Is your teenager showing interest in photography? Do you want to get him his own camera but you’re overwhelmed with the many options out there? Teens are normally curious and restless, so their camera requirements are definitely different from those of younger children and older adults. When you’re looking for a good camera to give to a teenager, you need to consider several factors.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Good Camera for a Teenager
Ease of Use
Does your child simply want to take photos of special occasions at home and in school as well as family vacations? A point-and-shoot camera will be perfect to use. But if he wants to get into professional photography someday, an entry-level, compact DSLR that allows for manual adjustment of camera settings will make a great gift for your young aspiring photographer
Size
Teenagers these days love instant gratification—they want to capture moments right away. Look for a compact, lightweight camera that can be easily slipped into and whipped out of the pocket or bag and is comfortable to hang around the neck.
Photo Sharing
Social media-savvy teenagers will appreciate having a camera that allows them to instantly share their photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. A lot of newer camera models today offer options for easy photo sharing—no need to take the memory card out of the camera and insert it into a computer. Look for cameras with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity; these devices allow quick transfer of photos to a smartphone or tablet for easy uploading on social networking sites.
Optical Zoom
The higher the optical zoom is, the more detail is captured when the camera is zoomed. For taking photos of family and friends during birthdays and other parties, a 3x optical zoom is good enough. If your family is often on vacation and hiking adventures, get a camera with a 5x to 7x optical zoom. If your child likes taking photos of faraway subjects (like birds and other animals), he needs a camera with at least 10x optical zoom.
The ideal optical zoom also depends on whether your young shutterbug tends to take more indoor or outdoor shots. A low optical zoom of 2x to 5x is good for indoor shots, while 5x or more is needed for outdoor shots.
Cool Features
The best cameras for teens are those that are fun to use. Find a camera with a touch screen LCD and a built-in photo editor that allows your young photographer to design, retouch, and add frames and dramatic effects (such as black and white, sepia, and other Instagram-like filters) to images right in the camera without having to remove the memory card or plug the camera into a computer.
Best Cameras for Teenagers
To help you find the best first camera for your child, we’re listing down our top seven recommendations for the most teen-friendly cameras today:
- Canon Powershot ELPH 360 HS
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX-100 II
- Nikon 1 J5
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX220
- Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
- Olympus Tough TG-4
- Nikon D3300
Below is an in-depth look at each camera recommendation for the aspiring teenage photographer:
*Prices are accurate as of February 16, 2017
1. Canon Powershot ELPH 360 HS
Adorama Price: $209.00
If you’re looking for an all-around camera with basic controls, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 is a good choice. It has a 12x optical zoom that can help your teenager capture photos of the beautiful places seen from afar. Your child can also easily share his pictures with the Canon ELPH 360 HS on his social media accounts using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC feature.
This starter camera for teenagers produces sharp and high-quality images with its Intelligent IS and Optical Image Stabilizer. A 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ image processor guarantee grain-free and detailed images that your teen photographer will be proud of.
The PowerShot ELPH 360 HS can also record videos at 1080p full HD resolution and capture a short video using the Hybrid Auto feature.
Canon Powershot ELPH 360 HS Key Features:
- 12x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer for better shooting control
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos
- 2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor that help produce excellent-quality images even in poor lighting conditions
- Creative Shot mode that uses composition, color, and lighting from the original image to produce unique and artistic images
- Story Highlights feature that automatically compiles images and videos taken on a certain day or event into a mini highlight reel with music and effects
2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX-100 II
Adorama Price: $598.00
With its sleek body and minimalist design, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX-100 II is a good camera that your teenager will be proud to whip out of his backpack or hang around his neck. It’s packed with the right features that will help your child maximize its mirrorless design, like a 1.0” CMOS sensor with an Exmor® R image sensor technology that increases light sensitivity by 50% to make a subject visible in low light. It also has a patented Column A/D Conversion that helps minimize noise and take ultra-sharp pictures.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX-100 II Key Features:
- ZEISS® T* F1.8 3.6x optical zoom for creating a beautiful background blur in photos
- Multi-layered patented T-coating that prevents lens flare and ghosting
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy transfer of pictures to smartphones and tablets and online uploading
- Smart Remote Control feature that allows the user to navigate camera settings using a smartphone
3. Nikon 1 J5
Adorama Price: $496.95
Although a bit underrated, the Nikon 1 J5 is the complete package if you’re looking for a budget-friendly camera for teenage photography. It has a hybrid autofocus system that allows your child to immediately lock focus on a subject—even one that is moving.
Design-wise, its vintage body can be the perfect accent when flat-laying themed items for the type of Instagram and Pinterest posts that are on trend nowadays.
Nikon 1 J5 Key Features:
- Continuous shooting and fast autofocus for capturing people and objects in motion
- 4K video capability for high-definition image quality and accurate detail
- Cool and attractive design
- Ergonomic controls
- Portable and compact
4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX220
Adorama Price: $198.00
If you want a camera that’s easy to carry and can be conveniently slipped into a pocket, then the Sony DSC-WX220 is a good option. It takes highly detailed and vibrant photos, which is the trademark of the Sony Cyber-shot line.
This Cyber-shot camera has a 10x optical zoom for shooting mountain views, cityscapes, and animals roaming around at a safe distance.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX220 Key Features:
- Compact size and built
- Built-in Wi-Fi for easy online sharing
- Continuous shooting of 1.5 frames per second to capture fast moving subjects
- 7-inch monitor for previewing shots
- 1/2/3-inch, 18.2MP sensor
5. Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
Adorama Price: $349.00
If it’s ease of use and flexibility that you’re looking for, consider getting the Canon PowerShot SX710 HS. It has a whopping 30x optical zoom for shooting subjects from farther distances. It also has a special feature at the back that allows switching from manual to semi-automatic, fully automatic, and scene mode with just a turn of the dial.
Canon PowerShot SX710 HS Key Features:
- Intelligent IS for framing and taking shake-free photos even without a tripod
- 3-inch LCD screen that is large enough for easy viewing of images even from a wide angle
- Performs well in low light, thanks to the combination of high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 image processor
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC feature makes sharing and transferring images easier
6. Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4
Adorama Price: $379.00
Most teenagers have an active lifestyle, and with their physically challenging activities come the risk of their valuables taking a beating as well. If your child is like this, get him a rugged, durable camera such as the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4.
True to its name, the Tough TG-4 can withstand dust, shock of up to 7 ft, water as deep as 50 ft, force of up to 220 lb, and temperature of as low as -10 degrees Celsius. If your teenager is into camping, swimming, surfing, or biking, this starter camera makes the perfect companion. You’ll never have to worry about it getting damaged after years of use.
Olympus Tough TG-4 Key Features:
- High-speed F2.0 wide-angle lens for taking crisp and clear images on the go
- Waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, freeze proof, and dustproof
- Nighttime Live Composite and RAW capture features for more shooting flexibility
- Built-in e-compass that helps in getting to the right location when shooting outdoors
- Built-in wireless LAN for easy file sharing
- Optional fisheye converter and teleconverter for ultra-wide shots and extended zoom range
- Art filters and custom signatures available
7. Nikon D3300
Adorama Price: $446.95
On the outside, this Nikon DSLR camera may look too complicated for a young photographer to use. But it’s actually suitable for teenagers. In fact, there are teens who learn photography by using their parents’ DSLRs to practice.
So if your child is already skilled at using a point-and-shoot digital camera and is ready to get his hands on a more advanced camera, a DSLR with basic controls like the Nikon D3300 is an ideal first DSLR for a teen. This Nikon model comes with a built-in photo editing software that allows for easy editing of images in-camera.
Your budding photographer will also have a grand time playing with the special effects built into the D3300. From selective color to color sketch and toy camera effect, your child will never run out of cool filters to tinker with.
Nikon D3300 Key Features:
- EXPEED 4 for high-speed image processing
- Around 20 image retouching options for image resizing and adding miniature effects
- Image retouch option to correct red-eye, trim photos, add a monochrome or other filter effects, balance color, and many more
- Video clip editing option
- 2-megapixel resolution combined with the Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor (with no optical low-pass filter) for exceptional image quality
- Viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.85x magnification that helps the user ensure that his next shot will be perfect
- Intuitive navigation for easy access to the controls
So there you have it—seven of the best cameras for teenage photography in the market today. All you have to do now is compare their specs against your child’s needs, and most importantly your budget, to pick out the perfect camera for your teenager.
