Good DSLR camera for High speed photography?

[curious]

You need a DSLR with high FPS (frames per second) plus a fast memory card (to handle not only buffering the fast bursts, but also a quantity of images - like a Level 6 spd card).

Some camera examples:
- Nikon D300s = 7 fps [DSLR]
- Nikon D3x = up to 5 fps [DSLR]
- FujiFilm Finepix A8100fd = up to 13.5 fps [Fixed Lens super-zoom]

These are pretty high frame rates relative to most DSLRs (which tend to be in the 3-3.5 fps range). Even a camera like the Canon 5D that people drool over only supports around 3 fps.

If you set your shutter speed to over 1/500-1000 sec. you should be able to capture the kinds of details - in stop action - that you mentioned in your Q. You don't really need a super fast FPS (3-3.5 should mostly be fine) for that. Being able to capture images in low light and varied brighter light (daylight, cloudy, shade, etc.) is more a factor of knowing what exposures to set - be sure the camera you get ranks high in ratings across a range of ISO (light sensitivity) values. Check: dpreviews.com for reviews. And shoot with a tripod.

If you need a lot faster frame rate, you may need a videocam and not a still image cam. Or, an expensive industrial still camera...

Good luck! When you get your camera, take an Intro to Photog class; you'll be glad you did.

 

[Rocco]

No, sorry. Can't do. High speed camera's isn't DSLR, it is video cameras taking thousands of pictures per second. The fastest DSLE only takes 5 or 6 pix per second.

 

[dot-dot-dot-dot-dot]

I would like a high speed camera, which also takes nice photos in dark AND natural light as I will be using this camera for journalism aswell. I want to make really high speed artisitc photos such as the moment a baloon pops.

 

[telefantastical]

Actually what some of these people say is true, but what your over looking is the fact that the lens is more important when it comes to high speed photography. If your looking to truly "stop" motion you will need a very expensive liens, like a 50mm 1.2 or an 85mm 1.2 or say a high speed sports lens like a 70-200 2.8. Your looking to spend 1300-2500 bucks on that kind of lens.