cheap camera

[greenrook]

Sorry about the camera question, I posted it under Shopping, really I did, but it's popped up here for some reason

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Just because your question has 'taken a walk' doesn't seem to be a good reason for it not being answered ;-)

Last bit first: 'What's an SD card?
The really cheap digital cameras have a fixed amount of memory built into them. When you've taken enough pictures to fill the memory, you can't take any more until you've freed up the memory by transferring the existing pictures to your computer. (This is done by connecting the camera to the PC via a lead).

Most cameras don't have their memory permanently built into them. Instead, the pictures are stored on a small memory card (of which the SD card is probably the most common type). This card goes into a slot in the camera. When the card is full, it's still possible to use the camera by simply removing the card and inserting another one.

To transfer the images from an SD card to a computer, it's possible to leave the card in the camera and connect it, via a lead, to the PC. However, a better method (because it's faster and simpler) is to take the card out of the camera and plug it into a 'card reader'. (These can be built into a PC or you can buy them as an accessory to plug into a USB port).

[Buenchico]

So, SD-card cameras are better than the really basic ones because they offer greater flexibility to the user.

Now for the awkward bit: 'Where can you get one for under �30?'
You might be able to find one from an internet supplier but, by the time you've taken p&p into account it might still end up over �30. Additionally, you could end up with problems if the supplier e-mails you to say "Sorry, they're out of stock but we think we might have some more in time for Christmas".

My personal recommendation would be to forget the internet and look for a reputable make from a decent High Street supplier, even though this might take you a little over your budget. With that in mind, there doesn't seem to be any real choice. There is only one such camera which is widely available. It's the Vivitar 3105S which is a few pence under �34 at either Tesco or Argos.

As I've stated, that camera is the only one which you can readily find around the �30 price mark. However, I should make it clear that (as I read the specification) it doesn't come supplied with an SD card. It's got a small amount of built-in memory, so it can be used 'as is', in the same way that the cheaper cameras can but it really needs an SD card added to it for best use.

I advise having a word with your daughter-in-law. It might be that she already uses an SD-card camera herself and has got one or two spare cards. In which case, there's probably no need for either you or your daughter-in-law to buy a card for your grandson's camera. However, if you do decide that one of you ought to buy a card for it, you should most definitely not buy from Argos! Their cheapest SD card is a 256Mb one for a whopping �24.99! You can buy one, with the same capacity, online for �5.95!
http://www.memory

[greenrook]

Muchas gracias Buenchico, it transpires my daughter-in-law has lots of these SD cards - probably why she recommended the SD type in the first place. Absolutely agree about the Vivitar, having looked it up, so that's what he's going to get, along with a grandfather's blessing and his usual clip round the ear on Christmas morning. I don't pretend to understand the technicalities of which you speak, I'm one of these wimps who let the wife programme the various TV thingies, VHS and CD and DVD etc., but she read your answer also and it makes perfect sense to her. Thanks again...Greenrook