Buying a camera for parents... need an easy to use one.

[Jenny B]

Hi All:

I bought my first digital camera in June and I am very happy with it (Nikon 7900)

My task for Christmas is to get one for my Dad (61) and his wife (53). They both wear glasses and they do not have a computer.. (Just some background)

Looking for an easy to use, will only use auto-mode I assume - and easy to see.

Budget
Up to 400 total (with extra battery and SD card)

Size
small (I don't think compact will provide me with easy to use and see)

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
4+

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Noe

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
8

Do you care for manual controls?
NO

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
pictures of the grandkids and pets

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
no

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
no

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
perhaps

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
like Nikon and Cannon -

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

Nikon Coolpix L1

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
NO

Thank you

[timmciglobal]

The nikon speed was very disapointing for me, especially when I tried L1 IRL. The flash blacked out the screen for quite some time after shot and the camera felt slow.

Consider any of the kodaks? They are very easy to use. I bought one for my mom. I don't personally find kodak pictures to be that great but alot of consumers like the kodak color they have (high contrast, high saturation prints.

You could also get an entire kodak kit for alot cheaper then most of the other manufacturers.

Tim