latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I want to thank all for their opinions. What is great is that you reinforce just how good cameras are with today's digital cameras, whether they be Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, Canon, etc. Though some have preferences, almost all folks concede that these cameras will take good pictures.

I am going to let her play with my OMD EM10, and my Nikon D7100 to see which she feels is the most comfortable. We do have a good local camera store. We will see what she prefers of their stock including Sony etc. I doubt the the camera store has a wide selection of refurbished or used modern digital cameras.
The Nikons do have a plus value because of my telephoto, wide angle, macro lenses, along with multiple flash units.
In a selfish way, I am looking forward to her teaching me about seeing things. Her ability to see things from widely different perspectives will help poor ole grandpa in his photography.
Thanks to those on this great forum.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I will take the opposite approach for recommendations on this one. Suggest looking at a MILC such as the Sony a6000. With a 50/1.8 or a 35/1.8 lens, she can do everything an SLR can do with some of the latest technology available for photo imaging in a very compact package at a very affordable price.
I think with the skills you mentioned, the most important attribute would be something she could carry easily and have fun with. Just my opinion.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Having taught photography with film cameras in the 70's in high school, I assume that the class will have cameras. The problem is that few classrooms have modern digital SLR's for every student to have a camera with them all through the semester.

George Kravis

The Rebel series can't be beat for simplicity, performance and price. I've got two T2i's with kit lenses and they've served me well, including making very good 11x17 enlargements.

Jacotte Loc: Cape Town, South Africa

My 15 year old daughter has just been given a Nikon d5500 by her uncle. She loves it and has commented that it is easy and light to handle. a big plus for her, and I guess all teenagers will feel the same, is that it has wifi!

I also think you should stick to Nikon as you can share equipment.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I believe you can buy D7000 now for about $600, without the lens.
Duane

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Consider a D3300. Cost's about $600 with kit lenses, very light weight and very good quality.

Kuzano

Olympus web site recently had the E-M10 refurbished for $359 for the body, and recently also had the one lens kit on sale for $499, or the body only new for $399.

It's well within your budget new, and especially so refurb or used.

Has the biggest inventory in native AF of any mirrorless system.

I sold my E-M5 used for enough to buy the E-M10... Why. The E-M10 has the next generation image processor, same as in the E-M1.

If she likes how it feels (I thought it was a tad small, so bought a grip, which in fact makes the camera identical in size to the OM1' and 2's I shot since the seventies) Then it's an excellent option and in budget.

Other point I will make is that I have been outshooting APSc sensors with the 4/3 and micro 4/3 processors for some time now. The only advantage of the APSc sensors over 4/3 is most often low light shooting. I don't do that.

DannyJS Loc: St. Helena Island

Hi, you say you'd rather not shell out for a D7100 for your granddaughter. Have you looked at sites like adorama.com or B & H Photo Video??? They do refurbished Nikon & Canon DSLR's - and lenses; - go check their prices. If you still cant stretch to a refurbished D7100 I would suggest you look at the Nikon D5200; more resolution and focussing points than the D5100 - and a bit smaller & lighter than the D7100. Hope this helps.

alycat Loc: Canton OH

Get her a $500 Sony A DSLR with kit lens. There are hundreds of Minolta lenses available used when she needs them

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

I like the idea of a used Sony. I have the a-200 and a-550,+ a few kit lenses. i'd start her off with the a-200, if her interest and skills warrented it , i'd move her up to the a-550. after that it would be up to her or her parents.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL UHH MEMBERS WHO HELPED ME. I met with my granddaughter today. She tried out different cameras. I gave her the pros and cons of the Olympus OM D E-M10 and the Nikon D3300. I had her handle and take pictures with both cameras. I had mixed feelings about both cameras but I did not tell her my thoughts on which would be most appropriate for her. In spite of the small size of the OM D E-M10, she chose the Nikon D3300. What really surprised me was that she preferred the black camera vs the cherry red camera. I thought a freshman female who is also a cheerleader would want the bling of the red. Nope, she was insistent she wanted the black model.

I was set on the OM D E-M10 but after reading comments from you, I decided that the D3300 had a lot going for it. Another surprise was she asked if she could have a tripod. WOW, a tripod rather than a larger zoom lens. [There is hope for this young lady]. I told her I had tripods. (I have a Vanguard and an old Leitz Titall besides my Feisol 37 mm top tube tripod.) I believe that my Tiltall will be the most steady. It has a top tube of about 32 mm. The Vanguard is only 26 or 27mm. I also have some extra flash accessories, extension tubes, etc. with my D7100 (2 of them) that will work with the D3300.

She is actually my step-granddaughter. Her mother is divorced from her father who is mentally unstable. Her blood grandparents on her mother's and father's side are not interested in supporting her. She has a younger brother. Her mother is a social worker and we essentially are supporting her and her brother. (We are not well to do by any means.) I feel blessed and most privileged to be able to be involved in her life. If you don't mind I will post some updates and perhaps some pictures as she progresses through this wonderful avocation. Thanks again! What a great forum!

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Nikon, Sony, and Canon all have dSLR kits for $499 to $599. They all have 18 to 24MP, can be auto or part auto or full manual. So you have lots of choices. Since you're a Nikonite, show her the D3300 and D5300. They're both reasonably priced and have exceptional IQ. I saw a review online the other day that said the Sony Alpha 58 at $499 has the best IQ in the beginner class of dSLRs and Sony lenses tend to be cheaper than other brands but still quite good. In other words, there's no reason to go used.

Best Buy has really stepped up their game on cameras now. Some stores have separate kiosks for each major brand and trained specialists who only are trained on one brand and are quite knowledgeable. If you don't buy there, and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to since it's local and the product is in your hand ASAP, you can at least go there to browse and let her see how they fit her. They also carry all the mirror-less models with interchangeable lenses but those tend to be higher in price because they're in demand while the demand for full-size dSLRs is waning. Costco is also carrying a lot of Nikon and Canon and their special deal kits many times have two lenses for about the same price as other stores with one lens kits.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

Congratulations! Between you, you appear to have made an excellent choice. The camera has all the requisite bells and whistles, but most importantly, they can be turned off to provide an all manual picture taking machine! And it will accept older Nikon lenses, allowing her to expand her arsenal at an affordable cost. And she is in a system that can grow with her photographic skills and appetites.

I was able to mentor a granddaughter interested in photography and she was able to go on and utilize her skills in gainful employment. She has since gone on, gotten more education, and is a teacher of English. But it is good to know that she is a capable photographer who still enjoys our craft. (I'm looking forward to seeing pictures she took in South America last month.)

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

My hope is that she will find satisfaction and enjoyment in photography. My hope is that she will find gainful employment that allows her to pursue her picture taking to the fullest. That extremely likely would be a career NOT in photography.
I believe that photography is a very hard way to make a living. Most people think anyone with a modern camera can take professional pictures such as weddings, children, portraits, etc. Therefore they don't want to pay appropriately for professional work. Why anyone would subject themselves to trying to make a career of weddings is beyond me. God Bless them. (My father did wedding photography on the side in the 50's.) People don't understand they are paying for the photographer's skills and his time. By time of the costs of an assistant and time in post processing, if not hired out, the photographer's hourly wage becomes rather low. If any on this forum are professional photographers, hats off to you and my heart goes out to you.