The Kid-Tough Digital Camera

You know that the world of electronics has taken a leap when the gadgets you used to consider to be cutting-edge technology are available for preschool children. What a world we live in.

Personally, I think kids should be allowed to develop their own imaginations before being given toys of this nature. But maybe I'm just old-fashioned. At any rate, the Kid-Tough Digital Camera is the latest thing in high-tech for kids.

Though the Kid-Tough Digital Camera (from Fisher- Price) is designed for very young users, don't mistake it for a toy. This is a fully-featured digital camera that would rival an adult camera in usability.

• 1.6 inch LCD preview screen

• Auto Flash

• 8 MB standard memory, holding around 60 pictures

• Card slot for additional SD memory

• Resolution of 640x480 (not great)

• USB cord

• Photo software included, will require 75 MB of hard drive space to install and Windows 2000/ME/XP

• Does require 4 AA batteries

• 2-eye view window, rather than 1

• Large chunky handgrips

• Big simple control buttons

• Comes in blue or pink (I suppose for boys or girls)

• Sturdy, durable body construction

• Designed for kids aged 3 and up

As if that wasn't grown up enough for your budding photographer, you can get accessories for your Kid-Tough Camera as well. There are 3 face plates to change the look of the camera (soccer, flames or leopard print). You can also get a camera case, in either matching blue or pink. A wrist strap is already included with the camera.

As a real digital camera, you can use the USB cord and included software to download the pictures from the camera onto your home computer. You can then share your kid's pics with others or have them printed.

The Fisher-Price Kid Tough Digital Camera is not a cheap toy either, priced at around $70. Though it's certainly not the most expensive product for kids that I've seen either.

My daughter loves my own digital camera and is always excited to see herself in the little window on the back. Having a camera of her own would be a great idea for Christmas. I may just have to start saving my pennies to get her one. With the fancy leopard print face plate, of course.

Overall, I think this is a neat (though possibly excessive) toy for a child. The photos are not going to be crisp, gallery-quality pics especially since little children are not great at holding still while taking them. Parents may not be thrilled with the photo quality, but most children will love their photography results. Remember, these are kids who see a masterpiece in every crayon scribble.