Kids Photography
Tips for choosing the best camera for your child
I still recall the days when I would drop the 110 film cartridge (remember those?) into my chunky, blue, double-viewfinder Fisher Price camera and then head out to shoot the world or at least the backyard – I wasn't allowed to cross the street back then! A child's first camera can be a fun experience for him or her. It allows creativity through photography – something that could grow into a hobby or even a career.
Camera film is quickly heading the same direction as cassettes and vinyl records. Traditional cameras are still available, but film plus developing expenses make them a bit cost-prohibitive, especially for a youngster. Plus, kids hate to wait for film to be developed; a digital camera gives them instant gratification.
Disney, Fisher Price and Little Tykes are a few toy manufacturers that offer digital cameras specifically for children. Both Fisher Price's and Little Tykes' models offer a double viewfinder and LCD screen. Disney's cameras range from a barebones digital to a three-megapixel advanced unit.
Most cameras in this category are equipped with a built-in memory, an important consideration for a child's camera. External memory cards tend to be very small, and present a choking hazard for young children, making internal memory a must-have.
Kid-specific cameras will take adequate pictures for viewing on a computer screen, e-mailing and making small printouts. This will probably be more than satisfactory for a young child.
The above-mentioned cameras are all geared toward kids – they feature funky colors, cartoon characters (on Disney models), big buttons and are simple to operate. However, if your child is a little older (say maybe eight or nine) and somewhat tech-savvy, a childish digital camera may not allow him or her to reach their photography potential. In this case, consider an entry-level digital point-and-shoot camera.
Options abound from just about every major manufacturer ranging from Nikon to Hewlett Packard to Kodak. Point-and-shoots are simple to use, and have enough high-end features that will allow a novice to hone their skills. In this range you can expect at least five megapixels, an LCD screen and digital zoom. Slightly pricier models may be equipped with 3x optical zoom, which is better than digital zoom. Expect there to be a learning curve involved, as these cameras do contain buttons, dials and menus. If your child is a whiz on the PC, learning a digital camera probably won't be too difficult, and the quality of photos will be impressive from a camera in this range.
Children's cameras start as low as $20 and can run up to nearly $75. Entry-level point-and-shoots can run between $80 to $200. Your child's age and level of technical knowledge are both crucial factors in determining what camera will suitable for him or her. Check manufacturer's websites and do some comparison shopping. Once you've determined a suitable feature set and price range, you'll be able to make a good decision and send your child off to becoming the next world-renowned photographer!
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