Your Old Digital Camera

Digital cameras get more talented all of the time as senors, features, and processors continue to change. This is great news for enthusiasts and novices alike. The only drawback is that often when deciding to buy a newer model, there's an old digital camera to consider.

Should you hide it away in a drawer, toss it in the trash, or perhaps sell it on e-Bay? Read further and see what some of the options are for your now unwanted, old digital camera.

Of course the first thing to consider is whether or not you know someone who might be able to enjoy your old camera. Children certainly come to mind. If you have a basic point and shoot camera, it can be worth the time to teach children the basics of handling and caring for the camera. Cameras are actually great learning tools and a great deal of fun to boot. Kids who are older can of course handle a more complex model. Throw in an appropriate book or find an online course and they can learn all on their own.

In other cases everyone you know may already have the camera they need. Don't despair, you may be able to use your camera in ways you never imagined. This article from PCMagazine highlights some more creative ways of using it; from building a fish eye lens to using it as a webcam.

Of course it never hurts to have a back up camera. If your new device is nice and expensive do you really want to take it out on the trail with you when it may be exposed to the elements? Or perhaps you want to be sure to take a camera on a business trip to the west coast, but your spouse is taking the kids to the zoo while you're gone. No problem, your old digital camera can make this a no-brainer.

If you decide you can't really put your old camera to good use then there's probably someone else who can. If you search around a bit you can find a number of charitable causes that would love to have it.

For example, Lensational accepts donated digital cameras for training with women in Asia, Africa, and other countries for the purposes of providing a sense of empowerment and economic means. PhotoVoice has their Cameras for Charity which accepts a variety of cameras and related equipment for conducting photography work shops around the world

Another charitable opportunity is through the Biodiversity Group. The donation of a camera would go toward supporting their work in conservation ecology. While not all cameras will be needed, the Camera Heritage Museum would certainly be interested in finding out what camera you have to potentially donate to build their collection.

Of course local schools and community organizations are often interested in cameras as well. Scanning the local paper or sites such as Craigslist can help identify current initiatives. Another option is to go through ZealousGood.com to find the local charity that will want your camera.

If you want some cash for an old digital camera there are a number of alternatives for this as well. Online there's Craigslist to give you a hand and of course, eBay. Other for profit sites include Gazelle, Adorama, and Used Camera Buyer among others.

Of course if you don't find what you want online, there are always yard sales, newspaper ads, and so forth.

If you're just hoping to trade up there are some manufacturers and retailers who offer trade in programs that will provide a discount for your old camera. Kodak, Olympus, and Sony all offer such programs. Other companies often provide these opportunities at the end of the year. Contacting your camera manufacturer may reveal similar programs. Some retailers such as Best Buy provide these services too.

If your old digital camera no longer functions, you can't sell or donate it. Shoving it into a drawer or tossing it into the trash to end up in a landfill are options but not a very good ones. It would be better to have the precious metals rescued and the plastics recycled for reuse.

Opportunities abound online and locally. Manufacturers are increasingly involved in recycling efforts so contacting them can often be a good first step. Sites such as E-Cycling Central can help in finding recycling centers near you. Other options include Freecycle, MyGreenElectronics, and Recycling For Charities.