Good Digital Cameras for Kids

Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:52PM EST

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Digital cameras allow kids to play with taking photos and learn about photography without parents paying to develop film that may or may not be worth developing.

That doesn't mean you'll want to put an expensive digicam into the hands of a small child or a tween. Good thing there are lots of affordable options that will allow kids to get a feel for photography at a young age without parents worrying about yet another expensive gadget breaking.

For the youngest kids, Fisher-Price's Kid-Tough Digital Camera gets a lot of ink because it can take a beating and take decent digital photos. The 1.3-megapixel camera has a 1.6-inch LCD screen, two-eye viewing, and rubber-grip handles. Cost: $70

Polaroid makes a similar camera, the Pixie, but with 3 megapixels and a 2.4-inch LCD screen for $80.

As kids move beyond the toddler years, it starts to make more sense to put a fuller featured digital camera in their hands. Here are a few recommendations for solid but affordable first-time digital cameras. These cameras are not the latest models and are each priced at about $150. Each gets good reviews on sites including Digital Camera HQ and Amazon.

Canon Powershot A570 -- You can find this 7.1-megapixel, 4x optical and digital zoom camera, and 2.5-inch LCD for about $145. It's a good point-and-shoot camera with sound video capability, too, which kids can easily use. 

Sony Cybershot W55 -- For about the same price, this 7-megapixel, 3x zoom camera produces quality prints with ease of use. 

Panasonic Lumix LZ7 -- Again, this is not the smallest, sleekest camera available, but it is an affordable, easy-to-use camera that takes great shots with little shutter lag. It's a 7-megapixel camera with a 6x optical zoom/ 3x digital zoom.

Casio Elixim EX-Z75 -- A 7.1-megapixel camera with a 2.6-inch LCD has an easy mode that makes it extra simple for first-time camera users to choose settings and take good shots.

Related: How to Buy a Digital Camera 

 

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  • 2 Posted by silebeth on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    VTech has a good kids' camera, too. It's called the Kidizoom. This has similar specs to the Fisher Price Camera. My two and a half year old got the VTech version one for Christmas and had it figured out pretty quickly. She doesn't have the fine motor skills to hold it completely still yet, but you can definitely tell what her pictures are. It's really nice to be able to see things from her perspective!

  • 3 Posted by mercierbecky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't waste your money on a casio. they are plaqued by problems and their customer service doesn't stand behind them. Within 2 mos of getting one for my 12 yr old daughter, we got a lens error. Internet research revealed this is a common problem w/ them. Fastforward a few mos - SAME problem. Sent it back them them and was told that even tho it was only a few weeks out of warranty and they had made one repair within the warranty period, it would cost $145 to fix it because there was impact to the lens. if there was any impact to the lens, it is because the lens pushes real hard to open, but the little window over it doesn't open. In short, they wanted another $8 to send my unusable camera back to me. We took maybe 30 pictures with this sorry camera. I spend about $150 on it, and then approx. $28 to send it back and forth to them. To make matters worse, they are absolutely the most 'i don't care' company i have ever dealt with. they simply don't care if a customer is happy or not. so, buy a kodak or a nikon, or a bunch of disposable cameras because the casio exilim is really nothing more than a very expensive disposable camera.

  • 4 Posted by metallicacrow16 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    I work for a camera and photography store and you COMPLETELY forgot two really great cameras, especially for kids...The Fujifilm Z10fd comes in a wide range of colors, has all the same normal shooting modes and also video modes, but the greatest feature is that the lens does not telescope outside of the camera body, meaning there is less of a chance of breaking/bending/denting the lens when dropped. And as we all know kids tend to drop things, especially things that are expensive. The other camera I call indestructible, it’s the Olympus 790sw, it will withstand being dropped from 6 ft, can go 10 ft underwater, can have 220lbs on it without damaging any of the electronics inside. Mine has been through the washer and dryer on accident. Yes it’s a little more expensive than the Canon A570, but wouldn't you rather have the camera last, not have to keep buying your kids new ones every year? Because once a camera is dropped its cheaper to buy a new one then send it out to be fixed. Even if its under warranty, if there is evidence of impacted damage, the company will not fix it for free... Just a little food for thought for all the moms (and dads too :)) who are thinking about kids and digital cameras.

  • 5 Posted by kelliweiss on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I did my reasearch for my 7 year old niece last year for Christmas. The Barbie, Spiderman and all of the "Character" cameras did not take good pictures. The Fisher Price same thing - pictures come out grainy. If you are going to make the $80 investment go ahead and buy one like I did - the Canon A570 mentioned above for $145. I bought a Canon with all the same features and she loves it. Plus every picture she takes is clear and beautiful and she feels like a grown-up. It has also helped her to stop and take pics of her little brothers. Instead of feeling like she isn't geeting attention - she feels extra special capturing all of the family momements! If you get a camera and they can't see the same quality that your camera produces they quickly lose interest. She is quick to pay attention to pointers and now notices how lighting and spacing can change a photo! Having a digital camera is great for her. I bought her a 2gb so she can take over 1,000 pics and edit out what she wants to print. It was the best gift I ever gave her and the timing was perfect because she loves taking pictures of the newest member of the family, her 8 month old brother. And her mom gets photos of the family that she otherwise wouldn't have any time to take. (Remember how mom was always the one taking the pics?) So this year we bought her a stand and she is able to use the timer to take picuters that she is in as well. But I made sure to tell her that if she ever lost it or it was stolen I would buy her another. I want her to use the camera and not treat it as if it only comes out during special times. How many of us go on vacation and leave the camera at home so we don't lose it? It is absolutely the best gift I ever bought her! I can't name another gift that she has used more and it is also something that we talk about and use together often. I promised her little brother that next year he will get the same camera even though he will only be 5. These kids can handle it. If you are really worried about them dropping it - teach them they always have to have the strap around their neck or hand. Making sure the strap is long enough to be around their neck. I attached one of those plastic, spiral key chain wrist bands to the camera strap. She thinks it is cool and since it is so flexible it is more comfortable on her wrist. The bright colors they come in also remind her to put it on and help us to keep an eye on it when put down. Hope this helps someone. Read the reviews on Consumer Reports, Amazon and so on. The ones made specifically for kids - produce photos that kids won't even like. :)

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