Daughter's first camera

[Ghuka]

Hi Folks,

As my daughter has just joined her school's photography club, I am looking to buy her her first camera. She is looking for a camera that has a retro look (she does not like the full black look), not too bulky and heavy and with EVF if possible. I am looking to spend not more than $1k. I have shortlisted 2 models, Olympus E-PL8 and Fujifilm X-A3, although they do not have an EVF, I thought she might appreciate these being 'Selfie' cameras.

Another question, is having an EVF an important feature?

 

[pinholecam]

Either camera should be fine imo.

You might also want to take a look at the BnS section for a good deal.
Cameras as of 2-3years back are no less capable but at a cheap price as folks chase the 'latest and greatest'

 

[Bluesubm6]

I'm guessing you have already taken her to camera shops for the look and feel experience? If I am joining my school's photo club, selfies wouldn't be on my yearning list. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO, manual exposure, flash, those things ...

As pinholecam mentioned, BnS is rich with good cameras of all makes and sizes. You would not go wrong with pre-loved. And if things dont work out, it was pre-loved anyway.

 

[Ghuka]

I'm guessing you have already taken her to camera shops for the look and feel experience? If I am joining my school's photo club, selfies wouldn't be on my yearning list. Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO, manual exposure, flash, those things ...

As pinholecam mentioned, BnS is rich with good cameras of all makes and sizes. You would not go wrong with pre-loved. And if things dont work out, it was pre-loved anyway.

Thanks both on the advise to check out BnS. Will do so. She has handled the Olympus Pen at Courts and like that. I am just checking out with the Gurus here if there are alternatives to that before I make my purchase.

Regarding the selfie feature, as she is a teenager, i felt that she will enjoy that feature and leading to use the camera more.

 

[Bluesubm6]

If you are leaning towards Olympus, take a look at Olympusphere http://olympusphere.com/?spr=sgp. Plenty of pictures taken with different cameras and lenses, by people of varying skills. Your kid can see what types of pictures interest her, then look at the cameras and lenses used. Not meant as a shopping guide, but more to the point that its the people behind the cameras that take good pictures (or not)

 

[Wzierbovsky]

You can consider the Panasonic GX85 too. It doesn't have a fully articulating screen (i.e. no selfies), but it has a built-in EVF. The camera with 12-32mm kit lens can be had for around $930 to $940 from the usual stores.

IMO - the EVF becomes important if your daughter is going to use other larger lenses beyond the 12-32mm. But if she's going to just use the pancake-styled kit lenses, then the EVF is a nice to have but I think she'll be fine without it.

 

[Ghuka]

Thank for all your advice. I have bought her the Olympus E-PL7. Will consider getting the optional EVF if she finds that she needs it. In the meanwhile, hope she likes it and the hobby. Cheers all.

 

[jaggedmick]

That is quite a good choice, awesome dad thumbs up

 

[wonglp]

Thank for all your advice. I have bought her the Olympus E-PL7. Will consider getting the optional EVF if she finds that she needs it. In the meanwhile, hope she likes it and the hobby. Cheers all.

Good choice on the pl7, pl8 doesn't have much improved over pl7. Can also post on m43 subforum should you have more questions.