A:
If I had this camera when I was 12 I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven. It will provide great pictures in the auto modes. And it has the controls and features of a high-end camera so the kid can grow with it. The only catch might be the limited range of the standard 18-55mm kit lens, since a 12-year-old probably can't afford extra lenses. You might consider a point-and-shoot with a wide zoom range, image stabilization and the option to use full manual settings.