Active Photography: Choosing the Best Digital Camera for Action Shots

Whether you're an avid fan of cycling and want to capture the spring excitement, or a parent of children who are - invariably - at their most active outside, you want a digital camera that can handle action shots. Warmer weather finds us venturing out to enjoy the warmth, the spring-fresh sunshine, and all the activities that can only be enjoyed in wide open spaces.

Not every digital camera is made for action shots, though. The faster the action, the smaller the list. There are actually only a few digital cameras that should be given the extra attention required for someone who knows they're going to be taking photographs in action, and they all have some features in common.

3 Most Important Features to Look For

Whether you're a beginner, new to the digital camera, or a seasoned professional looking for the high-tech best, there are several specific features that will get you the best digital camera for action shots. Before you even look at brand names or prices, you want to search for at least the following features:

Image Stabilization - Such a nifty feature, this is something recommended for any digital camera, but can be extra important when taking action shots. Basically, what image stabilization does is act as an "automatic" tripod. You are able to take a handheld shot and feel pretty confident that there won't be any blur caused by small and fast movements like shaking. It is also an extremely useful feature when lighting is less than ideal, like when that soccer game gets overshadowed by an impending storm but you just have to catch your little one making a goal.

Quick Shutter speed - In simplest terms, your digital camera's shutter speed refers to how long light is allowed inside the camera, capturing an image. The quicker the shutter speed, the less amount of time an image is "shown" to the camera for capturing. Short or quick shutter speeds, measured in hundreds or thousands of a second, allow your digital camera to "freeze" motion. It also prevents camera shake; used in combination with image stabilization, you should never have to groan over blurry photos again. The two, working together, practically eliminate the need for a tripod.

Continuous Shooting - Your finger, trigger-fast, can never be as fast as what the continuous shooting feature on some of the best digital cameras are capable of doing. The number used in this feature indicates how many shots can be taken in one second. After that burst of photo-taking, the camera will stop and wait for you to take another image. A maximum burst of 10 shots means that once you push the button, your camera will keep shooting 10 images without stopping. This requires a quick shutter speed, but it also allows you to get the most intense shots. You can capture the grin that comes after the goal which you might have missed shooting picture-by-picture manually. In the time it takes to press the button, allow the camera to capture the picture, and your finger to press the button again your little one can jump in the air, grin, and start running to the other side of the field.

Top Digital Cameras for Action Shots

Seriously, this list is just a starting point. What might be a dream-come-true for one photographer can be a nightmare for the next. These digital cameras have been chosen because they offer features that are specifically geared for the photographer that will be taking action shots. They're also created by reliable companies, which mean you'll have a much easier time finding support and repair if necessary. That doesn't mean it's a be-all, end-all list.

Starting at the budget end and working our way up, here are the three top digital cameras you'll want to at least begin your search with. Compare any other camera you come across to these ones - they're popular for a very good reason.

GE A830 8MP Digital Camera - This is an entry-level, point-and-shoot camera with features you won't find in any other camera of its price range. It's perfect for the beginner, so easy to use you can literally start shooting as soon as you've taken it out of the box. Offering a larger-than-average display screen of 2.5-inches, you'll love the way you can frame your shots effortlessly. But we're looking for the action-shot camera, right? Right - and this has you covered! Packed inside the sleek, stylish body is a host of features that include face tracking, electronic image stabilization, a higher shutter speed of 4-1/2000 seconds, 17 shooting modes to make your pictures the best possible with the least effort, and continuous shooting of about 2 frames (images) per second in large/fine mode. Seriously a stellar camera, you'll be hard pressed to find anything this feature-rich in its price range (under $75 on average).

Canon Powershot A1100 IS Digital Camera - The absolute best balance between features and price (about $200), there is nothing about this Powershot that doesn't scream "Action"! Starting with the highest quality shots in 12.1 megapixels, moving on to the larger 2.5" LCD screen, and topping it off with optical image stabilization and an image processor with advanced face detection technology, you're going to love this digital camera. It was made for action shots, and it's all packaged in a fashionable body available in four different colors. Looking specifically at how it handles action, this Powershot offers a wonderful shutter speed of 15-1/1600 seconds, about 2 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, and a self-timer. This is seriously the next step up from the GE A830, which says a lot for each camera - they both pack a huge punch with the smallest price tag possible.

Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera - The black and gold special edition, this is not only fancy but it is professional from styling to quality. Unlike most Digital SLR cameras, this one is actually beginner-friendly. You will want to invest some time learning about the features available in this feature-packed digital camera to get the most out of it, but it's surprisingly out-of-the-box ready to use. You get 10.2 megapixels, 3 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, and a vibration reduction image stabilization lens made by NIKKOR - a brand famous for breathtaking sharpness and faithful color. It packs an amazing shutter speed of 30-1/4000 seconds, 4 light metering methods, and a self-timer. Where this camera really earns its keep, though, is that you don't even have to use continuous shooting to receive fast response. There is very little shutter delay, meaning that you can point-and-shoot as fast as your finger will move and be sure that you capture moments other cameras miss. Feel better with the continuous shooting, though? Imagine shooting up to 100 pictures at 3 images per second. This baby does it. On average, you'll spend about $600 for this camera - but you'll never regret the expense when you look at the quality of your action shots, the durability of your digital camera, and the fun you're able to have preserving memories with ease.