Digital Camera Questions

[wdw4us2]

My DS, 13, has decided he wants a digital camera for Christmas. Since he has only asked for two things for Christmas, we want to get him the camera.

Here's the problem: we need a camera that is is relatively easy to operate as well as sturdy (you know how boys can sometimes be). We would rather not spend over $125.00. I originally posted this on the Community Board and someone recommended that I post here.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a camera that would fit this criteria? All suggestions are welcome!

 

[YEKCIM]

You might start with this Product Advisor as a first step, to maybe narrow the choices down. Your $125 budget will definitely limit those choices, but at least you will eliminate probably 90% of what's currently on the market.

~YEKCIM

 

[seashoreCM]

I do not think there is any such thing as a digital camera that will stand up to (you know how boys can sometimes be).

The LCD viewfinder panel is very fragile and one knock on a corner of something will do it in.

I would get something under a hundred dollars for now and see how well he and his friends and his schoolmates take care of it. If he comes up with a scenic picture he would like a better reproduction of, do a family outing there at a later date and take the same picture with your camera and he can download and Photoshop that.

13 year olds have different emotions than 25 plus year olds. Would he understand if you took him to an electronics store and let him feel some of the cameras and ask him the question of which model he would not feel too heartbroken about if it got lost or stolen or damaged?

I recommend a rigid plastic shield for the viewfinder which in most cases mounts slightly above the surface using double stick tape around the edges. There is a company, Daproducts (dot com) you can get these shields from.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[ashef]

There are some good little cameras for close to your price range -- I'd suggest the Canon PowerShot A560 ($139), Nikon Coolpix L15 ($139) or the Nikon Coolpix L14 ($119). There's not a lot of difference and the L14 is probably just as good as the others for your son. The prices I quoted are from the Product Search site that Yekcim posted so check that out.

Tell your son that the camera is fragile and should be handled with care, not dropped, slammed or thrown. You should smile when you say that.... Lots of devoted adult photographers, including probably most of us on this Board, started out as children with Brownies or Instamatics. So if your son is a budding serious photographer, these cameras are a good way for him to begin.

 

[fitzperry]

I bought the Canon Powershot A560, which the previous poster mentioned, for my mom for Christmas. It seems to get very good reviews for the price. And we bought our then 7yo a Nikon Coolpix L4 for her birthday last year. It's held up quite nicely.

You might consider an extended warranty that covers accidental damage. We got one for dd's camera for around $30 at the time of purchase (at a local camera shop)--covers anything she might do to it for 3 years IIRC. I usually decline such warranties, but in this instance it seemed like money well spent. Then again, if you're able to get something for around $100, you're probably better off to chance it.

We also got her a lightweight neck strap to replace the wrist strap the camera comes with thinking it might be less likely to be dropped. So far, so good . . . .

 

[wdw4us2]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am not worried about him doing serious damage to the camera, we're just looking for one that's not ultra sensitive.

I will probably look into the Canon PowerShot A560. Our DD, 16, has a Canon PowerShot SD1000 and really likes it. I'm a dinosaur - I still use my Canon AE1 and Canon Rebel EOS for my pictures.

I will definitely also get him the plastic shield for the viewfinder.

 

[ashef]

I think the Canon Powershot A560 is a great choice. Your son really does sound like a budding serious photographer, since you and his sister are. Also, he knows how to take care of a camera since he has seen you do it. All good signs!

Don't forget to buy a memory card.

 

[S. C.]

Bump!

 

[alan]

I don't know if the asme thing is availabel in the US, but in the UK Canon sells its "refurbished" cameras on ebay via Canon Outlet. I bought two A420s, one for each of my kids (6 and 8 yo), neither cost me more than £50 (US$100).

The cameras that arrived were packed in original Canon boxes and, while the boxes were a bit dusty, the cameras and the case contents looked as new.

I think my kids are farily good at looking after their stuff, but if they do drop the thing then it's not a huge amount of money down the drain.

regards,
/alan