So Mrs. Kazoo has asked for a digital camera. Realistically, I'm probably limited financially to around $300. Yes, I know that's very much "entry level". Is there anything out there at that price point that would be a substantive improvement over a basic smart phone camera? Probably the most significant thing she would use it for is close up photography in her garden, followed by "panorama" style nature shots. (Yeah, I know, both ends of the spectrum there)
What sayeth the hive?
I bought a D3500 for $400 on sale and I'm blown away by it every time I use it. I don't know if you can get a new camera with interchangeable lenses for less. I also don't know if you can get a point and shoot camera that's a worthwhile upgrade over a good smartphone. I also, also don't know if you can find a D3500 for that price at the moment.
What about trading in her phone for one with a much better camera?
I've had good luck with Canon Powershot point-and-shoots.
I got a Nikon Coolpix for about $100. I'm amazed by its capabilities.
Admittedly, I'm a trailing edge technology guy.
In that price range you'll have the fixed lens cameras like Wheelsmithy posted above, and you'll just get started into the base DSLR stuff which allows you to change out the lens. I would probably recommend that you start with a fixed lens to see how much use it gets, then move to a DSLR if there is a passion there.
The two biggest things you'll get from a dedicated fixed lens camera and not a camera phone are resolution and an actual optical zoom. The only thing that camera phones can do is a digital zoom, which is basically just cropping the image and enlarging the remainder. Optical zoom is the actual lens extending to give you a true zoom. Resolution is the Megapixel rating, and is fairly straightforward, get the largest number you can afford.
Look for the best of both of those that you can find and go from there. Stick with manufacturers that you might already know, Canon, Nikon, etc and just read some reviews. It will be very hard for them to build a bad camera. I stay away from Kodak because my first digital camera (back in '03 or '04) was one of them and the software sucked bad enough that it kept me away from them to today.
If you do want to move to a DSLR, look up refurbished ones. I found a Canon EOS for my camera for half the price a couple years back and have been extremely happy.
Random link of reviews https://www.consumerreports.org/point-shoot-digital-cameras/best-digital-cameras-under-300-dollars/
I spent a few minutes on B&H's website and this might be a good option;
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1225966-REG/canon_powershot_elph_190_is.html/overview
What I like about it most for the price is the image stabilization and the Wifi connectivity. I have no experience with this camera so grain of salt, but, the Wifi connectivity with a configured smartphone would allow for easy photo sharing as well as remote control. I think the remote control app on a phone or tablet would show what is normally on the rear LCD so checking the shot on a larger screen is possible (this is important en lieu of the garden close-up shots you mentioned).
The other thing I'd buy is a decent tripod. I picked the following;
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1438201-REG/magnus_tr_13_travel_tripod_with.html
Reasons is the ARCA quick-release mount which are easy to get cheap replacements for and it makes for fast mounting of the camera. This one has a pretty short minimum height. And it uses lever locks to control the extension of the legs which I prefer vastly over twist locks which are fiddly and slow to use.
There's your $300 spent. If you and your wife find that this is something she wants to improve the quality of, the tripod could be used with other cameras that are larger and support interchangable lenses. At that point you could get a real macro lens that focuses quite close (think about the shots showing bugs or flowers at life size) and a real wide angle lens. With the Canon you will be smart to figure out some software to stich shots together to get those really wide, high quality pano scenes. The camera I suggested does have a pretty wide end to its zoom lens so it shouldn't be too limiting.
Hope this makes sense.
I wanted a camera with longer reach than our Canon point and shoot for going to the race track. On my brothers advice, he took photography in college, I kept an eye on Shopgoodwill.com and ended up with a Canon 40D with two lenses, 4 batteries and a bag for $50 or so shipped to my house. Newer DSLR stuff on there still goes for money than I was willing to spend but older cameras or things like the Nikon 1's seem to go cheap.
I think the entry-level Canon DSLR starts at 500 bucks, and it's a lot of camera.
If I was in the market for anything less, I believe I'd opt for the one in my phone. It's always there, and it's pretty darn good.
KEH would be my suggestion over Shopgoodwill as KEH also has a repair side to their operation and they're pretty good at accurately describing the condition of their used equipment. Shopgoodwill.com is like an auction house for craigslist. There are deals to be found but there's a lot more risk in getting ripped off one way or another.
Nikon 1's are cheap due to being an abandoned system with reduced advantages over a current smartphone. They're not useless but I couldn't see getting into that system in 2020.
Go to dpreview.com and see what they recommend in your price range.
The most thorough reviews you'll find anywhere.
I think there are two questions that need to be answered to give a good answer to the original question:
The main issue I would see with a new point and shoot camera in your price range is that they're not going to be that much better than a good smartphone, so at that point upgrading the phone instead might be a better option. There are some rather good fixed lens point & shoots out there, but the ones that came to mine (like the Sony RX-100) are mostly out of budget unless you get an older model (for example, this one).
IMHO the main thing to keep in mind with an DSLR - actually, pretty much any interchangeable lens camera - in your budget is the quality of the included lens. The kit lenses that are included with these cameras often aren't that good - they're OK, but then again the may provide a good entry point and you can add better/more expensive lenses later on, which is an option you don't have with a point & shoot camera. One option to consider - especially if used is an option - would be to build your own "starter kit" from the used section of some place like KEH. I had a quick poke around their site and the the basic 18-55mm Nikon kit lens comes in around 100-130 bucks, and a Nikon D90 body roughly the same. While that's not exactly the latest gear, that's still pretty solid. The other advantage of going Nikon or Canon (but I know even less about Canon than I do about Nikon) is that you get the full range of bodies and lenses from entry level to pro-level, and in case of the lenses from both the manufacturer itself and third party companies.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:KEH would be my suggestion over Shopgoodwill as KEH also has a repair side to their operation and they're pretty good at accurately describing the condition of their used equipment. Shopgoodwill.com is like an auction house for craigslist. There are deals to be found but there's a lot more risk in getting ripped off one way or another.
Nikon 1's are cheap due to being an abandoned system with reduced advantages over a current smartphone. They're not useless but I couldn't see getting into that system in 2020.
KEH?
In reply to Mr_Asa :
I think they're the largest used camera and related equipment sales & services company in the country.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
KEH camera: https://www.keh.com/
A few years ago I bought a "used" Nikon D3200 kit from a guy. The word "used" is in quotes because he received it as a gift and never opened the box, so we'll say pre-owned/new. It came with two Nikor lenses; something like 18-50mm and 50-300mm. They are entry level, so nothing wide-aperture or fancy. It also came with a crapload of somewhat useless stuff; wireless remotes, a host of cables I'll never use, cheap diopters that turn every shot into junk... I sold all of that for $5.
I think I paid $350 for it back when that same kit was $500 new. For my purposes, it works great. I grew up with the old-school film camera stuff and have a minor in photography. With my background in photography, I don't want all the fancy bells and whistles, although the 3200 has plenty. My main reason for seeking out the 3200 was because it was (at the time) the first model in the line that did video, which meant I could get rid of my HD video camera and condense my camera bag.
I think the key here is getting something she will use. At the risk of sounding like a photo snob... Getting a point-and-shoot will take snapshots. Getting a point-and-shoot with nanny-buttons that do the work for her will take digitally-altered, noisy snapshots that will impress FB friends. Getting a quality DSLR will take fantastic photos.... if she knows how to use a camera and willing to learn the "language." The keystroke combinations on some DSLRs is kinda like getting your first smart phone. It's a learning curve. Be aware also that Nikon and Canon are a bit like the difference between iPhone and Android. Once you select one, it's not easy to switch without re-doing the learning curve. I'm personally in the Nikon camp... mostly because it's what fits with my brain best. In the film days, I was a Canon guy. Both brands are wonderful and do well, but I think Nikon's optics are better quality.
If she's just taking snapshots of things to post on Instagram, her cell phone would suffice. If she's serious about photography, I think an entry level DSLR is the key - not only because of the potential quality she can get from the photos, but the expandability in the future. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing point-and-shoot cameras out there, but you are locked into a fixed, proprietary single piece of tech. IMO, the only benefit to a small format point-and-shoot is the size/portability. For $300 you can get an awesome, pocket-sized, proprietary digital camera with tiny optics, or for $300 you can get a bulkier (but ultimately upgradeable with no limit but your pocketbook) DSLR... at the risk of being more than she wants to tackle. A camera sitting in a drawer takes no pictures.
How will the pictures be viewed? Does she want to print out large format photos to hang on the wall, look at them on a computer monitor, text them to friends? Viewing them electronically will be limited by the size and quality of the screen being used.
I got a refurbished T3 Rebel with 18-55 kit lens off of Woot! for $280 a few years ago. So there are sub $300 DSLRs out there, not sure you'll find a deal like that between now and Christmas (assuming this is a Christmas gift).
Canon sells refurbished stuff direct from their site too, I've gotten some okay deals on refurbished lenses from them. Looks like you could get a T6 or T7 for <$300 if they were in stock. It seems everything is out of stock or back ordered at the moment.
In reply to bigdaddylee82 :
I wouldn't be against a re-furb considering it's not something she's using professionally. Unfortunately, anything under $1200 is "Out of stock". Her birthday is in late January, so maybe there will be some stock after the "Christmas rush".
PM sent with an offer you may be interested in
In reply to Fladiver64 (Forum Supporter) :
PM replied.
Keh.com is my go to for used. I generally buy bgn rating.
I am an avid amateur photographer, and this is what I found over the past few cameras that I have had. At $300, you are looking at a point-and shoot camera if you choose new. There are many good options out there, but most will not be an upgrade to your phone. They are harder and less convenient to use than a phone, and the lack of control over settings will be frustrating. Most of all, you don't "feel" like a photographer, you feel like Aunt Marge with her old pocket camera. Most people just revert back to their phone.
My first recommendation, therefore, is to look for a used, compact mirrorless camera.
My first was the Nikon J1 and I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone looking to make a move up from a cellphone camera. I still have mine as a backup because I like it so much. It is small, has interchangeable lenses, a built-in flash and has plenty of accessories available. It is super easy and convenient to use, and works great in low light and for stopping fast action. What this means is that she will be amazed at how good her pictures look, and she will feel like a real photographer. You can get a full kit on eBay under your budget easily. Nikon made a few other models (V1) if you want a hotshoe for a flash or even a completely waterproof version.
I preferred the Nikon over other models because it had the best picture quality for beginners. Other models like the Sony and Panasonic could produce better picture quality if you play with settings and know what you are doing. But if you want to turn it on, point, and shoot at your kid's recital or soccer game or whatever, you won't beat the Nikon. That said, there are some other great options out there like the Sony Alpha, Olympus PEN series and Panasonic LUMIX series. All of these produce amazing results compared to a phone, give the user plenty of controls to play with, but are still small and convenient to carry and travel with.
The next option is a DSLR look-alike, usually a super-zoom like the Nikon Coolpix.
I had one, and they have the look and feel of a DSLR, and they are very convenient and have a long zoom range. They are a great upgrade if you don't want to have to deal with carrying an extra lens for zoom work. I found that that the picture quality was just not as good however. I was never able to get the sharpness and detail that I got with my J1. I eventually sold mine.
The third option is a package deal or a used DSLR. Every year, Costco for example has a package deal on a DSLR with 2 lenses and a bag. Sometimes they can be close to $300, other years the are more. You might get lucky and get a cheap deal this year. If not, Wal Mart and Target always have an entry-level DSLR for around $300. This is this year's from Wal Mart, the Canon EOS Rebel for $297:
You can also find packages like this on CL and EBay all day long. People buy them and never use them, or move up to a bigger better setup, and the old ones go for a good price. Don't be afraid to negotiate, people often list them for what they would like to get, but the market is actually a lot lower. Also check out the pre-owned section at B&H and Adorama. I got my current set up from their pre-owned section and you can't tell it from new. They actually list detailed information about the condition and it is accurate.
If you think your budding photographer will take it seriously for a while, this is absolutely the route you want to take. There's just nothing like the quality of a DSLR. People have their preference for Nikon, Canon etc but for a beginner photographer each will represent a major leap in quality. If there are going to continue with this hobby, they may want to add lenses and accessories, so I would avoid lens system that is not as common as the big ones.
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