Digital cameras forum: Suggestion needed: Camera for retired parents

Uses my hand me down Kodak dx6490. It has plenty of dials and 4 buttons on top and a lens cap to take off. She does fine. The pictures are NOT transferred with the Kodak software. She takes out the memory card and either prints them at the usual drug store, wallymart or copies them to her laptop.

I'm sure the other point and shoots could be a little easier.
Bob

I agree with the earlier posts, keep it simple. Kodak have a long reputation for just this and their cameras produce perfectly satisfactory pictures for all but the professional. Another brand to look at is Fujifilm, who also make some great simple cameras, but with the option to use a few more sophisticated controls if you wish. I have a Fuji Finepix S304 and you just take the lens cap off, switch it on, point and shoot. But in the menu system, there are manual controls if you need them. There is also a short movie capability, just turn the dial from Auto to Movie, point and shoot. Mine is 3 megapixels, prints happily on A5 (half Letter in the US) but the newer ones have 7 Megapixels, so A4 (Letter) is just fine. Canon also make simple but with all the bells and whistles if you want to experiment - the A500 series has some nice examples.

One thing you might want to consider, especially since they will be transferring from a film camera. Many (dare I say most?) of the simple compact digital cameras these days have dispensed with the traditional viewfinder, in favour of a larger preview screen. I think this is wrong thinking - it's much harder to hold a camera steady at arms length than to have the viewfinder to the eye - it is for me anyway! Both the Fuji and the Canon I mentioned have a "proper viewfinder" as well as the preview screen. If you choose a model without a viewfinder, I'd strongly recommend you go for one with image stabilization - especially as we get older!

Unless it's a surprise present, the best plan is to go to the photo store and check a few out with your parents. Good hunting.

I'm 69 and not retired yet, but I've found the small, pocket sized cameras are not for me. Also the large SLR's are too big to carry around when traveling.

Last year I got my Canon G9 and just like the 3-bears.....I found it to be Just the Right Size.

The screen is large, it has a good viewfinder, and simple to operate. If you feel like using all the various adjustments you can, but I prefer to just shoot and most of the pictures are just perfect.

HP has not released any new cameras since June of 2007.
Not a good sign.

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Watch out for recommendations from the younger digital folks. They are very well-intentioned and know what they are doing for people like themselves who grew up with digital stuff. They think they what to get for the older crowd, but most of them live in a fantasy world anyway.

There are two items that are a must-have for old folks like me (67). And yes, I am a crotchety, crusty old guy, but I am very reasonable when it comes to pleasing folks like myself. Here's what you need:

1) An image stabilizer, because our hands start to shake a lot more as we get older, although we don't like to admit it.

2) A viewfinder, because all of the cameras we learned on had viewfinders, and we don't like to learn new stuff.

If you don't have BOTH of these features, your Christmas present is likely to frustrate your in-laws, get returned, and further convince them that this new digital stuff is full of baloney..

As to the kind of camera, you'll get all kinds of advice from well-meaning people on CNET and folks at the camera store. Guess what?? They will all be wrong!

Just pick out the seemingly easiest camera that has the two features above. Then give it as a present. Before they try it, be sure to tell them that you want to take them to the camera store (don't order on the net.) and let them try a bunch. Maybe they'll choose the one you did, but then they will have chosen it, and your off the hook.

Also, don't let them see the price tag. If they see the cost, they will want to buy the cheapest one.

Maybe your in-laws aren't as crotchety and crusty as I am, but ignore my advice at your own peril young 'un.

Now, if I could only get my own kids to listen to me .......

mbjeep130

I disagree with you on 2 out of three things you have down.

need at least 8 megapixels: Not unless you're printing above 11x14 size shots. A 5MP can do 8x10s and you wouldn't notice the difference between it and an 8MP.

need lithium ion batteries: Why? It's actually more convenient to use AA batteries, so you can carry an extra set. You can always buy rechargeables or buy lithium AA batteries. If a dedicated lithium ion battery dies out on you, when you're not near the charger then you're not taking anymore photos. I use lithium ion, but I have a second battery for backup.

I didn't think the first reply came up, so I wrote a shorter one for the second.