When your child in about 7 y.o. has been showing increasing interest in photography and looking on your favourite camera with attention, it can make you nervous: child hands is a very dangerous place for any fine equipment.

In my opinion, it is not a reason for stress: when your son or daughter have interest to something but TV and computer games it's fine! You MUST use this reality. Indeed, it is no reason to share your main camera with the child. Better (and not so expensive on case of harm) to buy an own gear for him.

There are some special “Kid-Cameras” like on the photo below, but $70 for VGA-quality (640*480 pixels) unit is much too much. It’s a reason to look something else that you can use too (sure, when your child permits you does it). 

The digital camera should fit to a number of requirements:

• easy-in-use
• have a robust case
• provide relatively good images’ quality
• inexpensive price
• optical zoom

Number of pixels is not critical – you couldn’t found new cameras with less then 3 Mpix and even it’s enough.

With first point in the list above all is clear: minimal set of switches outside.

Camera case from metal is preferable, then plastic. Dust- or even waterproof case is an ideal. One more tip: avoid cameras with operable zoom lens. If such camera get drop when lens is open – it is a high risqué total damages for motor.  

Last weeks I had some such cameras in hand.

First in this list is Olympus Stylus 720SW

This 7.1 Mpix camera in metal case has two excellent features: the camera is shockproof from 5 feet (1.5 m) and waterproof to 10 feet (3 m). Indeed, this is a gear for "heavy-duty"! It is not a cheapest device (at the moment about $250), but it can survive in almost any conditions.

Olympus also make a nice camera in terms of shot quality as well as ease of use so your son should be able to take some nice shots in Auto mode but also grow into using some of this camera’s more advanced features. It’s got a 7.1 megapixel sensor and 3x optical zoom.

The Stylus 720SW also features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing pictures free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects.

Due to relatively fast processor the 720 SW has fast startup time (less then 1 s) and almost no delay by shutter release.

This camera is not the cheapest, but able to survive in child's hands.

When thus model looks too expensive for you, look on Fujifilm Finepix V10. Actual price is US$149. This camera is not as robust as Stylus 720, but fits for our purposes too.

The camera has metal case with lens protection. The lens is motorised, and this may be a trouble.

Features

• 5.0-megapixel CCD
• 3-inch LCD display; 3.4x optical zoom
• Can capture images at light sensitivities as high as 1600 ISO at full resolution, diminishing shake and blur from low-light or unsteady hands or subjects
• Includes four video games: Number Puzzle, Break Out, Shooting Game, and Maze (additional advantage for children )
• Powered by NP-40 rechargeable battery
• stores images on xD Picture Cards

When money are very critical for you, looking for second-hand cameras on eBay: there are good (but not very new) cameras for extremly low prices. For $50-100 you can found a good 2-3 Mpix camera from Canon or Sony.

What's about my personal experience? . My son is 16, and last 1,5 years he is in the world of film photography. He has found my good old Praktica MTL5 (this is a real SLR) and sometimes he makes good shots. Why not? At least girls from his class look at him with respect.

Last update: 30-08-2007 17:11