First camera for a six year old

[Skyedriver]

Hi
looking for a first camera for number one son.
Needs to be robust, easy to use, have playback on the camera as well as download to pc
Would rather avoid the TV character type as although they would probably pleae him initially, I'm sure he'd soon get bored of the character and I guess you are paying for that rather than a decent photograph.
limited budget...........

Any suggestions

[McMacro]

Canon 40D? If my 2yo son can use it, a 6yo will have no problems (damn, he even shoots raw on manual ). Pretty solid too!

[LongQ]

Easy.

Just buy him one of these for his iPhone.

http://store.petapixel.com/products/Leica-Look%252...

[Simpo Two]

Reminds me of one from last year, one blazing hot day in Kent:

[McMacro]

My son is convinced the 40d screen is broken. He tries to slide the photos with his fingers on the screen (as per the iPad). Kids nowadays

[AMLK]

For christmas last year we gave our daughter (just turned 6yrs) our old panasonic lumix (TZ3). She has found it very easy to use, and has got some stunning shots on - in fact I am quite jealous of some of the photos she has taken!! The fact that under the scene options, she can set to whatever is appropriate to get a good photo.

Here is some examples of her pictures:

[Dogsey]

McMacro said:

Canon 40D? If my 2yo son can use it, a 6yo will have no problems (damn, he even shoots raw on manual ). Pretty solid too!

My 7yo girl loves using mine, although she does struggle with the Sigma 100-300 EX f4.

One of the first things I taught her was to always put the strap around her neck "just in case". Teach them respect for the equipment and they'll be fine with anything.

[EdR]

Have a look at the vtech kidizoom cameras - not exactly going to rival a 5D mkii for low light performance, but ticks most of the boxes for a 6yr old! Very robust, a few fun bits, like being able to superimpose hats / funny faces over pictures, takes videos, and some basic games to keep them busy. The one my 6yr old has came with a case that he very proudly takes with him when I take my camera bag.

The picture quality doesn't begin to rival any half decent camera I've used - a basic compact camera is likely to do a better job, but is good enough for them to be able to enjoy the pictures they've taken (6 year olds don't seem that bothered about pixel-peeping!!)

[XKjimmy]

How about something like this, £53 online, waterproof to 3m and would be great for him to take around with him, would survive rain too.


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5...hotography+%2F+digital+cameras+%2F+compact+digital+cameras+%2F

A bit more money, but there is also this from Olympus

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.213-6939.aspx?utm_sour...

Edited, not sure why there is a smiley in the link to Argos..

Edited by XKjimmy on Thursday 1st December 18:08

Edited by XKjimmy on Thursday 1st December 18:10

[LongQ]

Just a thought - and to follow up on a couple of prior comments.

If you have a number one son I presume you also have a number two son.

The chances are that at some point number two will attempt to annex number one's camera. Plus, kids being kids, if using things un-monitored I would imagine that there is a good chance that the device may get some abuse through sudden changes of focus of attention. Quite natural of course.

So one might consider either something cheap and aimed at kids or something robust and aimed at beaches, snorkelling, rock climbing and so on - the kind of activities that would test a product's credentials for suitability by very young users especially in those occasional 'group' environments where normal control can be lost momentarily.

Edited by LongQ on Thursday 1st December 22:50

[cirks]

start with something basic then by the time he's 8, he'll be doing this:


We've had a few different cameras for the kids. One thing you should definately do is get something with a proper battery (ie not AAs etc) unless you don't mind constantly changing/recharging. Young kids take lots and lots of pictures. We've currently got a Panasonic DSC-FS7 which we use quite a lot too. My son's (which he's had for a couple of years but doesn't follow the my comment about batteries above) is a Samsung S760.
However, if I were you, depending on budget, I'd get a 2nd hand Ixus or similar. Our ancient (!) Ixus400 (4MB) still takes good shots and it's absolutely fine for the kids.

[Skyedriver]

LongQ said:

Just a thought - and to follow up on a couple of prior comments.

If you have a number one son I presume you also have a number two son.

Edited by LongQ on Thursday 1st December 22:50

Jeez No, ones enough

[Skyedriver]

Thanks for all the suggestions,
He's used my Fuji SLR (I have two identical ones) with some success and Grandads pocket Canon I believe too.
We were thinking more down the line of a pocket size one but two things worry me, they are expensive compared to my second Fuji that I bought of flea bay for £70 and probably not as good and two, will a small camera just get lost somewhere.
Want one that'll last rather than be too babyish or not "clever" enough after a couple of years, having said that a simple point and press would probably suit Mammy better.......

[cirks]

a small camera shouldn't get lost (make sure you have a neck strap!).
I doubt a six year old will need a camera that they can 'grow in to' - by the time they do, you'll want to replace it with a more up to date camera anyway. If you are concerned about functionality etc, then my suggestion of a 2nd hand decent compact makes an awful lot of sense. That way they get the decent camera without you needing to spend a lot

[furtive]

How about one of these:

http://shop.kodak.co.uk/store/ekconseu/en_GB/pd/SP...

Waterproof and rugged which could be handy for a young-un. And no sticky-out zoom to break or go wrong

[Skyedriver]

Thanks everyone
Ended up with a Canon A800 @ £69 inc a card & case from Argos

[McMacro]

Skyedriver said:

Thanks everyone
Ended up with a Canon A800 @ £69 inc a card & case from Argos

You listened to our advice then

[wendyg]

May I recommend for a 6 year old something like this

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/320747439295?var=lv...

Plenty of alternatives available. Got compact cameras for my 2 last year (now 6 and 8) and they love them. This cover really helped though.