Need a decent camera for parents, something in the $50 area...

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ChorniyVolk

Senior member
Sep 1, 2009
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My parents are leaving the country and they need a camera. Normally I'm more of a high end tech kind of guy so I'm not too knowledgeable on the lower end, so I need help to pick one out for them.

It just needs to be a standard point-and-shoot, nothing too technical or difficult, auto-settings with a decent flash. Resolution isn't too big a concern, I'm more interested in quality and simplicity. Something that uses a pro duo for storage would be great because I have a few extra unused sticks, but it's not necessary.

Budget would be in the $50 area. A bit more is fine, but I need it in the next 10 days so I'd like to avoid buying on ebay or wherever for better prices, if only because I can't count on shipping and delivery dates as I'd be able to with a retailer (or even a B&M, but IIRC they mark up prices by a bit on every piece of tech, don't they?). If anything below, say, $100 is shit though, let me know, wouldn't want crap just to save a few bucks.

Thanks for any help.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
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Is there a size preference involved, like being able to fit the camera in a pants pocket or jacket pocket?

Pretty much any name-brand camera is a capable snap shooter. Kodak is noted for having the best "Auto" mode going, in that it recognizes what it's being pointed at very well. Unfortunately, Kodak models tend to range from craptastic to decent, and sometimes sport a weak flash.

IMHO, your best bet would be to look in the Sunday newspaper and see which store has the best "camera of the week" deal. You'll probably wind up spending closer to a $100, though.
 
Lemon law

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Ok, lets all come together and reason together and save Chorniny's butt.

On the liability side, only 10 ten days to acquire camera and train parents in its use.

But but but, any piece of crud camera will take a film or digital picture, however, at the end of the day will it even take pictures good enough to make the parents happy?

Other asset, the OP has some sd cards, yep parents will need to take plenty of pictures to get one good one, but will a sub $50. camera even take a SD card.

My guess, either buy on the used local market, rent, because even a $100.00 new Camera will be unlikely to meet your needs.
 
Lemon law

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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I also suggest another alternative may be a film based slr. You can pick them up cheap on craigs list with a lens or two, Many of them are fairly automatic, as longs as the user does the focus, film is cheap and so is developing, and once put on disk, you can print only the goodies.

Anyone can master a film slr quickly, but a digital camera is always a struggle.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
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Lemon law said:
Ok, lets all come together and reason together and save Chorniny's butt.

On the liability side, only 10 ten days to acquire camera and train parents in its use.

But but but, any piece of crud camera will take a film or digital picture, however, at the end of the day will it even take pictures good enough to make the parents happy?

Other asset, the OP has some sd cards, yep parents will need to take plenty of pictures to get one good one, but will a sub $50. camera even take a SD card.

My guess, either buy on the used local market, rent, because even a $100.00 new Camera will be unlikely to meet your needs.
Click to expand...

The OP stated that he has "pro duo" for storage, which I take to mean MS Pro Duo, so that means Sony.

If he's looking for a "standard point and shoot", why mess with film, or a bulky SLR? It's almost never a struggle with using a digital P&S in Auto mode.

A quick look on Best Buy's website shows there are several Canons and Casios for less than $100. Decent pics there.

I think the biggest hurdle when "training" non-techy types in the use of a digicam is to get them to overcome the "mash the shutter button" instinct. Gotta train them to half-depress to lock focus, press the rest of the way to take the shot.
 
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ChorniyVolk

Senior member
Sep 1, 2009
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No, you guys misunderstood me. My parents aren't 80, they can learn basic stuff that involves physical movement and such (like pressing the button and all that is involved). I just don't want them messing around with manual focus or white balance or shutter speed or any of that other stuff.

Size-wise, the smaller the better, so an slr or anything bulky is a bad idea.

And my parents won't be too concerned with amazing quality, I'd just like something decent that won't ruin the shot.

Does BB have good prices though? I mean shopping there is fine, I'm just thinking that they'll overprice stuff, though I suppose I can check on that right now.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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I really don't understand the current patronizing view of parents. I learned photography from my dad. In turn, I taught my kids photography. When I got a new camera, they got my old one. Now that they are on their own, I make it a point to work with my grand children. The same with computers - I have provided my kids with their computers, and now I make sure the grands have them.

However, . . . there are lots of good P&S cameras out there. Some very simple and easy to use. It doesn't take long to understand the relationships of focus, aperture, shutter speed, etc. One learns quickly just by doing.

My suggestion would be a P&S that has a simple 1-2-3 option, but can also provide additional capabilities as the learning curve is negotiated. BTW - how about a 2'fer? A cell phone that takes pictures.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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corkyg said:
I really don't understand the current patronizing view of parents. I learned photography from my dad. In turn, I taught my kids photography. When I got a new camera, they got my old one. Now that they are on their own, I make it a point to work with my grand children. The same with computers - I have provided my kids with their computers, and now I make sure the grands have them.

However, . . . there are lots of good P&S cameras out there. Some very simple and easy to use. It doesn't take long to understand the relationships of focus, aperture, shutter speed, etc. One learns quickly just by doing.

My suggestion would be a P&S that has a simple 1-2-3 option, but can also provide additional capabilities as the learning curve is negotiated. BTW - how about a 2'fer? A cell phone that takes pictures.
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, I don't know anyone in my age group whose parents are technically savvy. I also know plenty of folks in my age group who aren't technically savvy, either. :p

The largest challenge I've encountered when demonstrating a digital camera to someone who's never had one before is using the shutter button. The idea of a semi-depress to lock focus and then pressing down completely to take the shot seems to challenge some people.

Chorniy, of course Best Buy overcharges compared to online retailers. However, when something's on sale, the price may be competitive. For example, BB has a canon Powershot A480 for $99. Amazon has it for $89. The prices are close enough that it may be worth spending the extra $$ to get the camera immediately so you can return it if there's a problem. You can always page thru a BB circular, or Staples, or OfficeMax, or whatever stores are in your area and compare online prices.
 
akugami

akugami

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2005
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I agree with corkyg. Parents are usually old, not decrepit and senile. My father is as untechnical as they come. He still learned enough about computers to do simple web navigation so he can read the news online instead of paying close to $200 to get his newspaper shipped from California to the east coast U.S. He can't read English either.

To the OP. A $50 budget is unlikely unless you go used or take a chance on some of the budget cameras. Newegg has about 7 or 8 cameras in the $60'ish range. I'd say $120'ish just for the camera and a memory card is more realistic. Get a 4GB SDHC card which will cost less than $15 bucks each after shipping. Maybe get an 8GB card depending on the length of their vacation. Newegg has an 8GB SDHC for $20 free shipping. Remember if they leave the country they may need a power adapter for the battery charger. Alternative is get a camera that uses AA batteries. Either way you'll be paying.
 
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shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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Hmmmm, 50 bucks gets you one of those shitty Walgreens cameras. I suggest you expand the budget to a hundred bucks then you can get a decent low-end name brand camera.
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
for about 60 bucks you can get the Sanyo 8mp camera from Walmart, its pretty decent, comes with an charger + enloop batteries.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
3
81
Electronics Expo, which is a chain here in NJ, has a slew up decent, basic P&S cameras for under $80. Samsung, Nikon, Fuji, Casio...

If possible, I would try to stretch the budget a bit to get a camera with image stabilization. The Samsung SL420 is ~ $110, and has at least a couple of good reviews, including a rather glowing one at Steve's Digicams.
 
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ChorniyVolk

Senior member
Sep 1, 2009
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Like I said, $100 area is alright if the $50 is shit.

So for the $100 area then, specifics: Nikon L-series, Sanyo 8mp, Samsung SL420.

If I'm going to buy at a B&M, then I'd prefer Fry's Electronics or Best Buy.
 
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