Which kind do you recommend?

Question

What kind of digital camera would you recommed for a 13 year old boy, that takes very good pictures?He's actully very serious about photography. He does a lot of nature shots also. I want him to have a very very good quality camera. Not one thats $800 though lol.

Answer 1

If he's serious about photography then you want to get him a camera that is capable and that he can learn the fundamentals on. A point and shoot digital camera, while cheap and easy to use offers little in the way of user flexibility and features that will allow for artistic creativity. So I recommend a digital SLR camera from canon or nikon. If you are willing to go used or second hand, I can recommend a couple of cameras, it is often a better idea to buy a second hand or slightly used older (old by only a couple of years) camera for a beginner much like it is the same when buying a first car. You want the price to absorb the new model depreciation. The nikon D50 was the top mid-level DSLR a few years back, you can find them on amazon or ebay for around $500. You can find them brand new on some websites, but I wouldn't buy one new. I know many people who still use it and they are completely satisfited, it's a good camera with a 6.1MP sensor and plenty of mid-level features. The next level up would be the D70 for a couple hundred more. The price seems high, but there are places where you can find these cameras where you will not break the bank. I suggest places like craigslist all the time as I have bought a lot of my gear using it, so you can start there. Other models you might want to check out include the canon digital rebel XT and 20D, they all pretty close in price and features.

I hope this helps and good luck in your choice.

Answer 2

If he really wants to get into photography, anything less than an SLR or DSLR will be a waste of money. With an SLR/DSLR, the photographer controls every aspect of the final image. And of course with a DSLR, the image quality, overall quality, features, high ISO quality, short shutter lag, and fast startup, make these much better than a digital point and shoot, such as the Canon G9, and every other non-SLR digital camera.

For such a young photographer, I would really suggest a good used film SLR, since they cost less than $100, and if it brakes, or lost, you can easily replace it. The cheapest new DSLR is the Pentax K100D Super, but a better suggestion would be the Nikon D40 for $550. That's with a lens, a great one I might add. The D40 is the best of it's class, the best entry level DSLR; a title once held by the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. But like I said, the Nikon D40 is $550. If you can afford it, get it. But if you cannot, get a film SLR.

Now that digital has overtaken film as majority, film SLR cameras are very very cheap. You can easily pick up a professional SLR for a fraction of the original price. I picked a Nikon N8008s, a professionals' backup body camera, for $80. Let me just say it is built like a tank, and worth every penny. Other models you might consider is the Pentax K1000, the Minolta 3xi, or anything from Nikon's lineup. Not only are these cameras some of the best, but there lenses can fit and work properly on a digital SLR, or DSLR. This is unlike Canon, whose lens mount was switched during the late 80s. Pick up a nice 50mm f1.8 lens, some film, and you're set. This comes to a grand total of around $150 to $200.

I almost forgot, some places to look for cameras, besides eBay, is B&H Photo or KEH.com.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I beleive that Sony makes a 10 mp DSLR in the $600-700 range. The interesting thing about it is Sony uses the Minolta auto focus mount. And there are a lot of good used Minolta lens on the market at reasionable prices.

Answer 4

Go to www.bhphotovideo.com, and do a search for SLR's, and Advanced Digital Cameras (high end point and shoots). You dont necessarily need to buy from them, but you can get a lot of user info there.

If SLR's are a bit pricey, the ADC's have more manual controls over shutter speed, exposure, ISO, etc..., to learn how to use lighting to his benefit. They dont have interchangeable lenses, but can be a good learning tool for a young teen.

Answer 5

I would look for a point and shoot with an extended zoom range. There is a nice Sony, with a Zeiss lens, that will have 10x optical zoom (6.3mm - 63mm) in their format, and I would think if you equated the 6.3 to either 28mm or 35mm on a 35mm format, you would get either a 280mm zoom on the long side, maybe closer to 200mm, but that is good enough.

I found them on the internet at $219 but, regularly about $300

Answer 6

A second hand digital SLR would be ideal to learn on but if not then he'll probably like the Canon Ixus.

Answer 7

If you have to go with one of those little toy point and shoots, I would recommend the Canon G9 or Leica D-Lux 3.

I think the little one would be better off if you find a slightly used DSLR.

Answer 8

You're going to have a difficult time finding a new Xterra for less than $25K. The Kia Sorrento is the only small SUV available for anything close to $20K.

Answer 9

Good place to purchase used equipment...
http://secure.cameta.com/
Look at the Digital Rebel XT kit on this page
http://secure.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:display.showused/letter:C/sort:1/page:2/
$409.00

Answer 10

I would recommend a Nikon, Kodak, or Cannon