Edinburgh Napier University has teamed up with Sony to give their students hands-on access to the latest in digital camera technology.
The deal offers professional mentorship to students as well as access to real commercial projects.
Napier is listed in the Guardian University Guide 2025 as one of the UK’s top two film production and photography schools. The university has around 140 enrolled students on its three year programme and is expecting to recruit even more in the coming years. The school aims to prepare its students for the commercial world of work using the best in digital practices.
Students already use a selection of the Sony cameras and lenses available including the Sony Alpha A7 series and cameras from the Sony Cinema Line. The school teaches both video and stills photography and Sony claim their cameras are ideal fro the hybrid role. Students can take photos, shoot video all with a single camera model whether they are making documentaries or drama.
This collaboration will help students who have grown up with smartphone cameras to make the step to understanding what can be done with professional cameras. Sony Ambassadors visit the school to share their experience and knowledge which Emile Shemilt, Programme Leader for Photography, Edinburgh Napier University, said is uplifting to students: “Some students come to us with a feeling that the ubiquitous availability of smartphone images has diminished the status of photographers. However, with Sony’s cameras and lenses, the sheer quality and the level of detail mean that you can work with an image in ways you simply can’t with smartphones. The quality of the images from Sony’s cameras is a revelation to the students.”
Mark Preston, B2B Sector Manager, Sony UK said: “We are proud that Edinburgh Napier has chosen Sony to support their vision of empowering photography and film students to reach their creative potential with the latest digital camera technologies. Bridging the gap with industry in this way ensures that their students graduate with real-life experience of working with the tools that are setting industry standards right now. It is exciting to see many other leading film and photography schools across Europe follow Napier’s example, equipping the next generation of digital storytellers with the skills and technology to enter the industry ready to make their mark.”
