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Best Used Camera Gear For Students

Everyone who is passionate about learning how to take better photos or videos will want to step up from their smartphone at some point. Our guide explores the best used camera gear for students, which won’t break the bank, but will help you develop your skills and follow your passion. We’ve also got video reviews of the used cameras we highlight here, in order for you to learn more about the gear we recommend.

Whether you’re a Fresher just starting uni or heading back to college after a well deserved break, this guide will help you to find the perfect used camera and compatible lenses to capture amazing content on a budget.

Buying second-hand camera gear is a great way to save money and you can find excellent quality used camera equipment for the most popular genres. This ensures you’ll be able to pick up the perfect gear whether you capture portraits of friends on campus, street photography in your local city or landscapes during weekend jaunts to the country. Read more to discover the perfect gear for creating amazing work for instagram, tick tock and any other platform.

Best used cameras for students

The first place to start is to choose the best used camera body, which is capable of helping you to progress your skills and has the features you need. We recommend buying an interchangeable lens camera, rather than a point and shoot, as you’ll have better control over settings, be able to switch lenses for different subjects and reach a higher skill level if that’s your goal.

Choosing your camera will determine which lenses you can buy, as you will need to choose lenses with a compatible lens mount. For example a Canon DSLR lens will not fit a Panasonic micro four thirds camera body, although you can add lens converters to adapt certain lenses and camera systems.

When you start your search, it’s a good idea to understand how to buy a second-hand camera and what to look out for. Every camera you consider should have an accurate description of the condition and include a warranty, which protects you if anything does go wrong.

Choosing between a mirrorless camera vs DSLR is another consideration. DSLRs are usually better on a budget, however mirrorless cameras tend to offer better video features. Either will deliver great image quality and our top used camera picks have all received great reviews and come with fantastic features, which are designed to help you capture the best possible content.

If your budget stretches a little further, the Canon 80D is one of the best used DSLR for beginners and capable of capturing superb image quality.

Best used lenses on a budget

Choosing the best lens is equally important, if not more so, than the camera body you choose. The lens will impact image quality and helps you to capture subjects which you’re most interested in. As a rule of thumb the focal length of any lens should be appropriate for the types of subjects you enjoy shooting. As an example, a wide angle lens is typically chosen for grand landscapes, interiors and city shots, but not for bird or wildlife photography, as the subject will be too small in the frame. If you pursue photography for any length of time, you’ll probably buy several lenses over time to capture different subjects and styles.

Another consideration is choosing between a prime and a zoom lens. A zoom lens is a good starter option, as zooms offer several focal lengths in order for you to change your field of view quickly. This allows you to capture different subjects more easily, rather than ‘zooming with your feet’ as we have to with a prime lens.

Prime lenses (fixed focal length) tend to be smaller, lighter and capture slightly better image quality on the whole. The difference in quality melts away when you reach professional zoom options, but they also cost £1000’s. All of our lens choices listed below will capture good quality results and can be used for both photography and video capture.

All of this used camera gear demonstrates that you can pick up a really competent system for around £300 to £400. Any of these are capable of capturing brilliant photos and include features to help you capture sharp images and great video.

Watch our video review of the used Canon EOS 60D

Start your photographic journey when you head to college this year and browse our used cameras and used lenses to find the perfect kit to use to share your story.

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By Nick Dautlich on 15/09/2022