Digital Cameras & Kids: Good or Bad Idea?

A friend of mine mentioned that a discussion at work over the best digital cameras for young kids turned into a discussion over whether giving kids yet another piece of expensive technology at a young age is wise.

Good question. Like anything, giving a child a camera, or an MP3 player, or a cell phone because it's a cool thing to have and their friends have them sends a bad message. In the end, it also takes away from the meaning of gift-giving.

But if your child shows a strong interest in photography—a wonderful, creative pursuit at any age—why not find the right tool for her to explore her interest and, possibly, talent?

And yes, if your child is a money-earning teen who really wants a camera, why not encourage him to save for one or contribute to the one you both decide to buy?

My kids have loved taking photos from a young age. I remember the Fisher Price two-viewfinder camera with the 110 film my daughter got for her 3^rd birthday. She carried it everywhere. Later, the kids graduated to disposable cameras and family castoffs of 35 mm point-and-shoot film cameras. But now, there are some good affordable digital camera options for budding photographers.

For the younger set, you can find a digital version of the Fisher Price camera my daughter had: The Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera, in blue or pink, for $60. It's got a 1.3-inch color LCD screen so kids can instantly see the photos they take.

There are also some cameras in the $60 range marketed as first-time digital cameras, but for a little more money you can find deals on older-model digital cameras that may be a longer-lasting option and provide better results. If you're considering a camera for a tween or teen, here are a few to consider:

Canon Powershot A430: This 4-megapixel, 3.6-zoom lens camera can be found for around $120, and is a good first-time camera. Christopher Null recommends it, along with these Casio models that sell in the $200 to $350 range. It's pictured above.

Nikon Coolpix 4600: You can pick up this 4-megapixel, 3X zoom lens camera for about $100, and it's been a great first camera for my 13-year-old daughter. Robin Raskin takes a look at the new Nikon Coolpix line of cameras, which start at about $200.

Fujifilm FinePix F10: This 6.3-megapixel, 6.2 digital zoom camera also is a good all-around, first-time digital camera. It sells for about $169.

Whether you hand down your old digital camera to your kids when upgrading your model, or choose a good first-time camera, here are some articles to check out for tips on choosing a camera and taking pictures.

• Getting to Know Digital Camera Categories
• Taking Goof-Proof Pictures
• Photo Fun—Ideas for Kids on Edutaining Kids