Looking for a camera recommendation

[Scotty]

Just looking for something nice for a beginner, nothing too fancy, something that the wife & I can take high quality pics or our son & of course our doodle. Not looking to spend a fortune would like to keep it around $500 or less. Really I guess first I need to know if I should do a DSLR or what I've read is called a Bridge Compact Digital Camera?

So I guess my first question is with my budget is a DSLR even an option? And if it is, is it something that is going to have a very steep learning curve compared to a BCDC? I wouldn't mind getting some kind of a starter pack and adding additional lenses etc. as we find we need them/can afford them. I'm not a huge fan of lugging a camera bag around, but it almost seems like with the size of the BCDC's you're going to have to do that either way if you want to take good quality photos.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 

[DJ & Chance]

For your price point, I would go for a good point and shoot such as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1000

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I would go to DPReview.com  They have excellent reviews on cameras at all levels.

Here is a starting point: https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides

Pay attention to the size of the sensor (usually hidden in the specs) not the megapixels. A physically bigger sensor is generally is more important than lots of megapixels when comparing cameras at a similar price point and generation.

Sony is a great brand to invest in at that price point, and frankly a great brand at any price point. 

Often you can get a great camera used for a cheaper price if you bargain shop. A lot of my stuff was purchased used. Look for the model prior to the current as you can find it cheaper and sometimes (not always) only a few minor features are different.

If you do decide to go the DSLR route know that there is a steep learning curve to getting your photos in focus vs a cell phone or a point n shoot. This can't be emphasized enough. If you need to know why I can explain. Also if you decide to go that route I would avoid the cheap kit packages as the lenses are normally not great, better to just get one 50mm prime lens and start with that. Your photos will thank you.

Good luck and don't hesitate to  ask questions. I've helped a lot of people buy cameras a various levels and price points.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am more of a point and shoot girl and take lots of photos of an event and use delete generously once downloaded to my computer. Except for obviously bad photos on the camera, use the larger screen on your computer to make judgements of what your best shot is. 

Point and shoot: For traveling, I use a Cannon SX710- there’s probably a newer model out now but probably still within in your budgetary range. It has a great zoom and while you can play with settings (especially adjusting for light), auto is pretty good.  Low light settings are not its strong suit. I agree with DJ that Sony Cybershot is a better overall camera except for zoom, but it might have a higher price tag. 

If you get a camera body with lens options, my favorite is one that has the widest range like 18- 300 because it allows you to capture a greater range of shots without different lenses. To me good for a beginner or a lazy person like me. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

When I started with digital photography I went to Canon Elphs one model and then another. Next I got a Nikon D90 which I loved. But I upgraded a couple of times after that. A dslr is not complicated if you start on auto and gradually learn other modes like speed and aperture. You can do all that with a relatively cheap fixed lens or zoom. The advantage is that you can add better lenses and learn more with a dslr. My vote would be for Nikon or Canon dslr, the best dslr model you can afford.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And if you get the Cannon or Nikon body, you can get a Sigma lens cheaper than the same lens from Nikon or Cannon.

[S & Charlie]

I have been using a Nikon D90 for the past year and a half (when I randomly found it at my parents house and decided to give this whole photography thing a try lol). I have the option to buy a D600 from a photography friend for $750. Do you think this is a good idea? From all the reviews i've read i'm leaning towards doing it. I definitely want a full frame camera, and it seems that is the cheapest I will find one for.

[Scotty]

Fist of all I want to thank all of your for the responses, it's definitely given me a place to start. And after talking to the wife yesterday she had a higher budget in mind than I did. So I'm now looking around $800. I think we're going to go the DSLR route, but I'm obviously looking for something that will help with the learning curve. I've narrowed it down to 3 choices just want to see what you guys think about the options I've come up with or even suggest something I may have missed. So with that said I'm currently looking at:

Canon EOS Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) - Seems like a solid camera for beginners. Feature assistant sounds like it could be helpful, has a viewfinder, although from what I'm reading the Auto Focus in the viewfinder isn't the best for action shots. Also apparently you can't charge via USB, which would be convenient but I would imagine not a deal breaker.

Sony a5100 - From what I'm reading it sounds like a good quality camera aimed at beginners. Auto focus is supposedly very good which I would think would be good for a beginner. Seems reasonably priced & even had some attractive used options. But I'm also reading that lenses for the Sony E-mount can be expensive and/or hard to find, and I'm not sure if the lack of a viewfinder is a big deal. I mean I haven't used a viewfinder in years, but I'm assuming there's a reason they still put them on the higher end cameras.

Nikon D5600 - This one I included because it was listed as the best camera under $1000 & best camera for students. While I don't plan on attending classes I am willing to learn. However this camera also seems like after buying a lens it may be slightly out of budget & I'm somewhat afraid I might be biting off more than I can chew with this one.

Also speaking of lenses, if I'm understanding correctly you're saying I want to just buy the base camera & not the ones I'm seeing listed w/ an 18-55 mm lens. And then just buy a 50 mm prime lens separately? And if so any suggestion on what lens I should get to start would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all the great advice. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I personally would not buy a camera without a viewfinder.  LCD screens are great for reviewing an image but 99% of the time I use the viewfinder on my Nikons.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. I hardly ever use the LCD screen and I wouldn't buy a camera without a viewfinder. I never charge by USB.

[Scotty]

OK thanks again for the advice with this in mind I think I'm going to look at something different. I really like the Nikon 5600, but it's pushing my price range. However after looking it appears the 5500 offers most of the same features and specs. It appears the main difference is Bluetooth & NFC aren't available on the 5500. But it does appear to have snapbridge which it appears performs the same function as bluetooth.

Is there something I'm missing here or am I probably better off saving the money with the 5500? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have a D750 which I am sure has NFC but I have no idea what it is. I know I have Bluetooth but I never use it if that helps. I download the card by inserting it in my laptop. Si if I were you I would think the lower model would be fine.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I don't know what those would be used for. Not high on my list. I don't know that camera specifically but just did a quick search and this came up on adorama:

https://www.adorama.com/inkd5600bkr.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw75HWBRAwEiwA...

This would be a trusted company to buy a used camera from. Nikon is a good brand to choose.