Advice on which camera please

[nabby68]

Hi
I plan to buy a camera for Christmas for my wife. Over the past year she has been showing an interest in getting into photography and if we are out and about she will often see something and will just often take a quick snap with her iPhone. Some of the shots are really quite good!
I would like some advice on an entry level camera to start her on please. Also budget is an issue. Looking to spend between £200-£250. Also I have absolutely no knowledge of photography terms and phrases so please be gentle with me.
Many thanks. I look forward to your replies

 

[Ihavenojob]

Deciding what type of camera is the first step, then your options are huge, but you really cant go wrong with a Panasonic/Sony/Canon/Fuji/Olympus, just find one that fits the budget. A photography course at a college may help.Avoid the cheap Chinese kits on ebay.

 

[sodthisforfun]

This place is great too, for all photography levels
http://365project.org/
I did it for a year and was amazed how much better my photo's got over the year. A mixture of seeing others and improving naturally by being inspired and the practice for taking a photo every day. People are very kind on there too, from all over the world - a great amateur site.

Your wife's iphone is probably better quality than most cheap cameras btw. If you can stretch your budget further, then I would recommend an entry level DSlR by Nikon or Canon, something like this perhaps? Then she would be able to add new lenses as she gets more into photography and it really does make a difference for being creative. And of course, that makes Xmas shopping in future easier, as you can get a lens as a prezzie!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D350...7H36G5C8&ascsubtag=dcw-1114770734933029194-21

 

[Ian H]

I’d get her the course and then let her choose the camera. Maybe get her a gift voucher to go towards it.

 

[Mottie]

I'd advise looking at compact or even ultra compact cameras. Any bigger (Bridge/DSLR) and unless you are going out on a specific camera shoot, they're too much of a faff to take so you end up leaving them indoors and using the iPhone! Some of them are about the size of a packet of fags but thinner and still have a pop out zoom lens and will give a much better picture than any phone camera. Also, its often cheaper to buy as a bundle the accessories with it - case, memory cards etc. Something like this would be well within your budget, even with the bundled accessories. https://www.jessops.com/p/sony/cyber-shot-dsc-wx350-digital-camera-90365

 

[motorbiking]

My mrs is a wedding photographer. At your current budget, I would look for a second hand camera. Perhaps a cannon 450 - 650d might come in around that budget with a kit lens see https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Canon/Canon-Digital-SLRs for prices new and used.

 

[Mottie]

My mrs is a wedding photographer. At your current budget, I would look for a second hand camera. Perhaps a cannon 450 - 650d might come in around that budget with a kit lens see https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Canon/Canon-Digital-SLRs for prices new and used.

I'd do the same if it was for myself but if I bought my Mrs a secondhand anything for a Christmas present, I'd be wearing it round my neck on Christmas morning!

 

[Ian H]

I'd do the same if it was for myself but if I bought my Mrs a secondhand anything for a Christmas present, I'd be wearing it round my neck on Christmas morning!

Buy her some knickers then!!!

 

[Mottie]

Go on then, let me know how much and I'll PM you my address.

 

[JP_]

I've always liked Canons. If i was buying one today, I'd probably get this one: Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera

It's Canon's entry level SLR camera. If she does get into photography she'll probably want to get better (different) lenses depending on the type of photography, so this allows that.
I have had a Canon DSLR for about 14 years, or more... still works (just about!) and takes excellent photos. This is mine - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_20D - from 2004!

I could really do with a new one myself....

 

[motorbiking]

Don't forget to price lenses in to the budget. If you buy her one with an 18-55mm then she'll be quite limited in the type of photos she can take and will probably want a 70-300 to go with it. Or you can get an 18-200 so called travel lens which will cost a lot more. If you buy a bridge camera, then she will never be able to learn proper photography, as the sensors on bridge cameras are too small to do anything other than simulate settings. tbh a decent iPhone will take better pictures than a 200 quid bridge camera.

 

[nabby68]

Thank you all for your replies. i think im going to go for this one

https://www.eglobalcentraluk.com/ca...wIV8RXTCh3c9wUyEAYYAiABEgJ8i_D_BwE#in_the_box

Posted by jonbey. Before i part with my hard earned cash does anyone see any problems with the website im purchasing from and this may sound silly but is it just the camera im buying or does it come complete with charger and memory card and carrying bag?
Many Thanks

 

[durhamplumber]

I'd do the same if it was for myself but if I bought my Mrs a secondhand anything for a Christmas present, I'd be wearing it round my neck on Christmas morning!

Yes,like wise.

 

[JP_]

nabby68, best ask to be sure. It should have battery pack as standard, doubt there'd be a carrybag though. They usually come in a cardboard box. Ask about memory card, that would usually be extra unless specified.

 

[nabby68]

Ask about memory card, that would usually be extra unless specified.

Dont think the memory card comes with it. What size card do you recommend