New camera advice
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Mr Perceptive
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I would wait for the shops to re-open, and take her to a 'proper' bricks'n'mortar camera store. Then she can get her hands on various cameras, and see which ones she prefers holding. This is very important as if its not right in the hand it won't get the use that it deserves. You can discuss budget with the store and the merits of new v secondhand, most camera stores have a decent second user stock, and she can will feel part of the process. Just about every camera on the market is capable of taking decent pictures, but they all feel different in the hand.
I would also suggest the ability to upload photos from the camera into her phone might be an 'important' feature!
I would also suggest the ability to upload photos from the camera into her phone might be an 'important' feature!
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Welcome to the forum. Perhaps the best advice (before spending any money!) would be to try and have a chat with her photography teacher and find out what cameras they mainly use at the school. The 'big two' makes of traditional DSLR type camera (which is probably the type of camera most widely used for school photography lessons) are Canon and Nikon. However, they have different menu systems to select different settings, so it can be a bit confusing if the school and most of the other students have Canon and one or two others have a Nikon, or vice versa.
Mirrorless type cameras are gaining popularity these days (with Sony seeming to be well regarded), so ask the teacher if they're mainly using DSLR or mirrorless. While the general principles of photography remain the same with both these types of camera, mirrorless offers some features that DSLRs don't have, so once again, if most are using one type of system it can be a bit confusing to someone who's using the other.
As to which make of camera, you can't go far wrong with either Nikon or Canon for DSLRs, even their cheap(ish) entry level cameras will give good results these days. If the school doesn't use one or the other, then a Canon DSLR will probably give you access to a wider range of more economically priced lenses than Nikon, Canon's menu system is reputed to be a little more user-friendly too. Don't rule out buying a used camera in mint-ish condition from a reputable dealer such as MPB or WEX, as you may well get better value than buying brand new (but do check for any special offers on new cameras and camera kits first, as these can sometimes be better value than buying used!).
Don't go mad price wise either, particularly if the 14 year old in question is a bit on the accident prone side - it's a shame to break something really expensive... or find it not being used as she's decided photography isn't for her after all. You can always upgrade the camera when she's older and you're sure it's going to be money well spent!
Don't forget to allow some budget for a couple of different lenses and a flash unit too - hopefully, the photography teacher should be able to give you some advice on what to get, and when. Once again, buying used from a reputable dealer can save you money when buying accessories. If your 14 year old takes to the subject and enjoys it, then birthday and Xmas presents can be a good opportunity to buy additional kit.
Once you've narrowed your choice down a bit then come back to the forum and ask advice on which model to buy. You'll probably get a few different answers, as people have individual preferences, but it should point you in the right direction. Hope this is useful.
Mirrorless type cameras are gaining popularity these days (with Sony seeming to be well regarded), so ask the teacher if they're mainly using DSLR or mirrorless. While the general principles of photography remain the same with both these types of camera, mirrorless offers some features that DSLRs don't have, so once again, if most are using one type of system it can be a bit confusing to someone who's using the other.
As to which make of camera, you can't go far wrong with either Nikon or Canon for DSLRs, even their cheap(ish) entry level cameras will give good results these days. If the school doesn't use one or the other, then a Canon DSLR will probably give you access to a wider range of more economically priced lenses than Nikon, Canon's menu system is reputed to be a little more user-friendly too. Don't rule out buying a used camera in mint-ish condition from a reputable dealer such as MPB or WEX, as you may well get better value than buying brand new (but do check for any special offers on new cameras and camera kits first, as these can sometimes be better value than buying used!).
Don't go mad price wise either, particularly if the 14 year old in question is a bit on the accident prone side - it's a shame to break something really expensive... or find it not being used as she's decided photography isn't for her after all. You can always upgrade the camera when she's older and you're sure it's going to be money well spent!
Don't forget to allow some budget for a couple of different lenses and a flash unit too - hopefully, the photography teacher should be able to give you some advice on what to get, and when. Once again, buying used from a reputable dealer can save you money when buying accessories. If your 14 year old takes to the subject and enjoys it, then birthday and Xmas presents can be a good opportunity to buy additional kit.
Once you've narrowed your choice down a bit then come back to the forum and ask advice on which model to buy. You'll probably get a few different answers, as people have individual preferences, but it should point you in the right direction. Hope this is useful.
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goinggreynow
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Agree with this 100% and I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve said the same thing to.
Also, given that we’re talking about an educational environment, is there any possibility that the students are encouraged to use film?
andrewc
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I'd echo the comments made by @Mr Badger and @Mr Perceptive.
How a camera feels in your hands is not something you can assess from specification sheets and adverts. Although I started my digital camera journey with a Canon 350D, I always felt those were too small for my hands, and whilst I enjoyed my time with that camera, the 30D which followed was larger and more suited to my hands, especially for outdoors photography wearing gloves. Your daughter may prefer the smaller form factor of the xxxD cameras, I know my way around most Canon menus but hand me my father's Nikon and I'm totally confused.
I also know some schools which have a photography courses also have an equipment library where students can borrow kit for projects and assignments, so having the same camera and lens fitments as the school makes some sense as well.
How a camera feels in your hands is not something you can assess from specification sheets and adverts. Although I started my digital camera journey with a Canon 350D, I always felt those were too small for my hands, and whilst I enjoyed my time with that camera, the 30D which followed was larger and more suited to my hands, especially for outdoors photography wearing gloves. Your daughter may prefer the smaller form factor of the xxxD cameras, I know my way around most Canon menus but hand me my father's Nikon and I'm totally confused.
I also know some schools which have a photography courses also have an equipment library where students can borrow kit for projects and assignments, so having the same camera and lens fitments as the school makes some sense as well.