Camera Labs

My daughter has asked for a camera for her 16th birthday but I am finding it hard to find something that meets her requirements.

She wants something small enough to carry around easily, with a decent zoom, good low light performance, and a viewfinder. It's the last one that really seems to limit the choice.

Could be compact or super zoom.

What suggestions or recommendations would you make? I'm running out of time!

Cheers

Ian

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Nikon D80, 50mm f1.4 Prime, Nikkor AF-S 70-300

Very important: What's your budget?
For low light shots and a viewfinder Id almost instantly think of a Canon G11 or G12, but superzooms also have viewfinders, and the FZ150 isnt that bad regarding noise. Though, it wont ever be as good as the G11/G12.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

If G12 is considered "carryable" then Canon G1X should be worth a look, bigger sensor should perform better in low light

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Canon EOS 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 MK I, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/1.8, EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 430EX II, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Arca Swiss P0
Panasonic GF3, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 45mm f/1.8

MY FLICKR!

Thanks both.

Budget is up to £400 so these canon's are feasible.

I must admit I like the Nikon J1 - I think it fits all her needs and the mirrorless system offers features she would like such as the motion snapshot, and smart photo selector, but doesn't have the viewfinder! The V1 is out of budget though. Is there anything along those lines with a viewfinder?

Ian

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Nikon D80, 50mm f1.4 Prime, Nikkor AF-S 70-300

Would a Panasonic G2 or G3 be too big?

G2/3 looks very interesting thanks.

We are going to go down to jessops with her this weekend so she can try some out so this will be on the list.

Many thanks

Cheers

Ian

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Nikon D80, 50mm f1.4 Prime, Nikkor AF-S 70-300