InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

A close friend's wife has asked me for a camera recommendation for his birthday present. She gave me a FIRM budget of $500. She is not opposed to a used item from a reputable dealer. I am currently looking at new and used cameras on B&H because that is where I get most of my gear and I value their service. She really wants to surprise him which puts us both on the spot because buying a camera is a very personal thing.

Here is what I can tell you about him. He's a techie, complexity is not going to be an issue. He's a decent photographer with the gear he has which is a Pentax K-10 with the standard kit lens. He will mostly be taking photos and videos of family vacations and documenting the school and sporting career of his 11-year-old son, who plays both basketball and baseball. He currently leaves his camera behind for a lot of events probably because toting it is a chore.

My main thoughts are:

One, the single and ancient entry-level piece of glass he owns is no reason to stay with a DSLR or a Pentax.

Two, the budget is not going to yield a great camera that will take decent sports photos unless we go with a cheaper APS-C DSLR camera body and a do-it-all wide-telephoto, zoom lens with image stabilization. If I'm wrong, I certainly want to know an alternative.

Three, He's used to a DSLR, so if we go mirrorless, he's going to want a viewfinder.

Four, for a birthday gift it's better to buy new.

So there you have it. Really, really tough call.

Here are five cameras that I'm considering

Panasonic DMC-G7 with a 14-42 lens - misses long distance sports shots but has decent resolution and a great reputation. Maybe a longer lens somewhere down the road.

Olympus OM-D E-10 Mk II - 14-42 lens - a lot like the Panasonic, 5 axis stabilization, good reviews. Again, a long lens later.

Canon EOS-Rebel T6, 18-55, 75-300, with a nice kit, spare battery, case, etc. long lens is most likely crap.

Nikon D3500, 18-55, 70-300, extra battery - again, the long lens is likely crap.

A USED Nikon D5200 for $260 and a new Tamron 18-200 VC for $200, my daughter had one, it's a decent camera and there are a couple of lenses he could borrow from me.

Your thoughts?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

From personal experience shoting sports (motor racing) with Canon DSLRs and an Olympus OM-D E-M5 II go with a DSLR.
Also the Canon 75-300 is not a good lens (I own one)

ELNikkor

The Nikon kit would be good for those baseball games, and that 70-300 lens would probably be the version without VR. It is a sharp lens, and for good daylight, it would be just fine. He wouldn't use VR anyhow if he was shooting action. (Only $50 more for the VR version.)

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Yes, the 75-300 is without VR. I don't shoot sports, why would VR not work for action images?

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I don't know what the price of a Sony a6000 is in the states, but, if in budget it's a great camera.

Dik

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Yes, with the 16-50 that would be in the budget. I don't know how my filtering missed it but I'm glad you mentioned it. It does look like a great camera. Does it discharge its batteries quickly?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

It only reduces the effects of unwanted camera movement. It doesn't freeze action (fast shutter speeds do that).
Depending on the VR implentation it may help when panning (the image is more stable in the viewfinder).

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Like most mirrorless cameras, battery life isn't great--about 350 shots-- but it's no big deal to stick a couple spare batteries in the pocket, just in case. The 16-50 isn't a bad lens. Some don't like it, but it does pretty well. If it can be squeezed into the budget, the 55-210 isn't a bad lens, either. The whole thing makes for a pretty decent kit, and pretty much fits into the budget.

techwolf Loc: Edgewater, Fl

I am getting my wife the Sony a6000 with a 16-50mm lens. It is down to $498 with a bunch of extras including two 64 GB SD cards and Corel software at Amazon. The superb sensor with an incredible frame rate with 172 focus points make this a great buy for a very light and compact high performance camera. It also shoots great video! While it is a bit dated....it still can hold its own with most of todays cameras and best of alll it is new....not used!

ggab Loc: ?

If his current Pentax is a chore to carry, what would make any other DSLR any different?
Why not a Bridge Camera?
BTW, consider KEH for used gear.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Forget clunky/heavy antique DSLR's ....

techwolf Loc: Edgewater, Fl

Again....more reason to go with the a6000 as the body only weighs 0.76 lbs.

ggab Loc: ?

From the OP "Three, He's used to a DSLR, so if we go mirrorless, he's going to want a viewfinder".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a tough one. I'd hate someone to buy a camera for me. If someone wanted to do that, I would tell him exactly what I wanted.

ggab Loc: ?

Why not advise the wife to give him a $500.00 gift card and let him buy the camera he wants?