My husband and I bought this camera for our daughter last Christmas (she was 11 at the time).  Worked great out of the box with little or no explanation of features.  She ALWAYS has her camera with her and has enjoyed taking pictures of herself, her friends, her pets and places we have visited.  She takes the memory stick out of the camera, puts in on the computer and makes DVD's (her own movies with music) using Nero.  We don't have to help her at all.  I would recommend this for children her age and up, definitely easy to use and FUN!!