What’s Your Preference?

snappynanny · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:23 PM

I want to give my 5 year old granddaughter a camera for Christmas. There are several "kids" cameras available (e.g. Fisher Price have a model at around $120 I think). are these worth the money, or is she just too young yet? Any comments would be appreciated

kirbinster · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 10:41 PM

I think you or perhaps her parents need to determine if she is mature enough to handle the responsibility of a camera. Will she treat it with respect of throw it or drop it. Is she interested in photography? If you think she can handle the responsibility and has an interest then by all means start her off on this great hobby. Not familiar with "Kids" cameras but I think you would want something that is rugged and easy to use.

Saralonde · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 11:08 PM

I think the FP camera runs around $50. It's built to withhold rough handling, but pictures are somewhat grainy (1.3 mp or 640 x 480 resolution).

inkista · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 12:55 AM

I think it depends on the kid. If she's not interested in photography, then don't worry about a camera. But if she is interested, and loves using the parents' digicams, the picture quality from the Fisher Price is likely to disappoint everybody. Depending on the budget and the five-year-old, another alternative might be something like the Vivitar ViviCam 6200W--it's $150 on Amazon, it's waterproof, has a rugged rubberized case, and it's got a 6MP sensor. Dunno if it can take abuse like the Fisher-Price, but it's a bit hardier than your typical digicam and the picture quality will be like a real camera, not a toy.

NaturesPixel · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 01:20 AM

my 2 year old loves using my Nikon D80, he takes self portraits...lol

i would love to get him a Fisher Price camera $70 Canadian, but hes just turning 3 in march sooo... ill wait...

if you think your granddaughter can look after this camera.. ie not throw it then i cant see why not specially if she is very interested it cant hurt to encourage this hobby talk to Mum and dad see what they say?

klew · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 05:05 AM

I might recommend an older Canon Digital Elph, one of the earlier generations that are small and very boxy (not the newer, rounder shapes). It could fit in a kid-size pocket and is very hardy to withstand kid-height drops (because of its compactness). You should also be able to find silicone cases for added protection. If it has a plastic housing, it will inevitably get cracked. Maybe look on ebay or craiglist for cheap, used, and older cameras. I too would recommend avoiding the Fisher-Price, as they may quickly want to shed its "for kids" appearance, and want an upgrade.

snappynanny · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 09:11 PM

Thanks for these responses: it has clarified a few things for me. Yes, she is interested in photography, but i am not sure how mature she would be with regards to taking care (including cleaning)of a camera. Hence my thought of the FP model. (my price was in Aussie dollars, BTW) Quite like the suggestion of an older, sturdier model.
Thanks again. Christine

jjohnsen · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 10:47 PM

I'd suggest a used camera off Ebay instead of the children's cameras made by various toy companies. When I was researching the same thing six months ago they had pretty poor reviews across the board. Basically to get good shot you had to be in direct sunlight and the child had to hold the camera perfectly still. We ended up getting a Fujifilm 2600 for $15 off ebay. It was 2.1 megapixels, and the cheap price meant if our five-year-old dropped it we wouldn't be freaking out.

Nathan deGargoyle · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:09 PM

You can get a cheap point&shoot for less than the $120 quoted for the Fisher-Price. Teach her composition and "zooming with your feet" first then you can treat her to more features in easy stages (easy on your pocket-book as well!)

kelly · #10 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:48 PM

This thread was (and is) very helpful to me because my 11 and 10 yr old love photography and love to go with me when i go on picture taking adventures! They so want to take pictures with my camera but I have to say no (I can't afford an accident) So hubby and I were thinking about getting them their own for christmas. Nothing expensive but decent enough. They have their own computers so they can "mess" with their pictures as I like to call it! (they are always asking to play with my pictures!) My hope is that they learn photoshop backwards and forwards and then they can teach me!! hehehe