Good camera for a teen?

[Nayan]

My DS who is 15 has expressed an interest in photography :woohoo:. He's been looking at the Nikon Coolpix L22 but before buying anything I told him I'd ask around and get a few opinions on what a good starter camera would be. He's been playing around with my old Canon's and I tried to find one like it (an old A630) but I don't feel like paying over $700 (Amazon's price :scared1:) and would like to keep the new one under $200. His only wish is for no rechargeable batteries.

[Pea-n-Me]

If he really wishes to get into it more, I'd consider buying him a bridge camera, at minimum, so he can learn to use some of the various settings and have a better zoom available to him. Or you may consider getting him an entry level dSLR, perhaps as a gift ? combined with a class or a DVD and book, etc.

[ukcatfan]

If he is serious about it, you might want to go ahead and consider a used DSLR. There are a few very reputable places to buy used stuff, such as KEH, Adorama, and B&H. The only DSLRs that take AAs is Pentax if he is very firm about that. Here is an example of what you could get from KEH:

K100D - In excellent+ condition $225
http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Digital/system-Pentax-Digital/category-Camera-Bodies?s=1&bcode=DP&ccode=2&cc=79277&r=WG&f

Then a basic kit lens for it from them
DA 18-55mm II with hood also in excellent+ condition $65
http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Digital/system-Pentax-Digital/category-Zoom-Lenses?s=1&bcode=DP&ccode=7&cc=55919&r=WG&f

If you want to do a point and shoot camera, there should be plenty of them available for around $200. I personally have always preferred Canon, but many other brads are also great. I would look for one where he can do manual settings such as changing the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

[Nayan]

Thank you for the replies. Maybe I'll go the used DSLR route since I know he'll have more options to play with it than a point and shoot. Now if I can just convince him that rechargeable batteries work just as well ;).

[Pea-n-Me]

I didn't notice the battery comment before (sorry). If he does *really* get into photography, he's going to be taking LOTS of pictures (as in thousands, easily!) and he will probably want to reconsider rechargables, otherwise it will cost him a small fortune in batteries alone.

[ukcatfan]

Thank you for the replies. Maybe I'll go the used DSLR route since I know he'll have more options to play with it than a point and shoot. Now if I can just convince him that rechargeable batteries work just as well ;).

Personally, I love that my DSLR takes AAs :thumbsup2 Rechargeable batteries are great, but there have been more than a couple times where I forgot to charge my rechargeable AAs and was saved by disposable ones. Admittedly, I always carry a couple sets of disposable lithium AAs with me, but you can buy alkaline AAs just about anywhere if needed.