Getting your kid or teen their first camera can be an amazing adventure and experience for both you and them. You have the opportunity to spark their interest in a new craft and fuel their creativity. This can become their go-to hobby, or perhaps lead to a career later in life. Either way, this article will help you find the best cameras for kids — no matter their age or skill level.
How to Choose a Camera for Kids
Whether you want them to simply have a distraction or to learn a new craft, there are a few things you will need to consider before purchasing a camera for your kid or teen. You will want the camera to be durable enough to withstand the test of time and your kid, as they may very well see this as just another toy. Some cameras are waterproof and shockproof, which will ensure they can withstand some wear and tear.
Sometimes, less is more. Try sticking with a simple-to-use and easy-to-learn camera. Even a camera that shoots only 12MP and has no frills can still spark their creativity. Once they have an understanding of the camera and photography, then it will be time to give them a camera they can grow into.
Though digital cameras are easy to use and more common, getting them a film camera may be a great way to open their creativity and teach them patience. You can still get amazing quality from film cameras, just as you can with digital. There are so many instant cameras on the market now that are easy to use and affordable.
Lastly, be sure to check on the battery life. Most of the entry-level photography cameras on this list will have pretty good battery life, but the action cameras that are geared toward video will have significantly less battery life. Get a couple of extra batteries if you’re interested in one of those options. Let’s take a look at some of the best cameras for both kids currently on the market.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Film Camera
Fujifilm is renowned in the instant-camera world for a reason. The brand continuously innovates and expands upon its roster of instant-film cameras—take the popular Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Film Camera as proof. This cute and portable instant camera offers auto exposure with a flash that reads the situation and adjusts lighting accordingly, meaning photographers can pick up and snap whenever the perfect moment strikes. Additionally, selfie mode lets you visualize the image before snapping via the front-camera mirror. From unique colors to customizable shutter buttons and a strap, users can add fun flair to show off their personal style.
With different colors to choose from and two interchangeable shutter buttons included in the kit, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 gives you plenty of ways to customize your new instant camera!
Canon PowerShot ELPH HS 360 Digital Camera, Purple
The Canon PowerShot is a great starter camera for kids and teens of all ages. The 12x optical zoom makes it effortless to capture subjects that are farther away without the need for interchangeable lenses. It has a minimalist design, allowing the user to learn the functions quickly and has built-in wifi so they can easily transfer photos to other devices.
Though the maximum recording is 1080p, that is most likely more than enough for them to get a feel for video while still getting a 20MP image sensor for photos. This really is a great entry-level camera for anyone wanting to learn or explore their interest for photography. Recommended for ages, 8+.
Olympus Tough TG-6 Digital Camera, Black
The Tough Camera is a great option for any kid, because it lives up to its name. Olympus created this camera with adventure and action in mind. It is shockproof, waterproof, dustproof and freezeproof, making it perfect for any outdoor adventure your kid will find themselves on. It also films in 4k but only at 15p, making action footage a bit shaky and means you won’t be able to slow the footage down. The Tough Camera is also compatible with multiple accessories that make it even more durable. Recommended for ages, 10+.
GoPro HERO10 Black
The GoPro Hero10 Black is great for family outings or adventures, and will easily fit in your pocket. There is a reason professional athletes use these every day. They are extremely durable, high tech, and just plain fun to use. Though they are geared for action or underwater adventures, these can also be used for blogs when using the proper accessories.
Not only can they experiment with multiple shooting modes, they can learn and grow into this camera as it shoots 4k video at 60fps. It has built-in image stabilization and a 20MP sensor, capturing RAW images that can be edited later on. Recommended for ages, 10+.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Instant Film Camera, Black
In a world where instant gratification rules, having an instant film camera can be a fun and experimental outlet for your kid that teaches them about the digital side of using a camera, and the physical film side of it as well.
The Fujifilm Instax also features ten different film effects and 10 lens effects. Your kid can have the ability to learn and experiment with retro presets, vivid colors, and even adjust the white balance and exposure. This is a great way to teach them how to properly expose a photo using trial and error. Though this could be frustrating at first, it will allow them to experiment with proper lighting and fuel their interest in the craft. Recommended for ages, 10+.
Insta360 Go 2 High-Capacity Edition 64GB Tiny Mighty Action Camera
Like the GoPro, the Insta360 camera is geared toward action and adventure-style shooting. This camera is definitely more geared toward video recording rather than photography, so keep that in mind. It is able to record high definition 3k video and also features a 1080p HDR mode. Like most action cams, it is completely waterproof and has built-in image stabilization so they can take it anywhere.
One drawback about the size — it may be easy to lose. This camera is incredibly small, about half the size of most of its competitors. I recommend attaching some sort of keychain to it or perhaps an Apple Airtag so your kid doesn’t misplace it. Recommended for ages, 12+.
Conclusion
When it comes to getting your child their first camera, there are so many options on the market. Though it will be hard to find the perfect camera for them, try to envision which one would benefit your child based on their personality and needs.
For an entry-level camera to spark their interest in photography, look no further than the Canon PowerShot or the Sony Cyber. If you think it will be used mostly outdoors and need something that will survive usage and the elements, I would recommend the Tough TC-6 or the GoPro Hero10 Black. If you believe they would like to be more involved in the physical process of the craft, make sure to check out the Insta360 or the Fujifilm Instax cameras. Either way, there is no wrong choice here as you will be fueling their creativity and giving them a new to look at the world they live in.
