How can I convince my mom that I need a "bridge" camera?

I’d say just go with an slr. With the invention of the different “modes” and auto focus, they’re just as easy to use as a point and shoot.

But that didn’t answer your question.

I don’t know your mom. I don’t think anyone else here does. Blanket statement: Once you get the camera, show her some of your favorite shots. Ones you took. Maybe she’ll be impressed and start to understand.

@Boots: My mom’s on a very, very tight budget. I don’t think she’ll go for anything over 250, which is why I chose that camera. (the price it’s at now is really stretching it… I’m hoping it will come down.)

I probably should’ve talked about how my mom is… she did willingly offer to buy it, and she’s very reasonable. She just simply doesn’t understand, but I like your idea, and I think that may help her understand.

Is there a price difference between the one you want and the one she wants to get you? Maybe she can contribute what she will, and you pay for the rest.

Sometimes kids just don’t get everything they want. Sad but true.

I was going to say what @Likeradar just said. You can pitch in, you know…

@Likeradar: The one she wants to get me is the one I linked, which is also the one I want. I just want her to understand why I want it, because I don’t like asking her to buy me things she thinks are unnecessary. Also, I would absolutely love to pitch in, but I don’t have any money saved up, and I can’t get a job.

@electricsky Ah, I misunderstood. My apologies.
Can you two come to a deal that it’s in place of a birthday/graduation/holiday gift? It might make it seem more reasonable to buy you something she considers unnecessary.

Make sure you use it a lot, let her see you loving it, show her your best photos, and point out why the camera helped make them so good. And thank her until you’re blue in the face, and be extra helpful around the house as a show of appreciation. She’s agreed to buy it for you, I’m honestly not sure what the problem is.

@Likeradar: I like your suggestions, and I’ll definitely use them. There isn’t a problem, it’s just that she’s my best friend and I’d really love for her to understand why this camera is important to me. It’s not about her not wanting to buy it or anything, it’d just really like for her to understand why it’s important that I have a camera with more creative control than a point and shoot.

Being your mom, she has surely already understood your passion and your growing skills.
We barely know you and we get it.

Reread Likeradar specific suggestions in her second paragraph. I can’t think of what else you want to hear.

Also, consider buying used. I’ve been watching Craig’s List for my future dSLR.

Once you get the camera, take some pictures using features on this camera that were not available on your old point and shoot. Grab a few of your favorite P&S photos and a few from this camera. Then get your mom to sit with you and say something like, “I know you gladly bought me this camera, and I just want to make sure you understand why it was so important to me to have this one specifically.” Then show her the pictures and the difference in what you are able to do with the new camera.

She might not get it. She might never get it. But sitting down with her, going over your photographs, and trying to teach her a bit about photography is—at the very least—something you can do together that includes her in your hobby. Which is to say, it’s nice mother-daughter bonding.

@electricsky You sound like a good daughter for caring so much that your mom knows she’s spending her money on something you really, really want and will use and not some frivolous crap. And she sounds nice for getting you it. Yay for you two. :)

@EmpressPixie: You and Likeradar had similar suggestions, and I really think they’ll work. I don’t know why that didn’t occur to me. Thank you guys so much. :)
@Likeradar: Thank you so much! That’s so sweet. You made my day. :)

The point of SLRs was originally so you could see the subject through the same lense the camera uses when it takes the shot. With digital cameras, this isn’t entirely necessary. Yes, DSLRs are nice, but if you don’t mind using the LCD screen, you are already viewing through the same lense the camera uses. So if you’re getting a digital camera, it doesn’t need to be a DSLR to perform all the functions of a film SLR.

If you can’t convince her, consider the Casio Exilim, it’s one of my favorite point-and-shoots, and has many features often reserved for bridge cameras & DSLRs. Perhaps a determining factor would be to take a photography class at school, (showing a solid interest in photography so she knows her money isn’t wasted) or you could simply offer to pay the difference between a nice point and shoot she’s willing to buy and the camera you actually want.

Just a thought, I hope some of that helps.

W/O reading all of the atta boys. I suggest getting a after school job and buy the camera yourself.

Good luck with the pictures. I went on a hike recently and took and took 250 pictures (many closeups) with my Niknon D300 and only kept 25 or so and only really liked about 5.

Your mother may never really understand, unless she becomes a photographer. However, what she does understand is that this is important to you as her child, so she trusts you to make an informed choice.

And, as @EmpressPixie says, after you have had it for a bit, show her the pictures you have taken with it alongside the older shots so she can see for herself the differences, or at the very least, see your enthusiasm for the new camera.

Maybe you can find a way to make money or get good grades with your photos. I am sure that either of those would please her.