What digital camera would your middle school student want?

[poppy]

I'm running a photography contest for kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

The top 3 get a cash prize and the grand prize winner also gets a digital camera.

(I'm guessing most kids will take the photos for the contest on a phone).

 

Budget is up to $150 - so - nothing too fancy. 

What camera would your tween-ish kid like to get?

 

Waterproof?

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Waterproof-Digital-Camera/dp/B00T85PMWY/ref=zg_bs_330405011_5

 

With instant film capability?

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Instant-Digital-Printing-Technology/dp/B015JIAD7C/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1459623112&sr=1-1&keywords=polaroid

 

Feature rich?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-16-2MP-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00HV6KLP0/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1459623292&sr=1-4&keywords=social+media+camera

 

Or is there some other type / trend I should know about?

 

Thanks!!

 

[Spryte]

I have a 12 year old film maker. Not quite the same, but close.

 

My first thought was waterproof - summer is coming!

 

The Polaroid is very cool, but the film/paper is pricey. That could be an issue.

 

I like the third option best. :) So does DS.

 

If a Go Pro fit the price tag, DS suggests that - but again, he's a film guy. For a still photo contest prize, I really like the third one you linked.

 

What fun!

[happi duck]

They all sound good!

 

DD is older than your target but has always wanted a waterproof camera.

 

The Polaroid is really cool but I agree it does come with an ongoing expense. If you went this route I'd make it a prize pack and add the card and extra paper.

 

The third option looks great and very "prize worthy".

[JudoMom]

The third option.

[Lady Florida.]

Another vote for the third one. The wifi and NFC capabilities alone make it a good choice, especially for young people. Add in the decent optical zoom and higher megapixels and it's the best choice.

[theelfqueen]

My middle schooler loves loves my waterproof but my kids are dying to get a go pro of their own.

[Arcadia]

My boys is eyeing the Nikon coolpix at Best Buy eventhough my DS10 would rather use a DSLR when I finally decide on which one. We aren't a Samsung family though when it comes to appliances.

 

Polaroids cameras are nice but the ongoing expenses are not.

[Jan in SC]

I vote waterproof. Most new phone cameras will be as good as the third option. The Polaroid one is fun, but gets expensive and loses its appeal.

[OhanaBee]

I asked my teen photographer and she said the third one would be her first choice.  I would have thought it would be the first one, but she liked all the extras on the Samsung.