Digital P&S For Children

Please don't flame me. I've search around (this site) for answers, but all I

get is tips for cameras to shoot kids. What's very frustrating is I know this

has been asked many times before. I remember reading at least one question, so

here goes.

 

What's the best point & shoot camera from kids? I'd like the following:

 

1. High pixel count. Since I'm sure we'll be working on compostion and need

to crop a lot.

 

2. Big buttons. I'm talking tonka type buttons for kids little fingers.

 

3. Rugged. I'm sure it'll be dropped. If it's not rugged, it needs to be

cheap, so I can buy a few when it's broken (of course, nothing's cheap when it

comes to digital cameras).

 

Oh, also, my kid's only 2, but he's showing an interest in cameras and

pictures. Maybe he'll be the next big photo star.

Hmmm... that's a tough one.

 

Maybe one of those "disposable" digital cameras I've seen for sale at drug stores?

 

The least expensive "real" digital camera at B&H is the $90 Kodak C310. And it doesn't really meet any of the prerequisites you listed.

 

Sony used to make a line of electronics specifically for kids called "My First Sony." I'm not sure if they still make that stuff or not. It was big, colorful, rugged, and easy to use. If something like that does exist in a digital camera, either from Sony or another company, I bet a place like Toys 'R' Us would have it.

<A HREF="http://www.puredigitalinc.com/products/otucstill.html "> HERE</A>

I have the same question. My two and a half year old granddaughter has no problems with the buttons on my Nikon S70d but guess what-she is not getting it!

 

Seriously. I want to get a good digital for my seven year old grandson for Christmas and would like to keep it as close to $100 as I can.

 

The Kodak C310 sounds like it might fit the bill.

 

Margaret Woodall

<<I'm not sure if they still make that stuff or not. It was big, colorful, rugged, and easy to use. If something like that does exist in a digital camera>>

 

Playskool makes a blue one and a pink one:

 

Blue: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EULZPU/

 

Pink: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F3GNW6/

I bought two Fujifilm FinePix A120 for about USD 100 each (sale) last may for my two daughters birthdays (they are now five and seven). Before that, they had been using compact film cameras for a couple of years.

 

I also bought sturdy cases for the cameras and taught the girls to be careful, use the handstrap, and put the camera back into the case after each use.

 

They have taken many images since then, some are very good, and the cameras are still in perfect condition. My five year old even took the camera for a day at kindergarten, and it survived very well.

 

No problems with children taking care of cameras. If you tell them, they understand they have to be careful.

 

Jakob

I think Olympus make one that they claim can be dropped, immersed in water etc - might be just the thing for kids. Not sure what it would be like to handle though.

Cheers, Bob.

I got my 4 year old daughter the Playschool Kid Tough digital camera. She bangs it around, and it keeps going. She loves it. It's sub-1mp though (640x480 I think).

My children 9 and 7 have a Canon A75 and a Olympus muji 300

 

Both 3.3 MP

 

Both reconditioned costing about GBP 80

Both work well

 

I bought the muji about 3 weeks ago

 

Cheap seemed a high priority!

Thanks all for your responses. The Fisher Price camera looks like the way to go. The reviews on it also aren't bad. Yes it's 640x480, yes it doesn't have a focus, yes they're crappy images, but it's what you pay for. It also looks tough and durable.

 

It should be worth it until my kid gets older and knows more.

 

Thanks again.

Honstly I think the best for a kis is either the Fuji F20 or the F30

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=445824&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=423808&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

 

For a kid I would go with the F20 (lacks A & S Priority modes and a bit less battery life, but cheaper and just as good photo quality).. although the current $50 mail in rebate make the f30 look really nice.

Yes, but so far, my 3 year old has dropped it many times, left it lying around, and even buried it in the dirt. I'd kill him if he did that with a $200 F20 or F30 camera.

 

It takes a beating and keeps on ticking. In a few years, if he's interested, I'd spend the money on a better camera.

I understand your concerns with the $200 camera, but it is relaly one of the cheapest camera that is still really good quality. You can go lower, but the quality generally goes down. I am shure your kid will get a few keepers. I dont want you to feel like I do when i get a once in a lifetime photo on my camera phone. It's a big letdown.

 

The F20 is $70 off at Dell.com now by the way:

 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0746760&acd=1747797205

 

If you are really worried about durability Pentax makes one that is almost water proof .. it's the Pentax W20. less well reviewed, but still acceptable. It is about the same price as the F30, and probably less likely to get fried in the sand.