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Good cheap cameras for beginners
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Mar 20, 2019 21:19:19   #
megan.c1438
 
So I'm interested in photography and I have been looking at used cameras. One used camera that I've seen seems good (Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera) but I have no knowledge of what camera I should buy. What cheap cameras are recommended for beginners that are pretty easy to use? I'm trying to keep the price about $130 or less.

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Mar 20, 2019 21:24:42   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
megan.c1438 wrote:
So I'm interested in photography and I have been looking at used cameras. One used camera that I've seen seems good (Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera) but I have no knowledge of what camera I should buy. What cheap cameras are recommended for beginners that are pretty easy to use? I'm trying to keep the price about $130 or less.


Megan, The Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera is a great camera to start with. It has a great zoom and excellent reliability.
B&H is a reliable source and they offer good service. At $85 it is a buy.Welcome to the forum.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/754902/?gclid=CjwKCAjwycfkBRAFEiwAnLX5IdaKs4J3bcdSbxPi40X6rNK5lYwiC1tpkIvgN8og7_PgyxHVpzxOshoCicEQAvD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514

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Mar 20, 2019 21:26:57   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
megan.c1438 wrote:
So I'm interested in photography and I have been looking at used cameras. One used camera that I've seen seems good (Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera) but I have no knowledge of what camera I should buy. What cheap cameras are recommended for beginners that are pretty easy to use? I'm trying to keep the price about $130 or less.


Sorry, for $130.00 you WILL NOT get a very good quality "Beginner" Camera, at least NOT a DSLR Camera. You might find a low end "Point & Shoot" camera. Save your money until you have enough to buy a quality "Beginner" DSLR camera, ex. Nikon D3500, D5600, or possibly a D7200

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Mar 20, 2019 21:37:58   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Silverman wrote:
Sorry, for $130.00 you WILL NOT get a very good quality "Beginner" Camera, at least NOT a DSLR Camera. You might find a low end "Point & Shoot" camera. Save your money until you have enough to buy a quality "Beginner" DSLR camera, ex. Nikon D3500, D5600, or possibly a D7200


Why not a Canon Rebel, 80D, or SL2?
These are very easy to use with the easiest to use UI on the market AKA menu system.
Or if you want to go compact ILC the Canon M50? Again top quality, easiest to use menu system of all.

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Mar 20, 2019 21:41:15   #
twowindsbear
 
I also own that Nikon camera. It has served me quite well over the years. Good luck in your photography journey.

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Mar 20, 2019 23:22:02   #
jdub82 Loc: California
 
Silverman wrote:
Sorry, for $130.00 you WILL NOT get a very good quality "Beginner" Camera, at least NOT a DSLR Camera. You might find a low end "Point & Shoot" camera. Save your money until you have enough to buy a quality "Beginner" DSLR camera, ex. Nikon D3500, D5600, or possibly a D7200


Really?!? As mentioned above, an entry level, used bridge camera can be purchased within the described budget. Why not start there? There is no reason the OP should have to start with a DSLR.

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Mar 20, 2019 23:22:42   #
jdub82 Loc: California
 
Architect1776 wrote:
Why not a Canon Rebel, 80D, or SL2?
These are very easy to use with the easiest to use UI on the market AKA menu system.
Or if you want to go compact ILC the Canon M50? Again top quality, easiest to use menu system of all.


The budget mentioned is $130.00.

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Mar 20, 2019 23:24:19   #
jdub82 Loc: California
 
PixelStan77 wrote:
Megan, The Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera is a great camera to start with. It has a great zoom and excellent reliability.
B&H is a reliable source and they offer good service. At $85 it is a buy.Welcome to the forum.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/754902/?gclid=CjwKCAjwycfkBRAFEiwAnLX5IdaKs4J3bcdSbxPi40X6rNK5lYwiC1tpkIvgN8og7_PgyxHVpzxOshoCicEQAvD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514



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Mar 21, 2019 05:16:01   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
A simple camera for a beginner is good in that it limits the effort on learning settings when the real goal is recognizing a good subject and following composition guidelines.

Composition NOT IQ is the Key to outstanding Photography.
Thus, a low-cost camera in the hands of a person who knows composition will outdo the $5000 camera in the hands of a person without knowledge or intuition of composition.

There are many articles on composition and Mr. Google will find them for the new photographer.

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Mar 21, 2019 07:05:14   #
Petesfixit Loc: Houston Texas
 
If you're interested, I have an older dlr, a D70 Nikon with a newer 18-55 kit lens, in good condition. CF card and charger included. I'd let it go for 110.oo + shipping.
It can use all the older inexpensive screwdrive AF lenses, is backward compatible with almost all manual focus Nikon lenses back to 1970's , and to top it off a little known feature, high speed flash sync up to 1/500 sec with any flash. Nothing better to learn on than a real camera. PM me if interested

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Mar 21, 2019 07:14:07   #
lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA
 
Two thumbs up for dpullum's comments. I got interested in photography when I bought a Fuji Finepix S1500 which is very similar in capabilities to the Nikon P500. These little bridge cameras have so much built into them you can go a long way in learning composition and exposure. You're going to have a great time with it.
Good luck and good shooting.

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Mar 21, 2019 07:15:36   #
Delderby Loc: Derby UK
 
The future of photography is NOT the DSLR. It is EVF and Mirrorless. Have a look at "A" grade used M4/3 for quality, affordability and a good learning platform. Welcome to the Hog.

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Mar 21, 2019 07:24:08   #
66mikeg Loc: Exeter UK
 
I'm sure that a bridge camera would be the best solution, I'd been using Minolta SLRs for years and started digital with a Panasonic bridge camera. The image quality was fine until ISO numbers over about 800 and the 28 mm - 420 mm equivalent zoom lens (by Leica) was a great even used it for airshows. I now have a couple of Sony DSLRs using the Minolta AF lenses that I've acquired. A bridge camera is an ideal start unless of course to want to use film.

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Mar 21, 2019 07:42:10   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
dpullum wrote:
A simple camera for a beginner is good in that it limits the effort on learning settings when the real goal is recognizing a good subject and following composition guidelines.

Composition NOT IQ is the Key to outstanding Photography.
Thus, a low-cost camera in the hands of a person who knows composition will outdo the $5000 camera in the hands of a person without knowledge or intuition of composition.

There are many articles on composition and Mr. Google will find them for the new photographer.
A simple camera for a beginner is good in that it ... (show quote)


I love common sense.

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Mar 21, 2019 07:55:57   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
megan.c1438 wrote:
So I'm interested in photography and I have been looking at used cameras. One used camera that I've seen seems good (Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera) but I have no knowledge of what camera I should buy. What cheap cameras are recommended for beginners that are pretty easy to use? I'm trying to keep the price about $130 or less.


There are lots of good used cameras available, and they don't have to be newer models. They were good when they were introduced, and they're still just as good. Look on eBay, and check back here with follow-up questions. A bridge camera will have one permanent lens and a long zoom range.

Camera comparisons -
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
Comparison sites -
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

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