An outstanding camera for a
beginner wishing to
learn the basics of photography is this one: Canon G15
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html
See the accompanying video on the B&H site.
This will produce outstanding images that will look very nice indeed on a monitor or as prints.
Many pros carry one of the Canon G-series cameras as an everyday camera that they always keep with them. I own the G10, and if I were to replace it, I'd gladly get the latest iteration in the G15. I cannot fit all of my pro gear into one giant bag; this little, but capable, camera is often all I need. In some locations, I prefer not to be seen walking around with $13,000 of pro body and lens hanging from my neck. Whatever photographic path you ultimately follow, this Canon G15 will be one you'll probably want to hang onto. It makes a perfect starter camera while meeting the needs of serious photographers for a carry everywhere camera.
It has an excellent zoom lens, it's fast at ƒ/1.8 -ƒ/2.8, offers a number of automated modes for the beginner, and most important, it offers a full range of professional modes: Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and full Manual Mode, as well as a manual exposure compensation dial on top. It also has an optical viewfinder, which is very nice and quite useful. I've taken many motor racing photos with mine. This is a flexible camera permitting full control over one's camera settings, and so is an excellent camera for a beginner to learn with.
This camera will not restrict you to novice mode; you will be able to learn the basics of photography without limitations.
Should one subsequently decide to expand one's photographic horizons and move on to an interchangeable lens, digital, single-lens-reflex camera (DSLR), you will still find this capable, compact camera to be a useful companion for those occasions where the sheer weight and bulk of a DSLR with a bag full of lenses is too much to carry around.
This is a small investment capable of excellent results. Many people will find that this is quite enough for them. I recommend a camera like this for a beginner who is only just dabbling in photography. Later, after gaining experience, one will have a better idea of what to pursue and what to buy.
It is currently on sale at B&H for $369. I purchased mine a number of years ago at Best Buy, which I believe will do price matching with the New York mail order photo stores.
I buy my professional DSLR gear at B&H and Adorama where one can shop with confidence. I've been buying from B&H for well over 40 years.
Note: Beware that getting into serious pro gear can be quite expensive. One need not take it to that level, but it is easy to find oneself lusting after lenses that cost many thousands of dollars each. There are, of course, less expensive alternatives. But, just for reference, a great many amateurs would like to own "The Holy Trinity," which runs $6500 right now, but has occasional rebates and sales. I'll leave it to you to discover what this is.
