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Camera gifts to capture the entire school year

With one of these shooters, they'll be able to capture better photographs and video from the first day through graduation.

Joshua Goldman
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Joshua Goldman
Lori Grunin
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1 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Panasonic Lumix ZS100

Whether a budding enthusiast or full-auto fan, the ZS100 delivers the upgrade in image quality a 1-inch sensor affords with enough of a zoom lens for a lot of framing flexibility and sufficiently fast to capture life in action. Plus it supports 4K video for the sharpest capture possible.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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2 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Panasonic Lumix LX100

If your student's really into photography, this compact is one of the best you can get without breaking the bank.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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3 of 13 Lori Grunin/CNET

Sony A6000

Any student downsizing from a dSLR or upgrading from a compact will find this a great interchangeable-lens model. With the image quality and performance of a dSLR, the A6000 is a generation old, but that just means it's inexpensive enough to make an affordable yet terrific gift.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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4 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

A small dSLR alternative, one of the best things about the Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens cameras is that the lenses are tiny -- you can throw five in your bag and barely feel them. The E-M10 Mark II is fast, with solid photo quality and a useful feature set, plus Olympus' policy of adding features via firmware upgrades makes this one a long-term choice.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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5 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

This one's a few years old, but it's still a solid general-purpose smaller-than-usual dSLR and now a much more affordable gift for a student who wants to step up.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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6 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nikon D5500

Nikon's current just-above-entry dSLR is great for everything the family photographer wants; the only significant downside is that it's got a smaller grip than many other dSLRs. But where kids are concerned, that may be a plus.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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7 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Polaroid Snap

A mash-up between a small-format instant printer and a digital camera, the Snap works pretty much like an old-school Polaroid camera. Pop-up the viewfinder, take a shot and out comes a 2x3-inch print to share with friends and family. Unlike the instant cameras of yore, though, you also get a digital version of your photos stored on a microSD card.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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8 of 13 Lori Grunin/CNET

Ricoh Theta S

It's the snapshot camera of the future, but available right now. With a single button press the Theta S instantly captures a spherical photo that you can send to your phone and upload to Facebook or Twitter to for the ultimate 360-degree selfie. Oh, and it captures video, too, if you want to really capture your surrounding for people to explore.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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9 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

LG 360 Cam

Like the Theta S, the 360 Cam takes 360-degree photos and videos just by pushing the shutter release. The image quality isn't quite as good as the Ricoh, but it is smaller and cheaper by $150.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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10 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

GoPro Hero4 Session

If you're looking for the best overall GoPro to get your grad, the Hero4 Silver is what you want. However, the cube-shaped Session is a favorite, too, for its small size, waterproof body and single-button operation. Its $200 price helps as well.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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11 of 13 Joshua Goldman/CNET

TomTom Bandit

Students who like to spend more time capturing life and sharing it than sitting behind a computer editing, will love the Bandit. Sensors built into the camera are able to sense when something exciting is recorded and tag those sections of video. You can then wirelessly connect the camera to a smartphone and, simply by shaking your phone, the camera will stitch those moments into a video to share with friends and family instantly.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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12 of 13 Joshua Goldman/CNET

DJI Phantom 3 Standard

DJI has several great flying cameras in its lineup, starting with the Phantom 3 Standard. It was a good deal when DJI first released it, but then it dropped the price and now it's the best beginner ready-to-fly quadcopter you're going to find for the money.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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13 of 13 Joshua Goldman/CNET

Parrot Bebop 2

The family-friendly Bebop 2 is a compact and sturdy camera drone. It easily slides into a backpack and can be completely controlled with an iOS or Android phone or tablet. Plus, it's safer than most quadcopters since its propellers stop the moment they come in contact with anything. If image quality is your top priority, check out one from DJI. But for those new to the hobby looking for a smaller, safer option the Bebop 2 hits the spot.

Check out the whole Back-to-School Tech Guide.

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