School Cameras - Compact and Bridge

[CHiLL]

We've been asked by a deputy head to purchase 5x compact digital cameras and 1x good quality camera (probably a bridge camera). The only thing is that I know next to nothing about cameras, so I could do with some help! At present I have not been given any form of budget. I've suggested that this could cost around the £1000 mark for the total price of the six cameras. The reply was 'we'll take it to the head and see'.

 

The only requirements for these cameras are:

Photos must be good enough to be published, such as on the website or in the newsletter.

The compact cameras need to be used on day trips and the likes.

The 'good' camera will be used for special trips or things like awards evening, sports day and other such big school events.

 

Ideally I'd prefer the cameras to have WiFi to transfer the photos to a specific file share on our network.

 

So far I've found:

Compact: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorders/digital-cameras/compact-and-bridge-cameras/canon-ixus-190-compact-camera-black-10158364-pdt.html

Bridge: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorders/digital-cameras/compact-and-bridge-cameras/canon-powershot-sx540-hs-bridge-camera-black-10142574-pdt.html

 

Would they be good enough, or would I need to purchase some more expensive ones?

[atcoates]

We have lots of Sony cameras for general use, and each of my schools we have a Nikon D3100 or 3200 etc. These are entry level DSLR and I generally get them a 35mm or 50mm lens and a 55-300mm lens. The type of photography you want to do would narrow the choice down.

 

A bundle like this might work https://www.jessops.com/p/nikon/d3400-digital-slr-in-black-with-18-55mm-f3.5-5.6-af-p-vr-lens-and-tamron-af-70-300mm-f4-5.6-di-ld-lens-127846

 

I tend to choose the kit based on the end user as well. Most users tend to stick to the zoom lens, but a decent fixed lens is a real plus if you can stretch to one.

Edited May 1, 2019 by atcoates

[mikemcsharry]

I agree with atcoates on lenses etc. Almost anything you use will get you web ready pictures.

I take 10s of thousands of pics a year and use Canons and Nikons.

Also, for everyday use (compact) take a look at the Panasonic waterproof compact. I have one of these and stick it on a running armband. Light as an iPhone 5.

https://www.jessops.com/p/panasonic/lumix-dmc-ft30-camera-in-blue-95244

 

Some of the bridge cameras are extraordinary. Also, have a look at the compact zooms. I also have the ten year old version of one of these - zoom, image and print quality are utterly stunning.

https://www.jessops.com/p/canon/powershot-sx730-hs-digital-camera-in-black-121493

 

The compact and bridge photos are not very good if you need to zoom and focus quickly (school sports days), you need a DSLR for that. At last race event I was taking 8 pics per second on one camera...

[SamanthaD]

My 2p - get something your users can use. Bridge cameras are typically a compromise,and IME rarely produce good results. Unless you have staff who are capable photographers (ie can use a DSLR in a mode other than fully automatic) I would stick to compacts - simple to use and produce good results on Auto.

 

Wex have Canon Ixus 285 for £149 each, decent optical zoom, 20.2 megapixels and Wi-Fi sharing. I'd get the purple ones to make them a little more obvious they're the school ones? Also factor in cases, batteries, cards... That by itself will probably get you close to £1000.

[hardtailstar]

Photos must be good enough to be published, such as on the website or in the newsletter.

 

You can have the worlds most expensive camera and still take rubbish photos.

 

The quality of photo is not just down to the camera its also down to the end user.

 

We have some DSLR's that are used to take photos of events and there is one member of staff that even with training take bad photos.

 

obviously look for the best camera for the money but also give staff a bit of training.

[CHiLL]

Thanks for the replies. Our users aren't good with cameras, so the simpler, the better. A DLSR/Bridge camera would be used to take photos from the back of the hall towards the stage. So something that can zoom well and ideally have an auto-focus would be great. I'll take a look into the options suggested so far.

[hardtailstar]

Thanks for the replies. Our users aren't good with cameras, so the simpler, the better. A DLSR/Bridge camera would be used to take photos from the back of the hall towards the stage. So something that can zoom well and ideally have an auto-focus would be great. I'll take a look into the options suggested so far.

 

You might want to invest in a tripod as well if you are taking from the back of the hall.

[mikemcsharry]

If you're from back of hall, yep to tripod or monopod PLUS make sure that the users know how to turn the flash OFF. It'll be useless and annoying. Win:win

[crc-ict]

Problem we consistently have with compact cameras is complaints from staff about the quality and usability of them compared to their phone cameras.

 

Not really surprising that we spend about £80 on a compact camera that then isn't as good as the camera in a nearly-£1k iPhone though!

[SamanthaD]

If you want to take images from the back of the hall make sure what ever you have has a good optical zoom - forget using digital zoom as essentially all you're doing is cropping the available image on the sensor. Tripod is going to be essential in this application!