dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

One of the best features of mirrorless is that the camera is focusing on the same sensor that captures the photo. I have needed to calibrate the focus on several of my Canon EF premium lenses. That isn't necessary on a mirrorless camera.

Jsykes

Canon RP and the 24/105 kit lens @~$1299 would be an excellent starting combination. Look at Ken Rockwell’s assessment of the camera. Why invest in older DSLR technology? Many of the RF lenses are progressively falling in price.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Words of wisdom!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Why not?
DSLRs work for me.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You should let your friend look at your camera and some other brands...

If she got a Canon camera you would probably be in better position to help her learn to use it and the two of you might share some things back and forth. On the other hand, maybe you don't want to share!

Just looking at some Canon... there are both DSLR and mirrorless options. There are also non-interchangeable lens options, which might interest her.

Non-interchangeable lens cameras (advanced point-n-shoots)...

- Canon Powershot G5X... 20MP, 1" sensor, viewfinder, f/1.8-2.8 lens = 24-100mm on full frame.

- Canon Powershot G7X Mark II... same as above, but no viewfinder.

- Canon Powershot G7X Mark III... newer version of above.

- Canon G1X Mark III... similar to G5X w/viewfinder, but larger 24MP APS-C size sensor, lens = 24-72mm on FF.

- Canon Powershot SX70 HS... tiny 20MP sensor, extreme range zoom lens = 21-1365mm on FF.

DSLR cameras within the $1500 budget...

- AVOID Canon Rebel T7 (no "i") and EF 75-300mm lens sold in kit with it. The camera lacks many important features and the lens sucks.

- AVOID Canon 1500D, 2000D that are the same as T7.

- Canon Rebel SL3... 24MP APS-C size sensor, smallest, lightest DSLR, more full featured than the above, usually with EF-S 18-55mm STM a decent kit lens. May be avail. with EF-S 55-250mm STM lens too.

- Canon Rebel T8i... 24MP APS-C size sensor, larger and even more full featured than SL3, offered with same kit lens(es). Considerably more advanced autofocus system than the above.

- Canon EOS 90D... 32.5MP APS-C size sensor, the current top-of-the-line DSLR short of full frame. More robust and better weather resistance than Revel series. Has a true pentaprism for a larger, brighter viewfinder than the Rebels, all of which use a penta-mirror to save cost and weight.

CANON WILL GRADUALLY PHASE OUT THEIR DSLR SYSTEM.

Mirrorless cameras within the $1500 budget...

- Canon EOS M50 Mark II... 24MP APS-C, usually sold with EF-M 15-45mm IS STM lens. Small number of other EF-M lenses available. All Canon EF & EF-S lenses can be adapted to use on the M-series cameras. EF-M lenses cannot be adapted for use on anything else.

- Canon EOS M6 Mark II... 32.5MP APS-C usually sold with EF-M 15-45mm IS STM lens. This camera doesn't have a built in viewfinder, but an accessory viewfinder is available separately.

While the above are nice cameras, it's a good bet that CANON WILL BE PHASING OUT M-SERIES AND EF-M LENSES.

Going forward Canon will be putting all their effort into growing their relatively new R-series cameras and RF lens system.

- Canon EOS R10... 24MP APS-C offered with either RF-S 18-45mm or RF-S 18-150mm lens. One of the newest mirrorless from Canon. Fantastic AF system!

- Canon EOS R7... is $1500 for just the body, without any lens, so probably over her budget. It adds some features the R10 lacks (such as in-body image stabilization).

- Canon EOS RP... 26MP full frame camera with 24-105mm f/4-7.1 lens, this is one of the earlier R-series cameras, still being offered.

It is also possible to adapt EF and EF-S lenses for use on the R-series cameras.

So there actually are quite a few possibilities, even just looking at Canon. I'm sure you can find similar from other manufacturers.

healeydriver Loc: Rockwood, TN

lots of choices. Taking her to a camera store might be a good idea. However, everyone has their biases including the camera store salesperson. My biases: Get involved in a camera line/system that offers high quality, low cost, light weight, excellent performance. In other words, consider an iPhone. If she wants the flexibility and power of a purpose built camera then consider Olympus Pen-F. If she wants truly high performance, then forget Canon, Nikon, etc. Go for a medium format camera. Personally, I used to be a Canon user, I find the Micro Four Thirds format is more than capable of doing everything that any dedicated purpose built photographic line can do. Moreover, the gear isn't anywhere near the price range of the FF camera lines, it is lightweight enough that it is a camera more likely to be with you when you find that "great image". If one truly buys into the idea that there is something "wrong" with anything smaller than a full frame sensor, then that person should be using a medium frame sensor. Full frame capable systems are simply too heavy/costly for most imaging when compared to equally capable smaller sensor devices. The iPhone can be a good learning tool for composition. MFT will be a good lightweight/high performance tool for all but the most extreme imagery demands, and for those cases one should bypass Full Frame and go directly to Medium Format sensors.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

I agree with Dennis 2146. How a camera fits/feels in your hands is important, especially for someone new. Have had several cameras in my lifetime and found the one(s) I used the most were the one(s) I enjoyed holding. My favorite is still a SLR film camera I bought many years ago. I just made the switch from DSLR to mirrorless. Take a look at the Canon EOS RP Grear entry level FF mirrorless camera that can be built upon in the future.

User ID

Perfectly adequate general purpose kit.
No reason to read the users genome to answer all the UHH parrot chatter about user preferences and needs.

With a two extra batteries, a filter, a card & reader, it still ends up within budget.

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The RP really interests me so Ive been watching. If it werent selling well it would be on clearance pricing. Users seem to be keeping them cuz theres not too many used ones and those are just minimally discounted. Good choice both $$wise and functionwise. It will do the job, and the resale is good if she quits.

Jsykes

The OP suggested she is just starting out and it seems to fall with the budget. Why buy yesterdays technology, when the new technology is clearly the future? Not knocking DSLRs but the future is the future, Since I began in this wonderful hobby 5 years ago I have progressed from T6i to T8i, and EFS to EF lenses. My wife and I now both have RPs combined with three RF lenses and some of the older EF lenses, we couldn’t be happier.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The Pen-F Micro 4/3 camera was discontinued quite a while ago.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

That's up you, eh?

I'm still using my T1i and H-1.
I've no need for the latest and greatest and newest and most popular, and....

I couldn't be happier either.
(Well, maybe I could, but it's not a must.)

Everybody's different...

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

Hello. Not sure if you have made a purchase yet. As suggested in the forum posts if you can get to a
camera shop or retail store best thing to do is get a camera or cameras in hand for feel etc.,
A friend of mine has & is selling a Canon EOS 50 with two kit lenses, battery, battery charger, manual and box.
It is in excellent condition and used only a couple of times. Purchased for his wife, used for their daughters wedding and put on the shelf.

They are currently away, returning tomorrow.

If you have an interest the asking price is 550$ to include the shipping within the USA. Let me know and when they get back I will get more information and some photos of the camera etc.

I personally have used the camera for about 10 photos and was very pleased with the results and trust these folks very much.

Jeff

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Take a look at the Canon Rp paired with the RF 24-240. Might be a tad over budget, but well worth consideration.

User ID

"Why NOT" is pretty clear. A brand new photographer is not dragged down and backwards by old hardware on hand, by old habits, and old obsolete beliefs.

What works for legacy users is of no consequence beyond legacy users.

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Temporary circumstance has me using a Canon 5DmkIII for a few weeks. Much as I heartily dislike the old dino, at least its not too much of a hindrance to me ... but OTOH I would NEVVVVUH recommend it to a new user as a general use camera.

gwilliams6

Exactly , since I left pro DSLRs after 40+ years of their use and moved to mirrorless in January 2017 no more lens calibrations, ever.