Simple Compact Camera - Action Sports Magazine Standard?

[Octoposse]

I have a “proper” job, but now have my third magazine article commission this year. But this one the editor has specified “high definition photos” in the package.

I’m a writer not a photographer!

Suggestion on a compact digital camera? It will need to:
- Fit in a pocket;
- Capture action sports in daylight (typically bright sunshine) . . . “burst” capability would be nice;
- OK for indoor “human interest” / informal portraits;
- Idiot proof;
- Look vaguely professional;
- Inexpensive (this is gratis or fifty quid a pop journalism!).

Thanks.

[toohuge]

What sport are you meant to be covering?
I'm not aware of any compact camera that's capable of sport / action for print.

Where are you based? It may be easier to find a club photographer etc that's looking to increase their exposure or even gain more practice in the genre.

[Octoposse]

Previous piece published was specialist motoring press, text-centric.

One I’m worried about is hang gliding in southern Europe. Again, the narrative is the key, but, in the words of the editor:
1700 words . . . . accompanied by hi-res imagery: people, flying . . . (etc).

Do the “action” shots will be takeoffs, landings, etc.

[Tony1963]

If this is for a printed magazine, I’d be telling them to look elsewhere for photos. Buying a suitable camera, learning how to use it, and then learning sports photography… for free? No. Even for £50 is taking the mick.
If it’s for an online magazine, you’ll be able to source cheap but suitable images from online photo agencies such as Alamy and Shutterstock.

I do a bit of photography for free or for not a lot of money, but it’s all on my terms. As soon as people make demands, I quote them professional prices.

Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 22 September 05:21

[Simpo Two]

Octoposse said:

the editor has specified “high definition photos” in the package.

Which means nothing, unless he's thinking of a TV. I'd ask for clarification, eg pixel size.

[Octoposse]

Tony1963 said:

If this is for a printed magazine, I’d be telling them to look elsewhere for photos. Buying a suitable camera, learning how to use it, and then learning sports photography… for free? No. Even for £50 is taking the mick.
If it’s for an online magazine, you’ll be able to source cheap but suitable images from online photo agencies such as Alamy and Shutterstock.

I do a bit of photography for free or for not a lot of money, but it’s all on my terms. As soon as people make demands, I quote them professional prices.

Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 22 September 05:21

It is print. Thanks for the feedback - I’ll rejig my expectation to “human interest” type photos, and rely on event organisers for (credited) action stuff.

[Octoposse]

Simpo Two said:

Octoposse said:

the editor has specified “high definition photos” in the package.

Which means nothing, unless he's thinking of a TV. I'd ask for clarification, eg pixel size.

Good point (I assumed it had a meaning!). I’m not going to overthink it . . . the story’s the main thing. Last piece I had published - different magazine in different field (specialist motoring, 2000 words) - I submitted accompanying photos from a range of sources, and even had a couple included that were off my phone.

Magazine Editors definitely like the opposite to the military hurry-up-and-wait cliché . . . it’s wait-to-hurry-up . . . nothing happens for months then it’s ”we’re going to print next week - I need more images!” (and some revisions).

[Fordo]

Pocketable and good for sports, are a little bit like opposites, since good for sports really means you need a long zoom lens

Sony rx100 vi (or above) is probably the close thing i can think of - it has an equivalent of a 24-200mm lens, and it'll fit in the pocket. Has ability for manual and semi auto modes too, so you'd be able to set shutter speed decently high and have in shutter priorty mode so it sorts everything else out for you. iirc, it has a reasonably quick burst mode if you use fast enough SD card. Wont be a king in low light, but its got a 1" sensor at least.

The frustration i think, would be being able to reframe quickly. A compact pocket cam with an electronicy zoom lens, would be very slow to zoom in or zoom out, when you spot a great moment about to happen. With a proper mirrorless cam / DSLR, and a decent zoom lens, its one quick flick of your wrist to zoom in or out and frame up the moment

[Simpo Two]

Octoposse said:

Last piece I had published - different magazine in different field (specialist motoring, 2000 words) - I submitted accompanying photos from a range of sources

Instead of buying a camera and then learning how it works, why not use 'high definition' photos from various sources?

[Octoposse]

Simpo Two said:

Octoposse said:

Last piece I had published - different magazine in different field (specialist motoring, 2000 words) - I submitted accompanying photos from a range of sources

Instead of buying a camera and then learning how it works, why not use 'high definition' photos from various sources?

I think that’s my plan now . . , more complicated than I thought at first. I can get general action shots from the event organisers, and then get ‘people stuff’ myself to tie up with whatever direction the article goes. I will need a camera anyway.

[BrokenSkunk]

Octoposse said:

Previous piece published was specialist motoring press, text-centric.

One I’m worried about is hang gliding in southern Europe. Again, the narrative is the key, but, in the words of the editor:
1700 words . . . . accompanied by hi-res imagery: people, flying . . . (etc).

Do the “action” shots will be takeoffs, landings, etc.

Hang gliding doesn't require anything fancy camera wise. Tkae a look at xcmag.com for inspiration. Their protography is usually top notch.

[some bloke]

Octoposse said:

Previous piece published was specialist motoring press, text-centric.

One I’m worried about is hang gliding in southern Europe. Again, the narrative is the key, but, in the words of the editor:
1700 words . . . . accompanied by hi-res imagery: people, flying . . . (etc).

Do the “action” shots will be takeoffs, landings, etc.

I have a mate that has contributed to a well known free flight mag - he just shoots in RAW and lets them edit the shots. Most travel cameras (such as panasonic Lumix) will shoot in RAW.

[BrokenSkunk]

Have finally remembered the name of the photographer I was struggling to recall. It's Jerome Maupoint, take a look. His work is superb.

[Boringvolvodriver]

I would have a look at the LUMIX TZ100 or TZ200. 1inch sensor helps with quality and it has a burst feature and their 4K video. That allows you to take video and then look at each frame to pick the best shot that you want.

[StevieBee]

Tony1963 said:

If this is for a printed magazine, I’d be telling them to look elsewhere for photos. Buying a suitable camera, learning how to use it, and then learning sports photography… for free? No. Even for £50 is taking the mick.
If it’s for an online magazine, you’ll be able to source cheap but suitable images from online photo agencies such as Alamy and Shutterstock.

I do a bit of photography for free or for not a lot of money, but it’s all on my terms. As soon as people make demands, I quote them professional prices.

Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 22 September 05:21

Many publishers these days expect journalists to provide their own photos and photographers to provide copy. A lad I helped out whilst a Uni a few years back is now a sports journalist for whichever group owns the Daily Star. If he interviews someone it's him who takes the photos. It's wrong IMO, but it's how it is.

Good call on the stock image libraries.... but the publisher should carry the cost for these.

[Tony1963]

StevieBee said:

Many publishers these days expect journalists to provide their own photos and photographers to provide copy. A lad I helped out whilst a Uni a few years back is now a sports journalist for whichever group owns the Daily Star. If he interviews someone it's him who takes the photos. It's wrong IMO, but it's how it is.

Good call on the stock image libraries.... but the publisher should carry the cost for these.

The world of journalism has changed, and it was inevitable. A friend of mine was his own one man band in motorsport journalism 20+ years ago, it was expected, nothing new.

My problem is that there are demands being made on the OP, but little to no recompense. I’d rather work for free for a charity.