of the action. In low light settings like a night game a setting of 1.000- 1600 will work well. On the other hand, during a bright, sunny afternoon game a setting of 10 – 200 is more appropriate.
Features of a Great Camera For Action Shots
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is how long the shutter stays open when you’re taking a picture. A higher setting means there is a shorter amount of time the shutter stays open which means not as much light to the sensor. Of course, slower shutter speeds mean the shutter stays open longer allow more light to the image sensor. For fast action, like your kid kicking a goal in soccer, a fast shutter speed can help you get the image. Shutter speed is measured as a fraction of a second, like1/250 or 1/30.
Electronic shutters are found in digital cameras and they automatically adjust the shutter speed based on the settings you create. Mechanical shutters, found in film cameras, are closed physically.
When using a faster shutter speed, make sure you are doing so it well lit surroundings.
Continuous Shooting Mode
This is the mode you’d want too use if you want to take multiple picture of your child dribbling the basketball down the court or running into the endzone. This type of photography allows you to get a great picture of the action.
For sports moms, this continuous shooting mode can enable you to get some amazing shots of your kid doing amazing things!
Image Stabilization
This features helps reduce any shaking when taking photos or videos. Decreasing the amount of shake ensures crisp, sharp images every time. When filming in low light situations, or zooming in on something, this features is really helpful.
There are two types of image stabilization, digital and optical. Digital stabilization relies of software to stabilize the picture after it’s been taken. Optical stabilization uses features in the lens to compensate for any shaking. Both methods of stabilizing your pictures are available in cameras today. They can work together to ensure your pics are clear and sharp.
ISO Settings
ISO is a measure of how sensitive the camera sensor is set. The higher ISO settings means you’ll get higher quality low light pictures. Be careful though, too high of an ISO and you may end up with grainy looking pictures. Ultimately, it’ll take some time and practice for you to figure out what settings are best for each shooting situation you are in.
Many cameras today do a fantastic job in low light settings. So that’s the good part. The “bad” part is you’ll just have to learn your camera to know your limits. Still, that part can be fun too!
Quality Auto Focus
A reliable autofocus is essential if you don’t want to miss out on any of the action when your kid is on the field (or court, or track, etc.!) This is the system that focuses your camera and stays focused on your subject. The more powerful the autofocus, the more exceptional the shots you’ll get.
The Battery Life
This one is pretty obvious. If you don’t have long battery life you don’t have photographs. A camera with a long lasting battery can literally be the difference between framing that memory making shot, or losing it forever.
Battery life, depending on the camera, can go anywhere form a couple of hundred pictures to a few thousands pictures between charges.
Best Camera For Sports Mom – DSLR or Smartphone?
Not everyone has the budget, or time, to buy and learn how to use a new camera. If that’s you, don’t worry. You don’t have to miss out on a second of the action. If you want to use your smartphone, you can. Here are some tips to get more out of your smartphone photography:
- Use HDR Setting
- HDR Stands for high dynamic range, this app for your camera will balance the light when you take a picture.
- Keep your lens clean. This sounds like a simple thing, and it is, but a dirty lens will impact the quality of your pictures.
- Portrait mode: This effect will make the background a little blurred while focusing on the subject. That way you’ll get a cool shot of your kid scoring a goal!
- Apps: Learn what photography apps your style of phone has available. Find the ones that will help your photography improve.
- Practice: Just like you would with a brand new camera, take some time to learn all the features of your smartphone camera. Take different shots in different light settings and familiarize yourself with what each setting does before the next game.
Best Budget / Point and Shoot Compact Cameras
Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 Digital Camera – on Walmart and Amazon
Features:
- The Kodak PixPro AX255 is a compact camera that excels at videos and still pictures.
- 16MP 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor gives you Full HD 1080p video recording at 30 fps and a sensitivity range from ISO 100-3200
- The BSI design of the sensor maintains low noise and high clarity for brighter colors and accurate rendering in every lighting situation
- Along with the imaging features is an amazing 52x optical zoom lens, which covers a 24-600mm equivalent focal length range. An optical image stabilization helps this reach by minimizing camera shake for clearer handheld recording.
- A 3.0″ rear 460k-dot LCD monitor is perfect for reviewing your images making this one of the best cameras for sports mom
The bundle includes:
- Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 Digital Camera
- Small Digital Camera Gadget Bag
- Transcend 32GB UHS-I U1 SD Memory Card
- Hi-Speed SD USB Card Reader
- Tri-fold Memory Card Wallet
- 4 AA Batteries & Charger
- Table Tripod Hand Grip
Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K available on Walmart and Amazon
The Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K is an easy to use point and shoot camera that is loaded with feature so it is definitely one of the best cameras for sports moms.
Features:
- 1″ 20.1 megapixlel MOS sensor
- 3X zoon Leica DC Variou-SU Ilux lens
- Rear touch screen with 3″ LCD tilt display that can be titled 180 degrees for selfies
- Supports 4K video capture and unique features like 4K Post Focus and LUMIX 4K photo.
- Manual lens-mounted control ring for DSLR-like exposure control.
- It has USB charging
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Our Point And Shoot Top Pick
If you have the budget, there are some excellent cameras that will allow you to up your mom / photographer game. These point and shoot cameras are more expensive, but they offer great features, ease of use and accessories. They may be the best camera for sports mom on the market.
Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Sports Camera available at Walmart and Amazon
The Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Sports Camera comes with an impressive array of features so you can catch all the action on the field, or court, in beautiful detail.
Features:
- 20.1MP 1.0 Type stacked CMOS sensor
- A Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 24-200 millimeter F2.8-F4.5 large aperture high magnification zoom lens
- Fast 0.02-second autofocus speed, a 357-point focal plane Phase detection AF, and 425-point contrast detection AF
- Up to 20 fps blackout-free shooting with advanced AF/AE calculations
- AI-based real-time tracking for stills and movies also has a real-time eye AF for both human and animal subjects
- 4K video with us log3 and Interval Shooting
- Microphone jack and vertical position data recording
- Active mode image stabilization for 4K video recording
Top DSLR Cameras For Sports Mom
The cameras listed below are DSLR cameras. They offer more functionality and versatility than the point and shoot cameras above. You can really become an excellent photographer if you want to. They are more expensive and will take a little more time to learn how to get the most out of all the features, but they may be the right fit for you.
Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Kit available on Walmart and Amazon
Includes:
- 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
- 3.0″ 920k-Dot LCD Monitor with Full HD 1080/30p Video Recording capabilities. Offering sharp details, accurate colors and low-noise imaging for high and low light situations
- Can continuously shoot up to 3 fps
- Canon 18-55mm II Lens – zoom compatible with Canon APS-C format cameras. It offers a focal length range of 18-55mm which is equal to 29-88mm in the 35mm format
- 2 x SanDisk 64GB SDHC Memory Cards + Deluxe Padded Camera Case + Flash w/ bracket + 3pc Filter Kit + Extra Battery Pack + High Speed USB Card Reader + 50″ Camera Tripod
- 0.43x Auxiliary Wide angle Lens – Easily mounts to the front of the fixed or the zoom lens, which means you can capture a wider field of view, 2.2x Auxiliary Telephoto Lens – brings you 2x closer to the action. Great for sporting events.
Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera Kit available on Walmart and Amazon
The Nikon D7500 offers lots of versatility. It comes with a 20.9MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5 image processor for 8 fps continuous shooting and 4K UHD video. A 51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX II autofocus system for accurate, and fast, tracking. Compact, weather-sealed design and a 3.2″ touchscreen makes it perfect for outdoor shooting in any weather. Its SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities means you can transfer your images while in the field.
Includes
- Nikon D7500 DSLR (Body Only)
- Battery: EN-EL15a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
- Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
- 500mm f/8.0 Telephoto Lens for T-mount
- Battery Charger: Nikon MH-25a
- USB Cable: Nikon UC-E20
- Camera Strap: Nikon AN-DC3 (Black)
- Deluxe Starter Kit: COMMANDER (Mini Tripod, 5 Sensor Swabs, Cleaning Cloth, 2 Universal Screen Protectors, Memory Card Wallet, Lens Cap Keeper)
- DSLR Tripod: COMMANDER 50 inch
- Memory Card: 2 64GB Sandisk Cards
- Card Reader: USB
- Carrying case
- 3PC Filter kit with case (UV, CPL, FLD Filters)
- Lens Attachment Kit for both Telephoto and Wide-Angle
- Lens Care: Lens Pen, Lens Blower
- Slave Flash
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens
- Snap on lens cap, rear lens cap
Sony A7iii Kit available on Walmart and Amazon
The Sony a7 III is built with the most advanced full-frame camera features currently available on the market. Every part of this camera has been created to enable amazing full frame image control and capture. Offering 693 phase AF points and up to 10fps continuous shooting 4K HDR video in addition to the longest battery life of any other mirrorless camera make the Sony A7iii the best camera for sports moms. The camera is great and the accessories in this kit make it a wonderful way to capture your kids in action.
Includes:
- Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera with 35mm Full-Frame Image Sensor (Body) ILCE-7M3, rechargeable Battery NP-FZ100, AC Adaptor, Shoulder strap, body and accessory caps, Micro USB cable, Sony USA Warranty
- 2x SanDisk 64GB Extreme SD Memory UHS-I Cards w/ 90/60MB/s Read/Write
- 60″ Photo/Video Tripod /w a deluxe soft case
- Deco Gear Camera/ Lens Photography Equipment Bag
- Replacement Rechargeable Battery for Sony NP-FZ100
- Rapid Quick Charger for Sony NP-FZ100
- Lens Blower, pen, cap keeper and antiseptic cleaning wipes
- Spray Bottle Cleaner
- 2 Piece Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- 3 Piece Screen Protector
- Memory Card Reader/Case
- 12 Inch Rubberized Tripod
Photo and Video Professional Editing Suite: - OfficeSuite Premium
- Movavi Photo Noir
- Movavi Video Suite
- Movavi Slideshow Maker
- Movavi Photo Editor 5
- Movavi Photo Focus
- piZap Pro
- Ribbet Premium
- Movavi Photo DeNoise
Sports Cameras Accessories / Gift Ideas
There are additional accessories you may want to get to increase your photography successes. The kits listed above are pretty full featured, but if you chose a stand alone camera, here are a few things you may want to add (or drop hints about when it gets close to your birthday or the holiday season!).
Heavy Duty Camera and Accessory Case
We recommend the Mosiso Waterproof Camera Backpack. This is a great hard camera case. It offers multiple adjustable spaces not only for your camera accessories, laptop and tripod, but you can even pack other necessities too, it’s that big. Easily carry it on your back, since you’re likely carrying your kids sports equipment and a cooler too, this makes life a little easier! Comes in black and teal green (pictured).
A Quality Tripod
We recommend the NEEWER 74″ Pro Video Tripod with Fluid Head available at Amazon. This heavy duty tripod will last for years, in case you ever want to photograph other things, like nature for example. It can expand from 33″ all the way up to 74″. It’s a great choice to keep your camera stable and safe from falling.
Features:
- Load capacity of up to 17.6lbs. Can add sandbags for stability if needed
- Easily adjust the height from 33′ to 74′ with secure flip locks
- A 360 degree panoramic. The head is fluid and comes with a counterbalanced and damp control makes taking gorgeous panoramic shots, including overhead shots, smooth and easy. Comes with a removable handle for more control. Also, a bubble level ensures you keep your horizons straight.
- Easy, fast and safe assembly
- Durable construction designed for easy camera, or other device, attachment
Point and Shoot Vs. DSLR Which Is Better?
There are several differences between point and shoot cameras and DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) cameras. It really depends on what you want to use the camera for and your budget when determining which option is right for you. Above, we listed several of both types of cameras: point and shoot and DLSR so you can compare each type side by side. Here is more of a breakdown between the two types of cameras:
Benefits of Point And Shoot
- They are more affordable. Better picture quality than a cell phone, but they won’t break the bank
- Ease of use. As the name implies you essentially just point the camera where you want to photograph and click
- Most point and shoots will still offer some adjustment availability if you want to experiment and learn more
- Small size. Point and shoot cameras are smaller and weight less than DSLR’s. They are easy to carry and you don’t have to lug around a lot of extras
- They are quiet to use. This may come in handy if filming your child doing something other than sports, lets say at a play or spelling bee
Benefits of a DLSR
- Unlike the single lens available on point and shoot cameras, DSLR cameras have the ability to add lenses
- The viewfinder on a DSLR doesn’t use as much battery power as other styles so your batteries can last longer
- Fast and easy autofocus. These types of cameras are advanced in their ability to track subjects, even while moving, that’s why they’re often considered the best camera for sports moms.
- Your pictures are stored on the cameras memory card, and those memory cards can hold a lot of images
- Light is directed right into the optical viewfinder, that means there is no lag. You can capture your image more quickly, before it’s gone.
- Big sensors. Megapixel isn’t the only thing to consider, though they do play a role in clear resolutions and a great image quality, the larger sensors in DLSR’s are what increase picture quality. It’s perfect for low light photos too
- You can up your photography skills as you go and there are a lot of accessories available for that. Extra lens, flashes, tripod, etc. are some of the accessories that will allow you to get better pictures.
FAQ’s
What does point and shoot camera mean?
This is just a digital camera that doesn’t need a lot of adjustments in order to take a picture. You will still get excellent picture quality in most settings, but you don’t have to be a professional and adjust a lot of settings if you don’t want to. These cameras tend to be lightweight, small and have automation that makes it easy to get a great shot without a lot of fuss.
How Do I Take A Picture With A Point and Shoot Camera?
With other types of cameras, you generally fiddle with multiple settings before taking a picture. Things like adjusting focus, setting exposure and composition, for example. But with a point and shoot these things are automated so you don’t have to mess with it. Simply select the mode you choose prior to taking pictures and the camera will do the rest.
What is the Best Camera For Sports Mom?
Honesty, both the DSLR and Point and Shoot camaras listed above will work. The DSLR will do a better job photographing fast movement since it has more adjustment and lens options and accurate tracking of your subject. But, if you don’t have the budget for a DSLR, the above mentioned point and shoots will do a great job too – much better than the camera on your phone.
Is the Canon Rebel T7 a Good Sports Camera?
Yes, this is a great option (read more about it above). It’s on the lower end of the price range but still offers many features that can help you get the perfect shot of your child doing something amazing… or just hamming it up for the camera!
Best Camera For Sports Mom – The Bottom Line
We hope this information has cleared up some confusion on the different types of cameras you can get and the features to consider when you go shopping for a great sports camera. There are a lot of cameras on the market, and their are wide price ranges too.
A recap of some features to keep in mind:
- Ease of use. A point and shoot will be easier to use and have a shorter learning curve, but it does have limitations
- Price. A DSLR does come with more features that are better for sports photography, but as is always the case, those extra features push the price up.
- Overall size and weight. Point and shoot cameras will generally be smaller and lighter weight. They will be easier to transport back and forth.
- Available accessories. No matter if you choose a point and shoot or a DSLR camera you can add some accessories. Depending on the camera you may be able to add filters, a tripod and even other lenses.
In a nutshell:
Point and shoot – cheaper, smaller, fewer features but better than your phone camera, still takes good pictures.
DSLR – bigger, more expensive, better quality photos due to it’s advanced features. More customization options.
A Rundown on Our Top Recommendations:
Top Point and Shoot Image Quality: Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K available on Walmart and Amazon
Best Compact – Budget: Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 Digital Camera – on Walmart and Amazon
Top Package Pick: Nikon D7500 DSLR Sports Camera Kit on Walmart and Amazon
Best Premium Pick: Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Sports Camera on Walmart and Amazon Canon EOS Top Beginner Camera: Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle on Walmart and Amazon