mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

My 3-yer-old grand daughter loves taking pictures with her make-believe camera, and tries so hard with my camera, but it is hard for her to handle. Can anyone recommend a children's camera that their youngsters have used successfully? I've seen the ones online at Amazon, but have not actually seen them or held them. I need one that is durable enough if dropped that will not be broken easily and takes SD cards.
Thanks in advance,
Mike.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a tough one, especially since you mentioned dropping. Take a look at "tough" cameras on ebay - tough, but not cheap. I would go with used, rather than new, if only because of the dropping concern. On the other hand you could try something like a Canon Elph, although cheaper cameras have more shutter lag time, which a 3-year old might not understand. I've had a Canon Elph SD800 since 2007, and it still works fine.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=olympus+tough+camera&LH_Auction=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xcanon+elph.TRS0&_nkw=canon+elph&_sacat=0
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=olympus%20tough%20camera&rt=nc&LH_Auction=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

At that level go to a drug store and there are blister wrapped cameras for 10-30 dollars that are digital.
I got one to keep in the car at all times in case I don't have my phone on me. Yes I do not always carry a stupid phone with me.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm so glad you asked this question, as I'm contemplating the exact same thing. I did a Google search and came up with cameras by Vtech. They look sturdy enough. But by the time I buy times 2 (they're twins) it will get pricey. I haven't found any used yet.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

A 3-year old does not need a real camera. A toy make-believe camera will do just fine. Wait until she is at least 6 before you buy her a camera that can record actual pictures.

d-cart24 Loc: Oregon

My two year old grandson handles this camera like a pro

Attached file:
(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

How does he handle the long lenses, and does he have trouble changing lenses in the field?

I've always thought that if a kid has an interest in something, get him a good version of it, rather than the Fisher Price version.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

3 years old? Try Fisher-Price. You need a toy, not an intricate piece of equipment.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

K Mart has Vivitar digital cameras for 19.99. Good for a 3 year old.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Thanks for all your POSITIVE responses. I bought her the Discovery Kids camera in Kohls for $30 that is perfect for 3-year-olds, that takes a micro SD card.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Give the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 a look to see if that might interest you. It's small and light and is waterproof.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

go to Toys R US. They have some very simple digital cameras to fit a very young persons hands and abilities. About $30. My 2 yr old grandson is using it well right now.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

go to Toys R US. They have some very simple digital cameras to fit a very young persons hands and abilities. About $30. My 2 yr old grandson is using it well right now.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I started with the toy 1mpx cameras from toysrus (or similar store)...the images suck, but the kids didn't care and the camera could be dropped with no ill effects. Then my daughter was upgraded to an old point and shoot canon when she was 6 years old. The images were not to my liking, but she didn't care until she became aware that the camera had severe shutter lag...it also started having issues after a few accidental drops. I then picked up an old Olympus tough camera when she was 8 years...and then picked up a the same one (different color) for my 6 year old boy. They both love them as they are waterproof and great fun in the swimming pool/lake. The first Olympus camera was free (old work camera), and I bought the second one for 40 dollars on eBay.

Photocraig

Years ago, I was at a seminar with De Witt Jones. He related a story from a speaking engagement in Hawaii. He was out shooting some garden photos to include in his (remember this was the '90's) slide presentation that evening. As he was sizing up his shot a 3 year old kid shows up with a plastic camera shaped juice holder complete with a drinking straw. DeWitt looks up from his Canon EOS-1 and says hi to the kid. The little guy says, "Mister, do you have juice in your camera?" and the entire theme of his talk that day changed both for the keynote gig in Hawaii, and to us, asking ourselves if we had "JUICE" in our cameras. Meaning were we photographing with enthusiasm, curiosity of a 3 year old.

My experience is the toy cameras are just that and the 2 kids I gave them to treated them just like their other toys. Pictures? I don't think we ever saw any. I think 3 is too young for them to engage in the abstraction of photography. But maybe 5 or 6. depending on the child, you could do a participatory fun supervised "Picture Making with Grandpa" activities where you can work together to find a subject, they're ALL new to them. then use hands or a split framing mat cut in half at opposite corners. Let the choose child frame the subject, then get your (old) camera framed for them, live view should be good with this, the let them press the shutter and MAKE the photograph. An hour or two doing this will be enough, then you can show them on the TV and everybody will be impressed because at 5 or 6, they really do see differently and are very fresh in their curiosity and color recognition.

There have been a few rugged fixed lens digital cameras sold in the recent past, a Pentax model comes to mind, that may be available used which might be the next step. Although I'd take a look at the "disposable types just to see if anything comes out of them that's recognizable.

And, brain flash, an old phone would work very well. They're pretty rugged and capture as good an image as is needed for a a very young kid to express himself and share. And you've stopped using it anyway.

Good luck, and show us what kind of juice she's got in her camera. And, also what kind of juicee got recharged in yours after seeing with those single-digit aged eyes.