mac compatible camera for kids

Forget drivers ("runs on Mac"), that's a waste of time and a dead end. Basically, you can choose any camera you like as long as it uses removable media cards. For a kid, I'd pick something that is either a) built somewhat tough, or b) old and cheap and won't be misssed if dropped or misplaced (or c) both the above.)

I gave my 8 YO daughter a couple-year-old Fuji FinePix that uses SmartMedia cards. She just pulls the card from the camera and pops it into a USB-SM reader where it shows up immediately in iPhoto.

dan k

I gave my 8 YO daughter a couple-year-old Fuji FinePix that uses SmartMedia cards. She just pulls the card from the camera and pops it into a USB-SM reader where it shows up immediately in iPhoto.

Just to chime in here, the Fuji FinePix line is probably a good choice for kids. I had (still have) an old "2600Z" 2 Megapixel unit from about 2001 which has been subjected to some pretty extreme abuse, including several really nasty drops on hard surfaces and a trip to Southeast Asia, and still takes decent pictures. It's just now starting to get a little "cranky" with the motor which extends the lens jamming occasionally. (This after the last five-foot drop onto a concrete floor, which finally popped a case screw loose.)

Every Fuji I've seen supports the "it looks like a USB drive" protocol so you don't need to bother with a card reader. The only reason to bother with a reader is if you've lost the cable that came with the camera. (The old Fujis have a nonstandard plug on the camera end, not the standard mini-USB plug you see on most new cameras, disk drives, etc.)

Another nice thing about the "chunky" FujiFilm cameras (2600/2650Z, A-series, etc) is that many of them use AA batteries. They come with NiMH rechargables but it can be really handy to be able to shove some disposables in there if you run out of charge in the middle of nowhere.

--Peace