Trying to help my Mom

[sactown024]

Hey forum friends,

My mom wants a nice camera, she is by no means a photographer but she really wants to get some quality prints for her grandsons etc.... I was going to point her in the direction of a coolpix 510 or something but wasnt sure. I want her to have something that is going to have slr quality but there is no need to be changing lens' and shooting raw and all that jazz. Does anyone have xp with coolpix or do you have a better suggestion?

she doesnt want one of those pocket PnS cameras.

 

[KmH]

* Thread Moved *

DSLR quality is more about the photographer than the camera, as are quality prints.

Many bridge digital cameras have very small image sensors which severely limits the depth-of-field options.

 

[MLeeK]

I really like the looks of the specs on the Nikon P510. It seems to "have it all" in one little body.
In Canon I like the SX40HS, but I think the Nikon would probably still come out on the top for me.

 

[unpopular]

Sony also makes some interesting point and shoots. While all P&S cameras are slow to respond, my experience has been that Nikons are especially so. If you have grandchildren, look for cameras with larger lenses and wider maximum apertures.

 

[Patrice]

I don't often recommend entry level stuff but this is exactly the situation they are created for. Get your Mum an entry level Nikon, preferably with a swivel back, along with the current kit lens and then gift her an SB700 flash. Set the camera to P and JPEG large+fine and let her go. She'll be getting very nice photos of all the important events in no time at all.

My wife does not want to be a photographer, however she is a grandma and as such can't get enough pictures of the grandkids. Her preferred instrument is a D70, 18-70 kit lens, SB600 flash. She shoots in "p", JPEG, large, fine and you know what, her photos turn out just fine. Her and the daughters are delighted with them. What else matters?

 

[jrizal]

I really like the looks of the specs on the Nikon P510. It seems to "have it all" in one little body.
In Canon I like the SX40HS, but I think the Nikon would probably still come out on the top for me.

The 42x zoom which is the equivalent of 1000mm for DSLRs is the main selling point of the P510. A $7000 lens equivalent is packed into a $400 camera. A bit slow like most point and shoots, but still takes great pictures. Arguably the SX40HS takes better pictures which are supposedly warmer but has 35x? zoom only. But this is based on reviews. Haven't used the Canon yet but the Nikon takes good images too. Both also have semi and full manual modes atop the usual auto modes giving the user freedom. I'd opt for the Nikon for zoom alone. If $400 is steep for you, Fuji also has some models at the 30x level at $300.

 

[unpopular]

A $7000 lens equivalent is packed into a $400 camera.

LOL. Such enthusiasm!!

 

[jrizal]

A $7000 lens equivalent is packed into a $400 camera.

LOL. Such enthusiasm!!

Same thing said when the 20X zoom came out and lo and behold a 30x zoom seems obsolete nowadays. (Same can be said about megapixels. But that's another story.) Say what you will about megazooms, but my 30x Olympus point and shoot still has some tricks my Nikon can't do without spending an arm and a leg. Megazooms or bridge cameras in general have their place and use as well as DSLRs.