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Study these cameras before you're off to school

Capture your school day (and night) adventures with one of these cameras.

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 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Contour ContourRoam2

Though it doesn't have the name recognition of GoPro, Contour turns out some very nice action cams. What the ContourRoam2 lacks in fancy features, it makes up for in simplicity and mounting options.
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2 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung WB250F Smart Camera

The WB250F is for people who love shooting with their smartphones, but want a zoom lens and better flash. The camera can directly connect to an iOS or Android device wirelessly so you can quickly and easily share photos and videos -- even while you're shooting them. The Wi-Fi can also be used to back up shots to a computer or to a cloud service, and it allows you to remotely control it from a mobile device, which is great for making sure your group shots and self portraits are just right.
Canon_PowerShot_SX280_HS_Red_35646467_08.jpg
3 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

A good choice for shooting day games from the stands, the SX280 HS' 20x zoom lens can get you wide shots of the field as well as pinpointing your favorite players. Bonus: Its built-in Wi-Fi can be used to instantly send shots to your smartphone for sharing.
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4 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nikon D3200

A relatively cheap, entry-level dSLR kit that will carry you through a few years of school and which can be made better by springing for better lenses as your income -- or gift quota -- increases.
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5 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony Alpha NEX-F3

An inexpensive entry into a nice mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera system, the F3 is old but still available. If you want something a little newer, we haven't yet tested its replacement, the NEX-3N, but it's probably on par with the F3.

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