We all love to see our kids develop interests and hobbies as they grow - but we might not feel confident lending them our beloved DSLR when they express an interest in photography. Maybe because we’ve seen what happens to their Lego and teddy bears. Luckily, Ted’s Cameras have a terrific range of beginner and child-friendly digital, instant and waterproof cameras to choose from instead.
Read on for our pick of the best 5 cameras for kids and young photographers. Whether you’re after a basic tough camera that can handle a little bit of rough-housing or an entry-level DSLR for a future professional photographer, we’ve got something for everyone.
The Fuji XP140 is a high-performance compact digital camera that also happens to be as tough as nails. It’s waterproof to 25m, shockproof to 1.8m and freezeproof to boot. Beginner photographers will love its well-rounded image making features, which include a 16.4MP CMOS Sensor, 4K video, and a 5x optical zoom lens to frame photos and videos with ease. There’s also a handy eye-detection feature that ensures your eyes will be in focus - so you can even get your kids to snap your next profile picture!
The XP140 comes in a pocket-friendly size, making it ideal for carrying around during school excursions and holiday travel. But don’t be fooled by its size: This camera packs a serious punch. The lens starts at a 28mm wide angle equivalent, meaning that your kids can take crystal-clear images with minimal fuss.
Small, easy to use and able to withstand the odd spill, the Nikon Coolpix W150 is the perfect camera to give to someone with smaller hands. The Coolpix W150 is waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 1.8m, as well as being dustproof and cold-resistant - you can confidently let the little ones explore their creativity with this camera, knowing it will come back in one piece.
Although tough and tiny, the Nikon Coolpix W150’s image quality should not be ignored, thanks to its 13.2MP CMOS sensor which is great for stills and Full HD video and its versatile 3x optical zoom lens. With its built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity unleashing Nikon’s excellent SnapBridge app, your youtube one can be sharing their proud moments with their peers within moments.
The Agfa Retro 35mm film camera is designed to help people rekindle their love of film photography, but if your kid gets one this Christmas, it may just be their first love. Film photography encourages creativity by reintroducing some of the limitations that digital cameras have. Want a black and white image? This needs to be decided before you load the film, which teaches your child to think ahead and make conscious decisions.
The Agfa Retro 35mm film camera is compatible with a wide-range of readily available 135 film and it also runs on easy to find AAA batteries. This film camera couldn’t be easier to use - you really just point and shoot; the lens is a fixed 31mm focal length, focus is fixed, and there is a simple flash to help you photograph indoors.
Instant photography is always popular at Christmas time. Instant cameras make great gifts and they are perfect for capturing the joy and having fun doing so on Christmas day. The Fuji Instax mini 11 instant camera is one of the most popular and easiest to use, making it a great first instant camera for kids. This camera comes in a range of cool colours to match different personalities, and it features a dedicated selfie mode to help users frame themselves with accuracy - two features that will appeal to the younger generation.
The Fuji Instax mini 11 instant camera comes in a compact frame that smaller kids can comfortably hold. Capturing high-quality pocket-sized instant images, which develop in around 90 seconds, is as simple as looking through the optical viewfinder, pointing and shooting.
This lightweight and unassuming film camera looks alot like a disposable camera, but it doesn’t end up in the bin when the first roll is done - it can be used again and again. The Harman Reusable 35mm camera is a great first film camera for kids, being amazingly simple to use and encouraging some of the key learning points that come with film photography - this includes choosing the right film for each occasion and being patient as you wait for film to be developed before you can see your results.
The Harman Reusable 35mm camera is compatible with 200 and 400 speed 135 film, while it comes with 2 rolls of black and white film so your kid can load up and start taking photographs on Christmas morning. Thanks to its easy to use push button flash, this film camera can take well-exposed images indoors as well as outdoors.
Spark your kid’s creativity
Photography is a great way to encourage your child’s curious nature and nurture their creative streak. Giving them quality beginner camera will help to teach them life-long skills that could spark a fun hobby, or even open up opportunities in the future.
For more advice on the best camera for your child, take them along to your local Ted’s store, or check out our Academy workshops to find a beginner course near you.