Recommendations please!

[Ronnoco]

What I am looking for is a point and shoot 5 or 6 megapixel camera for my son who is still undergoing therapy related to injuries sustained a year ago in a major head on collision.
It should be pretty durable because it may be dropped. Image stabilization would be nice as well as an optical viewfinder. Pocket size would make it less easy to be misplaced or forgotten somewhere. Ease of automatic use with flexibility through menus would be the best combination.

I have only just started looking.

Thanks.

Ronnoco

[zrfraser]

I think a larger camera would be better to keep up with. If your son has a small pocket sized camera it seems like it wold make it harder to keep with. One that immediatley came to mind was the Canon S2 IS. They are currently coming down in price, have IS, is 5 megapixel, and its auto function is quite good. He can also learn more advanced photography skills and it can grow with him.

Just a thought-Z

[greghalliday]

Ergonomically, I would think that in your case, a larger camera would be better. They will usually have more dedicated control buttons (i.e. no scrolling through menus with small, nearly unusable, buttons), control dials are easier to use to set settings, and will be much more easily gripped. I don't know the details of your son's injuries, but if he sustained severe head or certain types of spinal cord injuries, he may have problems with fine motor control and tactile sensation. Thus a bigger body would be easier to manipulate. I have a friend who sustained serious head injury in a ski crash, and judging my him, it would be nearly impossible (and highly frustrating) to operate a small camera like a Canon SD450 or something of similar dimension. zfraser had a good idea with the S2 IS. It has had good reviews. The S3 IS is the new model just released, so the S2 should see a significant price drop (I know PT can get expensive no matter how well to do you are). Also the Fuji S cameras have good grips and pretty straightforward operation.

Good luck in your searching. You could also bring various examples to the therapist and ask her/him what would be ideal.

[BLS439]

I have a "small" point & shoot dgital, an Olympus SP-500UZ. It's larger than most pocketable point & shoots, but smaller than a dslr. It's got great resolution for a 6mp camera. It's pretty easy to work and has great zoom capability! It cost about $350 when I bought it several months ago from Circuit City.

[Ronnoco]

Thanks for pointing out the big camera advantage zr and Greg thanks for reminding me that my son does indeed have small motor control issues. I am going to have to give some more thought about the type of camera I should get for him...non-pocket or pocket size.

Ronnoco

[Ronnoco]

I have a "small" point & shoot dgital, an Olympus SP-500UZ. It's larger than most pocketable point & shoots, but smaller than a dslr. It's got great resolution for a 6mp camera. It's pretty easy to work and has great zoom capability! It cost about $350 when I bought it several months ago from Circuit City.

I notice that Olympus also has a new shock proof, weatherproof, water proof point and shoot camera, which might fit this very individual situation, too.

Thanks

Ronnoco

[zrfraser]

I was also thinking that anything with IS would be best for your son, since as you say he does have problems with fine motor movements. I hope your son makes a full recovery and enjoys the wonderful hobby of photography.

Z

[Ronnoco]

I will pass on your best wishes for my son's recovery to him and to my family. It is very much appreciated.

Ronnoco