New camera suggestions for budding teenage photographer?

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

Ha, thats exactly what I did! I prefer money though, as I pick my own gear.

I guess it depends on what she wants - DSLR, Mirrorless, M43, Compact, Bridge, etc.

I also have small-ish hands. There are tons of options out there, if you could narrow down exactly what she would want, it'd be helpful.

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

I stand corrected. Even the D3300 w/ kit lens is only 662 grams.

RSSrsvp said:

I second the recommendation to visit a LCS where they have a good selection of brands and let her hold the equipment in her hands.

Click to expand...

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

The Panasonic FZ1000 is the ideal camera to start with. It's very versatile and has everything she will need to learn photography.

And it takes good pics too.

In a few years, when she really loves photography, she could look for a camera with interchangeable lenses.

Rudi

Rudi Maes said:

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

The Panasonic FZ1000 is the ideal camera to start with. It's very versatile and has everything she will need to learn photography.

And it takes good pics too.

In a few years, when she really loves photography, she could look for a camera with interchangeable lenses.

Rudi

Click to expand...

FZ1000. Great camera, versatile and sophisticated. Quite big though

Several people have suggested that you/she try cameras in store before choosing and in principle it's a good idea.

But there's a potential snag. If you simply look without asking advice it's all a bit of a lottery; if you ask for assistant you may get - all of which I've had -

• Fully professional and impartial knowledge
• Pressure to buy the same camera the assistant has
• A sales pitch for a make favoured by the store's management
• A list of specifications that might be meaningless to you and can be meaningless to the assistant
• Information as to which brand/model "is our best seller".

Some stores have both good and bad assistants; sometimes the youngsters are more knowledgeable than the oldsters.

What this means is that you really need to find out at least the basics of different camera types before going to a store.

Rudi Maes said:

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

The Panasonic FZ1000 is the ideal camera to start with. It's very versatile and has everything she will need to learn photography.

And it takes good pics too.

In a few years, when she really loves photography, she could look for a camera with interchangeable lenses.

Rudi

Click to expand...

I agree with Rudi's suggestion.

It is the most versatile camera on the market w/ most options and features she can grow into.

For low-light it has a "HandHeld NIGHT-shot" mode that "stacks" multiple images for low-noise.

It has a fully-articulating rear-LCD for creative shooting positions, (low "ground" level or held "high" overhead, etc.)

And a 1/4000 flash-sync for longer-range fill-flash in SUNlight or the ability to darken- backgrounds in SUNlight.

PhotoTeach2 said:

PhotoTeach2 said:

The Panasonic FZ1000 is the ideal camera to start with. It's very versatile and has everything she will need to learn photography.

And it takes good pics too.

In a few years, when she really loves photography, she could look for a camera with interchangeable lenses.

Rudi

Click to expand...

I agree with Rudi's suggestion.

It is the most versatile camera on the market w/ most options and features she can grow into.

For low-light it has a "HandHeld NIGHT-shot" mode that "stacks" multiple images for low-noise.

Click to expand...

This is a very useful feature which is found in a number of cameras. I used it in a Sony mirrorless camera, where it works well.

PhotoTeach2 said:

It has a fully-articulating rear-LCD for creative shooting positions, (low "ground" level or held "high" overhead, etc.)

And a 1/4000 flash-sync for longer-range fill-flash in SUNlight or the ability to darken- backgrounds in SUNlight.

Click to expand...

D Cox said:

PhotoTeach2 said:

For low-light it has a "HandHeld NIGHT-shot" mode that "stacks" multiple images for low-noise.

Click to expand...

This is a very useful feature which is found in a number of cameras. I used it in a Sony mirrorless camera, where it works well.

Click to expand...

This is a feature of most of the latest, and not so new Sony and Panasonic cameras. It is certainly a feature of my G7 along with other low light scene modes like

Clear Night Portrait

Artistic Nightscape

Warm glowing Nightscape

Cool Night Sky

Clear Nightscape

Vivid Sunset Glow

Romantic Sunset glow

All of which are worth trying with their obvious use as described in their respective title, but also in other circumstances.

None of which I used for the images posted by the way. I was in plain Aperture Priority auto exposure mode with a fixed ISO of 800 set. [see the images in my earlier post]

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

panasonic FZ-series would be an awesome place to start

Gerry Winterbourne said:

Several people have suggested that you/she try cameras in store before choosing and in principle it's a good idea.

But there's a potential snag. If you simply look without asking advice it's all a bit of a lottery; if you ask for assistant you may get - all of which I've had -

• Fully professional and impartial knowledge
• Pressure to buy the same camera the assistant has
• A sales pitch for a make favoured by the store's management
• A list of specifications that might be meaningless to you and can be meaningless to the assistant
• Information as to which brand/model "is our best seller".

Some stores have both good and bad assistants; sometimes the youngsters are more knowledgeable than the oldsters.

What this means is that you really need to find out at least the basics of different camera types before going to a store.

Click to expand...

You have raised some excellent points which can happen in any LCS. You omitted one which is that the sales people are on commission and selling some brands may give them a higher rate than others. I am lucky enough to live in NYC where we have B&H and the sales people there are not on commission and if you go early in the day before the lunchtime rush they will be able to give you their undivided attention and really have the time to assist you in your selection.

in fact when I purchased my Oly E-M5 Mark ll I was originally attracted to the Sony a6300 because of the rave reviews on the improved AF and its predecessor the less expensive a6000. The salesman at the Sony section took his time and asked me what type of shooting, how large my budget was and what type of lenses I would like to purchase in the future and suggested that I also take a look at the m4/3 bodies and lenses.

Needless to say using DPR's buying guide is an excellent tool to start with and seeking recommendations on this forum is also helpful and will help to narrow the field so you aren't looking at every camera when you walk into the store. ;-)

Aberaeron said:

Rudi Maes said:

Silver Phantom said:

My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera.

I have no idea what camera to look to get her. She likes to do scenery pics and low-light photography, but doesn't have the equipment to do it well. Is there a recommended sub-$1000 camera that is well built and handles those situations well? Thanks for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

The Panasonic FZ1000 is the ideal camera to start with. It's very versatile and has everything she will need to learn photography.

And it takes good pics too.

In a few years, when she really loves photography, she could look for a camera with interchangeable lenses.

Rudi

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I think that there are several avenues she can explore in a camera with kit lenses now that are considerably lighter in weight and also allow her to grow down the road with the purchase of additional lenses instead of having to buy a new camera in a few years.

Aberaeron said:

FZ1000. Great camera, versatile and sophisticated. Quite big though

Click to expand...

As previously mentioned the FZ1000 weighs 831 grams (1.83 pounds) and after a while you really feel the weight. Yes it is a really good camera but there are other options out there which will give her an excellent piece of equipment along with good glass that should be considered.

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

RSSrsvp said:

I second the recommendation to visit a LCS where they have a good selection of brands and let her hold the equipment in her hands.

Click to expand...

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Click to expand...

It's silly to debate this point. The answer is to let the teenager hold several candidate cameras and decide which one fits best.

chuxter said:

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Click to expand...

It's silly to debate this point. The answer is to let the teenager hold several candidate cameras and decide which one fits best.

Click to expand...

Isn't that what I have mentioned? ;-)

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Click to expand...

It's silly to debate this point. The answer is to let the teenager hold several candidate cameras and decide which one fits best.

Click to expand...

Isn't that what I have mentioned? ;-)

Click to expand...

That is, of course, the right approach. If the FZ1000 is to big/heavy for her, the LX100 is another great candidate, as is a small MFT body with a kit lens and maybe a bright prime or two. GX7 is still a great camera, and lightlly-used ones in excellent condition are available for $300. Size and weight are roughly the same as the Yashica FX-3 I started with as a young teen back in the 1970s.

--
The way to make a friend is to act like one.
http://jacquescornell.photography
http://happening.photos

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Click to expand...

It's silly to debate this point. The answer is to let the teenager hold several candidate cameras and decide which one fits best.

Click to expand...

Isn't that what I have mentioned? ;-)

Click to expand...

That is, of course, the right approach. If the FZ1000 is to big/heavy for her, the LX100 is another great candidate, as is a small MFT body with a kit lens and maybe a bright prime or two. GX7 is still a great camera, and lightlly-used ones in excellent condition are available for $300. Size and weight are roughly the same as the Yashica FX-3 I started with as a young teen back in the 1970s.

Click to expand...

Just remember what the OP said at the very beginning.

"My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera."

IMO based on the statement that she "is very good at it" an interchangeable lens system with either a small Olympus or Panasonic m4/3 body makes more sense and would provide her room for growth. She can add lenses down the road instead of having to sell a camera like the FZ1000 and then trading up.

I posted the following on another thread. Just my experience with one of my granddaughters who, at the time was also about 15. I cannot say this might be your experience with your daughter, but kids that age are notoriously fickle about their interests. Of course we want to support every one if we can. I would suggest an entry level DSLR or mirrorless - maybe 4/3, with a couple lenses or a "bridge.". Don't break the bank until she shows a continuing interest.

My granddaughter has recently started taking some more pictures with the DSLT that I gave her. HS friends have requested she do some, and she has, so things are not as bleak as the following repost might suggest.

"Gave my granddaughter a couple of simple books, a DSLR, three lenses (at her request), and lent her an advanced point and shoot (at her request) for a trip to France.

The books were never read, the DSLR and lenses are bookends (She took 26 pictures with it so far over a year and a half), carried the point and shoot to France, but took not a picture with it - but hundreds with her cell phone. This is the kid that took (at her request) TWO photography classes, but still only uses her cell phone. Oh, well."

Peace. ...and Best Wishes.

John

I haven't read all these, though I agree with keeping things simple. A couple thoughts.

I've been shooting for six months, and I still can't decide which ILC system to buy into. I would really counsel against spending anything like $1,000 for her first camera.

Everyone loves the Panasonics. I like my Sony RX10s. Agreed that a 1-inch sensor will probably get the job done; don't go smaller than that, since price is not a strong factor here. I bought mine used on Amazon for 60% of new. I strongly recommend going used.

A friend in almost the exact same situation opted for a Nikon D3300, which comes with a kit lens. In many cases, IQ might be virtually unchanged from a -inch sensor, but it's a good camera, and you can get in the door for a lot less than $1000. But, you WILL start adding things - UV filters, that faster lens for indoor sports, etc...

I would stick with a compact. As one of the early responders said, she can use that as a backup when she knows enough to pick out first ILC more suited to her needs - which she probably cannot complete anticipate just yet. So, I'm back to where I started: Keep it simple!

Good luck!

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Rssrsvp said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Rssrsvp said:

chuxter said:

Jacques Cornell said:

Good candidates include everything from an "advanced" compact or "bridge" camera with a fixed zoom lens to interchangeable-lens cameras (ILC) with Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS or 35mm sensors. For my high school students I often recommend the former. One can certainly produce high-quality work with something like a Panasonic LX100 ($700) or FZ1000 ($800). Key features to look for are bright lenses, good sensors (1" or larger), built-in viewfinders, the ability to shoot RAW, and full manual control.

The advantage of starting out with a compact or bridge is that a few years down the road, if/when she decides to get an interchangeable-lens (ILC) kit, she can keep it as a casual or backup camera that complements the bigger kit. Also, if she later loses interest, you won't have wasted a whole lot of money. In my view, the FZ1000 is just about the ideal camera for a new photography enthusiast who wants a well-rounded full-size camera.

Click to expand...

That is true and many of us have recommended it when appropriate. It is a quite large camera, bigger than an entry-level dSLR. If she has small hands, it may not fit. On the plus side, it isn't very heavy.

Again, it's important to actually try out cameras...just like shoes.

Click to expand...

The FZ1000 weighs 831 grams while a m4/3 combination like the one I recommended with the E-M10 Mark ll weighs 502 grams using the 14-42 lens and 580 grams with the 40-150 lens. I would hardly call the FZ1000 not very heavy.

Click to expand...

She's a teenager, not a child.

Click to expand...

Age is a moot point, I am an adult and in my hands it was heavy.

Click to expand...

It's silly to debate this point. The answer is to let the teenager hold several candidate cameras and decide which one fits best.

Click to expand...

Isn't that what I have mentioned? ;-)

Click to expand...

That is, of course, the right approach. If the FZ1000 is to big/heavy for her, the LX100 is another great candidate, as is a small MFT body with a kit lens and maybe a bright prime or two. GX7 is still a great camera, and lightlly-used ones in excellent condition are available for $300. Size and weight are roughly the same as the Yashica FX-3 I started with as a young teen back in the 1970s.

Click to expand...

Just remember what the OP said at the very beginning.

"My daughter has really taken to photography. She loves it and is very good at it. She's asked that instead of people getting her various gifts for Christmas that the family pool their resources and buy her a "real" quality camera."

IMO based on the statement that she "is very good at it" an interchangeable lens system with either a small Olympus or Panasonic m4/3 body makes more sense and would provide her room for growth. She can add lenses down the road instead of having to sell a camera like the FZ1000 and then trading up.

Click to expand...

Why would she have to sell to "trade-up" ???

I feel I MOVED-UP when I got the FZ-1000 since it does so many more things that dSLR's are not capable of.

My current only limitation is sensor size, (at 1"-type), so I may indeed be limited by noise at higher ISO's, (I do have 25,600 but admit it has noise). But I am selling 24"x36" at lower ISO's. (and I have a "HandHeld NIGHT-shot" mode for lower-light)

It appears now that Sony has a (new) 1"-type that can have a non-distortion shutter @ 1/32,000sec and 25fps @ 20mpx that I assume will eventually be in a next upgrade FZ-1000, (or RX100-"V" right now).

So unless I want to print billboard size enlargements w/ 300dpi resolution or walk-around photos at midnight, I already have "traded-up".

I have said before that I now have 10X more shooting opportunities, (w/ Fully-Articulating LCD and 1/4000sec flash-sync and 25 to 400mm-EFL and 3200mm w/ digital-zoom @ smaller file size).

But I do suggest that SHE be a part of the decision making process, she will NOT USE the (new) camera if she is not satisfied with it.