Used camera under $100 for 9 year old

folks - my son loves using my Sony A6400 but I have to say I fear the worst when it's in his hands. Plus I think he deserves his own camera. I'm currently looking for used deals on the Canon S110 - any other recommendations that I can charge directly using a micro/mini USB cable without taking battery out?

Also, I see some S110 without chargers on ebay, I'm assuming a simple Micro USB charger would do? I don't see the point of needing a separate battery charger. Or do you have to actually take the battery out and insert into the CB-2LX charger? Thanks

Manual - https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/1/0300008691/02/pss110-cu2-en.pdf

tonyAb said:

folks - my son loves using my Sony A6400 but I have to say I fear the worst when it's in his hands. Plus I think he deserves his own camera. I'm currently looking for used deals on the Canon S110 - any other recommendations that I can charge directly using a micro/mini USB cable without taking battery out?

Also, I see some S110 without chargers on ebay, I'm assuming a simple Micro USB charger would do? I don't see the point of needing a separate battery charger. Or do you have to actually take the battery out and insert into the CB-2LX charger? Thanks

Manual - https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/1/0300008691/02/pss110-cu2-en.pdf

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Perhaps an old smartphone? You don't need a cellular plan to use it as a camera. If it's not that old of a smartphone, it might actually take better quality images than the S110.

As to a charger for the S110, I don't think a USB charger will work. I think the S100 uses a Canon NB-5L battery pack, You need a charger that's specific to that model battery, or a "universal" charger with a compatible plate.

I don't believe that a S110 Canon can be charged with usb cable. We use a S95 and it has a separate charger.

Any other camera recommendations? I’m hoping to provide him a traditional camera experience vs smart phone

tonyAb said:

folks - my son loves using my Sony A6400 but I have to say I fear the worst when it's in his hands. Plus I think he deserves his own camera. I'm currently looking for used deals on the Canon S110 - any other recommendations that I can charge directly using a micro/mini USB cable without taking battery out?

Also, I see some S110 without chargers on ebay, I'm assuming a simple Micro USB charger would do? I don't see the point of needing a separate battery charger. Or do you have to actually take the battery out and insert into the CB-2LX charger?

Click to expand...

Think about a second-hand Sony a6000.

• Share lenses.
• Same battery.
• Charge using an adapter.
• Charge slowly using the plug-in power supply.

Non-Genuine adapter and battery sets are available quite cheaply. I did find that non-genuine batteries only last for about 5 years before they swell and won't fit.

Note that an old Sony camera may need to be charged using the plug-in cable for an extended period to restore functionality.

New Wrycuda said:

tonyAb said:

folks - my son loves using my Sony A6400 but I have to say I fear the worst when it's in his hands. Plus I think he deserves his own camera. I'm currently looking for used deals on the Canon S110 - any other recommendations that I can charge directly using a micro/mini USB cable without taking battery out?

Also, I see some S110 without chargers on ebay, I'm assuming a simple Micro USB charger would do? I don't see the point of needing a separate battery charger. Or do you have to actually take the battery out and insert into the CB-2LX charger?

Click to expand...

Think about a second-hand Sony a6000.

• Share lenses.
• Same battery.
• Charge using an adapter.
• Charge slowly using the plug-in power supply.

Non-Genuine adapter and battery sets are available quite cheaply. I did find that non-genuine batteries only last for about 5 years before they swell and won't fit.

Note that an old Sony camera may need to be charged using the plug-in cable for an extended period to restore functionality.

Click to expand...

Going with a Sony E mount body, you can also go with an older NEX camera that would use the same battery like an old NEX 6 or NEX 7 that would be much cheaper than an A6000.

If there is no need for a viewfinder you can also look at the NEX F3, NEX C3, NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-3N, NEX-5N, NEX-5T, NEX-5R, A5000, A5100

All of these use the same NP-FW50 battery, same as the A6400.

Wife won't allow me to spend over a $100 Our kid is still clumsy and breakage is a real possibility. My only requirement is take ok quality photos and USB charging so it's simply for him to charge without taking battery out. Canon S110 doesn't meet this requirement for charging unfortunately which I hoped it did because quite a few ebay options for under $100

tonyAb said:

Any other camera recommendations? I’m hoping to provide him a traditional camera experience vs smart phone

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The Canon S110 is a 4.6X crop body. At the shortest focal length, the available apertures yield the same results as f/9.2 to f/37 on a full frame. At longer focal lengths, you get even less of a range. That body isn't really going to provide a traditional camera experience.

Others may disagree, but I think the most important aspect of photography is knowing what to shoot and how to frame it. You need to know where to stand to get the right perspective. You need to know how to frame the shot. You need to know the right moment to press the shutter button. For these lessons, a smartphone works as well as a high end, professional camera. In fact, a smartphone offers the advantage of being able to crop the image on the phone, after you have taken it.

There's a reason why so many compact cameras are available on eBay. Many of the owners have moved up to smartphones.

The technical aspects of photography (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.) come into play once you want to take more control over the image. For instance wanting to control depth of field. A problem with compact cameras like the S110, is that you can't really control that. You are limited to f/9.2 equivalent on the wide end, and you have very little range before diffraction issues kill your quality.

If you want a traditional camera experience, then find a used DSLR. Ideally one that uses the same lenses as your camera. That way, when he is under your supervision, you can loan him lenses and accessories (like a flash).

The in camera usb charging may limit your choices significantly. I believe that this is much more available in new cameras, but don't remember it being available in older cameras, especially usbc as it is a fairly new type. There are almost unlimited old point and shoots that could fit the bill outside of the usbc charging. All that I am aware of use out of camera charging, but there must be some specific models that allow this.

tonyAb said:

Wife won't allow me to spend over a $100 Our kid is still clumsy and breakage is a real possibility. My only requirement is take ok quality photos and USB charging so it's simply for him to charge without taking battery out. Canon S110 doesn't meet this requirement for charging unfortunately which I hoped it did because quite a few ebay options for under $100

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The requirement for USB charging rather limits your options. Removing/Installing the battery shouldn't be beyond your son's capabilities.

Years ago I picked up a Nikon Coolpix camera in the remainders bin and it happened to be powered by 2x AA batteries. This could be a useful feature when mains power isn't available. I took that camera as a spare on my next holiday and eventually gave it to my grandson (then aged 12).


Moraine Lake B.C. with $50 camera.

Give a 9 year old a fragile 150 gram digital pocket camera with a motorised lens that extends, made a decade ago, what could go wrong?

The S canon pocket cameras are falling apart because of the lens error. They are very badly built cameras, and this applied when they were new. I wouldn't want one today even if it's free.

Also, i would never let a child use a digital pocket camera because it's enough to drop it once and it's done. I've personally done this with a brand new $900 rx100 M7, and i'm not 9 years old.

For a child, any old DSLR will work fine, like a 400D with the kit lens. Nothing breaks even if you drop it, maybe the AF. But a Sony T/TX series also work because the lens on those don't extend, they have large touchscreens and some TX models are shockproof, but of course there are plenty of other shockproof models from Olympus, for example.

Is it possible that people are confusing digital compact cameras with film compact cameras? My first camera ever at around 9 was a Kodak, that thing was impossible to destroy, we still have it.

In the past I considered some of the old Sony apsc models (probably 5N or others) with eg. 16f2.8, which could be found used relatively cheap.

tonyAb said:

Wife won't allow me to spend over a $100 Our kid is still clumsy and breakage is a real possibility. My only requirement is take ok quality photos and USB charging so it's simply for him to charge without taking battery out. Canon S110 doesn't meet this requirement for charging unfortunately which I hoped it did because quite a few ebay options for under $100

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I suggest you check out MPB or KEH. Much better place to find used cameras than ebay in my book. I find they are usually cheaper than ebay and more reliable plus the guarantee.

"If you want a traditional camera experience, then find a used DSLR. Ideally one that uses the same lenses as your camera."

The OP has a Sony that takes E lens.

Do you know of any DSLR that takes those lenses ?

Several of the Kodak branded cameras can be charged via USB.

For example the $99 Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Digital Camera