suitable digital camera for daughter - any suggestions??

Question

Can anyone recommend a digital camera that would be a good first camera for my eight year old - this is all she wants for Christmas and I could do with a few suggestions. I need something that is relatively simple to use and gives good quality photos.

- we have previously had a Bratz camera but this was useless - far too small and the photo quality was terrible.

- something a little girly would be preferable, although it's not absolutely necessary

Thankyou!!

Thanks so much for all your recommendations - I really appreciate the time taken to help out - difficult to choose a best answer so I'll leave it to a vote :)

Answer 1

argos sell a digital camera for about £30 wich would be perfect for an 8 yr old.

Vivitar v31055
cat no 560/5651

Answer 2

I have the Kodak P850. Its a 5 megapixel with a 12 op zoom. Its considered a bridge camera. A bridge between the regular camera and the high end digital SLR. The 850 has some features that will let you use it like an SLR. I love mine! I have gotten a 20x30 print from the camera that is great! The scene modes are wonderful! I can edit and not see pixels. On a recent trip to the Cincinnati zoo I got fantastic shots,,,,,,also to the Khron Conservatory,,,,,,,,,,I got butterfly shots! The colors are bright, clear and I had no problems with the camera doing what my SLR does! I can also give the Kodak website a thuimbs up,,they help and give tips on a regular basis since I registered my camera there. JD Powers and Associates gave Kodak an award for their cameras! I think this one on rollbaack at Wal-Mart for 298.00 is a good buy!

Answer 3

Have you checked out the HP Photosmart R717? It's considered one of the better affordable cameras on the market, but if you're looking to replace a Bratz camera it might still be a bit pricey for you. A couple good ones in your price range would be the HP Photosmart R717 and the Kodak EasyShare C743. Saw a review of it and some comparisons here... http://www.thedigitalbeat.com/cameras.html . The site also has a cool test which will ask you some questions about what you're looking for in a camera and suggest the right camera to meet your needs. Good luck!

Answer 4

Many good suggestions here but from personal experience with my 8 year old granddaughter, the Kodak Easyshare cameras are great. Not too small, not too large, not too complex. I gave her a Z730 camera when she was 7 and she just loves it. Knows how to use the controls, compose the picture, etc. This year I am buying her a printer so we don't have to trapse to the photo store all the time.

Another reason I like the Kodak is it has a slightly enlarged grip on the side, making it easier to hold and has both a LCD and optical viewer. Optical viewers are quicker to use. Some of the newer Nikons no longer have the optical viewer. Guess it is easier and cheaper to make a camera without it.

Norm

Answer 5

You may as well get a decent camera for cheap instead of a piece of junk for the same money.

I'd get a Canon Powershot A430. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html mentions this in the "entry level" recommendations and you can go their to read the review and see why.

Also see http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a430.asp and click on "Read Owner Opinions."

Don't forget to buy a memory card, because the one that comes with the camera is tiny and won't hold very many pictures. Ask for help at the store and buy a 512 MB card. Lexar and Sandisk are the best brands, but there are many others that will probably be just fine for you.

If you do not want to use rechargeable batteries, get Energizer e2 LITHIUM batteries or the Duracell equivalent. They are the best.

Answer 6

Depends upon how much you want to spend. However, if you wanna spend about £200 you cannot get better than the Olympus Mju 720SW. It comes in girly pink (along with manly blue, and metro silver), is waterproof to 3metres, and shockproof (being able to withstand drops of 1.5metres). It's 7.1 megapixels produces real quality photos, has loads of lovely features, but essentially is easy to use.
I bought one for my wife, as she's a bit accident prone, and so far has spilled lemonade on it (for which the treament was running it under the cold tap - problem solved), has dropped it on the floor several times (there isn't even a scratch), and even accidentally dropped in the toilet (solution same as the first, although with a little disinfectant!). It really is amazing - so durable, so tough, so functonal, so get one!

Answer 7

You don't mention what your budget is, so I will make a blanket recommendation.

Stay with one of the camera manufacturers, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Kodak or Fuji. They all have nice cameras in every price range. Go to www.dpreview or www.stevesdigicams to see the features and reviews for many cameras

I would try to look at some in person. Pick them up and play. Does it feel flimsy? Does it take forever to focus and take a shot? That will be frustrating for a kid (or adult, for that matter!)
Optical zoom is fine, ignore digital zoom (useless and degrades image quality)

I would look really hard at the Canons and Kodaks. I am a photo lab manager, and many of my customers use and enjoy those. You might find one (especially the Kodak) bundled with a 4x6 printer so your daughter can make her own prints.

Answer 8

Are you in the UK?

I got a couple of digital cameras from Tescos last year just before Xmas when they stock hundreds of them for really good price. In fact if you can hang on the prices seemed to go down the week before Xmas.

Answer 9

I bought this one for my niece last summer. It was easy to use, really easy to connect and transfer photos to and from on a computer. It comes with Kodak easy-share software. And better yet it cost only $70. Check it out: (http://wize.com/digital-cameras/reviews/kodak-easyshare-c433-digital-camera)

I wouldn't suggest going any lower on the price, as really cheap digitals tend to not last all that long. Good Luck!

Answer 10

try the Kodak easy share they are simple to use and there is some good prices around at the moment . Just bought my daughter one for Xmas also Argos is doing a 3 replacement cover for a extra few pounds .This could be handy if something happens to it.

Answer 11

Best Buy has a Hello Kitty camera that is 3 megapixels which is decent for everyday 4x6 pictures. It's girly (pink), easy to use, and decent quality. Its about $100