choosing a camera for a child

[DisneydaveCT]

I have found some good deals on Kodak.com when getting one for my DD. It is a refurbished camera, but it works well. It minimizes my investment until I find out how strong her interest is in photography.

 

[RustManFan]

My DD had her own film camera when she was 3. Now 29 and still LOVES to take pics. Was good way of teaching her the responsibility of caring for her belongings too. She really did take some nice shots and has a lifelong love of photography!

I would not ever go with the Fisher Price alternative....

 

[MNFootballMommy]

If you want good pics, do NOT go with the kids' version camera. DD3 has the V-Tech and it is fine for her--she poses her toys, etc., but the pictures are grainy and the color is crappy. Flash is usually too bright and pics are too dark without it. Stick with a low-end 'real' camera...you'll be glad you did!

 

[pdarrah]

This probably doesn't help the OP much, since my son is quite a bit older (9) but when he wanted a "real" camera for our vacation this summer (DCL Eastbound Panama Canal Cruise!) I encouraged him to spend some of his birthday money on a P&S.

He actually bought it at Aldi (the grocery store) and it is their house brand (but in reality is a Vivitar). It isn't an amazing camera, but it isn't bad for $60! (6 megapixel) Since he spent his OWN money on it, he is being pretty careful. I was shocked at how quickly he figured out all the controls - within a couple hours he was using the various picture modes, shooting small videos, etc. - and even at only 9, he is still a "guy" and did NOT read the manual

pdarrah

 

[tripodjw]

and even at only 9, he is still a "guy" and did NOT read the manual

pdarrah

Does anyone read the manual nowadays?

When i was a kid (maybe about 5 or 6 yrs old) my parents bought me a really cheap film PnS - it was a normal one not a kiddie version, prob only cost about £15 (that'd be maybe US$30).

I loved it. I would take pics of the stuff i cared about - not stupid pictures of landscapes or buildings - how boring (well it is when you're 5). I loved taking pictures of animals, toys, flowers and people.

Most of the pics were terrible - BUT it has left me with a love of photography (no skill but definately love). That love is the most precious part of that simple gift of a cheap adult camera.

 

[RadioNate]

DS loves to take photos. I do even often let him use my dSLR so I was thinking about giving him a camera for Christmas.

I have a Canon SD630 that I hate but I'm not sure he'd be happy with a hand me done that he knows I don't think highly of.

Any thoughts on something durable, that takes good shots and doesn't cost a fortune?

 

[allie5]

Ive recently bought my 6 yr old the Fuji FZ10. The reason I chose it was two fold - first the zoom is built in, and in my experience the first thing kids do is knock the zoom rendering it useless, so this was a feature I wanted! Second, ease of use - to turn it on you simply slide the lens cover back and then you are ready to shoot - to turn it off you slide it back so no chance of the lens being left exposed to scratches!

This camera comes in 5 groovy colours so its a great choice for kids. Im in the UK so prices are probably not comparable with US ones but I paid about £60 British Pounds which is pretty good for a decent but kid friendly camera!

 

[S. C.]

Ive recently bought my 6 yr old the Fuji FZ10. The reason I chose it was two fold - first the zoom is built in, and in my experience the first thing kids do is knock the zoom rendering it useless, so this was a feature I wanted! Second, ease of use - to turn it on you simply slide the lens cover back and then you are ready to shoot - to turn it off you slide it back so no chance of the lens being left exposed to scratches!

This camera comes in 5 groovy colours so its a great choice for kids. Im in the UK so prices are probably not comparable with US ones but I paid about £60 British Pounds which is pretty good for a decent but kid friendly camera!

Do you have a link for this camera?

I've searched Amazon and other places and cannot find this camera! Is this one only in the UK? Sounds like a good one for my grandson.

 

[allie5]

Ooops, sorry, got the model number wrong...its the Fuji Z10

Here is the link to Amazon (your US site!)...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_g...ps&field-keywords=fuji+z10fd&sprefix=fuji+z10

My son has the blue one. Hope that helps.

Allie

 

[S. C.]

Ooops, sorry, got the model number wrong...its the Fuji Z10

Here is the link to Amazon (your US site!)...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_g...ps&field-keywords=fuji+z10fd&sprefix=fuji+z10

My son has the blue one. Hope that helps.

Allie

 

[Kim&Chris]

Another great beginner camera is the Canon A470. I bought one for my niece and it was perfect for her; easy to use and it took great pictures. You can get one for about $100, give or take.

I like allie5's idea, though. Having the zoom inside is great for kids.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

We bought our kids a Pentax W30. I wanted something waterproof so that I wouldn't have to worry about him taking it into the pool, rain, etc. I think that Olympus makes one that is both waterproof and shock resistant.

 

[Handbag Lady]

RadioNate!

Our Canon SD630 was stolen from our room on our last trip to WDW two weeks ago. (Long story!)


I LOVED that camera! I'm not a photographer but I had just learned where all the settings are!!! If you want to sell the Canon let me know! I can't find it for my price-range on ebay.

 

[RadioNate]

RadioNate!

Our Canon SD630 was stolen from our room on our last trip to WDW two weeks ago. (Long story!)


I LOVED that camera! I'm not a photographer but I had just learned where all the settings are!!! If you want to sell the Canon let me know! I can't find it for my price-range on ebay.

I will let you know if I decide to sell it. I do love the size. I just take a lot of night time and indoor shots that don't turn out well.

 

[traces7]

Can anyone recommend something that is easy to use, not too expensive, but still takes good pics and video?

I have a Canon Powershot A620, so I was leaning toward Canon, but doesn't have to be.
I saw a Canon Powershot A470 at Walmart for $79. Anyone know anything about this camera, it's the one I was leaning toward.
I saw some Vivitar cameras for around $50, but can't find much info about them.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[jrc-elpaso]

10 is a great age to get started in photography. Try www.dpreview.com. The website has lots of info on all kinds of cameras. I looked at the specs for the Canon and it looks like a nice little camera for a young lady (wish they'd had digital cameras when I was a kid). Quite a few nice features (including settings for things like fireworks, etc.). In fact it's got higher resolution and more zoom capability than my first digital camera from about 4 years ago. Although I think I would see if I could find one with a viewfinder - but that's my preference. I just got a Fuji waterproof camera for Disney World (water rides and if it rains) but it just has the LCD and I'm going to have to really practice with it since I'm used to a viewfinder.

 

[YesDear]

I would stick with a major brand like canon or nikon or fuji, etc.

 

[jann1033]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
he has a list of ' best" cameras, scroll down till you see the p&s.
here's the review for that one http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_a470_pg5.html
i got my granddaughter( she is 4) a best buy insignia brand and am shocked at how good the photos are( daughter and son in law used it more than her canon p&s on vacation). she wanted "blue" and that was the most limiting factor of my purchase but if you can get the canon for that cheap i would probably go with it.
the 4 yr old has not problem but i on the other hand have a hard time using it due to not being used to the lcd screen

 

[Khokhonutt]

Personally I'd lean towards something like the Powershot A470 you're looking at. Look for something you would use. Maybe even look around and see if any local photo shops offer rentals for you to try.

My daughter wanted a digital camera around the same age, granted it was a few years ago and options were different, but we opted for a kids' camera, rather than something an adult would use. In our case, the kids' camera seriously lacked quality and performance that even she noticed. She rarely used it until we handed down one of our cameras at upgrade time.

I wished we had gotten her a better camera. In her case she was responsible enough to take care of the camera and would have gotten better use out of it. Worst case, if she doesn't use it, it gives you a backup.

Jeff

 

[Todd_H]

I'm in the same boat. My DD(almost 8) has a real interest in photography and video. I recently gave her our old Sony camcorder (in which the zoom is broken and it has no real value, but still works as a video "prime") and she loves shooting movies. I want to see how responsible she can be in taking care of it before I spend the money on a p&s for her. I think she's too young to learn any technical aspects, but I figure I'm encouraging that creative side by giving her something to "play" with, right?