July 11, 2007 -- Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera
Back when we were kids, a simple point-and-shoot was all you needed.Now, it’s a whole different story. Few children today have ever seen a 35mm (we recently heard an eight-year-old gasp in shock when he found out that he couldn't view pictures right away on his grandma’s old-school camera—talk about wanting immediate gratification). We found three digital models for kids of different ages. Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera This camera, available in gender- stereotypical pink or blue and featuring big, colorful buttons designed for little hands, is sturdy—it can withstand being dropped plenty of times off the kitchen counter. Preschoolers can use the two-eye viewer to take pictures, but the teeny screen makes it difficult to see what you’ve shot (an old cell-phone camera has a better-quality display). We also wish the camera came with a rechargeable battery pack; it eats through the required four AA’s very quickly. Ages 3 and up. $70, available at Toys “R” Us, 1514 Broadway at 44th St (646-366-8800, toysrus.com).
Disney Pix Click
If you have a Disney fan at home, there’s a good chance she’s been clamoring for one of these devices (motifs range from “Hannah Montana” to “Pirates of the Caribbean”). Though the camera has a flash and holds up to 200 images (no need to shell out extra dough for a memory card), the pictures we downloaded to our PC were a bit grainy and colorless. Still, kids will enjoy the photo-editing software that lets them add effects and Disney characters to their pictures. Ages 5 and up.$50, available at Best Buy, 60 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-366-1373, bestbuy.com).
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-650
While not specifically designed for children, this beginner Cyber-shot camera is a great option for tweens. We love that it has a bright, two-inch LCD screen and 7.2 megapixel resolution (it’s not top-of-the-line, but users can definitely snap some high quality shots). Thanks to the video mode, kids also have the option of taking short movie clips. Ages 8 and up. $150, available at sonystyle.com.
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