Recommendations Needed

Okay, my youngest daughter informed me I would be a grandfather this summer. I want to get her and her hubby a digital camera before the baby is born. They are definitely not into cameras, so a point and shoot would be best, though I don't want to get them something that's too limiting. I was going to give them one of my older DSLR's with a couple of lenses, but my daughter told me that there's no way they'd use something like that.

So, I'm looking to you guys to help me figure out what's best for a young couple to capture photos of their first child, yet will be sufficient for a few years. I have an S230 that I like for a pocket size camera, but I want to get them something a little more substantial. Price isn't the important parameter, but picture quality and ease of use are important.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

what a nice gesture....

With young children and the loads of stuff you need to cart with them...having a solid P&S compact camera like the Canon S400 or S500 series may be best. Picture quality from these are also quite good. On the flipside, young kids (after they start to walk) do move quickly and don't like to sit -- these compact cameras lack the high speed burst modes of the more expensive cameras (like the larger G6 and dSLR units). But their larger size may be an issue here...

Well I have an XT but really got started with a G3 (which I still have and use regularly).... The G series are AMAZING p&s cameras with all of the creative modes also. Definately worth looking at. Another plus is that that have a hot shoe if they would ever like to expand a bit more.

P.S. You may have already seen it, but go check out this(G series Gallery) thread and check out Scotts gallery, it's nothing short of stunning. All done with the G series

Well, Grandpa- Here's my 2 cents.
I would probably go with the S2IS. It's a nice point and shoot- nice lens, Image Stablilized, Good video and the flash is a pop's up and that will reduce red eye that the little camera's seem to get. The camera has some nice manual features also. Add all that and you'll get better pictures from them- The camera is not too big and not complicated and they can grow with it. Congrats..

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll be doing my research for a few weeks as there's no rust to make the purchase.

Mark

I know this is hard for people who don't use SLR's, but couldn't you, in the time between now and when the baby comes, show your daughter how to use a really good camera? I know the pictures I take of my 2 younger sons are a billion times better than the ones I took of my older sons when I only had okay P&S equipment. I would say, "Kids, learn the XT and I'll get you one?" Then you'd be guaranteed really great shots and teach them how to put pictures on an album on the net. You'll be so in touch with your grandchild's growth, it will be like you were there.

My son is 22 and I am saving my 10D for him when he decides he has time to play around with the equipment. I will not suffer through bad pictures again!

SuzyView

If they don't want a dSLR, they probably don't want the bulk of a S2 IS or even a G6 (my favorite). I would look at an S80 or A620. No RAW, hotshoe or remote, but many of the manual controls necessary to learn the principles of photography. And they both will take beautiul pictures.

And then there are the non-Canons, but that's another story.

Okay, maybe a DSLR is a little much. I agree lefturn99. But you've got to teach them how to do the internet part. That is so important. Can you tell I am itching to have grandkids already?

SuzyView

Hi Mark. I'd personally keep to something simple - there's already too much to keep track of when you're a new parent. Too many buttons and choices will lead to spoiled shots. An S or A series Canon with a Digic II chip would be neat. Which one depends on whether they're into "tiny" or compact.

I have a Canon s60 and as a point and shoot, it is wonderful.

I 2nd the a 620

G6 from e bay, I think they are discontinued now. If they ever go dslr it shares the CF format and speedlite flashes. Even uses same battery as 20D. Very sharp lens. Fuji F10 gets good reviews and seems to perform well at higher ISO; but I wouldn't buy a compact without a hotshoe. Sony DSC R1 sounds interesting too, good up to ISO 800, but you are up to XT size with these 'prosumers'.

i third the A620.
maybe the S2 IS would be better, since it could catch the fast moving baby/toddler/child/etc​, you know?

My daughter knows how to use an SLR - I taught her class their photography/darkroom classes when she was still in high school. I've given her a film SLR, but she has flat told me that she doesn't want a digital SLR as she says it will be a waste (she's not very technically oriented and only barely tolerates computers). Her husband isn't much better. They're both paramedics, so they're quite good with medical technology, but just don't care much for it in their personal lives.

I had thought about a Digital Elph (I have one for myself), but althought it does a decent job, I wasn't sure it would be the best for a young family.

Thanks for all the advice.

Mark

I don't think that I would go with the ELF - a little too small for my taste and it is too sensitive to movement.