OT-- Good digital camera for kids?

[poohfriend77]

My mom bought DD4 a piece of junk digital camera last Christmas (Fisher Price model was sold out everywhere), and it currently resides at the bottom of our toy box. Now DD is asking for a new camera this Christmas. To be more specific, she wants a Barbie Island Princess camera with a matching photo album to hold the pictures. I'm pretty sure that doesn't even exist, but at least she's got a good imagination.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good kids' digital camera? It has to have a color preview screen on the back and be able to print a decent 4X6 photo. I'm struggling with whether to buy a "kid" one, or watch the sales for a regular 3 megapixel one. I know she's young, but I'd rather get a nice camera she needs a bit of help with, than another colorful piece of plastic for the bottom of the toy box. And no, she won't be taking this to WDW, no matter which one we get!

 

[Mickey3Boys]

We bought the cheapest digital camera that we could find last Christmas from Walmart WITH A SLOT FOR A SD CARD. Then, you are not limited to how many pictures you can take. Just buy a SD card with alot of memory. Then, when the camera gets scratched up, it doesn't matter because it didn't cost that much (somewhere between $35 & $55). Once pics are taken, take out the card and put it directly in your printer, the card slot at walgreens/walmart/grocery store photo center, and print your pics or upload them to your PC (& delete the bad ones). We send our 5 year old outside with his camera for a picture safari when he gets bored. It works good on trips too to keep him entertained. I hope this helps.

 

[MomPoppins]

We bought our DD4 the Fisher Price camera for her bday in February. It's great to see the world through her eyes. She loves it -- it goes almost everywhere we go. It is definitely kid-proof -- she has dropped it down our stairs countless times, left it outside in the rain once, sends it tumbling down the slide, etc. It has a slot for a memory card...we put in an extra one we had (can't remember how big it was) and she can literally take something like 2000 photos. We like it because we don't have to constantly worry that she's going to ruin it -- I really think the thing is indestructible! And it really inspires her creativity -- it's so funny to watch her trying to get just the right angle, analyzing the photos and determining they are too dark or too light, etc.

The down side -- the resolution is lousy! If you want to use the camera for more than just a toy, I wouldn't recommend it. However, I haven't seen anything else on the market that could tolerate the abuse that *our* daughter puts her camera through. (Thought I had some online to demonstrate the resolution, but I guess I haven't downloaded them from the camera -- another negative -- it's kinda a pain to get the memory card out. Since it is a toy, you have to get a screwdriver to open the memory card door.)

Oh -- another downer -- you can't turn off the flash (at least we can't find a way to). Sometimes we have to tell her she can't take photos because we are in a place that doesn't allow flash photography.

Even with the negatives, we are really happy with our purchase. It's one of the only toys we've bought for her that she plays with on an almost daily basis.

Hope this helps!

 

[seashoreCM]

You can put your finger over the flash window to take pictures without having the flash go off and annoy anyone.

If you are buying a camera for a child, the important thing to consider is how badly you would feel if the camera got lost or got treated roughly.

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

 

[maciec]

Digital Camera Reviews .... you can sort by price. I am looking for a replacement for my dd's Fisher Price camera. That thing has the worst resolution and it eats batteries!

 

[poohfriend77]

Thanks for the tips. I'm having a moment. We already have a Cannon 3.1 MP camera sitting in a drawer, untouched since we upgraded to 5MP last year. I'd like to give her that -- maybe I can just put a Barbie sticker on the front. DH's comment was, "But that's a $300 camera!" Well, it WAS a $300 camera when we bought it 5 years ago. The same thing is definitely under $100 now, and we don't use it at all. Why not let the kid take decent photos that she can be excited about? Call me cheap, but I think I solved my own problem. Now I just have to find or make a Barbie Island Princess photo album to go with it.

 

[sharibrat]

WE just gave our daughter the Vtech kids camera to take on our Disney trip. So far she loves it! Flash can be turned off, fun things can be added to pictures, she can move around the menus, resolution is ok, games can be played.........so far we have only had it a few days and have not uploaded to the computer yet.......

 

[Princess_Michelle]

We're getting the V-Tech camera as well, for DS3, for Christmas. The reviews are pretty good, and it seems a bit better than the Fisher Price one.

 

[poohfriend77]

WE just gave our daughter the Vtech kids camera to take on our Disney trip. So far she loves it! Flash can be turned off, fun things can be added to pictures, she can move around the menus, resolution is ok, games can be played.........so far we have only had it a few days and have not uploaded to the computer yet.......

I'd love to hear how they look on the computer and in a 4X6 print! Please post again if you do either.

 

[BayouMouseketeer]

We were also less than impressed with the FP camera. I have been teaching my kids how to use my digicam for over a year now and teaching them how to take care of it. I have taught them to always put the strap around their neck first thing- that way if it falls, it doesn't break! Since I feel confident with their ability to use and care for a real camera, that is what each of them for for their bday last month. They are so excited about taking it to WDW. I got this Polaroid camera when they went on clearance at Target a couple of months ago. I saw that Overstock has them in pink if your DD would prefer!

 

[poohfriend77]

We were also less than impressed with the FP camera. I have been letting my kids how to use my digicam for over a year now and teaching them how to take care of it. I have taught them to always put the strap around their neck first thing- that way if it falls, it doesn't break! Since I feel confident with their ability to use and care for a real camera, that is what each of them for for their bday last month. They are so excited about taking it to WDW. I got this Polaroid camera when they went on clearance at Target a couple of months ago. I saw that Overstock has them in pink if your DD would prefer!

Oooh, the pink would be perfect, and that price is pretty good too. Although it would end up being much more expensive, since my gadget-loving DH would have to upgrade our camera to the 7.1MP model he's been looking at. He couldn't have the same 5MPs our DDs "toy" camera has.

The neck strap is a great tip, no matter which camera we choose!

 

[Piglet'sPal]

Polaroid just came out with a digital camera for kids. It is 3 megapixels and is selling for around $79.99. The only place that I have seen it for sale is Target. They have a pink one and a blue one. I am in the same predicament as the OP. My son is 4 1/2 and really wants a camera. I have read such negative reviews on the Fischer Price camera, that I really hate to spend $70 for it. I don't understand why the quality is so bad...for that much money, you would think that you could at least get half way decent pictures I am also looking at the Vtech camera.

 

[cinjam]

I am looking too. DS6 had a 3MP Kodak I got very cheaply for him a few years ago. It was just a so-so camera - nothing great. But, the battery door broke (his fault) and was staying closed with duct tape...that trick no longer works. He is now asking for a new one. I want to keep it under $100, but not sure which one to buy. I will check out the links from the PP (thanks)

 

[solfan68]

In the same boat as the rest of you. DS5 loves to take pictures, and we let him use ours when we are standing right there with him. Would love to have a decent 'kids camera' to turn over to him. Why, oh why, did Disney botch the character-branded Pix Click cameras ?

 

[shelly3girls]

Thanks for the tips. I'm having a moment. We already have a Cannon 3.1 MP camera sitting in a drawer, untouched since we upgraded to 5MP last year. I'd like to give her that -- maybe I can just put a Barbie sticker on the front. DH's comment was, "But that's a $300 camera!" Well, it WAS a $300 camera when we bought it 5 years ago. The same thing is definitely under $100 now, and we don't use it at all. Why not let the kid take decent photos that she can be excited about? Call me cheap, but I think I solved my own problem. Now I just have to find or make a Barbie Island Princess photo album to go with it.

This is exactly what we did. We gave DD our old Canon after a miserable experience with the Disney camera. She was so happy! The pictures are great and I already knew how to use it!