Coolpix for 80+ year old?

[rsands]

<p>Apologies if there is a relevant posting, but my searches didn't come up with anything. I'm a (very) happy D90 owner, and apparently my joy has encouraged my 80+ year old mother to want a new camera.</p>

<p>However, she wants a P&S. I'm thinking the specs need to include a great LCD (OK, most have that), but more importantly easy to use (read: big) controls. Her budget is around $200, which I would likely be willing to supplement :) </p>

<p>Yes, I will head out to Adorama etc. while in NY this week, but would appreciate any advice on suggestions to look at. Reviews of most of the low to mid range Nikons are positive, it's the subtlety of the controls that concerns me, given her age. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

[eric friedemann]

<p>I've been selling cameras for more than 30 years. If I were to buy a Nikon Coolpix camera for my 80-plus-year-old mother, I'd get her the $76 L22, which has Vibration Reduction (good for shaky hands), and can just be turned on, shot on Auto and turned off:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675120-REG/Nikon_26197_Coolpix_L22_Digital_Camera.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675120-REG/Nikon_26197_Coolpix_L22_Digital_Camera.html</a></p>

<p>There's no sense getting a camera with a bunch of fru-fru for someone who will just be confused by extra features.</p>

<p>As the L22 takes two AA batteries, I'd get her a set of four AA rechargeables:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/693561-REG/Pearstone_NM_4H26_NM_4H26_Four_AA_NiMH.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/693561-REG/Pearstone_NM_4H26_NM_4H26_Four_AA_NiMH.html</a></p>

<p>Mark two of the batteries with a marker or nail polish, and she'll be good to go with two sets of batteries. </p>

[rsands]

<p>Thanks, Eric. That's good advice.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Ditto, thanks, Eric. I'm looking for a replacement for the Olympus P&S digicam my mom has been using for years. It was a good camera for its era but now, with arthritis she needs better ergonomics, and the fishbowl viewfinder and poor rear LCD don't work with her weaker eyesight. It just needs to be easy to use and provide snapshot quality comparable to those one-time-use cameras.</p>

[mark_drutz]

<p>I also vote for the L22. The only difference is I would use AA lithiums instead of rechargables (check to be sure it can use them). I she doesn't shoot too much they'll last for years and she doesn't have to remember to recharge them.</p>

[eric friedemann]

<p>Lex, I know you're aware that while screens have improved in size and clarity, viewfinders have disappeared on all but the more expensive P&S cameras- e.g. the Nikon P7000 (which is actually kind of a deal right now at $379/B&H). Anyway, I wish Canon, Nikon or Oly would make a digital version of the old 35mm Canon Owl, with its limited features, huge finder and low price, for kids and old people:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Sure-Shot-Owl-camera/dp/B00004SC3E">http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Sure-Shot-Owl-camera/dp/B00004SC3E</a></p>

<p>Rick, one other selling point for the L22- its gripability (if that's a word). The higher-priced Nikon S-series Coolpix cameras are sleeker and prettier, but almost all of them have lacked any place for the fingers of your right hand to gain purchase on the cameras, which are mostly executed in enameled metal that can get slippery with finger oils. I've personally managed to drop S-series Coolpix cameras on three occasions at the camera store (fortunately onto a padded matt from a foot above a sales counter). Currently, you have to go up to the a $300 S- or P-series Coolpix to get a shirt-pocketable cameras that has a finger rail on the front of it. </p>

<p>The L22 has a bump-out created by its AA battery compartment. This makes the camera easier for anyone to grip.</p>

[rsands]

<p>Thanks again to all for their advice. Eric, the 'gripability' factor is an important one.</p>