LollieLove

Hi!
Glad I found you!
I'm new to this forum, and to photography. I need a good start up camera and lens. Then I'll need to learn how to navigate, learn the terminology of all things cameras/lenses.
I love shooting;
*action (grandkids on the move or a
party)
*landscape-night skies, sunsets,
close-ups of flowers,
wildlife
*People-low and high light, moving
and still

My budget? Approx $500 including lens willing to buy used so I'd need a reputable place or site to look.

Right now I use my Google Pixel camera and can get pretty good shots but I don't think it would look too impressive if I arrived to take photos for a friend with my camera!

Thanks and look forward to your advice!

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

You have to decided what type of camera...if your looking for a DSLR for beginners, I would chose the Nikon D3200 on up to the D3500, they are entry level DSLR's along with any other brand name, all have great image quality. For point & shoot of mirrorless cameras, look online, they have tons of cameras to choose from. Good luck.

bleirer

For $500 or so Costco has a nice dslr. Canon with 3 lenses. You don't have to be a member

https://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-SL2-DSLR-Camera-3-Lens-Bundle.product.100378669.html

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

I've been a Nikon shooter for some 50 years, but I have to admit, this looks like a super solution at a great price.

Keen

Consider the Nikon Coolpix B700 bridge camera.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

They have Nikon too and for about $100 less. about the price of the prime lens.
https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3500-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100461398.html

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mirrorless or DSLR. That's your first decision. I would suggest a compact mirrorless with a built-in lens.

Compact $300 -
https://www.consumerreports.org/point-shoot-digital-cameras/best-digital-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://photophique.com/best-cameras-under-300/
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-compact-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://www.adorama.com/alc/the-best-point-and-shoot-cameras-under-300

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

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Myself as a Beginner 2-3 years ago, did my diligent research on DSLR Cameras. I chose the Nikon D3300, after watching many U-Tube videos and reading reviews. I also chose a Nikon 50mm 1.8g as my first lens. All were USED, the camera cost $395.00, Lens was around $200.00, today both will be cheaper. The Nikon D3300 is an EXCELLENT Beginners Camera, easy to learn, understand, and operate. You might also consider the Nikon. 18-140mm 3.5-5.6 aperture lens, very good reviews.

wetreed

Your only real choice is to go Nikon. The D3500 is really and the D5600 while an intermediate camera would still be great for a beginner and would allow them to grow a little.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

You are getting good shots with your smart phone, but your stated motive for buying a different kind of camera is to impress a friend?

bleirer

That looks like a nice kit for the price, too.

Costco also has the Canon m50, a very nice camera which gets you into mirrorless for around $650 with one normal range lens.https://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-M50-Mirrorless-Camera-Bundle.product.100422562.html

Other places have good prices too. Adorama and B&H are very reputable. Don't be impressed by megapixels, it doesn't matter that much, the size of the sensor is important though. I wouldn't go smaller that an APS-C.

suminblacky Loc: Mercer Pa.

Hi, I was into photography back in the 90's and have Pentax and Minolta kits. I didn't see the digital age coming around the corner and whack. I backed away from shooting for about 15 years and waited to see what is what. About 6 months ago I bought a used Pentax K-7 body with a low shutter count (about 6000, I used this like an odometer reading on a car,this camera has a 100,000 shutter count life) for under $200.00. I had a bunch of lens for it already plus a couple of telescopes but they're all maunal focus. My eye sight isn't what it use to be, so I bought a Tamron 18-200 automatic zoom lens off Amazon for 100 bucks. I'm having fun! I wish the cmos sensor was bigger, also the built-in video was top of the line (don't get me wrong it is good) HD. But I can't complain. They put the fun back into photography. I bought this camera as a learning tool and had plans to upgrade after a year or two. I'm at 14 megapixals right now and want more. I am getting good pictures though on the ground and in the sky.My next camera will probably be a Pentax K-3 (24 MPX) or the K-1 (34MPX). If your going to have just one camera I suggest you jump right to a 24MPX. Me, I like a couple of cameras laying around when I need them. I like Pentax because as far other cameras go, they're built like a panzer tank. I hope that I was some kind of help, good luck!

Dossile

Sorry if this post is too basic. Your first decision is whether or not you want a camera with interchangeable lenses like a DSLR or one with zoom capabilities in a single fixed lens, called a bridge camera. I would recommend interchangeable lenses if you want to make photography a hobby. They are usually more versatile and are better at taking good pictures with less light in your price range.

The next question is whether you buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. A DSLR is a traditional modern camera similar to 35 mm film cameras. They have a viewfinder that allows direct visualization of what your camera is pointed at. A mirror less camera uses a LCD screen on the back of the camera and usually a video viewfinder. I struggle with less expensive mirror less camera viewfinders. Both have interchangeable lenses and take great pictures.

Do not worry about sensor size or megapixel count. All the cameras will take great pictures.

In the mirror less realm, I would look at a Panasonic GX 85 or a Sony a5100.

In the DSLR realm I would look at a Nikon 3500 with a single lens or a Canon EOS Rebel T6 with 2 lenses. Although you can buy these at Costco or Sam’s Club, you may want to consider buying them on the internet. I would use B&H photo or Adorama. They offer impeccable service and quality. They have been honest and fair in all my dealings. Many members on UHH recommend them as well.

If I personally was buying this camera as a gift for you, I would buy a Canon EOS Rebel T6 with 2 lenses as a kit with a memory card and bag from B&H photo. You can buy the camera and lenses alone for the same price as the kit, so buy the camera/lenses with the free bag and memory card. $449 delivered.

bleirer

Here is some useful information:

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/compact-vs-digital-slr-cameras.htm

For objective camera reviews, https://www.dpreview.com/products/cameras

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-under-500

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-cameras-under-1000

jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

Can't go wrong with Canon.