2013-01-05, 03:24 PM
I'm against getting a D60 here. Because it is a camera from 2008 (it has since been replaced with the D5000 series, D52000 being the latest) and paying $1000 for something that old is not a smart move if the OP wants, I assume, best bang for the buck.
At our school, the university bought Canon 60Ds with the 18-135mm kit lens for the photography classes. I've seen their assignments and for what they're doing, you'll probably get by with a VERY VERY basic DSLR for about $500 with a 18-55mm kit lens.
That being said, she can also go to B&H and purchase the same refurbished camera for maybe $300-$400ish. I think it would be a cost saving solution and a very good way for her to understand the basics of photography. $300-400 is also not a big investment into the photography hobby and afterwards if she decides she's becoming more interested in photography, and has out grown her camera, she could always get something with more features.
Also I've never heard of courses REQUIRING you to purchase a camera. Usually universities have loaners that are somewhat decent that you could sign out for assignments.
Last, I want to add that image quality wise, with the current cameras either Canon or Nikon, you're not going to see a difference until you start getting into the $2000 range, when you can get a full frame camera. So image quality should be the least of your concerns as a beginner. The major difference in the sub $2000 are the construction of the camera (plastic, aluminium, magnesium), specs of the camera (# of card slots, battery life, additional top view LCD screen, view finder accuracy, # of focal points, LCD screen type, max shutter speed, burst rate, weather sealing...etc)
At our school, the university bought Canon 60Ds with the 18-135mm kit lens for the photography classes. I've seen their assignments and for what they're doing, you'll probably get by with a VERY VERY basic DSLR for about $500 with a 18-55mm kit lens.
That being said, she can also go to B&H and purchase the same refurbished camera for maybe $300-$400ish. I think it would be a cost saving solution and a very good way for her to understand the basics of photography. $300-400 is also not a big investment into the photography hobby and afterwards if she decides she's becoming more interested in photography, and has out grown her camera, she could always get something with more features.
Also I've never heard of courses REQUIRING you to purchase a camera. Usually universities have loaners that are somewhat decent that you could sign out for assignments.
Last, I want to add that image quality wise, with the current cameras either Canon or Nikon, you're not going to see a difference until you start getting into the $2000 range, when you can get a full frame camera. So image quality should be the least of your concerns as a beginner. The major difference in the sub $2000 are the construction of the camera (plastic, aluminium, magnesium), specs of the camera (# of card slots, battery life, additional top view LCD screen, view finder accuracy, # of focal points, LCD screen type, max shutter speed, burst rate, weather sealing...etc)