Best student camera: top gear for school and college photography courses

Looking for the best student camera for school or college? We've put together a guide suggesting some of the best cameras that will suit any budget. Whether you're studying photography, art foundation, or even journalism, investing in a good camera is wise. 

The cameras included are a great way of learning the basics of photography, especially if you have never done it before. Most of them will also shoot video which is especially handy if you're studying a multimedia subject. If you're studying a filmmaking course, check out our guide on the best camera for film students or the best cameras for filmmaking which include cameras with more advanced video features. 

Some schools or colleges will tell you what camera to buy so that it's easy to teach students on the same system and will often have a range of lenses they can lend out. Chances are if you're looking for a camera to use on a university course, you will have more freedom in what to buy. If you're just starting out at school or college, a basic APS-C-sensored interchangeable-lens camera body will be a sensible, affordable option but if you're starting a course at university you might want to think about something that will last the full three or four years. 

We've included a range of cameras to suit any budget starting from the best beginner DSLRs to mirrorless systems that even professionals use. Most students won't need a camera costing thousands of pounds but will still need a 'proper camera' to pick up the basics and help complete assignments. 

With DSLR sales decreasing and mirrorless cameras on the rise, it might be worth opting for the latter so that you future-proof your purchase. Mirrorless cameras on the whole are smaller, lighter, and possibly less daunting for beginners as they show exposure and such in camera. They can however be more expensive and as they haven't been around for so long, don't have as many lens options although that is quickly changing. The advantage of buying a DSLR is that there are more lenses available cheaper in the second-hand market which is a great way of expanding your kit on a budget. 

Some students will also want to try out film and darkroom photography as part of their course – so may additionally want to check out our guides to the best film cameras and darkroom equipment around right now (most of which have to be bought secondhand).

With all of the above in mind, here we’re examining what we reckon are the best student cameras… 

best student cameras: our top picks

The best student cameras in 2024

We rate the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (known as the EOS 250D in Europe) as one of the best beginner-targeted interchangeable lens cameras ever. A boast for sure, but a quick look at its up-to-the-minute spec – including the latest Digic 8 processor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, flip out and twist LCD screen, and 4K video capture for the first time at this price – provides a quick indication of why; and that’s without even mentioning access to the most comprehensive lens line-up in the business, providing first time users with plenty of growing space. 

Also impressing us here is battery life in delivering a sizable 1,070 images at full charge. Good handling, operation, decent image quality, and a responsive touchscreen add up to make this one a very capable all-rounder. Canon lenses and accessories for the EOS system are easy to find, and affordable, making this a great system for any student of photography

Read our full Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D review for more details

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

An 18MP starter DSLR boasting Wi-Fi connectivity and Full HD video capture, the Canon EOS Rebel T100 (aka EOS 4000D) may not offer the very latest tech for its budget price – its 9-point AF system and small 2.7-inch LCD are fairly dated, for example – but it’s a decent place for those at High School to begin learning the photographic ropes (and a sensible choice for those studying GCSE and ‘A’ level photography in the UK). If you can overlook the plastic-y feel then the button layout is logical and easy for the first-time user to navigate. 

The AF system is fine for general shooting with fairly static subjects but can struggle in more challenging scenarios. However, the 63 zones dual-layer metering sensor linked to all AF points fares better and 500-shot battery life is fair, if unremarkable. While not the best in class, Canon’s JPEG files deliver pleasing colors, and a range of Picture Styles is offered to enable fledgling users to get creative from the off. A cautious choice for parents who don’t want to blow on their children’s inheritance.

Read our full Canon EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D review for more details

The Canon EOS 90D is an astounding APS-C workhorse of a camera, available for a fantastic price. This APS-C DSLR combines the highest resolution of 32.5MP, with a high-speed frame rate of 10fps, and it also manages glorious uncropped 4K video. Its handling and ergonomics are great, and they remind us why shooting on a DSLR is such an enjoyable tactile experience. 

The EOS 90D is available for a welcome price point – not to mention the fact that you get an optical viewfinder, which many people still prefer to the electronic viewfinders on mirrorless cameras. 

Read our full Canon EOS 90D review for more details

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 

This is still quite possibly one of the best DSLRs ever made, despite it being four years old now. The advantage of its age is that it has dropped massively in price and wouldn't be too much of a stretch for a student looking for a camera that will take them well beyond the course. It certainly isn't a beginner's DSLR but if you can get to grips with this you'll reap the rewards with your imagery.

It has a super responsive autofocus system, can shoot 4K video, and has a continuous burst mode of up to 9fps. It's an extremely versatile bit of kit suited to anything from commercial fashion to landscapes or wildlife photography. It is perhaps a little on the large size for street photography but if you're not bothered about weight or being particularly discrete, it could be used for that too! The large battery means it can take up to 1,840 shots on a single charge which is more than double what most mirrorless cameras can do. It combines speed and high resolution making the Nikon D850 a jaw dropping-ly good camera.

Read our full Nikon D850 review for more details

The EOS 5D series is one of the most popular professional cameras of the modern era - and the current Mark IV model is a great choice for the advanced student, looking for a pro-spec full-frame camera. On paper, the EOS 5D Mark IV looks a distinct second best to rival cameras with higher resolutions, faster frame rates, and better 4K video features – the EOS 5D Mark IV applies a heavy 4K video crop that makes ‘wide’ shots more difficult.

Nevertheless, the 5D Mark IV has proved itself a very effective, durable, and versatile camera for countless professional photographers, and its Dual Pixel AF technology gives it a peppy autofocus performance in live view and video modes. This camera was launched way back in 2016, so it is quite possible to find attractively priced second versions.

Read more: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV review for more details

How we test cameras

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. 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. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

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