Bill_de Loc: US

Except for weight, you can't really buy too much camera. I have always felt an entry level camera is for someone trying to decide if they are really interested in photography. If that is already decided, go for a more advanced camera.

My reasoning is that even the most advanced cameras usually have a program mode and some auto modes. It is easier to grow into more advanced features, when ready, if you already have them in your hand. To me it makes more sense then stepping up by getting a new camera each time.

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Betcha can't buy just one...

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

You're right...should have been poisons.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

What will her current camera not do that a new camera would?

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I have never ever been to another forum of any kind where members only read the initial post. Is that a side effect of old age?

Al Freeedman

I would strongly suggest an Olympus EM10. A great camera that will fit into her hands. Has most of the bells & whistles
that she would want. If there is a camera dealer around that you can visit, take her for a look. You can also buy Olympus
directly from Olympus, and most of the time they have sales. Good Luck!

Captain Al

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

On second thought, you aren't worth a response. Go away. Jackasses like you post only to start fights. If you want me, come after me at PM!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's my problem.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I agree. I was surprised to learn that many pro cameras do not have an Auto mode, but P works about as well.

Bill_de Loc: US

I always figured Program Mode to be full auto.

In addition the pro cameras today (most anyway) have auto ISO, auto Aperture, auto Shutter Speed. And lets not forget auto White Balance.

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G R Tallman

80% of the cameras out there can take better images than at least 80% of the folks using them. Go to a camera shop that carries full lines of both Canon and Nikon, have her pick up and fidddle with several of both brands (checking ergonomics for her hands and eyes), and, if possible, borrow/test a stuff in the field. Expect to pay well over $1,000. Don't over look mirrorless choices. Buy more camera rather than less camera, if that's a choice. Mainly (unless the depth of your prockets are without limit) buy the best Canon or Nikon you can afford.

williejoha

Being the happy owner of multiple series 5 Canon cameras, here is my HO. If she has the desire to do more then just point and shoot, the desire to look for the special shot, the desire to spent a lot of time experimenting in PP and the desire to spent a lot of time learning, then make her happy and buy it. As mentioned above do, the next thing is decent glass for your new purchase. Sit down and add it all up and see if all of this fits the budget. Strictly my ho.
WJH

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You have received some excellent advice. I agree with a lot of it. And I experienced the kind of learning curve that will be involved when going to a DSLR. It takes time and dedication to learn to take full advantage of what such a camera can do. That said, since your wife is already taking great shots, she can certainly benefit from a better camera. While a good photographer can take good pictures with almost any camera, entry-level cameras do not offer the same capabilities as the higher-end cameras. As it is with any tool, eventually the craftsperson will discover that it is not adequate to accomplish the job at hand in the way it ought to be done for highest quality.

Buy the best you can afford, keep in mind that with zoom lenses the shorter the focal length range the better sharpness throughout that range. Also, the larger the maximum available aperture [lower f/stop number], the more light-gathering capability of the lens.

Decide whether to go with Nikon or Canon - both are excellent, but different models of each can be seen as "better" than the equivalent models of the other.

Do some research, read specifications to decide what features are more important, and which ones are not important. Camera manuals are available on the Camera Companies' websites. Look at reviews.

Go to a camera store and handle the camera candidates to see which ones feel "right" in hand. Also, look at the controls and their positions, decide if they will be comfortable to access. Being used to a Nikon may sway your wife in the direction of Nikon, but she might feel more comfortable holding the Canon! A lot depends on hand size, and whether the camera weight with a lens attached feels "balanced".

If she still has trouble deciding, rent the candidates and try them out for a week. But she should read the manuals first to get a head-start.

Hope this helps.

Al Freeedman

Do not overlook Olympus. They make fantastic cameras and their lenses are first class.

Captain AL

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The Nikon P500 appears to be a "bridge" camera.... a model that handles and looks a little like a DSLR, but has a non-interchangeable zoom lens. I haven't used it, so can't make direct comparisons.

Only you and she can say what's a "good move up" for her.

The 21MP Canon 5D Mark III is a fine camera, now discontinued and superseded by the 30MP Mk IV, but still avail. new for about $2300 (Mk IV costs $3300). But it's full frame DSLR and that will require buying bigger, heavier, more expensive full-frame-capable lenses too. To purchase a set of lenses with roughly the same 22.5mm to 820mm (equivalent) range of the P500's built-in 36X zoom... better set aside around $30,000 to $40,000 for: 24-70mm f/4 IS USM ($1000), 100mm f/2.8 macro ($900 w/tripod ring), 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II ($1900), 200-400mm f/4L IS USM w/ built in 1.4X ($11,000) and 800mm f/5.6L IS USM (13,000). You'll also want to hire a Sherpa to help carry them all. And you'll need a heavy duty tripod to support some of these lenses, so figure another $1500 to $2000 for that.

Frankly, a Canon 24MP 80D that's currently selling for $1100 would be a really big step up for her in many respects, too... and a lot more manageable in price, with a wider choice of smaller, lighter lenses (it can use both full frame type AND crop-only lenses). A high quality lens kit for an APS-C camera such as this, roughly equivalent to the range of the P500 might include: EF-S 15-85mm IS USM ($800), EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro ($400), EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM ($1250), and Tamron 150-600mm G2 VC USD ($1400). Those would be a lot more manageable to carry around!

Of course there are other lens choices (Canon themselves makes nearly 90 that fit 80D, around 65 of which also work on 5DIII)... Above is just to give comparisons. A very capable "bargain" kit could easily be put together. At under $300, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm IS STM is the smallest, lightest and least expensive ultrawide made by anyone... only one of two with stabilization and with surprisingly competitive image quality, better than most. The very good EF-S 18-135mm IS USM is often bundled in kit with the 80D, for $300 more than the camera body alone (that lens normally sells for $600 separately). For around $300, the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM offers very good image quality in a compact, portable lens... or for $600 upgrade to the EF 70-300mm IS USM II, with higher performance autofocus, a little more reach and some other incremental upgrades.

Sure, 5DIII is a great camera. HOWEVER... Unless your wife makes really big prints... say larger than 16x20" or 18x24"... she won't see much difference in the end results between the images made with a full frame 5DIII or crop sensor 80D. Most people don't really need and get no actual benefit from full frame cameras. They've just bought into all the hype about full frame and the only time they'll actually see a difference is while they're post-processing their images on their computer and viewing them "at 100%" (equivalent to a 40" x 60" print being viewed from 18 to 20" away!). Most people will never actually come close to printing those sizes and online display requires even less resolution than printing does! By the time users have finished post-processing and re-sized their images for final use, the differences between full frame and crop sensor DSLRs largely disappear for most "real world" uses.

The Nikon P500 uses a "1/2.3 inch" sensor that measures about 4.5 x 6 millimeters. The Canon 80D uses an approx. 15 x 22 millimeter "APS-C" size sensor. The 24MP 80D's sensor is twice the resolution and more than 10X larger than the P500's 12MP sensor! This will make quite a difference in image quality and greatly increase the capability of the camera to be used in low light (high ISO) situations. Yes, the 5DIII has an even larger 24 x 36mm sensor, about 2.5X bigger than the 80D's or more than 20X larger than the P500's. But the 80D uses the latest, current generation sensor... while the 5DIII's is one or two generations older design. So, the 8)D is actually closer to the performance of 5DIII, than the difference in sensor size might suggest.

80D also has some other advantages over 5DIII. It has WiFi, an articulated LCD "touch" screen and a built-in flash... none of which the the 5DIII has. 80D also has Flicker Free feature which greatly improves exposure accuracy under fluorescent and similar types of lighting, which 5DIII lacks. 80D has some built-in support and automation for step-up buyers, new to using DSLRs. 5D-series (and similar design, crop-sensor 7D-series) assume a more experienced user and have much less automation and support for folks new to this type of camera).

If money is a concern, the slightly lower specification 77D or Rebel T7i both have basically the same autofocus system and image sensor as the 80D. It's more some differences in other features and controls that set them apart.

Yes, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony and others offer some interesting options too. I'm a Canon user for the past fifteen years or so, and that's the system I know best. So it's what I've used as examples, though if I were shopping today I'd most likely still buy the Canon system for it's relative value, overall quality and wide selection. But there are good, capable lenses and cameras made by other folks, too. Whatever you and your wife decide, quality lenses will actually make more difference in her images, than the camera they're used upon. Many people under-spend on lenses and over-spend on the camera. They actually should do the opposite.

I suggest checking out these other Canon models before deciding... as well as any other brands she might consider. Any of the above and many other manufacturers' cameras and lenses would make for a nice upgrade from a bridge camera.

Once she decides, if she doesn't already have it, buy her a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" and one of the guide books specifically for whatever camera she chooses. Those will be a huge help!