Digital Camera for my 60-something parents?

[mk0303]

Looking to get a camera for my parents for Christmas. My mom needs something simple; dad slightly more technical, but nothing too advanced.

Criteria:

At least 3" LCD - this is important. They can't see smaller screens
Medium sized - they have trouble with anything too small. Definitely no subcompacts, and compact is questionable; definitely would need the larger side of compact is better.
Under $350
MegaPixels - 7 or greater
Zoom: Standard or better
Image Quality importance: 8 on scale of 1-10
Manual controls: Need to at least be able to turn flash on/off
Usage: Photos of family, friends, cats, occasional vacations. Needs to be good indoors and outdoors
Will not be making big prints
Brand not important, but should be one we've heard of.
Would be great to get one compatible with an easy to use photo printer as well.

Thank you!

[mk0303]

Forgot to mention; must have a viewfinder.
Thanks!

[speaklightly]

mk-

Take a look at the Kodak Z-1012 camera. It might work rather nicely for your parents. I am 73 and I find it a very easy and convenient camera to use.

Sarah Joyce

[speaklightly]

mk-

Here is also a photo sample from the kodak Z-1012 as well.

Sarah Joyce

[tizeye]

I was recently helping my sister shop for our 78 y/o mother totake on her cruise. In her case, simple is better. A strong contender at half your price limit is the Canon 590is. The major benefit is that it appears to be the last to use Canons older "A" body style with a solid grip, as the A1000 and A2000 now thave the sleeker rounded grip. It uses AA batteries so if the rechargables are dead from sitting unused for months, use alkaline in a pinch while recharging. Also, has an image stabalization lens.

On the higher end, closer to your pricepoint, perhaps one of the Nikon "P" Series, Panasonic "FZ" series, or Sony H10

[speaklightly]

tizeye-

I certainly do agree with you about the Canon A-590. It is indeed the last and probably the best of the 4X optical zoom A series cameras. They are no longer manufacturing the A-590 IS. So all that is left is what remain on the dealer's shelves. I did not initially mention the A-590 as the OP specified compact and larger is better or something like that. But at about $(US)140.00 the A-590 is a great camera and an excellent choice.

Many thanks for mentioning the A-590. Here is a nice photo taken with an A-590.

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

3" LCD plus viewfinder is a tough combination to find. Try the Sony H50. Ditch the viewfinder, OR the 3" LCD, and you will get into a whole lot more choices.

Kelly Cook

[vanagon40]

Do not mean to hijack this thread, but this is the same thing I am looking for (actually 70-something mother).

Simpler is better. I like the cameras with the "wheel" choices in the upper right corner (more manual choices, less complicated "menu" choices). As with the original post, a 3" (or at least 2.7") LCD screen is important (but I can live without the viewfinder).

Really just looking for a point and shoot that is really easy to use. I would like to stay under $200. If my needs are not compatible with the OP, let me know and I will start a new post.

[KCook]

cameras with the "wheel" choices in the upper right corner (more manual choices, less complicated "menu" choices) As an experienced photographer that is my preference as well. But I think this really does depend on the viewpoint of the user. If the mode wheel has lots of choices, that can intimidate/putoff a novice who just wants the darned thing to take a picture. For the novice, a plus for the menu system is that it will prompt the user with a text label for each choice. Unless the poor camera has been switched to the icon menu mode. I hate icons.

Kelly

[vanagon40]

Does this describe the Canon A-590? I realize the view screen is only 2.5", but this seems to be about what I'm looking for, especially at $110.00. Appears to have a menu "wheel" at the top of the camera.
cameras with the "wheel" choices in the upper right corner (more manual choices, less complicated "menu" choices)

[KCook]

Yes. Though I'm of a different view on that business about menus being complicated. As a general rule you will find the traditional mode wheel on the Canon A-series, Fujifilm, Nikon P-series, Olympus, Samsung, and Sony S&W-series. A "mode" button and menu display on Casio, Nikon S-series, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony T-series. Canon SD-series and Kodak will vary from model to model.

Kelly