Need camera recommendation - and fast!

benmack1

benmack1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Location
USA
So my wife has decided she'd like a camera for Christmas. Neither of us know squat about photography so this is basically insane. Eitherway, I would like to get her something if I can seeing that it's only a couple days until go time at this point I am not sure that's possible. Can anyone recommend a good camera?

I don't want to break the bank necessarily but would like to get her something that takes good photoes (I am talking a picture camera here not a video one although I guess some do both).

I have read about DSLR and compact cameras but this gets too complicated on all the specs and details quickly. I tried to read some reviews but that also gets confusing because of a million models and options. I don't have a fixed price range but maybe $200-$500 is within reason (definitely not $1500 which seems easy to do from my limited reading)

Whatcha got and any recommendations?
 
The camera technology is advancing so rapidly whatever you buy will be old tech a year from now. I'm a Nikon fan myself and still using film as well as digital so I'm a little biased. My second choice would be Canon. If you are not dead set on a DSLR some of the advanced Coolpix line of point and shoot are pretty amazing. If you really want different lens options keep in mind some of the lenses will cost you more than the camera. For 4-500.00 I like the Nikon D3100. They corrected a lot of the issues (mistakes) they made with the D3000. Don't get too hung up on megapixels for the most part any camera better than 10 or 12 will work just fine.
 
Yep, DSLR or save your money for one latter. Just read some reviews & buy online to save some cash. There are some camera sites that offer factory reconditioned models that still offer the same warranty. Our Canon 650d works great, has a touch screen which is handy, takes awesome photos & video with zero training. File size to upload to get prints is kind of large. Our was a gift. My wife protects it like a child as we can't afford to replace it. We kept our eyes open for a quality tripod for family photos too. Picked up an open box at best buy for $23.
 
The Panasonic Lumix point and shoot cameras are top notch. I've used Nikon, Canon, and Samsung point and shoot cameras at work, but prefer the ease of use and picture quality of the Panasonic's. If you search "Lumix" on craigslist, you can usually find ones that are $4-500 new for $200 or less used.

As for DSLR's, find out if any of your or her friends have a particular brand and a lot of lenses. One of my really good friends has a Nikon and throws alot of money at lenses, and my wife liked Nikon better, so I got her a Nikon D3100 2 years ago for Christmas. She loves it, and has shot a wedding with it (borrowing a couple len$e$ from my friend of course).

And no matter what anyone says, it's all in the lens. The bigger the diameter, the more light it will let in, and the better your pictures will be. The lens is kind of like tires. A crappy lens on a nice camera is like street tires on a nice buggy. 500hp is useless if you can't put it to the ground, much like a picturesque scene is useless if you can't gather enough light to take a good picture.
 
Chris bought me a Nikon D5100 last year for Christmas. I really like it, but I need to take a photography class to understand it all. I hope to do this one day. I am sure she will love whatever you get her.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
 
tlucier said:
Buy her a GoPro and then "borrow it" when you take your Jeep off road. :driver:
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You're gonna get me killed Tom! I actually had that idea and quickly dismissed it. :handed:
 
If you are going dslr there are really two choices. Nikon or Canon.
We have a Nikon 3100 and 5200.
both are way better than the operators.


You can get a bundle with either in your price range at costco.
 
Get the best of both worlds, DSLR's are great but a lot to lug around. The "next gen" camera's are Compact System Camera's, like the Nikon 1, Sony Nex5 (or 3, 6, 7, depending on your budget), or Samsung NX300 (NX2000, NX210, etc).

I bought my wife a Nikon D5100 DLSR a few years back. It takes great pictures, and she loves it, but it's a lot to take on vacation, to sporting events, kids programs, and the like.

We recently bought a Nikon L620 point and shoot, and after two months of frustration and poor results I returned it for a Canon sx280. The Nikon point and shoot leaves a lot to be desired and we are much happier with the Canon.

The next major Camera purchase I buy will be a "mirrorless", or 3rd gen camera. There's some decent, though slanted, info in this link: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2012/01/04/dslrs-are-a-dying-breed-3rd-gen-cameras-are-the-future/
 
benmack1 said:
So my wife has decided she'd like a camera for Christmas. Neither of us know squat about photography so this is basically insane. Eitherway, I would like to get her something if I can seeing that it's only a couple days until go time at this point I am not sure that's possible. Can anyone recommend a good camera?

I don't want to break the bank necessarily but would like to get her something that takes good photoes (I am talking a picture camera here not a video one although I guess some do both).

I have read about DSLR and compact cameras but this gets too complicated on all the specs and details quickly. I tried to read some reviews but that also gets confusing because of a million models and options. I don't have a fixed price range but maybe $200-$500 is within reason (definitely not $1500 which seems easy to do from my limited reading)

Whatcha got and any recommendations?
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Well, it's Christmas, what did you end up getting?
 
jeepinmatt said:
Well, it's Christmas, what did you end up getting?
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Went with a Nikon D3100 bundle from Amazon. Came with 2 lenses (like I know anything about it - not) and a case and SD card for about $500 and arrived on time. We went to best buy and handled a few, asked some questions and amazon was a bit cheaper and arrived last night. Thanks for all the advice, now we'll see if she actually uses it or it sits on a shelf collecting dust. I hate taking photos personally, I miss everything that is going on when I'm the designated photo taker.

I think she likes it but not sure. My kids got some kind of crayon making thing that melts crayon wax and molds crayons (grandma got this, I wouldn't have approved if I had known). So within 10 minutes, my daughter managed to melt something in it without the tray insert, wax went into the damn toy AND into the carpet. Now we have a permanent green stain on our carpet. :kaioken:
 
Good choice on the camera...and I got the same damn crayon thing...on the cam it should have come with a cd with video tutorial...now like a good guy you will likely discard that as "we don't need no structions" ...well save yourself 6 months and spend he 45 minutes watching it. Nikon does a good job with it.

Congrats...

Oh yeah the camera has 1080p video capture as well for birthday parties, bahmitzfahs and orgies...
 
Ron said:
Good choice on the camera...and I got the same damn crayon thing...on the cam it should have come with a cd with video tutorial...now like a good guy you will likely discard that as "we don't need no structions" ...well save yourself 6 months and spend he 45 minutes watching it. Nikon does a good job with it.

Congrats...

Oh yeah the camera has 1080p video capture as well for birthday parties, bahmitzfahs and orgies...
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I'll have to keep that in mind if we decide to have an orgie.....:D
 
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