One of the most challenging things about getting into photography is understanding the technical side. This is hard for adults who are new to the art form, and especially difficult for kids.
With so many different cameras out there for other purposes, it can be really hard to work out what the best camera is for a junior photographer.
One look online and you’ll see a huge amount of different options, each with its own pros and cons. But how can you know which is the best idea for your child? If this is something you’ve been struggling with – don’t worry!
There is a solution! In this article, we’re going to be taking you through the 5 best cameras for kids. We’ve made sure to include cameras for different age groups so you can pick one that’s right for your child.
We’ve also made sure to include an extensive buyers guide to explain why we’ve made some of the choices we have, as well as a short FAQ to help answer any other questions you may have left over.
So let’s get right into it!
The 5 Best Cameras For Kids
Best For 4-8-Year-Olds – Seckton Upgrade Kids Selfie Camera
First off we have a really simplistic camera that is perfect for helping a child on their first steps as a photographer. The first thing you’ll notice about this product is that it’s very sturdy and designed to be shockproof.
This is especially important for young kids who might end up dropping their camera from time to time.
The second thing is its simplicity. It has a few simple buttons that your child will likely be able to work out on their own – if not with a little bit of help.
It comes with a 32GB SD card, which is more than enough storage for even a long photography project and is small enough to hold for smaller children.
Another great feature is its built-in selfie feature, which allows your child to take selfies with the touch of a button.
One of the more negative things about this camera is its quality – mostly because it has a plastic lens. That said, the picture quality is still good for a first camera that is aimed at juniors.
Pros
- Materials: Shockproof so your child doesn’t have to be too careful holding it.
- Design: An extremely simple design that allows your child to work it out by themself.
- Storage: 32GB SD Card which is enough storage for lots of photos!
- Selfie Mode: For easy selfies!
Cons
- Picture Quality: Slightly below average picture quality because of its plastic lens.
Ourlife Kids Camera
If you’re looking for something that stands on the line between a toy and a camera, consider this camera from Ourlife. It has a very colorful and bulky design, which has been designed to be shockproof and easy to use.
This is probably the most sturdy camera on our list, and it has been designed to be waterproof for up to 100 feet. This makes it a perfect camera for a holiday or for general summer activities.
This camera has a built-in light fill function, which means that when it’s used at night it will create two beams of light to illuminate its surroundings.
You might think a feature like this will drain the battery, but the battery here allows your child to record for up to 2 hours.
It also comes with 12 pre-programmed photo frames and 7 video filters, which will allow your child to exercise their creativity.
Pros
- Design: Sturdy and compact to make sure it doesn’t break.
- Waterproof: This camera is waterproof in up to 100 meters of water.
- Filters and frames: Built-in filters and frames to allow your child to experiment.
Cons
- Storage: Only 8GB of storage.
- Aesthetic: Looks more like a toy than a camera.
Best For 5-10-Year-Olds – myFirst Camera 2
Okay, so let’s say the first two cameras were too simplistic for your child, but you’re still looking for something sturdy and easy to use. The solution is this product – the myFirst Camera 2.
It’s a full HD camera that takes 8MP photos. It is a lot smaller than the others on our list but comes with a waterproof case that allows your child to take underwater photos.
It takes both photos and videos, and still has a very simplistic design, with five simplistic buttons that allow your child to easily switch from video to photography.
One thing we really like about this camera is its wide digital screen which allows your child to easily look back through the photos they’ve taken.
It’s a lot more lightweight than some of the other cameras on this list at only 67g, and its battery will last for the best part of the day (depending on how much they’re using it).
In terms of storage, it comes with a microSD card that allows your child to store up to 32GB of data.
Pros
- Waterproof Case: this means that the camera isn’t too bulky, but that you have options for underwater photography.
- Storage: 32GB Micro SD card for lots of photos and videos!
- Design: very simplistic design in both amount of buttons and how it looks.
Cons
- Simplicity: Not the best camera if you’re looking for additional functions.
Best For Older Kids (8-12) – Polaroid GO
By this age, you’re going to want to start looking for a camera that’s a bit more complex. If your child is showing a real interest in photography, you might want something that will allow them to learn and experiment more.
If this is the situation you find yourself in, then this camera from Polaroid.
The Polaroid GO is a camera that would be perfect for an adult, but works just as well for older children and is a fantastic way to introduce them to the world of polaroids.
Polaroid means you’ll be able to instantly print any photo that they take onto film and then print it right out, without the frustrating wait time of developing.
This camera is as simplistic as they come, with a simple button and lens that will lake you take photos quickly. It comes with a strap that will help your child take it around with them, and a double pack of 16-color instant film.
You will have to buy refills, but as a way of introducing your child to film photography, this is as simple as it gets.
Pros
- Polaroid: A film camera that prints photos right away!
- Design: A very simplistic point-and-shoot design that allows your child to start taking photos instantly.
- Strap: added strap for portability.
Cons
- Functionality: No video mode, purely a camera for film photography.
- Film: You’ll have to buy refills, which can make the process frustrating.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11
If you’re looking for another more complex camera for your older child, then you might want to consider this camera from Fujifilm.
Like the previous camera on our list, it comes with a simplistic point-and-shoot design which allows your child to quickly take snaps when they’re out and about.
It has a great picture quality as well as a built-in selfie mode which will allow your child to quickly take selfies.
The bundle here comes with the camera, 50 sheets of instant color film, a camera case made from vegan leather, a photo album that has space for twenty photos, a camera strap, and 2 AA batteries.
This pack is enough for your child to get started right away with everything they’ll need in their early introduction to photography.
Whilst this camera is a lot more delicate than some of the early cameras on our list, it’s quite bulky and more shockproof than the Polaroid above.
Pros
- Bundle: This camera comes with a lot of different accessories including a camera case, photo album, and strap.
- Picture Quality: High picture quality despite its simplicity.
- Instant Photos: Prints out small, business-card-sized photos instantly.
Cons
- Batteries: You’ll have to buy AA batteries and there is no rechargeable functionality.
- Film: Whilst it comes with 50 sheets of color film, you will have to buy more eventually.
Buyer’s Guide
So those were 5 of the best cameras for kids on the market, focusing on a few different age groups.
Hopefully, those were enough to give you some ideas, but when selecting a camera for your child there are a lot of things you’ll want to keep in mind.
In this next section, we’re going to be taking you through some of the key factors that went into our choices. We’re going to break each one down in further detail.
Size/Weight
This is one of the most fundamental things you’ll want to consider when selecting the right camera for your child. One of the problems with adult cameras is that they can be very bulky and difficult to use.
These cameras are not designed for smaller hands and can be hard for your child to manage. So that’s why you want to pick a camera that has been designed to be easy to use and simplistic.
Another thing to consider is the general weight of the camera you’re looking at. The heavier a camera, the more difficult it will be for your child to take it around with them.
One of the joys of photography is that they can take it with them on trips out into nature, but that means that you’ll want to find something that will be comfortable to carry around.
One of the problems with shockproof designs – which we’ll explore in more detail below – is that they often require much more surface area and tend to be a lot heavier.
So then, you’re going to need to find a camera that is a happy middle ground between sturdy and easy to carry around.
Film Vs. Digital
This is an age-old debate that is often discussed by adult photographers, and some of the same questions can be asked for kids. Which is going to be better?
Well, the first thing you’ll need to know is that any camera which requires film that you have to develop in a dark room is going to be difficult to navigate for a young child.
The wait and complexity of this are going to be too much for them. That’s why we opted for polaroid cameras which instantly print as soon as the photo is taken.
Digital cameras on the other hand will offer your child a lot more flexibility, as many of them have storage that is large enough for hundreds of photos at a time.
It means that they won’t have to be so careful with the photos they take, and also that you won’t have to be constantly buying film refills for them.
Either way, you’ll want to pick a camera that is suitable for their temperament and what they want to get out of photography.
Buttons And Functionality
One of the difficult things that adults struggle with when getting into photography is the number of buttons and extended functionality of different cameras.
When it comes to your child, you’re going to want to ease them in with something simplistic.
That’s why we make sure to only pick cameras that have a very intuitive design. Whilst extended features could be good for older children, the younger your child the more simplistic you’re going to want to go.
Make sure to pick something with just a few buttons so that they can learn to shoot without some of the more difficult aspects of the medium.
Accessories
There’s nothing worse than getting a new camera and realizing that you’ll need to buy a whole list of additional accessories. Thankfully, a lot of the cameras created for kids come with these already.
The main thing you’re going to want for them is a camera strap, as this allows them to easily carry the camera around them, especially if it’s bulky and they’re going to want to take it with them on trips.
Another great accessory is a camera case, which will allow them to safely store their camera and keep any additional things they need within it. Make sure to check the product you’re looking at to see if it already comes with accessories like these.
Shockproofing
For younger children, this feature is almost essential. The younger the child the less careful they’re going to be with their camera, so it’s really important to find a camera that is shockproof.
Most cameras designed for younger children will have this, but it’s important to check that the one you’re looking at is sturdy enough to withstand small drops and anything else it might encounter.
On this same note, waterproof capabilities can also be great!
If you’re getting a camera for your child that will act as a companion on a trip – let’s say a summer vacation – then a waterproof camera will allow them to take it anywhere they need to without the risk of it becoming damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cameras Need Batteries?
All cameras need some form of battery to function. Generally, digital cameras will be rechargeable and often have impressive battery life.
Some film cameras use manual batteries which can be difficult to navigate – this is because they do not have the extended functions of a digital camera.
What Makes A Camera Waterproof?
Cameras are able to be waterproof through extensive sealing. Generally, waterproof cameras will have limited functionality because they will have lenses that do not extend and much fewer moving parts inside.
The most important thing is a battery compartment that is completely locked. Many of these cameras can work in up to 100 meters of water.
Is It Safe To Use A Camera In The Rain?
This depends massively on the type of camera you have, and how much rain there is. With more complex, adult cameras, many photographers will opt to cover their camera from the rain with a plastic bag or hood.
One of the main problems with shooting in the rain is the possibility of rainwater obscuring what would otherwise be a clear photo.
When it comes to cameras for kids, many of them are already waterproof and therefore safe to use in the rain. With the polaroid cameras on our list, make sure you’re careful when exposing them to excessive levels of water.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! Those were some of the 5 best cameras for kids on the market, as well as an extensive buyers guide to help you make the right choice.
Introducing a child to photography can be a great hobby or maybe an artform that they will cherish for their entire life, so it’s important to consider the right camera to get them started!
We hope that this article has told you everything you wanted to know about the best cameras for children and that you’re now a lot closer to selecting the perfect one!
If you still have some questions, make sure to check out our short Frequently Asked Questions section below.
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