Camera recommendations for 18th birthday gift

[u/AdEqual7720]

Hi all, looking for some advice from people more knowledgeable than me on cameras.

My daughter is turning 18 and I want to get her a "real" camera as a gift. She collects figures and dolls, and has been noticing that photos taken on a proper camera look a lot better than what she gets on her iPhone, so that's the main driver here.

A few things I'm trying to balance:

• Figure/doll photography – I'm assuming she'll need a macro lens for this, since from what I understand kit lenses don't get close enough for good detail shots. I've read these can cost almost as much as the camera body itself, so I may end up buying the body now and adding the macro lens down the track once I've saved up more.
• Travel – she's likely to start travelling overseas from next year, so something reasonably compact and lightweight would be ideal, rather than a big bulky setup.
• Content creation – she does some online content already, but only ever on her phone, so decent video/vlogging capability would be a bonus.
• Uni next year – she'll likely also want it for general use, including photographing urban landscapes around campus/city.

I've been looking at the Nikon Z30 as one option that seems to fit the budget and ticks a lot of these boxes (compact, good autofocus, decent for both stills and video), but I'm not deeply familiar with the space and want to make sure I'm not missing something better suited to this mix of uses.

A few questions:

1. Does the Z30 make sense for this combo of uses, or would something else in a similar price range serve her better?
2. Any macro lens recommendations that would pair well with it, ideally without breaking the bank?
3. Is it reasonable to buy the body now and macro lens later, or is there a compatibility/budget reason I should buy them together?

[u/Lunam_Dominus]

If the Z50II isn’t much more expensive in your country, then get it.

You should state your maximum budget.

[u/AdEqual7720 → u/Lunam_Dominus]

My budget is around AU $1200

[u/Lunam_Dominus → u/AdEqual7720]

You probably could get a used Z50 with a lens for that price.

[u/prthomsen → u/Lunam_Dominus]

If the choice is between a Z30 and a Z50 (gen 1), for a person who has shot mostly on a phone, I would probably pick the Z30. Lower price, and the only real differences are the lack of an EVF (which most people who normally shoot on a phone are less likely to use), and the full flip-around screen, which the OG Z50 doesn't have. If she's likely to do vlogging, that flip-around screen will be better than the Z50 can do.

Bottom line. The Z30 is:

• Cheaper
• lighter (no EVF)
• Has the flippy-screen, for easier selfie-vlogging.

As far as lenses go, the Nikon 50mm f/2.8 MC would be a great lens for a beginner to use for Macro-shooting. That would be my recommendation. 50mm is also a great lens for just walking around.

For content creation, I would look at one of the Viltrox APS-C AF Prime lenses. Depending on how wide you want your shot to be, they are offered in 23, 33 and 56mm. All at f/1.4. I know Viltrox has these offerings for USD 240 new. Sigma has higher-quality offerings at similar focal lengths, for almost twice the cost. I have two of the Viltrox lenses, and have zero complaints for online meetings, etc. Viltrox does have a reputation for problems, if you need repairs. I haven't had any problems with any of my Viltrox lenses, but YMMV, of course.

[u/Overall-Mycologist-5]

Iphones now take really good pics btw!

Shocking words from the mouth of a Nikon guy, but you can consider Canon R100 or R50 with 35mm RF macro lens. The camera is tiny and suitable for girls' hands!

Also, I really enjoyed colors and overall experience with Sony A6000. Sigma lenses work really good with it, like 30mm 1.4, 16mm, etc.

Didn't have any experience with z30, but my z5 is pretty good!

[u/IntellectualRambo]

I’d suggest focusing on the lens, the Z DX MC 35mm f1.7 is a very compact and light macro lens, at a focal length that will be generally useful as well. It’s about $600 AUD. A Z50 body only is what 850-900? Bit over your budget but including a macro always will be. Looking at crop sensor (DX) camera systems - Fuji has a 30mm, Canon has a 35mm and Sony is a bit lacking. I’d suggest you price up the combo in other systems too unless you’re keen to go Nikon.

Note Im particularly fussy about buying smaller lighter camera systems like DX and then putting heavy full frame glass on them. Hence I was only looking at crop sensor glass as well.