So a couple of good friends of mine are having their first baby. As you can imagine, they are excited and trying to plan for things. They asked me what camera they should get, but I don't really know the low-end cameras well. They want something that "we don't have to go to school for to learn how to use." And I know they aren't really techy people so they want ease of use after they take the shot. No way they are going to want to get into a program like Lightroom.
I'm thinking maybe a really nice point-and-shoot or what about a used Rebel series?
The Rebel series is best if they are the type that don't mind an extra size. Compared to all the things they need to keep with them for the baby the camera is pretty minor. The automatic settings are excellent. If they every want to learn more about photography as a hobby they have what they need.
I like my S100, but mainly because I know how to eke out its potential from my slr experience. On automatic, a point an shoot isn't that much better than the better camera phones out there.
As much as I love DSLR's, I would recommend something like a Sony NEX. They'll quickly realize how much stuff they need to bring with them every time they go somewhere with the baby and a dslr (even a rebel) can be a bit clunky to pack. Cameras like the NEX line are small enough to toss in a diaper bag and will have the higher quality pictures like a DSLR. They also have better low light performance over a point and shoot. My little boy is now 2, and my NEX 6 goes with us everywhere. My Canon 6D and gear stays at home waiting for paid shoots.
It's extremely unlikely that anyone asking about a camera, at that stage in life, has any interest in dealing with a DSLR. They're large, complicated to use optimally, and changing lenses is yet another hassle someone with a baby just doesn't need.
Heck, IMO there's very little reason to have a low-end DSLR over a good P&S, especially if you're not going to buy lenses. DSLRs are a PITA to carry around (especially with all the other crap they'll have with them all the time); a large camera will get in the way, whether it's around the neck or filling up yet another bag.
Something like an S110 will fit in any pocket; it takes excellent photos, has some of the same abilities as a DSLR to customize your settings/shoot in manual exposure (if so inclined), has a 5x optical zoom, from nice-and-wide to moderately long, and will be a fine choice for a long time.
Let's not project our love of gear to them; keep it simple. The best tool is the one that'll be used the most.
I love my SL1. It's so small it's almost funny (strike that - it IS funny), and video capture with AF works and is completely silent with the included STM lens.
I'd ask them what the like/dislike about their smartphone cameras (assuming they have one). If all they want is the same thing just better iq the Sony rx100 is pretty awesome. If they want something more dslr like but still small then a Sony nex or micro 4/3 would be better. IMHO the future is pocketable and mirror less so why saddle them with a dslr unless they really plan to "get into" photography.
Ok, so I called up my friend. She said they currently "have a Nikon S8100 but they'd like something more". That's a P&S I'm unfamiliar with it's quality.
So I guess that would push us in to the SLR range then? Although I'm looking at the Sony NEX and it does look like a nice little camera too. This is their first child so perhaps they are underestimating all the extra stuff they will have to carry with them everywhere they go.
Used (or new?) Rebel then, perhaps...and single lens setup (cheapo zoom?), to save them some money? Do those things last five years? Not sure of the build quality as I've never used a camera below a 7D range.
I would recommend the NEX or Olympus OMD-EM5 or anything in that range, gives them the option to have different lenses.
For first baby, and first new camera in a while (it sounds like) it would be a good option, Nothing worse than having to fiddle with all of your settings to get that perfect shot of baby giggling or standing when you could have a NEX or OMD on Auto and just click to your hearts content and find that perfect shot later when you sift through them.
If they really want something more than a P&S, I'd steer them in the direction of mirrorless 4/3.
Really, a very good P&S is both less expensive and just as good, for must uses, as a lower-end DSLR; it makes no sense to me to buy a low-end DSLR unless you're planning to slowly amass an excellent lens collection, and eventually an excellent body.
The Nikon they have is not by any means a "very good" P&S, BTW.
Obviously, I don't care what they buy. But I just think that when the push for an expensive, bulky, complicated camera system comes from someone else, it's a recipe for disappointment.
I found myself in a similar situation recently with friends looking to upgrade from their "cheapie" P&S to take pictures and videos of their school-age children. To help them out I tried to get a good understanding of what it was that they were hoping to be able to do. I also made it a point to get a good handle on what their budget was for this new "ideal" camera. And I made it a point to cover ergonomics with them.
Through our conversations, and my sending them emails with various cameras to consider (and why), we began to narrow down and refine what was going to work for them. I suggested they get some hands-on with some of these cameras at their local shop and, in their case, enlist the interests of what their children wanted to be able to do with the camera as well, since this would be a family camera. In the process I began to get a better idea of what the latest crop of P&S cameras had to offer, as well.
The things they wanted began to take shape...they wanted a camera that they could look through (either OVF or EVF), it had to be able to shoot both their son's football and their daughter's low-light indoor school plays, Hi-Def home videos were a must, Mom & Dad wanted to just be able to turn it on and shoot. a good zoom range was a must and, of course, "great" picture quality. And as far as picture quality went, yes, we were talking JPGs, and we concluded that in their price range that either Canon or Panasonic had the best image quality in their class. Their 4 final contenders turned out to be Canon SX240 (now 280), SX50, Panasonic ZS20 (now ZS30) & FZ200... but the two superzooms (which they all truly liked the best!) were out-of-budget!
Thankfully, one of the superzooms, an FZ200 LNIB, became available on the B&S at that moment and I scooped it up for them...
My point here is this, engaging your friends in the process can be both a rewarding and enjoyable process for everyone...they'll end up with a camera that will suit their needs and you'll come away knowing a bit more about that end of the spectrum! And, FWIW, if their budget is for an under-$400 P&S any of the four cameras I mentioned should be on their short-list, at least, from my homework! P.S. the 720P 120fps slow-motion on the Panny's is really something!
Hope this was helpful! Best of luck with the search!
T2i is the best bang for the buck. Get wit the 18-55 IS and the 55-250 for $100 more of possible. Add a fast prime like the 50 1.8 or 40 2.8 and you will be set. The sigma 30 1.4 is super awesome but a bit more
Canon's Powershot SX260 is $168 as a refurb, can't beat this little gem, only issue I've found is it's battery life when in video mode, you must have two batteries to be safe, the batteries are about $40 each, otherwise it's a nice superzoom; 20x, with 25-500mm focal lengths, has gps if needed and can be turned off to save battery life. The SX280 has some new features, higher ISO and is just under $300.
