Kids and Digital Cameras
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times my boys are trying to sneak my digital camera to take pictures. They think it’s fun, however I don’t want my camera broken, so I’m constantly taking it away, which results in tears and tantrums. That’s where a kid friendly digital camera comes into play. Sakar has a LeapFrog Talking Digital Camera that is durable for kids, all while taking pictures and is quite easy to use. There’s a lot when it comes to a digital camera, so I’ve outlined some of the good and bad with this camera.
Pros: As I mentioned above, this camera is tough. It’s been thrown around and dropped, yet it still works. It has a 1.5 inch screen where you can view pictures, take pictures of your subject, or change functions. Your child can also look through the view finder to take a picture, but neither of my boys used the view finder when taking pictures.
It’s quite user friendly, and only has three buttons. The on/off button is on the left, and the playback, flash, scroll buttons are on the right. The camera makes a sound to let you know it is on, and then you simply look at the screen and take a picture. After each picture, the camera tells you things like, “Great shot!” This was really cute at first, and Chan would come show me the pictures that he had taken.
The resolution goes from 640×480 to 1600×1280. There are actually 3 different settings, and you can change the resolution by using the function that shows stars. One star means it is on the lowest resolution, 2 stars, middle, and 3 stars means it is the highest resolution. We kept it on the lowest resolution, because if you do this, you are able to take a couple hundred pictures. This is great for kids, because the more pictures it can hold, the better. My boys have been taking a LOT of pictures.
The overall look and feel of the camera is also great for kids. It’s not so big to be obnoxious, but big enough for small hands to grip. This camera also incorporates a flash. While I think a flash is a great idea, it tends to expose the subject a little too much, and results in pictures that look white or washed out. You can see that in the example above. However, the pictures are quite nice when you are outside in a natural light.
As good as you can get with a 2.1 megapixel camera that is meant for kids anyway. And really, kids don’t care about quality that much I’ve noticed. Chandler especially is proud of the pictures he takes regardless of how they look.
The camera is battery operated, but powers off by itself after a minute or two of not being in use. This is a nice feature because your batteries will last longer. This LeapFrog camera also comes with software that is great for basic editing.
Cons: As mentioned above, the flash overexposes subjects. The pictures that I had posted above with the flash used were very typical of any that we took. I tried them in different lighting, etc, but the flash always made the pictures look really horrible. Because it doesn’t really serve a purpose, I think it might be a good change just to not have a flash at all on this camera.
Another thing that I felt somewhat annoying was the sounds. It does praise your child by saying “Great Shot!” And says things like “Goodbye!” when the camera is powering off. You are able to turn the sound off, but if your child turns the camera off and then back on again, it’s those loud sounds again. I feel it would be better served to have an actual switch on the camera like many toys do that will turn the sound on and off. I know I would definitely appreciate this as a parent.
The software that the camera comes with really doesn’t do very much. You can change up the pictures just a little bit with color, special effects, and erasers, but I would love to see more incorporated such as scenes and stickers. These are little improvements that I think would make the software more fun. I also was not able to actually install the software, but can access the program when I have the cd in my computer. I’m not sure if it is because we are operating on a mac, but I haven’t been able to put the software on my desktop, I have to have the cd in to use it.
My last complaint is the price point. Everywhere I’ve seen this camera, it retails for about $50. I think it’s a good digital camera for kids, but would be more likely to buy it if it was around the $30 price point.
Price: $49.99
Where to Buy: Toys R Us
Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a LeapFrog Talking Digital Camera
Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)
- Tell me your favorite feature about this camera
Additional Entries
- Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
- Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
- Follow me – 2 entries
- Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on (unlimited) – 2 entries
- Become a fan of Babes and Kids on Facebook – 2 entries
Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on August 2nd. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.
The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.
Popularity: 2% [?]
e-mails subscriber 2
e-mail subscriber 1
I love that it only has three buttons and is chuncky for little hands. thanks for the chance!
commented on winners change #2
commented on winners change #1
tweet #2
https://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19714880470
tweet #1
https://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19714880470
http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/19711527066 tweet 2
http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/19711527066 tweet 1
Commented on Wordless Wednesday – Sunblock? #2
Commented on Wordless Wednesday – Sunblock? #1
I became a Facebook fan
Danetta Young
2
I became a Facebook fan
Danetta Young
I am a blog follower. Following as Danetta
2
I am a blog follower. Following as Danetta
I like that it has an auto shut off feature. This would be great for my son who tends to leave everything turned on.
.-= Danetta´s last blog ..Get Positively Beautiful Book Giveaway =-.
#2 Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19687619199
Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19687619199
daily tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19686639390
entry #2
daily tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19686639390
entry #1
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Aloha Friday – 23 =-.
DT 7/27. #2
DT 7/27. #1
i tweeted http://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/19674387950
i tweeted http://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/19631350964 pt 2
i tweeted http://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/19631350964
gfc name purplelover04 pt 2
gfc name purplelover04 pt 1
im a fan on fb name erica best pt 2
im a fan on fb name erica best pt 1
I LOVE THE battery SAVER MODE WITH THE TIMER THAT CUTS IT SELF OFF I LOVE THAT .
tweet #2
http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19628836278
tweet #1
http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19628836278
tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19549150432
entry #1
tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19549150432
entry #1
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Aloha Friday – 23 =-.
facebook fan 2
facebook fan 1
foll\ower 2
follower
email sub 2
email subscriber
http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/19544066273 tweet 2
http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/19544066273 tweet
i like the auto off feature my kids leave everything on
goggle friend connect #2
google friend connect #1
My favorite feature is the ability to review the pictures on the camera after taking them!
comment on Back to Basics #2
comment on Back to Basics #1
fb fan #2
Nancy P.
fb fan #1
Nancy P.
follow #2
follow #1
subscribe #2
subscribe #1
tweet #2
http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19515956444
tweet #1
http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19515956444
tweet #1
http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19515956444
I love that it is simple to use for kids with only 3 buttons.
#2 Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19461958333
#1 Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19461958333
Commented on Back to Basic post 2
Commented on Back to Basic post
I commented on your Weather Kid Sid post
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #2
I commented on your Weather Kid Sid post
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #1
tweet
https://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19444072144
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #2
tweet
https://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19444072144
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #1
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
DT 7/24. #2
DT 7/24. #1
I like that it turns off by itself.
I commented on your “Back to Basics” post
entry #2
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
I commented on your “Back to Basics” post
entry #1
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
Commented on Back to Basics. #2
Commented on Back to Basics. #1
DT 7/23. #2
DT 7/23. #1
tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19320051731
entry #2
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19320051731
entry #1
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
#2 I “LIKE” you on Facebook (Nicole Pitts)
#1 I “LIKE” you on Facebook (Nicole Pitts)
#2 I subscribe via email
#1 I subscribe via email
#2 Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19307925936
#1 Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/19307925936
I love that it talks and tells them Good Job and Goodbye!
I follow via google friend connect #2
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I follow via google friend connect #1
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I subscribe via email #2
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I subscribe via email #1
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I like that it only has three buttons, sounds like it would be easy to use. I also like the power off feature. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I commented on “Back to Basics” #2
I commented on “Back to Basics” #1
Commented on Wordless Wednesday – Shower Goggles. #2
Commented on Wordless Wednesday – Shower Goggles. #1
DT 7/22. #2
DT 7/22. #1
I love the fact that it can be dropped and can take a beating! My 3.5 yr old would love this! Maybe he would stop using my camera
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Journals for 7-18 – 7-24 =-.
Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19226527062
entry #2
.-= Owen’s Mom´s last blog ..Happy National Strawberry Shortcake Day! =-.
Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/19226527062
entry #1
I am a fan on Facebook #2
I am a fan on Facebook #1