choosing a camera for a child

[DawnM]

I always buy 2nd hand cameras for my kids.

There are a few advantages to this:

1. The depreciation value is already built in. About 4 to 5 years ago I bought my two younger kids each 3.0 mp used cameras for $25 each. I just sold them both on ebay for the same $25 I spent! So, they got a free camera for 4 years!

2. I don't care if they have an accident or lose them so much. So far, neither of these things has happened though.

3. Usually 2nd hand cameras come with "extras" that would cost quite a bit. the person selling often sells it with the carrying case, a memory card and sometimes extra batteries, etc.....

I am currently looking for a deal for my 10 year old. I got my 12 year old a new (to him) camera about a month ago. It is a bridge camera (somewhere between a P&S and DSLR) as he is getting almost to the point of wanting a DSLR in the next couple of years.

But I am asking friends if they have any and I am checking Craigslist.

As far as the kid's camera....I agree with the PP.....very poor picture quality, my computer won't even read the pictures, and the view screen is so tiny you can barely see the picture.

Dawn

 

[photo_chick]

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.

I'm well aware that my kids are the extreme freaks in the room and I didn't mean to imply that I think the OP should put a DSLR in her kids hands. Most kids are not up for that. I was just giving my perspective

My kids are better photographers than I am. I think mainly because they do have a very different view of the world than me. They get shots I'd never think of.

Also think about this... people don't think twice about putting a Nintendo DS in a kids hands brand new but people tend to balk at putting a similarly priced new camera in the same child's hands. Why is that? The DS is just as fragile as a camera. Actually, more so. just some food for thought.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Lol, boh my kids have DS and DSi's, But they are stationary while using it. I understand the analogy though. I am more nervous with them playing baseball! A ball through a window is not cheap, and dents in the car suck!

 

[Experiment_626]

I'm following this thread closely, as we have an almost five-year-old who has begun to show an interest in photography ...

 

[MinnieForMe]

Speaking of kids and cameras, I almost cried the other day at my 3rd grade son's science fair. A 9 year old was carrying around his D90. Yup - I had a point and shoot.

I was planning on sharing my new Pentax with my 12 year old but looking on CraigsList for a bridge camera might be a better idea! Thanks.

 

[Donold_Fan]

I would second the recommendation on video ability. I stumbled into a deal a couple of years ago when my DS was 5. I was able to get both he and his 12yo sister 7MP Polaroid for $15 each. At the time I was mostly just wanting to get him away from my point and shoots and thought if it would get him through the "phase" and get a few weeks out of it, it would be a great investment.

2 years later, DD14 doesn't know where her camera is, but DD7 still uses his weekly. He's really into making videos with action figures with it. From our experience, go with a camera that takes AA's and invest in some rechargeables (he flies through batteries). He doesn't have a computer, so he watches his videos primarily on the camera lcd.

On Memorial day I went out to take some pictures of cemeteries and flags and he carried his right along with me. We took them to get developed and he proudly took his prints to school to show off. When I picked him up that day, I pulled up to the school and noticed a large crowd of teachers huddled around someone. It was my son, proudly showing off his photographs.

Sorry to make that such a long post, but I really wanted to encourage you to get a camera with video ability and I think it's worth the extra $$$ on a "real" camera, the beaming smile on my son's face as the teachers all complimented him on his photos would make a $100 investment worthwhile.

 

[decomouse]

I lean towards being in photo_chick's camp. My girls are now 17 and almost 23, so it's been a long time since they were small. I've always gotten them cameras where they can make "real" photos. When they were 6yo it was film and we have lots of interesting prints from short people's points of views. The main thing I would suggest is trying to get the features your daughter is requesting. That's the kind of thing that can help keep photography interesting for children. Video has never been important to any of us, so that is not a feature we have pursued. But both my girls also enjoyed using a zoom lens.

If you choose a camera that used AA batteries, I have found the rechargeables to be much more efficient. We always kept an extra set on hand charged and ready to go.

Anyone can drop a camera, including adults. By getting children cameras from an early age and teaching them to be careful (we too have the rule about the strap around the neck!) they tend to be more cautious with the more expensive equipment. At least in our experience. And getting used equipment might be a good option for you.

When I switched to digital it was a Coolpix 950. When I upgraded to a 990, I passed the 950 to DD#1. When I upgraded again to 995, DD#2 got the 950 and DD#1 got the 990, and so forth. Currently I have a D90 and both girls have a D50. (DD#1 got hers new and DD#2 got my old one when I got the D90 Xmas '08.) One of the things we really enjoy doing after we get home is comparing shots to see each of our different perspectives. We all tend to look for different things and often little things. But one afternoon I was at the T&TC while the girls were at MK and a triple rainbow appeared. That night when we reconvened it was all, "Did you see the rainbows???" We all have good shots of those from different locations.

I hope your daughter has a wonderful time with her new camera!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You may want to look at the Pentax Optio E series. They are simplified cameras with large buttons and they take excellent images. Over a year ago, I bought an E70 for my DGD (age 7 at the time). It is a 10 mp, 3x zoom. She does a good job with it and it isn't overly complicated.

 

[GoofyG]

Thanks everyone for the info on camera. I got her a vivitar for $40 8meg and a 4 zoom. Not much but she is happy with it, it will help her learn then she can move to a newer camera. I gave it to her today and she was going around taking pictures of everything! I do need to work on not so close with a flash on, i'm still seeing spots!!!

 

[MidgeD79]

My 12 year old son would like a digital camera. I really don't know a whole lot about them - coldmmenda resonaably priced starter camera? Thanks

 

[My2Girls66]

This looks decent. I've been looking at it to replace my Canon p&s that just bit the dust. Its for hiking so I don't want to spend a lot.

http://www.adorama.com/ICAA490.html