wdfbpf Loc: Huntsville, AL

My grandson is looking for a relatively cheap digital camera with a couple lens and video capability. I would appreciate some recommendations on a system. A used setup should be fine. The main factor is a cheap price, hopefully $200 to $300. I am thinking this will put him in the market for one of the 3??? models, but not sure of their quality or capabilities since I've never owned one of those.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

You can't go wrong with a Rebel SLR. You can find used T3i's in your price range. Unlike many, they can operate in fully manual mode when shooting video. A key area of consideration.

RRS Loc: Not sure

All I can say is, Good Luck. What are the "3???"? Your main factor is not realistically sound, how about a camera that works with one lens to start with and then see what and if he does anything at all with it. If you ever owned one of these things then you would know what I'm talking about.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

A $300 camera will be worse than most current smartphones for taking video! Maybe because they are in the TV business, Sony and Panasonic cameras are generally better at video than Nikon and Canon. There are exceptions, but most of them are the newer more expensive models. The difficulty with DSLRs is mostly about focus, depth of field and focus tracking.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

That's a bit of Hyperbole. Sure, modern smartphones have brought video performance to an amazing level. However, they fall apart in low light due to the small sensor. In terms of detail, dynamic range, and low light, a Rebel will outclass them by a good margin. Sony and Panasonic are doing some great things in terms of video in the mirrorless space, but you will spend quite a bit more.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I don't have a Rebel and likely never will! So, I will defer, and suggest you are right, especially where you are talking about exposure. I'm never sure what low light is, but most video is about capturing some motion. Even school stage performances, where the audience is in the dark, are lit well enough for video.

My point had nothing to do with exposure. I suggested that DSLRs, especially the lower priced ones, create challenges with focus. I did not mention audio, which is also a challenge with DSLRs.

Regarding "detail" there is no question that it is needed for printed still images, especially large ones. Video for, the majority of machines that play it, is limited to 1920x1080 or about 2MP per frame. The newest TVs will display 8MP. There is a lot of processing going on from the 20MP DSLR sensor down to the 2MP needed for the TV or computer screen. Most of the megapixels have to be transcoded, processed or rendered. In other words, lots of the 20MP is lost.

Again, my opinion is that a $300 DSLR is not the best choice for video. If one of my two granddaughters wanted to make videos for $300, I would try to find her a used Panasonic or Sony camcorder.

wdfbpf Loc: Huntsville, AL

When I said any of the 3???, I was referring to any of the Nikon cameras in the 3000 series such as 3200, 3300, 3500, etc. I don't know which, if any have video capability. I thought there might one of these USED models with kit lens in that price range.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Thanks for making that clear.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My 17 year old granddaughter learned to make videos on "our" camcorder "we" bought when she was about 10.

Her teacher in her high school journalism class handed her a D3200 from the schools collection and told her to create a video of friends having fun together. It is not going well! Yes, it does shoot video, has video settings and a record button. Frame rate choices are weak. Lacking is any help with stabilization and effective video focus tracking. Attaching a mic apparently causes stop being stereo. Clip length is artificially limited.

I'm not sure, but I think the viewfinder stops working because the mirror has to be up for recording. That means you have to use the LCD.

You can make D3??? cameras shoot video, but they are not good at it.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

They all have video capability..

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Used is a good way to go. I would look at ebay and KEH - excellent seller of used gear. It would be nice to get a shutter count, but that's not always available.

http://www.wirerealm.com/guides/top-10-best-dslr-video-cameras
http://www.starkinsider.com/2015/03/top-5-best-dslr-cameras-for-shooting-video.html
http://www.starkinsider.com/2015/03/top-5-best-dslr-cameras-for-shooting-video.html
http://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/equipment-for-low-budget-filmmaking/best-cheap-camera-low-budget-filmmaking/

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

The Nikon D3200 (or maybe 3300)may be available in that price range. $300 is pretty low, but maybe doable in used. Even a refurb will be $350, I think. Call Cameta or B&H and ask. Sometimes something comes up.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

3300 kit with two zooms was $500 to $600 a couple years ago. It does okay video. My wife uses one at work. Look for used on eBay, KEH, Adorama, B&H...

wdfbpf Loc: Huntsville, AL

Thanks to all for the input. Gives me many things to consider. I have a 5 year old Sony video camera that I may give him. He can then get a cheaper digital Nikon or Canon or I could give him one of my older Nikons (D2X or D200, but I don't want to give him my lens). I think he would be better off with a lower end camera as a first camera until I see what he is going to do with it. I have found on eBay some Nikon 3300 kits with a couple lens for around $300. Thanks again.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Try ebay. Used 14MP D3100 and a used Nikkor 18-55mm zoom should work fine, for less than $300. Should give a superior video to the Sony because of the larger sensor, and the Sony can't be used for regular photography. An advantage of the D3100 is the ability to use old Nikkor manual pre-ais or non-ai film lenses, which can be dirt cheap. (For example, there's a Zoom Nikkor 80-200mm f4.5 (NON-AI) lens on ebay right now selling today with no bids at $10.) The great thing about video is that editing video can be as creative and fun as shooting it. I don't believe your d200 or d2x have video. The D3100 was my first dslr and I shot lots of pics and video on it, and can recommend it.