Choosing a camera for a teen

[PixieDust32]

Yes, another recommendation thread

Alright, my DD (14YO) wants a digital camera that she can take to WDW on our next trip so she can take her "own" pictures

We don't want to get her a super expensive camera, she's only 14, but not a cheap low quality one either.

Any ideas please. I think we can pay up to $150.00. She saw a couple at wal mart for about $100.00 a polaroid, samsung I think.

Thank you.

 

[dr_zero]

Yes, another recommendation thread

Alright, my DD (14YO) wants a digital camera that she can take to WDW on our next trip so she can take her "own" pictures

We don't want to get her a super expensive camera, she's only 14, but not a cheap low quality one either.

Any ideas please. I think we can pay up to $150.00. She saw a couple at wal mart for about $100.00 a polaroid, samsung I think.

Thank you.

My coworker and her daughter have the polaroid and love it!
However when I was talking to the lady in the camera section at wal mart she said they have the most of those come back as returns for issues, the samsung also were not well rated as far as returns they had one blitz day and many of them came back with issues.
Might want to talk them and see what model they carry they have had the least amount of issues with, they do vary by store.

There is some inexpensive Canon, Nikon and Olympus ones out there also check those out.

And if you get it a few days before the trip you can try it out and if you don't like it you can still have time to swap it out, nice thing about wal mart.

 

[OHDisneyDaddy77]

Speaking from personal experience after having 2 Kodak camera's die on me when I needed them most I went and got a Canon A570IS, was about $170 two years ago, my in-laws following my reccomendation went out and bought one and took it to Myrtle beach with them, my aunt did the same and took it to Alaska and Italy this past winter and the pictures were fantastic, and then a co-worker did the same and took it to various Florida locations including disney and up in his father's Cessna and got great clear pictures, his is a A590IS (newer model). I (DW)have used mine on my last two disney trips and daily for taking pictures of DD.
The Canon Powershots with the IS after them are image stablized and really help eliminating blurred pictures.
I would recommend the Powershot Series by Canon Highly and just checking with Dell Online (where I and co-worker) got ours the A590IS is currently on sale for $149.99. (Includes a 2Gb SD card as well)
There are other Powershot models that are about $120 but do not have the image stabilization
These cameras take regular or rechargeable AA batteries not a special camera specific battery, so if they die on you, or you forget to charge them, you can pick-up spares and be going again in no time.

 

[PixieDust32]

Thank you both! Taking notes.

 

[DVC Jen]

I bought my 14 yr old the pink poloroid from Wal-Mart last year. It took terrible photos, and then broke. Not worth the money I spent on it.

This year I bought her this camera - http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNPSA470R

she is really enjoying it and the photos are a much better quality.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

i bought myself the cannan powershot and LOVE it. Mine was 249 though so basically 100 bucks more than what you want to spend, but it's well worth it!

just my 2 cents

 

[PixieDust32]

i bought myself the cannan powershot and LOVE it. Mine was 249 though so basically 100 bucks more than what you want to spend, but it's well worth it!

just my 2 cents

I have the powershot SD850 IS, but it was like $400.00 last year, I had a coolpix and it worked fine but is only 4mp and very slow.

Thanks!

 

[PixieDust32]

I bought my 14 yr old the pink poloroid from Wal-Mart last year. It took terrible photos, and then broke. Not worth the money I spent on it.

This year I bought her this camera - http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNPSA470R

she is really enjoying it and the photos are a much better quality.

Oh this one looks good, is a powershot and the price is reasonable!Thank you!

She wanted the pink polaroid because is pink and it looks pretty but i wasn't sure now I know for sure not to get that one.

Thanks!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Another vote for the Canon Powershot. The A470 is a step up from a camera I bought last year, the A460. Totally reliable, great photos, easy to use, and priced right. You won't regret buying this camera! Plus, I've seen it on a few sites for as low as $109!

 

[PixieDust32]

Another vote for the Canon Powershot. The A470 is a step up from a camera I bought last year, the A460. Totally reliable, great photos, easy to use, and priced right. You won't regret buying this camera! Plus, I've seen it on a few sites for as low as $109!

Thank you! I think we have a winner the canon powershot.

 

[AydensMom]

I bought my DW a Canon A460 last Xmas because she hates the size and weight of my Nikon setup. Lovely little camera that can take some nice pictures. I would say Canon for P&S anyday.

Pat.

 

[thomas998]

Frankly you should probably stay away from Wal-mart if your looking at a 100-150 budget.... the cameras they sell at that price range are pretty much junk.

Aside from the canons mentioned you might consider a Olympus FE-310 if you wanted more optical zoom... you can find them for your price range.

Once you know what you want, you might try bhpphotovideo.com or adorama.com as places to buy from.... they are reputable and usually cheaper than your Bestbuy or other big store.

 

[kait13]

love the polaroid. i have the green one and my friends have multiple other ones. i think it takes great pictures and we have all had them for a decent amount of time (they are also pretty durable because they have survived mixers at fraternity houses )

 

[Corryn]

Hi Everyone I haven't been on in a while.....
My daughter will be 15 this coming Wednesday. She loves taking photos, I think she's found her niche! My father is also an amateur photographer, but hasn't taken photos for years. When he looked at some of her photos, he stated that she had "the eye", that not many kids her age have it...Of course, hearing that makes me proud!
She just started Freshman year and her media arts teacher has put her in charge of taking photos for the yearbook! And it's a very large high school so I'm guessing even he sees something in her photos...

Anyway, she really wants a SLR for her birthday. Is there an inexpensive one that we can get for her? I'm looking around and I see cameras for $500 and up. Is that really the starting point?

I would appreciate any comments or opinions. Thank you!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You want digital, correct?

Will your father be letting your DD use any of his old lenses? If so, what kind are they?

Yes, it is an expensive hobby. Besides initial camera costs, there are lots of others in buying lenses, bags, software, and accessories, etc.

 

[SueInBoston]

Another option is to buy used. Lots of people buy a starter and than upgrade within a year (some even a few months). Look on Craigslist for local sales where you can meet and examine the equipment.

 

[pointandshoot]

I started my 10 year old daughter with a Nikon D40 6MP with the kit lens for around $450. You will also need a SD card and some camera body protection. So $500 seems about right.

I tried to get her to use an old digital point and shoot but she complained about the shutter lag and missing many of the pictures she wanted to capture. So I figured that I would get her a camera she could grow into, use the program mode at first, and not ultimately get frustrated and give up due to equipment. By saving a few dollars you could end up wasting the overall investment if it does not meet her needs as she learns photography or is not pleased with the image quality.

It is small, light, and takes a great picture. I am sure Canon has a DSLR in this feature and price range.

In the end, my daughter has placed in a photo contest for a state wildlife magazine and has been published. They wanted a high quality image for reprint in displays at local museums. A lesser camera might not meet that need. If your daughter will enter contests, this is something to consider.

My last comment is to encourage and shoot with her. My daughter and I have photowalks, take a day on vacation and just shoot pictures, shoots martial arts, etc. Find ways to print and put her pictures on walls in your home, enter into state fairs, etc. Our family takes martial arts together, shoots pictures together, etc. It seems like you have a similiar family situation. Make it a family hobby!

Best of luck! Please share her work when she gets started. Would love to see it.

Chuck

 

[afo]

Like Nikon, Canon has a starter kit with lens in the intro DSLR range.
The Canon XS is a lighter, simpler camera that is a great option for starting out in DSLR. Its listing on Amazon for ~520.00US$. You will need to consider cards, a bag and other stuff.
A good option for learning about this stuff is DPReview.com, it has a camera database (to compare models) as well as a buying guide that allows you to enter specific features that you want to see on the camera, then give you some options.

Hope this helps.
AF.

 

[YesDear]

I agree with the look at used on Craigslist. If $500 is out of your range. The D40 is a great nikon to start with. There are others, canon, sony, pentax, etc. Take her to the camera store and let her get her hands on some. See which one fits her hand and the controls are easy to operate.

Be careful, if your husband gets his hands on it, it may rekindle his interest!!!!

 

[Corryn]

Wow!!! So much information - wonderful!! Thank you

Yes, she wants digital. She also said many times when she gets her camera for her birthday she wants me to take her into Manhattan. She really likes taking pictures there.
As for the better lenses, that was one thing my dad told me, that he thinks the Nikons have the best lenses and that quality is what matters when taking photos.
She has expressed interest in entering photo contests, but admits that she doesn't want to just jump right in. Her media arts class is helping her, and her media arts teacher has kind of taken her under his wing and giving her pointers, etc.

I would buy off Craigs List, but my husband is not that trusting. From your responses I see that $500 is the cost to start her off, but like another said, I don't want to pay less for something and have it not work, so I guess I'll just bite the bullet and spend the cash This is something she has been trying to "get into" for over a year now, so I see this as a good investment.

I appreciate all your answers and I would appreciate any more if anyone wants to give them!
Thank you