Camera for my grand daughter (Page 4): I let my 4 year old grandson use a old P&S kodak camera. he has been taking pictures of bugs, trains, toys, etc. Guess we will end up getting him...

dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

I let my 4 year old grandson use a old P&S kodak camera. he has been taking pictures of bugs, trains, toys, etc. Guess we will end up getting him one of his own ; I had seen a Playschool one with lots of rubber around it, so if he drops it, it might not hurt it. At least he shows interest.

MJPerini

I love this, and applaud your generosity and motivation.
Since most modern cameras are good, what I have found to be important is to try to honestly gauge her interest, and the kinds of pictures she might like to take.
Then how 'portable' would be ideal. If she wants to carry it everywhere, smaller is better.
If you think being able to change lenses would be exciting to her then that is a consideration.
Kids are kids so toughness is always a good feature. You want her to be able to use it without undue concern.

My own Grandson is considerably younger -- 3 1/2--- but Loves taking pictures. I bought him the 12MP Olympus underwater camera, which is ruggedized and water proof. The IQ is very good. He loves it.

One last thought, as a bright interested 10 year old, you might ASK her what would be ideal for her in terms of size and types of pictures she wants to take. Enjoy the whole process. Good Luck

dick ranez

I gave my 12 year old grandaughter a Canon T series camera because she showed an interest in photography. Now six years later she's been the primary photographer for her high school yearbook for the past two years, bought a 5D with her babysitting money and "borrowed" my 70-200 three years ago.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

dick ranez wrote:

I gave my 12 year old grandaughter a Canon T series camera because she showed an interest in photography. Now six years later she's been the primary photographer for her high school yearbook for the past two years, bought a 5D with her babysitting money and "borrowed" my 70-200 three years ago.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

kashka51 wrote:

My grand daughter has been using my Canon Powersho... (show quote)

I know this would be stepping away from Canon for her, but you might want to look at a used Olympus E-M10 with an EZ 14-42 f3.5/5.6 pancake lens (28-84 in 35mm AOV). It shouldn't be that costly. You could then add the 40-150 that is $100 (it is cheaper used) and you both could go shooting together. The cost should end up under $400 for a decent two lens system covering 28 to 300 in 35mm AOV. It is worth consideration.

Beenthere

kashka51 wrote:

My grand daughter has been using my Canon Powershot SX280 HS.Last week I let her use my Canon T5i with 55-250 lens.....she loved it! I was thinking of getting her a Canon SX40. Any suggestions or comments would be great! I would like to keep the cost down. Thanks!

I think you should listen to your grand daughter a little closer. If it's budget that concerns you, look for a decent priced equivalent with similar features to your T5i, or find one used. She will bond with you even closer if she knows you both have the same camera. From there you can slowly introduce various features as she gets better at using it. I saw quite a few for a little over $400, and a couple just over over $300 on Amazon & eBay.

Here's the thing; It is considered an "entry level" DSLR and if she has the same camera, as yourself, she can call you by phone with any questions. I envy you Grandpa, it's a great opportunity to connect up with your Grand daughter, and maybe launch a budding photographer. Remember, "She loved using yours", why deviate?

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

kashka51 wrote:

My grand daughter has been using my Canon Powersho... (show quote)

If you can find one, consider the Leica V-Lux 4. Small, light weight, packed with features.

Beenthere

dick ranez wrote:

I gave my 12 year old grandaughter a Canon T series camera because she showed an interest in photography. Now six years later she's been the primary photographer for her high school yearbook for the past two years, bought a 5D with her babysitting money and "borrowed" my 70-200 three years ago.

DITTO and

Sensei

It is a great camera. I have an SX30 that I often lend to friends who visit while I am in Florida or the Catskill mountains. My guests who are not photographers, all love it and many have bought one or a later model. You might want to consider one of the other super zooms. I have become very partial to the SX720. It is a much smaller, lighter camera that can fit into a shirt pocket. It has a 40x optical zoom. This is the camera I always have with me, even when I am carrying one of the larger full frame slr. It is more expensive, but more likely that she will use it for many years.

kashka51

Architect1776 wrote:

Awesome!

kashka51

And by the way.....I am a Grandma!

mineart

OLYMPUS oM-D E-M10 Mark III with a 14-150 lens.

JacksonHD Loc: NorCal

kashka51 wrote:

My grand daughter has been using my Canon Powersho... (show quote)

I think you did exactly the right thing, with exactly the right camera. She will be able to learn everything she wants to know about taking pictures, without lugging around a bunch of expensive (and heavy) glassware, and having to change them all the time. After exploring the capabilities of the SX40, she will know when she needs to graduate to a DSLR.

Great move!

kashka51

JacksonHD wrote:

I think you did exactly the right thing, with exactly the right camera. She will be able to learn everything she wants to know about taking pictures, without lugging around a bunch of expensive (and heavy) glassware, and having to change them all the time. After exploring the capabilities of the SX40, she will know when she needs to graduate to a DSLR.

Great move!

Thanks!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

kashka51 wrote:

Thanks!

Just so you know, both Olympus and Panasonic basic systems are not that close to the weights of the FF and APS-C systems. Looking at Keh and Adorama, the two lens Olympus system I previously mentioned could be built with $400 with a total weight of 1.53 pounds. That is a body and two lenses covering a FF angle of view of 28mm to 300mm. And at only $400, that is a lot of camera and bang for the buck. This would allow her a chance at handling a true photography system with equipment rated at excellent to excellent plus. I realize she may only be 10, but I think she might have a good time shooting with you with a system similar to yours. It really is worth the consideration.