Camera for an 8 yr old
Feb 23, 2018 07:50:19 #
I have an 8 year old - and no matter how responsible they are, ugly things will happen to this camera. So my recommendation would be to get a water proof, drop proof camera. You can find many good new and used ones for under $100. I gave my son a Canon D10 - and if he leaves it outside in the rain or buried in the sand.... no big deal.
Here are some links of some good ones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TS25D-DMC-TS25-Shock-Waterproof-Digital-Camera-Orange/331847425370?hash=item4d43a5dd5a:g:T6AAAOSwyQtVr6aj
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Working-Condition-Blue-Canon-PowerShot-D10-12-1MP-Digital-Camera-B671/142696824599?epid=100164187&hash=item213964bf17:g:XrcAAOSw5KtahLGR#viTabs_0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-Finepix-Xp95-Waterproof-Digital-Camera-Wifi-Blue/162906783847?hash=item25ee004067:g:XPAAAOSw5utaiGxU
Here are some links of some good ones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TS25D-DMC-TS25-Shock-Waterproof-Digital-Camera-Orange/331847425370?hash=item4d43a5dd5a:g:T6AAAOSwyQtVr6aj
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Working-Condition-Blue-Canon-PowerShot-D10-12-1MP-Digital-Camera-B671/142696824599?epid=100164187&hash=item213964bf17:g:XrcAAOSw5KtahLGR#viTabs_0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-Finepix-Xp95-Waterproof-Digital-Camera-Wifi-Blue/162906783847?hash=item25ee004067:g:XPAAAOSw5utaiGxU
Feb 23, 2018 07:50:33 #
tempest101 wrote:
My 8 year old daughter is interested in photograph... (show quote)
My son gets my grandkids small canons, and they love them, ok granddaughter gets the small nikon, boys get the canons, picture posted yesterday of them taking a shot of Daddy.
Feb 23, 2018 08:09:55 #
Thank you all so much!! Really amazing and thoughtful suggestions. Will research the options. Thanks again!!
Feb 23, 2018 08:20:06 #
Joe Blow wrote:
For $100, any P&S with a zoom lens. If she continues with her interest you might consider an entry level crop sensor with some kit lenses. They are relatively light and do give good prints.
-------------
Good Choice.
I too recommend this.
-0-
Feb 23, 2018 08:21:11 #
My 7year old grandson is using my old canon xti. He loves it. He does not complain about the weight. We were at the zoo and he had it round his neck for a couple of hours. The only thing is that it slows us down waiting on him getting his pictures
Feb 23, 2018 08:22:24 #
Well, MY first camera (at about that age) was a Brownie Hawkeye box camera. You can find them easily on eBay for $10-$20. Of course the respooled 620 film can be pricey and good luck finding working flashbulbs. But all she’d have to do is point and shoot in bright or hazy sunshine and remember to wind the film each time! All kidding aside, the simpler the better. You want her to learn PHOTOGRAPHY first not camera technique. First she has to learn how to SEE.
Feb 23, 2018 08:52:50 #
I think anything less than a D850 could be considered child abuse. She needs to shoot in RAW and only use manual settings, if I understand the UHH forum correctly. That $100 camera will not have enough dynamic range for a decent snapshot and will be overwhelmed with noise at higher ISOs. We could talk about lenses, but that’s another topic. (For the literal among us, just kidding).
Feb 23, 2018 08:58:36 #
The Canon elphs are great for kids. Lots on eBay to choose from. Easy to handle for small hands.
Feb 23, 2018 09:10:41 #
you will do what you think is best for her, but in my opinion, getting a used D3xxx or D5xxx would be a very light weight option only a small bit heavier than many P&S cameras. I gave my son a D70 to start with and moved to the D200 when he was a bit older. you could get a used D200 for that money and all of the rest of my suggestions are less than that! Add a 50mm or some other inexpensive lens and she would be good to go!
Feb 23, 2018 09:21:13 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
rook2c4 wrote:
Get a nice used compact pocket camera of eBay. You can easily find one for a fraction of what it originally cost 4 or 5 years ago. A camera that is easy to master is a must. Giving an 8-year old a complex DSLR is counter-productive. Developing an eye for what makes an interesting photo and learning how to make a composition work is far more important than fiddling around with endless menus. That can come a few years later if she is still interested in photography.
You're saying all 8-year olds are the same and there are not. There are some 8-year olds that are already accomplished cameras. The grandparents should probably focus on this 8-year old and assess her interest in photography. Get her involved in the process of deciding what kind of camera she would really like to start out with.
Feb 23, 2018 10:00:32 #
Olympus Tough TG-5, Ricoh WG-30W or the Fujifilm Finepix. Are good choices. All in the 16MP range, I think. All ruggedly built. Some more "stylish" and some more "rugged" looking.
Feb 23, 2018 10:01:08 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Most anything would work OK. Let her put hands on a few and see which one fits better. Then let her curiosity hold sway.
Feb 23, 2018 10:42:18 #
Here's what she needs. My son (who is a HS photography and graphic arts teacher) teaching our 5 year old granddaughter how to shoot his 5D3. Amazingly, her shots were pretty good (and she didn’t drop it)! 
Feb 23, 2018 10:51:29 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
TriX wrote:
Here's what she needs. My son (who is a HS photography and graphic arts teacher) teaching our 5 year old granddaughter how to shoot his 5D3. Amazingly, her shots were pretty good (and she didn’t drop it)!
I'm sure this was tongue-in-cheek but I'm betting there are many 8-year old aspiring photographers who would do well with a 5D3.
Feb 23, 2018 10:58:35 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
DavidPine wrote:
The reality is that not all 8-year-olds are equal. I'd get her a D3400 and see how she progresses. If you get her junk, she'll know it. You know her better than anyone else. I gave my grandson and granddaughter DSLRs. One makes snap shots and the other is selling images and is advanced. You never know.
That is a bad idea. I started with a box brownie type camera at about that age. A DSLR is too much for an 8-year old. I guarantee you that she will drop it and that will be the end of the D3400. You should start her with an inexpensive simple camera to peak her interest. When she is ready to move up, she will let you know.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.