The best student camera will vary somewhat, based on the student, but should satisfy a Venn diagram of affordability, beginner-friendly handling and specs that grow as you learn your craft.
In short, what might be the best student camera for one person might be different for someone else. However, every entry on this list is a capable camera that's a great place to start your journey – and they all shoot video, which is useful if you're learning more than just photography. However, if you're studying filmmaking specifically, check out our companion guide to the best cameras for film students.
Traditionally, the best student cameras have been DSLRs thanks to their low price and wide selection of lenses (especially cheap second-hand ones). But the Canon EOS R100 is more affordable, more capable and crucially more future-proof than even the cheapest DSLRs (which have essentially been abandoned by the industry).
Cameras come in all shapes and sizes, from large full-frame mirrorless cameras to pocket-sized compacts. What camera is right for you depends on your budget, and what photographic subjects you are interested in shooting. Taking all these factors into consideration, I've crafted a medley of choices for the best student cameras for mastering the fundamentals of photography.
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. Going from a photography student to a professional with several years of experience as a photographer and videographer, he knows exactly what features he found crucial when studying.
The Quick List
The Canon EOS R100 is one of the cheapest modern cameras you can get, but it has no shortage of features for beginners with a high-quality APS-C sensor, images look clean and professional, and with a range of lenses available for different subjects, you can explore and grow with the kit.
One of the best ways to learn photography settings is to have them manually dialed in, which is why the Fujifilm X-T30 II makes a fantastic student camera. With clearly marked dials for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO you can really understand the effects in images.
There are more modern cameras, but the Sony A7 III hits the sweet spot for all the features a student is going to need at a price that is affordable alongside all the other college expenses. With a full-frame sensor, and 4K video, you can produce professional-looking work for your course.
For the multimedia shooter, this is a fantastic video camera that also takes very good stills, although the lack of a viewfinder might put some students off. The ZV-E10 can access Sony's great collection of lenses and the built-in stereo microphone will save you some money on extra accessories.
If you are looking for a camera for multimedia study then the Fujifilm X-S10 is one of the best hybrid cameras around. It has been succeeded by the X-S20, which is a better option if your budget can stretch, but this older model still packs incredible features that will see you through our course.
The best student cameras
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Best value student camera for beginners
The Canon EOS R100 excels as a camera for students. It's an ideal choice for beginners, offering simple controls and a guided user interface that is perfect for those who want to focus on their studies rather than diving into technical details. The camera's ability to create effects like shallow depth of field is particularly useful for student photographers who want to get artistic or professional-looking photos without investing in more complex and expensive cameras.
In usual Canon fashion, the camera looks fairly utilitarian but is really well built and will survive your entire course (and probably long after that too). Although I would have appreciated touchscreen controls, the D-pad on the back of the camera still makes it easy to navigate menus and settings.
Importantly, the EOS R100 isn't just a beginner's camera; it's a camera that can grow with you as you develop your photography skills and interests. It benefits from the trickle-down effect of technology, inheriting increasingly powerful features as advancements are made. This makes it a very capable mirrorless camera that puts powerful photographic capabilities in the hands of students who want to take better pictures than what's possible with a smartphone.
Read our full Canon EOS R100 review for more details.
Best camera for learning manual controls
The Fujifilm X-30 II is an excellent camera for students due to its manual control dials providing a hands-on learning experience for students who are interested in mastering the art of photography. Additionally, Fujifilm's film simulation modes can help photographers better understand the interplay between color and exposure, and what effect that can have on images.
The camera also benefits from a compact size and ease of use. With its 24.3MP APS-C sensor, students can rely on high-quality images with great detail, perfect for photography assignments and projects that might be displayed to the class. While not quite as sharp as newer models, the camera's autofocus and continuous shooting capabilities make it suitable for capturing action shots.
Finally, not just all about stills, the camera's tilting touchscreen and 4K video recording capabilities make it versatile for photographers who like to dabble in a little video on the side.
It also has a durable build that takes inspiration from classic film cameras from the past, it's a stunning camera with a big social media following, so you'll definitely be one of the coolest photographers in class. Battery life is a little weak though, so you might want to invest in a few spares, but overall, the Fujifilm X-30 II is a dependable and feature-rich camera that suits the diverse needs of students across various disciplines.
Read our full Fujifilm X-T30 II review for more.
Best camera for advanced students
Although this has now been superseded by the Sony A7 IV, for the price and features, you're definitely getting a lot for your money. Since it was launched in 2018, it's been a popular choice among professional photographers and now that the price has dropped, it's also a great option for anyone looking to study photography. With a 24.2 MP full-frame sensor, it's capable of producing high-quality images and performs really well in low light thanks to its 14 stops of dynamic range.
If you're likely to need a camera that also shoots professional-looking video, the A7 III can shoot in 4K UHD at up to 24/30fps or in Full HD at up to 120fps which is ideal for shooting slow-motion. It has Bluetooth and wifi connectivity which is perfect for transferring images on the go, it also has a tilting screen and lots of customizable buttons so you can set it up just how you need it.
The only downside is the menu system will take some getting used to, especially if you've come from Nikon or Canon but don't let that put you off, after a few hours of studying you'll start to know where everything is.
Read our full Sony A7 III review for more details
Best camera for learning video basics
The Sony ZV-E10 is a great camera for any student who shoots as much video and they do stills. With impressive features and portability, the ZV-E10 offers the best of both worlds with an APS-C-sized sensor that can provide high-quality photos as well as great 4K footage. The camera's autofocus system is great for students, with a range of features from auto-tracking faces and animal subjects, however with E-Mount lenses, the ZV-E10 can use fine manual control if needed.
The ZV-E10 uses Sony's well-established E-Mount for lenses, which opens it up to an amazing selection from Sony and third parties, which cover nearly every price point with one suitable for every conceivable subject. The ZV-E10 can also save some money with its built-in stereo microphone that saves any additional purchases of recording equipment, as well as the unwanted bulk of carrying external microphones.
The ZV-E10 lacks a viewfinder which does hurt its photography credentials a little, but it takes it an incredibly lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around campus or out and about while shooting. The ZV-E10's flip-out screen is still great for capturing photos, but for video, it's excellent for those low angles.
Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review for more details.
Best camera for multimedia students
Unlike the more top-end X series cameras, the Fujifilm X-S10 doesn't include as many external exposure control dials but considering its weight and build quality, we can let that slide. The Fujifilm X-S10 is the ultimate all-rounder with IBIS (in-body stabilization), a fully articulated screen, and excellent handling. Some Fujifilm users may be disappointed to find out the shutter speed button has been replaced with a mode dial but this camera has so many other appealing qualities it shouldn't matter too much.
The Fujifilm X-S10 might just be the best APS-C camera on the market right now in terms of performance, build quality, and price point which is why we think it's a great option for students. There are also plenty of official Fujifilm lenses and third-party lenses to choose from so no matter what style of photography you want to shoot you'll have lots of options.
Read our full Fujifilm X-S10 review for more details
Comparisons and Lab Data
When we review cameras on DCW, we send every camera to our lab for testing, these produce the numbers you see below that measure the camera's resolution, dynamic range, and noise – and in all three cases, higher numbers mean better performance.
Based on the lab data alone you can see from this selection of cameras that the Sony A7 III with its full-frame sensor performs slightly above the other models, although it is one of the most expensive models on this list (although still a great bargain). Fujifilm's two cameras on the list (X-T30 II and X-S10), although older than the current generation of Fujifilm bodies still perform admirably on our tests and are well worth picking up still today.
Interestingly the much older DSLR Canon 90D outperforms the newer mirrorless EOS R100, although the differences are marginal. There are more affordable lenses for the EOS 90D, but the EOS R100 will be more futureproof as Canon has stopped developing any DSLR bodies or lenses.
How to choose the best student camera
When choosing the best camera to use as a student, there are several factors to consider. First, portability is important. As a student, you need a camera that is easy to carry with you as you will undoubtedly be lugging textbooks and laptops around between classes as well, so keeping your overall load light is ideal. Choosing a lightweight and compact camera as possible would be perfect, so long as it also has the features you need.
Features are another essential factor, look for a camera that offers a range of features to accommodate your type of photography, whether it is portrait, landscape, or fine art photography, you need to pick a camera that has the performance and image quality you need.
Finally, affordability is crucial for any student on a budget. Look for a camera that offers good value for money without compromising on essential features and quality. Also when considering value, think about how durable the camera will be, as you will likely want it to last the entirety of your course (and maybe beyond).
How we test student cameras
Our real-world testing takes into account the intended use of the camera. We test how cameras perform in everyday shooting situations by shooting with them over several days or weeks on a range of subjects. Our testing takes into account the camera's intended purpose by the manufacturers, for example, high-speed cameras will be tested on fast-moving subjects or high-resolution cameras on subjects with lots of detail. This ensures that the camera review most accurately reflects the camera's strengths and limitations.
Our reviewer reports back on their experiences using the camera, how the camera feels and works, any issues they encountered, and their subjective opinion of the camera's performance.
Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range.
In this guide, we look at all the cameras that we have tested and narrow them down to an informed final list of cameras that suit the purpose – in this case the best cameras for students.
Find out more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.
