topic Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:09:40 GMT

Help me please. I have a 14-year old nephew who has learning deficiencies (possibly on the autism spectrum) so whenever he shows interest in something I really want to help him out. He's obsessed with puppets and asked me to buy him a camera to film his puppets. He found something on the internet that recommended Canon M5 or Canon M50. I know absolutely nothing about cameras so have tried to acquire more information. (I know it may sound stupid, but I am going to buy him a new one for Christmas.)

So I look on Amazon and find these two:

1. Canon EOS M50 15-45mm Mirrorless Digital Camera (Black) with Canon EOS Camera Gadget Bag, 64GB SD Card, Flexible 12" Spider Tripod, and Battery & Charger Pack Bundle

2. Canon EOS M50 Mark II Content Creator Kit, Mirrorless 4K Vlogging Camera Kit Includes EF-M 15-45mm Lens, Tripod Grip, Stereo Microphone Black

Not understanding a thing about either, could someone please recommend? If there's another version of the M50 that you think is better, please let me know that also. I definitely will shop around for the best price, no matter what I get him. He does put up stuff on YouTube so it's possible he might put videos on YouTube. Not sure if that makes any difference.

Thank you so much in advance for any help and I apologize if I sound really stupid and/or uninformed. I didn't know how else to phrase what I'm trying to ask.

[Replaced links with images to facilitate conversation]

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help

Tintype_18 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:06:12 GMT

I don't think this inquiry sounds stupid but reflects a genuine concern to help your nephew. This might lead to other areas of video and still photography.Would it be possible to share some things here?

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:13:18 GMT

I thank you very much for your help! As long as you think these are good for beginners and especially for videoing, I will definitely look into them!! 🙂

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

rs-eos — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:13:31 GMT

Canon's M-series line (which includes the M50) will not be a good long-term investment.

The future of Canon's cameras is the newer R-series line.

First thing to note though is when doing a purchase, only purchase from Authorized Canon Resellers. I note that the first product you listed earlier is sold by "BH 52 Innovations" which is not an authorized reseller. If you stick with Amazon to do the purchases, double-check that the "Sold by" vendor is an authorized reseller.

The newer R-series cameras also have creator kits available such as:

Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit (normally $1,000 but now at $850 at least at B&H Photo)

The most inexpensive in the R-series is the EOS R100. That camera along with an 18-45mm lens (typical lens that creator kits come with) sells for $550. It would not have a microphone though or other accessories found in creator kits.

One other possibility...

If your nephew only ever plans to record video, then looking at a camcorder may make more sense since they are dedicated video equipment.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

rs-eos — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:14:03 GMT

Forgot to add... what is your budget for purchase a camera or camcorder?

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:16:19 GMT

John, I want to make sure I'm understanding you. Are you saying I could look at these in place of the M50, or are these things to look at once he's into photography and videoing? Thank you!

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

shadowsports — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:30:31 GMT

Greetings ,

I would not recommend investing into an M series body. The M series has been discontinued by Canon. Consider an R series body.

Only buy directly from Canon or an authorized reseller. Amazon resellers may not offer authentic gear. It might be counterfeit or gray market.

You can buy new or refurbished gear directly from Canon. Other authorized retailers are B&H photo or Adorama. If you want to buy used gear, KEH is excellent.

I would consider refurbished or used as your nephews interest may be short-lived. Just something to think about. Please reply back with your budget and we can make some recommendations for you.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:58:56 GMT

Thank you Ricky. I asked him and he's only interested in filming puppets and not re-recording.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 19:05:16 GMT

I don't have a particular budget. However if I can get him a camera that does what he wants it to (record puppets) and get it for under $500 I'm there! I want to spend as little as I have to, getting him a quality beginner's camera with a good record function.

Unfortunately, he saw this video on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z92Oq8WVHLo He's a very literal kid, so if I get him something that doesn't at least resemble those cameras, he'll be convinced it's not as good. I'll definitely go with a camera as opposed to a camcorder.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

trisha3121 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 19:10:46 GMT

I'm taking my nephew into account when I give my response. I will present the camera to him as new, even if' it's refurbished. Because he won't know the difference. (It's his Christmas gift.) I thought about used but decided against it. I want him to feel he's getting something new. I have a better chance with refurbished.

I don't have a particular price point but will quote what I told another poster who asked about price.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

stevet1 — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 00:37:49 GMT

trisha3121,

I guess I would have two questions for you:

1) Does your nephew know anything about cameras - apertures and shutter speeds and lenses, etc.?

If not, maybe a Point and Shoot approach might be the way to go. The lens is part of the body. Take a look at the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III as an example.

2) will your nephew be manipulating the puppets himself?

If so, he'll probably be needing a tripod (maybe a tabletop version?) to mount it on while he does his puppet work.

Steve Thomas

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

shadowsports — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 01:11:16 GMT

Greetings trisha3121,

You absolutely cannot tell the difference between Canon refurbished and brand new. The only difference is the color of the box.

The camera or lens will be absolutely perfect, immaculate, it will and look and function like brand new. There will not be a mark, blemish or fingerprint, etc on it. Refurbished gear comes with the same 1yr warranty as brand new. I have purchased several Canon lenses refurb. All look and perform flawlessly. You won't regret it. I assure you.

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

trisha3121 — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 02:03:58 GMT

Steve, my nephew knows NOTHING at all about cameras. I don't think he has ever held a camera. All he knows about taking pictures or videoing he does on his cell phone. I don't know anything about cameras either! But this is what I need to think about. His whole purpose for wanting a camera is to video his puppets. Is that Powershot camera good for videoing? If so, it might be the way to go!

Re: Help Please! Totally new to this world and need help - Camera recommendations

Waddizzle — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 13:07:11 GMT

The workflow required to use interchangeable lens cameras can be quite complex. It requires some degree of computer savvy.

The workflow to capture photos is quite a bit more than point and shoot. The workflow for capturing video can be an order of magnitude more complex. Have you given consideration to other options that would be less complex?

If your nephew is primarily interested in shooting video, then perhaps a camcorder might be easier to use. Even a camcorder workflow requires some degree of computer savvy to move the [files] to a computer. I’m jus thinking out loud here.