Help choosing camera for granddaughter

[zip3999]

hi am buying camera for 13 yr old grand daughter as a b-day gift. Other then disposables this will be her 1st camera . Her mom will also be helping.

Needs are: 3-4 mp, ease of use ,good pictures (of course) and also be able to do video with sound.

was looking at two cameras (but will take any sugestions)
Cannon sd200
nikon coolpix 3100



thanks Joe

[Peter_AUS]

Joe,

To be up front with you, if you want to take video's then get a video camera, if you want still images then get a still image camera.

A good all round easy to use but with the ability to experiment with, change settings and be a bit more creative type of camera, you need to look at something like the Canon G6. Might be more than you want to spend but in the end, much more versitile to use and much like using a film camera.

Is she serious about getting used to photography.

What is your budget that you are prepared to spend on your 13 yr old grand daughters future.

My 12 yr old is starting to get to use my 10D with my assistance of course. But she can use my G3 which I have given over to my wife to use as well as the children with our guidence.

Hope that helps.

[another view]

Welcome - I moved this to the Digital Cameras forum because you may get more help there.

Peter's right, digital cameras tend to be good at either still or video but not both. Either of the two you've looked at should be good choices.

[Liz]

Joe,

It is in essence, very confusing today - choosing a digital camera - for anyone.

You have many choices. However, just answer a couple more questions so we can give you some better replies.

Budget - most important - what do you want to spend?

Movies - I agree with Peter - still cameras are not meant to take movies, but have some seconds or minutes to give you this option - but don't expect great results. There are new combinations that do both, but the ones that give good results are very expensive.

Interests - does she have specific interests? Does she want to "grow" in photography in the future - or does she want an all around camera for fun?

Thanks - this will help a lot.

Liz

hi am buying camera for 13 yr old grand daughter as a b-day gift. Other then disposables this will be her 1st camera . Her mom will also be helping.

Needs are: 3-4 mp, ease of use ,good pictures (of course) and also be able to do video with sound.

was looking at two cameras (but will take any sugestions)
Cannon sd200
nikon coolpix 3100



thanks Joe

[trog100]

"Needs are: 3-4 mp, ease of use ,good pictures (of course) and also be able to do video with sound."

u have pretty much described the average consumer camera aimed at the current mass market by dozens of manufacturers.. if u (amazingly) have narrowed your choice down to only two.. stick with it toss a coin to decide which one of the two and buy it.. dont complicate things more than they need be.. he he

course.. being as its for a girl and a thirteen year old one at that.. its fashion accessory status might play a bigger part than u have allowed for in your choice.. thow i am sure both nikon and canon are fully into this one..

trog100

[zip3999]

[QUOTE=Liz]Joe,

It is in essence, very confusing today - choosing a digital camera - for anyone.

You have many choices. However, just answer a couple more questions so we can give you some better replies.

Budget - most important - what do you want to spend?

Movies - I agree with Peter - still cameras are not meant to take movies, but have some seconds or minutes to give you this option - but don't expect great results. There are new combinations that do both, but the ones that give good results are very expensive.

Interests - does she have specific interests? Does she want to "grow" in photography in the future - or does she want an all around camera for fun?

Thanks - this will help a lot.

Liz[/QUOTE
Liz thanks you have a more reasonable answer. Looking to spend 300 or less. Don't know if she would go further in photography, just know that she and her mom have been and are currently using single use cheap cameras for everything. She wants to do movies of herself and friends but her mom wants her to have a digital camera for pictures. I know that you can take about 2-3 mins of movies from some cameras just dont know which one. Have also been hearing about the new Canon A510 but nothing around to read about it.

Thanks Joe

[trog100]

"Have also been hearing about the new Canon A510 but nothing around to read about it."

in less than five minutes i found and read anough about it to suggest it fits your bill perfectly.. ???

whats the problem...

trog100

ps... selecting a new camera really is only as difficult as u yourself want to make it..