wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

First of all, I did use the search function, and the most recent thread matching these keywords was from 2015. Seems like things have changed enough in two years to merit another summary.

A friend wants to get a good entry-level camera. I asked here what she wanted to photograph, she basically said landscape, nature, people. So first I suggested that her phone would be good enough. I think she wants to get more into composition, where depth of field becomes more important. Budget is around $500.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Nikon has a D3400, 24 megapixels, with a 2 lens kit, a 18-55mm and a non VR 70-300mm lens for $497 from B&H. My preference would be the D3300, with 24 megapixels, with a 2 lens kit, the 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lens for $547. B&H has both camera packages, but the D3300 is on backorder. The D3400 package is within your $500 budget. Or you could get a good Bridge Camera within that $500 budget too. Good luck.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The Olympus E-M10 mrII with the ED 14-42 f3.5/5.6 EZ will come close to but over her goal of $500. If bought used from KEH Camera, Adorama, B&H Photo, or from Olympus' reconditioned she could get the two for around or under the $500 mark. It would make an exceptional beginners camera.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Tell her to take a look at the Olympus OMD EM10 Mark 2.
Light, excellent specification with a good selection of
outstanding optics.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/bang-for-the-buck-olympus-om-d-e-m10-ii-review

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Consider purchasing a older model camera. There are some great cameras that can be had at a fraction of the price they were selling for when they were originally released a few years ago.

ggab Loc: ?

Used Canon T3i

CO

Nikon eliminated the ultrasonic sensor cleaner in the D3400. All of Nikon's recent DSLR cameras have had that feature. Its built-in flash has only one-half the power of the flash in the D3300. I would go for a D3200 or D3300. Amazon has a lot of new cameras that are one or two generations behind the current models at discounted prices. They have new Nikon D3200 cameras with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for $401.

repleo Loc: Boston

If she can go to $600, the Sony A6000 with the 16_50mm kit lens would be an excellent choice.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

check KEH, they have some good cheap used cameras. with a modest lens you can stay under the $500.00 price range.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Good idea. A very good starter camera. Heck I still use one as may second. But if I were just getting into this, I would now seriously consider mirrorless.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-under-500/
http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g706/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A Mint Nikon D7000 off ebay with a new Nikon 35mm 1.8 D (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606792-USA/Nikon_2183_AF_S_Nikkor_35mm_f_1_8G.html) should put you just over your budget but you can grow with this outfit. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

Here's my answer to a similar question in another thread.

Here's what I did:
-Budget: no more than $500. (This is the most important criteria you have.)
-Searched for $500 DSLR's on eBay & Amazon in order to understand what I might get.
-Found some favorite models that I compared at cameradecision.com. I refused to have any brand preferences.
-Read plenty of reviews on the cameras I found interesting.

My priorities were; very good professional reviews, the highest pixel count possible, RAW format option, wifi, built in GPS, fair prices & f/values on future lenses.

Nikon D5300 turned out to be the final option. With my personal preferences, and budget, it was by far the best option. Price paid: $449 on eBay, including an 18-55mm lens, plus some other (now useless)-stuff in the bundle.

I've had the camera for some time now and I have no regrets on my purchase. On the contrary, I'm very happy with what I got for the money spent.

Later I've bought the 55-200mm(new) and the 35mm(used) lenses. A better flash, a good tripod, petal lens hoods, and some other stuff.

Your best option is probably not my best, and vice versa. It is not about the camera as much as it is about the photographer. Just as a good stove doesn't make a good dinner, right?

Best of luck on your persuit of your best camera. ...and don't rush it to get one quickly. Take your time, i.e. weeks, to learn about your options and what you favor.

Examples of pictures taken are found under my name at 500px.com as well as Instagram.

PS
I had the same procedure when I looked for, and bought, my sons camera. The budget was no more than $80, had to be fully automatic, as well as having manual features to grow with as he gets older and if his photo interest persists. Best option: a used Fujifilm Finepix S8600 (it's a bridge camera), for $76 on eBay.

jim in TC Loc: Traverse City, Michigan

It will be really valuable for her to get out to a camera shop (preferably) or if none nearby a big box that features cameras prominently (Best Buy comes to mind) and handle a few cameras. There are many options, one of which is the bridge type, standing between DSLR and point/shoot (smaller sensors, more features, SLR 'feel', no interchangeable lens). The reason to handle is that among many essentially equal value cameras there are significant differences in how they "feel," how the controls are laid out, and how the sometimes bewildering menus are accessed. In most cases these are not 'better' and 'worse' but personal - hand size, brain wiring, like that. One needs to consider, too, whether that higher quality camera is actually going to be along. A larger DSLR with lenses becomes something to 'haul,' a bridge is less gear but still not in a pocket or purse, but even a high quality point/shoot has fewer creative options. But at the end of the day, if the camera is not to hand there is little point in owning it.

cthahn

You, as a photographer, suggested that a friend should purchase a cell phone as a camera. It does not have to a new camera. $500.00 could get her a good quality camera with lenses. If someone does not talk here into having long zoom lenses, she could have money left over. Having her learn the basics of photography first would also help her.