My partners birthday is coming up and i wanted to get them a gift. They are very into photography (mainly using their phone) and i thought that surprising them with an actual camera would make them very happy, but problem is that idk anything about technology or cameras :(
The outline is as follows: it needs to be a DSLR (because it would make photo transfers from camera to computer easier), it needs to be able to capture good wide shots but also have a good zoom (since that’s the kinda photos they usually take) and the photos should end up looking as natural as possible (they hate the over processed look of phone cameras) + additionally it would be ideal for the photos to come out as crisp as possible. I have created a list of cameras that might fit those standards but now idk what to choose from and would like a second opinion. Also budget wise i wouldn’t wanna get anything too fancy as i frankly don’t have that kinda money and as a beginner i’m sure my partner will be happy to just have a camera in the first place (we will see about upgrading to a better camera in the future). Also also, the sturdier the camera the better, we like our stuff to last long.
Now with all that out of the way here are the contenders: Olympus tg5/tg6/tg7, Fuji Xt2 or Xt5, Fujifilm x100V or x100VI, Fujifilm VI100 or T30, Sony A6700, Canon EOS Rebel T8i, Olympus E-M1/E-M Mark ii or E-M5 ii, kodak pixpro fz55, Lumix LX3 or LX5, Canon Ixus 185 maybee??? (not too sure abt this one). As stated idk anything about cameras and this list was created by browsing youtube photographer techbro videos and various subreddits ( not through actual reddit tho thankfully) so idk how accurate this list is. I am open to suggestions for other cameras (with lenses or compact, so long as they’re good).
p.s. i am transbyanism’s wife, im writing thru their account (they promised not to peak)
Any brand is going to do what you want, the thing to remember is that nothing is easily interchangeable between brands.
I bought my wife a Canon EOS for the same reasons you mentioned about 20 years ago. We started with a 450D and have since moved to a 750D.
This series is Canons entry level DSLR range and is more suitable for an amateur photographer than their single digit range. The 750 has since been discontinued and replaced by the 760.
These cameras can be used fully automatic, or you can switch to a manual mode. They can be purchased with two lenses, we got an 18-55 and a 70-200 with the original purchase and kept them when we upgraded the body.
When you do make a decision as to who brand, you will find that when you eventually upgrade, you will end up with the same brand as very little is interchangeable. At least, not easily. You can get adapters for lenses, but it’s easier to stick with the brand you have.
For that reason, it’s worth looking at the stores around you and seeing if any of them specialise. (Not the big box stores, the smaller ones). If family or friends are into photography, what do they use? This is because they may have tips on using the same equipment.
Finally, send her to a photography class. You can get a one day class in most areas. I sent my daughter to one, 4 hours and the standard of her photography went up several levels immediately.
I don’t know much about photography but i do know a little about gifts in a relationship, and in my experience what a partner appreciates most is shared experiences. So, whichever camera you choose, make sure to do something together (like a wilderness hike through beautiful scenery that they can photograph) where your partner can put the camera to use.
With DSLR cameras, the ecosystem of lenses and adaptors matter. I believe Nikon and Canon had the broadest lens systems, so a better chance if you wanted something special, you could find it (or more at a reasonable price)
A used older model might be a foot into this without the USD500 commitment for a new one.
Where I live there’s a long-standing camera shop by the local university that probably survived film to digital by servicing 50 years of students going through photography-related programmes; you might check if a similar shop exists near you-- maybe what they’d suggest for a freshman student who needs more than point-and-shoot.
Do you need to get them something related to photography? They will probably like whatever you get them.
