Children's camera for a 6yr old?

[kormanmc]

My nephew's 6th bday is coming up later this month. He's very interested in photography and my mother has decided to buy him his first digicam. I think it's a bit silly to be buying a digital for a 6yr old, but the child has every conceivable toy, and as a result, his parents have decreed no more toys made of plastic!

Since it's likely the cam will take a beating, she's looking to spend less than $200 for the cam plus a memory card. I don't know if this is possible, but wanted to know if anyone has any ideas? We'd ideally like to find a very simple P&S that's extremely user-friendly and basic.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, mc

[bascom]

I think it's silly to be buying a digital for a 6yr old, also. Circuit City has many for Under $150. How about the Aiptek on sale for $60?

[gafftape]

First off, you aren't going to get a "great" camera for this kid. So set you sights lower than this board and you'll find some interesting options. My local Electronic Superstore has some little 1-2 megapixel digicams hanging on a rack off to the side from the big display counter. Pick one in your price range that hopefully has a decent brand name attached to it.

OR

Check out the toy stores, There are cameras made for and marketed directly to kids these days. Here's one from Toys R Us' website, it's not that much better than a camera phone but it's also only $70 and designed for kids.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2327085&cp=2255956.2273442.2255964.2256691&parentPage=family

[kimnicho]

What about this fuji for $99 ?

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4024822

[gafftape]

A follow up to the toy store approach above... I happened to be shopping for a birthday gift for my son so I've been to several toy departments today. I've seen at least a dozen digicams designed specificly for kids. With prices from $20-$100. I think every one I saw only had built in memory so pictures are downloaded via USB. Most have a small view screen. I saw one as high as three megapixels, but most are around 1 megapixel. Some of them are designed with big buttons and handles so they are easier for younger kids to hold and use.

[Vich]

Why not get a used nicer digicam? Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-Cyber-Shot-DSC-S60-4-1MP-Digital-Camera-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ330005743745QQihZ014QQcategoryZ30017Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)a Sony S60 on EBAY with a buy-it-now of $110.

I have found made-for-kids stuff to be real junk. A nice camera like this could teach them respect. It may get broken in the first month, but if the kid seems capable of learning to treat something nice, it may be much more rewarding and be surprised that it's still working in a year.

If you can find a camera with a protective casing that will surely extend it's life.

[mcenut]

I agree with Vich's comments above. Purchase a used older digital camera in the 1 to 2 mega pixel range. The cameras stores sell for kids are junk.

I wouldn't spend $200 on a camera for a 6 year old, I have one I know, they are hard on things and one good drop and the camera is a paper weight.

I've been shopping eBay for a few weeks now to pickup a used one for my second daughter's 6th birthday coming up next month. I'm not crazy enough to pay the price some of these idiots on eBay are spending for an old camera, not when I can get a brand new Canon A series for $130. The brands I have looked at are Olympus, Sony and Canon.

Good luck on your search and let us know what you get your nephew.