You don't have to be a grown-up to pursue photography or make a movie. Giving your child acameracan open their eyes to the world and give you insight into what it looks like from their perspective.
But you don't want to spend a ton of money on a camera for a young kid who might break or lose it, nor do you want to give a teenager something that's oversimplified and doesn't give them room to learn and grow as an artist.
We've highlighted several good choices here, including tough cameras that can withstand drops, a DIY construction project, and analog options to teach kids what things were like before the world went digital.
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One thing missing from our list is a cheap camera recommendation for preschoolers and younger elementary students. Unfortunately, we've not been able to find one that doesn't have too many terrible user reviews to recommend. If you want to take a gamble on a cheap one, Amazon has plenty in the category, but don't expect them to last. If you find one that works well for your youngster, let us know in the comments.
Prints Sticker Photos
Canon Ivy Cliq2
The Canon IVY Cliq2 is a good starter digital camera for kids in elementary school. It doesn't cost too much, offers one-button operation, and can make on-demand prints using ink-free Zink thermal paper. A sticker backing means your child can use the prints to decorate a Trapper Keeper or laptop—just be careful not to gift it to kids who are young enough to put stickers on random household items. It's available in a black, gray, pink, or turquoise finish.
Camera and Printer Bundle
Fujifilm Instax Pal
The Fujifilm Instax Pal is a pricey prospect for parents at $199.95, but it includes two devices: a tiny one-button digital camera and an instant film printer. The Pal camera looks cute thanks to its mouse ears and tail, while the printer adds a tactile nature to snapshots that other digitals can't match. We just wish you could buy the camera by itself especially since you can get the bundled Instax Mini Link 2 printer separately. Regardless, the pair makes for a fun experience.
Provides One-Touch Instant Prints
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
4.0
TheFuji Instax Mini 12is a perfect firstinstant camera. It's affordable (though you have to feed it film, at roughly $0.70 per image) and has big rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold. Everything is automatic, and it even has a mirror to help kids frame selfies.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Review
Captures Digital Images and Prints On-Demand
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
3.5
The Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO is a pocketable compact that snaps shots digitally (meaning you can take as many photos as you want) and features a built-in printer that uses Instax Mini film. It's a great way to get your tween started with photography, and, unlike pure analog options like the Instax Mini 12, you can keep making photos even after you run out of film.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Review
Mounts to Your Bike or Skateboard
GoPro Hero8 Black
4.5
If your kid is more into video than stills, anaction cameralike theGoPro Hero8 Blackis a good choice for making videos of their bike or skateboarding adventures. It offers strong stabilization, so it works well as a vlogging camera, too. It's tough enough to withstand drops, records sharp 4K video, and can go as deep as 33 feet underwater. The Hero8 isn't the latest model (that would be the Hero12), so you can get it for under $200, a big drop from its $400 debut price.
GoPro Hero8 Black Review
Durable Enough for Tweens and Teens
OM System TG-7
3.5
Middle schoolers, teens, and freshmen on their way to college should check out the ruggedOM Tough TG-7. It's rated to withstand drops from up to 7 feet and can survive at depths of up to 50 feet underwater, all of which make it perfect to snap candids on the lake at summer camp. A high-magnification macro shooting mode encourages creativity, as does support for slow-motion video. The camera is a bit pricey though, so it's a better choice for responsible kids who you can trust not to lose it.
OM System TG-7 Review
Introduces Interchangeable Lenses
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7
4.0
An interchangeable lens camera is a good choice if you're buying for older students with an interest in photography. It opens up more creative possibilities, including manual control and the option to use macro, telephoto, and other specialized lenses.
The Panasonic Lumix G7 is a strong starter option. It has both an articulating LCD and eye-level viewfinder, works with Micro Four Thirds lenses, and fits easily into smaller hands. It's a strong value option for students enrolled in photography classes and is compact enough for aspiring photojournalists to carry anywhere. Young filmmakers can also look to the G7 for video; it records stabilized 4K footage.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 Review
A DIY Film Project for STEM Students
Lomography Konstruktor
3.0
Looking for a project to do with your school-age child? TheLomo Konstruktoris both a learning tool and a camera. It's an all-plastic 35mm SLR that comes to you in pieces. After removing all of its parts from plastic trees, it's up to you to build it. It's not a pricey investment, and even if you never run a roll of film through it, the process teaches budding engineers what makes a camera work.
Lomography Konstruktor Review
A 35mm SLR That Teaches Darkroom Skills
Pentax K1000
The Pentax K1000 is the classic student camera. The 35mm SLR had its heyday, but if your teen goes to a school that teaches photography the old-fashioned way, the K1000 is the best example of an all-manual, all-analog 35mm camera. Track one down, load up a roll of Tri-X, and discover what photography was like in the days before digital. (Photo: antalaron/Flickr)
Fujifilm X-H2 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Easy Tips for New Photographers
You can take several approaches to teaching your young one to use a camera. Allowing them to experiment is a good start, but also consider a more structured environment, such as aphoto class. Make sure to check out our story onphoto tips for beginners, too.
