Suggestions for a rugged digital SLR camera for beginners?
My autistic son is interested in photography, and is ready to move up from his point-and-shoot camera, but he’s rough with his possessions, so we need a camera that can take a beating. Does anyone know of a sturdily built digital SLR that would suit his needs? It doesn’t need to be the latest model, or have the latest features…
Tags: Digital, Camera, point and shoot camera, possessions, rugged, autistic son, Suggestions
I recommend Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Digital Camera Blue With 2GB Memory + Slim Case + More
Great price on amazon http://camerareview-blog.com/2009/11/canon-powershot-a1100-is-digital-camera-blue-with-2gb-memory-slim-case-more/
While all DSLR cameras are built to last for decades, they do have to be handled with more care than a P&S camera or even a cell phone.
There are two critical parts of a DSLR that can be damaged by rough handling. The first is the connection point of where the lens connects to the camera as well as the lens itself. A sharp blow can cause problems and cause the lens/camera interface to not work properly. The second is the mirror that diverts the image to the viewfinder, used to focus and compose the images. If the camera is dropped the focusing process can lead to out of focus images or if the the mirror touched, finger prints cannot be easily removed with out damaging the front “silvered” mirror and finally attention must be taken to keep the camera away from moisture, extreme cold or heat.
There is “camera armour” that can help protect the camera from minor bumps and oops
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/591890-REG/Camera_Armor_CA00243_0MP_Camera_Armor_.html
Do some research on the DSLR’s within your budget and then after you have picked out a couple of candidates and then go into a camera store and see which of the cameras fits your hands the best.
See which cameras menu is the easiest for you to use to make changes in ISO, camera resolution, white balance, mode switching and make EV changes.
Finally, take a SD card with you and test each camera at their highest and lowest ISO as well as when using the white balance that matches the light in the store as well as with it in the “auto white balance” mode.
Once you get home and are able to see the results on your large computer monitor, you will know which camera is better for YOUR son, not us
There is a camera that is rather inexpensive (under $470 for camera and 18-55 mm lens). It is the Nikon D40 … if you can still find one, it will be a good starting camera and if it does get damaged, you will not be out too much money.
The most resistant cameras to dust and moisture start at around $1,700 without lens
For beginner I would recommend Nikon D3000 or Canon Rebel XS which not too hard to learn amd not to expensive.If he want live view function Canon XS is a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26high-price%3D500%26x%3D0%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref_%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fp%255F36%255F5%26keywords%3Ddigital%2520slr%2520camera%26low-price%3D400%26bbn%3D502394%26y%3D0%26qid%3D1258772707%26rnid%3D386442011%26rh%3Dn%253A502394%252Ck%253Adigital%2520slr%2520camera&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
I recommend Nikon D3000 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
yeah get a nikon. nikon dslrs look very sturdy as compared to canons and sonys. sad but true.