Are those digital cameras for kids any good?

[docket]

I can see this has been discussed before but when I do a search I can't seem to click on a thread it just takes me back to the 'topics' page.

Anyway, I wondered whether either the fisher price or vtech camera would be good for ds (5) or dd (3) for christmas. Are they any good? They seem to be rather lacking in megapixel but not sure if this matters...

Cheers, docket

[Miggsie]

I think they are a bit pointless.

We have a family camera, shockproof and water proof and we all use it.

Olympus uTough.

DH dropped it in the sea and we just took it home and ran it under the tap...it works fine.

I dropped it onto a rocky crag in Scotland...no damage.

DD has never dropped it!

[Tambajam]

I bought the FP one and it was not a good buy. The screen was SUCH poor quality that you honestly got nothing more than a blur and at that age the whole point is to take a pic and see what it looks like straight away.

[Last0rders]

I was going to but one for DS (then 5) last christmas.

I read a lot of reviews, most of which said don't bother. The MP is rubbish and the image on screen is terrible.

In the end I gave him my very old digital camera, wrapped in a special box with new rechargable batteries, memory card and photo album.

He loved his "grown-up" camera and hasn't dropped it once.

Maybe you could find a very cheap one on ebay?

[Tortoise]

DD1 and DD2 have the Vtech camera. Although the pictures aren't amazing quality they are good enough for them. You can get one with 2mp now i think but costs more.
They enjoy adding frames etc to their pictures and play the games.
Plus it is very easy to use.

[Lapsedrunner]

I'm doing exactly as LastOrders did. DS(7) wants a camera and I've been looking around. I feel he's too old for the child specific ones but it's difficult to find a cheap adult one with decent reviews iyswim. He's getting our old digital one wrapped up!

[docket]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll avoid the FP one and look at either the Vtech or as you say, a second hand one.

[Catsfoot]

We got DS(3) a vtech one and he adores it, yes the images are not brilliant quality but he has his own photo album where we print his piccies for him after he has been on outings. It has games too which he is just beginning to be able to play.
We considered getting a real one but were worried it might get lost or left behind places because they are a lot smaller. His younger brother 20 mths also adores it and if we had bought a "real" camera I doubt he would be able to use it too.

Cheers
Cats