• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » The Top 10 Cameras for Your Favorite Photographer
Gifts Life

The Top 10 Cameras for Your Favorite Photographer

Facebook Tweet
Paige Levin   December 24, 2014

We all have that one friend – the one that’s always taking pictures, posting artsy Instagrams and seems to live a life straight out of Tumblr. What better way to encourage that friend to start taking pictures of you (we all need to impress our followers once in awhile) than by buying her one of the many inventive cameras on the shelves this season? No need to do the research yourself, CM has gathered the comprehensive list of the toughest, coolest, most affordable and highest quality cameras for the photographer in your life.

1. The Nikon D3300

imaging.nikon.com
imaging.nikon.com

Yeah yeah, we know it costs $500, but this is as professional as it gets and comes with every feature you never knew you needed. This camera works for everyone – both amateurs and photography veterans. Capture the joy of the holidays with crystal clear 24.2 megapixel photos and Full HD video capability. This kind of quality assures you nothing but sharp detail, vibrant color and even blurred background for effect. As if that wasn’t enough, the camera lets you shoot panoramas, shoot up to five frames per second or add artistic special effects and filters to photos. What sets this camera apart from the rest is its Wi-Fi capability; it allows you to wirelessly send your photos straight to your smartphone or tablet for simple sharing. Despite all these gadgets, you get a traditional looking camera with a point-and-shoot feel that’s small enough to carry around.

2. The GoPro Hero 4

gopro.com
gopro.com

Did you ever wonder where all those incredible wide angle photos come from? GoPro or go home. It might be little, but this thing is full of power. The newest GoPro is waterproof, so you can easily take it to the beach over break for some extraordinary shots amidst the waves. This $500 camera is perfect for capturing both everyday moments and your biggest adventures, but what sets this one apart from its cheaper counterparts is its Wi-Fi capabilities and built-in touch display. Unlike older versions of the GoPro, this one allows you to see your photos immediately. You also have the option of syncing your phone to the camera, allowing you to take the perfect selfie without your arm getting in the way. Now, that’s the dream.

3. The Canon EOS Rebel T3

usa.canon.com
usa.canon.com

It’s like the Nikon’s younger sibling. If you happen to like Canon cameras better and are looking for the same professional quality as the Nikon, you’re going to have to fork up thousands of dollars for a nicer model. Otherwise, this is the perfect entry-level professional camera. It only takes 12.2 Megapixel photos and shoot 3 frames per second, but is much easier to use and still captures photos at a higher quality than the average camera. Special bonus: it comes in four different colors (total rarity in the camera world).

4. The Instax Mini 8

tumblr.com
tumblr.com

If we had known how popular Polaroid cameras would become in an age of digital photography, we would have kept our Barbie Polaroid camera. This camera is fashionable while still being small enough to take everywhere. It comes in seven fun colors and prints your pictures in seconds on vintage Polaroid film, taking your Instagrams to the next level. Pro tip: The camera is just $70, but because demand for the film isn’t too high with new technology, it can get expensive. Make sure you order your film online and in bulk to save on cash.

5. The Fisheye Baby 110 Bauhaus Edition

lomography.com
lomography.com

All of the fisheye photography apps make you look fat, but a true photographer needs this classic in his repertoire. This twist on the classic fisheye camera is small and lightweight, making it perfect for travel; it can even be worn as a pendant. Unlike most fisheye cameras, it takes bright, colorful photos. It also comes with its own flash ability, making it perfect for nights out with your friends. The Baby 110 is only $55, but it requires traditional lomo film, which can add up.

6. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

panasonic.com
panasonic.com

Concertgoers rejoice; this camera is the best of the best when it comes to megazoom. Nobody will ever know just how far away you were really sitting at the show – the zoom lens is just that good. What’s better is that the camera has excellent shooting performance, meaning you can get multiple pictures quickly so that you never miss a moment. Note that the camera is on the expensive side ($450) for something that’s more of a point-and-shoot, but it proves itself worthy.

7. The Samsung Smart Camera WB350F

samsung.com
samsung.com

If you’re looking for the best basic point-and-shoot camera for the best price, look no further. It has the wireless capabilities that most basic digital cameras are missing, turning the camera into somewhat of a smartphone camera on crack. At just $110, it has all the capabilities of smartphone photography apps in one place. You’re not going to get the best quality pictures, but the camera is one of the more affordable options, has great zoom capabilities and makes photography simple.

8. Urban Outfitters Disposable Cameras

urbanoutfitters.com
urbanoutfitters.com

Talk about #tbt. These things are outdated for a reason. The photos that come out aren’t exactly works of art, and it’s hard to find places that are still willing to develop the film. The cameras are fun and different though, and will only cost you $10. Each camera comes with a different theme, which has its own filters and graphics, so you never really know what you’re going to get.

9. Film Cameras

adorama.com
adorama.com

Yes, these still exist. They’re the perfect cameras for budding photography students because they give students the opportunity to learn the basics. This particular film camera was practically created for students as it puts a large emphasis on learning focus and exposure. The camera leaves the picture totally up to the photographer; that is, everything must be done manually. It’s a hassle, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned photograph.

10. Olloclip 4-in-one Phone Lens

olloclip.com
olloclip.com

This is for those who can’t seem to do anything without their smartphones. A smartphone camera doesn’t take the best pictures possible, but with this simple $70 lens addition, you can drastically improve photo quality, merging the best of both worlds. With this lens you can take pictures with a fisheye effect, a wide-angle effect, a 10x macro zoom and even a 15x macro zoom.

About Paige Levin

Paige Levin is a sophomore studying journalism and political science at the University of Florida. When she’s not re-watching her box set of FRIENDS, you can probably find her talking about Panera mac and cheese (or just food in general). Currently, her interests (or obsessions) lie in everything and anything pop culture, Netflix binge watching, photography, going to concerts, and all of her unfortunately pathetic South Florida sports teams.

What I Wish I Had Known About Mental Health So I Wouldn’t Have to Call Myself a College Dropout

Ant-Man Opens the Doors for Marvel’s New Phase

10 Boba Tea Spots for Houston College Students

10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends Indoors

Do You Actually Care, Or Do You Want to Look Like You Do?

unsplash.com

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes from Your Favorite Sports TV Shows

I lived with my three best friends. Here’s how it went.

21 Things to Do in Williamsburg When You’re Under 21

The Beauty and Pain of Living Alone

Previous Post:Top 10 Campuses for the Outdoor Runner
Next Post:Top 10 Gifts for the Ultimate Foodie

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding