Christmas Camera, Under $100US ??

[distant.star]

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I hope someone here knows something about cheap P&S cameras.

I have a five-year-old niece. For our Thanksgiving dinner day, I gave her a Kodak disposable camera to take pictures. Once she stopped taking pictures of her finger, she did well. She actually took a couple of good pictures. So, I've been thinking about giving her a cheap digital P&S for Christmas, but I don't know much about those cameras.

Canon and Nikon seem to have comparable items around $79, but that's the extent of my "shopping."

Does anyone know how durable these things are -- would they hold up well in the hands of a young child? I do know Canon has a problem with zoom lens sticking in some of their low end cameras. That seems to be triggered by foreign objects getting between the lens segments. I know that won't work with a child.

Her mother is computer competent so she could upload for her so she can display.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[crasher8]

Lego Camera, make it fun and interesting for her.

[brad-man]

You may want to choose a camera with a fixed lens

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Generally, the cheap cameras are not durable unless they were designed for kids.  You might be unhappy if you get a ordinary zoom lens model with a exposed lens, one good drop and its toast.
I'd check out the waterproof models, they tend to be rugged. 

[RLPhoto]

Canon d30

[distant.star]

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Thanks, folks.

The Lego camera looked good at first, but reviews are awful. Basically, it's just some lego-looking plastic around a 2005 cell phone camera. She would see right through that.

I immediately thought of the waterproof, ruggedized models, but they're all well over $200.

The fixed lens is a great suggestion, but I don't see any at this level.

Right now a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W620 looks like it may be leading the pack ($98 at Amazon).

Anyway, I'll keep looking. Still 22 big shopping days until Christmas!

[bycostello]

lomo?

[LSV]

Current deals:
 
Canon PowerShot SX150 14MP 12X Optical Zoom Digital Camera (RED) for $99.99 Free Shipping at Target.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS 16MP 5X Optical Zoom Digital Camera for a low $119.99 after coupon code: "TURKEY10". $5-$6 Shipping at JR.com

[brianboru]

The "Kodak EasyShare Sport C123 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera" is $89 at Amazon if you want something a bit tougher ... and a company a bit more bankrupt.

The Waterproof "Nikon Coolpix S30" is $74 at B&H and Amazon.  (The B&H reviews have one happy mother of a five year-old photographer.)

[distant.star]

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Thanks, folks. I appreciate the help -- very useful.

[Ryan708]

So what did you end up with? hows she like it?