If you’re looking to get into sports photography in 2026, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to spend your money.
Sports photography is an incredible discipline. If you love sport and enjoy photography, it’s an obvious combination. The problem is that it can become expensive very quickly. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to spend thousands on equipment that you don’t actually need.
I’ve been shooting professional sport—primarily football in the UK—for well over a decade. If I had to start from scratch tomorrow, this is the equipment I’d prioritise and the setup I’d build.
The first decision is the camera system itself.
For sports photography, there are essentially two options:
Mirrorless cameras are the newer technology and are where manufacturers are focusing most of their development efforts. They offer impressive autofocus systems, faster shooting speeds and cutting-edge features.
DSLRs, however, are where I think the best value exists right now.
Although DSLRs are gradually being phased out, they remain incredibly capable cameras. Many professional DSLR bodies that once cost several thousand pounds can now be picked up on the used market for a fraction of their original price.
It’s also worth remembering that your choice of camera system affects the lenses you’ll buy, as mirrorless and DSLR systems generally use different lens mounts. That said, adapters make it possible to use many DSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies, so you’re not necessarily locked into one ecosystem forever.
If I were starting sports photography today, I’d be looking closely at a used DSLR setup.
Sports photography places unique demands on equipment. You’re often shooting fast-moving subjects, in poor weather, under difficult lighting conditions, and you only get one chance to capture the decisive moment.
These are the features I’d prioritise.
Frames per second (FPS) determines how many images your camera can capture in a burst.
While modern cameras advertise eye-watering shooting speeds, don’t get too caught up in the numbers.
Remember, sports photographers captured incredible images long before 20 or 30 FPS became commonplace.
When light levels drop, you’ll need to increase your ISO to maintain fast shutter speeds.
A camera with strong high-ISO performance allows you to shoot in poor lighting while keeping image noise under control. This becomes particularly important for evening matches, indoor sports and winter events.
If you’re regularly shooting outdoor sport, weather resistance is a significant advantage.
Rain, cold weather, mud and dust are all realities of sports photography. A weather-sealed camera body can provide additional peace of mind when conditions aren’t ideal.
The buffer is the camera’s temporary storage area before images are written to your memory card.
When shooting bursts of action, a larger and faster buffer allows you to keep shooting for longer before the camera slows down.
While beginners don’t need the very best buffer performance available, it’s certainly a feature worth considering if sports photography is your primary focus.
Used equipment is often the smartest option when starting out.
Marketplaces such as eBay can offer excellent deals, but I’d also recommend checking specialist camera retailers.
Many camera stores sell used equipment that has been:
You’ll often receive a short warranty too, which provides additional reassurance.
Even better, if you have a physical camera store nearby, you can get your hands on the equipment before buying.
To keep things simple, I’m going to focus on Canon equipment, as that’s the system I’ve used throughout my career.
If your budget stretches to a modern mirrorless body, the Canon EOS R3 is worth considering.
Designed with sports photographers in mind, it offers:
Even on the used market it remains relatively expensive, but it delivers almost everything a sports photographer could want.
The Canon EOS R7 is effectively the spiritual successor to the popular 7D series.
For sports and wildlife photographers, it offers excellent performance at a far more accessible price point. Used examples can often be found for under £1,000, and prices will likely continue to fall.
This is where I believe the real bargains are.
Canon’s professional DSLR range has long been the 1D series, and these cameras were built to withstand years of professional use.
They’re rugged, weather-sealed and designed specifically for demanding environments.
This remains my primary camera body today.
Released in 2016, it may no longer be current technology, but for sports photography it’s still an exceptional tool.
Key features include:
The fact that these can often be found for under £1,000 used makes them one of the best value sports photography cameras available.
The Mark III improves on the Mark II in several areas and remains a superb professional sports camera.
You’ll pay more for one, but it’s still significantly cheaper than buying a modern flagship mirrorless body.
Even the original 1DX, released in 2012, remains highly capable for sports photography.
Used prices often sit around £500–£700, making it an incredible amount of camera for the money.
Not everyone needs professional-level equipment when starting out.
The Canon 7D series was specifically aimed at enthusiasts interested in sports and wildlife photography.
The original 7D can often be found for under £200, sometimes even less.
The 7D Mark II improved on the original and can frequently be found for under £300.
If your budget is limited, a 7D Mark II paired with a quality lens remains one of the best entry points into sports photography.
Many photographers obsess over camera bodies, but lenses are often the more important investment.
For sports photography, you generally need:
A good lens can stay in your kit for many years, even as camera bodies come and go.
The classic sports photography workhorse is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8.
There are now several versions available, including mirrorless RF models, but even older EF versions remain excellent.
Why is it so popular?
Used versions can often be found around the £500 mark.
If your budget is tighter, the f/4 version offers a more affordable alternative while still delivering excellent image quality.
Third-party manufacturers such as Sigma and Tamron offer excellent alternatives.
Older Sigma and Tamron telephoto zoom lenses can often be found for significantly less money than Canon equivalents.
For example, a used Tamron 70-300mm lens may cost around £100 or even less.
Combined with a used Canon 7D, this creates a highly affordable setup capable of producing excellent sports images.
If I were starting again tomorrow, I’d approach things exactly as I did when I began shooting professional football in 2014.
I’d prioritise the lens.
Specifically, I’d look for:
The lens would be my main investment because quality glass remains valuable for years.
Even pairing a 70-200mm f/2.8 with a 7D Mark II would give you a genuinely capable sports photography setup for well under £1,000.
You don’t need a hugely powerful computer to get started.
A reasonably modern laptop capable of running editing software comfortably is more than enough. I currently use an Apple MacBook Pro like those found here on Amazon.
Personally, I use Adobe’s Photography Plan, which includes:
However, subscription software isn’t for everyone.
There are excellent alternatives available that offer one-off purchases or even free versions, so it’s worth exploring the options before committing.
My personal choice remains Lightroom Classic.
Don’t overthink this one.
A basic card reader from Amazon or another retailer for £10–£20 will do the job perfectly well for most photographers.
As long as it’s reliable and compatible with your memory cards, you’re good to go.
Your camera bag needs to do two things:
There are some fantastic camera backpacks available, but many of the well-known brands come with premium price tags.
If you’re on a budget, don’t be afraid to consider lesser-known alternatives.
Look for:
Those features matter far more than the logo on the outside.
Getting started in sports photography doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
While it’s easy to get distracted by the latest mirrorless cameras and flagship lenses, there is tremendous value in the used market right now.
If I were building a sports photography kit in 2026, I’d focus on proven DSLR equipment, invest heavily in quality lenses, and spend the money saved on getting out and shooting as often as possible.
At the end of the day, experience will improve your photography far more than the newest camera body ever will.
This article contains affiliate links to product I use myself. By clicking these links and subsequently making a purchase, I may receive a small commission – this is called affiliate marketing. I’m very poor at it, and try to only link to products I use myself. At the time or writing, I haven’t actually made enough affiliate revenue to withdraw as much as a penny!