a decent quality camera for 15 year old

[elf]

My 15 year old loves photography, buys vogue and other magazines just to study pictures.lol

Well for Christmas she wants a good quality camera. She'll be taking photo classes at school. She has a 3 year old point and shoot but she wants something better. She takes great care of her electronics.

I see all these fantastic photo's on here any recommendations.

It's her only Christmas gift so I'm willing to spend $300-$350, can't really go higher, lower is better.

I was looking at this on Amazon:
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Black) Super Bundle With 16GB Secure Digital High-Capacity Memory Card, DigPro Deluxe Case, Reader, NB-6L Battery And More

Thank you!

 

[Habbott]

This is an older model of my camera. I love my camera. This is a great price for it as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-E-PL1-Interchangeable-Digital-Black/dp/B0035LBRJO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352302473&sr=8-1&keywords=olympus+pen

It's sort of like a DSLR , but it's smaller, compact and can be used similarly to a point and shoot as well. Like I said, I love my camera.

 

[elf]

Also she wanteda camera that didn't delay when you click to take the pictures. Not sure what it's called.

 

[Habbott]

Also she wanteda camera that didn't delay when you click to take the pictures. Not sure what it's called.

That is the main reason I got my Olympus pen. No delay. Very important with a toddler. I haven't found a point and shoot like that yet, as all of them seem to have a delay.

 

[mrudman]

My 15 year old loves photography, buys vogue and other magazines just to study pictures.lol

Well for Christmas she wants a good quality camera. She'll be taking photo classes at school. She has a 3 year old point and shoot but she wants something better. She takes great care of her electronics.

I see all these fantastic photo's on here any recommendations.

It's her only Christmas gift so I'm willing to spend $300-$350, can't really go higher, lower is better.

I was looking at this on Amazon:
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Black) Super Bundle With 16GB Secure Digital High-Capacity Memory Card, DigPro Deluxe Case, Reader, NB-6L Battery And More

Thank you!

I LOVE the Panasonic Lumix line... have bought a few (successors to each other), and they just keep getting better and better. No delay in taking the pics, always come out great, even with moving objects, and love the IA feature since I am a strict P&S person (and love that they use Leica lenses).

Here's one that's just within your budget, but has a ton of features, including external lenses, manual focusing, full HD video, 24x zoom, etc.
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-FZ60K

Edited to add a picture... see if this posts... this is a pic I took last night, of my daughter feeding a red-breasted nuthatch.. he was extremely quick to come in, get his peanut, and take off, so you can see how quick the shutter speed is on these cameras.

]

 

[mrodgers]

She's taking a class? Skip the point and shoot cameras, they won't work. May even have to skip the digital altogether. It use to be that classes meant they required a 35mm SLR film camera. Don't quote me on that, it may be different now a few years later.

You can get her a used/refurbished dSLR for the kind of money you want to spend. It will be 5000 times better than a point and shoot. If she really wants to get involved in photography rather than taking pictures, she will need more control of the camera. Even with the nicest large body digital camera with full manual controls, she will outgrow it within months if she wants to learn photography. You need an aperture range and ISO range that you simply can not get on a non-dSLR. 2.8 aperture on a P&S or advanced P&S camera is not anywhere close to the same as 2.8 aperture on a dSLR.

 

[elf]

I think I need a lesson on photography/camera vocabulary.lol

That picture is totally amazing. I found that camera on Amazon with a good price.

Olympic looks good too because it's smaller.

I'll show her, maybe even go to a store so she can touch and feel them.

I need to research this more and read all the reviews, thank you.

 

[PhillyMc]

I would look at a Nikon D40 if they are serious into taking photos. They then can start building their glass and if/when they are ready upgrade to a better body without starting over. You can find the body's for around $200 on amazon and camera stores and add on a 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens for around $99 and you have a pretty good start. Yes you might not be getting new but this setup would dive your DD more control than most non-dslr cameras.

 

[wannagoback]

I was also going to suggest a used dSLR. My Nikon d40 is a few years old, I still love it, and it would be a fantastic camera for an enthusiastic teenager. I see one on ebay for $202.

You could also contact the photography teacher for suggestions.

 

[luvmy3]

She's taking a class? Skip the point and shoot cameras, they won't work. May even have to skip the digital altogether. It use to be that classes meant they required a 35mm SLR film camera. Don't quote me on that, it may be different now a few years later.

You can get her a used/refurbished dSLR for the kind of money you want to spend. It will be 5000 times better than a point and shoot. If she really wants to get involved in photography rather than taking pictures, she will need more control of the camera. Even with the nicest large body digital camera with full manual controls, she will outgrow it within months if she wants to learn photography. You need an aperture range and ISO range that you simply can not get on a non-dSLR. 2.8 aperture on a P&S or advanced P&S camera is not anywhere close to the same as 2.8 aperture on a dSLR.

My dd takes photography and she needed a 35mm SLR. Part of the class is learning how to develop the film so they do not use digital cameras this year. That being said I was able to pick up a used Pentax on ebay with 3 lenses and flash for around $75. I'll most likely put it back on ebay when she is done with it.

OP, I am debating on getting her a DSLR for her birthday (after Christmas) and have been looking at refurbished ones from a few websites. I'm not going to bother with a point and shoot since she has her ipod touch for that. If she is serious about photography a DSLR is the way to go.
Cameta.com
Adorama.com


I am looking at this one for her
http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D3100-D...G-VR-DX-AF-S-Zoom-Lens-Factory-Demo-59484.cfm