Yes, a Camera Recommendation Thread...

But it's for my friend, not me

Here's the scenario:

She wants to start taking photography a little more seriously. I've offered to teach her basics of exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, metering, etc etc).

She wants a camera that "doesn't blur so much" - so... good low-light/ISO performance, maybe IS if it's a compact.

Her budget is USD$200-300 - I asked her if she could stretch that and she said yeah, so I'm guessing we can expand the budget to $300-400. Also, I haven't told her this, but I'm willing to throw in $100 of my own money to get her a better camera if it's worth it. So, the budget is actually somewhere around $400-$500.

So, in summary:

1) Compact or DSLR in the range of $400-$500
2) If compact, manual settings a must
3) Something that one can "grow with"

To be honest I'm completely out of the loop when it comes to digital compacts/P&S's, or even any non-Canon DSLR. All I've had in my head for the past 4 years are Canon DSLRs but I managed to come up with this pitiful list so far:

- Canon G10
- SX110 IS
- Some kind of used Digital Rebel

So what do you guys think? Any other recommendations? I'll even take Nikon, Pentax, Sony if there are some good budget options. I'm sure she'd like something 'brand new' but I can probably convince her a used unit is good too...

For around $500, you can get Canon Rebel XS (1000D) with kit lens. It's a lot of camera for a beginner and have room to grow as she become more skillful. Since you're in CA, you can avoid sales tax if you buy it from east coast store like BH or Adorama. It's $509 with free shipping from BH now.

You can find a used 30D or an XSi, XTi in that range with a kit lens.

darosk wrote in post #8410674
But it's for my friend, not me

Here's the scenario:

She wants to start taking photography a little more seriously. I've offered to teach her basics of exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, metering, etc etc).

She wants a camera that "doesn't blur so much" - so... good low-light/ISO performance, maybe IS if it's a compact.

Her budget is USD$200-300 - I asked her if she could stretch that and she said yeah, so I'm guessing we can expand the budget to $300-400. Also, I haven't told her this, but I'm willing to throw in $100 of my own money to get her a better camera if it's worth it. So, the budget is actually somewhere around $400-$500.


So, in summary:

1) Compact or DSLR in the range of $400-$500

2) If compact, manual settings a must

3) Something that one can "grow with"

To be honest I'm completely out of the loop when it comes to digital compacts/P&S's, or even any non-Canon DSLR. All I've had in my head for the past 4 years are Canon DSLRs but I managed to come up with this pitiful list so far:

- Canon G10
- SX110 IS
- Some kind of used Digital Rebel

So what do you guys think? Any other recommendations? I'll even take Nikon, Pentax, Sony if there are some good budget options. I'm sure she'd like something 'brand new' but I can probably convince her a used unit is good too...

You better be absolutely sure that she appreciates what is involved in DSLR ownership and handling before you spend even $350. Under the circumstances, I would be looking at the Canon G10. You are unlikely to ever be criticized for buying one of those.

she should be able to buy a used xti with a kit lens in her budget (without you having to donate)

that is a good enough camera for her to learn on and to find out if she likes the hobby enough to invest in better equipment

You should seriously discuss with her the idea of a DSLR, with its size, extra weight, the need for extra lenses, the need for a bag to carry it.

If she's not thrilled with that idea, I would definitely go with the G10.

Thanks for comments!

Yes, yes, for the reasons you guys mentioned, (weight, size, lens cost) I am heavily leaning to the G10. I mentioned DSLR's because I don't really use compacts that much, so SLR's are all I really know (even though I own a compact).

Are there other camera brands that have compacts similar to the G10?

darosk wrote in post #8410835
...
Are there other camera brands that have compacts similar to the G10?

I'm sure there are but two of my buddies have the G10 and it is a fantastic camera.

Panasonic LX3 if she doesn't mind a short zoom (24-60 equiv.), Fuji F200EXR...think that's pretty much it? Ricoh GR's I think have fixed-focals, as do Sigma DP's.

If she doesn't mind a small DSLR, Olympus would work.

From a brief glace at DPR, the SX110IS and Panasonic TZ5 should be considered...but it still seems like the Canon G and Panasonic LX cameras are the only cameras with easily accessible manual settings.

darosk wrote in post #8410835
Are there other camera brands that have compacts similar to the G10?

panasonic LX3 and there's also a nikon (P6000?) that are typically considered the best P&Ss available...

Nikon D40 FTW.......

That LX3 doesn't look bad at all.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8410974
panasonic LX3 and there's also a nikon (P6000?) that are typically considered the best P&Ss available...

Cool - there's even a review that pits these against each other... Will check them out.

drdiesel1 wrote in post #8410992
Nikon D40 FTW.......

darosk wrote in post #8411043

Check it out..You`ll be amazed at the D40`s capability and IQ for a 400.00 (or less) kit...
This was shot with the plastic 55-200 lens on the D40 from about 20 feet away.

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For around $400 you can get a great starter kit:

These are all at adorama:
Refurb NIkon D40 or D60 with kit lens
Refurb Olympus E410 with 14-42 AND 40-150 kit lenses
Used Oly E520 with kit lens
Refurb Canon XS with 18-55 IS lens
New Pentax K2000
Used Sony A300 with kit lens

Olympus is probably the best bet if budget really is 200-300. I have seen E510/410 + kit lens go for $250 on ebay.

And definitely don't get a g10 or SX10. Any of the SLRs, even olympus, are going to beat a compact by a mile for IQ.

The Canon XS probably has the best pixel to pixel image quality out of any of the ones listed.

Correction.... It's the XSi that has the best pixel to pixel image quality. With that said you can't go wrong with the XS.