Best Video Camera for Basketball

 

Are you trying to find the best video camera for basketball? For many, basketball is more than just a sport to be played.

 

It is a passion to be closely followed and engaged in, from everything from watching a game to practicing on the court to making your own shots cleaner and more accurate.

 

Filming a basketball game provides many benefits for those who have a deep love for the game and can serve many purposes as you engage in your love for it.

 

You could be trying to improve upon your own gameplay and style by recording the way other people play and reviewing it or even recording yourself to see where you could improve.

 

Maybe your children are currently playing on a team and you want to help them improve as well or simply capture their time on the court for memory’s sake.

 

Another reason for wanting to record basketball games could be that you are a coach who wants to help and inspire young people to play at their best.

 

Regardless of what reason you have for wanting to record your basketball games, a camera in order to record video is something to consider.

 

No matter if you are a coach, a player, a journalist, a logger, a cameraman or even just an enthusiast for basketball, having a premium camera will help you capture and revisit your favorite moments, whether they are yours or someone else’s.

 

In this article, we’ve put together a “best video camera for basketball” list where we review several professional quality cameras for you to consider.

 

Why Should You Buy a Quality Camera?

 

Investing in a high-quality camera for basketball games is a good idea for anyone who loves the sport from scouting for new players to the actual act of playing the game and winning championships.

 

Some of the most prominent reasons for buying a quality camera can be found below.

 

ANALYZING OR STUDYING A GAME

Perhaps you yourself are a basketball player who is looking to improve your game or perfect a move and want to see yourself from the outside.

 

Maybe you are an aspiring sportscaster or writer who wants to make a compelling observation about a specific game.

 

Having a quality video camera will allow you to capture all of the details of the game for you to rewatch and analyze, letting you rewind and pause footage in a way you can’t do when watching the game live.

 

With a camera, you won’t have to rely upon your memory all on its own when trying to revisit the game.

 

SCOUTING

Scouting is the process of looking for new players for a team and is something you can benefit from with the use of a quality camera.

 

Basketball coaches can use the camera to record players during tryouts and auditions to review later on.

 

They can then make a better-informed decision about who they want to bring onto their team without feeling rushed to determine whether or not they want them while watching the game happen in real time.

 

COACHING

If you are a coach, you could benefit from the use of a camera by recording your practices and games for review later.

 

You can show the footage to the team and discuss what moves worked and which ones didn’t, so you can plan a better practice next time.

 

This also benefits the players by seeing themselves in action to make personal changes that will positively affect the team as a whole.

 

Having a camera that can clearly and cleanly capture the action is important to get all of the details.

 

MEMORY-MAKING AND DOCUMENTATION

On a more personal level, having the best video camera for basketball on hand will help you capture your children’s basketball game for memory’s sake.

 

Since parents are typically found in the stands during these games and often do not have the professional videography skills to capture quality videos on their own, a high-quality camera that can capture every detail will do most of the heavy lifting for you.

 

FAQ for the Best Video Cameras

 

Q: How long should the battery life be?

 

A: Basketball games can vary in length, but a general rule is to get a camera that can record for over an hour since most games do typically go on for longer than that; however, this depends on the skill level and age group of basketball players that you are recording, as professional games tend to go on longer than kids’ games.

 

Even high school level basketball tends to run longer than a child’s game.

 

Q: What resolution is needed for the best shots?

 

A: As higher resolutions become available over the years, 1080p is pretty much a standard resolution for recording because everyone is expecting the highest possible quality.

 

In terms of capturing good imagery for just yourself or your team to review, having a high resolution of 1080p is important if you want to see all of the details of the game to make changes.

 

Clear, crisp imagery will allow you to notice all of the little things that can make or break a game in the future.

 

Q: Would it be worth it to get a 4K camera for recording basketball games?

 

A: Of course, a camera that can record in 1080p is more than sufficient, but you cannot go wrong with a higher resolution of 4K.

 

This comes back to the details of the game, as with a 4K camera you can capture imagery in crisp detail even when the players are making swift movements that might otherwise blur on a lower quality camera.

 

By having higher frame rates, you can see individual seconds of action more clearly and can even break them down by putting the image into slow motion in order to follow along with every second of the action.

 

Q: Is autofocus important in a camera for basketball?

 

A: When it comes to action shots and videos of basketball games, having autofocus is very important.

 

This is especially true if you are someone who isn’t very skilled at focusing manually, especially with the players moving so fast across the court.

 

A camera with autofocus will do all of the work of keeping up with them for you.

 

Buying Guide for a Camera for Basketball

 

In this section, we address some of the things that should be considered before making your purchase.

 

FRAME RATE

Frame rate, or the number of frames that can be captured per each second, is important for those who like to slow down the videos to get a closer look at the action.

 

A camera with a high frame rate is particularly beneficial for scouts, coaches, and players who are looking to really examine and study the movements on the court.

 

RESOLUTION

Having access to the clearest possible imagery will help you be able to see all of the finest details of the action, and that can be achieved by having a high-resolution camera.

 

It is recommended that you get a camera with a resolution of 1080p, but some manufacturers offer the chance to own a camera with 4K resolution that is thought to be even crisper and easier to see.

 

Videos that have a lower resolution than 1080p may result in blurry images that can leave you missing important points of gameplay.

 

For this reason, cameras with a minimum resolution of 1080p should be prioritized.

 

RECORDING TIME

If you are looking to capture footage of an entire game, a camera that has a long-lasting battery and the ability to record for long periods of time is crucial.

 

You should look at cameras that have at least one hour of recording time available at the very least, but cameras that are capable of recording for an unlimited period of time are going to be preferable if you want to record games without having to start and stop again and again.

 

The Best Video Cameras for Recording Basketball

 

1. Canon XF405 Professional Camcorder

 

 

 

 

The Canon XF405 Professional Camcorder makes the top of the list due to its professional quality that produces professional results.

 

It has everything you need to record games at the best possible quality for your revision later.

 

This camcorder can give you the same advantage that professional videographers enjoy on the sidelines of the game, making it one of the best options.

 

The Canon XF405 Professional Camcorder is able to record videos at the highest quality due to its 1.o Inch 4K UHD CMOS image sensor that lets it record in ultra HD with a resolution of 2160p with an impressive frame rate of 60 frames per second.

 

Because of its high-frame rate, you can also record in slow motion to give you the chance to really look at the details of the game going frame by frame.

 

In this way, you can shoot videos with the specific goal of reviewing them later and studying them.

 

If you are recording in the stands, you can enjoy the strong 15x optical zoom that will let you get in on the action while still keeping the 4K quality intact.

 

When you shoot at full HD with the Canon XF405 Professional Camcorder, you can zoom as far as 30 times, thanks to the Advanced Zoom feature.

 

It also boasts dual DIGIC DV 6 image processors that will allow you to capture remarkably clear images that have smooth, stable playback and will make for a more enjoyable and productive viewing experience.

 

The autofocus technology in this camera is proprietary and is said to provide the best chance at capturing clear action shots.

 

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2. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking for something smaller and more compact than an actual professional camcorder to get the job done, the Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera makes an excellent choice.

 

This camera is sold at a mid-level price that makes it more affordable to many, and while it lacks some of the power of other cameras, the images that it produces do not suffer for it.

 

The camera has 1080p recording capabilities that will allow you to record the videos of your game and capture the action at 24 frames per second with the capability of recording at 60 fps if you prefer.

 

The 179 phase-deduction AF sensor will let you track and record swiftly moving people and other subjects without missing a detail.

 

The camcorder also boasts a BIONZ X image processor that processes images at the highest speeds possible to give you images that are true to life and beauty.

 

The result is a video that looks as it would when you are observing the action firsthand with the naked eye.

 

The realistic videos can also be delivered in low-light settings because of its Exmor SMOS sensor that comes with its image processor.

 

Because of its weight and size, Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera can easily be toted with you no matter where you go just by dropping it into your handbag or pocket.

 

When you have the camera on hand, you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice to capture high-quality images for review later.

 

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3. Canon EOS Rebel T7i EF-S 18-135 IS

 

 

 

 

No matter the reason you want to buy a camera for recording basketball games as a coach, player or journalist, you can’t really go wrong with this Canon EOS Rebel T7i EF-S 18-135 IS.

 

It is not only an excellent camera for taking videos, but it can record quality snapshots as well, making it a versatile, convenient choice.

 

The video quality that it gives is as high as you’d expect from a famous brand like Canon, and you can record the video in a number of different frame rates and sizes.

 

The 1080p resolution works hand in hand with its ability to capture images at 60 frames per second.

 

As mentioned, this makes it ideal for you to record in slow motion and review it at a later date to really see all of the details that there are to see.

 

Even though it doesn’t have 4K, you’ll be able to capture crisp, high-quality images.

 

Alongside the image quality of the Canon EOS Rebel T7i EF-S 18-135 IS, you can also take advantage of dual pixel autofocus that improves upon the overall outcome of the video.

 

In this way, you can capture clear, focused details without taking away from the quality of the final result.

 

It also boasts great autofocusing technology that makes it good for beginners who are not well versed in manually focusing on their videos but need to keep up with the action on the floor.

 

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4. Panasonic Lumix G85 4K Digital Camera

 

 

 

 

Another great choice for capturing high-quality videos without having to carry around a large, bulky camera, the Panasonic Lumix G85 4K Digital Camera is the casual videographer’s dream camera.

 

Its compact size makes it ideal for those who want to be ready to record on a whim as it weighs only one pound, making it comfortable to carry in your pocket or bag without feeling weighed down.

 

The compact-size camera neatly fits wherever you need it to as well, furthering its convenience.

 

Even though it is small, the Panasonic Lumix G85 4K Digital Camera is powerful with its 4K resolution that will allow you to record 30 frames per second.

 

It features image stabilization that will keep the focus where it needs to be for a gorgeous result every time.

 

Because of its stabilizing power, it is especially beneficial for beginners who don’t know the ins and outs of manually adjusting as they record and benefit from single-handed use.

 

It does not shy away from low-light settings and performs just as well as it would in a better-lit environment, leaving you with no restrictions as to where you can record.

 

The Panasonic Lumix G85 4K Digital Camera stands out with its ability to post-focus the videos.

 

With this feature, you can change the focus of the video after it has been recorded to really take a look at different aspects of the video with ease.

 

The dual DIGIC DV 6 Image Processors also help with getting the best possible quality when recording.

 

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5. Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Video Camcorder

 

 

 

 

Though it is not necessarily among the most affordable options available, the Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Video Camcorder is one of the most cost-effective ways to capture basketball games at a professional level.

 

It can capture your games at a resolution as high as 4K, giving you a crystal clear look at the action in a way that is difficult to compare to even when it comes to the most expensive cameras around.

 

This is perhaps one of the best camcorders around for professional-style recordings.

 

What really makes the Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Video Camcorder special is that it allows you to shoot videos at a high-dynamic range that will produce videos similar to actual movies, resulting is crisp imagery that rivals even the best cameras on the market today.

 

Something that sets this camera apart from others is the Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Video Camcorder’s ability to suppress background noise, making the videos less distracting.

 

Not only that, but it is able to take in as much light as possible, making it great for recording in low-light settings.

 

This comes in handy during indoor basketball games and outdoor games in winter or at night.

 

You can connect the Panasonic HC-VX981K 4K Ultra HD Video Camcorder to your smartphone wirelessly in order to use the phone’s camera to capture a sort of picture-in-picture-style video.

 

Finally, you can easily edit your videos right from the camera in order to make that process more seamless and simple.

 

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6. Canon VIXIA HF R800 HD Camcorder

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, we have the Canon VIXIA HF R800 HD Camcorder.

 

It is one of the most-cost effective camcorders around and is great for those looking to capture high-quality videos without breaking the bank.

 

Even at its price point, it mimics a lot of the features of other cameras like it, including its ability to zoom as far as an impressive 57 times.

 

This makes it easier to shoot videos from far away, even in the nosebleed seats.

 

If you’re a parent hoping to focus on your child or a scout interested in the movement of one specific player, this Canon VIXIA HF R800 HD Camcorder will let you capture them with ease.

 

Besides that, it also boasts optical image stabilization that will react quickly to any shaking.

 

The result of this provides clear recordings that do not blur if you are unable to hold your hand completely steady. In this way, you can also easily shoot videos with one hand.

 

This camera is able to capture video in 1080p or full HD depending on your preference, allowing you to get impressive videos even with its low price point.

 

The image processor in this Canon VIXIA HF R800 HD Camcorder is also impressive, being powerful enough to capture plenty of light even in dim settings as not to limit you to certain conditions to capture quality video.

 

It is a great choice for those on the move, thanks to its lightweight design that is easy to carry around, and its touchscreen LCD panel will let you review footage without having to link it to a computer right away.

 

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Final Thoughts

 

A proper video camera makes all of the difference for those looking to record basketball games.

 

While the best video camera for basketball is debatable depending on your specific needs, the products above make a comprehensive list of some of the best choices out there.

 

Take a look and see which one is best for you and order yours today to start recording quality basketball games as soon as possible.