Compact camera with decent lens protection

[mbuckhurst]

Me and the Mrs have discovered a problem with our Canon Ixus, the lens protection when it's switched off can be opened by little fingers, and as my little boy rivals our cats for inquisitiveness, he's discovered he can flick it open and smudge the lens.

Removing these smudges is particularly difficult on the really small lens, and even worse if you don't notice as the photos get a 'lovely' soft focus effect, so I've got 2 questions:

1) What's the best way to clean the lens

2) Does anyone know a 4 megapixel (or better) compact camera with a lens protection mechanism that can't be opened when it's switched off. Money is no object, but it does need to be reasonably small to compete with the Ixus. Ideally it would use SD cards as well, even better if compatible with high density SD.

thanks

mike

[Faythur]

Can't advise on a replacement camera but for cleaning a lens you can't beat one of these http://www.lenspen.com/

That plus a rubber blower http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Giottos-Rocket-Air are what most keen camera folk use to keep their equipment pristine.

[Lorne.t]

Keep it in a high cupboard or somwhere your son isn't allowed.

[Highlander]

Or put it in a case?

I'm not aware of any camera that 'locks' the lens protector. Well, not on any of the cameras I've used.