Best Camera For Recording Soccer Games
Trying to cover a fierce sports event, such as soccer games without a reliable sports-shot camera is like catching a bird in mid-air. The small filming cameras could show their magic in vlogs, but when you tend to record the soccer players, who often switch their directions and bolt up and down the field with them, you may get blurry footage.
Thankfully, there are some video cameras meant for soccer games or such quick-moving activities. Now the problem is, finding the best one among them wouldn’t be easy. Wondering? What should you do?
Well! I’ve tried and tested several sports recording cameras. Hereafter, I created this list of my favorite and of course, the best camera to record soccer games. If you follow in-depth buying advice, keep scrolling to the Buyer’s guide and stay tuned till the end.
In a hurry?! Here are my top picks for the best camera for recording soccer games
REVIEW OF BEST CAMERA FOR RECORDING SOCCER GAMES
1. GOPRO HERO10 - BEST CAMERA TO LIVE STREAM YOUTH SPORTS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
GoPro is the most popular brand among vloggers and action video shooters. Their Hero 10 model is one of the most lightweight and efficient models that comes featured with bright front and rear monitor screens. It also has a new water-shedding hydrophobic lens cover; that eliminates lens flare and other artifacts.
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE:
When it comes to features and specs, first, I would like to highlight the faster and smoother image processor; that helps record 5.3K videos at up to 60 fps rate and 4K videos at up to 120fps rate. Unbelievable! Right?
It also offers 1080P resolution video for live streaming that you can’t even expect from some high-end models of the most renowned brands.
When you shoot something going in a field, you may have to struggle to level the video frame based on the horizon. Hence, this sports camera will allow you to adjust the horizon level from the settings or GoPro app, which really comes in handy for shooting sports events.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
2. DJI POCKET 2 - BEST SPORTS VIDEO CAMERA
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
Are you a vlogger? Looking for a handy camera to cover a soccer game match; that you’re going to attend next weekend? I think nothing could be better than this pocket-sized sports video recording equipment.
The camera has a moveable head, so you don’t need to pan or tilt the camera during recording. Despite being a handheld device, it delivers smooth video, thanks to the 3-axis Gimbal stabilizer.
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE:
Surprised? On the one hand, I'm saying that high-end cameras are good for sports coverage. On the other hand, I’m recommending this little semi-pro video cam.
Chill! Don’t go with its size; look at the key features. It offers up to a 60 fps frame rate for a 4K resolution video that no one can give you in that price range. You could broadcast the ongoing recorded footage, as well. Though, you have to install a mobile camera with it to live stream the video.
The image quality of /1.8 20 mm lens with a 1/1.7" CMOS sensor will amaze you for sure. There is nothing to say against it.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
3. FUJIFILM X-T4 - BEST VIDEO CAMERA FOR FILM-MAKING AND SPORTS COVERAGE
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
The FUJIFILM X-T4 is a lightweight pro-level camera; equipped with a bright touch-friendly LCD monitor. The monitor not only lets you view the recorded footage but also helps adjust the settings just with a finger tap on the screen.
Features AND Performance:
I know 1080P resolution and 30P frame rate are enough for covering soccer games or other fast-moving activities. When you have already decided to invest in a video camera, why won’t you come across the high-spec filming video cameras?
If budget is not your concern, you must check this camera with 10-bit DCI 4K/60P video capturing capabilities. It has the best image sensor and image stabilization mechanism inside the lens; that offers crystal clear videos, even under low-lighting conditions.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
4. PANASONIC LUMIX G85 - BEST CAMERA FOR RECORDING SPORTS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
If you want the same professional video quality at a budget-friendly price, this digital camera with a video recorder should be on your radar. It’s pretty lightweight and allows you to shoot in a handheld position.
If you mount it on a tripod, you still can shoot with ease by adjusting the LCD screen and viewfinder according to your comfort.
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE:
No matter whether you use a tripod or not, you’ll always get smooth and stable professional quality 4K/30fps video, as it incorporates the best image stabilization mechanism inside the body and lens.
The 2-axis optical and 5-axis in-body image stabilization mechanism eliminates all sorts of distortions from different angles. I still recommend using a tripod if you have a shaky hand.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
5. SONY ALPHA A6600 - BEST AUTO TRACKING CAMERA FOR SPORTS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
The Sony Alpha A6600 is a mirrorless camera; that supports different e-mount lenses, though it comes with an 18–135 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS lens. The best part of this camera is that it focuses on video and audio both. Besides providing professional quality 4K HDR video, it included an external mic jack and headphone jack for professional quality audio.
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE:
Looking at the key features, you may have understood why experienced camera persons consider it one of the best sports cameras.
Yes! For its outstanding focusing unit! Eye detection, contrast detection, object detection, and AF/AE tracking genuinely help cover sports events.
When it comes to fast-moving events, such as soccer games, the players chase a ball and run across the field. Thanks to the advanced AF system that allows you to track the players with ease.
Moreover, it lets you switch the focus from one player to another player; who is currently chasing the ball. You can shift the focus just with a tap on the display screen.
Above all, you’ll get the high-resolution video without any distortion or camera shake due to the effective image sensor and stabilization mechanism embedded in the lens.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
6. PANASONIC X1500 - BEST CAMERA FOR LIVE STREAMING SPORTS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
DESIGN:
The camera is equipped with a high-spec OSS lens and MOS image sensor. I think the LEICA DICOMAR name is enough to understand how powerful optical performance it has? Moreover, it has a sturdy and robust construction; that can withstand the hitting energy of the thrown balls.
Surprisingly, it lets you adjust both monitors - LCD screen and viewfinder. Both monitors are bright enough to provide a clear view under bright daylight.
FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE:
You have seen that the camera persons are standing behind the boundary line with a large video camera. They not only record the match at the same time they broadcast the ongoing sports event.
Panasonic X1500 is one of the best video cameras for live sports streaming; the experienced camera person prefers for broadcasting the live events, specifically fast-moving sports events.
In addition, the 24X optical zoom allows you to take close-ups of the facial expressions of the players during an exciting moment.
However, it delivers 4:2:2 10-bit 4K resolution video at up to 6 fps frame rate, which is really unexpected from a live stream camera for sports. I’ve placed it at last because of its hefty price tag, but by now, you may also start considering that it is the best camcorder for sports on the list.
What I liked about this CAMERA:
BUYING GUIDE FOR THE BEST CAMERA FOR RECORDING SOCCER GAMES
As technology is booming with time, choosing the best professional video camera for sports is getting hard day by day. The sports action cameras are getting advanced with time, but these are the basics; that you must have in your camera to ensure a decent quality action sports videography.
Even the professionals get confused about choosing between a bulkier camera with pretty more run time or a lightweight camera. I would not like to comment on this matter, as it should be your choice. Keep in mind; that the small video recorders are versatile and easy to set up and carry around, but they have medium battery life.
No matter how you cover a sports event, the recorded footage won’t look professional until it gets played in 1080P resolution without a single blur or distortion. So, you should have a minimum resolution of 1080P or higher to capture every detail.
Nowadays, we all want near-instant communication, so it’s obvious you won’t look further than a soccer tracking camera with a built-in wi-fi connection. The built-in internet connection only allows you to share your real-time experience with other players.
The soccer field is not an opera stage. The thrown ball often hits the camera on the soccer field. So, make sure the chosen soccer recording camera is sturdy and durable enough to withstand the hit of a fierce throwing ball.
FAQ
I’ve already cleared the things up that 1080 resolution is the minimum requirement. Similarly, a 30 fps frame rate is perfectly acceptable. But a higher frame rate is always preferable for sports activities.
Hence, several high-end video cameras for games offer a 60 fps frame rate for 1080P resolution and 30fps for 4K resolution. Here, the 60fps/ HD cameras will be the real winner for capturing the motion in a better way.
If you’ll be filming the sports events from the gallery or sidelines, nothing could be better than the GoPro HD action video cameras. If they are out of your budget, you can check out the best sports action camera under $100.
First and foremost, you need a reliable live streaming camera for sports. The live streaming feature adds a new layer of complexity. So, you need to consider the internet bandwidth, whether the camera feeds into a streamable format or not, and how it drains the battery.
You can’t always expect amazing footage, as live streaming is much more like a hit-or-miss event. Some high-end sports video cameras with the tracker, such as GoPro action cams or DJI Pocket 2 use RMTP streamable format; that won’t stop relaying the events but sometimes lacks in video quality.
This video could help out a lot to understand how to broadcast your recorded videos from an action camera -
CONCLUSION
I’ve tried my best to let you know about all the points you should know before making your final purchasing decision. Hopefully, I can clear up all your confusion, and you don’t need to wander around the internet in search of the best video camera for sports.
The recommended models are not only my personal choice, but also they genuinely earn huge appreciation from the customers. You could check my words from their customer reviews on Amazon or other shopping portals.
