[Zoom]

I wasn't getting any help over here so I thought I'd try a different forum.

Basically, I want to get a dirt cheap, dirt simple low-res digital camera for my 3-yr-old daughter that works with iPhoto in OSX. I'd love to get this SiPix Blink II model, but what little I've read says that iPhoto won't recognize it and IOXperts doesn't support it, either.

Best Buy had a Aiptec camera that was kinda cool, though I've never heard of this company before. The KB Gear JamCam also looks kinda neat.

Given the criteria listed below, can anyone help me find a good camera for this very specific use?

- iPhoto/OSX compatible
- USB
- dirt simple to use
- focus-free
- low-res (640x480 is fine, 800x600 is great)
- durable
- just 1-2 batteries
- under $50 (or close)
- relatively short wait time between pictures
- flash would be nice, but not required
- LCD viewer not needed

[dampeoples]

Hi,
I would look for a camera that supports some sort of removable memory, if that's even available in a camera in this price range. Removable memory would allow you to buy an external card reader, such as a Sandisk one that will work with iPhoto, regardless of which camera was used. I was searchign for a similar camera for my kids a while back, and didn't have much luck myself.

[dampeoples]

Looking at the Jam Cam at Amazon, it seems that it accepts MMC cards, a reader would add to the price (about $30), but it may be the only way to get it into iPhoto. Let me know what you get and how it works, I'd love to get one for my kids.

Edit: Just read a review on Amazon, pertaining to the MMC Card reader, looks like this is a bad idea, it must use some proprietary format:
"Reviewer: evilmicrowizard (see more about me) from Seattle, WA United States
Use the search to check for the blue version of the JamCam - there is a link to drivers for XP and 2000 (and others) there.

Quick summary: decent 1st camera, if you can stand 640x480. An MMC card is not needed but makes the camera much more useful. You can't use an MMC reader to read this card, only the camera. The flash is too powerful at close range."

[audvidsvs]

I certainly tried to help.
Did you even go over to Ebay and have a look at what was there?

There is bound to be something decent that is not a toy in your price range but you might just have to dig a little to come up with it.

If you get something with quality construction at least you might aviod the childs being let-down if a cheap one breaks.

Good Luck
Ed

[Zoom]

Originally posted by audvidsvs:
I certainly tried to help.
Did you even go over to Ebay and have a look at what was there?

There is bound to be something decent that is not a toy in your price range but you might just have to dig a little to come up with it.

If you get something with quality construction at least you might aviod the childs being let-down if a cheap one breaks.

Good Luck
Ed

Sorry, yes you did. I'm more accustomed to getting lots of replies and then some follow-up back-and-forth from many people.

eBay is a not a great option for me in this case because I'm short on time and I'd actually just prefer something new for a gift.

[angelmb]

Originally posted by Zoom:
...for my 3-yr-old daughter that works with iPhoto in OSX.

nice kid, for sure

[dampeoples]

Originally posted by angelmb:
nice kid, for sure

I don't understand? Kids are very, very smart
Just ask my 3 year old daughter

[angelmb]

I mean... 3 years old and working with Mac OS X and iPhoto is awesome

[Zoom]

My daughter is really sharp. I have an account for her on my Mac and once I get her in there, she knows how to launch Safari and use the bookmarks to get to her favorite sites, and how to navigate within those sites. I even have a rather complicated mult-button scroll wheel mouse and she knows to use the left button. She's actually not quite 3 - her bday is about a week away.

[Mac Zealot]

Fun. It seems now that computers are more available and getting cheaper by the day (and less complicated), that kids have a much better chance at it..

Pretty soon there will be 5 year olds that know more than I do as far as programming is concerned, and that will scare me. lol

[philm]

I got a JamCam for my 3-year old daughter when she was three. She's not as smart as your kid and is only using OS9 on her iMac.

Good things: very robust with chunky grips and easy to use. Even the USB port seems 'strong' so there is no chance of damage. Cheap (30 of your English pounds).

Bad things: no little LCD screen which she would enjoy (but this would increase the chance of damage I suppose). No flash. Picture quality is unbeliviably bad, like you would not imagine possible in 2003. She is not so interested in this however.

Overall, I would try and find one with a LCD screen for as cheap as possible (ebay?), and not a JamCam.

Phil

[romeosc]

Originally posted by philm:
I got a JamCam for my 3-year old daughter when she was three. She's not as smart as your kid and is only using OS9 on her iMac.

Good things: very robust with chunky grips and easy to use. Even the USB port seems 'strong' so there is no chance of damage. Cheap (30 of your English pounds).

Bad things: no little LCD screen which she would enjoy (but this would increase the chance of damage I suppose). No flash. Picture quality is unbeliviably bad, like you would not imagine possible in 2003. She is not so interested in this however.

Overall, I would try and find one with a LCD screen for as cheap as possible (ebay?), and not a JamCam.

Phil

I bought 3 of the Jamcams for my extended familywhen they offewred a $30 rebate(sale price $29.95-$30 rebate)

Net they were free after rebate, of course all were sent to different addresses!


Great little camera, we take them when we go to beach instead of taking chance ruining the Olympus 3 megapixel.