Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

This is the same question I'm wrestling with for my second daughter. Faith sees my Nikons and a6300 and she wants a "real camera". I have given her a couple of P&S, but since her sister, Anne, is using my old D7100 to shoot weddings and children, Faith thinks she needs one too.

For a beginner, there are several considerations.

Will you want to make large prints of your images. Sensor size comes into play in this. It doesn't make much difference how many megapixels, if the sensor size is small, you will not be able to make big prints. On the other hand, if all your images will be confined to the Internet, smaller sensors are fine.

Lenses. DSLRs and MILCs using interchangeable lenses require that you buy, carry and change those lenses. Bridge cameras have one non-interchangeable lens, but that lens tends to cover wide to very long telephoto. Unfortunately there is a tradeoff. Those with long tele capability require that the sensor size be smaller. Again, small sensor size means reduced print size capability. The Bridge cameras allow quick transfer of an image to a cellphone or wifi.

DSLRs are usually much larger and heavier. They usually need accessories like extra lenses, tripod, etc.

On the other hand, DSLRs and MILCs have larger sensors with much improved images and retain more of the photomic information. They also usually do RAW files so that you can manipulate things better than with the typical jpeg from bridge cameras.

I plan to recommend a bridge camera like a Canon, Pentax or Panasonic as a first. But if she absolutely wants a DSLR, then it would be impossible to do better than a Nikon D3300 (Or the new D3400) (Older Nikon DSLRs can do the wifi and cellphone transfer with the WU accessory. New models often have it built in. I assume the same is true for Canon.)

I'm buying this for her birthday and my budget is low, but all the above are available factory refurbished--All my cameras for the last 10 years have been factory refurbs--except my a6300.

FIRST YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

Better to look at Nikon or Pentax. Canon's are over rated.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

No one can really make a good recommendation unless you give more information about what kind of pictures you want to take, what you want to do with them, how much you are prepared to pay, and how much you are willing to carry around. There are so many good brands out there, and cameras ranging from P&S (Point & Shoot) to professional quality DSLRs. I began my digital photography with a Kodak P&S, but quickly upgraded to an entry-level DSLR because the time delay between pressing the shutter and the taking of the image was so long. I understand that has been improved on the newer P&S cameras, but it drove me crazy. Back in 2005, the entry-level DSLR recommended to me was a Nikon D50, and that worked well for me because I already had Nikon lenses from my film cameras. Since you are starting out, you are free to choose whatever brand seems to work best for you. I do have one recommendation: just because you are "starting out", don't think you have to do it with a "simple" camera--like riding a motorcycle, one quickly outgrows the "learner" instrument and will want to upgrade. I'd recommend that you buy a quality camera that has good "automatic" features (focus, exposure) that you can rely on until you get more familiar with photography in general; then you can investigate the finer details capable with the camera. Just because a camera has a lot of features and controls doesn't mean you should be afraid to try it--most of them nowadays have excellent automation that requires little fiddling to get good pictures.

My current D7100 with 18-200mm VR2 zoom is a pretty heavy item to carry around, but I deal with it because it does exactly what I want when I want it. I do a lot of tourism traveling and the capability to go from wide angle to telephoto without needing to change lenses is very important to me; it also gives me great ability to adjust the scope of the photo without having to rely on post-processing to crop it. DSLRs typically have better low-light capabilities than P&S cameras, and that is important to me, too, because I take a lot of photos inside cathedrals, etc. where a flash is ineffective or not allowed, and setting up a tripod is inconvenient or forbidden--good low-light performance is a requirement for me. If all you want to do is take pictures of your kids outside with little motion, your camera needs will be very different from if you want to photograph sports action (especially at night or indoors). And photography of birds or animals at a distance (usually) will require different gear, too. Only you can provide the answers to your desires and intentions.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

I just listed my Canon SX50 in the classifieds. Great starter camera.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It's always a good idea to reply to the person you are thanking, using the Quote Reply button. If everyone, just say thank-you all for your responses.

I'm sure the pot load of suggestions and conflicting opinions is a bit much to take, at first. UHH is a reflection of life itself: 80% fertilizer, 20% golden opportunity seed — the perfect Pareto Optimality.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Wow! Someone who knows about the Pareto Principle!

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Some advice from a real old timer:
(1) Determine size/weight of camera that suits you. The best camera is always the one that you will use.

(2) Decide on features that you really need (lowlight capability, interchangeable lenses, manual operation, long zoom, etc.). Note that many current cameras do NOT have viewfinders, making them pretty useless in bright light. Also,a really long zoom presents a lot of problems (blur when hand holding, weight, etc). If you are not going to carry a tripod, I would think twice about using a lens longer than about 300mm (35mm equivalent).

(3) After basic research on what is available that meets your needs, decide on realistic budget. Budget creep is pretty easy to do.

(4) Caution: Don't get caught up in pixel wars. Physical size of the sensor has the major impact on image quality (vivid colors, low noise, dynamic range, etc.). You need about 90000 pixels per square inch of final print for very high-quality. Thus, for an 8x10, you need about 7 million pixels. I would double this (14 to 15 million pixels) to account for cropping, picture ratio, etc. Lower pixel counts can still yield quite acceptable results, down to about 40,000 pixels per square inch.

(5) I would keep away from used equipment until you become more familiar with cameras. Used equipment from reliable vendors is probably OK.

Hope that this helps.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

One of my heroes... I was an economics major, way back when. His work is quite enlightening and has applicability far beyond its scope.

Jim Bob

Either you are talking about a different Rockwell or you misunderstand his "leaning".

rinchinchin

Price should be your last consideration. Do not get locked into a price that will not provide the results you want. First, what kind of pictures will you be taking -- people, landscapes, birds in flight, etc? Then ask a knowledgeable person which cameras will give you the results you want. From the cameras suggested, then you can narrow it down to a camera in your price range. Ease of use while learning, a good viewfinder and the size and weight of equipment are other points to consider. No one camera and lens is perfect for every situation. Many possibilities among bridge and DSLR cameras. Compare their assets to make your decision.

anotherview Loc: California

Hi: Welcome. Buy a point-and-shoot camera that you can afford. Then study Composition and the Exposure Triangle. Learn the importance of selecting an interesting Subject.

Good photo skills mean more than the camera you use. How you use your camera determines the quality of your photographs.

You could attend a workshop that teaches basic camera operation, to speed up your learning and give you confidence.

Soon, you will want to edit your photographs to bring out their potential. Use Photoshop Elements to edit your photographs.

Consider taking a workshop for learning the basics of photo-editing.

You can also learn much of what you want to know by the Internet from tutorials and videos.

In time, you will likely want to buy a better camera and lens. Your experience will help you decide which to buy.

Take many photographs. Learn from your mistakes and successes.

Good luck.

Dan O Loc: Shrewsbury, Pa

As a beginner, I would take a online photography course. I took one from Ken Shultz at easydslr.com. Ken has a blue and gold course. The gold one goes deeper. ken takes his time and explains all you need to know about photography. It's money well spent.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

He'll be learning THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON IN ALL OF PHOTOGRAPHY.......COMPOSITION!!!
It's more important than ANY mode he will EVER learn!!!
SS

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I agree with Jim Bob, a Nikon D3300 refurbished by Nikon would be an excellent choice and bargain. Or get the state of the art D3400. I bought a D32OO when it had just come out and I was astounded, the kit lens 28-55 was the best lens and it was the best camera I ever had including the old Pentax K-1000 film camera I started with 40 yrs ago and a series of Canons, from the D 60 in 2000 to the Rebel in 2008. Nothing else came close. It is stylish to say megapixels don't matter to0 much but don't you believe it, 24 megapixels on the Nikon rules! Only a full frame could be better.

anotherview Loc: California

Ignore the posts that require you to give a lot of information upfront before answering a simple question like yours.

It matters most that you buy a camera that you can afford, and then learn photography using it.