When you let your daughter loose with a camera at the $2000 challenge concours

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

Colin Wood said:

10/10 no notes.

Maybe it's time I get a decent-ish camera for my kiddo...

I'm starting to think the same thing...

she has an iPad that's a few years old and it does pretty good, but we don't really let her carry it around.

if there are suggestions from camera people?

We had a similar experience back in October on a family vacation where sleepykid #2 borrowed my Nikon D3200 and shot a bunch of pictures.

They'd had a cheap point&shoot for a few years, and using the Nikon realized that was limiting (she liked twisting the lens to zoom, and looking through the viewfinder). I've got a number of cameras around from Sony apsc mirrorless, dslr, etc.
 

"SleepyGrandpa" ended up buying them a used Olympus O-MD E-M10 III.  I reckon, other than a Tough TG, that a used Micro Four Thirds setup (either Olympus or Panasonic) would be a good place... since the smaller sensor can mean smaller bodies; but more importantly smaller lenses.  And they can still take professional level photos.

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-cameras/mirrorless-cameras/olympus-om-system-mirrorless-cameras
 

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-cameras/mirrorless-cameras/panasonic-g-mirrorless-cameras

When my daughter got interested in photography, I picked up a used Panasonic DMC-ZS50 point and shoot.

Leica lens, full manual mode, options for viewscreen or viewfinder use, and a host of other features besides.

They can be had in really good shape for around $250, and they take fantastic photos.

In reply to Recon1342 :

I forgot to mention my newest camera- I got a Pentax WG1000 for Christmas. Also a fantastic point and shoot option, but in a shock/water/dust proof configuration. It rides along in whatever daypack I am wearing out in the boonies. 

I think she needs and old phone, I have a few.   Non current google pixel, my mom takes great pictures with hers.

Phone cameras have settings to play with, she will understand them better than you in about five minutes.  My oldest daughter went out west, the guide took her phone adjusted some settings and let her go, seriously postcard quality pictures, almost all of them.

Good job with the daughter taking pictures!  You need to encourage that.