Buying a digital camera

[Girish]

Hey fellas,

 

So, I have decided to get my friend a digital camera for his birthday since he loves photography but he can't afford a good camera. Now, I myself am a complete noob when it comes to photography and I have no idea which one to get him or even which brand out there is the best. To narrow it down, I can stretch my budget upto Rs.8000. So, it would be a huge help if you guys could help me choose a decent enough camera for his birthday present.

[rhyn]

Considering he's into photography and doesn't just want something to take photo's with on a night out etc.. look into the nikon coolpix L22 It's a pretty decent little compact for it's price. But then again in camera terms €130 isn't a lot of money. Still pretty nifty camera though.

Edited August 3, 2010 by rhyn

[Otter]

If he's really into photography, odds are that he's got his eyes set on much more expensive equipment. I'd suggest hunting him down a really nice book on either techniques, or, a nice portfolio book on one of his favorite photographers. Something from TASCHEN or Phaidon.

 

Edit - Sorry - I glossed over the part where you said he can't afford a camera.

Edited August 3, 2010 by Otter

[Girish]

He likes photography, but doesn't intend to go professional or something. Just the regular stuff, landscape photos and such. Hence, anything that can capture decent photos would suit him well. Besides, he already knows what I'm getting him and he doesn't expect anything too expensive.

 

I'm looking at brands like Sony, Olympus and Nikon. How are they? And what about others ones like Samsung, Canon, etc.?

[rhyn]

The top 3 brands are Nikon, Canon and Sony if you just want to judge it that way.

[Otter]

I'd recommend hunting down a used Canon Rebel XS (might find the Japanese model "Kiss" instead) - you might get lucky.

 

I wonder what kind of prices you can find? Most of the entry level SLR kits (the fun sh*t!) run around $500 on my side of the world. Here's a list of some of the best:

 

http://photo.net/equipment/budget-dslrs/

 

However, if you're just looking for something he can point and shoot with, I fully recommend the Sony Cybershot. Compact, reliable, Carl Zeiss lens, and really cool macro mode. It comes in a variety of models, so there's bound to be one in your price range.

 

Something like this guy:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-...80854637&sr=1-6

[tuareg]

Considering he's into photography and doesn't just want something to take photo's with on a night out etc.. look into the nikon coolpix L22 It's a pretty decent little compact for it's price. But then again in camera terms €130 isn't a lot of money. Still pretty nifty camera though.

I got the same camera just a week ago. There are better ones out there, but it's a decent camera and not expensive either.

[Girish]

However, if you're just looking for something he can point and shoot with, I fully recommend the Sony Cybershot. Compact, reliable, Carl Zeiss lens, and really cool macro mode. It comes in a variety of models, so there's bound to be one in your price range.

 

Something like this guy:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-...80854637&sr=1-6

Yes, something along those lines. And yeah, you guessed right, he just wants to point and shoot.

 

Sony Cybershot is definitely amongst my top most options.

 

I have also been looking at Olympus since a few of its models fall within my budget. Are they better or at least, as good as Sony/Nikon?

[The Guru]

I really recommend a Cybershot. Simple to use, has a hood choice of modes and is made to last.

[Otter]

Olympus - I've seen too many of them fail (battery problems, mostly, but also lens servos dying, etc) for it to be simply bad luck.

Nikon, on the other hand, were up until recently the big buzz of the industry. Can't say much for their compacts but they make a solid SLR.

 

 

[rhyn]

Up until the last year or so Nikon's compacts haven't been held in high esteem exactly, but within the last year or 2 they seems to have sorted that out. Oh and yes Cybershots are awesome. I assumed they were more expensive though for some reason.

[Girish]

Hmm, looks like Sony Cybershot is the way to go here. I'll check out the Indian price of that DSC-W180 that Otter linked me to and get back to you guys. Thanks a lot for your suggestions so far.

[Girish]

I got him this one: http://www.sony.co.in/product/dsc-w310

 

Thanks for helping out, guys.

[customkingpimp]

I will always stand by Nikon, Both me and my girlfriend use Nikon for our shoots. So I would say something in those lines. The photography studio she sometimes works for however uses canon, and they only live by camon. Its all on personal preference on what you are looking for to get him, But, I would say something from the Nikon line. You can get a d40 for pretty cheap now, used even. I had a d40 and it performed very well, I sold my used d40 to a local camera shop here in the US for 150 for the body, search around, you could get a used d40 body for real cheap, then you could also get a used 18-55mm nikor lens for real cheap as well. I think it would be a good starter camera for him and he would like it a lot.

[Girish]

Thanks for the suggestion, customkingpimp. But his birthday's gone by and I already got him a Sony Cybershot DSC-W310.