Suggestions for a cheap non-SLR digital camera?

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freitasm

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#90784 29-Sep-2011 12:42

Our daughter likes taking pictures, and she's not bad (she's just turning six). We'd like her to be creative with that, but every time she grabs our Nikon DSLR I start panicking - the lenses! the body!

Anyway, thinking of a compact, point-and-shoot camera for her. Any suggestions for a cheaper camera? I am thinking of getting from Amazon so budget would be something around US$200 if possible.

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#527182 29-Sep-2011 12:53

Don't get the cheap pink ones etc that are offered on flybuys/in stores etc.

Turns out the LCD on the back doesn't show the picture, just the number of shots remaining or something pointless like that. Means they can't see what they've taken until it's downloaded, - view through the viewfinder only.

There seems to be a void in the market around this area, something ultra basic for kids but with more realistic features than a battery/remaining shot display.

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#527183 29-Sep-2011 12:53

My partner just purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 - at the moment it is $329 from Parallel Imported but I have seen it on special for less than $300.

According to online reviews (I love to research purchases, as we all do!) it was one of the best buys for the price range.

It has been a good little camera so far, took a lot of shots of a recent trip to the Coromandel and they turned out great. Point-and-shoot ease, and simple to operate. Comparing it do your DSLR might make it seem a bit less exciting though! I can send you some sample shots if you would like - probably the best way to see if it is what you are looking for.

robbyp

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#527184 29-Sep-2011 12:54

freitasm: Our daughter likes taking pictures, and she's not bad (she's just turning six). We'd like her to be creative with that, but every time she grabs our Nikon DSLR I start panicking - the lenses! the body!

Anyway, thinking of a compact, point-and-shoot camera for her. Any suggestions for a cheaper camera? I am thinking of getting from Amazon so budget would be something around US$200 if possible.

The canon ixus 220HS is very good and gets good reviews, and one of the big retailers had it on sale in the weekend for around $280. The RRP originally was $400.

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#527185 29-Sep-2011 12:54

I'd look at something like a shock and waterproof camera like the Olympus Stylus Tough or Pentax Optio. Anything with an extending lens will end up jammed with dirt down in 6 year old land.

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#527186 29-Sep-2011 12:55

Link to Parallel Imported listing. Bung makes a good point about shock and waterproofing although image quality is usually sacrificed to keep the cost down on the cheaper ones.

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#527187 29-Sep-2011 12:56

Got myself a Panasonic TZ10 - The TZ20 is out now, its an amazing camera with amazing lens and zoom. Or you could get the Panasonic lighter version at DSE which is on special right now.

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#527189 29-Sep-2011 13:00

At that sort of level they're all much the same. Go for a big brand, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic are good with their OIS. I'm not a fan of Sony cameras.

Image stabilisation of some kind is a nice thing to have, preferably optical (ie mechanical) not digital.

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#527218 29-Sep-2011 13:49

Doesn't HN or the like occasionally do a Samsung or something for $99?

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#527221 29-Sep-2011 14:03

timmmay: At that sort of level they're all much the same. Go for a big brand, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic are good with their OIS. I'm not a fan of Sony cameras.

Image stabilisation of some kind is a nice thing to have, preferably optical (ie mechanical) not digital.

I would say no, I have a Nikon Tough T610 and a Panasonic TZ10, also a cheaper Samsung camera. The TZ10 is amazing, the lens is amazing. Just go down to dickies and try them all out.

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#527227 29-Sep-2011 14:16

You may want to have a look at some of the Casio Exilim range, some of them are very capable little cameras. In the US$200-ish range they are very much of the point+shoot variety though.

I believe their cameras usually use Pentax optics.

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freitasm

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#527245 29-Sep-2011 15:10

Thanks folks... I had a look around Amazon for a dustproof, waterproof one (not quite ruggedised but close) and found a Polaroid model that might do it - for US$70.

Will post links later.

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#527248 29-Sep-2011 15:15

Yeah at the risk of sounding obvious, you could check google.
Many sites are looking at fat plastic playschool my first camera jobbies, but the content might be applicable.

eg
http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/11/zrecs-kids-digital-camera-showdown.html

freitasm

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#527252 29-Sep-2011 15:17

Yes, I know about those cameras, but really wanted something that actually works. For Us$70 the results are probably a lot better than FP plastic things - I saw one her cousin got last year and seriously... What a waste! The only camera UI was the number of pictures in storage. No image or anything, and it used a proprietary transfer program on the PC.

Nope, looking for a real camera ;)

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#527254 29-Sep-2011 15:20

I got my daughter an aluminium Fujifilm for her 7th. I can't remember the model but it was under $200nz
Takes great pics, easy to use and it's pink :D

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#527889 30-Sep-2011 22:14

Harvey Norman had a great deal a couple of weeks ago. I don't remember the exact model even though I bought one for a relative.

It was a Canon Powershot 2200 I think because IIRC the normal retail was $169 which is the price of the 2200 on their website. It is possible that it was the 1200. However the package came with camera, 2 Gig SD card, carry case, and battery charger with two NiMH batteries for $134.

It was a good point and shoot camera with a good size screen with all the functions of most compact camera. Well worth the dollars. If you're lucky they may still have a few left. We were told it was a special they were doing leading up to Christmas

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