Camera suggestions?

[ilikegunspdx]

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

I'd say be aware that this could be a very long discussion as it's a real rabbit hole. I assume she wants something small and light, not mirrorless/dslr size + lenses.

My go to travel camera has been a canon g7xII. The reason is it does almost everything as good as a dslr and has enough manual controls that you can get the shot you want. Like a gun, the shooters talents/technique/experience are the limiting factor, not the gun/camera. G7xII with extra batteries and a polarizing filter are all I need for almost any situation including nighttime and ultra closeups of things like bugs or flowers. Fast moving subjects in low light any small camera will struggle. For travel o rarely need long focal lengths (ability to zoom way in). Usually wide to short portrait covers everything (for example 24-85mm, or 28-100mm). They may make newer versions of these cameras I don't know cuz I haven't paid attention.

I'd say the most important thing is to understand composition (especially for landscapes), lighting, and basic photographic concepts such as the exposure triangle.

Bottom line for me is get a point and shoot sized camera that has all (or close to all) the manual controls of a dslr/mirrorless. Cannon g9x is even smaller and lighter but doesn't have as many manual controls. Fuji and Sony also have point and shoot size with manual controls and good lenses. Honestly a person with a 3mp pocket camera from 2003 that knows how to use composition and lighting will get better and more memorable photos than a person with a 2025 camera that has not learned those techniques. Just like a well trained shooter will do much better with the cheapest gun than a beginner shooting a stacatto.

G9x size - feels tiny and light could put in front pocket. Much more limited in manual controls and lens is not as good

G7xii size - cannot put in front pocket. Chunkier and heavier. Better lens and more manual controls.

Here's a great guide on how to take landscapes:

National Geographic Photography Field... book by National Geographic Society

www.thriftbooks.com

I typed in "learn composition digital camera" and this is what Google AI wrote. It covers every basic concept. Suggest learning the basic concepts of composition and then play with the camera A LOT trying out every one of those. It's the fastest way to learn imo. For example taking the same picture with camera next to ground looking up, move to a different spot to take roughly the same picture. Same picture but put elements in the foreground. Simplify the same picture with one element dominating the frame. Same location but mostly open space with only one visual element in the frame. Take same picture at golden hours vs mid-day, sun, cloudy. Same pic but with sun at your back vs shooting into the sun. Same picture but adding flash to fill in the shadows during the day. Same picture but with leading lines drawing you into the picture.

Elements of Composition in Photography — Nico Goodden - Urban Photographer - Digital Photography Learning

Blog series covering elements of composition in photography. Exploring the rule of thirds, symmetry, negative space, leading lines, importance of background and low angles.

www.nicholasgooddenphotography.co.uk

Composition in Photography: A Complete (and Modern) Guide

Want to master composition in photography? Discover everything you need to know about composition in this comprehensive guide!

digital-photography-school.com

📷Photography Composition: The Definitive Guide - Anton Gorlin Landscape Photography

The most comprehensive free Photography Composition tutorial on the internet. "Rules" explained, tons of examples, charts and food thought. Time to step up!

antongorlin.com

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

It also depends on what she wants the camera for and how much she's into photography. If she just wants something easy and reliable to preserve memories most any of the point-n-shoot cameras would work just fine. If she is wanting something better than that something like this Sony would be a good choice. This one is sold as a Vlogger camera and a lot of the needs of vloggers would also be good for her. The lens is (for us old folks) a 24 to 75mm equivalent without resorting to 'digital zoom' Maybe this one and a $150ish pocket camera for quick snaps


Sony Alpha ZV-E10 - APS-C Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Vlog Camera Kit - Black

 

[Stomper]

Use the camera on the iPhone 14 (on up) they can take amazing photos if you use all they features they offer..... I'd bet she can use the HELL out of that already!

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

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

HIre local artist to follow her around and paint whatever she thinks is interesting and pay them using an app on her phone

I mean, if we are ignoring what you are asking we should at least have a little fun with it

 

[User 1234]

The Gx7 looks like a great option. The mirrorless interchangeable lens Fuji quasi-rangefinders can be found for reasonable prices used. Not pocketable, but not heavy.

 

[MikeInOr]

The Sony RX100 VII is the travel compact that all others are compared to.

Sony RX100 VII review - great versatile compact at a price

Sony’s pocket camera has an excellent zoom lens and produces fine images - but has issues, says Andy Westlake in our Sony RX100 VII review

amateurphotographer.com

With the integrated 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 equivalent lens it is smaller and lighter than the GX9 without a lens. The built in flash is kind of a must for take anywhere camera IMHO. Even with the incredible sensitivity of modern sensors a built in flash will greatly expand the versatility of this camera. The small size of the RX100 VII means it will be the camera she always has on her.

 

[Attilathegun]

HIre local artist to follow her around and paint whatever she thinks is interesting and pay them using an app on her phone

I mean, if we are ignoring what you are asking we should at least have a little fun with it

You never disappoint, lol!

 

[Attilathegun]

It also depends on what she wants the camera for and how much she's into photography. If she just wants something easy and reliable to preserve memories most any of the point-n-shoot cameras would work just fine. If she is wanting something better than that something like this Sony would be a good choice. This one is sold as a Vlogger camera and a lot of the needs of vloggers would also be good for her. The lens is (for us old folks) a 24 to 75mm equivalent without resorting to 'digital zoom' Maybe this one and a $150ish pocket camera for quick snaps


Sony Alpha ZV-E10 - APS-C Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Vlog Camera Kit - Black

She's always been interested in it, but now that she's full blown into hiking and outdoors stuff she's going to want something more than a point and shoot. Something easy but sort of a first step into the realm, so to speak. That sony looks perfect. Hmmm......interchangeable lens too.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

You never disappoint, lol!

Well, looks like you haven't talked to my mother recently!






To be fair, neither have I, but I am sure her opinion of me hasn't changed much in the last 5 years

 

[MikeInOr]

She's always been interested in it, but now that she's full blown into hiking and outdoors stuff she's going to want something more than a point and shoot. Something easy but sort of a first step into the realm, so to speak. That sony looks perfect. Hmmm......interchangeable lens too.

The Sony ILC's (interchangeable lens cameras) are great cameras. My main camera is a Sony A7RIV and I still use my APS-C sensor Sony ILC's. For hiking I would really encourage you to go with the Sony RX100 VII. I don't own one but have always wanted one for hiking. The 1" 20mp sensor will produce stunning 11"x17" prints and even larger. MUCH better than any cell phone. The shutter speed and aperture controls are easily useable on the RX-100 for when she wants to learn the basics of photography and increase the versatility of her camera.

IMHO she will get a lot more use out of the RX100 than she would the ZV-E10. The ZV-E10 is a camera you take out for the purpose of photography when some hiking is involved. The RX-100 is the camera you take when you want to go hiking and want to take some stunning pictures along the way.

P.S. I would opt for the RX100 VII over the Panasonic GX7 BUT I would opt for the Panasonic GX7 over the Sony ZV-E10... FOR HER USES. Large cameras get left at home far too often, especially if she is not a photography nut.

P.P.S. For texting to friends and family as well as posting on the Web a decent cell phone is more than plenty good enough! It isn't until you starting making larger prints that the merits of a dedicated camera can really be appreciated.

 

[3MTA3]

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

Ran across this thread and was curious how the trip turned out and what camera you chose. I hope your daughter came back with some great lifetime memories!

FWIW were it me I might have gone with some old school film camera that only needed a battery for the light meter. Often on hiking trips there isn't enough time to recharge camera batteries. The best slide filme are roughly equivalent to 24 megapixel sensors, so little would be lost with scans. In addition many of those cameras (like the Olympus OM and PentaX M series) were incredibly lightweight, robustm and small while having optics that are still among the best, at least in prime lenses,