How to Pick the Best Camera for Recording Sports

In the world of sports, having the right camera can make all the difference. The best auto-tracking sports cameras don’t just record the action—they ensure every play, every movement, and every moment is captured with precision and clarity, giving teams, coaches, and athletes the insights they need to improve.

When it comes down to selecting the best tracking video camera for sports, you aren’t short of options. Hudl’s auto-tracking sports cameras make for effortless setup and have direct integration into the Hudl platform, ensuring that teams can quickly access, analyze and share their film quicker and easier than ever before. Whether for a game or practice, Hudl’s auto-tracking sports cameras provide the ultimate competitive edge, helping teams get the most out of their strategy, develop their skills and ultimately, win more games. 

What to Look for in a Video Camera for Sports?

Choosing the best camera for recording sports is crucial. When you select a camera, you want to ensure that it captures every single moment with clarity and precision. Whether you’re a coach analyzing plays, an athlete reviewing performance or a fan streaming live games, the right features make all the difference. Here are some things to consider when you’re selecting an auto-tracking sports camera: 

High Frame Rates and Resolution for Capturing Fast-Paced Action

Sports move fast, which means your camera needs to keep up. A good rule of thumb when selecting a high-performance, auto-tracking sports camera is to ensure it has high-definition resolution (1080p or higher) and frame rates of up to 60 fps (frames per second) to ensure you receive smooth, clear footage with every use. 

All of Hudl’s sports cameras, ranging from Hudl Focus Outdoor and Hudl Focus Indoor to Focus Flex and Focus Point, meet the above criteria for high frame rates and resolution.

Durability and Weather-Resistance for Outdoor Sports

Rain or shine, your camera needs to perform. That’s why the fixed  Hudl Focus Outdoor and portable Hudl Focus Flex camera both have a rugged, weatherproof design, allowing teams to capture film for outdoor games without worrying about damage. 

Auto-Tracking Capabilities for Coaches and Analysts

The best sports cameras feature smart tracking to follow the action automatically, eliminating the need for a dedicated camera operator and ensuring that no critical moment is missed. 

Most of Hudl’s sports cameras, ranging from Hudl Focus Outdoor and Hudl Focus Indoor to Focus Flex, are auto-tracking cameras and do a great job of following the action without the need for an additional cameraperson. 

Wireless and Streaming Capabilities for Live Games

Whether it’s for fans, scouts or a coaching staff, real-time streaming and wireless connectivity make it easy to share footage and review plays instantly. 

All of Hudl’s sports cameras allow for seamless streaming. Teams in North America can stream their games and matches to Hudl TV, whilst outside of North America, streaming to YouTube is available.

From performance analysis to fan engagement, finding the best sports video camera can be a game-changer. Keep reading to learn more about the best options based on sport and how they can elevate your team’s video and data experience. 

Best Sports Tracking Cameras by Sport

American Football

When it comes down to deciding the best sports tracking camera for football, your best option is to opt for an outdoor sports camera, like Hudl Focus Outdoor. Hudl Focus Outdoor uses AI technology to follow the action on the field and automatically records, clips and uploads, all without the need for an additional cameraperson. It even integrates with Hudl Sideline for the ultimate press box angle.

This outdoor sports camera is permanently mounted at your field for the best view possible. A fully automated recording solution, Hudl Focus Outdoor follows the action recording both broadcasts and full tactical angles in 1080p. Plus, all high school games in Focus-equipped stadiums—whether you’re home, away or at a neutral site—will be automatically uploaded to your Hudl library.  

Basketball

When deciding the best sports tracking camera for basketball, your best option is to opt for an indoor sports camera, like Hudl Focus Indoor. Hudl Focus Indoor is a smart camera that automatically captures every event, uploads the footage to Hudl and livestreams without restrictions or added fees.

Hudl Focus Indoor is the epitome of hands-free film. You can rely on Focus Indoor to automatically start before the final whistle and follow the action until the last point, giving your coaches and athletes HD video from the perfect angle. Plus, all high school games in Focus-equipped stadiums—whether you’re home, away or at a neutral site—will be automatically uploaded to your Hudl library. 

Soccer

Depending on the level of play, the challenges soccer teams can face differ quite dramatically. This has an impact on how they are able to capture their matches and training.

In professional clubs, the majority will play in grounds that have multiple fixed cameras, such as Hudl Focus, that allow them to capture matches and training from a variety of angles. Typically, the higher up the footballing pyramid, the more sophisticated the set-up, with elite clubs able to benefit from 20+ cameras, VAR-level equipment, drones, and AI-assisted training footage.

In comparison, non-league or grassroots soccer teams often don’t have the resources or facilities that can support the requirements of even one static camera. That’s why the best option for filming lower league soccer games is a portable sports camera, like Hudl Focus Flex.

Focus Flex is the only portable camera on the market that’s fully integrated with Hudl and goes anywhere your team needs it. With Focus Flex, you get clear, HD video to power your team reviews, player development and recruiting. Plus, your Hudl Assist submissions are easier than ever thanks to automatic uploads with no additional processing time. 

Rugby

While video capture systems are not as extensive in rugby as they are in soccer – due to commercial pressures, budgets, and tactical needs – the need for quality footage is still paramount.

Rugby is complex and structured, so video provides important visual context, helping coaches to make sense of the team shape and structure during the fluid ebb and flow of a game. It also provides additional insight into set pieces, such as scrums, lineouts, and kick offs.

Often played in difficult conditions, the best option is a portable weather-resistant camera, such as Hudl Focus Flex, depending on your specific needs and resources. Automated tracking captures those tricky-to-see moments during a game, whilst simultaneously freeing up manpower to focus on analysis and coaching.

Volleyball and Indoor Sports

Volleyball and other indoor sports are routinely played indoors, which means the perfect camera for those sports is an indoor sports camera, like Hudl Focus Indoor. Hudl Focus Indoor is a smart camera that automatically captures every event, uploads the footage to Hudl and livestreams without restrictions or added fees.

Hudl Focus Indoor is the epitome of hands-free film. You can rely on Focus Indoor to automatically start before the final play and follow the action until the last point, giving your coaches and athletes HD video from the perfect angle. Plus, all high school games in Focus-equipped stadiums—whether you’re home, away or at a neutral site—will be automatically uploaded to your Hudl library.

Volleyball teams can also use a panoramic sports camera like Hudl Focus Point. Focus Point is a fully automated, static capture camera system for sports. Focus Point makes it easy to record, stream and upload footage—all at the ideal panoramic angle.

If you already use an indoor sports camera, you can pair that camera with a panoramic sports camera to take advantage of Multi-Cam functionality. Pair your existing setup with Focus Point footage for a comprehensive, multi-angle view of every moment. 

Field and Ice Hockey

Field and ice hockey teams do a lot of travelling throughout the season, so filming games consistently can become a challenge. That’s why it’s incredibly important to select the right camera.

For ice hockey teams, there’s no better option to film their games than with a portable sports camera, Hudl Focus Flex. Focus Flex is the only portable camera on the market that’s fully integrated with Hudl and goes anywhere your team needs it. With Focus Flex, you get clear, HD video to power your team reviews, player development and recruiting. Plus, your Hudl Assist and Hudl Instat submissions are easier than ever thanks to automatic uploads with no additional processing time. 

Baseball and Softball

Baseball and softball teams have busy schedules, which means it's important to have a reliable sports camera to capture all of the action. The best camera that baseball and softball teams can use to capture film is a panoramic sports camera like Hudl Focus Point. Focus Point is a fully automated, static capture camera system for sports. Focus Point makes it easy to record, stream and upload footage—all at the ideal panoramic angle. 

Track and Field Events

Track and field teams also do a lot of traveling for their sporting events, which means they tend to have to rely on an outdoor sports camera, like Hudl Focus Outdoor. Hudl Focus Outdoor uses AI technology to follow the action on the track and automatically records, clips and uploads, all without the need for an additional cameraperson.

How Focus Cameras Integrate to the Hudl Suite

Hudl has an impressive suite of cameras that ensure that no matter the sporting event or situation, you’ll be covered. One of the cooler aspects of all these cameras is how they’re all connected and work well with our other suite of products—giving you a competitive advantage against the competition.

Here are a few ways using a Hudl camera can give you a competitive advantage: 

• Every camera is connected to Hudl, allowing for instant uploads. These instant uploads save you tons of time throughout the season and can allow you to spend less time on uploads and more time focusing on coaching your team.
• Instant uploads mean that you can submit to Hudl Assist faster, allowing you to quickly get the game insights you crave in a fraction of the time. 

Choosing the Best Sports Video Camera for Your Team Needs

Selecting the best tracking video camera for sports might feel challenging, but it’s actually much easier than you think. Remember: Having the right camera can make all the difference. And Hudl cameras are the best cameras for recording sports.  

Every Hudl camera follows all the action, allows for effortless setup and has direct integration into the Hudl platform, making it easy to access, analyze and share film. Simply put: Hudl cameras will give you the ultimate edge and help your teams develop their skills better than ever before.