My son wants to get into photography and was pointed to this as a good starter camera. Looking for opinions from those with more knowledge than I have on cameras.

Thanks in advance.

You must mean L840?

Cheap camera with tiny sensor and ridiculously long zoom range. No viewfinder.

A trip to the photography section of a local library, and creative use of the camera on his phone, will do him better in the long run than a new camera. If he reads up, sticks with it, and out grows the limitations of the camera phone, by then he'll know what he needs in terms of equipment.


That said, for a beginner a used DSLR and a good 50mm lens is an inexpensive entry point and far more capable than the Nikon L840, or any similar point and shoot.

Check out www.keh.com. Good used prices, good warranty, good service.

I have a Nikon because my kids broke my Canon and I needed a camera before they could get a replacement. After 3 Canons and 1 Nikon, I would get a Canin, I have never been as happy with the Nikon.

Pal - yep L840 - fat fingered it

I wondered about the benefit of this camera over the one in his Iphone 5. I know that takes some good pix.

Thanks for the info guys.

I bought a re conditioned L840 on Amazon awhile back for it's super zoom qualities. I walk out in the hills almost every morning, and my little pocket camera just didn't get the Bull Elk shots and the snow on the mtns etc. I have a DSLR and all the stuff, but didn't want to carry it because of it's bulk. This camera I could slip under my coat or in a large pocket. But, with no view finder coupled with my photo gray glasses, I couldn't see anything in the bright sun. A real pain when you need to get a long shot on a Sharptail Grouse lek etc. Also one morning I left town and it was just 13 below zero, but by the time I got to where I had a beautiful view of the sunrise on the mountains, it was -17 degrees. Well, the camera took one picture and then wouldn't work. It froze up. It did flash the message that "the batteries are flat"
It does take good pictures, and it does what I want, but without a view finder it is very hard to hold and view with the lens extended to 38X .
So, if I go to buy another super zoom type of camera, I will look for one with a view finder. Also, after many shots, I still push the replay button with my thumb almost every time I get ready to take a pic. Needless to say, that slows things down.

I got the re-furbished one for just over $100.00, and it is probably worth it.

I will see if I can get photo bucket to work and post some pics taken with it.

Ken

Are there any compact cameras with a viewfinder in the $500.00 range that take great photos? I don't need a superzoom, but do need something to fit in a pocket for hunting trips. My Fuji XT10 with zoom lens is just too cumbersome for such use.

A used or refurbished Sony RX100 III would do it.
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-m3

I'd suggest one go to a designated camera store if at all possible and make a hands on inspection/selection. Such stores are becoming extremely rare though. In many instances one can actually step out the door and take a few shots with any used equipment they might have on the shelves and get a look at them on a computer screen. There are many excellent used buys to be had.

My personal inclination is to be equipped with a viewfinder. Composing images on a display is fine in still life settings, but isn't for crap out in bright sunlight.

I'd for sure not go too high end on a starter unit for ones kid, until there's evidence of some passion for the craft. Kids will at times express an interest that lasts less than a month.

Good luck,

Thanks for the additional input. He's done research and convinced me it's a camera that'll do what he wants for now. He's been taking pix with is cell but wants the additional zoom without getting too complicated or spending too much. Picked up a certified refurb for a good price and in a package with the basics to get started. I'll post some pix as he learns it.

Good deal! We need more pics here. Anything that grows, walks, crawls, flies, or digs in the earth. If one gets near a bookstore or online, there are some excellent tutorial type books available for many makes and models. Much better discussions and examples of the many features one finds on the modern digitals. Much of the light room magic associated with the film world is not standard stuff on the digitals.