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Best Kids Cameras Reviewed & Rated for Quality
So we’ve gathered a nice collection of instant cameras, sports cameras, and just plain fun kids point and shoot cameras that might just inspire the Ansel Adams in your little one.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Battery Life
Battery life is important because charging can be a pain. It is even worse if the batteries in the product are not rechargeable. Having to replace batteries can be a big pain and an expensive one too. Consider a product with rechargeable batteries for convenience. You also don’t want to have to interrupt play with a dead battery either. Battery access is a big thing to consider as well.
Younger children may be more inclined to open the product and attempt to take it apart. You want to ensure that the battery housing is secure and can only be accessed by an adult. Batteries can be dangerous and expensive to replace. Consider something with less or more difficult access to the battery casing to be safe. Most of the products in this article have child safety locks on the battery casing.
Durability
The durability does go back to the quality of the materials being used but the durability of the product is important because children tend to have slower reflexes and smaller hands. These products will be dropped and spilled on so you want to ensure that the product can withstand that. A feature in some of this type of product is waterproofing and dust-proofing. This feature helps for those spills and leaks but it also helps for full submerges in water. Some can go up to 9 feet under water which is fun for children who like to swim. Being durable and having proofing will help with the longevity of the product and will save both money and time in the long run.
Features
The features of the product are important because you are buying the item for a specific purpose. If you are buying an item based on the price you will probably not get what you need in the product while if you are buying something only because it has a bunch of features even if you may not use all the features then you are probably paying more than you need to. The features of this type of product are items like expandable memory.
Expandable memory helps because it gives you the option for more room later down the road. Flash is another feature, where the child can take better photos on gloomy or dark days. The live-viewer helps the child review their shots and retake if needed. Some products come with an option for a stand for photos or videos on a timer or action video/shots.
Other features are items like silicone or plastic casing for clumsy children and fun features for more creative play. An interesting feature of some of this type of products is the augmented reality games. This is interesting because this is a new technology and it incorporates real life into a game. This feature became popular with a Nintendo app that encouraged individuals to get off the couch and play games outside. This encourages both creativity and a more active play approach. It is also reviewed as a very fun type of entertainment for the child.
Value
Price is usually the first thing that we look at. We want to ensure that we are getting the best bang for our buck. This is especially true when it comes to items for children. Not only do children quickly grow out of items (both due to size and brain) but they also easily break items. Price is considered a larger priority in children than any other purchase. The issue with purchasing inexpensive products means (usually) buying lower quality items. With electronics especially, it is important that the quality is there. Without quality, the product will more than likely break and you will be left with a pointless item.
Paying a little more for a better product is worth it because then there will be fewer items purchased to replace it in the future. Ensure that the items you are purchasing is made of quality materials and will last for a while to ensure that you are truly getting the best bang for your buck. Another thing to consider it the opposite side of the spectrum, just because it is higher in price does not mean it is higher in quality. There are companies out there that offer more expensive products even if they don’t necessarily have a superior product. Ensure that you get what you are paying for. The issue with online shopping is that it is hard to know the quality of the items you are buying. This is where reviews are super handy. Check for the words “durable” and “performed as it said it would” to ensure that you are buying what you think you are. This will help in the long run.
Materials
Because children tend to have slower reflexes than adults it is important that the materials being used to produce this type of product are both durable and safe. Silicone is a common material type for protection on this particular type of product because silicone is not only better for grip but is also a good protective material. It will not break upon impact (not as easily) and also absorbs shock to help the rest of the materials from breaking down. You will also see a fair amount of plastic protective casings on this type of product. Thicker plastics help protect the glass components (or the more fragile materials) on the device. The materials being used should also be non-toxic. Little lungs and more delicate skin can’t take as many toxins as adults. It is important that the materials being used are safe on them as a result. Ensure that the materials being used are good quality and non-toxic in order to get the most use out of the product being purchased.
Top 10 Best Kids Cameras
1. Powpro Pcam
This product has a soft silicone shell which helps with protection from drops. This product is our editors choice. It includes 3 triple A batteries and comes with a carrying strap. It has both photo-taking functions as well as video-taking functions. It comes in one color and one size.
5 Mega-Pixels
This product 1.3-megapixel camera with funny photo frames and can take pictures up to 5 megapixels.
Both photo and video capable
This product can take both photos and videos for additional opportunities for creativity.
Cost and Value
This product is mid-range in price. With the silicone protection from drops, as well as its functionality (functions like an adult camera with LED light and viewfinder), this product is worth the price.
2. Joytrip Shockproof Camera
This camera will be a total joy for your little one to use! If you have a young one that loves to take pictures and selfies, then this camera is a great choice. It is designed to take the impact of falls and everyday use. It also comes in bright, fun colors that your child will enjoy.
Shockproof silicone
This camera has a shockproof silicone cover over it so that it can take the impact of dropping it. The cover is soft and also easy for small hands to hold onto. But, kids are kids, and will inevitably drop things. So this camera comes prepared to take those falls.
Pictures with fun frames
This product is super cute. It allows kids to take pictures easily and then upload them to a computer via USB port and put a fun decorative frame around the picture or filters on the pics.
Cost and Value
This product is at a mid-range price. It is not the most high-end camera, but it is perfect for kids that love to take pictures and are just starting out.
3. VTech Kidizoom
This is also a waterproof, mountable product. It is also our best value product. It is from the popular brand VTech and comes in one color. It can take both video and photos. It has both slow and fast-motion capabilities. It also comes with a sturdy, durable casing.
Fun mounting capabilities
This product can be mounted onto a bike or a skateboard for live-view and action type videos.
Augmented reality game options
This product has three games that can be played with augmented reality technology which is more advanced than comparable products on the market.
Cost and Value
This product is inexpensive in cost. With all the additional features like gaming and the mounting stand, this product is definitely worth the cost.
4. Polaroid Snap Touch Portable Instant Print
This is the high-end version of the Polaroid Snap portable camera that is already on this list. It’s simple to use, has a nice touchscreen display and best of all you can have your prints right away. Honestly, we’ve moved way past thinking these cameras are just a nostalgic playtoy. We think they’re just guaranteed fun in a small little package.
Camera and Printer
Let’s be clear this isn’t really a film camera, it’s a camera printer. You just load it up with paper, no ink or toners necessary and the camera does all the rest. It’s called Zink Zero Ink and to make it work you don’t do anything more than load it up with paper and it does the rest. We don’t really understand how it works but we can say it works great.
Polaroid App
This is a nice feature that lets you easily send the photos you’ve collected to a nearby phone and edit away on your smartphone. This is a great add-on that just makes this a more attractive camera. It also doubles as a movie maker and can capture a fair amount of motion if you take advantage of the microSD card slot.
Cost and Value
Towards the high end, this little Instamatic really has quite a lot going for it. It’s an Instant camera, a video recorder, Bluetooth compatible, prints easily without ink. There are a lot of bells and whistles on this camera and enough to keep any budding photographer, or videographer busy for weeks.
5. CabinaHome Waterproof
This product is a cute little one from CabinaHome. It has a silicone casing to protect it from drops and can be used everywhere from home to the beach. It has both a flash and digital zoom. It comes in one color and one size.
Waterproof
This product is waterproof up to 3 feet so no worries if used around a pool or on the beach, this product will not stop working due to a little water.
Loaded with features
This product has a 12-megapixel camera, a 12X digital zoom, a 2.0" LCD screen and much much more.
Cost and Value
This product is a little higher in cost, however, it comes with a lifetime warranty and has both protection from drops and water. With these features, there is no risk in purchasing this product.
6. CamKing Digital Camera
Here is a selection that can take photos and record video. This will allow a child to share their funniest or even exciting moments when they think you aren't looking. With plenty of room for storage, they can keep their photos for a long time to come.
Ergonomic design
This product is designed to be easy to carry and lightweight enough for young ones to carry it around with them wherever they go and want to take fun pictures and create memories.
Fun and educational
This camera is the perfect tool to help little photographers get started. Kids will have fun learning how to operate a camera and how to see the world from new perspectives.
Cost and Value
This camera is moderately priced, which is perfect for a child's camera. Young minds will enjoy learning with this camera and creating memories and stories they can look back on. Plus, it is easy to use.
7. Lightfamily Underwater Camera
Perfect for the beach vacation this camera does everything you can imagine in an underwater setting. It has a large easy to see LCD screen and the controls are easy to use. And it’s good to 3 meters underwater. Don’t take it into the Marianas Trench, but a few yards offshore should be okay.
LCD Screen
This allows your child to see exactly what they’re about to take a picture of. A lot of cameras still have viewfinders but this is a really nice add-on that we really like.
Long Battery Life
Only 2 AAA batteries are going to keep this one going for some time to have fun. This is going to come in handy we guarantee especially if you’re somewhere in the world where batteries are hard to come by.
Cost and Value
This camera comes at a great price. It’s cheap but well made. Simple but with enough bells and whistles to keep your little photographer busy for weeks.
8. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
This product is from the other very popular brand Fujifilm. It has a super fun and light design and comes in five different colors (blue, pink, light blue, green and white). It also comes in different bundles depending on what the photographer wants to do with it. It has a macro lens adapter and a selfie mirror.
Ideal for selfies
This product not only has a little selfie mirror but comes with the ability to take brighter, softer pictures ideal for taking self-portraits.
Perfect lighting
This product is perfect for all sorts of weather. It has a brightness adjustment dial and a soft flash meant to be used in all sorts of weather so that you get the perfect picture every time.
Cost and Value
This product is mid-range in price. It has print features, zoom, and is ideal in all sorts of weather conditions this product is worth the price. Plus it is super cute in design.
9. 4K Sports Action Camera by REMALI
We’re not quite sure how to start talking about this camera mainly because there’s just so much going on here, where to start! Do we like the camera itself? Heck yes, we do. It’s a 4K camera that’ll capture underwater and action shots and also shoot video. What else, the multiple surface type mounts. It’s all here, what a camera, and it’s made for kids or adults, this is the whole package.
Waterproof Action Camera
It’s a 4K camera that can go all the way down to a 720P HD screen quality. It also has a 170-degree wide angle lens and it is waterproof and able to capture above and below water great shots and video. It also shoots in slow and high speed so you can capture the action shots you want.
Extras, Extras, Extras
The things that come with this camera make it an incredible deal. It comes with remote, extra batteries, several different mounts and a REMALI carrying case which makes this a truly transportable camera. Anything you want to do, just dig through all the extras and chances are you’re going to be able to get it done.
Cost and Value
For what you’re getting this is a steal, literally a steal. It cost about as much as a cheap night out and you get a camera and all the trimmings that are going to serve you above water, underwater and is tough as nails so it’s almost kid proof. If you want an all-around great camera, this is the way to go.
10. VTech Kidizoom Pix
This is another VTech product. It is more playful in design and is intended for children between 3 and 8 years of age. It includes a built-in memory with the option of adding additional memory (with a built-in SD card slot). It comes in one color and one size. It also has built-in games similar to the Best Value product.
Face detection technology
This product is ideal for starting selfie-takers. It has a built-in face detection feature that will take the perfect picture.
Numerous fun games and effects
This product comes with 4 games and 35 photo effects to really let the creativity soar. It is also ideal for road trips and long car rides with both the ability to take photos and videos, but also the games feature.
Cost and Value
This product is inexpensive in price especially considering all the additional features.
