Best Cameras for Golf Photography in 2024 - Capture Amazing Shots
Taking great golf photos requires skill, the right technique, and the best camera gear to truly capture the spirit of this sport.
Whether you're a professional golf photographer looking to take your work to the next level or a golf lover who wants to get awesome shots of your rounds, choosing the right camera for golf photography can make a huge difference.
Here are the top camera options specifically designed for golf course photography and capturing golf swings in 2024.
Sony a6000: The Compact Powerhouse for Golfing Photos
When it comes to the best cameras for golf photography, the Sony a6000 is a fantastic compact option packed with features.
This mirrorless camera fits a ton of power into a small, lightweight body, making it easy to carry around the course without getting weighed down.
One of the a6000's biggest strengths is its advanced autofocus system with 179 phase-detection AF points covering nearly the entire frame.
This means you can lock onto your subject with amazing accuracy and speed, whether you're following a golfer's swing or trying to capture the ball in motion.
The Sony a6000 is also a champ at freezing fast action thanks to its impressive 11 frames per second continuous shooting rate.
This blazing speed, combined with the responsive autofocus, ensures you'll never miss those important moments on the course.
Recommended Lenses for Sony a6000 Golf Photography
Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS - This powerful telephoto zoom lets you get super close-up shots of golfers swinging and the ball flying from far away.
Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS - A versatile zoom range perfect for wide course landscapes or zooming in on individual players.
Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN Art - A compact, affordable prime lens ideal for beautifully isolating golfers from the background.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II: User-Friendly Versatility for Golfing
If you want an easy-to-use, versatile camera, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a great option for golf photography.
This mirrorless camera has a nice mix of features for both photography and video.
The M50 Mark II's autofocus system is fast and accurate thanks to Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF tech.
This makes it awesome for capturing the fast action on the golf course.
Plus, its 4K video abilities let you record awesome footage of your golf adventures.
One of the best things about the M50 Mark II is how user-friendly it is. The intuitive controls and touchscreen make it accessible for beginners and pros alike.
You can easily adjust settings on the fly.
Recommended EF-M Lenses for Canon M50 Mark II Golf Photography
Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM - A compact telephoto zoom that gets you nice and close to golfers and ball action.
Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM - A wide-angle zoom perfect for capturing sweeping views of the whole golf course.
Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM - A fast prime lens that excels in low light and beautifully blurs backgrounds.
Nikon Z50: Rugged Quality and Great Images for Golf Swings
If you prefer Nikon gear, the Z50 is a fantastic mirrorless option for golf photography.
It's built tough, takes excellent images, and has easy-to-use controls that make it a joy on the course.
The Z50's autofocus system is a standout with 209 phase-detection AF points covering a wide area of the frame.
This lets you accurately track fast-moving subjects like golfers mid-swing or following the ball's path.
The Z50 also shoots great 4K video, so you can capture awesome footage of your golf outings.
Its rugged build and comfy grip make it a reliable companion, even in harsh weather.
Recommended Z-mount Lenses for Nikon Z50 Golf Photography
Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR - A versatile telephoto zoom with great reach for golfers and ball shots.
Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR - A compact, lightweight standard zoom covering a useful range for golf.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S - A fast prime lens that is awesome in low light and for blurring backgrounds.
Sony ZV-E10: The Vlogger's Compact Companion for Golf Video
While made with vlogging in mind, the Sony ZV-E10 is also a stellar choice for golf photography and video.
This tiny camera packs in awesome autofocus and video features.
The ZV-E10's autofocus system is crazy good, with real-time Eye AF and Tracking AF keeping your subjects tack sharp, even during rapid motion.
This makes it perfect for capturing golfers mid-swing or tracking a ball's flight.
For video, the ZV-E10 shines with 4K recording and cool features like built-in ND filters and a high-quality mic.
It's an awesome option for golf vlogs, tutorials, or pro footage of tournaments.
Recommended E-mount Lenses for Sony ZV-E10 Golf Videography
Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS - This telephoto zoom gives you tons of reach for close-ups of golfers and balls from far off.
Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS - A wide-angle zoom ideal for capturing those sweeping views of the whole course.
Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS - A fast prime lens that slays in low light and blurs backgrounds beautifully.
Sony a6000 vs ZV-E10 for Golf Course Photography
While both the Sony a6000 and ZV-E10 are highly capable mirrorless cameras, the a6000 has some key advantages that make it better suited for dedicated golf photography needs like capturing golf swings and ball tracking:
Advantages of the a6000
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): The a6000 has a 1.44M-dot EVF which allows you to easily frame and follow golf shots, even in bright sunlight when the rear LCD can be difficult to see clearly.
The ZV-E10 lacks a viewfinder.
More Compact Size: Both cameras are relatively compact, but the a6000's slightly smaller size and access to the vast E-mount lens lineup make it a great option for carrying onto the golf course.
Cheaper Used Pricing: You can find used a6000 bodies and lenses for much less than the newer ZV-E10, allowing you to invest in better glass.
Lens Recommendations
For golf photography with the a6000, consider these E-mount lens options:
Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS - This telephoto zoom gives you the reach to capture tight shots of golfers' swings and ball flight from a distance.
Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS - A versatile zoom range that covers everything from wide course landscapes to zooming in on individual golfers.
Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN Art - A compact, affordable prime lens perfect for sharply isolating golfers against backgrounds.
While the ZV-E10 has some advantages like 4K video and better autofocus, the lack of an EVF can make precisely framing golf shots more difficult, especially in bright conditions.
The a6000's lower cost when bought used also leaves more room in your budget for investing in better lenses.
So for dedicated golf photography needs, the Sony a6000's EVF, compact body, and access to affordable used gear give it an edge over the newer ZV-E10.
But the ZV-E10 remains a strong video/vlogging option if that's a priority.
And That’s It: Find Your Best Camera for Golf Photography
Whether you're a professional golf photographer or an avid golfer who geeks out over camera gear, having the right setup can level up your golf photography to the next level.
From the powerful Sony a6000 to the user-friendly Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the rugged Nikon Z50, and the video-centric Sony ZV-E10, there's a great camera option for every golfer's needs.
Consider factors like autofocus abilities, burst shooting speeds, low-light performance, video features, and recommended lenses to find the perfect camera and glass for capturing those moments out on the golf course.
With the right gear in hand, you'll be able to freeze fast golf swings, track the ball's flight, and immortalize the beauty of the course itself.
I hope that helps,
Hakan