5 Best Cameras for Motorsports in 2022
Are you a fan of roaring engines, squealing tires, and the smell of gasoline that wants to take some pictures of your favorite motorsports events? If so, you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to review, which are the best cameras for motorsports.
There are many cameras out there on the market and deciding which one to buy for your specific purpose can get confusing. This is why our team tested and selected 5 best cameras that we found are the best for motorsports.
It is important to know that there are some camera characteristics that are more important than others when it comes to taking action shots of fast-moving objects. To specify further the two most important characteristics that a camera should have are a fast and precise autofocus system and fast shutter speed. Of course, the sensor itself is very important and the image processing done behind by the camera should not be neglected as well.
If you want to read about our camera of choice for motorsports click here.
It has all the needed features that are required for motorsports and its price is quite affordable compared to its counterparts. Another feature that really stands out for this camera is its autofocus feature. It vastly outperforms other cameras in the same price range.
Note: Here we feature a list of cameras that are more budget friendly. Despite lower price, they are still very good and capable cameras. They will make a perfect tool for any of you that are new to the world of photography. So see our selection of best cameras for under $500 here.
| ALL-ROUND Choice | TOP-END Choice | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony ZV-1 | Canon EOS 90D | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 | Canon EOS R5 | |
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| Total megapixels | 21.0 | 34.4 | 21.8 | 25.28 | 47.1 |
| Sensor size | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 17.3 x 13 mm | 35.6 x 23.8 mm | 36 x 24 mm |
| Max. image resolution | 5472 x 3648 | 6960 x 4640 | 5184 x 3888 | 6000 x 4000 | 8192 x 5464 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
What is the Best Camera for motorsports?
Sony ZV-1 – Our Recommended Camera for motorsports
Product description
Sony ZV-1 offers an amazing price/performance ratio. While being the least expensive camera on our list is still comes with a lot of useful features. It is perfect for anybody who is looking for great performance on a small budget. You will have a hard time finding a better camera at this price point.
The ZV-1 has 20.1 megapixels, which is the lowest number of all cameras on our list. But still, the camera will produce excellent results as the image processing does a marvelous job at creating high quality photos. It has a standard sensor size of 13.2 x 8.8 mm with a great resolution of 5492 x 3661. It also has an impressive peak resolution with the 5472 x 3648 image. It also has a wide ISO range going from 125.0 to 12800.0. Exposure compensation is ±3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps). The camera’s shutter speed goes from 30 sec to an impressive 1/2000 sec. This means that you will have a lot of control and flexibility over the lighting for your new parents masterpieces. The viewfinder is None.
The camera feels good in the hand. The handle is conveniently large, and therefore offers an excellent grip so you can easily hold it with one hand. Surely other more expensive cameras on this list offer better performance, but at this price point, we guarantee you will not be disappointed.
As you would expect, the camera supports the manual focus option to give you even more control over your shots. The camera’s shutter speed goes from 30 sec to an excellent 1/2000 sec. You will appreciate the extra control over the lighting this feature will give you on your photos. The screen is a standard size of 3in with 921,600 dots resolution. For connection to PC and file transfer, USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) is supported. An HDMI port comes integrated with almost any modern-day camera, and ZV-1 is no exception. Connect the cable and plug your camera into a TV or projector and let your audience enjoy your work on the big screen. If you are like us and don’t like to search for cables all the time, you will be pleased to hear this camera also has built-in WiFi. Transferring or accessing your file on your home network will be easier than ever. Sony ZV-1 is the lightest camera on our list, weighing only 294.0 g. If you are here for a light camera to easily carry it around, ZV-1 might be the one for you.
From the features we’ve listed, you can see that it provides a lot of value. Therefore, ZV-1 will not disappoint those looking for a budget-friendly choice. Let it be moving or still objects, the camera is performing great, particularly for motorsports.
Sony ZV-1 is the cheapest camera on our list. But the range of features it offers is hard to match in this price range. For this reason, ZV-1 is our top budget choice for the best camera for motorsports.
Canon EOS 90D
Product description
Canon EOS 90D is an impressive budget choice when it comes to the best camera for motorsports. It delivers good quality photos under any lighting conditions. It offers one of the best price/performance ratios on the camera market. The placement of the controls makes it easy to learn, and it’s perfect for beginners and experienced users.
This camera has 32.5 megapixels that will result in crystal clear photos. The sensor size is 22.3 x 14.9 mm with a great resolution of 6983 x 4655. It also has an excellent max image resolution of 6960 x 4640. It has an ISO range going from 100.0 to 25600.0. Exposure compensation is ±5 EV (in 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps). The EOS 90D also has an excellent shutter speed range going from 30 sec to an impressive 1/8000 sec. This gives you a lot of control and flexibility to get the perfect lighting. The viewfinder is Optical (pentaprism).
The EOS 90D appears to be the latest choice for those looking for an entry-level camera that can do something. It’s going to work incredibly well with motion photography, still photography, and others. You name it, EOS 90D is going to succeed. Canon has achieved creating one of the best combinations of output, quality, and value in the DSLR camera market.
Although it is almost trivial that such a feature is included, let’s still mention that EOS 90D has a manual focus mode for more control. The camera’s shutter speed goes from 30 sec to an excellent 1/8000 sec. This means that you will have a lot of control and flexibility over the lighting for your new parents masterpieces. The screen is a standard size of 3in with 1,040,000 dots resolution. For connection to PC and file transfer, USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) is supported. If you want to share your latest shots with friends or family, the EOS 90D has got you covered. It features an HDMI port, so you will be able to connect it to your TV or monitor and display your work in front of the audience. It also comes with integrated WiFi, which is a pretty common and useful feature nowadays. You can transfer or access your photos from your PC without ever connecting a cable. Cool right. Regarding the weight, with 701.0 g EOS 90D sits somewhere in the middle of our list. The weight should feel comfortable for most people to hold in hand even for extended periods.
After listing all of its characteristics, there is no doubt that Canon EOS 90D is a fine piece of modern technology. Combining both lightweight and durable housing with an outstanding range of features is the reason why this camera is one of the best when it comes to motorsports. And not just that. It’s going to handle itself in any case. In comparison, the price is still very appealing.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Product description
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is an affordable choice in comparison to other digital cameras in the same quality range. OM-D E-M1 Mark III is an exceptional and extremely competent hybrid (mirrorless & DSLR) camera that is user friendly. The camera is easy to learn and use, which makes it very suitable for beginners. But with all the features it has to offer, it is excellent for intermediate photographers as well.
The megapixels count on this camera is 20.4. The value is among the highest out of all cameras on our list. You will have no trouble taking a clear shot. The sensor size is 17.3 x 13 mm with a good sensor resolution of 5208 x 3916. It has a solid image resolution of 5184 x 3888. It also has the largest ISO set on this list, starting from 200.0 to 25600.0. Exposure compensation is ±5 EV (in 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps). The shutter speed of this model stretches from 60 sec to an excellent 1/32000 sec. You will appreciate the extra control over the lighting this feature will give you on your photos. The viewfinder is Electronic.
As you can see, OM-D E-M1 Mark III is an excellent mid-price range camera. You can immediately notice that the camera is high-quality. The housing is protected with several different seals that protect the camera against water and dust. The handle is perfectly shaped, so you will have no problem holding the camera in one hand, even when you have a big lens attached.
Although it is almost trivial that such a feature is included, let’s still mention that OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a manual focus mode for more control. The shutter speed of this model stretches from 60 sec to a great 1/32000 sec. This means that you will have a lot of control and flexibility over the lighting for your new parents masterpieces. The screen is a standard size of 3in with 1,037,000 dots resolution. For connection to PC and file transfer, USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) is supported. An HDMI port comes integrated with almost any modern-day camera, and OM-D E-M1 Mark III is no exception. Connect the cable and plug your camera into a TV or projector and let your audience enjoy your work on the big screen. If you are like us and don’t like to search for cables all the time, you will be pleased to hear this camera also has built-in WiFi. Transferring or accessing your file on your home network will be easier than ever. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a pretty average weight of 580.0 g. It is not the lightest nor the heaviest camera on our list. We think it has a very good balance and a great weight for most photographers for their primary camera.
As you can see from the specification, it is no coincidence that Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III found its way on our list of best cameras for motorsports. And being just in the middle of the price range, it may be the sweet spot for people who are not ready to go premium but still want world-class performance.
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Product description
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is a professional digital camera recommended for more experienced and advanced users. It is very reliable in any situation or under any conditions. It is comfortable to hold with efficiently placed control buttons. If you have owned any previous models, getting used to this one will be a breeze.
This camera has 24.2 megapixels that will allow shooting crystal clearphotos. The sensor size is 35.6 x 23.8 mm with a great resolution of 6026 x 4017. It also has an impressive peak resolution with the 6000 x 4000 image. ISO range on this camera stretches from 100.0 to 51200.0. Exposure compensation is ±5 EV (in 1/3 EV steps). The Lumix DC-S1 also has an excellent shutter speed range going from 60 sec to an impressive 1/8000 sec. This gives you a lot of control and flexibility to get the perfect lighting. The viewfinder is Electronic.
The Lumix DC-S1 is a perfect all-rounder, with a flexible collection of features that makes it suitable for a wide variety of applications. It’s hard to conceive of a box that doesn’t tick the camera. It is designed to handle both stills and aplomb movies, delivering uncrowded high-resolution capture. If your job requires video content in some way, this is a perfect choice of camera.
It is worth mentioning that Lumix DC-S1 comes with a manual focus option as well. The Lumix DC-S1 also has an excellent shutter speed range going from 60 sec to a great 1/8000 sec. You will appreciate the extra control over the lighting this feature will give you on your photos. The screen is a standard size of 3.2in with 2,100,000 dots resolution. For connection to PC and file transfer, USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) is supported. If you want to share your latest shots with friends or family, the Lumix DC-S1 has got you covered. It features an HDMI port, so you will be able to connect it to your TV or monitor and display your work in front of the audience. It also comes with integrated WiFi, which is a pretty common and useful feature nowadays. You can transfer or access your photos from your PC without ever connecting a cable. Cool right. Lumix DC-S1 is the heaviest camera on our list with 1021.0 g. If you’re traveling around a lot with your camera, you should take this into account. For some, it might get a little heavy over time.
Remember when you buy something costly in your life sometimes, and it doesn’t fulfill your expectations? Well, surely, that’s not going to happen with Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. It’s one of the most premium cameras on our list by price, but also by performance. From the requirements we’ve listed, it’s easy to see why this camera is on our motorsports list.
Canon EOS R5 – Our Recommended Camera for motorsports
Product description
Canon EOS R5 is a highly professional mirrorless camera. It is more premium and expensive than other cameras on this list, but the extra price is well worth it. The camera performs extremely well and captures high quality photos under any conditions. It is well-built and fits nicely in hand.
The camera has the highest amount of megapixels out of all cameras on our list. It is rocking a stunning 45.0 CMOS sensor. The sensor size of 36 x 24 mm is higher than other cameras on this list with a sensor resolution of 8216 x 5477, which is the highest on this list. When it comes to maximum image resolution, with 8192 x 5464, this camera excels in this area. The ISO set of this camera is from 100.0 to 51200.0. Exposure compensation is ±3 EV (in 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps). The camera’s shutter speed goes from 30 sec to a great 1/8000 sec. You will appreciate the extra control over the lighting this feature will give you on your photos. The viewfinder is Electronic.
Around its solid core, this camera is ready for unlimited creativity. The inclusion of in-body stabilization also expands the camera’s utility in low light, removing blur caused by camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Targeted more at photography pros, EOS R5 will prove its worth under any conditions.
As you would expect, the camera supports the manual focus option to give you even more control over your shots. The camera’s shutter speed goes from 30 sec to a great 1/8000 sec. You will appreciate the extra control over the lighting this feature will give you on your photos. The screen is a standard size of 3.2in with 2,100,000 dots resolution. For connection to PC and file transfer, USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) is supported. Canon EOS R5 comes with an integrated HDMI port that will allow sharing your latest photos on your TV or monitor. Your friends or family can enjoy your work from the comfort of the sofa. As you would expect from a high-quality camera, it comes with WiFi support. Transferring your work over your home network will be a breeze. Canon EOS R5 has a reasonably normal weight of 738.0 g. It’s not the lightest or heaviest camera on our list. We think it has a very strong balance and a perfect weight for most of the photographers for their primary camera.
Just from the specs alone, you quickly find that Canon EOS R5 is a beast. But it’s not just the figures that are amazing. It feels premium when you keep the camera in your hand. The way this camera looks and handles is just amazing and the standard of photos will convince even the most challenging users. A premium camera choice for motorsports.
If you are an experienced user seeking the best of the best, this camera will undoubtedly meet your expectations. Canon EOS R5 will help you take the quality of your photos to the next level. EOS R5 is our recommended pick for the best camera for motorsports.
Conclusion
What to remember when selecting best camera for motorsports?
In conclusion, it is not as easy to determine which camera is the best for motorsports as one may think. It all depends on your personal needs and preferences. There are many great cameras out there with features that will blow your mind. However, when choosing the right camera, you need to ask yourself first what kind of photography you are planning to do. So first think about goals and then go from there. Remember to keep in mind the two most important metrics when it comes to the best camera for motorsports. By selecting one of the cameras from our list you can be sure that the results you will get will be outstanding.
I hope you find this article helpful. If you are going to a motorsport event, have a great time and don’t forget to take your new camera.
Have a different perspective; view the world through the lenses!
