The best camera for kids in 2022: cameras for children of all ages

And then, you’re looking for the best camera for kids? Perhaps your child is showing an involvement in taking pictures on your smartphone or tablet, and you call back y’all might take a budding David Bailey or Annie Leibovitz on your easily. By all means, nurture that souvenir! There are loads of groovy cameras out in that location for children, some of which are expressly for younger people, and others that just happen to suit them.
If you’re picking the all-time camera for kids, the starting time thing to call back about is the age of the child for whom yous’re buying. If you’re shopping for a toddler, so something brightly colored and simplistic is the way to go, just beyond that things first to get more than complicated. Is this a vacation distraction or a tool for a educatee? That volition affect what kind of camera you buy.
Our guide is divided up into 4 sections. First we’ve got a couple of toddler-advisable cameras that are great for pre-school little ones. Adjacent, we round up our favorite instant cameras that let kids to instantly print their images. Side by side, a few family unit favorites
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good for holidays and days out; these include some tough cameras that are waterproof and can take a few knocks. Lastly, we selection some more sophisticated cameras for students.
The best camera for kids in 2022
Pre-school
We’ve included only a couple of cameras in this section. This is because although there are a lot of cameras for very young children on the market, they are not very sophisticated and could be outgrown very speedily.
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VTech makes a range of brightly colored, large-buttoned, entry-level tech gadgets for kids, and this is its current digital camera offering. Build quality is nifty, with its oversized rubbery build absorbing the daze of occasional drops, with large meaty grips on either side of the recessed lens for pocket-size hands to go enough buy. While the camera and its controls may exist relatively big for the boilerplate intended user, the specs accept been improved with the nigh recent edition of this camera with a 5 megapixel sensor, coupled with a 4x digital zoom. On the back is a 2.4in LCD for composing and reviewing shots, through which you tin besides play 5 built-in games, so you’ve got a backup if the novelty of taking pictures wears off. The camera uses 4x AA batteries and a microSD carte, that you will need to purchase separately. So the all-time camera for kids? Yes, merely only if they’re very immature.
Read more:
VTech KidiZoom Duo v.0 full review
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This 8 megapixel photographic camera is designed for kids aged around 4 to 8, and comes with a decent set of features to continue the curious mind occupied. It has an eight megapixel camera, but still video quality is reduced to a very low-res 320×240 pixels. An appeal of this model is that it comes supplied with a waterproof housing, that can be used at depths of up to three meters (10 feet) – but you practise need to cheque the housing is secured properly earlier diving into the pool! Another fiddly operation is inserting and removing the optional microSD menu
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– simply this does at to the lowest degree hateful that the user tin can take lots and lots of pictures. Available in bluish or pinkish color to accommodate different tastes!
Instant fun
Instant cameras accept made a comeback! They’re perfect for kids of all ages – even young ones, because they’re big, chunky and simple to use. And for that endless succession of kids’ parties that seems to last for about a decade, they offer some instant picture swapping fun to proceed the political party vibe going. They also mean you don’t have to spend half a day printing photos on your inkjet printer – the camera does all the work.
In addition, instant cameras are a fantastic mode to assist occupy younger kids with a tactile and fun project. Why check out our full guide to the all-time instant cameras
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and accept a fun afternoon sorting through your child’s prints together – after all, it’s never too early on to get them used to a comprehensive file sorting system!
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Embracing retro absurd while still incorporating modern-day features, the Polaroid At present is a fantastic introduction to the charms and quirks of analogue image-making. Previous cameras in this resurrected Polaroid line have included the OneStep 2 and OneStep+, merely this one out-shoots them both with better image quality and an improved wink. On the flip side it’s a little simpler in operation with fewer specialist modes, and then while this might frustrate serious photographers, it makes information technology a perfect option for kids. Images look fantastic with a single tap of the big, bright, unmissable button, thanks to the improved metering organization ticking away behind the scenes, and the prints make for a perfect brandish in any home (the only downside being that they’re a little costly per pack).
Read more:
Polaroid Now review
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Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 is a tidy little digital instant camera
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that’s great for anyone who doesn’t want anything too complicate. It houses a proper piffling printer that uses Kodak’s 4PASS all-in-one cartridges to spit out picayune square prints, three inches by three inches. The colors pop a good bargain amend than some other instant cameras. The camera overall is pretty cheap, and running information technology isn’t besides expensive either, making it a skilful option if yous want to shoot instant on a budget. It as well produces 10MP digital photos that you can save via Bluetooth on the app (and y’all do have to do it this way; in that location’s no internal storage). A cheap selection that’due south proficient fun for anyone – and thanks to having a digital camera, tin bee a lot cheaper to run than normal instant cameras.
I of the easiest Instax cameras to use, this recent version of the trusty Mini serial is a neat pick for kids. Its Auto Exposure way produces bang-up results in a range of lighting weather condition, and though it can exist a chip temperamental sometimes, you’ll likely exist mostly pleased with the images it spits out. Instax prints wait keen as ever, small and full of fun, and loading them is every bit easy as it e’er was. The camera is powered by two regular AA batteries, and the flash reliably gives every image a flare-up of light (and nosotros exercise mean every image; in that location’s no way to disable information technology). Inexpensive, user-friendly and full of fun, kids big and small volition take a great time with this one.
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The all-time instant cameras
Family unit favorites
Whether you’re looking for a gift for a difficult-to-please teen or a photographic camera simple enough for the whole family unit to use, a depression-cost point and shoot camera fits the bill perfectly. Or, if you remember you lot demand something tougher, many underwater compact cameras are also shockproof and freezeproof, which covers three household hazards at least.
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If you lot’re after a starter camera for your kids that won’t cost a fortune, Catechism’southward long-established ELPH and IXUS ranges are a sensible place to look. The ELPH 180 (known every bit the IXUS 185 exterior North America) is a beginner’s model that delivers 20MP via its ane/ii.3in sensor. But the 8x optical zoom should offering plenty for young photographers who want to shoot a range a subjects. Light sensitivity is express to ISO 100-ISO 1600 (with auto manner delivering max of ISO 800), but at this cost, it’s hard to selection faults and it’ll probable prove sufficient as a first ‘proper’ photographic camera for many young snappers. For more than ambitious youngsters, the menu options yield some digital filters they’ll savour experimenting with. And while there’due south no full HD video recording, the 720p capture is perfectly reasonable for the toll. It’s available in blackness, red or silver.
Read more than:
The best point-and-shoot cameras
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This is a no-frills family meaty, that looks the function, fifty-fifty though can be bought at a really low price. Time has left the specification of this photographic camera by – as proven past its low-resolution 720P video shooting. But with a 20 megapixel sensor and an stabilized 5x optical zoom information technology is more than capable of producing pictures that most smartphone cameras will non go far equally close to. There are some nifty extra touches too – such equally Grinning Shutter Technology which takes a motion picture when your subject area is looking suitably happy.
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Tough cameras are a cracking choice for kids because, well, they’re tough. They don’t heed being dropped in a swimming, thrown confronting a wall, coated in mushy peas or any else a kid might remember up. Instance in bespeak, the Fujifilm FinePix XP140, which besides earns points for being less expensive than other tough cameras on the market. It’s waterproof down to 25m, shockproof against drops of ane.8m, freezeproof, and dustproof. Perfect for days on the embankment or any kind of holiday y’all tin can think of. It also takes pretty decent pictures, making information technology a skillful choice for a slightly older kid with a burgeoning interest in photography. Granted, the 4K at 15p is extremely ropey and not worth bothering with, but about kids probably don’t care.
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In its eye-catching ruddy terminate, the Olympus Tough TG-6 looks vivid even when information technology’southward simply sabbatum on your embankment towel – and information technology makes certain that it’s easy to observe when you drop information technology in the snow or in a pool of water which it can survive down to 15m / 50ft! It’due south also available in a sleek black, if your kids prefer the high-tech Batman await. As well as beingness waterproof, the camera tin can survive drops of 2.1m / 7ft, besides as being crushed by anything up to 100kg / 220lbs (and it’s besides freezeproof to -10°C / 14°F, should it somehow become left in the fridge or freezer!). It’due south quite an avant-garde photographic camera, with lots of features and functions (such as first-class macro and microscope modes) should y’all want them, as well as crisp 4K video for filming adventures, and has a cracking zoom range of 25-100mm.
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Olympus Tough TG-6 review
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A GoPro camera is a terrific affair to bring along on a family holiday, able as it is to capture all your adventures in crisp particular equally well as stand upwardly to the rough and tumble adventure that is life with kids. The 2019-vintage GoPro Hero8 Black is the perfect choice, more than affordable than the more recent models in the Hero range, but still with more than plenty functionality to capture fantastic images and videos. While this older model lacks the sophisticated features of its more than expensive contemporaries, at that place’s plenty of dandy stuff here; 30fps burst shooting is nothing to sneeze at (and you practice become 4K video at 60fps)! The whole family can take huge amounts of fun with a GoPro, and this affordable version is the ideal choice. A GoPro isn’t a camera for kids specifically, but their ruggedness and ease of apply brand them ideal for older children tackling new adventures and outdoor pursuits.
Read more than:
Best GoPro cameras
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For those who are looking for a little more of a projection, it’southward worth looking at the Lomography Konstruktor F – a fun build-information technology-yourself kit that gives y’all all the parts you need to assemble a fully functional 35mm SLR motion picture camera in a affair of hours. There’s no need for glue or anything else – like an Ikea table, everything’s in the box, and in that location are a few extra screws for the inevitable moment one disappears through a gap in the floorboards. Be aware, though – this is non a uncomplicated Lego set. It’s pretty complicated and will take a long fourth dimension, and nosotros wouldn’t recommend it as a project for kids younger than mid-teens. The Konstruktor F also comes with stickers, allowing it to be customised as the user pleases, and once it’south ready it functions by and large pretty well – though the controls are a little fiddly and the top-placed viewfinder might give you lot a crick in the cervix. The finished SLR is plasticky, crude and basic by any standards, but information technology’south an splendid grounding in how motion-picture show cameras really piece of work.
Students
If your kids have reached the age where photography has become part of their coursework, you need a more than serious camera. Even here, though, you won’t want to spend a fortune on a camera that might get forgotten well-nigh in a twelvemonth, or crushed nether a pile of rucksacks in the back of the schoolhouse bus. For this section, nosotros’ve picked two DSLRs, and a bargain mirrorless camera…
See also
• All-time cameras for moving-picture show
(opens in new tab)• Best student cameras for school and college photography courses
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• Best camera for film students
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The Nikon D3500 has a brilliant ‘Guide’ shooting style that acts as a fully interactive tutorial on photography, delivered via the rear LCD screen. Information technology explains how, when and why to use different photographic camera settings for best upshot, but and efficiently. But D3500 tin also be used in fully manual mode, and then it’s ideal for photography students learning how camera settings piece of work and why. It’due south not as sophisticated equally the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D, but it’s not as expensive, either, and at that place is a huge range of Nikon lenses you can use with information technology. The overall prototype quality and functioning is very good, and the 5fps outburst rate is sporty for an entry-level DSLR. If you like the look of it, we propose getting this photographic camera arranged with the Nikon AF-P DX xviii-55mm f/3.v-five.6G VR lens
(opens in new tab)– other kit lenses are bachelor which might bring downward the price, but this is the all-time 1 to go for as it offers vibration reduction to cutting down on shaky shots.
Read more than:
Nikon D3500 review
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OK, so you may not initially call back of a DSLR when considering a camera for the kids, but this option from Canon certainly ticks iii primal boxes in being small, calorie-free and easy to use for schoolhouse age children and students. A peachy all-circular pick is the EOS Rebel SL3/EOS 250D
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which boasts bang-up autofocus and 4K video. It also features some grown-up specs, namely 24.2MP sensor and a 3in vari-bending touch screen. Catechism sees this as a way to tempt smartphone photographers to step upwards to their first proper camera. Its proportions make it perfect for smaller easily while the menus are overnice and clear. The pic quality is very skilful likewise, with accurate white residue and well-saturated colors. It’south not the cheapest Canon DSLR simply it’south our favorite for size, features and long-term usefulness and the all-time camera for kids starting in college.
Read more than:
Catechism EOS Rebel SL3/EOS 250D review
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The Fujifilm Ten-T200 is light and compact, but looks and feels like an quondam-school 35mm SLR film photographic camera. Best of all, the X-T200 has a large new 3.five-inch vari-angle touchscreen with twice the resolution of most rivals and a 1:6 aspect ratio perfectly suited to video. It too has an electronic viewfinder and can shoot 4K video every bit well as 24-megapixel stills. Its 15-45mm kit lens is electrically powered and is a bit of an acquired gustation, but information technology’s really meaty and offers a much wider bending of view than about kit lenses, making information technology ideal for interior shots and big landmarks. We loved the X-T200 when if first came out, and we even so do, though the global pandemic seems to take caused stock shortages that are making the X-T200 harder to find correct now.
• Recommended kit lens:
Fujinon 90 15-45mm f/three.5-five.half-dozen OIS PZ
Read more:
Fujifilm X-T200 review
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How we examination cameras
We test DSLR and mirrorless cameras in existent-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab weather. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis beyond the photographic camera’s ISO range. For compact cameras and instant cameras, we use real-world results and handling lone in compiling our guides.
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Source: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-cameras-for-kids