choosing a camera for a child

[MichelleinMaine]

I was a little nervous with DS (then 12) having a digi camera- and leaving somewhere, losing it, etc. On the flip side though, I wanted pics of his boy scouts trips for the old scrapbook.

I found someone who was upgrading their camera, and bought their old one for $20. It's an older Canon, only 3mp, and the video is wonky. It takes decent enough pics though and the price was right! Just an other option to throw out there.

 

[My2Girls66]

I bought my DD a Samsung S860 recently. Pink $95, silver $80 from amazon. I got hers at Kohls on sale for $99 and I had a 15% discount.
Seems like a decent camera. I didn't want to spend a lot since she isn't the most careful kid(15) in the world. Her Coolpix L6 just bit the dust after around 18 months in her hands so she's not horrible just a bit carefree with her electronics. Lens error- I suspect sand from our Florida trip or maybe the fact that she can't seem to put it in its case when she throws it in her bag
I have a Canon p&s that I really like- I wouldn't be afraid of the A470 if the price is right.

 

[Frantasmic]

The camera deal you found at Walmart seems really good for that camera. I'd go with that. I agree with others: stick with Nikon or Canon. I'd forego Vivitar, Polaroid and Kodak (in that price range).

Samsung also has some decent inexpensive cameras that are great for beginners too.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

Both of my girls (now 12 and almost 9) have gotten Samsung cameras over the past two years (one last summer, one the previous summer) - they are both pretty good little cameras! The more recent model (last summer) was the Samsung 860 in bright blue. The Samsung 73 was in pink - and they are essentially the same camera.

I have been impressed with both and my girls love them. Several friends have seen theirs and moms have played with them and gone out and bought their own Samsungs.

I am kind of a camera snob (not like you hard-core dslr people, but I have an S5 and a XSI ) - but I didn't want to buy a piece of crap or a "toy camera" - I thought these were good for kids - good quality - good price - I have been pleased!

 

[traces7]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I bought the Canon A470 that I was thinking of buying. I ended up having to go to a dfferent Walmart, the one I saw it at earlier sold out. Luckily there's another Walmart close by and they had a bunch of them.
Hope my DD likes it! Her birthday is Sunday. Thanks again!

 

[floridascgirl]

My son is a budding videographer. Right now he uses his Nikon Coolpix camera to make all his videos. He's been loving it, but it can be rather tedious having to balance it on a table when shooting himself. We are hoping to get him a small hand-held video camera for Christmas, but we have no clue how to pick one out. He mostly does a lot of self video taping and "stop-action" movies that he posts on YouTube and sends to friends and family. We will also be using this camera for our trips to Disney and recording his piano recitals...we would also like it to record decently in low-light. Our price range is $300-$400, I think.

I would greatly appreciate any camera recommendations and/or places to purchase it.

 

[floridascgirl]

Any advice out there? I really an clueless as to where to begin.

 

[YesDear]

Have you looked at a Flip? Small easy to use and around $200

 

[floridascgirl]

Yes, I actually have the newest Flip through my work. It's a great little camera, but we are looking for something a bit more advanced. We want one that shoots well in dim lighting or for evening. Also, the Flip's editing software was too basic for my son. He said it's tedious to transfer its video to other editing software. Any other suggestions are more than welcome.

 

[GoofyG]

I'm looking for a camera for my DD6. Would like a rechargeable battery, but ok if it doesn't. Don't want to spend alot of money either. Any ideas?

 

[photo_chick]

A lot depends on the kid. How responsible is your kid? How techno savvy are they? Will they be happy with one of the under ten dollar point and shoots, or do you want something a little higher quality?

If you're unsure, you can always start out on the uber cheap end then go up once they prove responsible and ready for something more.

Most of the little point and shoots take AA's. I usually use rechagable ones in my kids point and shoots.

Just remember with kids and any electronics, be prepared for them to accidentally break it. Mine never have, and they've both had cameras in their hands since they were able to hold one. But I'm still prepared for it to happen.

 

[GoofyG]

A lot depends on the kid. How responsible is your kid? How techno savvy are they? Will they be happy with one of the under ten dollar point and shoots, or do you want something a little higher quality?

If you're unsure, you can always start out on the uber cheap end then go up once they prove responsible and ready for something more.

Most of the little point and shoots take AA's. I usually use rechagable ones in my kids point and shoots.

Just remember with kids and any electronics, be prepared for them to accidentally break it. Mine never have, and they've both had cameras in their hands since they were able to hold one. But I'm still prepared for it to happen.

She has had a cheap one but has asked for one that will zoom. She likes to use everyones camera now, but I don't want her using our exspensive ones, lol. She is pretty good with her electronics. I still don't want exs[ensive, but i'm willing to be in the $100 range if I need to.

 

[ssanders79]

It might cost a little more, but consider looking at a model that has some sort of shock resistance. Even very careful kids will drop the camera here and there.

 

[YesDear]

Since my baby is almost 28 now it has been a while since I have dealt with 6 year olds. I have had some friends that have gotten friends to give or sell them their older cameras when they upgrade. Also check out craigslist. A used working P&S will give you a better camera and you will not be afraid if something happens to it.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

THey make well protected childrens digital cameras, IQ isnt great but the child is 6. My DD (5) has one of these and is more than happy ysing it. It has internal memory and takes AA batteries, she can make movies with it that occupy her and her brother for hours when Dad remembers to put batteries in it. I'm pretty sure its a Playskool product.

 

[Frantasmic]

Each of the office warehouse stores has a camera for under $100 in their ads this week. They are all going to have about the same features at that price.

Office Max has a deal where you can print off an online coupon and go to the store and get a Kodak M340 for about $59.00.

I'd check overstock.com as well.

Additionally, check out this 2009 holiday buying guide for under $150 cameras:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/2009-digital-camera-holiday-gift-guide---part-1.html

Here's another good deal through the end of the week:

Kodak EasyShare Z915 10 MP Digital Camera $58 at Dell Business




Dell Business has the Kodak EasyShare Z915 10 Megapixel Digital Camera for $58 with free shipping.

2.5" LCD screen, 10X optical zoom, 5X digital zoom, 1.5fps burst mode
Optical Image Stabilization, 32MB internal memory, SD/SDHC card slot

 

[photo_chick]

Run far, far away from the "kid" cameras. They have horrid image quality and are over priced junk, IMO. And from experience, they do not hold up any better than a normal camera.

Your child is 6 so I'm thinking going into first grade, right? If you're willing to go up to $100 (which is reasonable IMO if they've expressed some serious interest) then there are a lot of cameras to choose from. I'd look at a Canon or Fuji in that price range that has the features you want. If your child wants more zoom... $100 will get you 3x pretty easily but not much more.

And keep video in mind. I got my DD a Fuji S1000 when it first came out for her 8th birthday and she loved the video mode more than taking still pictures.

From my point of view... My kids were both using SLR's when they were in first grade. My DD a 35mm SLR and my son proclaimed my old DSLR as his when I got my new one. They've done well with them as long as we follow the one rule that applies to everyone in the house... always keep the camera strap around your neck. If the camera only has a wrist strap on it, I put a neck strap on it. A camera is like Wiimote.. a lot less likely to crash to the ground, or fly into the TV, if it's strapped to you.

 

[GoofyG]

Each of the office warehouse stores has a camera for under $100 in their ads this week. They are all going to have about the same features at that price.

Office Max has a deal where you can print off an online coupon and go to the store and get a Kodak M340 for about $59.00.

I'd check overstock.com as well.

Additionally, check out this 2009 holiday buying guide for under $150 cameras:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/2009-digital-camera-holiday-gift-guide---part-1.html

Here's another good deal through the end of the week:

Kodak EasyShare Z915 10 MP Digital Camera $58 at Dell Business




Dell Business has the Kodak EasyShare Z915 10 Megapixel Digital Camera for $58 with free shipping.

2.5" LCD screen, 10X optical zoom, 5X digital zoom, 1.5fps burst mode
Optical Image Stabilization, 32MB internal memory, SD/SDHC card slot

I like that kodak, I may go check it out. 3x zoom is plenty, her last one didn't zoom at all and she wants a big girl camera. lol

Yes, she is going into 1st grade. I have a hand held kodak video that we use.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Run far, far away from the "kid" cameras. They have horrid image quality and are over priced junk, IMO. And from experience, they do not hold up any better than a normal camera.

Your child is 6 so I'm thinking going into first grade, right? If you're willing to go up to $100 (which is reasonable IMO if they've expressed some serious interest) then there are a lot of cameras to choose from. I'd look at a Canon or Fuji in that price range that has the features you want. If your child wants more zoom... $100 will get you 3x pretty easily but not much more.

And keep video in mind. I got my DD a Fuji S1000 when it first came out for her 8th birthday and she loved the video mode more than taking still pictures.

From my point of view... My kids were both using SLR's when they were in first grade. My DD a 35mm SLR and my son proclaimed my old DSLR as his when I got my new one. They've done well with them as long as we follow the one rule that applies to everyone in the house... always keep the camera strap around your neck. If the camera only has a wrist strap on it, I put a neck strap on it. A camera is like Wiimote.. a lot less likely to crash to the ground, or fly into the TV, if it's strapped to you.

I never read the $100 limit part of his post, IMHO most kids take not so great photos anyway so image quality should be of less concern as durability. I've got countless photos of the dogs nose and ladybugs to last me a lifetime. My DD's camera has gone through darkest pits of heck and is still ticking. If you can afford to lose a DSLR to a kid all the power to you however All they have to do is miss there mouth when they take a drink of milk and your DSLR or P&S is toast.... I'm sure there are exceptions out there with kids who never spill anything or run on asphalt and trip but mine on occasion do make mistakes like that.
I gave DS 10 a Kodak 10.1 mp (I cant remember the model) last year and am happy with that but he has proven to be careful enough with sensitive electronics to warrant it. I have a lot of pics of peoples feet to prove it!!! lol.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I like that kodak, I may go check it out. 3x zoom is plenty, her last one didn't zoom at all and she wants a big girl camera. lol

Yes, she is going into 1st grade. I have a hand held kodak video that we use.

I second looking on creigslist, We bought a kodak easy share (not sure what model) for $30 for my DC 7. She loves that its easy to use and has a easy to use menu. With recharagable batteries, and a extra memory card, it seems to work great for her.