DSLR (or similar) for beginners

[PyjamaMamma]

DD (12) is very interested in photography and asked for a camera - one that she can take photos of the moon with. DH and I are keen photographers too so we have a fair bit of equipment but we stopped following the updates around 2012 so have no idea what’s good at the moment. DD finds my Canon 7D too big and heavy, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend any entry level cameras? We do have a fair amount of Canon lenses so it would be an advantage if she could use those, but any brand considered - thank you.

I have a canon 4000d got it when it came out in 2018 on black Friday for £200 and it's an entry-level and my 13 year old has been using it since 11 years old and likes it.

with canon the higher the number the more 'beginner' it is so 4000D beginner, 80D intermediate, 5D pro, etc...

@mam0918 thank you

I have a samsung DSLR (can't remember the model off the top of my head but it's a good few years old). I specifically chose this as it was about half the size of Nikon and Cannon cameras. Something like that might be better; I think they also fit the Samyang lenses.

I was a small weedy 12 year old when I got my first 35mm SLR camera, a Minolta X-300 if I recall, and I too found it heavy and unwieldy... for all of about three days. Seriously, she'll get used to it.

When I bought my most recent camera (c.2007) I only seriously looked at Canon and Nikon because the reality is that they have an effective duopoly on entry-level professional equipment. Their model ranges match each other spec- and performance-wise at every price point, so for me the only real differentiator was how it feels in the hand because of the shape of the grip rather than the weight. Nikon was noticeably better for me, but it might vary for others. What I would say is that this is one thing you really need to hold in your hand before committing to buying one.

The only other sizeable manufacturers making true DSLR cameras are Sony, which bought out Minolta/Konica and therefore use Minolta AF mount lenses, Leica, Pentax, and Sigma. Sony and Pentax have widely available entry level ranges in the UK, Sigma and Leica less so.

Other manufacturers (including Samsung) make mirror-less bridge cameras and Olympus has its Four Thirds range, but these have various compromises which may or may not be problematic if she wants to get into serious photography.

I have a few canon cameras, the d750 is a bit lighter than my d7. Do look at bridge cameras too, the Nikon p900 has a massive zoom on it and takes great moon pictures, it’s much easier to carry around, it would be my camera of choice as I struggle carrying all my kit around.