Camera for a beginner? £300-ish budget

[Aedus]

Hey guys, I’m looking to buy my girlfriend a camera for her Birthday, she’s never owned a proper camera before, but I think it’s something that she would be really interested in to have as a little hobby to keep herself amused, as such I’m looking for a good camera for a beginner. I’ve seen a few on various websites but I’m totally lost on what she would want or need as I’m a camera noob myself.
Budget is around £300, can probably go up to £350 if needed, I’ve seen things like:
Canon PowerShot G12 - £350
Panasonic Lumix FZ45 - £330
Sony Cyber-shot HX200V - £316
Canon EOS 1100D - £313
Nikon D3100 -£324

But I’m really lost on what are good quality products, and what would be a good choice to get her I.e. any particular brands to avoid, so all advice is appreciated.

Also any other little “accessories” I should get for her with it? Filters? SD Card? Carry bag? Additional lenses?


Thanks in advanced.

 

[Aedus]

That deal looks excellent.

@Atmax from a quick google I got: http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=4MltUMrFMOma1AX2qYHgCQ&ved=0CDIQ8gIwAQ

Is this what you mean? If so that should be something I'd easily be able to afford along with the camera.

 

[Aedus]

Tbh, I'd hold off the 50mm for now. Get her a book as well instead and allow her to learn a bit more first about the basic kit. Another lens can wait till Christmas.

Thanks for all the advise so far guys.

Her Birthday is 4 days after Christmas, which means I can't escape getting her double the presents.

Tbh I'm going to spend about £500-600 on her in total, which leaves me some room to get a lens and other tid bits to go with it too if needed (Along with random other presents), I just specced around £300 because I don't want to get her a £500 camera when she really would need to learn basics first, a more expensive bit of kit can come later on, depending how into it she gets.

My family also gets her gifts, so I can get them to get a book, an SD card and a case for her, and then I can get the camera and the lens and give me some spare cash to find some other gifts too.

Any suggestions on a smart little book that would be beneficial for her? Also any other lens suggestions or filters or anything at all she could use? I want to get her as much as possible so she can start a new hobby for herself.

 

[Aedus]

Yeh that's the one, the plastic fantastic lol it's amazing prime lens for very cheap. EDIT** I would leave off the filters for now and just learn how to use a dslr with the kit n 50mm, as for books your have to ask around as I learnt from the internet.

Awesome, will forget about filters for now then.

Sony NEX-5N plus 18-55mm lens can be had for £350. If you want a something larger then I would go for the Nikon D3100 over the Canon 1100D

Can I ask the reasoning? Just curious as everyone else seems to think the Canon 1100D is a good choice, what would make you pick the D3100 or the NEX-5N over that?

Oh, also, Understanding Exposure - Brian Peterson

Good solid book

kd

Will check that out, thanks again.

 

[Aedus]

^From what you've said, I think I'd rather go for the D3100 or the 1100D tbh.

Anyone else care to shed some light between the 2? Ignoring the obvious deal on the 1100D, if that wasn't there and the prices were the same as I listed in the OP, which would be the better choice of the 2? I've heard a few complaints about the D3100 battery life, is all.


1 other thing, I think the girlfriend would be interested in macro type photography, but from having a quick browse online I can see that the macro lenses are very pricey (Probably a normal price if you're into cameras). Is there a cheap macro lens I could get her? Or is there any alternatives to get her into being able to do some macro photography as well as normal photography? If so I think she would prefer that over most other things.

Sorry about all the nooby questions, I'm still utterly lost by everything to do with cameras, but I just want to make the best choice for her and get her something she'll enjoy.

 

[Aedus]

That sounds to be a plan, the 50mm (I can use the 1 atmax suggested earlier in the thread) + extension tubes. A nice cheap alternative to get her into it to see if she enjoys it, and if she does, she can buy herself some macro lenses in the future.

I'm really unsure about the Nex-5n, because of the lack of lenses. Of course she will like it more than the others just because it's smaller and more compact, but I can't help but think she may be better to have something which is easier to get different lenses for. I can't really make her pick, because it'll give the game away, so I'm kinda stuck umm'ing and aarrr'ing between different cameras to pick the one she would like most (You know what women are like).

 

[Aedus]

I think so too kd. I'm actually torn between the Nikon D3100 and the Canon 1100D, both are excellent cameras from reading the reviews online and both have a great 50mm 1.8 lens I can pick up for a decent price. Is it a case of whichever I can pick up the cheapest, i should get? Or does 1 have the edge over the other for x, y and z (no matter how small the reason, even down to better auto focus or lens selection)? Like if money wasn't a factor at all and the choice was between those 2 on features etc. alone.

Really appreciate the help guys, I'm glad you're patient with me asking all these stupid questions.

 

[Aedus]

Yeah I'm going to have to pick, it's quite tough though.

From what I've gathered, the Nikon build quality is better, the general quality is better, but it's much harder to use than the Canon and more expensive.

Apparently once you buy into a brand, you kinda stick to that brand, I guess it's because of the lenses etc? Can anyone give me some insight, if for example my gf picked this up and wanted to move onto a mid-ranged bit of kit, or maybe eventually even a higher-end bit of kit, is there any advantage to either of the brands? I.e. 1 having better quality, more affordable lenses than the other? This may make the decision a little easier.

I'm kinda leaning towards Canon at the moment, because of it's ease of use, but the build quality of the Nikon is obviously a great benefit, as she'd want something that feels nice to hold and use.

 

[Aedus]

I should have posted before, but on a certain Rainforest website the price of the Canon 1100D dropped to £287, so I nabbed it along with some other bits on Friday.

I went for that understanding exposure book, 1 other book about macro photography, extension tubes, a 32gb SD, bag and a 50mm 1.8 lens.

I could always cancel the order if you think it's worthwhile to go for the Nikon?