Rex Photography

What is the best DSLR camera for sports photography that can be had from 500-700 dollars?

Public Comments

1. The Canon Rebel XTi with kit lens only costs about $650 right now... but for sports photography you'll need to get a telephoto lens, unless you plan on getting run over.
2. Nikon has a couple of decent low-end DSLRs. But a good telephoto/zoom will cost you more than the body. Worth the cost, but be ready to spend $$$.
3. Any Canon or Nikon entry level DSLR will be fine. You will need a telephoto lens though. Something like a 70-300mm will be fine to start with. Keep in mind that a good telephoto zoom lens will cost you as much or significantly more than your camera body will.
4. You're going to need an expensive lens for sports photography. Also, most sports photographers use faster (read: expensive) cameras because they allow them to shoot many photos quickly. To answer your question though, I would go with a Canon XT Body Only Kit and use the money you saved on a good telephoto lens.
5. Get an Canon Rebel XTi and a 70-200mm 2.8L lense and you're good to go...the body is within range of your price...but the lense is double that. Or you can get a 70-300mm lense from third-party like Sigma or Tamron...depending on what mount on your camera. They're significantly less expensive than Canon or Nikon, of course depending on what you're shooting and settings.
6. Here's a nice Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm and a 55-200mm VR (vibration reduction) lens for under $700 from a very reliable Ebay vendor. http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-55-200mm-VR-USA_W0QQitemZ130230700789QQihZ003QQcategoryZ150130QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem Here are some shots I took with an 18-200mm VR and a Nikon D70, which has the same 6mp resolution as the D40. http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/WNBA/2007/Sacramento-Monarchs-82-Seattle-Storm-76-08-03-2007/index.html Here are some shots I took with a D50 (also 6mp) and a 70-300mm lens, which you could get later. http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/college/football/2007/California-45-Tennessee-31-09-01-2007/index.html The lens range you require depends on the sports. I know that 200mm works well for basketball, arena football, tennis, and baseball. 300mm gets you closer, depending on if you are at the sidelines or up in the stands. I hope this helps.