bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

the 3400 with a 55/300 lens. you can buy them in the $200 range on ebay.... I love your handle name

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

For kids soccer games - would suggest a look at the Panasonic FZ1000. Budget friendly, great video, and you can pull 4K stills off the video pretty easy. With a 25-400 lens that is attached to the camera - plenty of zoom for most field sports. Arguably less effective indoors due to smaller sensor, but a flash will correct that.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Sony A77II with the 70-300 G lens.....12 FPS......used from a reputable source if possible .....or refurb.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I don't know anything about your shooting style - I don't know whether even you completely understand your shooting style. Any entry-level system will involve compromises, but dealing with those compromises will help you to learn more about your style - which facets{magnification, AF, shutter speed, image quality, etc} are most important to you and which are less important.

dyximan

Many good responses here there are some pretty good deals on kits for the 3400 and 5600. I had the 5300 with the kit 18 to 55 and get 55 to 300. And find them to be a bit slow for bird action people might not be too bad. But I strongly suggest that they put each camera whatever the manufacture in their hand see what they like and rent them prior to purchase if possible. Because as someone once told me do you like ford Chevy or Chrysler most entry-level's from canon Nikon etc. are about the same, its all about how it feels your hand. how intuitive and ergonomically correct they are for the end-user.

IBM

There not that bad I seen them used for $300 to $400 for the vr 70-300mm , I got mine new four or five years ago for $500 something plus
Tax , Thom Hogan says it's a bargain at that price ,and it should cost at least $1200 because it's optics atrium just as good as nikons in that price range , but it is not made as robust as those, mine is still as good as the day I bought it , but I don't throw it around.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

lensenvy seems to have stepped away from the discussion. If she comes back, the questions should be to her friends: what do they aspire to accomplish photography wize? A quick run through the images in the sports section can help explain the purpose of the question. The D3400 kit will come with an 18-55 VR lens that will be great for general purpose photography, as in the entire team and close ups of individuals and at the sideline action. But, if you want to catch action at mid field or around the goal on a soccer field, you'll need a longer lens such as the 70-300. The 55-300 is a cheaper option, creates great images, but is too slow for autofocus for very quick action such as sports. These are entry level ideas for capturing sports, from static scenes through on-field action. If these are not their aspirations with the question in this post, then more limited equipment becomes a valid choice. Again the D3300 or D3400 are valid entry-level models and maybe an 18-105 or 18-140 lens is a good choice instead of the 18-55 kit. These alt ideas will get images out on the field, just not as zoomed-in as the longer 300mm lenses can. These longer 18-xxx models also eliminate a need to change lenses at a low- to mid-level price.

pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey

You might suggest D5600 bundle with 70-300 and 18-55. Just about same price as P900

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

Thanks everyone! I knew I could count on all of you! The only thing I know so far is that he wants something "better than his cell phone pics". I will find out his budget and also how "into" photography he wants to get. I do not think he is worried about the perfect picture, just something for sharing or saving. I asked him to think about, size, simplicity and cost. I plan on letting him use my D7000 with my 18-200 just as a reference....see if it works for him. Again thanks for all that took the time to respond!

I really appreciate it!

p.s. I have not been shooting for a while. Just got my cameras back from the shop, one lens still there. This fall I plan on shooting and learning light room! First time in 20 years we do not have kids in sports! I will miss it but a little camera time will be great.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

If you are looking for "Not too expensive" take a look at a Sony A6000, thinking ahead about indoor shooting. The A6000 is reasonably priced now $548 for the body, $848 with 16-50 mm and 55-210 mm lens. High native ISO 25,600 which should give a fast enough shutter speed to stop action, you will need no less than 1/500 or 1/1000 if you intend to capture balls as they leave a players hand, etc. Fast Auto focus, a fast frame rate at 12 frames per second. The A6000 is a mirrorless camera, a smaller camera body if case size might be an issue,
If you budget allows take a look at a Canon 7D, KEH camera, the leading seller of used camera equipment has 7D from $432.00-$548, the lenses for taking indoor sports photos may be pricey. The go to lens for shooting sports is a 70-200 2.8 lens it allows to take action shots indoors or poorly lighted fields or venues at the faster shutter speeds you will need to stop the action and get good clear crisp action shots
If you have stopped shooting from the stands you will find either of these cameras should give you the capability to take good sports shots.
I have used a Canon 7D since it was released with great results, I have been shooting with the Sony A6000 since its release also with great results,

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I agree with this post. I have an a6000 in my hand right now. Been using it all day long at the resort that I'm at. You can come and go as you please with this camera so light. For the cost great deal. Purchased it for my daughter to use on a S. Africa vacation.

In the morning I'm going to the lake at the resort with my favorite camera. Nikon D500. I'll be using my 200-500mm lens. Hope to get a few good bird shots.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Sounds like your friend may have a high level of expectation of quality without all of the necessary skills required. It takes decent camera gear to get good sports shots, but even more skill - timing, framing, camera control, etc all have to come together for successful sports shots.

This guy does all sorts of sports, uses a 70-200 F2.8 and a Canon 5D Mk III. Among sports photographers, his gear is considered "mid range" but he obviously doesn't let that stop him from getting the good shots.

https://plus.google.com/+ClarkThompson