Lady Tiger Loc: South Carolina

I want to start a new hobby taking pictures - mostly of my grandchildren and family.
Best Buy has three cameras on sale:
1) Canon EOS Rebel TS 2 Lens Kit
Includes camera with 18-55mm lens, 75-300mm lens with the camera plus camera bag PRICE $749.99
2) Nikon D5500 with 18-55mm VR11 lens
24-2MP; 5.0 fps; built in Wi-Fi. PRICE 849.99
3) Mirrorless Sony e6000 2 Lens kit
24.3MP; 11 fps; Built in Wi-Fi. Includes camera with 16-50 mm lens and 55-210 mm lens

I really can't afford anything that costs more than $1000 and I know absolutely nothing about buying a camera.

I would really appreciate your advice!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The T5 and A6000 cameras are entry level units while the D5500 is a step up. Nikons entry level is the D3300, take a look at it as well.
You may also want to consider refurbished kits for their cost savings.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Well I'm a Canon person so I'd suggest Canon, however I'd check B&H or another good camera retailer. Also if possible you should get to hold the camera in your hands before you decide, the feel is important. For that much of a budget your should be able to get a Rebel T6i, every character in the name is important to determining which model your getting, the 'i' is usually on the better model ex T4 and T4i, the 'i' model was a good step better. compare carefully, I happen to have a T1i and T4i , if I could justify another I'd get a Canon again. After you decide on a model you might want to check Canon USA for refurbs if your budget is tighter than you mention, Bob.

PS I'm attaching the B&HY link for T6i, Bob.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+eos+rebel+t6i+%28750d%29&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

There are a lot of cameras within your budget. If you want to photograph grandchildren, make sure that your camera will shoot video clips. For your purpose I would not go for a "big guns" camera. I would start with something like Panasonic ZS 40, witch has a ton of features. If you will grow into National Geographic photographer, then you can look for some serious DSLR.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I'd suggest the Nikon, though partly because it is the only one of those models I know much about having handled one myself in a Best Buy store. The sales lady owned one herself and said she actually preferred it to a D7200 (not sure I'd agree there). There are other higher Canon models that even Best Buy should have. Take a look at any Canon models with numbers like xD or xxD. The Sony is new upcoming technology. I'd hold out for an e9000 or something more high end in a Mirrorless. If you can come up to $1,400 you would have many more choices.

And then, not sold currently at Best Buy is Pentax. If you are a member of Costco, they have a couple nice Nikon and Canon models on sale that would fit your needs as well. And yes, check B&H and Adorama as well as Best Buy.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I would point out that better low light performance is important with grand kids, also " lock time" a DSLR give you both better low light and faster lock and shoot times, actually those points were what pushed me from my Canon G 7 to the T1i when first grandson was born, before I left the hospital the first day we saw him I knew what I needed. before then the G7 was sufficient. You might also want to check the Canon SL1 smaller DSLR, about equivalent of a T5i if I remember right, Bob.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Lady Tiger, there are many good choices out there in your price range, good luck.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The 5500 is probably the best DSLR on your list.
The a6000 is a great mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.

Hard to go wrong with either one.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

save money in the future by starting out with the Nikon d7100 or d7200, with the d7200 being the better option. you can find great deals in used or refurbished at B&H photo, Adorama, or many other online retailers. there is nothing wrong with used, as reputable dealers will offer an extended warranty on their used cameras.

GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA

Steve M is correct...........If you are just starting off with grandkids and family there is no need for a DSLR.......learn with something like the Panasonic ZS 40 for a year and then decide what you need.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

If you decide to go down the Canon route, then I would also support Bob's advice, and recommend the T6i and if you can stretch to it, the T6i with the 18 - 135 lens. It is also available at best buy for the same price: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t6i-dslr-camera-with-ef-s-18-135mm-is-stm-lens-black/3514068.p?id=1219583842220&skuId=3514068 if you wish to buy from best buy.

As others have said, the Canon Rebel T5 is a basic camera with limited growth potential, the 75 - 300mm lens is not a great lens by any measure, and doesn't have image stabilization. In addition the T5 is older technology and is about to be replaced. The T6i is relatively new, and is a significant improvement over the T5i and earlier models in the Rebel line. The EF-S 18 - 135 IS STM lens is also pretty new, has good optics and is a very versatile lens.

You will also get lots of good advice from the Nikon community, which are also excellent cameras.

In addition other brands such as Sony are extremely good, and you may wish to consider some of the mirrorless systems if you want something smaller and lighter. It is quite a complex area with a lot of good products available.

Perhaps the most important thing is how you like the feel of the camera in your hands, the weight, and ease of use. Interchangeable lens cameras have more potential, but it may be something that you never need so it is at least worth thinking about some of those other options.

Good luck.

Starzee947

Why start out with a DSLR? There are some pretty impressive bridge cameraa out there. I toted my DSLR and several lenses around for years and decided to try a Canon SX 50. I was sold. Tons of options a great zoom all in my hand. It was easy to take everywhere. I now run a Sony RX 10. A Canon SX 60 is presently around $500 and has a 65x zoom.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

This is another good option to pursue. The main limitation with the bridge cameras versus DSLRs / mirrorless is the smaller sensor size, but that may not matter at all in this situation. These cameras can produce excellent results and unless you want to photograph in very low light and produce very large prints a bridge camera is well worthy of consideration.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Welcome to the UHH.
You are about to be on the receiving end of the armies of true believers in whatever camera they favor.

You might consider a "bridge camera", they are fixed lens (not changing) zooms (multiple focal lengths) that have a lot of advanced features in a smaller package.
For beginners they are great. My wife uses a Canon SX50 and so do many here on the hog. It is now only available as used and sometimes refurbished from the Canon store. The replacement SX60 is also good, but strangely most who tried both prefer the SX50. The Nikon P900 is also very good.
But of the current crop for features, picture quality etc I would look at the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 . It uses a larger sensor than most so better image quality. It zooms out to equal a 400 mm lens (others go much longer, but usually need much more light to get good pictures)

What ever you get. Also get a couple of good books on photography and study. If you know what you are doing you can get great results from almost any camera.

Lots of luck and enjoy the ride.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Lady,

I would explore more budget-friendly options, including refurbished. Check the Canon and Nikon sites. They often have sales on entry-level equipment. Consider Sony also.