Express Action Sports

Nikon D5100 DX-Format Digital SLR Camera or the Sony alpha SLT-A37K DSLR Camera?

Im looking for/wanting it for:
Fast Shutter Speed
Good Image Quality
Background Disfocusing
Family Photos
Indoors/Low Light
Landscape/Scenery
Sports/Action
Travel
Video
Weddings/Events
Wildlife photos

Thank you!

1) Even compact cameras can shoot 1/2000 of a second exposures, which is fast enough for action shots.
2) All DSLRs great image quality.
3) *defocusing* Depth-of-field depends on the lens.

Any DSLR can do wildlife photos and landscape things. But if you’ll mainly be recording videos, buy an actual camcorders.

Soccer specifically! I need a good camera, nothing too expensive or flashy, just a basic good camera for taking action pictures during a game.

easy points 🙂

The minimum camera for great sports photography will be a:

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S 80-20mm f/2.8

You have to go with the D7000 to use the AF-S 80-200mm lens. The lens is the most important thing here.

If you are in bright daylight conditions, you can go with a less capable lens, and if you do that, then the camera can be less expensive (but you will not get the high speed performance of the f/2.8 telephoto lens).

Nikon D3200
Nikon AF-S 55-300mm

These are the best combinations of high quality for the lowest cost.

If you are not wanting to spend this much money, then your quality will diminish. In that case, look for a Nikon P7100 or Canon G12. The major issue here though is the lens may not be long enough for distant closeups.

However, avoid bridge cameras or other compact cameras at all costs. The problem is the shutter lag is so long with those cameras that it will be all but impossible to capture an action photo. You will probably get so frustrated with this that you will fling your camera out onto the field so the players can practice kicking it.

A hobby of mine is to take pictures of soccer and hockey games. I would like a really good quality camera that could get right up close in the action with no blurriness or anything like that. I usually see people taking pictures with those big black cameras. What are those for? What is the pricing? Where would I go to purchase it? Can it be used on vacation or are they specifically just for sports?

The "big black cameras" you’re referring to are called Digital SLR Cameras.

A Digital SLR would be your best option for sports action photos for these reasons:

1. Super fast focus when compared to Intermediate and Compact Cameras.

2. High ISO Capabilities which allow you to take high action photos in low light conditions, while still producing a clean, noise free images. Intermediate and compact cameras struggle the most with fast action photography in low light conditions.

3. Digital SLR’s also have Shallow Depth of Field compared to intermediate and compact cameras, which allow you to have an image where the Soccer player is in full focus, but the background is blurry. Here’s an example: http://www.blavish.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/top-ten-highest-paid-soccer-players-football.jpg

You can find entry level Digital SLR’s online at Amazon for under $500: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CBKJGG/?tag=amazon-digital-cameras-20

And yes, Digital SLR’s are perfect for any occasion, wether you are traveling or taking photos at a birthday party.

Hope that Helps 🙂

Best Regards,
Dusty

I’m wondering how well the Nikon Coolpix L120 does in a low-light gym with lots of sport action. I have a Nikon Coolpix L22 which doesn’t do a grand job in that condition, even on the sport setting. I love my camera, but that’s its only downfall.

Please tell me if you know from personal experience, not a review you read. And please don’t suggest more expensive cameras. I’m not looking to buy a professional camera anyway.

You won’t be happy with it.

Like your L22, Nkon "L" cameras, including the L120 are entry level compact cameras.

If you want better low-light performance, consider the Nikon P300 or Canon S95.