Top pick · Canon£440
Canon EOS M50 + Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Body £280 + lens £160 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 83-300mm equivalent · 650g
Why: 10fps bursts.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Best camera for sports under £500
Sports needs fast tracking autofocus, a high burst rate and a sensor that reads out quickly so the silent shutter doesn't distort motion. A 70–200mm f/2.8 is the classic lens; indoors and under floodlights, full frame helps. Here are the best complete setups (body plus the right lens) you can buy for £500 or less, using real UK prices.
Quick answer
The best £500 setup for sports is the Canon EOS M50 with the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, about £440 with the body bought used. Why: 10fps bursts.
Best £500 setups for sports, brand by brand
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits sports. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Best bodies for sports under £500
Panasonic
Lumix G9
2018MirrorlessOlder model
20MP
20fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 658g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£399–459
Big viewfinder, great handling and 60fps bursts with focus locked. Cheap wildlife entry.
Canon
EOS 80D
2016DSLROlder model
24.2MP
7fps max
OVFviewfinder
16kmax ISO
Low light 730g · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£444–524
A solid sealed APS-C DSLR with a flip screen and huge EF lens choice.
OM System
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
2016MirrorlessOlder model
20MP
60fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 574g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£329–499
Pro-Capture pioneer. A cheap, sealed way into Micro Four Thirds wildlife.
Nikon
Z30
2022Mirrorless
20.9MP
11fps max
—readout ms
51.2kmax ISO
Low light 405g · no EVF
New ≈£529
Used at MPB*£474
Nikon's vlogging body: flip screen, no viewfinder, Z DX lenses.
Sony
ZV-E10
2021MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
11fps max
—readout ms
32kmax ISO
Low light 343g · no EVF
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£444–494
Light APS-C vlogging body with a flip screen and good mic. No IBIS or viewfinder.
Fujifilm
X-T200
2020MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
8fps max
—readout ms
12.8kmax ISO
Low light 370g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£369
Entry X body with a large flip screen. Uses a conventional sensor, not X-Trans.
What to look for
Sports needs fast tracking autofocus, a high burst rate and a sensor that reads out quickly so the silent shutter doesn't distort motion. A 70–200mm f/2.8 is the classic lens; indoors and under floodlights, full frame helps.
Fast sensor readout20+ fpsDeep bufferReliable tracking
Lens: A 70–200mm-equivalent zoom; f/2.8 for indoor or floodlit games.
Other budgets
More to spend? Best under £1,000. Or read the full sports buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camera for sports under £500?
Our top pick is the Canon EOS M50 with the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, about £440 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Panasonic Lumix G9 scores highest at this budget.
What is the best £500 sports camera setup?
Canon EOS M50 + Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (£440).
Should I buy new or used for sports?
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £500 for a better lens, which usually matters more. New gives a full warranty and the latest firmware.
What lens do I need for sports?
A 70–200mm-equivalent zoom; f/2.8 for indoor or floodlit games.
Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB price range for the body and the lens on that mount; new prices are typical UK prices. Picks are ranked from the specs in our database for this type of photography.