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Best Cameras for Camp

5 years ago
gtapcnew
Articles, Kids & Teens, Summer Camp

One of the most commonly asked questions we get here at GTA Photography Camps is:

“What Camera Does My Child Need to Bring to Camp?”

The most important thing to remember when buying a camera is that all of our programs require that the camera have manual mode. Manual mode can be found on the dial with an “M” indicator. Alternatively, some cameras have manual mode embedded in the camera menu.

Camera Dial- Manual Mode

Photo by PublicDomainPictures

1) DSLRS

For some, the DSLR may seem intimidating but for those who are truly passionate about photography it is a necessity. There are a wide variety of DSLRS to match all skill types and if your child has a real interest, a DSLR is the best investment. DSLRs allow the photographer the most creative control, flexibility through having interchangeable lenses and high quality image sensors for the best results.  Here are a couple good starter cameras for our camp:

Canon Rebel T6i
Canon Rebel T6i

Though this version of the Rebel is older, it continues to be ahead of its time for image quality and metering speed. The Canon Rebel T6i is a great camera that is easy to use but will produce a good image. The meter has been adjusted so it is faster and more accurate which is critical to shooting in manual mode. The video quality in all of the Canon Rebels including the T6i don’t compare to any other brand so if your child is interested in videography, this camera is for them.

Nikon D3400
Nikon D3400

This is the most basic Nikon DSLR model and one of their lightest. The image quality is outstanding! The interface of the Nikon D3400 is aimed at beginners and is very easy to use. This is perfect for a camper who is looking to experiment with photography as a hobby.

2) Mirrorless Cameras

A mirrorless camera absorbs the light of an image through the lens and then directly onto the image sensor, instead of using a mirror like a DSLR. Mirrorless cameras function similar to point and shoots because of how they collect light but they have fully interchangeable lenses and customizable settings that point and shoots do not. Mirrorless cameras are fairly new to photography but can be a great option when you want all of the features of a DSLR but you want a more compact camera. Mirrorless cameras are recommended to someone that has some photography experience as they are slightly different than a traditional DSLR.

Sony Alpha A6000
Sony Alpha a6000

The A6000 pushes boundaries in the mirrorless camera market as one of the fastest cameras available. Another notable feature is its ability to capture a wider range of low lighting conditions. The Alpha A6000 offers video mode and several wifi reliant applications. For a tech savvy and photography experienced teen, a mirrorless camera like the Sony Alpha A6000 may be the camera to consider.

Olympus OM-D-E-M10 Mark III
Olympus OM D E M10 Mark III

Even as an entry-level mirrorless camera, the Olympus OM-D-E- M10 Mark III requires some basic photography knowledge and a creative eye. This camera has a fantastic in-body stabilization system that almost eliminates camera shake entirely which can be useful for shooting while moving. Olympus also worked to simplify the interface and mode dial on the camera to easily display what the camera can do and make it more user friendly. This is the perfect mirrorless camera to learn on for those who are interested in trying something different.

3) Point and Shoots with Manual Mode

If the DSLR camera is too big for your child, investing in a point and shoot may be the best way to go. A point and shoot is a very basic camera with a fixed lens and is often smaller and more lightweight than a DSLR. Point and shoots tend to offer more modes and limit your creative ability when taking shots. Most point and shoots offer manual mode but we recommend point shoots more for our younger campers with less photography experience.

Canon Powershot G7X Mark II
PowerShot G7 X Mark II

The Canon Powershot G7X Mark II is the closest camera you’ll get to having a DSLR that isn’t a DSLR. Designed to be lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket, the G7X Mark II is an update on the G7X that makes it better handling, allows for manual control, and RAW processing. This is an ideal camera for traveling and movement (something we do a lot of at camp!) as its compact shape is good for transport . This camera gives photographers the ability to shoot high quality images with a wide aperture range to work with without interchangeable lenses.

Here’s a quick comparison chart for all of the camera models we talk about in this post:
Camera Comparision

For a more in-depth comparison of these cameras, check out Digital Photography Review’s side by side comparison tool!

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camera for camp, camera recommendations, things to bring to camp
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GTA Photography Classes
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Katherine Seatree
Katherine Seatree
23:10 24 Feb 20
I recently did the Photo 101 class with Lauren and it exceeded my expectations! Lauren was a great teacher - very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about photography which definitely helped boost my own enthusiasm. The class also benefited from being small, think it was just 6 of us and the content felt appropriate for a beginner. I now have a good understanding of things like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, composition etc. What I really loved was that there were practical exercises and steps explained that made it so much easier to understand and master what we learnt. My photos have already massively improved, and I can now say I feel confident shooting in manual mode! I would definitely recommend this course.
Samantha Peck
Samantha Peck
18:23 10 Feb 20
I took Photo 101, knowing very little about manual photography and left knowing the basics- and more! I'm feeling much more confident in my skills and interested in pursuing more classes. The small class size, knowledgeable instructor and hands-on learning all helped me get more familiar with my camera. I highly recommend taking classes at GTA Photography!
Fazeela Jahangir
Fazeela Jahangir
08:50 28 Jan 20
I was very keen to end up at the right place to brush up my photography because I wanted to learn from the best. GTA Photography exceeded my expectations at that. The location is conveniently located one stop from Kings Station with lots of places to eat and practice photography around. The best part I would say are undoubtedly the instructors who are some of the top in their various fields of photography. They were very patient with students asking questions as and when they wanted, which meant by the time we got to the end of the class and QnA session all queries had already been dealt with and everyone was happy with the instruction. We got lots of opportunities to practice as well. I am so happy I found this place to connect with other photographers- I have taken 3 courses already and am planning to take 3 more. I think that speaks for itself!
Melany Tiago
Melany Tiago
04:54 20 Jan 20
I spent my time at GTA photography Classes as a Co-op Student and really enjoyed my time here! Great kind hearted Staff & 5 star classes!
Anna Medvedev
Anna Medvedev
19:24 10 Jan 20
If you want to learn photography, this is the school you should go to. Knowledgeable instructors, interactive classes and very practical instruction.
Yve Benz
Yve Benz
17:42 10 Jan 20
Best photography school in the GTA and beyond. Amazing management, nice and professional staff, great camps and adult classes. Can highly recommend it!!!
Mark Buck
Mark Buck
15:09 14 Dec 19
As a photography and digital arts teacher with both the TDSB and YRDSB I highly recommend GTA Photography (Toronto). They teach us (students and adults) how to capture the special memorial moments of our lives.Dorothy Lange once remarked:"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still."-
Josh Kim
Josh Kim
19:07 12 Dec 19
I spent time as both a counsellor at GTA over the summer as well as a co-op student during the school year. Super friendly staff that love teaching and helping people. Sitting in on different workshops and camp sessions, their instructors are always available to help and seeing how they teach, I'm not surprised when I see the other glowing reviews here. Would highly recommend both their camps and adult classes for anyone with an interest in photography!
Pam Robertson
Pam Robertson
00:58 10 Dec 19
The kid camps are amazing! They had very informative instructors, interactive teaching, and a so many fun field trips in a great location! The staff were very friendly and you could tell that they loved what they do and were so great with the kids!
shepherd Huang
shepherd Huang
17:05 09 Dec 19
Very knowledgeable instructors, interactive teaching and fun field trips. Lauren is so patient and I have a great time.
Candice Pollack
Candice Pollack
15:56 15 Oct 19
Our organization rented this space for a two day meeting. The team at GTA Photography was incredibly helpful and the space was clean, well-kept, and made for a great workshop space.
stephanie grace
stephanie grace
16:15 16 Sep 19
Great location and clean and light filled rooms for smaller groups. We came here for a management meeting and it was perfect for our needs.
Senthuran Kopalakrishnan
Senthuran Kopalakrishnan
15:14 09 Sep 19
Learned so much in a short period of time. Knowledgeable friendly instructor. Highly recommended for anyone interested in photography.
Sandra Nagy
Sandra Nagy
02:21 25 Aug 19
My 9 year old son had an unbelievable week of camp at GTA photography. He went on amazing field trips, had amazingly passionate counsellors and raves about every day. He also learned a ton and gained tremendous skills and confidence. There were tons of older kids as well, up to 15-16 year olds and they all seemed to love it as much as him. A unique and fun experience. I highly recommend it.
Agnes Roter
Agnes Roter
19:10 06 Jul 19
My daughter absolutely loved this camp. It was her first intro to photography and she quoted techniques and instructions from day one. She also quite enjoyed exploring downtown Toronto with the crew. That was a great part of the program. Highly recommend GTA Photography camp.
Anson Wong
Anson Wong
05:20 27 May 19
I received a nice camera for Christmas but did not know how to use it properly while on vacation. Decided to take an introductory course and it provides me with the tools to understand my camera. Alex is a great instructor. Not only is she very knowledgeable but her class was very well structured. She provided me with the confidence to use my camera and highly recommend this to anyone who finds cameras intimidating.
Culham Anderson-Brodie
Culham Anderson-Brodie
15:41 12 Mar 19
I took the photo 101 course through gta photography and i must say my experience was amazing. My instructor Donovan was extremely knowledgeable and I left with all the skills necessary to properly operate my camera in manual mode. Since taking this course my photography skills have continued to improve and I will MOST DEFINITELY be back for more classes!
Greg Leung
Greg Leung
19:56 11 Feb 19
Very professional, patient instructors. Perfect balance between fun & informative. I've taken Photo 101 & 201 and will definitely be enrolling in future courses! GTA Photography has ignited my passion for photography.
Tricia Anderson
Tricia Anderson
16:37 11 Feb 19
I took a couple of weekend sessions (Photography 101 and 201) to get me going with my new Digital SLR camera. They provided a great foundation to help me progress with my photography. The small class size and enthusiastic instructor made for a great learning environment. Tricia A.
A Woods
A Woods
22:07 17 Dec 18
Took the Portraiture 101 class. The Instructor was very informative and had some really great tips for making my photos better. She clearly is very experienced and has a great eye. It was part function and part art course and I loved that! The school was well designed and felt very warm and inviting. I loved that they took us outdoors to practice in real life conditions. I would definitely recommend this course and am looking forward to taking another!
troy bacchus
troy bacchus
16:00 26 Nov 18
UPDATE: Took the Photo301 lighting class this past weekend with Shayne and it was fantastic. Shayne was an excellent instructor and gave us a good grounding in lighting techniques and tips and tricks that really save a lot of time. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to advance their skills working with natural, and artificial light.Just finished the photo201 class this past weekend and it was great. The instructor Neil made the class enjoyable while conveying all the necessary information. Material is good, they may want to consider having it printed for note taking. Overall a great class and I have already registered for photo301.
Danial Mirzakhani
Danial Mirzakhani
21:42 17 Jul 17
I haven't ever gon ther..but I think it's so good
Kristen Valente
Kristen Valente
19:00 14 Jun 17
Yesterday I took the Travel Photography workshop and it was awesome! It was such a small class that we really got to fire off questions whenever needed. Neil was a very extremely knowledgeable, engaging and patient teacher. He is clearly passionate about his craft and he did an excellent job of preparing us for future travel endeavours.
Jason Hopkins
Jason Hopkins
19:30 24 May 17
I took the Lightroom class which is a 4 week class every Thursday for 2 hours. The class was taught methodically and left me feeling confident using Lightroom. The teacher was very friendly and kept the learning environment fun and relaxing. I highly recommend gta photography, I've been around the owners and other people who work there. They all really care about their job and the students who come to learn.
Tess Vardy
Tess Vardy
13:10 20 May 17
I took classes last year in the fall and winter, and I learned so much!!!! I really feel like I have gained a lot of skill and confidence with a camera that I will carry with my for the rest of my life. I definitely missed having the classes once they were done because they were just SO much fun and the instructors really know what they're doing. I would recommend to anyone!!!
Jennifer Qu
Jennifer Qu
20:25 19 May 17
GTA Photography Classes is a really amazing camp for kids of all ages. I was 15 when I took teen camp 1 and teen camp 2 in the fall and winter. The instructors are amazing and I learned so much. The classes were really informative plus the instructors did a really good job making everything as clear as possible. I had Laura and Kylie as my instructors. They were amazing and really knew what they were talking about. Each class was accompanied by a field trip every other week. Because the camps location is in the centre of Downtown Toronto, the field trips were pretty cool if I do say so myself. We went to Kensington Market, ROM, Nathan Philip Square, etc. I highly suggest GTA Photography Classes if you're a beginner and even if you have experience and you want to get a little more creative with your work, it's definitely worth the money.
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