Camera for a nine-year old: My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking...

sabfish

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Has your grandson ever expressed a wish for a dedicated camera? He would probably be more satisfied with his own iPhone. Don't assume, based on your own preferences, that his interest in photography means he wants to carry around anything larger. For many people, including kids, a phone camera is as much as they want or need. You probably don't want to spend your hard earned money on something that may end up in a drawer.

sabfish

Point taken. He is probably a little young for his own i-Phone.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

This summer I taught several photography classes to students 10-14 yr old. Thes students were given a camera, batteries, and a Jump drive. due to limited budget for 40 kids we purchased the Vivitar ViviCam F128 Digital Camera. The Camera has limited controls but what do you expect for $20. I would chose something with ISO, shutter speed and aperture controls if the child has any interest . But the students did quite well with this $20 camera. All these photos were shot with this camera. And so goes the statement: It's the person not the camera that makes the photo.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

How much do you want to spend. Here's one

https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-Megapixel-20-1200mm-Stabilization-DC-FZ80K/dp/B01MS16V42/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?adgrpid=66033929244&gclid=CjwKCAiAp7GcBhA0EiwA9U0mtjCL4TP59ORhXYpltu643-33i2KCOex1x1S39euV0kL671fVLmdhzxoCiJ0QAvD_BwE&hvadid=410013195541&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9031813&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5573866834115906156&hvtargid=kwd-299424714173&hydadcr=19694_11282202&keywords=bridge+cameras&qid=1670172302&sr=8-9

sabfish

Didn't have a fixed amount in mind, but the price of the one you suggested is doable. Thanks for the suggestion.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

"Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact."

Take another look. My TG-5 is very compact, pocket size. The current TG-6 has the same form factor.

My granddaughters are now in college. When they were that age, we took up videography with marvelous success.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

When my two grandsons were that age they loved to shoot with my Canon DSLR's. As long as they wore the straps, I let them do it. They had fun. However, as they became older, neither showed a real interest in owning a camera. A cell phone was sufficient and they both enjoy using theirs now.

I agree with MWSilvers (Mark). A cell phone(borrowed for now)) and will also work later.
Mark

hj Loc: Florida

Check out the Canon Powershot Elph series. Small, pocketable and great image quality along with 10Z zoom and image stabilization. The Elph 330 hs is one of the best.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

The TG series is small enough - if you can find a used one. Check GetOlympus.com for reconditioned ones. A new TG-6 is reasonably priced but I do not know about if you want to spend that kind of money for a 9 year old grandson. If you do buy a TG-6, buy it for you and then "lend" it to him. You might want to add the ring flash attachment and telephoto collector (no change in aperture). And be sure to help your grandson with the focus stacking and 11X macro. Really good camera. We started with 2 at my defensive contractor and the number of cameras was at 5 when I retired. We used both stills and video. My fellow coworker, which had an Emmy to his credit, thought it was a great small camera in all respects.

sabfish

hj wrote:

Check out the Canon Powershot Elph series. Small, pocketable and great image quality along with 10Z zoom and image stabilization. The Elph 330 hs is one of the best.

Will do. Thanks.

therwol Loc: USA

sabfish wrote:

Will do. Thanks.

HJ just put one of these up for sale on UHH for $60 +15 for shipping. I think that something like this would give the child a feel for holding a camera instead of a phone. Don't invest $300 in a camera unless YOU have a use for it at this point.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-759372-1.html

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

Learn photography? Two guys who showed an interest in photography at a similar young age were my good friend Ansel Adams and myself. Ansel I guess you know, while myself, MFA in photography from U of Texas. Both of us began learning early and neither of us had 'grand' cameras, basic tools. Learning photography is about learning to Visualize (Ansel's words), and the technology was mastering the camera without 'toys' like light meters and auto focus. Think more about what you are giving to the young man then act in accordance with letting him truly explore this opportunity to create.

ddetloff Loc: Fair Haven, MI

Deleted. Therwol posted the link to the Canon for sale before i noticed it.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

frankraney wrote:

How much do you want to spend. Here's one br br h... (show quote)

Or - for a more compact model: Lumix DC-ZS70
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328549-REG/panasonic_dmc_zs70_k_lumix_dmc_zs70_digital_camera.html

I have the ZS80 which I am very happy with. Not much difference.