Which entry level camera - Canon, Nikon or Sony

I will like to buy a dslr with kit lens for my son as my retirement gift for him. After graduation he is trainee with an IT company. When asked about his views, he said camera is not on his priority list as mobile is good enough. I feel he should develop some creative hobby.

Since smaller sensor interchaingable lens cameras are as costly as apsc sensor entry level cameras, I will like to consider one with apsc size sensor.

I am thinking of canon 1200 vs nikon 3300 vs sony mirrorless. Which one of these is better overall.

I can not give comment about Canon and Sony cameras because I don't know them but I can say something about Nikon - if you decide to go with Nikon save money and go for D3200. It will give you the same photo quality and practically same functions for less money. D5200 would also be a good option for the same photo quality.
Regards

I think you should listen to your son. He's an IT guy so he knows the technology that are out there. So when he says he's happy with a mobile. I suspect if you give him one of these cameras, it might just gather dust. If he's like my nephews. They are more happy with a goPro than any cameras that are out there.... go figure

just my 2 cents

Canajun wrote in post #16808915
I think you should listen to your son. He's an IT guy so he knows the technology that are out there. So when he says he's happy with a mobile. I suspect if you give him one of these cameras, it might just gather dust. If he's like my nephews. They are more happy with a goPro than any cameras that are out there.... go figure

just my 2 cents

I agree. From my own experience, when somebody says they don't want something, they usually mean it.

James P wrote in post #16808959
I agree. From my own experience, when somebody says they don't want something, they usually mean it.

Also agree. Don't waste your money.

Sirrith wrote in post #16809230
Also agree. Don't waste your money.

Thirded, if he says he doesn't want it, he probably won't use it.

But IF you decide to do it anyway, then Nikon is probably the way to go.

I feel the young man should develop a hobby other than reading books. So that when he reaches my age he would have some passion to spend time with. Off course my first camera is gathering dust with my daughter...... but one day she may....

Canon is more user friendly (Q mode & touch screen ) and better ergonomics
he may like it better - as for IQ they are all excellent

ssmanak wrote in post #16809510
I feel the young man should develop a hobby other than reading books. So that when he reaches my age he would have some passion to spend time with. Off course my first camera is gathering dust with my daughter...... but one day she may....

I can appreciate that, but you can't really force a hobby on someone. My father has been doing photography professionally for my whole life, he gave my brother a XSi when he finished highschool, he pretty much never used it. He then gave me a 20D when I started to take an interest in photography in highschool and I used it occasionally, but never really got into it for years, it basically collected dust. It wasn't until it got stolen that I realized I missed it and bought my own camera, then my hobby became a part of my life. My brother still never uses his Canon gear.

My parents bought me cameras when I was a teenager. They were birthday gifts & Christmas gifts. I used them on trips & eventually quit using them. I worked in the dark room at the high school. Had a blast.

I got back into cameras when I started a family.

If you bought a camera, it might sit around for awhile & be outdated when he gets the shutterbug.

Give him ca$h. He'll appreciate that more.

i bought 60D with most EF-S lenses for my big son
then he shot 10 photos and he gave me back all the gear
i used them and i sold them at last
i bought for the younger 550D and the same story , i used it and sold it
i bought nikon D5200 for my Daughter with the kit lens and now she is better than me in photography LoL
so don't spend your money if he don't want a camera

Heya,

Buying an electronic with the thought of developing a passion for when he reaches your age for a hobby that he has no interest in, is why this is a bad idea.

Talk to your son. Find out what he is into, what he thinks is an interesting, creative hobby that can be life long. And invest in that. Not what you want.

Very best,

ssmanak wrote in post #16809510
I feel the young man should develop a hobby other than reading books. So that when he reaches my age he would have some passion to spend time with. Off course my first camera is gathering dust with my daughter...... but one day she may....

The young man should develop whatever hobby he wants, not what his father wants.

Something which he only does because you want him to is not a hobby, and he will not do it when you aren't around pushing him to.

Perhaps instead, you could give him cash on the condition that he spend it doing something which he has wanted to do or try for a while now, or that he thinks he may be interested in but has never had the opportunity to do.

Nikon is a good choice. Sony was having dome problems with their shutters, don't know if its been fixed.