Compact Camera for a beginner

I'm looking to buy a compact camera for my 7 year old son at some point in the near future, it will have to be fairly simple for him to operate. Out of the Pentax range does anyone have any ideas? I've seen that SRS have the E80 at the moment which might be suitable. I'm not considering a DSLR for him yet as he's not old enough

Rob

My 8 year old grandaughter manages perfectly well with the T30 I gave her - she loves the touch screen.

The E series are also very suitable.

Cameras are like mini computers/mobile phones these days, so I wouldn't expect a 7 year old to have any problems.

You'd be better of with the W80 I'd have said as it's waterproof & shock resistant so you wouldn't have to worry too much about the inevitable accident.

The IQ isn't reported to be class-leading, but certainly fine for snapshots.

When I got first cameras for my kids one of the over-riding factors was how they handled for people with child-sized hands and fingers - the best compact camera in the world will be no good if it is too hard for your son to hold and grip with security. I would therefore err towards something slightly chunky rather than stylishly svelte. I don't know how that translates into Pentax compacts, but this may be a point worth bearing in mind as you look around.

For that reason the W90 might be better and I must say that I really like the H90, don't know how much more expensive that one is...

RR`s comments are a little understated about the W80. Why dissapoint the child with second rate imagery. Encourage our wonderful life experiences through a lens. The W60 has a super image quality and is still available at a good price.

Cedric

I didn't want to bash Pentax too much, being a deserter. I'd take a look at the current Panasonic shock/water proof model. I've always rated their compacts.

In fact, it could be a good present for the Mrs that I could borrow on occasions.

RR you are not bashing Pentax, the W80 is certainly not known for image quality unlike previous models. Very sad because the ergonomics are champion. The Panasonic FT2 like the previous model has IQ to behold and it handles very well too, the included silicon jacket is a great help in the wet. battery life is great too.

Cedric

Thanks Jon, I hadn't thought of that. In fact I remember one of the first cameras I used when I was his age was fairly chunky, I don't know the name of the format but the film was in a black cartridge and the flash was in a cube that you bought seperately. Each time the flash was used and you wound the film on the cube revolved round so the next flash could be used.

Thanks for all of your advice so far

Rob

Another practical point , as well as being slightly chunky it should also NOT be slippery - little fingers could well slide about and it could fall if their grip was non too secure . If it doesn't have a proper neckstrap consider having the camera on a lanyard so that when in use it can be supported that way .

My little Optio P70 is very very slippery and the wrist strap provided with it is just a loop . OK I put my wrist through it - but there is no sliding toggle to keep it tight against my wrist - this would not be sensible for a child.