Hi,

I'm looking for a camera for my teenage daughter. It's going to be used mostly for snapshots, but I'm keen to get her the kind of kit which will encourage her to move on to greater things. My thoughts on specifications are a good quality lens, 5+MP and, preferably, an optical viewfinder. A decent range zoom would be useful, as would reasonable performance in low light and a degree of ruggedness. Budget is around $200.

All suggestions gratefully received!

Jeremy

First of all, the 1Ds is by no means a 'starter camera', and secondly, you'd be very happy to get only the body for $200.

Have you tried this site? http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp It might give you some help. You're definitely looking for a digicam, so choose "compact" from the DPReview buying guide. You could also consider buying it second hand, there ought to be a plethora available, as everyone seems to be upgrading to a SLR nowadays.

I was happy to use my 1Ds as a working pro photographer. Beware any 1Ds for sale at $200, as it is likely to be a scam or stolen or defective.

a used 300D or D50 with the kit lens

Best deal going is a factory refurbished Canon 10D for $499

http://www.adorama.com/ICA10DD.html

My reference to the 1Ds was intended as a joke. I think my (English) humour must be a little heavy-handed. I'll try to rein it in in future.

So, forget the 1Ds reference, please. What (if any) decent point-and-shoot can I get for $200, for use as a starter?

Jeremy

For my niece's 16th birthday I gave her a Canon Digital Rebel XT and a EF 28-105mm f/4.0-5.6 lens. She's a budding photographer who had already won a national competition with her Powershot Axx p&s camera. This was her first slr camera and she's having a blast with it.

Optical viewfinder at £200 means a Canon A series or last year's Ixus. But you would be doing her a favour to get her a used SLR. Canon 350D for example.