Newbie Photog: My grandson has worked all summer & amassed awad of cash & would like a camera a few steps above a point & shoot. His experience is with photography is cell phones. He...

EdK Loc: Boston

My grandson has worked all summer & amassed awad of cash & would like a camera a few steps above a point & shoot. His experience is with photography is cell phones. He asked me to assist him with his selection. Within the past year, I have gone to a bridge camera due to physical restrictions & while not overjoyed, find it adequate within my now limited world. I am thinking a bridge camera would be a good starting point for him. Mine is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. I don't want break him on his first purchase, but get him interested enough to advance. Any thoughts from you Hedgehogs would be appreciated .

amehta Loc: Boston

EdK wrote:

My grandson has worked all summer & amassed aw... (show quote)

I might go just a little higher to an interchangeable lens camera, because that can grow if his interest continues.

Cameras like the Canon T5i, Nikon D5200, Olympus OM-D E-M10, etc, are excellent starting points. They are much faster operationally than a P&S, which I think he will appreciate, especially if he tries to shoot any sports.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I gave my 16 year old grandson a Nikon D7100 and an 18-200 lens just before school was out. He nearly carries it with him everywhere and his interest has remained high. Of course, I love sharing and seeing his photographs. I hope I have helped set him on a life long adventure.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Any idea of his budget? That will help determine, new, used, refurbished. There are lots of options out there. I like Anand's answer about a quicker camera for what he might want to shoot.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Consider looking for used or refurbished equipment on Adorma, B and H or Keh.com

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

Take a look at the Canon SL1.
I think it might be what you're looking for.

Read some reviews on google.

I never see it mentioned on this site, but it's a great little camera.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

In most of the circles I run in, the Nikon D3200 is considered the best entry lever DSLR available, for the money, capabilities and ease of use. You can get into the ecosystem inexpensively, and it holds value fairly well for when you are ready to advance....Good Luck and tell your grandson "happy shooting"...

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

tradergeorge wrote:

In most of the circles I run in, the Nikon D3200 is considered the best entry lever DSLR available, for the money, capabilities and ease of use. You can get into the ecosystem inexpensively, and it holds value fairly well for when you are ready to advance....Good Luck and tell your grandson "happy shooting"...

Ditto! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

EdK wrote:

My grandson has worked all summer & amassed aw... (show quote)

If you still have the camera you used before getting the Lumix you could let him try it and the Lumix to see which one he prefers , then he can go from there on making a choice on what type of camera to purchase.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

EdK wrote:

My grandson has worked all summer & amassed aw... (show quote)

I guess a good question to ask him which type of camera he is interested in--mirrorless, DSLR, or a bridge camera, and go from there. That would at least narrow down the playing field of choices and styles.

I have an FZ200 and like it. It takes good pictures and seems to be quite versatile. I've had it about a year, now, and am still learning how to use it beyond keeping it in the ia mode. I think it, or another brand of similar type of camera would make a great tool to learn photography on, while producing good results. A DSLR might be a bit intimidating for a beginner.

amehta Loc: Boston

Far North wrote:

I guess a good question to ask him which type of c... (show quote)

An interesting approach, but I'm not sure he would even know what a bridge camera is and why it matters.

I would start with the "interchangeable lens camera (ILC) or not?" question. Then, for ILCs, the next question is size. For fixed-lens, the next questions are size and zoom range. That would get him into the DSLR/MILC, bridge/p&s categories.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

amehta wrote:

An interesting approach, but I'm not sure he would even know what a bridge camera is and why it matters.

I would start with the "interchangeable lens camera (ILC) or not?" question. Then, for ILCs, the next question is size. For fixed-lens, the next questions are size and zoom range. That would get him into the DSLR/MILC, bridge/p&s categories.

Yeah, you probably wouldn't need to explain to him the difference, merely that such a camera has a super zoom lens and goes from wide angle to super zoom, without having to switch lenses. Makes it easier for someone just starting out. Less stuff to fiddle with or carry with them. All the rest of the terminology and technology he would learn along the way. And with a fixed lens, there wouldn't be a need to purchase other lenses, and as we all know (well, most of us, anyway), the array out there is dizzying and confusing, especially to a newbie.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

How old is he?

What are his interests in taking pictures?

What is he looking to gain from another camera?

What is his current point and shoot?

I hate to say this but if he's taking good pictures and can't articulate WHY he would need a different camera then this might just be G.A.S.

I've seen awesome photos taking with little 100.00 point and shoots.

How about giving him some knowledge instead of gear?

Maybe a photo trip or something like that?

EdK Loc: Boston

His current camera is his iPhone & he is taking photography course at school. That is another part of the equation - wait until he starts? As you can see, I am try to do the best for him. Maybe let him get through the school course & get him into an advanced course. Problem is, he is sixteen & the money is burning a hole in his pocket. Thanks for the suggestion - I definitely will talk about this before a move is made.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

canon sx510 199.99 at B&H

30x zoom & wifi
30x zoom & wifi...