Eric,
“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don't much care where.
The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
Alice: ...So long as I get somewhere.
The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the
Looking-Glass
You described the boy, but it is important to know what (and why) he is
interested w.r.t. photography. Has he expressed his interest toward
photography? Or he just wants to have a camera to take cool selfies?
Has he taken any photos (e.g. with a phone or tablet)? Have you seen
those? They might tell you some information...
The intent and desire to guide him by his parents/grandparents is also
an important factor. (I am sure you can, but I don't know how close
you are to your grand-nephew.)
As other people suggested, you probably want to challenge him and his
curiosity. But you don't want to give him something from which he'd turn
away immediately because it is not providing what he expects and wants.
If he is geeky and likes figuring out how things work, you may want to
lean toward more manual-capable camera. If he doesn't care about that
much, maybe you want to have a camera with automatic capabilities but to
give options of manual settings.
And, you want the camera to be cool and produce cool results
that he can brag about to his peers. I don't know what it would be for
him. Maybe instant print as suggested by Godfrey would create that
"coolness" factor (different from the mainstream, while providing
immediate gratification).
I wouldn't jump into DSLR's. Whether to get a system with interchangeable
lenses (e.g. micro-2/3) or not, - that would depend on the inclinations of
the kiddo.
If yes, meaning that the kid is expected to be very interested (and I'd
talk to him; at 12, he is grown up enough for that) and have sufficient
guidance, - I'd consider starting with a reasonable "normal" prime lens,
adding a moderate zoom next, or the other way around.
Otherwise, starting with a P&S with plenty of manual controls might be
sufficient to see if the interest lasts.
HTH,
Igor
On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 9:30 AM, Eric Weir wrote:
A sister has asked me for advice on a beginning camera for her grandson.
He’s 12, intelligent, creative, self-disciplined—all-in-all pretty
precocious about many things. I have my own thoughts, which may not be
best, but wondered what y’all might recommend.
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Eric Weir
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