What would be a suitable, easy to use camera for my grandmother?

Question

My grandmother has an old camera that uses film and can't even zoom properly. She visits my aunts and uncles often and takes numerous pictures all the time. I want her to have a better camera, but something that she can understand and that is easy to use with simple instructions.

Answer 1

That depends on how technology-savvy she is. Does she have a computer and know how to use it, at least the Word and e-mail functions? Then she's probably ready for a digital, but be aware that new technology can be challenging.

I gave someone in a similar situation his first digital camera, a simple point-and-shoot with its own computer-free printer dock. (OK, it was a close family member and Christmas, I don't throw my money around that easily). It was a Kodak Easy Share, from the "C" series. This was great, because like your grandmother, he mostly took family photos and wanted to share them and print them easily. He wasn't trying for great artistic effects, just nice clear snapshots. That way he could get hard copies, and as he became more comfortable with the computer, he learned how to send by e-mail. New cameras in that series have come out since then.

BTW, if your grandmother needs glasses for reading (it happens, I know all too well!) it should have a large screen, simple graphics with large print, and the controls should be clearly marked. The Kodak (it was the simplest in the line at that time) was pretty good on that score.

And no, I don't work for Kodak ........

Answer 2

You might try a Fugifilm FinePix A500 Try BEST Buy for about $120 I don't know if you want to go that high. Maybe Adorama, B & H Photo, or Beach Camera on the internet. Look at Website
dpreview.com Hope I helped a little.

Answer 3

Then forget zoom or any of that feature, unless you can get her to understand it. You want one of those idiotproof cameras, press and go. I have an Olympus Stylus, I think, and it works well enough for me.