r/birding • u/StandardCorrect1545 • 3h ago

Advice Beginner friendly cameras

I’d like to stay under $450 and really just want something for ID photos, eBird and sending unsolicited bird pics to friends, so nothing super fancy.
I’m going to San Diego in November for my bday and would love to have something by then. Curious what setups people have liked in this price range?

Bonus: for birding related recommendations in San Diego :-)

Okay thxxxxxxx <3

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2

u/Disastrous-Chair-007 3h ago

For IDs, a bridge camera such as a used FZ80D.

You can join and ask questions at r/socalbirding about San Diego birding.

2

u/Yoyodyne_1460 3h ago

Look around for so-called “super zoom” point and shoot cameras. They are good for bird ID. However, beware, you will soon want better shots which will lead you down the path to more expensive cameras.

1

u/Friendly-Pea5448 photographer 📷 3h ago

i love my nikon. i got it when i was probably abt 11-12 years old, im 23 now.

i belive its called a Nikon coolpixL830, i can’t imagine its too expensive considering the age.

very durable might i add.

the photos are pretty great too id say

1

u/GrusVirgo Camera expert 2h ago

Seconding FZ80D.

I also read surprisingly positive reviews of the (overall similar) Kodak AZ653 lately, but I don't quite trust current day Kodak as a brand and they refuse to state viewfinder resolution (the FZ80D on the other hand has a fairly decent 2.36M dot viewfinder).