I would tailor my recommendations to the person (to some extent) and would try to find out the following:
1) How important is size (e.g., do they want a small, portable camera or they want a bigger camera that fits bigger hands)?
2) Are they likely to have (and want to spend) more $ on adding to their camera system over the next couple of years, or is this investment the limit for the foreseeable future?
3) Proportionately, how much time are they likely to spend photographing indoors (or in other lower light environments) versus outdoors? If outdoors, are they likely to be 'fair weather' photographers?
4) What are they interested in photographing (obviously this will evolve over time but it helps to find out what they're interested in, and not interested in, now).
5) How much time are they willing and likely to spend on learning how to use their camera? Do they learn well by experimentation on their own or with online tutorials etc? Or do they need hands-on training? How mechanically adept are they?
6) Are they likely to enjoy playing with images in Lightroom, Photoshop or something similar afterwards, or is it all about the shooting?
I can use myself and Mr frogoutofwater as example of how these questions would apply to camera recommendations, since we both just started playing with more advanced cameras a year ago (when we gave each other cameras for Christmas).
1)
Me: Size is a major factor. Smaller is better, all else being equal. I have small-ish hands and some issues with carrying weight (back trouble and some problems with my hands). Points toward a mirrorless camera, small DSLR or a compact P&S.
Him: Size isn't a major factor. Medium-sized hands and willing to schlep a fair bit of gear, but is a mountain-climber and sometimes has to consider the overall weight issue. Not determinative.
2)
Me: Very likely to spend more (possibly quite a lot) on adding to a system over the next few years. Points toward a DSLR, rather than an ILC (limited range of lenses) or P&S.
Him: Can afford to, but is unlikely to spend a lot in the next few years. Inherently frugal and would prefer a couple of pieces of versatile equipment. Points toward a used DSLR with a versatile zoom.
3)
Me: Equally divided between indoor and outdoor photography. Tilts more toward fair weather photography but there will be adventure trips every year or so and I'm interested in photographing wildlife, so ruggedness and weather resistance are nice-to-haves. Points toward a Pentax.
Him: Primarily outdoor. Interested in photographing outdoors and indoors at night. Outdoor adventurer so rugged, water-resistant equipment is essential. Definitely Pentax.
4)
Me: Interested: Pets and other animals. Street life - candid portraits. Wildlife. Not so interested: Landscapes, "record shots" (I don't photograph places and friends/family in them just to prove I was there). DSLR (it would be hard to find a P&S with a fast lens for indoor shooting and a long zoom range for wildlife.)
Him: Interested: mountains and other landscapes, cityscapes and urban life. Night photography. Some wildlife photography. Not so interested: people, but does take "record shots" of people (himself and others) in the places he's been. DSLR. Probably should have a good, light wide angle lens, and a versatile zoom.
5)
Me: Willing to spend a lot of time learning photographic skills - I'm a serial hobbyist. I learn best through courses (online or in-person) where there are homework assignments and opportunities to ask questions of an instructor. Not very mechanically adept and not good at figuring out technology on my own. Very experimental with "vision"; less experimental with equipment (i.e. will buy stuff and not get around to learning how to use it). Definitely DSLR.
Him: Willing to spend some time learning photographic skills but not nearly as much time as I am willing to spend. Mechanically and technologically very adept. Learns on his own and through courses equally well but has a hard time getting around to it unless prompted by someone else (i.e., me). Not definitive. Points a bit toward a good quality compact (with a good zoom lens).
6)
Me: I enjoy processing images and experimenting with Lightroom and Photoshop. Points toward a camera that produces RAW images.
Him: Willing to spend a minute or two on an image. Probably willing to spend more time on certain types of images (e.g., HDR). Probably would be really good at LR and PS if he just sat down and learned, but he's very linear and LR and PS aren't high on his to-do list right now. A camera that only shoots JPEG woduldn't be a problem.
So what kinds of recommendations to do these factors lead to?
Camera type:
= Both of us: ILCs (rather than P&S cameras)
- System for him: Pentax (obviously) - I got him a K-30 last year and he loves it.
- System for me: Initially I chose a Sony NEX (good image quality in a small package) but as I discovered that I was really interested in photography, I found the system limiting and decided to get a Pentax system as well. When I started shopping for a new system half-way through the year, I knew that I wanted a top-of-the-line prosumer camera, so I got the K-3. I use both NEX and Pentax now.
- Lenses for him: The 18-250 lens he got mid-way through last year almost never leaves his camera. I got him a 50mm f/1.8 but he doesn't use it much.
- Lenses for me: Lots. I got the 18-135 with the K-3 and picked up the 55-300 WR zoom at the same time. I like walking around with a fairly versatile zoom, so I like having two lenses with overlapping ranges. I also poach Mr frogoutofwater's 50mm f/1.8, and I acquired a 77mm f/1.8 and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro as well.
- RAW/JPEG or both: For me, a camera that produces RAW images is essential. For him, either JPEG or RAW would be fine (but since other factors pointed toward an SLR, this wasn't an issue. But if I were advising someone else who was deciding between a P&S and an ILC, the person's willingness and ability to use software to process images afterward would be an important factor in deciding which camera to recommend. Relatively few P&S cameras enable you to shoot in RAW.)
Looking back on the year, I think I should have played with the K-30 more and I probably would have concluded that it was a better choice for me overall from the outset. I should have realized that I should get a camera system with more potential to grow with me, and I had the $, time and motivation to invest in buying and learning how to use a more complex system. I then probably would have picked up a high quality, compact P&S camera with a fast lens for my 'carry everywhere' camera.
Last edited by frogoutofwater; 12-27-2013 at 11:09 AM.
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