My grand son wants his own camera, which one with a twist: He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister...

tramsey Loc: Texas

He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister has a camera that I bought several years ago and she upgraded. OK, OK to the point. He wants to start in mirrorless. I know as much about mirrorless as he does about photography. So what is the best mirrorless camera for a rank beginner? If forgot to mention he is twenty and very sharp

Grahame Loc: Fiji

tramsey wrote:

He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister has a camera that I bought several years ago and she upgraded. OK, OK to the point. He wants to start in mirrorless. I know as much about mirrorless as he does about photography. So what is the best mirrorless camera for a rank beginner? If forgot to mention he is twenty and very sharp

I would highly recommend a Nikon Z6 because I have one and know what it's capable of. It's a camera that is extremely competent at anything from macro, through landscape to sports. The Z6 can be found 'used' for a good price if that's something you want to consider.

There is also the newer Z50, somewhat cheaper, which is supposed to be almost equivalent other than fps but I have no experience of it.

I suspect it will be difficult these days to find any model/make of mirrorless that is not good for a beginner.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I was hoping someone would recommend Nikon. I've shot nothing but Nikon. The specs on both these cameras are good Thanks for the come back and advice

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

tramsey wrote:

He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister has a camera that I bought several years ago and she upgraded. OK, OK to the point. He wants to start in mirrorless. I know as much about mirrorless as he does about photography. So what is the best mirrorless camera for a rank beginner? If forgot to mention he is twenty and very sharp

I’d recommend he try to take a photography course and learn how to take pictures and how to manage light before spending a lot of money on an expensive camera. If he knows nothing now, he may become discouraged from the outset, trying to figure out how to use the camera and how to compose and take a photo.

Starting out with a mirrorless camera is fine. There’s nothing about mirrorless cameras that mystic or anything unknowable, but I would start with something simple, perhaps a good “point and shoot” camera. Nikon has a couple of good ones that aren’t too expensive and would make for a good learning base. Then if he decides he likes photography enough to stick with it, then he can consider moving up to something a bit more sophisticated.

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

tramsey wrote:

He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister has a camera that I bought several years ago and she upgraded. OK, OK to the point. He wants to start in mirrorless. I know as much about mirrorless as he does about photography. So what is the best mirrorless camera for a rank beginner? If forgot to mention he is twenty and very sharp

The Nikon Z 5 is a good full frame entry level mirrorless camera. The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S would be a good starter lens. You don’t want to start a beginner off with too complex a set up.

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

Grahame wrote:

I would highly recommend a Nikon Z6 because I have... (show quote)

The Z 50 is an APS-C camera while the Z 6. Is a full frame camera.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Thanks for your opinions

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Mac wrote:

The Z 50 is an APS-C camera while the Z 6. Is a full frame camera.

You are correct, my typo. It is the Z5 I meant to refer to.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Mac wrote:

You don’t want to start a beginner off with too complex a set up.

I wonder if we worry too much about youngsters and technology these days. A 20 year old has come up with smart TVs, smart phones and a fast memory that can manipulate 20 different controls to shoot an opponent in a video game

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

Grahame wrote:

I wonder if we worry too much about youngsters and technology these days. A 20 year old has come up with smart TVs, smart phones and a fast memory that can manipulate 20 different controls to shoot an opponent in a video game

You are probably right about that.

tramsey Loc: Texas

You mention video games. This kid is, well I guess he isn't a kid any longer at twenty, but he still gets excited playing a game and he gets to level 3. I think the name of the game is Call to Honor, I think. He is managing a MacDonald's and going to the University of San Antonio full time. I don't know where he got his brains but it wasn't from me.

But when he talked to me about buying a camera he was adamant about going mirrorless. He said dslr is on it's way out and he didn't want to buy a dead horse. I asked him what he wanted to shoot and he said, 'everything.'

Mth1943

Mac wrote:

The Z 50 is an APS-C camera while the Z 6. Is a full frame camera.

So is the Z5. That might be worth a look. Check for refurbished equipment.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I would recommend a Sony a6000 to begin with. It is relatively inexpensive as cameras go; and it will do everything it needs to do and do it well. Many of the photos I have posted here are with that camera.

As for you not knowing anything about mirrorless, the operation is basically the very same as for a DSLR. If you could tutor using a DSLR, you can tutor using a mirrorless. It’s just the inner workings of the camera that are different.

Canisdirus

The way photography is going...buy him a phone.
Todays new phones do street photography and street portraits (typical friend pics) better than any kit camera.

Besides...in 5 years...camera bodies might be all gathering dust.

Red6

tramsey wrote:

He doesn't know beans about how to take a picture. He's watched me several times and that for sure doesn't help. His sister has a camera that I bought several years ago and she upgraded. OK, OK to the point. He wants to start in mirrorless. I know as much about mirrorless as he does about photography. So what is the best mirrorless camera for a rank beginner? If forgot to mention he is twenty and very sharp

Check the Sony A6000 series cameras. All are mirrorless and there are plenty of used ones on the market at very reasonable prices. There are also plenty of used lenses available along with 3rd party offerings.

I use an A6400 and it is a great camera.