5 Things to Look For When Choosing a Video Camera for Sports
Did you know that GoPro sold more than 40 million cameras in the year 2020? There are certain things that you’ll want to make sure you get when you decide to purchase a video camera for sports. You’ll obviously want your video camera to produce clear footage in high definition but there are other important features that you’ll want to have if you’re live streaming.
There are a number of cameras that bring these features to the table but you’ll want to do your research to find the brand and the model that best fits what you want from the best video camera for sports. If you’re not sure where to begin then that is okay. The good news is that you’re in the right place to learn more about what you should look for from the best video camera.
Continue reading this article to learn more.
1. High Definition Video Resolution
One thing that you shouldn’t compromise when picking out a video camera for sports is the video resolution. You should never settle for a video camera for sports that provides less than 720p HD quality. This is the standard level of video quality for an HD video camera. If possible, try to find a video camera for live streaming that provides 1080p quality.
You should expect any video camera for live streaming to come equipped with HD capabilities. Moreover, another camera feature that should be present when shooting sports moments is high-speed recording capability, the same feature used by golf simulators such as Skytrak in capturing thousands of data points.
For a time, HD equipment was what set the best apart from the rest. Now, it is expected that all streaming companies that stream sports do so with high-quality HD equipment. This isn’t as important if you’re purchasing a new video camera since the new ones come from the factory with everything you’ll need. If you’re shopping for a used one, make sure that it is HD compatible.
2. Clean HDMI or SDI Output
The most important thing to think about if you’re planning on live streaming is having an HDMI or SDI output on your camera. Without this output, you won’t have the ability to output the live data from your video camera. Even some cameras that have the outputs aren’t capable of putting forth a clean signal for your audience to enjoy.
This is a big issue with cameras that aren’t designed for live streaming but that users put towards that purpose. They end up having an interesting display that doesn’t look clean or professional. It will display all of the tools that normally pop up on your camera’s screen.
When you start looking for a camera for live streaming, look at the video output specs for the cameras you’re considering. This is the best way to ensure that the camera you invest in will do everything you want and need from it. Click here for more information.
3. Optical Zoom
When it comes to the best video camera, there are two different types of zooms to consider. They are the optical zoom and the digital zoom. Optical zoom is different from digital zoom because it involves the lens doing the zooming. This means that you can zoom in on what you want to focus on without losing any quality in the picture.
Digital zoom works by zooming in or magnifying the image that you’re capturing. It will make what the camera captures look bigger but it will do so at the cost of clear resolution. For this reason, you need to find a video camera that offers optical zooming. You’ll have no issues zooming in on the person with the ball at a sporting event while still getting stunning resolution on your footage.
When looking at the different video camera for sports options, look at the zoom type and the specifications for that zoom. Try to find one that has optical zoom and that will let you zoom at least six times. This means that your zoom will go six times closer without losing resolution.
4. Stabilization
If you plan on using your video camera for live streaming then you’ll want to make sure that you invest in one that has image stabilization. This useful feature helps to prevent blurry footage when you’re recording or streaming a live video.
This stabilization works because the lens has automatic adjustments powered by different sensors. They anticipate and make up for camera movement by the person using the video camera. This isn’t a must-have for every person that plans on live streaming, but it makes a huge difference in quality if you plan on live streaming sports or other action events.
It provides the clearest and best experience for your audience and you’ll be grateful that you went the extra mile to get this great feature.
5. Frame Rate
An underrated part of the best video camera is the frame rate it produces. The frame rate is a measure of the number of frames or images that make up one second of footage from your video camera’s recording function. It helps with how the audience sees motion in a video.
The more frames per second that you capture with your video camera, the more things that your audience will get to see. A slower frame rate will cause viewers to miss smaller details when watching your live streams. This is especially important if you’re planning on live streaming sports. If you’re capturing action sports then you’ll want to make sure that you have a high frame rate.
Find the Right Video Camera for Sports Today
There are many great camera options out there that will fit a plethora of needs, but there are only a few that will help you with live streaming sports. If you’re looking for the right video camera for sports then you’ll want to make sure that it has strong video output abilities and a great frame rate. You also want to make sure that it produces high definition footage.
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