What is the best "starter" digital camera for a five year old?
April 12, 2006 7:55 AM   Subscribe

What is the best "starter" digital camera for a five year old?

You can probably guess the criteria here, rugged, easy to use, resolution and image quality not so important. Should probably also be inexpensive under $100 if possible.
posted by jeremias to Technology (9 answers total)
 
The "FunkyCam"!
posted by bshort at 7:56 AM on April 12, 2006


Why not post a Craigslist ad stating budget and its intended purpose? I'm sure plenty of people would sell you their old digicam for cheap if they knew a joyful five-year-old would be its new master. No sense buying new for your less discriminating customer.
posted by deadfather at 8:15 AM on April 12, 2006


A used one. Used digital cameras are cheap, cheap, cheap and if it breaks you just get another one. Another option is a hacked disposable digital camera.
posted by caddis at 8:20 AM on April 12, 2006


Is ebay the best place to get a used digital camera, or are there more appropriate venues?

While I'm not a 5 year old, after a few beers I certainly can act like one with a digital camera. I'd like to find a used camera with the same criteria
posted by ZackTM at 9:10 AM on April 12, 2006


I agree with the used camera route. My almost 5 year old has an old Kodak DC210 and knows his way around the controls quite well.
posted by Lucinda at 9:47 AM on April 12, 2006


we gave our 7 year old nephew our old digital camera (1st out of 3 digital cameras we've owned -- 2nd is still a backup camera) which was super high tech at the time (7 or 8 years ago?) and big and clunky... since it's bigger and has bigger controls, it's easier for him to manipulate.
it's got a lot of settings and junk on it, but he could care less - we just set it on auto and go..
he's SUPER thrilled that he can take pictures and view them immediately. And he can save special ones off to the computer, if he so chooses.
I highly recommend a used one that has a point and click (auto) capability. I'm sure you should be able to find something cheap on e-bay/craigslist/whatever.
posted by j at 10:45 AM on April 12, 2006


Maybe start with something cheap and simple; this thread has some good links.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 11:01 AM on April 12, 2006


It might be nice if the camera has better than passable quality, if there's any chance the child will look at the photos when it's no longer five. If I were in your position, I'd probably pick a Canon, something from the 'S' line. The Olympus C-211 might also be worth considering: a 5-year old might have a lot of fun with its integrated polaroid.
posted by unmake at 5:47 AM on April 13, 2006


I picked up an old used 1.5 megapixel Sony at my friendly local camera store. It was on consignment for $60, but I walked out of there with it for $50 + free (small) memory stick.

Our five year old (and my wallet) couldn't be happier.
posted by rabble at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2006


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