If you niece-in-law is used to shooting with a phone, moving straight to a DSLR with lens switching is probably too much. Go simple and good.
If I were starting out, I would really look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. This is a great all purpose camera, Leica lens, 25-600mm equivalent zoom, f2.8 minimum throughout the entire range.
I have several pro photog friends that have it and rave about it as a great vacation camera...and it costs around $550.
my wife loves her nikon s9200. the database here only shows the 8200 (hence what my profile says as an alt camera), but the 9200 is a step up from that.
If you're going from a cell phone it's a huge leap, yet it's still just as portable without the need for lots of invested money or any real learning curve the way SLRs have.
I really dislike it when I'm asked to make recommendations for friends and family unless I really know what the person is looking for. The answer depends so heavily on the intended use and the knowledge level of the user that it's almost useless to make a recommendation unless you have some detailed knowledge.
Unless she is committed to learning photography as a hobby, a DSLR may not be a good choice. They are bulky, kit lenses are often less than good quality, and because of the large sensor, focus is much more critical than with a P&S. On the flip side, it's impossible to get the low-light performance of a DSLR in a P&S, with some notable exceptions (the cameras that use a larger sensor, like the Sony RX-100).
One critical thing to find out is what zoom range she feels would meet her needs. I know "more is always better" but the super-zooms always come with compromises.
Within any group of cameras, you also have the "enthusiast cameras" and the cameras built for simplified operation. Enthusiast cameras are often not the right choice for casual users, and the simplified cameras will not allow learning for those that are or wish to become more advanced.
I recommend the Canon G15. It has nearly everything a DSLR has without the bulk. The drawbacks are few; smaller sensor, max exposure time of 30s etc. If she's looking to explore photography as a hobby beyond just making snaps, it's a good start. It can be set to "Green Box" mode and will take great snaps too. The price $500 isn't much of a step down from the $600 for an entry level DSLR though, so you might look into a lightly used G12, which I've seen for $300ish.
I recommend the Canon G15. It has nearly everything a DSLR has without the bulk.
Another option is something in the Canon SX-series -- relative to the G-series you seem to trade off some image quality for an extremely long zoom, flip/rotate LCD screen, and great macro flexibility, etc.
I recommend the Canon G15. It has nearly everything a DSLR has without the bulk.
Another option is something in the Canon SX-series -- relative to the G-series you seem to trade off some image quality for an extremely long zoom, flip/rotate LCD screen, and great macro flexibility, etc.
The G12 had an articulating LCD, the G15 does not.
What I can't find out detailed is exactly how these two cameras interface with the Canon flash system. I'm reasonably sure it's not E-TTL II like the DSLR's or they'd advertise that and based on the few things I have read, it's something else.
I carry my Nikon Coolpix S8200 in my purse where ever I go. It's a huge step up from a camera phone and doesn't do too bad on the motion shots. Unless her hubby is like mine, willing to be pack mule for my camera gear, a small cam may be better. Heehee
