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Advice Wanted camera for beginners?
Herman
The Image Stimulator
- Location
- The Netherlands
- Name
- Herman
Welcome Judith. If it's a camera with just a zoom lens you want to buy for him look at the photos by Jeroen (@Nuskyn). He shows in a stunning way what can be done with a handy lightweight. Just click on the name under his avatar photo, then go to the tab "images" and you can scroll through his photos to see what I mean.
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- Location
- Minnesota
- Name
- Chris
How old is your son?
Depending on his age, interest in "gadgets", and interest in photography- Lots of choices for $800. Nature photography- meaning photographing birds and animals at a distance, or scenery? Birds at a distance means using a higher power lens, usually a zoom these days. Insects- a lens with "Macro" mode. $800 buys a Nikon Coolpix P950 with a zoom of over 80:1, telephoto to wide-angle.
www.nikonusa.com
The Zoom is built into the camera, cannot be changed. The one camera will "do it all".
Other options include cameras with interchangeable lenses. This can get very expensive, very fast.
As an example, a Nikon Z series Mirrorless camera with a 3:1 zoom is $900,
www.nikonusa.com
The "Image sensor" is much bigger than on the "Coolpix". More glass, more expensive.
For the "Super-Zooms", there are many lower cost cameras that have a lot of capability.
At under $400, has an electronic viewfinder- consider very important for holding the camera steady.
Nikon COOLPIX P950 | Super Telephoto Zoom Digital Camera
The Nikon COOLPIX P950 digital camera features 16.0 megapixels resolution and a super-telephoto 83X optical zoom/166X Dynamic Fine Zoom lens for photographing everything from nature landscapes to portraits, wildlife and more!
www.nikonusa.com
The Zoom is built into the camera, cannot be changed. The one camera will "do it all".
Other options include cameras with interchangeable lenses. This can get very expensive, very fast.
As an example, a Nikon Z series Mirrorless camera with a 3:1 zoom is $900,
Nikon | Shop & Explore Cameras, Lenses, and Accessories
Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!
www.nikonusa.com
The "Image sensor" is much bigger than on the "Coolpix". More glass, more expensive.
For the "Super-Zooms", there are many lower cost cameras that have a lot of capability.
At under $400, has an electronic viewfinder- consider very important for holding the camera steady.
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- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
How old is your son, and what is his experience level with cameras?
- Location
- Boston Burbs
- Name
- David
Shame you just missed an OM System (formerly Olympus) refurb factory sale. But there are a few good sites for used gear (not eBay).
But still dependent on age? Fixed lens or interchangeable? Current level of experience?
But still dependent on age? Fixed lens or interchangeable? Current level of experience?
Assuming that's $US800, and your son is in his teens, then Adorama has the E-M5 mark III brand new for $749. The 14-42mm lens will set you back another $199. The camera can be used fully on auto as he begins to learn, it will give your son excellent image quality, AND will grow with your son (featurewise and lens wise).
mnhoj
Hall of Famer
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Name
- John
For a general pick, here's an option for a mirrorless interchangeable lens combo made by Panasonic. This particular lens has a nice range from wide to mid telephoto for all things nature and close focus to .54X for close-ups(bugs). It has a fairly large grip, body stabilization, decent image quality, decent video quality, a huge assortment of affordable lenses if upgrading and it comes in at less than the target budget including tax. Assuming that you're in the US or within B&H shipping range. Includes a bag and a memory card. And it's on sale.
I've owned the G85(predecessor) and 12-60 and was happy with the experience and the images.
A spare battery would likely get you to slightly over $800 and would be handy.
I've owned the G85(predecessor) and 12-60 and was happy with the experience and the images.
A spare battery would likely get you to slightly over $800 and would be handy.
William Lewis
Hall of Famer
- Location
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Name
- William Lewis
It really does depend on the age and interest level of your son, but for a modern camera, I'd agree with Brian that the Nikon Z50 with the kit 16-50 lens would be hard to beat. Yes, it will cost more but it will be one that can grow with him for a much longer time.
If your son has been borrowing a camera to take pictures of nature and insects already- may be best to get him something like what he has been using already to take these photographs. Knowing what camera he has been using would help. Depending on his age and sophistication of the camera he has been using, might be best to start with something simple and lower priced. On a humorous note- this thread cost me $60, looked on Ebay and stumbled across this:
Ricoh Calpio 500SE - 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Ricoh Calpio 500SE - 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
Waterproof down to 10ft. These used to be very expensive. I'd probably also trust it to an 8 year old. Also for use at the beach, no worry about sand and salt spray.
