Photography students require a camera rich with features that can be afforded on a student budget. It’s important to make sure that the camera has a manual focus mode so that you can truly build your photography skills.
Not to worry, there are several outstanding cameras out there that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Whether you are enrolled in photography lessons or are trying to learn the art on your own, the following suggestions are all great cameras for photography students. Have a look!
1. Nikon D5600
Oo the top of our list of best cameras for photography students is the Nikon D5600. This camera is a very beginner-friendly DSLR that can be purchased at an affordable price, making it a deal that you must consider.
This camera doesn’t have a lot of the fancy features you might find in high-end cameras. However, it has everything that you need to learn photography, such as RAW shooting and a manual exposure mode.
This camera comes with an optical viewfinder, good noise reduction, a vari-angle touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in flash that supports i-TTL, and a microphone port. It performs excellently with a telephoto to wide-angle shots, and its 7.8x zoom makes it suitable for all kinds of subjects, making this camera a great all-round option.
The Nikon D5600 comes with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, which ensures that excellent photographs are produced. It can compare to the APS-C sensors of more expensive Sony and Fujifilm cameras you can find. The autofocus is also fairly decent considering the price of this model.
One amazing feature of this camera is the battery life it has. It can shoot all day long (perhaps even a few days) with its 970-shot battery rating. It also utilizes the same lens mount as Nikon’s more expensive full-frame DSLRs, meaning that you can begin to invest in full-frame glass now and upgrade to a full-frame Nikon over time.
Read our full review of the Nikon D5600 to find out more.
2. Sony a6500
The Sony a6500 is considered a good camera for students as it is a crop-sensor camera using the smaller APS-C format, and hence, providing a cheaper alternative without sacrificing lens selection, image quality, and even control. It is also seen as a good stepping stone for photographers who aspire to upgrade to Sony’s full-frame cameras over time.
The Sony a6500 is compatible with both full-frame lenses and APS-C lenses from Sony. APS-C models might be the cheaper option; however, going with full-frame will allow for future compatibility on the full-frame lens.
The a6500 utilizes a 24MP sensor ensuring good image quality at an affordable rate. It is a versatile device as it comes with 11-frames-per-second-burst-shooting along with five-axis internal stabilization.
This Alpha series camera can cover a wide variety of subjects, ranging from landscapes to sports, to still life. It has excellent autofocus and a good 4K video mode.
Find out even more in our Sony a6500 review.
3. Nikon Z6
The Nikon Z6 is a full-frame camera, which means that the imaging sensor is equivalent to the size of a frame of 35mm film and is just as good for capturing still photos as it is for shooting videos. The Z6’s 24-megapixel sensor is great for all conditions as it can produce superb photographs even in low light.
Due to the Z6’s in-body stabilization, you can get sharp shots with any lens at slower shutter speeds than would usually be usable. It also comes with a functional control layout and an ergonomic grip, making it ideal for helping you transition from a novice to a pro.
The new Z lenses are incredibly sharp, and along with a simple adapter, you can shoot with F-mount DSLR lenses. This is helpful as students can easily find these to save up on money.Â
To get all the details and see if this camera is right for you, check out the complete Nikon Z6 review.
4. Fujifilm X-T30
The Fujifilm X-T30 has eight frames per second continuous shooting, 4K video, and an engaging layout making it one of the best under $1000 cameras that a student can opt for.
Similar to the a6500, this Fujifilm camera uses an APS-C sensor. Being tailored to this format, it ensures that the lenses are light and small, making them relatively easy and convenient to handle and carry.
The X-T30 has an excellent autofocus system and can provide you with remarkable performance and image quality. An added edge to this camera is its elegance, making it the kind of camera you would enjoy carrying around with you as a beginner.
Read our Fujifilm X-T30 review to learn more about the camera.
5. Canon EOS RP
The Canon EOS RP is the cheapest full-frame camera for photography students on the market. This makes it an ideal tool for learning and allows you to make your way to a higher-end Canon model as time goes by.
This camera comes with a 26.2MP full-frame sensor that can capture fantastic JPEGs. One of the best features of this camera is the Dual Pixel Autofocus, which can help you to lock on to subjects very quickly, even in low light situations.Â
Our Canon EOS RP review goes even more in-depth to provide you with everything you need to know about this camera.
6. Sony a7 III
The Sony a7 III consists of a 4K video (full HD up to 120 fps) and a 24.3MP CMOS sensor with five-axis internal stabilization for smooth footage. Other features of it are a tilting LCD touchscreen, an electronic viewfinder, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and headphone output and microphone input.
This camera also presents you with a lot of room for customization, giving you the freedom to set it up however you wish. It allows you to explore various options, something which can be helpful for those just starting with photography. The a7 III allows for continuous shooting that peaks at 10 fps and ensures that little noise is produced while photographs are being captured.
To learn more, head on over to our Sony a7 III review.
7. Canon EOS 77D (Budget Winner)
Canon’s EOS 77D features an APS-C sensor providing you with 24MP image quality and full HD 1080p video, which is good for slow-motion footage. The 77D also consists of a vlog-friendly swivel touchscreen, an optical viewfinder, built-in Wi-Fi, a built-in flash, and a DIGIC image processor. Lenses with EF-S and EF mounts will fit.Â
It is known for its highly fast and accurate autofocus, alongside rapid continuous shooting. Considering its price, it is the perfect camera for you if you are just starting out with photography. You can also add the versatile 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens if you want to capture zoomed-in or wide-angle shots.
To get all the details and find out how the camera performs, read our Canon EOS 77D review.
Final Words on the Best Cameras for Photography Students
Selecting your first camera as a photography student can be an intimidating experience. You want to ensure that you can find a model that has all the features for you to understand the way photography works, but at the same time, you need one which is suitable for your budget.
Also think about which camera brand you might want to be using in the future, as oftentimes, people end up using whatever camera brand they got first as they have already invested into lenses from that brand. Consider this when sifting through our list of best cameras for photography students. Happy hunting!
