Which camera should you use to cover a school event ?
School life is punctuated by a multitude of events. End-of-year shows, field trips, sports competitions, class exhibitions... Every moment deserves to be captured, to keep a record, share with families or contribute to a collective project. But you still need the right equipment.
Between the limited zoom of smartphones, their often unreliable battery life and the distractions they generate, dedicated cameras are back in the spotlight. They offer better image quality, reassuring stability and a design that makes them easy to handle, even in the heat of the moment.
Whether you're a teacher, a parent or a member of a school association, choosing the right camera can transform your blurry memories into vivid snapshots that capture the energy of the moment. From high-performance bridge cameras to disposable models that are accessible to students, the Kodak range offers several options tailored to the constraints of the field and the expectations of each user.
Why cover a school event with a real camera?
When a school event is being planned, it's tempting to pull out your phone to capture the moment. However, opting for a dedicated camera really changes the experience. It improves quality and convenience and does justice to the efforts of both students and teaching staff.
The importance of keeping a record of school life
A school event is much more than just an item on the calendar. It's a time for sharing, expression and pride for both students and teaching staff. A choir performance, a field trip, an awards ceremony... These highlights tell the story of a year, illustrate a project and showcase everyone's efforts.
Capturing these moments with the right camera allows you to preserve them faithfully. The colours are more accurate, the faces are clear and the details are visible. The photos can then be printed, shared with families or displayed in the school. They become a memory aid, an extension of the experience.
When a smartphone is no longer enough
Smartphones are often close at hand, but they are not always the best tool for covering an event. The battery runs out quickly, especially after a day's work. Notifications can interrupt a shot. And when you need to zoom in or stabilise an image, the limitations quickly become apparent.
A dedicated camera allows you to focus solely on the moment you want to capture. It offers a more powerful zoom, a better grip and real responsiveness when you press the shutter button. For a teacher in the middle of a school fair or a parent at a school play, this is a valuable advantage. Fewer constraints, higher quality and, above all, clear, well-framed memories that are ready to be shared.
Kodak PixPro AZ528 and AZ401: two perfect bridge cameras for indoor activities
When photographing a school show, an awards ceremony or an indoor sporting event, it's best to have a responsive and versatile camera you can rely on. The Kodak PixPro AZ528 and AZ401 bridge cameras offer range, stability and ease of use. Ideal for capturing the highlights, even when moving or in less favourable lighting conditions.
A powerful zoom for shows or ceremonies
In a gym, classroom or auditorium, it's not always possible to get close to the stage. The Kodak PixPro AZ528, with its 52x optical zoom (equivalent to 1248 mm), lets you capture expressions, gestures and details without getting up. The Kodak PixPro AZ401, with a 40x optical zoom, also offers a good range, enough to cover an entire school performance or capture a highlight during an award ceremony. Both cameras eliminate the need to move around in the aisles, while ensuring sharp, well-framed images.
Stability and clarity even when moving
In the heat of the moment, you don't always have the time or space to set up your camera. This is where the built-in optical stabiliser comes into its own. It compensates for small hand movements and allows you to take sharp pictures even without a tripod. Whether you're capturing a theatre scene, a student dance routine or a moment of improvisation, the results are clean and smooth. This is a real bonus for users who shoot on the fly.
And to take your photography even further, you may find our article on how to frame your photos useful. A few simple tips are often all it takes to make a big difference, especially when you want to preserve beautiful memories of a school event.
Scene modes designed for education
Taking photos indoors isn't always easy, especially when the light is low or students are moving around. Kodak bridge cameras make it easy with pre-set scene modes. Portrait mode to highlight a student, group mode to frame an entire class, or low-light mode for a room without flash... The camera automatically adjusts the settings. Even without technical experience, you can take well-balanced, bright photos. A real asset for teachers or volunteers who want to document the school year without complicating their lives.
Disposable and compact: essentials for school trips
When it comes to accompanying a school trip, simplicity often makes all the difference. Disposable and compact cameras offer an accessible, intuitive and secure solution for capturing memorable moments. Whether for students, teachers or accompanying parents, they allow you to preserve real memories without constraints or complex technology.
The FunSaver for a trip to the countryside or a museum
Easy to use, the Kodak FunSaver, priced at £19.17, is perfect for school trips. Its disposable format avoids distractions: no screen, no editing, just the moment to capture. Students can concentrate on observing, framing a work of art in a museum or a detail of nature. It's also a great introduction to photography for younger children, with no pressure or risk of breakage. It's designed for group use and is both educational and fun.
A teacher or accompanying parent can also use it to capture simple, authentic memories. These images can be displayed in the classroom or slipped into a family album to prolong the shared moments of the outing.
The Ultra Sport for school trips or summer holidays
Designed for outdoor use, the Kodak Ultra Sport, priced at £22.51, is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. Waterproof up to 15 metres, it is ideal for sports activities or school trips. Whether for a walk in the rain, a session at the pool or a canoe trip, it accompanies students everywhere without any worries. Children can slip it into a backpack and use it independently. It's a great option for documenting adventures without fear of splashes.
A fun, educational approach full of memories
Giving a disposable camera to children or teenagers is above all a fun experience. They quickly get into the spirit of things, capturing the highlights of the outing, their friends, and details that make them smile. It's simple, instinctive and rewarding. Far from filters and screens, photography becomes an activity in its own right, accessible and creative.
For teachers, it's an excellent way to bond with their students. The developed photos can be used to extend the outing in the classroom. You can comment on the images together and revisit the places you visited. You can also build a small educational project around the photos: a travel journal, a mural or a wall exhibition. Photography becomes a living medium, rooted in experience.
As for accompanying parents, slipping a disposable camera into their bag allows them to keep a few personal memories of the day. Once the photos are developed, they can be placed in an album or on the fridge, far from the forgotten galleries on their phones. It's a simple and heart-warming way to keep alive the memories of this shared moment with their children.
Choosing the right camera for the type of school event
Every school event deserves special attention, including when it comes to choosing your camera equipment. Depending on whether it's a large gathering, a nature outing or an educational project, certain cameras will be better suited to the constraints of the moment. Here are a few tips for choosing the right model for the context.
For large gatherings: shows, school parties, fairs
When you need to take photos from a distance without disrupting an event, the Kodak PixPro AZ528 is an excellent choice. Its 52x optical zoom lets you capture expressions on stage or specific details from the back of a room. It also records in Full HD, which is handy for filming a choir or a student speech. Priced at £233.49, it is designed for those who want professional image quality with intuitive handling.
For those on a tighter budget, the Kodak PixPro AZ401 is still a very good alternative. Its 40x zoom covers most needs, with good stability and suitable automatic modes. At £166.78, it allows you to photograph a school event with confidence, even without technical experience.
For outdoor activities
When a school trip involves water, dirt or rough terrain, it's best to choose a camera that's built to withstand the elements. The Kodak Ultra Sport is disposable and waterproof, so children can take it on all their adventures without fear of breaking it. It's simple, sturdy and captures spontaneous moments at the pool, in the forest or by the lake.
For group use or school photography projects
Handing out a disposable camera such as the FunSaver to each group of students can turn a simple outing into an educational project. Each student becomes an observer, learning how to frame a shot and take the picture at the right moment. The approach is fun, but it also promotes concentration and cooperation.
Once the film has been developed, the images come to life in the classroom. They can be used to illustrate a logbook, create an exhibition or prepare an oral presentation. This lightweight format, priced at £19.17, allows all students to participate actively without fear of breaking an expensive camera. It's a real educational tool at a low price.
Photography as a record of school life
Photographing a school event is much more than just taking a picture. It's keeping a record, telling a story, creating a memory. Whether you're using a high-performance bridge camera like the Kodak PixPro AZ528, a disposable camera for children or a sturdy compact camera, there's a tool for every need.
The important thing is to choose a camera that's right for the event, the audience and the context. A show is not covered in the same way as a nature outing, and a group photo project does not require the same tools as an official ceremony.
With an accessible range designed for all uses, Kodak supports teachers, parents and students in these precious moments. Because every shot counts, especially when it captures school life, childhood and discovery.