What are opinions about the kid's digital camera? I've looked at the Fisher Price, V-Tech and Little Tykes digital cameras and they've all had pretty shocking reviews.

[compo]

ta muchly

We've got the Fisher Price one. V easy to use (DD aged 2 had it figured out in seconds), tough (has been dropped many times and had water splashed on it so far), and the pics are absolutely fine for printing. The only thing I'd say is that the screen is a little unclear. Sometimes it looks like the photo is terrible but once you put it on the PC it's perfectly okay.

thanks anyone else?

Oh I'm interested in this too.

What's supposed to be wrong with the VTech one, compo?

How old is your dc? We bought a cheap ordinary digital camera for ds1's 5th birthday. He has been fine with it. We don't allow him to just play with it - it is used under supervision only (kept in dh's camera bag and used on days out). He doesn't exactly need supervision but this stops it being treated carelessly IYSWIM. ds2 (who is 3 going on 4) can now use it too without any help from us really.

I'd say don't bother. They really are shockingly bad quality for the money - a complete rip off. Okay, so they bounce if you drop them, but given that you actually want them to be able to take PICTURES then it's better to wait until they're old enough to take better care of them then buy them a proper cheapy digital point and shoot.

If you want to let them have a go with a camera before you think they'll not wreck it, my dses have had HUGE amounts of fun with the el cheapo disposable cameras which we give them from time to time. They also love taking pictures with our DSLR cameras under supervision.

I ordered the Kiddizoom camera for ds1's christmas present yesterday.
The reviews on the ELC were very good so I'm hoping it's as good as they say it is.

I don't think it is worth waiting until they're old enough to take care of a proper camera. DD is 2 and 1 month and can take perfectly good pictures of what she wants to take pictures of. Before we bought the Fisher Price camera, she was constantly wanting to have my camera or my phone to take pics. I didn't feel that was okay as she's 2 and not able to look after stuff properly and I don't want to have to replace my camera or phone every month or so. 2 year olds really can't think about the possible consequences of dropping a camera or whatever in any meaningful way. I think £50 for something that has given my daughter a lot of pleasure (and will obviously continue to amuse her for some time to come) is a perfectly good price and a sensible purchase. She's loving her camera, takes it everywhere with her and has produced some lovely photos, some of which are a very funny insight into the mind of a 2 year old. If I'd waited for her to be able to cope with a real camera, that's probably a year or two of fun she'd have missed out on.

I learned the hard way not to let DS1 play with our digi camera - he dropped it and broke the screen (I want to say 'LSD' screen but that ain't right ), and we had to fork out for a replacement.

I'm all in favour of bounceable cameras. I don't care about picture quality tbh - I'm not expecting him to be submitting anything to National Geographic in the near future. I just want him to have something that he can play with without me having to supervise him. (Good tip about disposable cameras, but I think he'd really love the video feature on the VTech.)

Was discussing this with DH the other day, and said I don't know why for the money you don't just get a normal digital camera within the cheap price bracket.
DD 3 was clearly listening to our conversation and said well special childrens ones dont break if you drop them out of a window - Advertising obviously works with her

we got the olympus mju xmas before last as a family camera, both my dd (7yrs) and ds (4 yrs) use it with or without supervision... my mum wants to get my dd a digital camera but I worry it won't be as sturdy.

I'm thinking of getting dd(8) a digital camera for christmas. I'm loathe to spend out on an adult camera so are the kiddie cameras no good? I want digital to save the cost of film .

I was looking at the Barbie cameras if that's any help.

Horton, she might not have to wait...she hasn't said how old the child is. He/she might be old enough for an ordinary digital camera. We didn't think of getting one till ds was 5 (the Fisher Price one wasn't around when he was 2 anyway). Agree if dc is much younger a real one would be unsuitable. But ds2 could use his brother's from the age of 3.5.

True, if it's an older and more sensible child then a proper camera would probably be fine. For someone under 3 or maybe 4 (depending on the child), I'd go for a children's one every time!

DS1 was five when he broke ours. He's still five. Which is why he'll be getting a rubber one.

We have the FP and VTech between our 3 dc 5,5 nearly 4.
Can't recommend them enough, have heard so many people say their kids broke the family camera I just didn't want to take the risk. Ok £40 is a lot but cheap if you end up not having to replace it

The pictures aren't bad at all(I'm not into megapixles for kids)ds has really got into the idea of framing,light and looking for a good subject as he can and does take it everywhere. He got some fab pictures at the zoo recently. I could concentrate on the day out instead of fretting over my camera or him dropping,breaking an adult one.

Our outstanding pre-school uses the FP's a lot and the kids have produced some fab work eg number(in the environment) books,bug hunts etc. DD learnt so much from ds's VTech she won a FP one in a photography competition for the local paper!!!!! Proud mummy emoticon

We prefer the VTech one though, our batteries have lasted ages but ds is choosy with the flash he can judge now when he needs it.

I must stop posting on these camera threads as people are going to think I work for VTech-I do love a toy that you get a lot out of though

wow thanks for all the replies

Toys r us have got the kids digital camera for £29.99 for this weekend only (Half price)I think it was the vtech one.

califrau - your link is to this thread?