So I went to Micro Center this weekend to browse around. I have been wanting to buy myself and my mom a digital camera ever since they came out...yeah, lack of money has helped the situation ;-) But, with the lower prices now a days, I figure it is about time! Plus, they are probably better looking.
I did see some pretty good cameras. However, for the most part they were all so tiny! My mom has arthritic hands- so she can't really bend her hands all too well...let alone her fingers. Seems as the years have gone by since the first digital cameras, smaller sizes seem to be the "cool". This doesn't help my situation because I need a good digital camera that isn't so tiny so my mom can handle it yet still look aesthetically pleasing. I also need it to have as few options as possible. My mom refuses to use a computer or a cell phone for fear of messing something up. Too many options will only cause her to avoid using the digital camera. I wonder who the target audiences are when companies are creating their new lines of cameras........ are there some made for people with disabilities? If anyone sees something that fits my mom's specifications, let me know! :)
While looking, I saw the HP Photosmart E327 and HP Photosmart M22. Both of these cameras are a serious no-no! Ther is a cover in the front that needs to slide from the right to the left side of the camera in order for the lens to show. The problem is that HP put the battery section on the left side of the camera. So, everytime you want to open the camera, you incidentally open the cover to the battery because your thumb rests against it with sligth pressure. I opened the camera in the store and the battery fell out! Kinda hard for me to describe in words....so get check one out so you will see what I am talking about. I guess they were trying to be unique in battery compartment placement but geez.... was there no user testing???
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Well, there are some cameras that meet the specifications (like some of the old PowerShots by Canon), but most of the larger ones you will find are fairly expensive. I think the problem is that they were tested, but the target market was aimed at the generation of digital people (read: tweens-40), and the baby-boomers were left behind. This leaves them in an awkward position; learn or be left behind. Sheesh.
Danyell
jm-services.com/blog
It's odd though that no one seems to make a point and click cheap camera for the older generation. Just because they're 50+ doesn't mean they can afford one of the large, high quality cameras and they probably don't want the advanced functionality either.
Don't most of the little cameras at least have a large button to use to take a picture? After that, the computer becomes much of the interface.
I purchased a digital camera for my mom sometime ago and she went back to her old film camera after she deleted some pictures when she misunderstood the labels of the multifunctional button. And then she got a free, no-name, digital camera with three big buttons on it with her magazine subscription. I got a decent card for her and she has been using it every since, and it actually takes nice pictures. Some of her friends asked about it and they got a subscription just for the camera :)
Marlena! What type of camera was the one your mom got????
I would suggest a slr compatable camera. They have to be large enough to accept the old "traditional" camera lenses.
Also there are some "toy" digital cameras made for children that are quite decent and not terribly expensive. They are larger too to accomidate lack of motor skills.
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