Camera for my Daughter

[slgreen10]

Hi Everyone:

My daughter is looking for a camera for a Christmas present. She does not want a DSLR or a point and shoot but wants a good camera to take everyday pics. I have done alot of research but would like your suggestions. I have Nikon DSLR's so looked at the Nikon P100 and L110 but the reviews about image quality don't seem to be that great. Then yesterday, I read the review on this forum about the Panasonic Lumix cameras. Thanks for your help.

Steph

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by slgreen10

She does not want a DSLR or a point and shoot but wants a good camera to take everyday pics.

Sorry, but that eliminates the two main categories. The only thing left is the mirrorless systems.

The cameras youve listed are all P&S cameras.

[eyalg]

I understand from what you write that you are looking for a super-zoom, DSLR-like or bridge camera. All different names of the same category, including Nikon's P100 which is actually not that bad.
The Lumix range is also a good way to go, offering two choices - the FZ40 and the FZ100.
Both are excellent cameras to buy. The FZ40 is a simpler, cheaper version of the FZ100,
which provides some extra features like RAW format, a flip LCD and an external flash hotshoe.
It depends if you're willing to spend around $300 (FZ40) or closer to $400 (FZ100).

[inkista]

Not a dSLR, not a P&S, but a Panasonic Lumix?

So, you mean the micro four-thirds cameras, like the GF-1 and GF-2? Yeah, those are good cameras that might fit the bill. However, they are using a 2x crop sensor. You might also want to consider the Sony NEX3 and Sony NEX5, which use a 1.5x crop sensor. From all reports, the UI leaves something to be desired, but the image quality is definitely at the dSLR level. The main shortcomings of the mirrorless cameras are that the lens selections are relatively small.

[OsmosisStudios]

If we're talking mirrorless, the Samsung NX series is quite nice. The NX10 is a bit on the big side, but the NX100 is still quite compact.

[inkista]

To me, the problem with the NXs is that the flange-to-sensor distance is too big for Leica M-mount or M39 lens adaptation. So, no rangefinder Voigtlander, Leica, or Zeiss glass. To me, being able to use those lenses are a big reason to go mirrorless. But you know how weird I am.

[slgreen10]

Hi Guys: Thanks for your opinions and suggestions. I'll look around and see what I end up with.