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Riverratt
11-24-2008, 06:05 PM
My 11 year old girl wants a camera for Christmas. What would be a good cheap camera for a kid in the under $150.00 range?

seahorse
11-25-2008, 08:09 AM
The "A" series Canon cameras are very good and take great pix if she is looking for just snapshots.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8739966&type=product&id=1202429847854

The less expensive Kodak cameras do well if you want to keep things simple and easy to use.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcat17071&type=page&initialize=false&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&nrp=15&iht=n&list=y&sc=Global&st=kodak+camera&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&prids=&cp=3&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq6b6f64616b2063616d657261%7E%7Enf349%7C%7C4b6f64616b&_requestid=524040

pyro
11-25-2008, 10:08 AM
One of the biggest overlooked differences between the A-seires Canons and the more expensive S/SD series models, is that the letter uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion pack with an included charger. They last longer than sets of rechargeable AA's, and the packs (and camera) are smaller and lighter. Take a look at the SD1100is, and the SD7**, SD8** models with Image Stabilization. Avoid the models with the flat-finger-dial control, they suck. The ones with the narrow spinning ring dial control are a newer design, they're OK.

The cheap Nikons are also pretty good.

stvhelm
11-25-2008, 04:39 PM
i bought a sony for my kid from best buy. i took out the extended 4yr unlimited plan. they fix it or replace it no matter what happens. he lost the damn thing. :rolleyes: still a good idea though.

1BadAction
11-25-2008, 06:11 PM
8.1 Megapixel 3x optical zoom $120 (http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3600682&CatId=3616)

10MP Nikon 5x optical zoom $150 (http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3600690&CatId=3616)

My advice is to check out a store that has those cameras and some others side by side. when you are reading about the features in a spec sheet, they are comparable to most others in that price range, but check them out in person and they just scream quality. My friend has the S210 and I'm waiting to catch the S600 on sale, both of them are sweeeet.

pyro
11-25-2008, 06:32 PM
The Canons in this line are good:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550719-REG/Canon_2601B001_PowerShot_SD770_IS_Digital.html

Riverratt
11-25-2008, 10:25 PM
I definitely want to be able to try the zoom before I buy. I am not impressed with some of the cheaper ones with the 3X optical zoom. I can't decide if she would be better off with a battery pack or AA. It will probably lay around until she wants to use it and will have to wait to recharge where as AA i can just throw in a new set and go.

pyro
11-26-2008, 06:37 AM
The AA-powered cameras are much larger and heavier because of the batteries. If you insist on that route, get a fleet of NiMH rechargeables, and keep a spare set on the charger. You'll never wait for a charge, just swap sets.

The Lithium Ion pack-powered models DO NOT bleed down between uses, they stay charged, and they have long life between charges, MUCH more capacity than AA's. The pack is as small as a cell phone battery, and the cameras are the size of a deck of cards.

I helped my neighbor buy a Canon SD870is for his daughter. (maybe recently discontinued) It's nearly as small as my SD750, but has a little more zoom, a little wider wide-angle (think group shots), and image stabilization. It was a little over $250.

Don't forget to buy an extra mem card, get a 4gb or 8gb card, the ones that come with the cameras are TINY, they sometimes only hold 10 photos! ;)

Regarding the built-in zoom: There's not really a whole lot out there between the 3.5x optical zooms and the chunky 18x/20x "advanced point-and-shoot" models.

Riverratt
11-26-2008, 08:47 AM
Keep in mind I would like to stay under $150.00 and she is only 11. Kids have a habit of losing things as Helmut mentioned.

seahorse
11-27-2008, 08:27 AM
Here is a sales ad for a Black Friday sale on the Canon A590 camera, from $149 to $104.

This one has a 4X zoom on it.

I've dealt with this company before and they are very good.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90442

pyro
11-27-2008, 10:54 AM
Just keep in mind the cost of batteries with the AA models, even if you use rechargeables, you still have to buy them separately. My fiance charges her SD750 pack about once a month, long before it ever runs low, but we use it all the time. The only disadvantage is not having a second battery while the other is charging. A second pack costs a LOT separately, but a good item to get later on. If you keep the one pack charged regularly, you'll never use it up while shooting hundreds of photos.

The AA-powered models will run you broke if you buy alkaline batteries. You will NEED a set of four NiMH rechargeables to use these cameras sensibly. Sam's Club has a charger with a set of 4 Energizer 2450 MAh AA rechargeables for $20-30. Budget this in when you consider one of the heavier, larger AA models. ;) For the really long weekends with heavy usage, you'll need to feed it a set of expensive disposable Lithium AA's to make it last thru Monday morning.

I like certain Lithium-pack powered Canon models for their size, control layout, ease of use, and great images. They keep discontinuing my favorites. Look for the SD870is if you can find one. Here's some more up-to-date current models:

If you can handle the basic 3x zoom, this is the cheapest card-deck sized Canon with the Lithium-Ion pack and charger included. It's only $160. These are very easy to use, and they have image stabilization:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542285-REG/Canon_2511B001_PowerShot_SD1100_IS_Digital.html

This one has 4X zoom and nice wider wide-angle for group shots ;), it's the size of a deck of cards, I've personally played with one, this has the newer ring-dial type control I was talking about above. Costs a lot more than your range, but worth every penny for a hundred reasons:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584412-REG/Canon_2672B001_PowerShot_SD880_IS_Digital.html

I hope this helps.

-Chad

Riverratt
11-27-2008, 06:12 PM
Does the SD1100 shoot video? How is the Olympus FE360 Or FE370?

pyro
11-27-2008, 08:51 PM
The SD series models shoot fabulous video in 30-frames-per-second full 640x480 format, basically pre-HD broadcast TV-quality video. You can adjust the 3x optical zoom only before the video clip starts shooting, but not during ("digital" zoom while shooting :() They also lock the focus when the video starts. You're only limited by the size of your memory card. You can edit and trim the video clips right on the camera. Click my YouTube sig link and check out the videos "flying leaf blower", and the poodle trick videos. Both were done with the Canon SD750. The side-by-side boating footage in "Hardy Party '08" was done with my free hand while driving the boat, using the same camera.

I've tried all the small cameras on display at Best Buy and Target. The Canon SD1000/SD1100/is, SD750, SD870, and SD880 and higher SD models have the best-designed control layout and the best tactile "feel" in the buttons, with seemingly the fastest start-up time, with shortest focus lag and recycle time between shots, in my opinion. I don't remember how some of the others performed, I thought many of them were poorly designed and hard to use. Many of the Canon models use a playback button instead of a switch, so they quickly return to shooting mode when you tap the shutter button, always ready to use. They're very user-friendly. The SD1000 and some of its descendants use a flat button set that makes it hard to feel what you're pushing.

You totally get what you pay for with these small cameras.

josh7_78
01-24-2009, 12:10 AM
disposable:)

whipper
03-23-2009, 01:36 AM
My camera cost 100 buck Can at costco last year. Its a fuji j50.Bet ya buy them for 70 or 80 and it takes great video and pics. Hears a sample of boath from this little cheapy. Its been Bomb proof so far! http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/whipperr/KokaneeBeach007.jpg?t=1237789799 http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/whipperr/th_pics149.jpg (http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/whipperr/?action=view&current=pics149.flv)

ehill
03-23-2009, 01:48 AM
I got one for christmas last year that does a real good job i just cant think of the model number but i know its a Sony