Flummoxed - which camera advise please.

[crankedup]

Calling on the experts, we are going to purchase a 'through the lens' camera as a Christmas gift. The recipient will use it for general photography of holidays, special occasions and so on, not in any way professional usage. Naturally we would like the camera to be of good quality and value which produces a decent image.
Our budget is set at the 250- 300 pounds, your advise greatly appreciated.

[MacW]

See if you can find a deal on the Canon SX50HS, it's a generation behind now but still a fantastic camera.

If you're passing through Gatwick they have it in Dixons for £200.

[fido]

Or a Canon PowerShot S120 if you want to spend a bit more.

[Mr Will]

Why is everyone suggesting compacts when the OP said they want "Through the lens"?

D3100 with lens for £269 seems to fit the bill: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

Either that or an EOS-M if size matters.

[K12beano]

Mr Will said:

Why is everyone suggesting compacts when the OP said they want "Through the lens"?

You know the Rules. No one ever reads the OP.

D4 and a 200-400mm f/4 any good?

[MacW]

Mr Will said:

Why is everyone suggesting compacts when the OP said they want "Through the lens"?

D3100 with lens for £269 seems to fit the bill: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

Either that or an EOS-M if size matters.

I was deliberately avoiding interchangeable lens cameras as the OP stated it would not be used in any sort of professional capacity and should be good for holiday snapshots.

Combine that with the price point and a bridge camera would seem the best fit.

[Mr Will]

MacW said:

Combine that with the price point and a bridge camera would seem the best fit.

Where did they mention anything about taking low-quality daylight pictures of things a long way away? Bridge cameras are worse than compacts in almost every regard, and certainly worse than an SLR/CSC. Even if you attach the lens when you buy it and never, ever remove it they are still a better option.

/rant

[crankedup]

Thanks chaps, now I am completely confused

Can we start again please, a 'through the lens' camera that offers reasonable quality with decent images.
Budget around 250 - 300 pounds. To be a gift for the recipient to use for general amateur shots. Maybe he may wish to use upgrades as time goes by and his interest may grow.
Thanks for inputs.

[crankedup]

Mr Will said:

Why is everyone suggesting compacts when the OP said they want "Through the lens"?

D3100 with lens for £269 seems to fit the bill: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

Either that or an EOS-M if size matters.

Looks to me as it may fit the bill (DS3100), but I know naff all about cameras! Drawbacks on this one?

[Mr Will]

crankedup said:

Mr Will said:

Why is everyone suggesting compacts when the OP said they want "Through the lens"?

D3100 with lens for £269 seems to fit the bill: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

Either that or an EOS-M if size matters.

Looks to me as it may fit the bill (DS3100), but I know naff all about cameras! Drawbacks on this one?

It's about a generation old - the current model is the D3300 which is newer, faster and fractionally higher quality. Nothing wrong with the D3100 though, it's a solid, entry level DSLR. A quick search on flickr ( https://www.flickr.com/cameras/nikon/d3100/ ) will show what it's capable of in the right hands!

The biggest downside is the size. It's small for a DSLR but still a lot bigger than a CSC or compact camera. Whether this matters or not is up to you, but the others are easier to shove in a pocket/bag for days out.

Biggest upside though is the eco-system. There are literally hundreds of lenses and accessories to fit, ranging from cheap upgrades to pro-level kit. These will also be compatible further up the Nikon range. If the recipient purchases another lens (for example a fast lens for low light or a telephoto lens for sports/wildlife) then they can keep using these if they upgrade the body at a later date.

[GetCarter]

D3100 is a good choice.

[crankedup]

Thanks for sharing experience, I should have mentioned he is keen, being an ex motorbike racer, on capturing high speed stuff on the race tracks. Assume this camera will cope with this? Again not to pro' standards but a good reasonable acceptable (non blurred) image.

[rolex]

GetCarter said:

D3100 is a good choice.

This! The camera also has an onboard guide mode showing you how to use it

[Mr Will]

crankedup said:

Thanks for sharing experience, I should have mentioned he is keen, being an ex motorbike racer, on capturing high speed stuff on the race tracks. Assume this camera will cope with this? Again not to pro' standards but a good reasonable acceptable (non blurred) image.

The main limitation there will be the lens - it won't zoom in far enough (unless he can get very close to the track). That's easily solved though, a cheap telephoto lens will give him the extra 'reach' that he needs and the camera will more than happily keep up.

[marctwo]

When you say 'through the lens' do you by any chance actually mean SLR? They are not necessarily the same thing.

[Pints]

The Canon 1200D can be bought new for £289 including the 18-55mm lens.

http://m.digitalrev.com/#product?id=1103251

[crankedup]

marctwo said:

When you say 'through the lens' do you by any chance actually mean SLR? They are not necessarily the same thing.

Dunno!! but the D 3100 jobbie is the type that his sister uses and that is what he has dropped hints about.
Personally I just point and click hope for the best fella, but I guess you reckoned on that

[DavidY]

Well getting the same brand Nikon/Canon/etc as his sister would help, as they can share lenses (either now or in the future)

[Mr Will]

crankedup said:

marctwo said:

When you say 'through the lens' do you by any chance actually mean SLR? They are not necessarily the same thing.

Dunno!! but the D 3100 jobbie is the type that his sister uses and that is what he has dropped hints about.
Personally I just point and click hope for the best fella, but I guess you reckoned on that

That's another interesting point. Choose between Canon/Nikon based on whatever his sister uses. That way the controls will already be familiar and they'll be able to share lenses/accessories/etc.

[LongQ]

K12beano said:

rolleyes: You know the Rules. No one ever reads the OP.

D4 and a 200-400mm f/4 any good?

The perfect suggestion - if a tad obvious in the circumstances.

How about a Hustleblad?