I'm keen to buy a camera for my daughter who is 7yrs old. She had a cheap film camera but it never did justice to even plain snapshots. She's been playing around with my Olympus C750 but I want something she can call her own. There are plenty cheap plastic things in the shops but I want her to be proud of the pictures she takes, able to print them and start her own album.
Has anyone any advice on something relatively cheap (say less that £100 or $150) that is robust, easy to use (with ability to have some creative control) and which captures reasonable quality images?
Very grateful to hear from anyone who has successfully resolved such an issue. Thanks.
I have the Olympus D550-Z which I have let a lot of kids use. It's been dropped a couple of times (by kids AND myself) and seems to be pretty much indestructable. I would consider anything in that line to be decent for a younger photograper!
To be mature and answer the question seriously, I once had a tiny little 1MP camera that was matchbox size - think it was called L'espion or something like that.
Quality is a little poor, but for a young kiddie it's perfect for them taking out and about in pockets tec, and also only about £35 GBP.
I'm keen to buy a camera for my daughter who is 7yrs old. She had a cheap film camera but it never did justice to even plain snapshots. She's been playing around with my Olympus C750 but I want something she can call her own. There are plenty cheap plastic things in the shops but I want her to be proud of the pictures she takes, able to print them and start her own album.
Has anyone any advice on something relatively cheap (say less that £100 or $150) that is robust, easy to use (with ability to have some creative control) and which captures reasonable quality images?
Very grateful to hear from anyone who has successfully resolved such an issue. Thanks.
The Nikon Coolpix line with the swivel body (not the swivel viewfinder) like the 950, 985, 995 are really easy for the little guys to orient. My little man did a great job with a 995, and even does pretty well with my 5700. of course, like Jon said, he can handle my 300d alright as well... ;)
My husband just ordered this last week should be arriving soon!
I was impressed by the features they showed on tv,,(of course thats tv)
I will fill you in if you want when we finally receive it! The size is as small as a pager! Mustek 4
Thanks to you all. I'll do some research on these suggestions. Unlike film, there does not yet appear to be a camera designed specifically for the younger user. This is a pity since as we all know, digital provides the opportunity to experiment and learn very economically - something that children are extremely keen to do. But film so often leaves them with a feeling of frustration because they cannot take the shot again and learn..
My take on it, as a budget wise parent, is it depends on how interested or trustworthy a young child is with the camera. I can trust my 10 year old daughter with my Fuji MX-2900Z, 2.3 MP - she has been using it since she was 8. My son is now 8, whole different story. Interested in learning but not entirely careful with things. We bought a little digi cam for his friend for a birthday present from Target for $60. It was found next to where they sell the batteries and disposable cameras. I'd much rather give them something like this than pay to develop film! It snaps up to 20 pics, then you download to the computer, and start again. He loves it, so now my son wants one too. The images are about good enough for 3X5 or 4X6 images, but they are mostly of the TV and wall, and what not, so they usually don't go past the computer, and the kids have fun with it.
So, the long and short of it.... what are the immediate needs? Fine tuning photography, or introducing them to and keeping their interest in the hobby?
Based on my brief experience with a camera I bought for Isaac's 6th birthday, I'd suggest the Fuji A205:
2MP, 3x Optical zoom, xD card (18mb included); on sale this week at Walgreen's for $120 US.
Isaac's A101 took nice images, but he wanted a zoom function. 2MP is plenty of resolution for now -- should be able to print at least 8x10 with some care in preparation.
Finally made a decision - going for a Canon powershot A60. £99.99 from amazon,co.uk.
Fuji AJ205 is on amazon for £89.99 but reviews seem to give the edge to the Canon which at that price seems a good bargain
Couldn't find a better, simpler camera for a better price. A 7year old has plenty to learn for many years with something like this which seems to produce quality images.
