Recommendation for a 9 year old?

My oldest son is going to be turning 9 next week and he has a strong interest in making his own videos so we think we'd like to get him his own video camera.

I know nothing about this area and wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want anything too terribly expensive as this is just an intro thing.

What would you recommend for this age?

Thanks!

Look here:http://gopro.com …Ia6xpLBpbcCFWbh​QgodMREAHw
2 or 3?

When I was about 9, I used my allowance to buy a old 8mm camera from a thrift store. It came with three rolls of film and my friends and I shot horror scenes with it. That purchase might have led to a great directing career except for the fact that I never amassed enough money to develop those three rolls of film.

A GoPro could be a good option if he's into sports but if he's more into the film-making thing, I would look at a Panasonic camcorder or a inexpensive DSLR (T2i) w/kit zoom and bundle it with Adobe Premiere Elements. Personally, I'd buy a 9 year old used stuff.

Bob

I say go the point n shoot route until he has enough experience to work his way up to a HDSLR.
Most Canon Powershots record 1080p and have fully adjustable manual settings.

Here's just a couple that I browsed for on B&H.

Canon Powershot SX280 - $330
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …hot_sx280_hs_di​gital.html

Canon Powershot S110 - $400
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_S110_Digital_C​amera.html

Canon Powershot ELPH 110 - $145
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …owerShot_ELPH_1​10_HS.html


If you're looking to go the camcorder route here's a few that might be within an affordable budget for a 9 year old.

DXG 1080p 3D Camcorder - $150
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …XG_5F9VK_HD_108​0p_3d.html

Sony HDR-CX220 HD Handycam - $198
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …D_Handycam_Camc​order.html

I agree on the point and shoot or perhaps the Kodak action camera. The GoPro isn't a bad idea but without an LCD back it would be pretty useless for "proper" film making. For a 9 year old I'd be inclined to get the cheapest usable solution to see how much use it gets. If your son shows a real aptitude after six months then spend more when you have established it isn't just a passing fad.

Thanks everyone!

I think I would go with a Flip camera.....

Would a tablet or a cell phone be an option?

Quick update:

We ended up getting him a Canon PS. He LOVES!!!!! it. Couldn't be happier.

Thanks again for all the advice and ideas!

For a child image quality is not so critical. I got my 10 year old neice an iPad to make videos with iMovie all in one device and she loves it.

Good choice. Todays point and shoots are very feature packed and pretty darn good quality for the price. For a 9 year old I would think it would be a very good start.

We use iPads and iMovie in the schools for basic film making.