Camera for a 7yo . . . . Updated, post #20

[fitzperry]

My dd has told several people that she would like a camera for her 7th birthday. I've considered several options and am not sure what to do . . . . (1) buy her (or let one of her grandparents buy her) an inexpensive, but hopefully sturdy digicam (if so, recommendations please!); (2) give her our old 35mm so that she has an incentive to learn to compose her shots and shoot carefully; (3) let her try out some disposable 35mm's until I'm more confident that she will be able to take care of a camera; and probably some others, but I'm tired and can't really think of anything else right now.

What would you suggest?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'd get a Fuji A345 4MP point and shoot. It's no longer available in the US but stiill available in Canada for about US$150 including shipping. I can arrange it for you if you want (through my friend's store). It has 3x (or is it 4x) zoom, powered by AA batteries and uses XD card. I personally own one and bought it brand new for my daughter's 7th birthday past October (the camera was released in Canada in September 2005).

Let me know if you're interested and I'll get you in touch with my friend's store (Amazing Photo, no website though. I'm the one who will do al the shipping etc for you).

 

[PoohJen]

Disposables are a good start (I get them for my children to take on vacation), but they don't have the "wow" factor of getting to see your pics on the lcd screen - and that's the part the kids really love!

Honestly, you can get a cheap ($100) camera which will work just fine for her and will probably fit her wants/needs. (at the risk of being sneered at by the fantastic photo gurus on this forum....a Kodak EasyShare will easily fit the bill!).

In addition to the simple digital cam, you start to teach her about your 35mm on the side.

HTH!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

For starter camera, Kodaks are fine. At this point is about the process of taking pictures and learning how to hold the camera plus learning about composition and NOT about the pictures themself.

So yeah, if you can find a $100 Kodak, that'll be fine. If you can't, let me know and I can wrangle a brand new in the box Fuji A345 (honestly better pic than the Kodak) through my friend's store.

The reason I choose Fuji is because at $100-ish, Kodak point and shot doesn't have lens cover. In the hands of the young ones, this may be signs of trouble in the future (scratched lens etc). Fuji A345 have a lens cover. It's the cheapest one of the bunch that has lens cover and 3:2 mode (so it takes picture already cropped specifically for 4x6 prints, also 3:2 mode is the de-facto standard of 35mm cameras both point and shoot and professional SLR.)

 

[fitzperry]

For starter camera, Kodaks are fine. At this point is about the process of taking pictures and learning how to hold the camera plus learning about composition and NOT about the pictures themself.

So yeah, if you can find a $100 Kodak, that'll be fine. If you can't, let me know and I can wrangle a brand new in the box Fuji A345 (honestly better pic than the Kodak) through my friend's store.

The reason I choose Fuji is because at $100-ish, Kodak point and shot doesn't have lens cover. In the hands of the young ones, this may be signs of trouble in the future (scratched lens etc). Fuji A345 have a lens cover. It's the cheapest one of the bunch that has lens cover and 3:2 mode (so it takes picture already cropped specifically for 4x6 prints, also 3:2 mode is the de-facto standard of 35mm cameras both point and shoot and professional SLR.)

Thanks Kelly! I found a few on Bizrate, and I may try to check out a few places locally today (I don't have much time for shipping). If that doesn't work, I may be in touch. I didn't realize that a Kodak wouldn't have a lens cover at that price point, and I like the idea of the 3:2 mode. All the p&s's we've had have been 4:5, and it took a little getting used to. I think dd would like for her pics to print the way they look on the lcd.

 

[fitzperry]

Disposables are a good start (I get them for my children to take on vacation), but they don't have the "wow" factor of getting to see your pics on the lcd screen - and that's the part the kids really love!

Honestly, you can get a cheap ($100) camera which will work just fine for her and will probably fit her wants/needs. (at the risk of being sneered at by the fantastic photo gurus on this forum....a Kodak EasyShare will easily fit the bill!).

In addition to the simple digital cam, you start to teach her about your 35mm on the side.

HTH!

It always cracks me up to see how used to digital cameras kids are. Whenever I take a picture of a kid--mine, their friends, nieces and nephews, whoever--they immediately say "let me see it!" So that's been our concern about going the 35mm route (she'll still want to take pictures with my camera!), along with the processing costs.

I think I'm going to go shopping this weekend and see if I can find any good deals locally.

Thanks!

 

[jann1033]

i know circuit city has a 5 mp easy share for $129....and imo it's good for a kid or something similar( not sure what is similar to a kid...maybe an orangutan?),,my daughter's took ok pics when it was working ( lasted about 2 vacations but she does have a tendency to drop things... )

the funny thing to me( warped i know) is unlike the rest of the cameras there, rather than being hooked up to one of those locking cords...it was hanging on a spindle shelf with no security what so ever.( even the $20 memory cards have some security thing on them)..so what are they saying? take me please??? is Kelly's opinion so far reaching it's gotten to CC?

fitzperry ita for the past 8 months or so my not quite 2 yr old grand baby, the little ham, says "Neeze" ( cheese in normal english) and then cranes her neck to see the lcd everytime she sees me take out the camera

 

[mhutchinson]

My DDs both were give Kodak 3 Meg point and shoot fixed focal digitals a few years ago which saved me ton$ in film processing from the prior trip.

My youngest still loves the camera as it has short video capability. My oldest gave her's to mom and claimed my older Canon S20 because she had some problem with camera shake. The Canon is Stainless and the added weight helps her steady the shot without it having IS. (of course now my wife wants my 20D and has told me I should get a 5D that way she can use all my L glass... )

I always enjoy seeing the pictures that they took from the height they are shooting and perspective. Talk about seeing Disney through a child's eyes.

Mike

 

[fitzperry]

i know circuit city has a 5 mp easy share for $129....and imo it's good for a kid or something similar( not sure what is similar to a kid...maybe an orangutan?),,my daughter's took ok pics when it was working ( lasted about 2 vacations but she does have a tendency to drop things... )

That's exactly our concern. I'm afraid it will take a spill or two onto concrete or our tile floors and be a goner. Dh was wondering if we could put adhesive foam on it so it would bounce. My cell phone has rubber around the edges (I have a tendency to drop things too ), and I bet I'd have had to replace it by now if it didn't (I speak from experience--I've had to replace more than one because one of the kids or I dropped it). Someone should make a kids digicam with a soft plastic casing or something else that would withstand some impact. The only kids models I've seen are pretty flimsy, and I don't recall seeing one with an lcd.

the funny thing to me( warped i know) is unlike the rest of the cameras there, rather than being hooked up to one of those locking cords...it was hanging on a spindle shelf with no security what so ever.( even the $20 memory cards have some security thing on them)..so what are they saying? take me please??? is Kelly's opinion so far reaching it's gotten to CC?

This board must be getting really popular! No wonder the server is always busy.

fitzperry ita for the past 8 months or so my not quite 2 yr old grand baby, the little ham, says "Neeze" ( cheese in normal english) and then cranes her neck to see the lcd everytime she sees me take out the camera

We had to at least wait for the Polaroids to develop.

They don't know what albums are either, and they can't wrap their little brains around the notion that we had to wait for the one time each year that the Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka were on tv.

 

[fitzperry]

My DDs both were give Kodak 3 Meg point and shoot fixed focal digitals a few years ago which saved me ton$ in film processing from the prior trip.

My youngest still loves the camera as it has short video capability. My oldest gave her's to mom and claimed my older Canon S20 because she had some problem with camera shake. The Canon is Stainless and the added weight helps her steady the shot without it having IS. (of course now my wife wants my 20D and has told me I should get a 5D that way she can use all my L glass... )

I always enjoy seeing the pictures that they took from the height they are shooting and perspective. Talk about seeing Disney through a child's eyes.

Mike

It wouldn't take long to reach $100 in processing costs with a 35mm. Digital probably is the more economical choice, because we could just select a few things to print.

I like your comment about seeing Disney through a child's eyes--gives me something else to look forward to!

 

[0bli0]

especially @ 7 years old. they take pictures of everything and anything. but it is so much fun to share with them.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Thanks Kelly! I found a few on Bizrate, and I may try to check out a few places locally today (I don't have much time for shipping). If that doesn't work, I may be in touch. I didn't realize that a Kodak wouldn't have a lens cover at that price point, and I like the idea of the 3:2 mode. All the p&s's we've had have been 4:3, and it took a little getting used to. I think dd would like for her pics to print the way they look on the lcd.

Just PM me if you need me. Cheers!

 

[Anewman]

Panasonic Lumix LZ2, 5mp, 6x zoom and Optical image stabilization.

little kids hands are not as steady as a full grown adults maybe, IS would help them get better pictures consistantly and the price($145 @costco) is about the same as being mentioned in this thread).

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'm actually the opposite of Anewman. Train the kid to have as steady hands as possible. Then when they grow up, they're already used to handling a camera properly without resorting to OIS/IS/VR.

 

[Anewman]

I'm actually the opposite of Anewman. Train the kid to have as steady hands as possible. Then when they grow up, they're already used to handling a camera properly without resorting to OIS/IS/VR.

That is kind of what I did with my kids first DSLRs, they were not allowed to shoot in any AUTO settings until they had mastered full Manual.

But they were in there Teens not 7. I feel that if a 7 year old gets blurry photos more often than not, they may be turned off by photography.

Holding camera still is not just a SKILL, it also requires physical ability that a smaller 7 year old may not posses yet.


To OP
If they are in the same price range and you agree with Kellys point of view, you could still turn off IS, the camera still gives you more resolution and longer zoom for the same price.

 

[jann1033]

http://www.fisher-price.com/preschoolelectronics/
this might be a little to young but might be anice starter camera ( couldn't get the site to work so don't know the price) oh just saw there isn't as yet a site so guess that's is why it wouldn't work

 

[fitzperry]

http://www.fisher-price.com/preschoolelectronics/
this might be a little to young but might be anice starter camera ( couldn't get the site to work so don't know the price) oh just saw there isn't as yet a site so guess that's is why it wouldn't work

Dh saw that one somewhere. I believe that's the only "kid" camera I've seen with an lcd. Looks pretty cool. I do think she might be a little too old for that, though it might be something we'd consider for our younger dd, who is 3.5yo and fond of trying to grab my D70 out of my hands--she's not half bad at composing a shot! With the 7yo, I think we have a better shot at her handling it with care if it doesn't look like a toy.

Thanks!

 

[fitzperry]

Panasonic Lumix LZ2, 5mp, 6x zoom and Optical image stabilization.

little kids hands are not as steady as a full grown adults maybe, IS would help them get better pictures consistantly and the price($145 @costco) is about the same as being mentioned in this thread).

Hmmmm, I hadn't considered the possibility of camera shake issues, although she's taken many pictures with our cameras, and I haven't noticed a lot of blur. I'm inclined to think that it wouldn't be much of a problem, especially if she used the viewfinder instead of the lcd. But I need to make a trip to Costco anyway, so I will definitely check it out.

After a quick shopping trip today, I was leaning toward the Kodak C330 (4 mp; 3x optical zoom) because it seemed like a good size for her, and the controls were very simple (not a lot of tiny buttons or menus). I looked at a Fuji model similar to the one Kelly suggested and the Canon A430, both of which I would prefer myself, but the Kodak just looked like it would be easier for dd to manage.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

camera shake shouldn't be an issue, although I composed this frame, my DD7 did the focus-reframe and held the camera herself without my assistance. The camera was Canon Rebel w/ battery grip with "The Kelly Lens".

 

[fitzperry]

Thanks for all your help and advice everyone. We ended up getting her the Kodak because, as I said, it looked like the controls would be much easier for her to manage. She's thrilled and is shooting pictures of anything and everything, which reminded me of some of the obnoxious things my brother and I did with our cameras as kids, and makes me wonder if we've made a mistake. She did try to take a picture of me just after I rolled out of bed this morning, and I put a stop to that one!

Thanks again!

ETA: Newman--Unfortunately, our Costco didn't have that Panasonic. The IS feature would have been nice though.