Camera for a nine-year old (Page 2): Give him the pro camera. Something like the Nikon D2x someone on the UHH wanted to sell for like $125 or so. Or something like a Canon EOS-5D...

BebuLamar

Give him the pro camera. Something like the Nikon D2x someone on the UHH wanted to sell for like $125 or so. Or something like a Canon EOS-5D MKiii. It's good enough for CHG_CANON, it should be good enough for the 9 year old. Many people have produced wonderfull images with that kind of camera it sure doesn't short change him. Yet if he dislike it then you know he isn't into photography.

hj Loc: Florida

hj wrote:

Check out the Canon Powershot Elph series. Small, pocketable and great image quality along with 10Z zoom and image stabilization. The Elph 330 hs is one of the best.

Meant to say it has 10 X zoom (not 10Z). Liked mine so well I got a second as a backup but the canon cameras are so reliable I decided to sell one.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Timmers wrote:

Learn photography? Two guys who showed an interest... (show quote)

Ansel Adams certainly used a light meter. Spot readings were integral to his Zone System.

User ID

bsprague wrote:

"Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact."

Take another look. My TG-5 is very compact, pocket size. The current TG-6 has the same form factor.

My granddaughters are now in college. When they were that age, we took up videography with marvelous success.

The TG reminds me that one particular dedicated camera that many kids enjoy and apparently takes them beyond phone photography is an action cam, like Go Pro or its cheaper competitors. I guess every kid wants to be a hero.

It likely will not wind up in a drawer, and hopefully the kid wont wind up in the ER. You cant get kids away from screens, but an action cam lets them be screen stars. Screenwise, its active instead of passive.

radiojohn

If you don't want to burden him yet with the joys of f/stops and modes, fine a used PowerShot A1200 on eBay for about 30 bucks.

12 MP
OPTICAL FINDER + screen.
Full auto + live view where you can adjust and see changes in color/contrast/exposure.
Small
Runs on 2 AA batteries.
Movies with sound, but not 4K!

There is also a harder to find A1600 with same specs, but 16 MP.

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

My 16 year old grandson is now looking at colleges to study Photo Journalism. I started him at about 9 years old with a simple Fuji camera. Having a view finder that he could look through seemed to be the most important aspect. We initially concentrated on composition and subject and gradually introduced the technology of photography (exposure, DOF, etc). Today he is the official year book and sports photog at school. Oh by the way, a second order benefit for you is that whenever you want to upgrade your equipment you can justify it by passing down.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

I guess it depends on the child. Some are more mature for their age and would be better served with a low end DSLR/mirrorless or an old cheap model instead of a point and shoot. With some guidance, it may maximise their creativity.

I had the same situation almost 8 years ago. I decided to give my daughter who was 9 at the time a D3300. It was the right decision for her.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-661704-1.html

daldds Loc: NYC

Several years ago, my then 11 year old granddaughter received a decent Nikon as a surprise (unrequested) Christmas gift.
I was the designated instructor (no forewarning). I set up some simple lessons showing how the exposure triangle works. I was a total failure, because she had to use the camera to show the photographs and did not want to take the time to learn how apply those features or to transfer the images to her laptop. Her phone did all the work for her, which she showed on social media. Btw, she lacked artistic skills also.
I think it's time to face the fact that phones cameras, for most people in most conditions, are far more than adequate, unless they want to print or show.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Note that you can buy a used old-model smartphone very inexpensively. A little research will tell you which models have good cameras. You do not have to put a SIM card in the phone, so it can not be used as a telephone, only as a camera or connected to Wi-Fi.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I bought an A6000 with a 50 f1.8 for Ava when she was 7 (2 years ago). It's small enough for her and she's really pleased with the beautiful photos that she gets and we share lenses as I have the same camera. She uses it mostly in auto mode.She handles it like a pro. I bought her a tripod this past summer that she's become proficient with. Once in awhile we delve into aperture priority. An inexpensive highly regarded camera that Ava enjoys using. It's a win, win, win. How lucky am I to share my hobby with my best buddy?!

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

Take a look at the Fujifilm S2500HD or the GE x500. I have 6 of them that I use as loaners for Scouts earning the Photography Merit Badge. I didn't pay more than $40 for any of them including shipping. They are auto or manual, have an eye level finder and a respectable zoom range. Here's an example for $35 with shippingL
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185680168500?epid=100141153&hash=item2b3b668634:g:pUEAAOSw4UVgRxYd&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsJOU9Fk8%2F3hkzTXlEzgvUDJRIEDK2mhIG3UtM2%2FZN1xPydV3jLUMO1Ytasq3bqPfduV67wkr3KQ6MfFwFkREW9T7w%2B49quuIv1ZihoaQk8eQtvvwhmAo3x7dHytrdREkU1weV8dPtg3aT%2BSvEiEvK8Tv52aiTOdhNV4d2a0A5GB0VRyA4UTLK6rfCPgPuSumwHaglFhXyIWSK4hlyiDSFiDfRlo%2B0g%2Fvb3jJ2H2tPjlu%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9rN6qicYQ

leftj Loc: Texas

mwsilvers wrote:

Has your grandson ever expressed a wish for a dedicated camera? He would probably be more satisfied with his own iPhone. Don't assume, based on your own preferences, that his interest in photography means he wants to carry around anything larger. For many people, including kids, a phone camera is as much as they want or need. You probably don't want to spend your hard earned money on something that may end up in a drawer.

This is very good advice. If he is nine years old check with Mom and see if she is ok with getting him an iPhone. Most nine year olds these days have a cell phone.

leftj Loc: Texas

sabfish wrote:

Point taken. He is probably a little young for his own i-Phone.

Wrong, most 9 year olds have their own cell phone.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I have a TG 6 can't go wrong

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You've almost answered your own question. A 9-year-old needs a Z9. Why start him/her out with something inferior?

Seriously, and nice compact would be a perfect starter. If he/she is more enthusiastic, then a smaller DSLR would be good. eBay is loaded with all kinds.