Recommendations for a starter camera for a teenager: Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still...

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

mikenolan wrote:

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

Look for a good bridge camera--it should fit her needs.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

mikenolan wrote:

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

Since she has made this a request, why not sit down with her and have a conversation about what she wants and why. I'd specifically ask what makes her want the NEZINI. It may be something real, or it could be based on some misconceptions.

I am most familiar with Nikon. Since she wants to manage exposure, I would suggest something from the D7xxx series. The lower models have crippled control interfaces that can make nanual shooting frustrating, if not difficult.

You may have to scour around for a good, serviceable lens. I was shopping for one at my local camera stores last week and found the selection very limited.

Burkley Loc: Park City

My kids enjoyed a DSLR with a zoom lens as teenagers. One continues to enjoy DSLR photography. The other is a GoPro fanatic. I would choose an entry camera with a mirrorless format from one of the big 3: Sony, Nikon or Canon. Choose one with a stock zoom. The lens will be slow, but that’s ok. That way she can start learning the technique of photography and the layout of a particular brand that she can grow into over decades. My 2 cents.

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

mikenolan wrote:

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

A Nikon 3000 series with and 18-55 kit lens is a very affordable excellent starter DSLR. They're all over the used market and you may be able to find some new ones from reputable sellers.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

mikenolan wrote:

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

A R50 with kit lens is excellent for starting.
Price is inexpensive yet has pro level AF.
Get something she can grow with as any accessory for this can carry over years later if desired to more sophisticated equipment.
DSLRs are dead ends and at her age a "Real" camera would be appreciated.
I have done this several times for youth and they all have appreciated receiving a real camera that they could grow with including one who has gone pro with a good start.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

mikenolan wrote:

Our 16 year old granddaughter has requested some kind of digital camera for Christmas, she wants one that is lightweight but still has ISO/aperture/shutter speed controls. It should accept filters but does not necessarily need to support interchangeable lenses, but a step up from iPhone or point-and-shoot cameras. (I think lightweight is a key consideration.)

One that she suggested is the NEZINI 4K digital camera, not a brand I am familiar with.

Any suggestions?

She would likely be disappointed with the Nezini, and perhaps give up on using a camera for photography. Assuming you wish to provide her with an actual functioning camera, and do not wish her to learn two hard lessons at an early age (that advertising can be deceptive, and that if something is too good to be true (like a camera for $110) it probably is not true), then get her a bridge camera from a reputable manufacturer.

Here is a link to PetaPixel's description of the camera she wants:
https://petapixel.com/2021/10/05/this-48mp-4k-camera-costs-110-and-is-not-for-pro-photographers/

If it's too long to read, check the portion further down the page when a reviewer is quoted as calling the Nezini “the world’s worst camera.”

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

It's on Amazon, $110, 48 megapixel. Looks to be all plastic with 4 LEDs for the built in flash.
Ony $65 if you buy two.

tramsey Loc: Texas

This camera has received all kinds of hype of social media as a the wonder camera that can do all. It has 45 megapixels! What more do you need. Many reviewers said it's the worst camera they have even had in their hands. I couldn't find one reviewer that said that it was worth the hundred bucks asking price. But social media says it's the greatest camera ever made. That's where she is getting all the lies about this camera. Go to KEH they have a Sony cyber shot RX10 for a little better than two hundred dollars an excellent camera.
KEH sells used equipment and stands behind it. All of my camera stuff has come from them and not a problem with any of it. They have a great return policy that I've never used. Just take a look

RKastner Loc: Davenport, FL

This camera is apparently the rage among young social media people and it's cheap. I'm sure that's where she's gotten the recommendation for it. Unfortunately, she's never going to grow as a photographer with it and buying lenses and other gear for it (if there is any) is going to be a challenge to be kind.

As suggested, talking to her will give you a better idea what she's looking to do with a camera.

If she's looking to do any actual photography or going to need other lenses....you're going to have to spring for something a little more expensive with a little more going for it. I use Canon, the R100 and the R50 have a good reputation for beginner vloggers. I'm sure Sony and Nikon have models that fit into this category too.

dwermske

My first question would be; is this something to be pursued as a career or is it just for a hobby to impress other teenagers? If it's to pursue a career and you're not afraid of the price $1,698.00; I would suggest the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV. It's an excellent first camera with great features. It takes great stills and video. I think this camera is for the "serious" beginner or someone wanting to break into the profession. If it's only to be used for video blogging; I would consider an entry level video camera in a similar quality and price range. This type and quality of camera is not toy and should not be considered as such. Professional vloggers will spend a few thousand dollars on their cameras and almost as much on their sound, lighting and mixing equipment. In any case, good high quality equipment will enable a talented beginner to obtain good results. Low quality equipment will tend to disappoint and discourage a serious beginner. Good luck with your decision.

Burkley Loc: Park City

If what she is after is vlogging, I would look at the Sony line up. I am a Nikon guy, but Sony has a great line of vlogging cameras at different price points, the ZV line from around $498 to $898. She will blow all of her friends output away with this setup.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

If there is a local camera store, take her there and see what type she may be interested in; bridge, DSLR, mirrorless, lens selection, APS-C, m43, full frame, etc.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

dwermske wrote:

My first question would be; is this something to b... (show quote)

I think if she wants to manage f/stops and shutter speeds, she is interested in actual photography.

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

She's 900 miles away, so a sitdown isn't likely until they come to visit in mid-December. I don't know how much she knows about camera technical matters. (I'm not sure how much *I* know about them, either.)

I'm guessing she found the NEZINI on social media, it's all the rage on tik-tok, but I've seen some suggestions that many of those recommendations are planted.

The biggest thing I see going for it is that it is light. I don't see that as a primary requirement, but I'm not a 16 year old girl.

I might suggest she spend some time while she's here playing with my DSLR (Canon T6i) and some lenses.