[ad_1]
Are you searching for the perfect camera for kids?
As a dad to a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old and a professional photographer, I’ve explored the world of photography not just through my lens but now through their eyes as well.
My kids’ growing curiosity about photography inspired me to find a way for them to experience this art that I’m so passionate about.
I’ve recently reviewed a selection of excellent cameras designed specifically for children.
In this journey, my kids and I have thoroughly tested seven different cameras, evaluating them based on their features, ease of use, and how fun they are for different ages.
We’ve discussed what we liked and what didn’t quite hit the mark with each model.
From our wide selection, covering various features and price points, I’m confident there’s a camera for every aspiring young photographer.
Don’t miss the video I made to help you decide which kids’ camera is best for your budding photographer.
What is the Best Camera for Kids in 2024?
Kidamento Model K – Zippy the Sloth
Pros
Intuitive One Button Design
Touch Screen
18mp High Resolution
Durable
Lightweight
The Kidamento Model K stood out as one of the best cameras for kids this year. Kids expect a touch screen; this was the only one that combined this feature with an incredibly intuitive design.
Although it doesn’t offer instant prints (something I think is fun for kids), the Model K has the simplest and most user-friendly design.
My kids appreciated the simplicity (only one button) and fun styling of this camera. Available as “Zippy the Sloth” or “Meowie the Cat,” it is fun for kids of all ages.
It feels durable and is lightweight/compact enough for even the youngest photographers to use. Digital natives will quickly navigate the simple touchscreen menu with enough features to entertain older kids (photos, videos, and selfies).
At 18, this was the highest resolution camera in my review, and the photos look great. I also appreciated that the lanyard doubles as a USB charging cable to ensure you never run out of battery.
My kids really liked the selfie camera feature on this camera for getting images of us together (it uses a rear-facing camera).
At around $80, this camera is a great value. It’s not as expensive as some of the other models but priced high enough to ensure you’re getting a quality product that won’t instantly break.
Overall, my kids really enjoyed taking photos with this camera. They enjoyed the sloth styling and the grippy rubber feel of the silicone body.
The touchscreen was also a big hit, and they found it easier to use than the buttons on other cameras.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
Pros
Instant Prints
Simple Design
Durable
Flash for Dark Scenes
Easy On/Off
Cons
Manual Exposure Ring
Viewfinder is small
For kids, having a camera that produces instant prints is so exciting. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Polaroid, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 will bring back good memories.
This camera is a modern Polaroid that is affordable and fun to use. Snap a photo, and it quickly spits out a print that will come to life in about 90 seconds.
As a kid’s camera, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is so satisfying and rewarding to use. My kids love the process of getting a photo keepsake and the excitement of watching it develop after it is printed.
Having a tangible object come from a camera is novel for kids who normally only see images on a screen.
The camera felt a little big for my 4-year-old, but my 6-year-old could hold and operate it well. Pressing a button extends the lens and turns on the camera.
After that, you must adjust the exposure ring to match the indicator light to get a proper exposure. Once it is set, you simply press the shutter, and the print pops out.
At around $0.70 each, this camera can be a little expensive to operate, but I like that it encourages kids to be more thoughtful with their photos rather than just snapping endless pics.
This a flash for dark conditions, this camera can expose almost any scene.
As a dad who spends a lot of time at the computer, I love that there is nothing digital about this camera. You insert the film and it spits out prints, no computer is needed!
My kids thought the viewfinder was a little difficult to use, but they both figured it out. They also thought it was quite durable. Pushing in the lens turns off the camera, making the AA batteries less likely to die.
Overall, this was my favorite of the instant print cameras because it was so simple and fun to use. Both my kids agreed that the prints were a highlight of using this camera!
Canon Ivy CLIQ 2 Instant Camera
Pros
Simple Design
Large Viewfinder
Instant Prints
Automatic Exposure
Selfie Mirror
Cons
Prints slowly
Feels fragile
The Canon Ivy CLIQ 2 is a well-designed instant print camera that is very fun for kids to use. It is a close second-place option to the Fujifilm camera mentioned above.
I like this camera because it can make instant prints, which kids can enjoy quickly. The prints are stickers, which is a bonus for kids.
The prints are a little slow to come out, but they are fully developed because of the Zink (zero ink) technology. Costing about $0.50 each, the prints are water-resistant and last up to a century.
This camera is very compact and has a mirrored front for taking selfies.
The simplicity of automatic exposure and just a few buttons make this camera great for kids. Once loaded, it can take up to 10 exposures in a film pack.
It didn’t feel quite as durable as other cameras and the back popped off when my daughter dropped it. Despite this, it kept on taking photos without any issues.
My kids liked the color and feel of this camera. Although it isn’t specifically designed for kids, its simple functions make it great for kids of all ages.
Kidamento Model P – Koko the Panda
Pros
Fast Instant Prints
Simple Design
Creative Styling
Very Inexpensive Prints
Cons
B&W Prints Only
Somewhat Bulky
When you search for kids’ cameras, you’ll find many options that make fast black-and-white prints. Of those options, the Kidamento Model P is one of the best.
Instant prints are also captured digitally to offer the best of both worlds. They spit out quickly and have a similar tear-off style to receipts.
The ink-free thermal printer claims to be the fastest in class, which is always a good feature for kids’ cameras.
Although a bit bulky, my kids liked this camera’s “Koko the Panda” styling. I never thought I would have a camera shaped like an animal, but this was one of the first things my kids liked about the Model P.
In addition to regular prints, it makes sticker prints and stores color images at 9mp on the internal memory.
Its rugged ABS design makes it durable and outlasts the cheaper model listed below.
The Model P paper refills are quite affordable. Each print costs just a few pennies, making them a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Polaroid style options listed above.
At around $100, the Kidamento Model P is a great hybrid print/digital kid camera. It is high quality and built to withstand the abuse of small children.
Kidamento Model C – Mikayo the Bear
Pros
More Affordable
Creative Style
Very Compact/Lightweight
Durable
Cons
More Buttons could confuse
No touch screen
No Instant Prints
I recommend you check out the Kidamento Model C for a less expensive but still good quality option. This digital camera doesn’t make prints but is durable and good quality.
It is very compact and well suited to smaller kids with small hands. The 8mp resolution images are stored on the internal SD card and can be stored or printed once transferred to a computer.
This camera has more buttons than I would have preferred, and it was a little confusing initially for my kids. With a little practice, they were able to master the features.
If you have the extra $20 in your budget, I think the Kidamento Model K is a worthy upgrade because the touch screen is much more intuitive.
Similar to the other cameras from Kidamento, the silicone body of this camera is quite durable and gives the extra sense of security needed to hand over a camera to a kid.
My kids also quickly appreciated the “Mikayo the Bear” styling and compact feel. This is a camera they won’t hesitate to throw in their bag on travels because it’s so lightweight.
The selfie lens is another feature you get when stepping up in size/price to the Model P. This feature was fun for taking photos with my kids.
The Model C is perfect if you want the most compact and affordable.
Esoexoffore Kids Instant Print
Pros
Very Inexpensive
Instant Prints
Compact
Cons
Printer is Sticky
B&W Prints Only
Slippery to Hold
If budget is your top priority and you want an instant print camera for kids, the Essoexoffore Kids Instant Print is for you.
This $35 camera offers instant printing on thermal paper and digital image capture. It is relatively compact and lightweight.
Compared to some of the more expensive options in this guide, this camera is less rugged.
After only one roll of paper, the printer started to slip and fail. I made the prints come out smoothly by slowly tugging on the paper, but this isn’t something you want to have to do when giving kids the freedom to take pictures.
Even if you don’t want to print the images, it captures color stills on the internal microSD card.
The body design of this camera is smooth plastic, making it more prone to slipping out of my kid’s hands but making the included lanyard an important feature.
At 2mp, this camera’s images will be relatively low resolution, but what can you expect from a budget option?
If budget is your primary concern, this is a decent camera. If you’ve got room in your budget, I recommend stepping up to a nicer model.
Despite the downsides, my kids still had much fun with this camera and enjoyed capturing instant prints. For $35, this is an acceptable budget option.
Goopow Kids Digital Camera
Pros
Very Affordable
Compact/Lightweight
Easy to Learn
Durable
Cons
No Instant Prints
No Touch Screen
No Flash
Lastly, the GooPow Kids Digital Camera is the most affordable option in this guide.
With purely digital capture (no instant prints), it offers an entry into the world of photography for only $30.
If getting your kid a camera to enjoy without spending much money is your priority, this durable and compact camera is a good option. Younger kids (under 5) and parents will appreciate the durability of the silicone body.
My kids loved that the display would show a hello/goodbye message when it was powered on/off. The whale styling on the body was also a hit.
This camera has multiple buttons but my kids could navigate the functions and easily take photos.
At 8mp resolution, this camera has relatively good image quality and will make good small prints once you transfer the images to a computer.
Although this isn’t the best camera in this review, I would say it’s a solid budget option for younger kids that might break things or for parents just wanting to let their kids try photography with minimal cost.
What is the Best Instant Print Camera for Kids?
Having an instant print camera makes photography for kids so much more fun.
As described in this review, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, Canon Ivy CLIQ2, and Kidamento Model P are all excellent instant print cameras.
If you want a hybrid print/digital option, the Kidamento Model P is great. The prints are very affordable (a few cents each), and the material feels rugged enough to last through whatever kids do to it.
From a style/function, my kids really liked the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9. I don’t know exactly why they gravitated toward this camera, but it was the one they reached for most often (primarily because of the excitement of the Polaroid-style prints).
As a professional photographer, I liked the simplicity and compact style of the Canon Ivy CLIQ2. It also has relatively affordable prints and a fun selfie mirror.
One thing to avoid is super cheap instant-print cameras. These will let you down by failing to print properly, which will frustrate your kids and keep them from enjoying photography.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cameras for Kids
What is the best camera for kids aged 3-5?
The Kidamento Model C is a great compact option for young kids. It is also quite affordable.
What is the best camera for kids age 6-10?
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is a great camera for older kids. The polaroid-style prints make great keepsakes.
At what age should a child have a camera?
I suggest that children at age 3 start with an inexpensive camera. The Kidamento Model C is a great choice. Older kids may want something with a few more features, or that makes instant prints, like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9.
[ad_2]
