Entry level DSLR camera

rygon

Ive got a Canon S100 which is a compact. Takes really good pics and allows total manual control, the only thing I find is that it hasnt got the zoom capabilities of a SLR.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_S100/

The main reason why I got it was I wanted to learn more about manual controls on camera, take better pictures and have something that I can take anywhere (fits nicely in the pocket).

I used digitalrev which is based in hongkong, but it was much cheaper than anywhere in the UK and came within 2days of ordering. I'd really recommend this company.

As said, get a decent bridge camera and when shes older and more knowledgable she can choose her own SLR

cootuk

The question is whether she just wants point and shoot or does a lot of photo manipulation afterwards.
The bridge cameras have a small sensor so image quality is always limited for manippulation. DSLR have much larger sensors so more data to manipulate and can print at higher resolutions in a larger size.

From the amount she takes, then you will need a spare battery as each charge may only get 200-400 shots.

You might consider a £200 compact system camera like Olympus EPL range, only slightly smaller sensor than a DSLR.

gjchester

Remember whatever system you buy, Canon, Nikon, Sony your money won't go into the camera but the lens, and once you start in any system you are unlikely to change. as you build up an investment in the lens, flash, leads and so on.

Sony use the Minolta mount so lens tend to be a bit cheaper, and anti shake is in the camera body, but Canon and Nikon are more popular so more used lens are on the market.

Personally I'm a Sony owner as I had old Minolta Lens, but if I had a choice form scratch I'd probably go Canon now.

[Deleted User]

rygon wrote: »

As said, get a decent bridge camera and when shes older and more knowledgable she can choose her own SLR

Another person who thinks the benefit of an SLR is the 'zoom' capability. It's not - it's the bigger sensor, control over settings and interchangeable lenses. If you want to get into proper photography then you need an SLR.

If my 13 year old wanted one, i'd be looking at CEX and the second hand market. I'd also be looking at second-hand manual focus lenses.

A bigger sensor is not just about better quality images - it allows you to gain greater control over depth of field

ukcarper

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Another person who thinks the benefit of an SLR is the 'zoom' capability. It's not - it's the bigger sensor, control over settings and interchangeable lenses. If you want to get into proper photography then you need an SLR.

If my 13 year old wanted one, i'd be looking at CEX and the second hand market. I'd also be looking at second-hand manual focus lenses.

A bigger sensor is not just about better quality images - it allows you to gain greater control over depth of field

I would agree if you want a DSLR buy a DSLR, I would rule out a compact without an optical viewfinder completely. The larger sensor also gives better low light performance.

[Deleted User]

ukcarper wrote: »

I would agree if you want a DSLR buy a DSLR, I would rule out a compact without an optical viewfinder completely. The larger sensor also gives better low light performance.

I've never understood the obsession with low light performance. If you want to take photos in the dark then get a tripod and set the shutter to stay open for a while. A larger sensor might reduce the noise you get in low-light shots (or let you use a higher ISO), but it won't suddenly make it significantly better.

If you want to learn photography, you need to be able to control light. This needs the ability to fire a flash, adjust your lens' aperture, adjust your shutter speed. If your bridge camera can do this; great. Otherwise, you need an SLR-style camera

BOBS

Oh wow - what a lot of information and discussion - thank you all. As she is 13 thinking from reading all above that the smaller bridge camera might have enough on it for her for now and that a larger and more complicated DSLR with different lens etc something for quite a few years down the line - it might just have too much on it for her to get the hang of . Would this come under the 'bridge' category ?http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-SX220-Digital-Camera/dp/B004M8S152/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1LSRNZNF4B6T8&colid=LKJ4IUD3RV80 .

[Deleted User]

'Bridge' is a marketing term for a compact long zoom camera that looks a bit like an SLR

Get yourself to a second hand camera shop, buy a film camera, chuck in a few matching lenses (make sure you get a 50mm f1.8) and then find a local photography club. It'll probably only cost you £100. Don't forget a decent book on photography

The camera you linked to might do.. and it will take nice photos. But it's not a 'photographers' camera (e.g. the lens is f/3.1 – f/5.9 .. not very fast at the wide end)

cootuk

I fI was to buy a 2nd user dslr, then I would be looking at somewhere like mpbphotographic who have a decent reputation, rather than ebay.

verityboo

What about a compact system like this Panasonic camera

The camera has the various modes and options availble on a much larger DSLR, but the body is much smaller, roughly the size of a compact point and shoot camera. It also has interchangeable lenses so they could purchase a larger zoom lense etc later