Mid-priced camera for a semi-newbie?

[aristocatz]

Hello there,

I would like to buy a camera for my fiance as a wedding present to him. I can only afford around $450 MAX. He loves taking pictures, but I do not want to get him anything too heavy in weight as he will want to carry it around the parks with him. He's a pretty big guy, but I would like to get him something that takes great photos and is convenient at the same time.

He is just getting into picture taking & is a pretty bright guy with a good eye.

I was looking into a Nikon D40 SLR or a Nikon Coolpix 12.1, but I know nothing about cameras. This is just based on reviews I read on eopinions.com

Suggestions? Thank you

 

[aristocatz]

Wow, not one response on a photography board??

Someone must have a recommendation for a good starter camera??

 

[bob100]

Wow, not one response on a photography board??

Someone must have a recommendation for a good starter camera??

there are plenty of good "starter" cameras out there including those models mentioned but consider also the camera should feel comfortable, i.e. he needs to check it out personally. Also cameras can have very different features (video ?) maybe a gift certificate - is that too impersonal ?

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well, what is the best camera is kind of like asking what kind of car should I drive. That is a pretty personal question based on what you need and what you like. I have a Nikon DSLR. That fits my needs, so that is my default recommendation. But not everyone needs or wants a DSLR. Do you want a lot of zoom? $450 will not get you much in the way of zoom in the DSLR arena. Do you want to be able to change lenses or do you view that as an unnecessary hassle? Do you want to be able to fit the camera in your pocket? Do you plan to only utilize auto mode or do you want to take full advantage of manual settings?

There are many good options for a mid-priced camera. However, you need to decide what kind of features you are looking for and then shop for the best camera for you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Those are two different styles of cameras that are being looked at and it's difficult to compare. A DSLR is usually (although it doesn't HAVE to be - you can use the body and one lens) about buying into a system where you'll have multiple lenses and change depending on the focal length you want to shoot at. The Nikon Coolpix is a bridge camera that is somewhere between a point and shoot and a DSLR. You don't change lenses on it but you will have more controls than on the average P&S.

In this case it's not really about the price but the interest level of your fiancee in a particular type of camera. The Nikon D40 is a very capable entry level DSLR. I'm afraid I haven't personally heard about the Coolpix but it is probably a very capable bridge camera.

 

[kaffinito]

What type of camera has he shown interest in before? What does he use now?

As some pp's have said, a camera is a personal taste thing. However, if you want to get him a camera that takes great pictures, check out the Panasonic Lumix Tz5. It takes great shots, and I use it when I don't have my D90 with me. This way you will be covered on both ends. You can get him a camera that has a lot of functions and one that takes good photos, and will also be a good kit-bag camera if he decides he wants to move into a DSLR.

Happy shopping!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I agree that it depends on your finance and his interest level.

I have always wanted a dSLR, and it is literally one of the most important things I own (emotionally speaking). I'd never want someone else picking it out for me- because I spent hours looking at reviews and handling cameras in the store before I decided on what was right for me. I also had to decide which I wanted to buy into (be it Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc- you're buying into an entire system).

If he just likes taking pictures but isn't interested in really making a huge hobby of the art itself- there are many good bridge cameras out there. They have a lot of features that most P&S's don't have, and from what I've seen they've come a long way in size and weight since a few years ago.

I personally asked for a bridge camera for my birthday a few years ago. After taking a ton of pictures with it, I decided I wanted more out of it- and to make photography an actual hobby. I graduated to a dSLR 2 years later (Canon XSi). I think I needed the time with the bridge to really realize I wanted more. Everyone's different. Has your fiance mentioned wanting a dSLR specifically?

Congrats on the wedding!!