Anyone recommend a digital camera for kids?

[Paul Shields]

My 4 (almost 5) year old is very keen on taking pics, but obviously I'd rather he didn't use my monstrously expensive gear. Looking around there don't seem to be that many rugged digicams aimed at kids - the following is an example of the types that are out there:

Amazon.com: Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera for Boys: Toys & Games

I'm really looking for something that has better image quality, but with the same easy to use qualities. Ideally it could also just be placed on top of a 4x6 printer and out come the prints using something like pictbridge - thus avoiding any computer interface between taking the shot and printing it.

Anyone found something like that out there? Seems to be a gap in the market, unless you know better?

[Johnny Heinonen]

KuvatON.com - Intterivepin kovimmat kuvatukset

It's 5 TERApixels and waterproof.. Should do

[JDArt]

Digital Concepts' Crayola VGA camera is made of tough plastic and has two big handles that allow kids to hold up the camera to frame images on the 1.3-inch preview screen. The VGA-resolution camera housed inside takes pictures good enough to for use in the simple, project-oriented software that comes with the unit.

Many of the big names in kids toys - including Fisher Price and Disney - have unveiled digital cameras aimed at tots. Most are reasonably priced - under 50 dollars - and come with
software that gives kids all kinds of neat ways to use their pictures.

[Paul Shields]

I actually bought a Panasonic DMC-LX1 in the end. It's a simple point and shoot, with a 'Leica' lens and should prove easy to use. It was a cheap price, but still waiting for the guy on ebay to ship the damn thing though...

[PhotoGuy74]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I actually bought a Panasonic DMC-LX1 in the end. It's a simple point and shoot, with a 'Leica' lens and should prove easy to use. It was a cheap price, but still waiting for the guy on ebay to ship the damn thing though...

When I was a kid and asked for a camera, all I got was a little Hanimex Instamatic (110 format & cube flashes)!!!!

... I was going to suggest that Fisher-Price makes a digital cam for kids (not sure of the resolution, etc...)

Glad to hear that you found one

[Paul Shields]

Yeah, the Fisher Price ones seem like a no-brainer, but the quality out of them is really poor. Even if my 4 year old didn't notice, I would .

[badpickev]

the hello kitty digi cam?

[Paul Shields]

Kev - I've not tried that one. Is that the one with the Fuji S5 sensor? I'd just be a bit concerned that my littleun would start complaining about the noise - you know what kids are like...

[yanuk]

olympus has a range of water and shock proof cameras.

[yanuk]

i found the link to the olympus water and shock proof cameras

or were you asking how to choose a digital camera for beginners?
I wrote the article in the 2nd given link. I wasn't too sure which you were looking for.

[Paul Shields]

Excellent blog yanuk. Some very useful advice there.

[Bucephalas69]

My 7 year old was using my compact Fuji F31 on a regular basis and eventually asked for her own.
I bought a a Canon Ixus 400 4MP compact from E-Bay for £30 ($60).
The selector wheel was a little faulty meaning it was permanently set to manual which was great, she'll learn nothing from shooting on fully auto.

Maybe we should start a childrens gallery. Images taken by children have an entirely different perspective and they find abstract patterns in places i would never have thought of looking.

Check out e-bay and buy a real camera.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Bucephalas69

Maybe we should start a childrens gallery. Images taken by children have an entirely different perspective and they find abstract patterns in places i would never have thought of looking.

You're right - they have a great view on the world. I'm tempted to post on of my 3 year old's shots in the abstract section .

Check out e-bay and buy a real camera.

I've found my 5 year old gets on better with a 'proper' DSLR (the compact E-400). They soon get used to using an optical viewfinder. It's just a shame it's not rubberised so it can resist the inevitable drops .

[yanuk]

Originally Posted by Bucephalas69

My 7 year old was using my compact Fuji F31 on a regular basis and eventually asked for her own.
I bought a a Canon Ixus 400 4MP compact from E-Bay for £30 ($60).
The selector wheel was a little faulty meaning it was permanently set to manual which was great, she'll learn nothing from shooting on fully auto.

Maybe we should start a childrens gallery. Images taken by children have an entirely different perspective and they find abstract patterns in places i would never have thought of looking.

Check out e-bay and buy a real camera.

shooting full auto has the advantage of letting her concentrate on the composition and framing instead of worrying on technicalities which otherwise she might have missed a lot of shots and discourage her from shooting.

I would call shooting full manual the 'cold turkey' for beginners.