6 Best Online Camera Simulators for Beginner Photographers

Using the best online camera simulators, you can quickly experiment with camera settings and see real-time changes in the picture. Thus, you can improve your skills or learn the basics even without having a camera at hand.

With the help of a camera simulator, you can understand what ISO, Shutter, Aperture, Lighting, Focal length, and other parameters stand for. What's more, if you train on a regular basis, you will quickly adjust to changeable shooting conditions and will be prepared for any scenario be it a photo session in rainy weather, on a sunny day, etc.

Top 6 Online Camera Simulators

  1. CameraSim - A complete range of camera settings
  2. Canon Play - Realistic and instant synchronization of settings with a moving picture
  3. BetheCamera - 6 scenes with different lighting for training
  4. AndersenImages - Graphic tables for beginners
  5. DofSimulator - Training with different matrices
  6. Nikkor - Supports all Nikon lenses

Before you invest in the expensive lenses and best cameras for beginners and a matching lens, I highly recommend using an online camera simulator. With it, you can easily “imitate” shots with different lighting and figure out how to work with camera settings.

Some apps can even indicate what setting was chosen incorrectly and can show the best ISO, aperture, and other parameters for different scenes in graphs. By experimenting with camera settings in a simulator, you will learn how to take high-quality portrait or landscape photos. What's more, you'll also figure out how to use various lenses to create an eye-pleasing bokeh and other effects.

1. CameraSim - Our Choice

Mimics the work with a camera very realistically
  • A complete list of main adjustable parameters
  • Animated images
  • The tripod mode
  • Instant response and synchronization
  • No way to save photos

Can measure: Lighting, Distance, Focal Length, ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Tripod mode

Verdict: CameraSim is the only simulator with such a wide range of camera tools. You can adjust the focal length to an object, lighting parameters, focus, and actually everything that affects the frame. There is also a simulation of camera modes – P, Av, Tv, and manual. The first three modes will lock a device and automatically configure ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. In manual mode, you can adjust all these settings the way you want.

Another unique feature available in this camera simulator is the built-in tripod mode. Switching it on, you can avoid camera shake and take a clearer shot at low exposure. The only drawback of the application is the small cache size. After taking 15 images, you need to refresh the page so that the library is reset and you can continue working.

camerasim best online camera simulator interface

2. Canon Play

Image library for comparison
  • Picture in motion
  • Simulation of the library of your pictures
  • Priority mode
  • Short tips and guides
  • Few adjustable settings

Can measure: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO

Verdict: Canon Play offers a less extensive list of tools than the previous camera simulator. However, it provides users with handy graphic pictures, so when you change the aperture, shutter speed or ISO, you will immediately see how this affects the frame.

You can discern how a picture looks with the focus on the main subject, when the subject is in motion and blurred, and how noise appears in the frame. There are also several modes – manual, shutter priority, and aperture priority. Using these modes, you can fully express your creativity and simplify the process by locking the ISO.

Other unique features are the shutter button and a photo library with your images. If your photo came out too dark or light, the program will automatically determine which parameter was set incorrectly. Besides, you can find lots of valuable photography tips for beginners here. For example, you will learn how to prevent overexposure, what to do with shallow depth of field, how to eliminate noise caused by movement, and more. The “Learn” section contains detailed guides on how to fix different issues.

canon play best online camera simulator interface

3. BetheCamera

Pictures with different lighting
  • Detailed explanation of camera settings
  • Instant simulation of the final picture
  • All shooting modes
  • 6 scenes with different lighting
  • Poor camera choice

Can measure: Shutter Speed, ISO, Aperture

Verdict: BetheCamera is one of the best online camera simulators if you want to learn how to work in different lighting conditions. It mimics varied shooting situations, including bright sunlight, cloudy weather, a bright day, in the living room with a small garland in the background, and more. This will allow you to further understand how ISO, aperture and shutter speed are interdependent.

Also, in addition to the scene, you can choose camera models with different crop factors or even try to take a high-quality shot in a dark room with a smartphone camera. Users also like that there are explanations of different parameters and how to use them properly. For example, you can read about how to reduce noise in a selected frame or how to achieve a bokeh effect.

bethecamera best online camera simulator interface

4. AndersenImages

Understandable graphs for beginners
  • Priority modes with automatic parameter adjustment
  • Useful graphs
  • Instant slide synchronization
  • Incomplete package of camera settings
  • 1 picture for training

Can measure: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO

Verdict: This is a simple camera simulator with 3 shooting modes and basic camera settings. In it, you can adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. There are also useful graphs, so you can understand that the slower the shutter speed, the narrower the aperture should be, and vice versa.

However, this program lacks settings, tips for beginners, or features to change a picture. In fact, you get one image with dim lighting. This is the only frame for you to practice.

andersenimage best online camera simulator interface

5. DofSimulator

Full list of all cameras and models
  • Has a full list of Nikon cameras and lenses
  • Real-time changes
  • FX, DX, and CX format
  • You can change only focal length

Can measure: Depth of Field, Focus

Verdict: DOFSimulator will be the best choice if you want to understand how depth of field and focus work. There are different backgrounds and objects to choose from, so you can create various compositions. In addition, it is the only camera simulator that offers a list of all existing cameras, so you can select a specific camera sensor to see whether it complies with your expectations before actually purchasing such a model.

Also, you can choose any serial lens from almost any manufacturer. After that, you can play with focal length and aperture. The "Distance" tab contains sliders to change the distance between the subject and the camera in the range from 0.3 to 25 m.

dofsimulator best online camera simulator interface

6. Nikkor

Simulates any Nikon lens
  • Automatic backups
  • It is available for business and personal
  • Notifications if backups fail
  • Weak functionality

Can measure: Focal length

Verdict: Nikkor helps you understand how to work with different focal lengths depending on the camera and lens you own. Here you will find a complete list of cameras (FX, DX, CX formats) and lenses from Nikon (FX and DX formats), so you can definitely decide on the best camera for photography worth investing in. You can compare them to see what pairs guarantee the best result, what images you will get when zooming in, and how they focus at a great distance. However, this is all the Nikkor DLSR simulator offers. In fact, it can satisfy only those who are going to buy a specific Nikon camera and lens model, and want to test their capabilities before spending money.

nikkor best online camera simulator interface
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