A step up from a point and shoot.

The Image Team

The Image Team

Suspended / Banned
Messages
285
Name
Nicholas
Edit My Images
No
I've been given a challenge I feel is mission impossible. A semi-decent, easy to use DSLR with lens for £300-400. Its to replace the old point and shoot owned by a significant lady in my bosses life, (dayjob, not photography) and she is looking for ease of use.

My thoughts on a step up from an old point and shoot would have been either new or used Canon G series but I am very Canon biased so I'm not perfectly objective.

What do we think then? Older, used DSLR with a kit lens, Bridge Camera or expert compact? Answers on a post card.
 
I guess it depends on where she wants to go with it in the future. I've just been gifted by my Dad a Canon 1300D as my first 'proper' camera, and I'm more than happy with it. I do plan to step up to a full frame at some point, but that's because I have a plan to take this further than a hobby, but I'm confident I can do my learning on this.

It does pretty much what a much higher spec camera will do, just at lower levels. He lady could upgrade lenses, add flash guns, use off camera flash, so if she wanted 'more' she wouldn't have to buy a new camera, she could add to the current one.

Or she can use the auto modes and be happy with the results which should be as good as shed need and better than she's been used to. With better lenses in the auto modes I'm guessing she would be very happy with what she could achieve. I think they are around £250-300 with the 18-55 lens, and I think they do a better kit with an improved lens, but it may be an idea to get the basic kit and then a secondhand longer lens.

I'm a total beginner so my knowledge is very limited, just my thoughts.
 
Will she want to change lenses,if so there should be cameras in the lower Nikon and Canon range.
 
I've had a look on MPB and there are a lot of bodies out there but once you put something other than a 18-55 EF-S with it you've blown the budget.
 
You should get a used entry level DSLR and tamron 17-50 f2.8 within budget.
 
The Image Team said:
Looks good but what's the availability of additional lenses at a reasonable price for a hobbyist?
Click to expand...

The m4/3 line up is pretty decent these days and while the pro lenses like all brands are pricey there are some affordable gems in the range.
 
Hi,

Canon 100D would be a Good choice, £379.00 with an STM lens included.
Small, Light, and Easy to use perfect for a Lady.
 
Last edited:
I have a couple of Canon DSLRs but I also have an Olympus 4/3 camera. I've been really impressed by the quality of the lenses - cheaper and lighter - and sharp too. I also have a G15 but I much prefer the Olympus.
 
I'd suggest some sort of mirrorless camera and probably mft as they're compact and can be used like a compact... back screen shooting etc but personally I use the vf much more often.

There are a couple of very compact Panasonic cameras but I'm not too sure of the model numbers... GM? GM5? With a compact prime or one of the very compact standard zooms maybe this sort of package will fit the bill offering a step up from a compact and indeed dslr rivaling image quality in a compact and compact camera like package.
 
Last edited:
your boss wants you to sort her out a camera, if she don't like what you get her you lose. not the best idea to even think you would know what she wants. BARGEPOLE
 
Right. I've had a look around and am struggling to find any decent 1300d bodies out there in the budget so I'm going to recommend three options.

The Nikon 3300 which fits the brief perfectly.

The Olympus which is the slightly left of field but a good option choice.

The G7X Mk.II which is a little over the budget but the choice I made when I was looking for something reasonably priced but capable to sit along side the 1D Mk.IVs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top