Camera for the kiddo

I probably should know what to get my kiddo since I worked in a camera shop for half a year selling cameras lol..but i'm kinda stuck on what to get. My daughter is 4 and already is showing a love for photography. We tried those silly kids cameras, and they just don't cut it. She uses our tablet and cell phones all the time to take pics with, but its time she gets her own P&S. Any recommendations for an inexpensive but decent quality camera I can get her? It needs to be as basic as possible for her to use.. Doesn't have to be tiny either since she has small hands but needs something to grip onto as well.

No question - Nikon S30!

http://www.nikonusa.co​m …as/26317/COOLPI​X-S30.html

Cheap, Durable, waterproof, simple to use with kid-friendly features and design. You can get then new for $80 or refurbs for closer to $50. The non-extending zoom is a MUST for a kid camera. One drop with a regular zoom extended and it's all over.

Refurb at adorama $53: http://www.adorama.com​/INKCPS30WR.html

tkbslc wrote in post #15491537
No question - Nikon S30!

http://www.nikonusa.co​m …as/26317/COOLPI​X-S30.html

Cheap, Durable, waterproof, simple to use with kid-friendly features and design. You can get then new for $80 or refurbs for closer to $50. The non-extending zoom is a MUST for a kid camera. One drop with a regular zoom extended and it's all over.

Refurb at adorama $53: http://www.adorama.com​/INKCPS30WR.html

Didn't even think about the waterproof part.. it will have to be pretty tolerable of falls and water lol.. It will be her little camera for Yellowstone in June.

I got a little Nikon P&S for my oldest boy when he was 4. $50 at BH used dept. figured I couldn't go wrong and I was partially right. That camera doesn't do movies. A few months later I got my wife a new Panasonic P&S that was much better but almost $400. She's used it only a couple of times cause the boys have "borrowed" it to shoot video and photo.
My oldest (7) has recently started coming with me when I shoot aircraft. He has tried the Panasonic but unfortunately (for me) is started to recognize the differences in quality with my big cameras.
I am looking at getting him a used Canon Power Shot SX30 IS. They're about $200 at BH. It's optical zoom goes from 24mm to 840mm and its stabilized which should help a bit. It's a bigger body so as he grows it won't feel like a toy. He's definitely got the bug so I figure a better camera may hold his interest longer.

One thing I noticed with my boys is even wearing the wrist strap on the P&S cams, they tend to bang them around a lot. And when they've tripped or fallen, the camera hits the ground. Hoping the neck strap option will be a bit different

I am thinking about the same thing. My daughter is turning 4 in a couple weeks. She always wants to use my 5D3 when I have it out. We got her one of the cheap plastic cameras with the 1.3 MP camera, but those are hardly even toys. She even says it doesn't take good pictures. She really seems to enjoy it and I think I am going to get her something for her birthday. I'm thinking in the $75-100 range. I will check out that Nikon. Looks very simple and durable. Though I've never had anything but a Canon, so it's a tough pill to swallow! lol

If they are anything like my grand kids than a camera without a retracting lens would be in order, several are available. Look for something with an internal lens, Nikon, Pentax have some.

Hans

I ended up grabbing (2 actually) A3400 Canon's. They were on Amazon for $70 and with at $10 Squaretrade warranty they are good for 2 years. These will not be "regular" toys. I will put them somewhere safe and let them play with them when they ask. "Them" being my daughter who will be 4 when I give it to her and her 2 1/2 year old sister. You can't give one something without the other. Ugh.