ole sarg Loc: south florida

the one you like and can afford

Painter Ralph

Check out the Panasonic DMC-FZ70. The capabilities of this are really amazing, considering the price. For years I was a Nikon fan. It would cost many thousands of dollars to duplicate the DMC-FZ70 with Nikon. The Nikon would get much better images but unless you are planning on making things like 16x20 prints you will not see the difference.

L-Fox

n3eg.... That has to be the coolest avatar I've ever seen.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Obviously you will get advice from other people based on their own experience with certain cameras, That's a narrow field of advice. I would suggest going to your nearest well-regarded camera store and chat with the staff who know about all the big name cameras and their capabilities. They will ask you questions to determine your needs and your budget and give you suggestions on what is appropriate. In my experience, that works best.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

Get the most advanced one you can afford.

Example
I getting a used Fuji Finepix S8600 for my dons 6th birthday, ~$80 on eBay. It's a bridge-camera with auto as well as manual setting which will allow him to grow with it if his interest is there.

With my budget I mind I used www.cameradecision.com to compare cameras before I decided to buy me the Nikon D5300. ...and read reviews of the cameras you find interesting.

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

Entry Level DSLRS from both Canon and Nikon are very good. Other companies have good entry level DSLRS but I have never owned them. Most of the time they come with one or two lenses called Kit lenses. These lenses are quite good and will stay a part of your kit until you decide to sell them. I bought a Nikon D50 when they were first released years ago and I still have it and use it. Good luck with your photography.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Sign up for a local class at your local community college, high school or recreation department, talk to other photographers, and by all means, get hands on experience. Do not be blinded by salesmen, they may be on commission and not really interested in your true needs. Almost all camera companies make decent cameras, it is just a matter of how it feels and the features you need. I personally like Sony because of the Zeiss Lenses, but I also have used Canon, Panasonic (Leica), Sanyo, HP, Nikon, and others. I am a Photography teacher so I get to see them all. Evaluate if you want pocket size, interchangeable lenses, sealed from dust and weather, and most importantly.... what are you going to take pictures of. You have hundreds of choices from pocket compacts, mirrorless DSLR, Mirrored DSLT, Bridgcameras also known as prosoumer. If you don't want to lug 20-30LB of gear around look at bridgcameras or pocket compact cameras. There are many fine used cameras and you can also get Factory Refurbished cameras at very reasonable prices. Do your home work and then make the leap. Happy shooting.

marty wild Loc: England

Firsts thing first what do do want to take pictures of? Second it's not cheap to start up! Third what is your budget. My surgestion is do you know a buddy with a second body and go out a few times with him. That's what I did to my good friend. He's now purchased a top of the range X Box with 12 months live. Be awear to make good images you will need a post processing software and a reasonable computer. You can do loads in camera I know. But they will have to be touched up somewhere. This is genuine advice. I have thousands of pounds of gear. I love it!

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Why a DSLR? What do you plan to photograph? Go to the library and look at photography books and magazines. Do a Google search on "mirrorless vs dlsr". Check out the Camera feature on Wirecutter.com.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

As others have already stated, how do you plan on using this camera. Have you previous experience with digital photography. Did you own a film SLR in the past? Do currently have a digital point and shoot or a bridge camera and are you feel you're ready to go the next step. I owned two 35mm film SLR's and a host of lenses when my Honey surprised me with a Nikon D5100 kit.

Basically it's all about you, your experience, your expectations and of course you pocketbook.

If you have a decent local camera store I'd start there, if they're good they will not mind answering your questions and presenting you with options. Knowing if they treat you courteously and inform you honestly they'll have a current and future customer. Much luck and welcome to the Forum.

TJ

LEWISHINE

OK... here are my thoughts.... any camera is a box that records light on a medium... therefore, with a few exceptions, the camera is not relevant.
What is relevant is the artist behind the shot... many people like to dwell on equipment, and that's fine for them... but if you want to get to the point of making good photographs it is a matter of years and motivation to accomplish that. If you wanted to drive a formula one race car, you would have to practice and race for years before you got proficient... So, my suggestion is this, buy a refurbished entry level camera, such as the Nikon D3200 and learn to use it. Take it with you always and shoot it every day... don't listen to those who will not appreciate your work. It's all inside you... I have a 3200 and have made some amazing shots with it.... But don't get discouraged... I look at work I did two years ago and compare it to what I'm doing today and I can see the difference. I am evolving... I see the image in my head and then go out and create it... but that doesn't come in a month or a year... It's up to you as to where you want to go with it.... Take pictures, have fun, get better.... good luck to you...

Silverman Loc: Michigan

You might check out "Creative Live" on-line for very helpful Photography classes, many skill levels to chose, I personally chose, "The Photography Starter kit for beginners", 17 very well explained lessons. Many other classes to chose from for your Photography education.

jaduff Loc: Northern NJ

You can begin fairly inexpensively, which is nice. It seems to me that it's about learning the craft, not the gear. So a local class on photography might be a good starting place.

Even an iPhone can take wonderful pics (I've posted a couple elsewhere) and will enable you to learn something about composition. It will also give you a handle on what you enjoy shooting, which may guide you in your eventual camera choice.

As suggested, find a good camera shop close to you and go there. They will (or should) ask lots of questions which will help them and you to narrow down your interests and desires. Talk to multiple places if possible, and photographers are especially helpful. I'm fortunate to be near NYC so I just went into B&H where the people were really helpful in narrowing down great choices.

Every wedding I've attended I've talked to the photographer at some point for a couple of minutes asking what they're shooting and for a business card just to look at their galleries.

John

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

With over 65 years of photography experience I fully agree with Cdouthitt.