Interested in finding the best camera for your kid?
This post is for you!
Choosing the best camera for your kid is an important step in your kid's photography journey. No matter if you have a boy or a girl, no matter if your kid is 3 years old or almost a teenager – there are many kids cameras in the market, and we, at KidsCameraGuide.Com, are here to guide you through the decision making process and support you in choosing the best option for your child.
Buying the Best Kid Camera - Main Considerations
- The kid’s age.
- The kid’s level of interest in photography.
- The Intended Use of the camera.
Age - a Camera For a 8 Year Old? a 4 Year Old? or a Teenager?
The best camera for a 3 year old is different than a camera for a 7 year old or a teenager. The main features that are impacted by the kid's age are:
Size
the younger your kid is, the bigger the camera you should choose for them. The fine motor skills of a 3-4 year old kid are not developed yet, and the camera you choose should be big enough for them to just grab and use. In addition, most cameras for kids at this age have special kid's handles to make it easier and safer to hold.
Durability
smaller kids tend to drop their kid's camera or potentially damage it, so the camera's durability is an important factor for younger kids.
Durability is also important for older kids, if their intension is to use it outdoors. As you'll find out later, many camera manufacturers offer great cameras with extra features suitable for outdoor photography – waterproof, dustproof, etc.
Usability
the camera's ease of use. For example – cameras for younger kids have relatively big buttons, to make it easier for them to press on. One more example is having a display rather than a viewfinder. As you probably know, younger kids find it hard to use a viewfinder (and in many cases, they shut the wrong eye when shooting…). On the other hand, in more advanced cameras, the display is used for providing a variety of data regarding the picture taken, which is important for more professional photographers and older kids which take photography relatively seriously.
Functionality
for a younger kid, taking a picture by their own, with their own camera, is enough to make them proud. Therefore, a wide variety of features might be unnecessary. On the other hand, for an older kid, the variety might be challenging and as such become a source of interest and curiosity. In my experience, a good camera for 8 year old kids and up, should offer more than an Auto Mode.
Camera's Shape and Color
Smaller kids perceive their camera as a toy. Therefore, its shape and colors are more important to them than other photography features. For older kids and teenagers, these features are less important. That said, we definitely cannot ignore the fact that we all appreciate beautiful design, so the perfect match would probably be a combination of advanced quality and functionality with an attractive package.
Level of Interest in Photography - Does Your Kid Want to be a Photographer?
This is the second main aspect to consider when looking for a good camera for your kid. A camera for a kid who thinks that photography is "fun" or "cool", is different from a camera for a kid who is really interested in photography, as a hobby or an art to practice. The more interested in photography your kid is, the more significant the following points should be taken into consideration:
Quality of the Pictures
determined by the camera's sensors and pixels, and in some cameras in additional light sensors and photography modes.
Functionality
the variety of features that will help your kid and yourself not only take pictures but also progress and develop as a photographer. Almost all cameras these days, including kids cameras, have an Auto Mode, meaning that no manual setting is required before taking the shot. The more advanced cameras (mainly the digital ones) have an addition to that few "fixed" setting modes, that the photographer can choose before taking the shot. The most popular modes are Portrait, Landscape and Sports. The difference between them is the exposure level and shutter speed. If you want to understand more about these very important and basic photography terms, click here - Basic Photography Terms for Kids and Beginners.
Accessories
a bag, film for a Polaroid kid camera, a printer for a kid digital camera – being a professional requires this additional investment…
Did you read our articles about teaching photography to your kids? you can find it here:
Basic Photography Terms For Kids and Beginners
Photography For Kids - How to Teach Your Kids the Basics
Teaching Photography to Kids: Selecting the Right Approach
How to Teach Kids Photography – 11 Tips
5 Great Ideas for Photography Projects For Kids
Intended Use - What are you Buying This Kid's Camera For?
The last main question you better ask yourself before making any decision is about the future intended use of the camera. Let me share a few simple examples to clarify this point:
- If your kid is interested in documenting his outdoor moments with his friends, what you'd probably need is a camera which can withstand outdoor conditions - water, dust, low / high temperatures, etc.
- If your kid is excited about taking videos, don't buy them a camera – buy them a video camera or a camcorder.
- If you child is enthusiastic about photography as a hobby or an art – you better buy a more sophisticated, high quality camera, which will help them practice and advance.
- And if it's all about taking some shots here and there and then immediately share with friends – a smartphone (if they have one of their own) is always an option…
A Digital Camera or a Polaroid Camera? What would be the Best Choice for Your Kid?
As in the grownups world, there are 2 different kinds of cameras – Digital and Polaroid:
Kids Digital Cameras
no need to elaborate on the quality and other advantages of digital cameras. The digital photography revolution changed photography dramatically, in many ways. Photography became a lot more common, accessible and cost effective – if in the past you had to think twice before spending the 24 or 36 pictures you had in the film, with digital camera you can take as many pictures as you wish, as the cost of each and every photo is zero. You can always just delete, and at the same time have a second (and third) chance, for free. This is extremely important when considering buying a camera for kids, as practicing photography, by taking many shots, is one of the most essential elements in their photography learning process. So if you're interested to know more about the best digital cameras for kids, Click here - Kids Digital Cameras
Kids Polaroid Cameras
you might think of a Polaroid camera as an old fashion device, but the truth is that a Polaroid camera for kids became very popular recently. There are 2 main reasons my Polaroid camers for kids may be a good choice: First, the pictures are tangible.Your kid can touch it, feel it, look at it, show it to their friends and later on put it on the refrigerator door. Second, if you're interested in teaching your kid photography, by using a Polaroid camera you can immediately review the outcome of your kid's art, discuss it, give feedback and share some fruits for future improvement. Click here to review recommended Kids Polaroid Cameras
- All big players in the cameras segment are offering cameras for kids: Nikon, Cannon, Sony, Olympus, FujiFilm, Polaroid and more. However, when it comes to cameras which target younger kids (less than 6), meaning – toy cameras – you’ll find more toy-oriented vendors like Fisher Price, VTech and others.
- If the kid’s camera you’re about to buy is not a surprise – it may be better to discuss it with your kid. Show them the cameras pictures, tell them about the features the camera has, share your thoughts. One of the attributes of a good kid’s camera is a camera that your kid likes even before you bought it for them…
So… Time to Choose the Best Kid Camera
In Kids Camera Guide we cover many different kids' camera categories and options. So, to help you find what you're looking for, we organized the information as follows:
For kids between 7 to 9 years old – check one of the following links:
The best camera for a 10 year old kid, as well as for teenagers, could be found in one of the pages listed below:
Since many kids take and use their camera outdoors, we added a special page reviewing the best options:
If your kid is interested in making videos rather than in standard still photography, try one of the links below (for all kids’ ages):