Help me pick the perfect camera for my kid

Hi C Mama - she can have fast response time and DSLR-like performance from a <$300 pocketable camera - if you buy used.

For just a few dollars above your price range, you might look at a $252 Nikon 1 J1, $260 Panasonic GF3 or a $300 Sony NEX-C3 from KEH or Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Easy to use in their automatic modes, they can produce pictures like these:

Nikon 1 J1: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1769030@N24/pool/

GF3: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dmc-gf3/pool/

NEX-C3: http://www.flickr.com/groups/nexc3/pool/

If you really need to stay below $250, you may have to give up on super fast response time, but you can get a tough, waterproof, pocketable Panasonic TS4 for $232. It can produce pictures like these: http://www.flickr.com/groups/lumixts2/pool/

Hope this is useful - and good luck!

Bill

Hybrid Camera Revolution