Looking for a digital camera for my mother

[imported_Modal]

Well, my title and summary should about say it all; I want to get my mom a digital camera for Christmas, but I'm not at all sure about what I should get. I'm just looking to gather some recommendations.

The features that I'm looking for are:

1. Ease of use. This is really important. I love my mother dearly but, in all honesty, I'm not sure I've ever seen someone more clueless about technology than her. She just recently learned to operate a computer by using a mouse (I'm not kidding), and now she has also learned how to send and recieve emails using Outlook, but that's about it. She probably would be best suited with a point-and-shoot type of camera, without a lot of complicated options; she just loves to take snapshots anyway. Intuitive software/method of interfacing with a PC is also a good thing.

2. Related to the 'ease-of-use' criteria, it would probably be nice (though not imperative, I guess) that this camera have a viewfinder in addition to the LCD display; she might prefer to use it as it would be more like what she is already used to.

3. Decent resolution and photo quality. I'm thinking at least 3 megapixels (but maybe closer to 4 would be better).

4. $300 or less. If this is a totally unrealistic price point for the features I'm looking for, then I could spend more, but it looks like this is a pretty good budget, based on my initial research.

Any and all recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EvanAdams]

my mom is in the same boat exactly (sometimes uses the mouse with two hands)

I would not dare this. For me it would be a waste of money.

 

[Cawchy87]

Canon A70 or A75.

 

[venomspower]

go for olympus D series
checkout olympus D-395
fulfills all of ur requirements

 

[heartsurgeon]

canon a75 hands down.

 

[Comp625]

I say get a Kodak as they are known for their simplicity. There is a Kodak camera + printer dock floating around retail electronic stores that doesn't look too bad. As a matter of a fact, I've seen that thing print and albeit it's slow and seemingly expensive, it is damn cool and convenient for the occasional picture(s).

If you do decide to buy from a B&M store, Staples is offering a free digital kit that comes with a mini tripod, cleaning kit, coupon book, etc. Be sure to buy her a nice little $10 case to go with it!

 

[LED]

I use a Canon but agree with Comp625 as my 1st Digi Cam was 1 Kodak and my Mother now uses it...Docking Station and simplicity is what it's about not to mention the Photo's aren't to shabby and use less space.{compressed}