Any recommendations for an actual camera for a 14 year old?

[rug]

My daughter's shown an interest and has been taking all sorts of pictures with her cell phone.

Time for a camera.

[Scuba]

1. Here's one that's free, just a dollar!

[rug]

2. At least you didn't post a picture of this.

I got that for Christmas when I was 16.

[NYC_SKP]

3. My preference is for cameras that use AA batteries rather than special dedicated batteries.

The latter require you bring the charger everywhere you go, or purchase extras.

The former are available anywhere and you can use rechargeable AA (or AAA) if you want.

I've had Canons but my favorite now is a basic Nikon model from Target, about $100.

[rug]

4. That's the info I was looking for. Thanks.

[NYC_SKP]

5. This is the one I bought most recently, might be more than you want but it comes in pink.

Mine is white. Nikon Coolpix S30 waterproof. I've used it snorkling, great results. I also have a GoPro Hero2 with underwater lens, but it's too wide angle.

The waterproof aspect might be good if she does a lot outdoors.

$89.00 at Target: http://www.target.com/p/nikon-coolpix-s31-10-1mp-waterproof-digital-camera-with-3x-optical-zoom/-/A-14438372#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=nikon+coolpix


http://www.ephotozine.com/article/nikon-coolpix-s30-waterproof-camera-review-18889

[rug]

8. An excellent start for an educated search.

Thanks again!

[Major Nikon]

6. Actually cell phone cameras aren't all that bad these days

And for smart phones you can get all sorts of apps that enhance the experience.

I bought my daughter a refurbed Nikon D3000 when she enrolled in a high school photography class, but she still winds up taking most of her pictures with her cell phone.

If you really want to go creative, get her a Holga, but I'm not sure many 14 yr olds would appreciate the gesture unless it was something you both wanted to explore together.

http://microsites.lomography.com/holga/

[rug]

7. They are good but there is something to be said for a dedicated device.

With a camera I think she'll learn more about optics, lighting, balance and a lot more than just pointing.

I'm surprised somebody named Nikon recommends a Holga.

[Major Nikon]

9. I like all sorts of photography

And I love Nikons and have been using them for over 30 years. However when it comes to really learning photography, I think the more basic the camera is the more you'll learn from it. When you give a 14 yr old (or even an adult for that matter) a camera that has the capability of point and shoot, the tempation to do so vs operating it manually is too hard to resist.

[rug]

10. That's a very good point.

I'll ask her a few more questions about what it is she wants to do with it.

[Stevenmarc]

11. Well there is to a point

Certainly a dedicated camera allows for a more manual experience but learning about optics, lighting and balance and other photographic concepts such as composition and post processing aren't mutually exclusive to a dedicated camera.

This past summer I was invited to teach a photography class to a youth program and it didn't take long to realize that few of the kids had cameras but they all had cell phones so I came up with a class Mobile Photography Beyond the Selfie. It's honestly not that difficult to apply basic photographic theory to a mobile photography platform.

That said if you are going to go with a dedicated camera that you also go for an EyeFi card if the camera isn't wifi enabled, you really don't want to disconnect a 14 year old from the social media experience if you want to keep a dedicated camera in their hands.

[rug]

12. Dammit, I had to google EyeFi. Maybe Scuba was right about the Brownie.

[Stevenmarc]

13. It's a lot easier than it may appear

Is pretty plug and play, I've been using it for the past 3 years and I couldn't see myself working with a camera without wifi anymore. Actually my entry in this months contest was shot with a regular camera, the file was automatically sent to the phone and all the post processing was done on the phone and it was posted here from the phone.

[alfredo]

17. I agree.

[Stevenmarc]

15. Surprised you said Holga

I love plastic cameras but honestly I find 2 types of people use them, people who know what they're doing, I know a wedding photographer that shoots with a Holga, I know brave bride, the results are beautiful and the other group are hipsters who think they are suffering for their art because they they have given up the immediate gratification of Instagram. As much as I love Holgas they really aren't a starter camera.

Shocked you didn't say a Nikon FM10 as a film starter choice. Adorama Camera on EBay has factory refurbs for $139 with lens.

[Major Nikon]

16. That's why I said it's really more of a parent/child project

I think full manual cameras are great starters, but I'm just not so sure film is worth it anymore as a starter unless you really want to get creative like you can with the Holga. The problem with film is that it costs you every single time you release the shutter, so if all you are doing is creating images that can just as easily (much more so actually) be created with a digital camera, I'm not sure it's worth it for someone starting out anymore. The images made with a Holga are not so easily reproduced with a digital camera.

The problem I have with most digital cameras as tools for learning is many of them are clumsy when it comes to shooting full manual. Cameras that have a dedicated control for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are generally at the higher end of the price spectrum and are geared towards pros and serious amateurs.

[alfredo]

18. the iPod Touch has a good camera.

[Major Nikon]

19. I don't take very many pics with my iPhone

However I have a couple of apps that I use with it all the time. One is a light meter app and the other is a DOF calculator. Both are very handy.

[alfredo]

20. Which light meter app? I looked at FotoMeterPro

[Major Nikon]

21. This is the one I use

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-light-meter/id381698089

It's pretty basic but does everything I need it to do. I use it just to give me a rough idea of what the lighting situation is. It's free with a donation requested.

[alfredo]

25. That looks good too. There's a Yashica G I've been looking at for $35.

[Stevenmarc]

24. I have both

Apps and there isn't a huge amount of difference although the Luxi clip for 29.95 does make a difference.

[alfredo]

26. The Luxi Clip looks great.

[Pharaoh]

14. I have a 1 year old Nikon

D5100, with Nikon 18-70mm, a tamron 70-300 mm plus macro Tamron lens a Rokinon fish eye lens, a tamron doubler and proline tripod, I would be willing to part with for 2000 dollars.

[IMG][/IMG]

[alfredo]

22. Look at the Samsung Galaxy camera

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4076424525/mobile-photographer-oliver-lang-tests-samsung-galaxy-camera

[alfredo]

23. CanonSL1 - Ricoh GR IV - Panasonic LF 1

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-18-0-Digital-18-55mm/dp/B00BW6LY2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385046449&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+sl1 Small DSLR. An attractive camera for smaller hands.


small sensor cameras that can fit in pocket/bag.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/ricoh/compacts/ricoh_grdigital4 comes in white too. Ricoh is big in Asia - Loyal following - Holds value.


http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmclf1 Panasonic makes solid point and shoot cameras. Leica branded lens. Panasonic has always had good face recognition in their cameras. Kids take photos of other kids.


Look at the Nikon V1 too. Expensive


Sony RX100 is excellent, but not cheap.

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V Nice camera, highly rated.

[rug]

27. UPDATE: She liked it! Thank you all for your suggestions.

We ended up getting a Samsung WB25OF with WIFI.