Dslr type cameras for a mom

canon G10 would be a great option. It isn't a DSLR, but it has a lot of manual options. It is a lot smaller than the rebel cameras so it's easy to take anywhere, but it also takes amazing pictures.

You should email our photo prof about that scott.

Olympus E-410 is a great little camera. Technically, its a dslr, but its half the size because of the four thirds sensor. Its ten megapxels, got full auto and manual controls, pop up flash, and with the 25mm pancake lens, its small enough to fit in your pocket, but if you want some longer zoom lens, it works great with them too.

nikon D40/60

Yep that where most people learn and there no problem with that

agreed
canon is the way to go for beginners i think

Agreed.

Panasonic DMC-G1 Lumix DSLR

http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_DMCG1K/

basically like a point and shoot dslr because it has a live view like a regular digital camera, that way she doesn't have to use the view finder. super easy to use. i think it would be great for her.

nikon d40 or olympus 420

a g10 would be too confusing i think

DONT BUY CANON! Pure and simple. My entire family has been buying Nikon for over 40 years and have never had a problem. My aunt bought a Rebel once, and hated it. She sold a few months later.

I own a Nikon D300. Its an AMAZING camera (it better be for $2500 ;), but its probably out of your price range and although it would last you for years, you probably wont need that good of a camera. And don't even get me started on Sigma lenses. The quality of the lenses just sucks, plain and simple. Nikkor lenses beat Sigma lenses by a longshot. They are made better and are extremely durable. A Canon DSLR is not worth the money. Take that money and buy a Nikon, trust me. Once you go Nikon, you dont go back

I'd say look into the D60, if you can afford to pay a bit more, buy the D90.

I really don't think you should say that. What you say implies that you have very little experience in camera equipment, and i don't know why you try and bring hate to Canon. Neither Canon nor Nikon is a clear winner, yes the battle will forever live on but for heavens sake close that ignorant mouth of yours unless you are actually going to give quality helpful information. I am not trying to be disrespectful, but seriously i can't believe you just said that.

and this is probably one of the first of my 3450 posts that could be considered hate although not ment in such a way

g10 is right on, it shoots in RAW, has great flexibility as far as manual options go, I'd honestly take it over an entry level dslr.

Oh really, what part of my posts makes me look like i have "very little experience in camera equipment". Have you owned a Nikon DSLR before? Do you honestly think Nikkor lenses are less durable that Sigmas. FYI, I have been around professional photography for most of my life, so I think you are the one thats being kind of ignorant here. Saying that my opinion is wrong makes you look disrespectful, so maybe before you speak, you should think about the fact that you dont have the whole story. Now you do

I said what I said simply because, I know many pro photographers that prefer Nikon over Canon, even tho some of them own Canons. I dont know about Canon's low-end DSLR range, but I know that the D60 and the D90 are solid cameras. If it comes down to it, compare them side by side.

If you want un-opinionated answers, google digital slr reviews, and check some sites out. I recomend buying a camera, regardless of Nikon or Canon, that has been released fairly recently, so you dont get a camera thats almost obsolete :)

sorry to double post but Dan brings up a good point, make sure that you're looking for a camera that can shoot in RAW or TIFF, thats essential for good quality photos

How can you say "don't buy canon" though. Maybe in your opinion that are not that great, but you have not stated any experience with canon cameras so i find it hard to believe you can really say that. Many thousands of people buy canon because obviously like like and enjoy the product. Personally i have used both mid-end cameras from Canon and Nikon and i can say you will be happy either way, really i don't see how you can hate either one, its just preference. For me, canon L series lenses were cheaper so i bought canon. But i often borrow nikon cameras for assignments that require wide angle lens because i don't have one, and i have learned to greatly appreciate both. They can both be used to take amazing photos, so suggesting that a person shouldn't not buy canon just leaves little to believe in your experience.

That being said, obviously this mom is not looking for such high end gear so that matters little. Get her out to camera stores to check the feel of cameras, whether she goes Nikon or Canon she will most likely learn lots and enjoy the time capturing those special moments. Also i would like to add i used a sigma lens starting out in photography for the first year and a half (see sig link to photos) and in all honestly it served a great purpose, it was my main lens and even though i have moved on i miss its macro feature (70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG MACRO). It taught me lots and paid for itself, created great shots, but i can't deny that with nikon glass i could have equally competitive glass.

Lets stop teh Canon Nikon bikkering, both companies make great gear, its indesputable, what changes are  people individual opinions and upon these people decide whether Nikon or Canon is for them.

/

Well we can agree on one thing, get the mom out to the camera store and make her look at some cameras. She should get the camera that she feels most comfortable with. The camera isnt going to be used for like pro photography, so either brand will be suitable. Also, if the camera store in your area offers like classes or workshops, that would be a bonus. Not only will she learn to use her camera better, but also learn how to take real pictures.

Good luck

Haha dude you're retarted

I was not bashing anybody, again I was just stating my opinion. If you had read my previous posts, you would have seen that. My dad isnt a pro photographer, and i never said I know everything about photography. So you are wrong there.

And why would you say that the format the pictures are in isnt important. We are talking about DSLRs here, the format it captures in is pretty important. Yes, I understand that this woman is an average person who has never owned a DSLR, but why would you spend $400-$600 on a camera and then be stuck with only JPEG, I know the odds of that are unlikely, but its still something you should check out. What if the mom like photography and then wants to pursue it further. And she wants to start taking real photos. This is why I said to take photography classes.

For now, just leave the setting the way it is, and if and when the mom decides to learn photography and get comfortable with the camera, she can tinker with it. Theres always a factory default option somewhere ;)

OP, heres a great article to read
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Guides/dslr_buying_guide_01.htm

Fine. My bad, the first time through you just sounded really whiny and cranky about Canons being shit and Nikons being THE shit.

I would have to say either a Canon G9 or G10, or for a SLR the Nikon D40. Both really sick cameras and both take amazing photos, and also both are fairly easy to use.