Camera for barrel racing?

lsurb · May 15, 2016

I am looking for a camera for recording my barrel racing runs, I want it to have at least 1080P video but what other features should I look for? i have narrowed it down to 6 cameras that are in my price range but I need help picking the best one. Also is there such thing as subject tracing on a camera? Like as Im going around a barrel I want the camera is following my every move.

Overread · May 15, 2016

Few thoughts:

1) What specifically is your budget

2) There IS a camera that does what you're after with the tracking and following you - and I can't for the life of me remember what its called. It's not something often mentioned on photography sites as we tend to be more camera people than camera users - but I've heard it mentioned on a few of the horse forums now and then - where often as not they don't have anyone to hold the camera and thus need the automated approach. Ask on one of them and you might find what you're after or get more recommendations along that line.

Indeed that second aspect is really key. Are you looking for a camera for someone to hold and shoot with or something automatic; unless your budget is very large chances are you will have to do one or the other.

Edit:
SOLOSHOT® Robot Cameraman‎
That is one I found that was well recommended at least on one horse forum

goodguy · May 15, 2016

Sounds like you want more a video camera then a photography camera.
Get the Canon 80D for good video AF tracking

Designer · May 15, 2016

lsurb said:
I am looking for a camera for recording my barrel racing runs, I want it to have at least 1080P video but what other features should I look for? i have narrowed it down to 6 cameras that are in my price range but I need help picking the best one. Also is there such thing as subject tracing on a camera? Like as Im going around a barrel I want the camera is following my every move.

Are you going to have the camera with you? If so, why not a GoPro? Attach it to your head so it looks where you look.

Yes, the subject tracking is quite doable, but ordinarily this is done with someone else holding the camera.

lsurb · May 15, 2016

I do not want a go pro, it defeats the purpose of having a camera... I want a camera to take action shots AND take quality videos. Someone will be holding my camera most of the time but I would like to be able to set it up so that I can record my training sessions when I am by myself.

Designer · May 15, 2016

Understood. Thank you.

Please list the ones you are interested in. Also your budget, if you don't mind.

Most of us might recommend a DSLR for image quality and versatility, but they are cumbersome to aim while racing on horseback.

lsurb · May 15, 2016

I dont want to spend over $200 so I am looking at a camera exchange.

lsurb · May 15, 2016

Used Nikon COOLPIX L840 Digital Camera (Red) 26486 B&H Photo

chuasam · May 16, 2016

Designer said:
Understood. Thank you.

Please list the ones you are interested in. Also your budget, if you don't mind.

Most of us might recommend a DSLR for image quality and versatility, but they are cumbersome to aim while racing on horseback.

I don't think he's looking for image quality. He just wants the video to critique his runs.

chuasam · May 16, 2016

lsurb said:
Used Nikon COOLPIX L840 Digital Camera (Red) 26486 B&H Photo

Get it then

lsurb · May 16, 2016

I am not a he thank you. As I stated before I want a camera for taking VIDEOS AND PICTURES.

Overread · May 16, 2016

In your price bracket your limited. Any standard point and shoot that meets your budget will do video and stills these days and should be fairly decent at it. but you will need someone to operate it and the duration of videos will vary (ergo you might well need someone just to press play on the video button even if you don't want the video to pan around and just to view the whole area or one section).

A DSLR will do it all best; but you might well find that you can only get one second hand at that price bracket. You also have to check the model as some DSLRs do video and some don't (all newer ones do; but the second hand market will have many that are pre-video DSLR).

If you want automatic panning then the equipment I linked to earlier would be a very good option; if double your budget (this might mean that the MK2 and 1 of that device is a lot cheaper esp secondhand; but might have less performance quality and features so you'd have to research that).

As for the he/she bit don't let it worry you; we've only got your user name to guess by [most don't tend to dip into profiles for info all that often]. We tend to get more male than female members on average; but we've certainly a good number of female members on site.