BebuLamar

When I was growing up and if I tell my dad that I want something because I like it a lot and how good it is I may get it. If I tell him because my classmate has it I would get beaten up good.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

That is terrific, but I suspect that your daughter is the exception to the rule. I believe that most kids her age would prefer using an iPhone to capture images..

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The question is, is he that interested he will be willing to learn the different settings in a camera and what it does to a photograph?

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

To appeal to a youngster, I would think the camera should be shockproof, waterproof, have video capability and a zoom lens.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP140 ticks all these boxes -- it can go up to 25 meters underwater and withstand temperatures as low as -10 C. Select the the "underwater" photography setting, and teach him snorkeling.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

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All of us here will probably dig back in our own memories as to what we used and what wee wanted to use at that age. I didn';t get "real serious" until I was eleven and researched and bought a German 35mm with my own earned money and I use that camera still today. But at nine i used our family Kodak--which was all we had.

My suggestion, though is that at nine your Grandson IS SERIOUS, and therefor should not sense he is being down played because of his age. A point and shoot would be good, but my suggestion would be the 5+megapixel Sony DSC93 which uses two AA batteries. They must be fully charged, though. It is an excellent P&S in a small fat shape so there appears to be some actual camera in his hand. It also has enough in features to keep him occupied. I still use mine for such things which only need what it has. It has a flash, of course as well as an optical viewfinder. I am sure they are very cheap on E-bay. And they have very sharp lenses I use to copy documents to send off on the internet.----Good luck. So, in summary. Make your choice advanced enough to not be insulting, yet advanced to make the boy appreciative of your effort.--------------ew

blueskies920

At this age I think we are all guessing what will work, but just as a different way of looking at it. I went to Facebook Marketplace and typed in Iphone and put a max limit of $60. A bunch popped up starting at $25. I don't use an Iphone but I will assume it works like most old phones that are out of service. Camera still can take pics and the wifi still connects to my home, and the usb cable still downloads. So you might give that a thought, an old Iphone for 25-50 dollars will still give them the enjoyment of taking pics just like the old folks. And in my granddaughters case she loves to just sit on the coach and flip through the photos on the phone as much as taking them. Oh, one thing most of the phones will still dial 911 even when out of service so be sure to set it for Airplane mode. If you can find an old one that is unlocked for carriers, then later on it can be their first phone by setting them up with a prepaid card to someplace like Tracphone, and that new Mint service is only 15 a month so you could get a lot of use that why also.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

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Of course if it is a phone you want to give him to learn photography as he has an interest---you needn't ask a photography site like UHH. You and most people these days have had many experiences with phones and their limited capabilities with automatic algorithms "creating" distorted" pictures synthesizing even focal lenths. But then maybe that IS all he wants. My relatives all use the latest phones--both Android and Apple, and even in groups use them as arm length selfies. I couldn't recognize a 40+ year old niece in a small such group and those phones do make even old people
like 70+ ) look as smooth as teenagers. But UHH has hashed and rehashed the phones question. But with phones--one has to have ones not older than about two years?---------------ew

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

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With peer pressure, the grandson is not going to be satisfied with a comparable $25. phone for long. Then he will need to have the latest in his peer group? Not so with a camera if the other boys don't have "super Nikons and Canons?"------------------------

MrPhotog

Maybe so, but plenty of inexpensive phones have decent cameras. He might like having his own phone even more than a camera!

With a pay by the month plan the phone service will stop any time you quit putting in money, but the camera will still work.

PurpleHaze204 Loc: North Potomac, MD

Josh, ExpertPhotography, just posted this article about cameras for kids. May want to check this out.
https://expertphotography.com/cameras-for-kids/?FirstName=Steven&contactId=596664&Email=steven.robbins%40comcast.net&utm_source=infusionsoft&utm_medium=email&utm_term=cameras-for-kids&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=blog

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Check out the Nikon P500. It is a small camera that has the look and feel of a larger DSLR. It is 12 mpx. but capable of taking nice shots. I just gave one of these to my grandkids ages 5 and 7, who love taking photos with it. No wall hangers yet but they'll get there! These are selling for under 50.00 on ebay.

ISO100 Loc: Richland City Indiana

My 2 cents -- It has been my experience that a viewfinder is essential for serious outside photography. In addition, it will help focus on the subject, paying attention to details, direction of light, and composition. It can help eliminate surrounding distractions. I taught 24 4th graders with point and shoot cameras that had viewfinders. My own 10 yo granddaughter expressed interest. I had several cameras, point and shoot, dslr, and mirrorless. I exposed her to all 3 and discussed what she liked and didn't about each. 2 had viewfinders and 1 didn't. She liked wanted a viewfinder "to see easier". She was hooked. She has a TG4 for the ocean, living in Oceanside, CA. And a Panasonic ZS50 for everything else. My suggestion, start a casual discussion with him about likes and dislikes of what he is using. Let him have some input into the camera or phone.

therwol Loc: USA

I have another idea. Every time you're around your grandson with picture taking opportunities, show him your camera, let him look through the viewfinder and then press the shutter button. Make him aware that a phone isn't the only way to take pictures. See if any interest develops in using a camera instead of a phone before wasting money on something that will end up in a drawer. If interest seems to develop, then go into the features of your camera and show him some advantages like being able to use a variety of lenses.

My 5 year old granddaughter has been aware of my Nikon camera for her whole life. I stick it in her face enough. On Thanksgiving, she came up beside me and asked if she could take some pictures with my camera (Nikon D850). I helped her support it, showed her the viewfinder and showed her where the shutter button was. She took several useable pictures. I'm going to pass along one. Forgive me for blacking out part of the face of "Granny". Granny doesn't like her picture posted online.

(Download)

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

Whichever camera you choose to buy, I suggest you buy a new one, not a used one. This suggestion is because used cameras do not not usually come with the neeed instructions, guides, cables, etc., that will be most useful for learning how to operate the camera. Likewise and of possible greater importance, a new camera wlll have the manufaturer's warranty and the dealers' return provision, neither of which are usually available in the purchase of a used item.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I agree for the few dollars buy new