A great hobby is taking pictures. Encouragement can go a long way toward a teen’s personal growth, so make sure to support them as they follow their passions and learn photography. Or, you could just use a camera to capture special moments and share them with friends.
There are so many camera models, that it can be hard to work out which are the best cameras for teenagers. So that it would be simpler for you, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite entry-level cameras for children and teenagers. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Best Cameras For Teenage Top Pick
- Nikon D3500: Best affordable entry-level DSLR for beginners
- Canon Rebel T6i: Best price-quality ratio
- Canon Powershot SX70 HS: Best Bridge camera
- Canon M50 II: Best vlogging camera for YouTubers
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 III: Best serious entry-level camera for adolescents
- Sony A6000: Best option for enthusiasts
- Panasonic Lumix FZ80: Best all-around SLR-like bridge camera
- GoPro Hero 9: Best action camera for teenagers
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 9: Best instant camera available
- Sony DSCW800: Best Cheap point-and-shooter for everyday use
- Canon EOS 2000D: Best easy-to-use
Best Camera For Teenager Review
1. Nikon D3500: Best affordable entry-level DSLR for beginners
You almost always hear a lot of people suggest the Nikon D3500 when discussing entry-level DSLRs for teenagers, which makes you wonder why.
Since this model is touted as the best entry-level choice for the brand, that is actually not all that surprising. The majority of prosumers and hobbyists will find many of its features to be useful and meet their skill requirements.
Additionally, it is one of the most affordable offers available at the moment.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Simple user interface
- Affordable
- For all-around use
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Not touchscreen
- No Wi-Fi
- Does not record 4K videos
2. Canon Rebel T6i: Best price-quality ratio
One of the top producers of photography gear up until this point has been Canon.
The industry eagerly anticipates the newest product to join the countless others it already offers each year. True Canon enthusiasts always find it exciting to see how much a predecessor device has advanced and which models are brand-new.
Even though the Rebel T6i is not the most recent model in this line, it is still one of the best entry-level cameras for teen photographers.
Its cost-to-quality ratio is the reason. This offers better value for your money when compared to the more recent T7i.
Pros
- With Wi-Fi
- Fully articulated screen
- Good ergonomics
- Fast AF system
- A great resolution for both photos and videos
Cons
- short battery life
- slow buffer in RAW shooting
3. Canon Powershot SX70 HS: Best Bridge Camera
Another excellent bridge camera is the 20.3MP Canon Powershot SX70 HS, which offers a remarkable 65x optical zoom so you can capture everything from close-up details to macro shots without changing lenses. You can shoot video in 4K ultra high definition in addition to taking lovely still photos. This camera offers both the more manual settings for greater control and the amusing automatic settings. Using the built-in WiFi, you can operate in temperatures between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius and 10 and 90% humidity while uploading your photos directly to your phone. It’s ideal for tech-savvy teen who wants to advance their photography skills.
Pros:
- Great zoom capabilities
- Able to record HD 4k video
- Has both automatic and more manual controls
- Easy to use
- Built-in WiFi to transfer photos straight to your phone
Cons:
- Expensive for what you get
- You’re unable to change the lens
- It’s harder to blur backgrounds (compared to the DSLR)
- It doesn’t work as well in low light
4. Canon M50 II: Best vlogging camera for YouTubers
If you were wondering what a good camera is for teenagers interested in photography, the answer is: IT DEPENDS.
In reality, before purchasing a piece of equipment, you must first decide what you plan to use it for. Just like other devices, cameras can be used for a variety of tasks, so choosing the one for which it is best known will aid you in achieving your objective.
Now, if you want to try vlogging, which is getting more and more popular among the younger generation these days, the Canon M50 is your best bet.
Pros
- The fast and accurate AF system
- Built-in IS
- 24MP image resolution
- 4K videos
- OLED EVF
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Lightweight
Cons
- Short battery life
- Not environmentally sealed
5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 III: Best serious entry-level camera for adolescents
This Olympus mirrorless product might just be your style if you like unusual camera designs and a lightweight travel companion.
It deviates from the typical “all-black” serious gears on the market and looks really stylish with its outer shell of black and silver. Being mirrorless, it doesn’t actually weigh that much, which makes it one of the best pieces of travel photography equipment.
This is the most recent improvement to the formerly well-liked M10 II. Although the hardware hasn’t changed much, there are new and improved features that you might enjoy.
Pros
- Simple UI
- 4K videos
- In-body IS
- Durable
- Touchscreen
Cons
- Battery life is short
6. Sony A6000: Best Choice For Enthusiasts
Sony is known for producing high-quality goods, and this is no secret.
The only drawback is that they are almost always on the more expensive end of the price spectrum. Their models are generally quite expensive, and the A6000 is no exception. But thankfully, the price has dropped significantly in the six years since its release, which is a relief.
Is it still wise to purchase this older Sony model in 2022?
It would be a great piece of equipment to start with if it was intended only for novice users. It has a ton of helpful features that will assist you in learning more about photography. For YouTube purposes, some even compare it to the Canon M50 (FYI: in that case, I’d choose the M50).
Pros
- Excellent photo resolution
- Accurate and fast AF
- OLED EVF
- Very lightweight
Cons
- No 4K video recording
- No silent shutter mode
7. Panasonic Lumix FZ80: Best all-around SLR-like bridge camera
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is an SLR-like bridge camera with a wide range of features.
It appears to be a typical digital SLR at first glance, but in reality, it is more like a point-and-shooter, hence the term “bridge type.” Although it doesn’t have interchangeable lenses like an SLR, it has other features that are similar to those of an SLR.
In other words, this camera is essentially a hybrid that bridges the gap between SLRs and compacts. It becomes even more interesting as a result.
Pros
- Unique
- Functional LCD
- Connectivity features
- Outstanding zoom capabilities
Cons
- Fixed screen
- ISO dynamic range could be better
8. Gopro Hero 9: Best Action Cam For Teenagers With Active Lifestyle
GoPro is typically the first brand that comes to mind when discussing action cameras. Given that they are the best-known and largest brand that produces this class of devices, this is not at all surprising.
(It was also listed in my list of the best presents for teen photographers.)
The brand’s most recent model, the Hero 9, is still in high demand, especially among teenagers. In actuality, compared to larger DSLRs, the majority of teenagers would prefer having a piece of equipment this small. Who wouldn’t enjoy the portability, after all?
Even though GoPro has a lot of new rivals, it still holds the top spot. This is likely a result of the high-end features and well-known durability that only Hero products can offer.
Pros
- Schedule capture
- Super lightweight and handy
- High resolution
- Waterproof up to 10m on its own
Cons
- Short battery life
- Expensive
9. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9: Best instant camera available
Instant cameras are widely used today.
In fact, if you ask teenagers, they’ll tell you that it’s the best camera for high school students.
It is fairly simple. You aim it at the subject, press the shutter, and then watch as the picture develops. Because of how simple it is to use, it is a perennial favorite of novice and casual users.
Fuji Mini 9 is a special photography gift for kids, especially given that we live in a digital era.
Pros
- Prints photos instantly
- Unique design
- Casual use
- Simple and easy operation
Cons
- Films can be quite expensive
- Very limited functions
10. Sony DSCW800: Best Cheap Point-and-shooter For Everyday Use
This tween-targeted digital camera may be just what you’re looking for if you’re looking for a point-and-shooter for everyday use. The Sony DSCW800 is a stylish compact that performs the necessary tasks: take good photos and videos. People who only want to take photos for a fun favor it because it is so simple to use.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Slim design
- Very easy to use
- 2.7″ LCD
- User-friendly interface
- Straightforward operation
Cons
- Doesn’t support RAW file
11. Canon EOS 2000D: Best Easy-to-use
A user-friendly 24.1 Megapixel camera that produces beautiful photos and cinematic Full HD movies, the Canon EOS 2000D is ideal for beginners. Additionally, a kit with an 18-55mm lens is typically purchased with this camera. Whenever you’re ready, you can experiment with the creative settings in Creative Auto mode and with partial or full manual controls. The Canon Camera Connect app makes it simple to share content on social media. An excellent camera to learn and develop with for an enthusiastic beginner.
Pros:
- Amazing picture quality
- Professional Camera
- You can have full control of the camera & its settings
- You’re able to change the lenses for versatility
- You can shoot photos and HD video
- Connect directly to your phone with the Canon Camera Connect app
Cons:
- It’s expensive (but compared to the bridge camera you get a lot more for your money)
- Extra lenses cost a lot
- Heavy
How To Selected The Best Cameras For Teenagers?
My criteria for choosing the top cameras for teenagers are listed below. As a father of two children, I place a lot of weight on each of these factors when choosing the first camera for my children.
- Price
Despite the fact that this is highly debatable, I believe we can all agree that we’d prefer to spend less on a camera for our kids than we might on ourselves or another adult. The reason for this is that kids and teenagers frequently break and misplace things.
But it’s wise to keep in mind the proverb “buy cheap, buy twice” when making a camera purchase. (Check out the top point-and-shoot camera under $200.)
For the majority of parents, I’ve chosen cameras below that are still capable of supporting years of use and professional development for avid photographers. (For a detailed guide to inexpensive camera equipment, visit this page.)
- Image Quality
Nowadays, kids are expected to carry a phone in their pocket at all times. It most likely has a smartphone as well, one with an excellent camera.
A dedicated camera must take images that are noticeably better than those from a phone for a teenager to want to use it. I chose cameras that are capable of doing this.
- Additional Features
Teenage cameras must also be able to perform tasks that a phone simply cannot in order to keep their interest and grow it in photography.
A camera needs to have some tricks up its sleeve at this age because it is essentially a toy for teens.
I’ve chosen teen cameras that not only fit the other requirements listed here, but also have some cool features.
- Size
A camera for a teen should ideally be portable and lightweight enough to always be in their backpacks. Although I’m a huge fan of camera bags, I don’t think kids need them as much.
I want kids to be able to pack their cameras in their backpacks without it making them feel unwieldy or bulky.
Some camera formats such as DSLRs are inherently larger than other compact cameras, but I have nevertheless chosen a few that are on the smaller side of the spectrum.
- Usability
No camera will ever be as simple to use as the camera on a smartphone, it is a fact. However, it’s still important for these cameras to be easy to start using, even if mastering them may take a little more time.
Above all, I think that all of the cameras below are enjoyable to use because taking pictures is still enjoyable and they aren’t fussy or annoying.
FAQs
How should I pick a camera for a teenager?
Teenagers are more likely to break or damage a camera that is expensive, so keep that in mind when selecting a camera for them.), image quality, portability, features, and usability. In order to keep them motivated, you’ll need something simple to use that also takes better pictures than a smartphone.
How can I interest my child in photography?
It’s a good place to start by giving them the proper equipment. Give them the freedom to discover and learn for themselves after that. In the end, their passion will flourish when they get to have fun and take control of their own journey, so it’s great to offer support and advice.
What is a good entry-level digital camera?
For your first digital camera, you have a lot of choices. A Fujifilm X70 or Sony a5100 mirrorless camera might be a good place to start for you because they both offer incredible features in a compact body.
Final Words
A camera can be useful for a variety of teenage activities, and with the right motivation, it may even open doors to a promising career.
These days, there are so many high-quality cameras that are affordably priced that choosing one can be difficult. It can be tempting to just “test the waters” with a cheap camera when buying for a teenager, reasoning that if the adolescent falls in love with photography, they can upgrade later.
Personally, I would advise against adopting this perspective. Cheap purchases almost always result in additional purchases (especially with cameras).
I hope you found this article on cameras for teens to be helpful. Getting your young ones into photography early may be the best gift you ever give them
