Shopping tips: Buying a digital camera for a child

If it's time to buy a digital camera for the child in your life, what type should you buy and how much should you spend? While you can find digital cameras for as little as $20 to $60, those are often built more like toys than serious cameras. Fortunately, there are a number of good, modestly priced cameras out there. Here are some tips for buying one for a child between the ages of 8 and 12:

• Choose a compact. This is the best type for a beginner, because the controls are usually large enough for a child to operate. All the compacts in our digital camera Ratings (available to subscribers) can shoot in Auto mode—which is important for a child—and have a built-in flash. Nearly all have face detection and image stabilization, both of which can help improve your child's photos. The best compacts had excellent or very good image quality; the rest had good quality. I suggest a price range between $100 and $150. For example, the Canon PowerShot A470, which had good image quality, is a good choice at $110.


• Consider last year's models or refurbs. Although we include only new models in our Ratings of digital cameras, you should be able to find some great deals on discontinued ones. Try searching eBay or other auction sites. For example, I recently found a 7-megapixel Canon PowerShot A620 compact, which we top rated in 2006 at $220, on sale for $90 to $100. Or look for a refurbished model, which has been returned to a retailer or manufacturer and supposedly restored to good-as-new condition, and re-sold at bargain prices. For more on refurbished goods, see our previous blog entry, "Refurbished electronics: A bargain shopper's guide."

• AAs are OK. I'd buy a point-and-shoot that takes AA batteries instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion because it avoids the need to recharge and keeps children away from electrical outlets. AAs are also convenient because you can easily buy them in a pinch.


• Consider zoom. Most compacts have a 3x optical zoom. If you can, find one with wide-angle capability, which will give your child another compositional tool. But disregard digital zoom, which usually degrades image quality.


• Try them out. To find a model that's easy to use and carry, have your child try out various models in a store. Notice which models they're comfortable holding and whether he or she understands the user interface or menus. Many cameras come in different colors and shapes; some may better suit your child than others.


• LCDs...don't go for broke. Most new cameras have at least a 2 1/2-inch LCD, which is pretty big. So, avoid paying extra for very large LCDs or touchscreen LCDs. Larger displays can be easier to scratch or even break than smaller ones.


• Toughen up. If you can afford it, consider a rugged camera. Olympus's SW series of cameras are waterproof and sturdy.


• Get a Grip. Some larger cameras are designed so you can more easily grip the camera. This feature can help a child stabilize the camera and avoid blurry shots.

After you buy a camera, here are some ways to help your child further pursue their interest in photography:

• Find out what he or she wants to photograph. Then, research ideas and projects online. For example, Adobe and HP have compiled some great ideas for projects. More thoughts can be found from other online parents, such as these Getting Your Kids to Click with Photography ideas from a pro photographer (and mother) on the PBS Parents website.


• Once you get the camera, read through the manual. Familiarize yourself with the camera's capabilities and features. Be sure you know how to operate the camera, so you can answer your child's questions. A number of point-and-shoots include panorama scene modes to capture landscapes or large groups; it's a good idea to familiarize yourself in the store with how this feature works. Most brands let you download PDF-file versions of manuals (plus many other useful tips and tutorials) from their websites. Bookmark the product website of the camera you buy, so you can easily get help in the future.


• Sign up your child (and yourself) for a camera class or workshop.


• Have fun!

—Terry Sullivan

Comments

[John]

Olympus has released information that the "SW" models are getting a new name in January '09. The name will change from 'SW" to "Tough" so they can be easier identified by potential buyers.

[Peter]

I was looking for a camera for my 6 year old daughter because when she used my camera in the past she took some wonderful photos and at ~4ft tall she has a very different perspective of the world. I look at all of the children's cameras in the sub $100 range and was anything but excited. Not only is the quality on these cameras abysmal but the reviews on various sites indicated that they were not very robust. I did not want to give her a camera that she'd break in a week and I was hoping to give her something that could take worth while pictures.

What I ended up purchasing was an Olympus Stylus SW series camera. For those not familiar, the SW line, soon to be renamed Tough, are shock, freeze and waterproof Point-and-shoot cameras that are intended for adults. The camera was pricey (e.g. ~$220) but I have found it to be very well suited for a child. They come in flash colors like orange, red, lime green and blue. They have automatic modes that manage everything for you but also have manual modes to allow the child to explorer the camera. What particularly impressed me about the camera was a manual mode that gave simple explanations of each feature and a visual example if applicable (e.g. The Sepia option showed side-by-side live views of what the camera was seeing normally and with sepia enabled), it is like having the manual built into the camera.

I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase. The camera takes very nice photos, as she grows she'll be able to explore it's features so it'll grow with her, it's waterproof so we can take it to the pool, I don't have to supervise her use since there's little chance she'll break it, and it makes her feel special because she's been given a real camera and not some cheap plastic crap.

[Alene]

If a child is old enough to own a digital camera of his/her own, they are certainly old enough to know how to plug in a charger and be responsible for the batteries!
I agree that AA batteries are fine, but remember that they too are available in rechargable form and for the sake of finances and the environment, those would be preferable!
But those have to be recharged also and usually the charger is NOT included with the camera. It would be a separate purchase, unlike lithium batteries which are packed with the camera, with the charger included in the price.