Silverman Loc: Michigan

My Grandson wants a Sony Mirrorless Camera, but I told him he should start his Photography adventure on a simpler Camera and learn the basics, Aperture, Shutter, ISO, then as he learns and gains experience, he can, "Move on Up" to more advanced equipment. Maybe a Bridge Camera would be an idea! Please provide advice I might share with my Grandson.

BebuLamar

A DSLR would be more simpler. A bridge camera is more complex.

leftj Loc: Texas

Give him what he wants. If you don't you will stifle his interest in photography. It doesn't have to be a 5D IV or a D850. There are plenty of moderately prices quality DSLRs out there, especially if you go the refurbished route.

ELNikkor

I also tend to want my boys to learn the basics, in fact, I taught my oldest on an FM2. If you can get/have such a camera, spend a little time with him and the camera; even shoot some film to help him understand the roots of the craft. That being said, let him get the Sony. The new generation has new tools they need to master as well. My son now has the Lumix GH4, and has done an excellent job with utilizing its capabilities.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You can get a used D7000 for a reasonable price. It's an excellent camera. Also, look for a 35-80mm lens. It's an older kit lens which came with my Nikon 6006, but it's a great little lens with an excellent range which you could pick up for a reasonable price. I'd also check the price of used/refurbished D7100's to compare. If the prices are close, I'd go with the 7100.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"but I told him he should start his Photography adventure on a simpler Camera and learn the basics, Aperture, Shutter, ISO, then as he learns and gains experience, he can, "Move on Up" to more advanced equipment..." Silverman possibly you should have asked him why he is interested in photography, what draws him to this craft and why his isn't interested in a cell phone with a "good" image capturing device? With a any decent IPhone he can open an Instagram account and begin sharing a visual statement with his peers.... No Siverman you are likely seriously flawed with imposing your antiquated value system on his emerging creative talent... DSLR's are for the "Old Folks" Those living in the current generation have moved on to capturing the moment... as the photojournalist of bygone days... at 14 he likely will find the lure of "iPhoneography" far more exciting than what older generations cherish... btw, there are so many "User Friendly" Photography Apps for the iPhone and iOS that he'll be up and running in no time...

Instagram is where it's at now...
UHH is where the old folks go to play with their antique toys of yesteryear...

I wish your grandson all the best on his journey...

leftj Loc: Texas

You are indeed a strange duck. Guess it takes all kinds.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

A mirrorless camera isn't a DSLR.

Get him what he wants, and encourage him. He can learn Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO on any camera, it doesn't have to be a simple camera. There are a number of helpful books to learn about exposure, get him one or two.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

I would also consider Pentax for a younger user. They offer sturdier construction and weather sealing at a lower price point than their Canikon counterparts. This does come at the expense of some performance, slightly less image quality, and a fewer lenses to choose

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Get him what he wants and have a wonderful time with him photographing things.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I vote to get him what he wants also, it will do everything the DLSR will do and then some.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

In your title, you say your grandson wants a DSLR, then in the first sentence you say, he wants a mirrorless, so actually which is it?

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

More simpler? Simpler is more simple. I also disagree with your opinion, since I've owned three different bridge cameras and four different dSLRs. As far as I am concerned a bridge camera is easier to begin with, because they are less complicated.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

A used, older DSLR camera can easily be obtained for $100 or so, and should be plenty adequate for a 14-year old child to learn the basics.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Theoretically, you are right. It is better to learn the fundamentals first. But the "simpler" camera you are talking about doesn't exist. Even the Nikon D3200 has all kinds of gimmicky "modes". Unless you really get radical and dig up an old film camera (Nikon FM), which will probably turn him off completely, you need to teach him the basics on a digital camera (preferably a Sony). You can start the learning process by showing him how the camera works in Manual mode. Let him play on the other modes but tell him when he wants to improve his pictures to come back to you for instruction on Manual mode. Good luck!