Easy to use digital camera recommendations?

Question

I would like some recommendations for digital cameras in the $250-350 range (U.S.) for my mom, who is not very tech savvy and needs some help with her photography skills. The camera must be easy to use (my mom needs help using a remote control, so it must be REALLY easy to use), but does not need lots of bells and whistles. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Normally I do not recommend their cameras but in your case Kodak would likely be your best bet. If there was ever a digital camera that was made for those who are scared of learning anything electronic it is a Kodak.

For the more knowledgeable user, it may be slightly annoying as these cameras tend to walk you through everything and leave out many of the manual settings other companies offer. However, for someone who wants a simply point and shoot, they don't get much more simple.

Plus, users of these camera's tend to love the printer docks that can be bought in a package or as an add-on accessory. They make it easy for someone who doesn't know how to use a computer well to get great quality(waterproof) prints.

Answer 2

I used to work at a Ritz Camera store during my first two years of college. I got hooked on the Pentax Optio W20. Awesome camera. 7 MP, 3 inch screen for easy viewing, and the Class 8 waterproof casing gives it durability that no other camera has, except for your really high end digital SLRs. Pentax also has some of the best picture quality I have ever seen. The camera isn't too small, but it's not too big either. For someone who has never had a digital camera before, the size is perfect. As far as overall ease of use, any camera can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. On the back, there's a button with a green dot. Holding that button down will send the camera into "green mode", which will make the camera make all of the decisions about taking the picture. However, being in the green mode does lock out the other menus, which your mother may or may not be interested in playing with. If that green mode doesn't sound great, the standard program mode is excellent. I use that option all the time. Best of all, it falls right into the middle of your price range at $299.99.

Answer 3

If you want a sleek, small camera that is easy to use and takes good pictures, consider the Canon Powershot SD600.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a630%2Ccanon_a640%2Ccanon_sd600&show=all

With this camera, you will find the memory card is a cute little token of thanks from Canon, but not much more. Buy a 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II or Extreme III card. You will NEED the increased capacity and write speed to fully realize the benefits of your camera.

If you want to trim the budget a little, the Canon Powershot A430, A530 or A540, are all great choices. You will need a decent memory card, though. I'd say get at least 512 MB.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a430%2Ccanon_a530%2Ccanon_a540&show=all

Whatever you do, do not buy a camera that does not have a regular viewfinder that you can look through. Using an LCD monitor all the time goes through batteries so quickly that she will tend not to even use the camera.

Answer 4

Try for something with the approximate dimensions and large shutter button of a disposable camera, which they are used to. A Canon A1200 or A1300 fits this description.

Answer 5

I would recomment you look into a Sony Cyber Shot DCS w-7, it is fast, easy to use, very nice color balance, and it uses rechargeable AA batteries, or any regular AA in a cinch, very usefull.

Answer 6

The Kodak EasyShare would be perfect for her!

Try the Kodak EasyShare C875 or the C530

Answer 7

Sony Cybershot - Base model or Cannon AD Series base model will be best fit..

Do not go for CAnon SD Series..

Answer 8

Go window shopping you learn more about cameras then those recommendations you get here.