Camera suggestions?

[Attilathegun]

I'm looking to get my daughter a camera. She's going on a hiking trip in the Alps. Switzerland, France, and Italy. Some of the hikes are 7 milers. Need some recommendations for a good hiking camera that will get a good full view sort of picture. I did some Google-Fu and got upside down in all of the info, lol.

Looking at you @VinnieBoomBah, lol

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[VinnieBoomBah]

Looking at you @VinnieBoomBah, lol

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

I shoot a Fuji XT3 these days, 100% would not recommend it for her needs. Maybe one of these?

 

[Attilathegun]

I should have mentioned auto focus, lol

 

[OrPackrat]

I picked up this and love it.

Amazon.com

Some extra batteries and a battery charger that uses USB C so it can use a portable power pack, few 64gb cards, its been a great camera.

 

[Koda]

I should have mentioned auto focus, lol

So just how into photography is she? Does she need only a point and shoot camera or a full feature "real" camera?

 

[Attilathegun]

She's never really messed with a camera. Point, and shoot. Some sort of tele-zoom lens I'm guessing.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Budget?

 

[Attilathegun]

A grand-ish.

For some reason, I can't quote in thread replies...weird.

 

[bionic knees]

doesn't she have a phone??

 

[Attilathegun]

Yep, she has one. I'm looking for a camera camera.

 

[Koda]

She's never really messed with a camera. Point, and shoot. Some sort of tele-zoom lens I'm guessing.

In that case don't get her a real camera like a DLSR or mirrorless.
Stick with a point and shoot, several of those take really great pictures. Years ago I had a Canon Powershot camera, fit in my pocket and took incredible scenery pictures... most cameras include a wide angle lens or setting for outdoor landscapes.

Another option is to buy her a new high end "flagship" cameraphone for the same price, Samsung Galaxy S25 has probably the best cameras on the market and is easy to use plus she will love having a high end phone with fast internet browsing and GPS applications will also be useful for hiking in far away places. The high end cameraphones take just as good of a pic as a dedicated point and shoot.

Best Camera Phone of 2025

We reviewed and selected the best camera phones, including the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro.

www.cnet.com

 

[MTpockets]

Fuji has some decent offerings.
The LiL'Traveler uses a Fuji Film X100V (now discontinued~linked a refurb. I see used-excellent condition $900-1200) to supplement her phone and 35mm film image capturing.

FUJIFILM Shop USA | X100V

35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 35mm Maximum Aperture: F2 -5EV Low-light Focusing 0.52x magnification OVF/ 3.69M-dot EVF Features hugely popular selection of Film Simulations, including Classic Neg.

shopusa.fujifilm-x.com

Site Search: DPReview | Photography News, Gear Reviews & Community

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

www.dpreview.com

Fujifilm X100V review: The most capable prime-lens compact camera, ever

We think Fujifilm's X100V is the best choice for a photographer's carry-everywhere camera in 2020. Provided you can find somewhere safe to take pictures, of course. Take a look through our full review to find out more.

www.dpreview.com

Edit to add: There is a newer model available. And the photos above may have been filtered with effects available within the camera's software.

If she will be making any software adjustments to the images at a later time, you may want to to choose a camera that is able to capture RAW format images.

 

[Autark]

I'd second the recommendation for a high-end phone with a good camera. The camera in the iPhone Pros are shooting legitimate videography and photography. Buying her a DSLR or a mirrorless camera only completes a quarter of the picture. Lenses are expensive. And the learning curve for shooting with a camera with more than one button is pretty high.

I've traveled with my professional cameras and end up using my phone more often. I need to carry it around anyhow, and I get to keep the pictures in my pocket without any extra effort.

Also, an expensive looking camera marks you as a tourist and maybe a target for scams.

 

[OrPackrat]

Some photos I've taken with the Cannon Rebel T7.

Testing out mainly the 75-300 lens..

 

[User 1234]

Does she actually want a standalone camera? I'd hate to see you give her an expensive gift that someone like I would enjoy, only for her to leave it at home in favor of a lightweight iPhone.

Speaking of photo quality; a newer iPhone is great for most vacation/scenic photos. Only photo nerds like myself really want to lug around a separate camera these days or care about the advantages of an optical zoom.

 

[Attilathegun]

Does she actually want a standalone camera? I'd hate to see you give her an expensive gift that someone like I would enjoy, only for her to leave it at home in favor of a lightweight iPhone.

Speaking of photo quality; a newer iPhone is great for most vacation/scenic photos. Only photo nerds like myself really want to lug around a separate camera these days or care about the advantages of an optical zoom.

Yeah, she wants a stand alone camera.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Cannon sureshot. Lanyarded ergos, AA batteries, yada.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

The cameras they stick in most new cell phones are pretty darn amazing. My wife's Galaxy S21's camera is phenomenal and way easier to use than lugging around another piece of equipment.

 

[Spitpatch]

My field camera now for some time has been an Olympus Tough. (Current model is TG-7, I believe).

Bulletproof, small, and incredible definition.