Digi Cam for under 10's

[MikeF86]

Hi,

Looking to get my daughter a digital camera for Xmas, any recommendations on something suitable for an under 10? Don't want one of the kiddy type cameras, want something half decent as she will upload straight to her ipad. She is picture mad so i'd think she'd benefit from something she can grow into.

Thanks

[Simpo Two]

Well as no-one else has had a go... and the brief is 'growing room'... do you think an entry-level DLSR would suit?

I don't know about uploading to an iPad, I suppose that means it would need wifi which probably isn't entry level. You could use a cable, not the end of the world. But you can take photos with an iPad anyway...

[S1bs]

When my kids were about that age (about 4 or 5 years ago now), fed up with the overpriced and poor quality 'kiddie zoom' type cameras we bought them these:

https://www.dpreview.com/products/fujifilm/compact...

From Ebay for about £60 or £70 if I remember - shockproof - so they will survive being dropped and also waterproof which means they can take them on holiday around the pool / beach with no worries. Took surprisingly decent photos too.

The current version I think sold for under well under £200 new but it's looks discontinued now. However you might find some old stock or secondhand somewhere.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/fujifilm/compact...

Not sure about being able to transfer images directly but a SD card reader for an Ipad costs peanuts on Amazon and very simple to transfer that way.

Hope this helps.

[Mammasaid]

If she has an iPad, how about an iPod Touch?

Basically an iPhone without the SIM card?

£200 new, or £100 used and she'll be able to use it in minutes.

[MikeF86]

Thanks the responses so far, to clear a couple of things up.

Don't need the camera to upload to ipad, i meant she will upload pics to ipad via SD card reader.

Shes got a 'Kiddizoom' type camera and they are poor. Specifically want a camera and not a device she can take pics on amongst other things (ipod touch).

Thinking something like a Sony cybershot type camera or a 'Bridging' camera?

Mike

[Simpo Two]

MikeF86 said:

Thinking something like a Sony cybershot type camera or a 'Bridging' camera?

Seems reasonable. Why not ask her and see what she thinks?

[ch37]

I bought my 7 year old son one of the old Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, about £30 on MPB (specifically bought him the Panasonic GF3, but there are loads of similar options) along with a cheap prime lens.

He absolutely loves it and takes it everywhere, and it's very cheap to buy him another lens should he get into something specific (like macro, or motorsport!)

[sjg]

The rugged/waterproof stuff (that was popular before GoPros and smartphones took over) like the Nikon Coolpix W150 now seems to be marketed at that sector.

If you think it'll be looked after then some of the point-and-shoot cameras are still around (like the Sony DSC-W800 at £70 now) and do a decent job. Feel a lot more grown up too.

[toohuge]

ch37 said:

I bought my 7 year old son one of the old Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, about £30 on MPB (specifically bought him the Panasonic GF3, but there are loads of similar options) along with a cheap prime lens.

He absolutely loves it and takes it everywhere, and it's very cheap to buy him another lens should he get into something specific (like macro, or motorsport!)

I second this, or one of the older aps-c dslr's, there's loads around from either Nikon or Canon and lots and lots of future lens options, many of which are not very expensive.

I would lean towards a dslr, simply because the battery life is better and there's less chance of it being left behind because the battery is dead / runs out whilst using it.

Furthermore, there's a wealth of guides and information available on youtube for either the canon or nikon eco system.

[ch37]

We did try one of my old DSLRs (Nikon D50 with kit lens) for a while but he was just finding that too big/heavy and a little awkward to get at the controls, just a bit too much for this 7 year old.

The GF3 with 14mm 2.5 is perfect for him as it goes in any old compact camera case, so he can sling it over his shoulder and take it everywhere without even thinking about it.

[sgrimshaw]

MikeF86 said:

Thinking something like a Sony cybershot type camera or a 'Bridging' camera?

You don't mention budget, but you literally can't go wrong with anything from the Sony range.

Some of their compacts are very small, ideal for small hands and as she gets older will fit nicely in a pocket or bag.

Bridge cameras might be a bit big, I'd have thought DSLRs (or even mirrorless) would be too large for a sub 10 yo.

All the big makers have great bridge and compact cameras in their range, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Fuji etc ... difficult I know, but it might be best to drag the lucky girl into Currys or similar on some pretext and just "have a look while we're here" at some cameras ... see which ones catch her eye (hands).

[ch37]

Typical view on a weekend walk since I bought our boy his (taken yesterday)...

Canal Photography by Chris Harrison, on Flickr

I was worried about him only having a prime lens, then I remembered by far the most popular cameras in the world all have prime lenses, and not far off the '28mm' field of view that this 14mm 2.5 lens has on the GF5.

[Craikeybaby]

What did you end up getting OP?

I realise that I am late answering this, but my lads, who are a bit younger, have got Nikon Coolpix S32 rugged compact cameras. I picked them up cheaply on eBay, but they are a step up from the typical kiddy cameras, but are still waterproof and shockproof.


LRCX4888 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

[cgx]

I'm wondering as well! Looking to buy my 9 year old her first camera (after a kideezoom). Considering the cheap Sony ones (WCX80 I think). The canon ixus 185 looks fine and top of my price range (about £120) but not in stock anywhere so still looking ...

[Wonderman]

cgx said:

I'm wondering as well! Looking to buy my 9 year old her first camera (after a kideezoom). Considering the cheap Sony ones (WCX80 I think). The canon ixus 185 looks fine and top of my price range (about £120) but not in stock anywhere so still looking ...

How about A grade condition one?
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=sdigcanixu1...

[Wonderman]

cgx said:

I'm wondering as well! Looking to buy my 9 year old her first camera (after a kideezoom). Considering the cheap Sony ones (WCX80 I think). The canon ixus 185 looks fine and top of my price range (about £120) but not in stock anywhere so still looking ...

Or make the 120 go further
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/canon-powershot-sx62...