Choosing the perfect camera for kids can be difficult. It is not always easy to find exactly what you want in the market of digital cameras on the web, but it would help to get a brief overview of what is available and which type might suit your needs best.
How to Choose a Camera for a Kid?
The most important point to consider is your age. At different ages, children like to use different cameras. For toddlers, you should opt for very simple cameras that can be operated without having too much eye contact with the camera.
The main types available on the market:
- Small and easy "point and shoot" models, often equipped with a screen (e.g. children's digital camera);
- Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) – high quality, but not always designed for younger users;
- Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera – as the name suggests it allows changing lenses, though some manufacturers produce fixed lens versions as well;
5 Best Cameras for Kids Reviewed in this Article:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
- 4K video mode;
- Touch screen LCD monitor;
- A wide range of interchangeable lenses, from 14 all the way to 300mm.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm which is significantly larger than the sensors found in traditional compact cameras and mobile devices, yet not as large as ones typically found in DSLR and SLT models. The increased size of the sensor allows for greater light gathering and higher image quality across the board, giving you cleaner images at any ISO setting, including at high ISOs that would normally produce unacceptably noisy photos. Combined with two high-performance TruePic VII processors, the ability to capture 4K video at up to 30 FPS, and a 5-axis image stabilization system built into the camera body itself, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is quite an impressive package.
However, while it seems like this camera would provide enough control for even professionals, back panel controls are awkwardly placed on the camera's left side making them difficult to access. It might be too compact for some users as well with its relatively small grip. At just 30 seconds in 4K mode videos are limited which could be an inconvenience if one wishes to shoot longer clips or slower frame rate settings. Despite these drawbacks however, it is still an option considering when looking for a mirrorless camera.
Fujifilm X-A7
- 24 megapixel X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor;
- Wi-Fi for instant sharing on social networks;
- The ability to shoot Full HD (1920 x 1080) videos at 60fps.
The camera is equipped with a type 1/2.3-inch X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor, which eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter – a key element responsible for capturing fine detail – and thus ensures images are captured with enhanced sharpness and image resolution. However, it does not have a built-in flash which could be a problem if you wish to take indoor shots without external lighting or set up your shot outdoors at night time.
The Fujifilm XA7 is compact - its dimensions are 5.0 x 2.9 x 1.4 in - so it will fit in most pockets of your coat or bag, but the downside of this is that there is no grip on the front of the camera which means you will have to work with a slightly slippery surface in order to operate its controls.
All things considered, the Fujifilm XA7 is a good choice for those who are interested in taking high-quality photography with manual control options without spending too much money.
Canon EOS 250D / Rebel SL3
- Large 24.1MP APS-C CMOS image sensor;
- ISO 100–25600;
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (known as the EOS 250D outside North America) is a compact and lightweight DSLR camera that comes with an EF-S 18–55mm IS STM kit lens and can shoot 1080p Full HD videos at up to 30 fps. The camera has a decent 3.0″ LCD screen, but it has no touchscreen capabilities which might be inconvenient for some users. This model also lacks in-body image stabilization, thus making it harder to get sharp images while shooting handheld without a tripod or monopod. It should be mentioned though that this feature is typically reserved for more advanced models of DSLRs.
The kit lens that comes with the camera is decent but isn't exactly known for its sharpness. If you plan on shooting in low-light conditions without flash, you will have to keep the ISO below 1600 or so as performance begins to suffer past this point. Also, just like other entry-level DSLR cameras, there is no touchscreen capability available which could be a problem when changing settings and shooting in live view modes.
Overall, despite a few shortcomings in terms of image quality and lack of touchscreen capabilities, the EOS Rebel SL3 does have a solid set of features including fast continuous shooting speed up to 5 fps and Full HD video recording at 30fps. This makes it a good choice for beginners on a budget who are not quite sure what they're looking for.
Nikon D3500
- 24.2MP DX format sensor;
- 1080p 60 fps video recording;
The Nikon D3500 is an entry-level DSLR camera equipped with the EXPEED 4 image processor and features a 3.0″ sRGB color LCD monitor with touchscreen capabilities and 921,000 dots of resolution for clear playback and live view shooting. It uses an APS-C sized image sensor (23.5 x 15. mm) which produces high-quality images despite the lack of an optical low-pass filter. There is no built-in flash, but there is a hot shoe for attaching external flash units which would improve shooting in poorly lit environments. It should be noted that this camera model has been discontinued and has been replaced with the Nikon D3400, another entry-level DSLR camera.
The Nikon D3500's 24 MP DX format sensor ensures crisp and detailed photos in a variety of conditions - it can shoot at up to 5 fps in burst mode, while the ISO range goes from 100–25600 which allows you to capture sharp images even in poor lighting conditions without using a tripod or any other type of stabilization hardware. The shutter is quite quiet when taking pictures, but the autofocus can be a little slow when trying to focus on fast-moving subjects.
The D3500 features Full HD 1080p video recording at 60 fps and users have access to built-in stereo microphones with support for an external microphone via the 3.5mm jack. Unfortunately, there is no 4K video recording available which might be something you'll miss if you decide on buying this particular DSLR camera over its more advanced siblings in Nikon's line-up. All things considered, considering the price point of the D3500, it offers good value for your money.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30
- 12.1MP high-sensitivity MOS sensor;
- 210 fps burst shooting w/ autofocus;
The Lumix DMC-FT30 (known as the TS5 in most other countries) is a waterproof and shockproof compact camera that features a backside-illuminated MOS image sensor that produces exceptional low-light images with minimal noise. It has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities and comes with Panasonic's 4K photo mode for recording 8 MP 30fps photos. The 3″ touchscreen display offers multi-touch operation and can be flipped upwards by 180°, giving you full access to all of the camera's settings.
Despite its rugged design, the FT30 can shoot Full HD 1080p video at 60fps or slow-motion footage in 720p at 240 fps. Furthermore, the camera is capable of taking up to 210 stills in one single burst, allowing you to capture fast-moving objects with ease. The only downside is that the autofocus can sometimes be a little inconsistent - it's very quick when shooting in bright conditions, but tends to get slower and less accurate once you move into low-light environments.
This model doesn't come with an external flash included in the package which might not be a big drawback for some users; however, it should be said that advanced shooters are probably better off looking for a DSLR camera instead. If you're simply looking for something reliable that takes good photos underwater, then this is a great choice.
Out of all the cameras for kids mentioned here, this is the only one that's not a DSLR camera. This makes it perfect if you or your child are not accustomed to using professional cameras. It's basic but takes good shots, and would make a great starter camera for either party involved.