Kids Photography

Tips for choosing the best camera for your child

I still recall the days when I would drop the 110 film cartridge (remember those?) into my chunky, blue, double-viewfinder Fisher Price camera and then head out to shoot the world or at least the backyard – I wasn't allowed to cross the street back then! A child's first camera can be a fun experience for him or her. It allows creativity through photography – something that could grow into a hobby or even a career.

Camera film is quickly heading the same direction as cassettes and vinyl records. Traditional cameras are still available, but film plus developing expenses make them a bit cost-prohibitive, especially for a youngster. Plus, kids hate to wait for film to be developed; a digital camera gives them instant gratification.

Disney, Fisher Price and Little Tykes are a few toy manufacturers that offer digital cameras specifically for children. Both Fisher Price's and Little Tykes' models offer a double viewfinder and LCD screen. Disney's cameras range from a barebones digital to a three-megapixel advanced unit.

Most cameras in this category are equipped with a built-in memory, an important consideration for a child's camera. External memory cards tend to be very small, and present a choking hazard for young children, making internal memory a must-have.

Kid-specific cameras will take adequate pictures for viewing on a computer screen, e-mailing and making small printouts. This will probably be more than satisfactory for a young child.

The above-mentioned cameras are all geared toward kids – they feature funky colors, cartoon characters (on Disney models), big buttons and are simple to operate. However, if your child is a little older (say maybe eight or nine) and somewhat tech-savvy, a childish digital camera may not allow him or her to reach their photography potential. In this case, consider an entry-level digital point-and-shoot camera.

Options abound from just about every major manufacturer ranging from Nikon to Hewlett Packard to Kodak. Point-and-shoots are simple to use, and have enough high-end features that will allow a novice to hone their skills. In this range you can expect at least five megapixels, an LCD screen and digital zoom. Slightly pricier models may be equipped with 3x optical zoom, which is better than digital zoom. Expect there to be a learning curve involved, as these cameras do contain buttons, dials and menus. If your child is a whiz on the PC, learning a digital camera probably won't be too difficult, and the quality of photos will be impressive from a camera in this range.

Children's cameras start as low as $20 and can run up to nearly $75. Entry-level point-and-shoots can run between $80 to $200. Your child's age and level of technical knowledge are both crucial factors in determining what camera will suitable for him or her. Check manufacturer's websites and do some comparison shopping. Once you've determined a suitable feature set and price range, you'll be able to make a good decision and send your child off to becoming the next world-renowned photographer!

By James Richardson
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I'm Haley, a 13 year old girl. I have wanted to be a photographer since age 11. I have a digital camera i like to take pictures with but i'm always asking my mom to use the "big camera" to get better and clearer pictures. I wish to be a landscape photographer but I have no idea how to get a jump start on this carrer. I would be so thankful if someone helped me.
Posted on 2/7/2010 11:46:00 AM by Anonymous
i'm taylor and i've always injoyed taking pictures but my parents just now let me have a cammra 'cause i'm so clumsy and break stuff all the time! i would realy like to find some kinda class i could take to realy improve. the only problem is i'm great with cammras just not computers and i cant fin anything! HELP!
Posted on 1/1/2010 2:04:00 PM by Anonymous
IM IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY! I JUST ENJOY IT! IM 12 YRS OLD AND IM ALREADY STARTING WITH MY DREAM JOB!! :)
Posted on 12/10/2009 11:00:00 PM by Anonymous
im 14 years old and i go to St. Mary's Academy. I use to love being in front of the camera but now i love being behind the camera. I take pictures ofmostly landscaping and they all turn out like post cards everyone says, but i don't know how to start my career in photography.
Posted on 11/29/2009 5:03:00 PM by Anonymous
I am 11 and in 6th grade. I want to become a wildlife photographer. I love taking photo`s of plants and animals.
Posted on 8/23/2009 5:25:00 PM by Anonymous
Hey guys my name is Jannah! I'm from the Phillipines and I heard from my cousin in America that you have photography in art class.But here in the Phil we only have art class as in drawing, painting, sculpting and many more! I'm saying this because I love photography and I want to improve my skills in it but sad to say we don't have photography in art. That's all! BYE-BYE :)) :))
Posted on 4/15/2009 9:47:00 PM by Anonymous
Hi my name is Sarah! I have a twin sister named Allie were not identical but we love each other and we never have stuff in comman well maybe some stuff like soccer, but I look better nah! just kidding!!!!!!!!!!! we also like runing but I'm faster, And our grades are different I get A's and she gets B's but were both very spoiled no offense!
Posted on 1/16/2009 7:49:00 PM by Anonymous
Hello. I am Haley, an 11 year old girl and I have always loved taking pictures w/ any camra I could get my hands on! I have asked my parents for about three years for a camra and I got it this year for Christmas from them. I am very happy 'cause I can take pictures all the time, but I don't have anything to take pic's of, so I need to go to classes to know how to get better at it and know what to take pictures of. I just can not find any classes to take at all after so much internet searches!!! My parents say to there friends that " Haley is so much better w/ tec stuff then I am and she only 11!" so of course I can figure out all of the buttons on a cam, and they say I am awesome at taking pictures, so I have at least 3 years of experience w/ this kind of stuff. PLEASE HELP TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS FOR ME!! ~ Haley ~
Posted on 1/3/2009 9:05:00 PM by Anonymous
Hi- I have a VERY high-functioning grandchild, who is in full time school , is using 5 syllable words, and has a gift for modern technology. II am trrying to purchase an appropriate camera. However, many that are fit for her age group are a little simplistic. Does one of them have a broader use than the others? And, is there a one-step-up camera for older elementary kids that is easy to use, so that Kyla could use it? Thanks for your help. Katie
Posted on 12/17/2008 11:13:00 PM by Anonymous
i am 15 years old and would love to be a landscape photographer when i am older i want to get good things on my college application what can i do?? signed, wanting to start early on college
Posted on 8/11/2008 11:45:00 PM by Anonymous
i noticed that my daughter hates waiting for the film to develope when i take it to the store for her because i never rush the store people i always tell the to take their time. but i've also noticed that she loves the pictures when their finished but she doesnt like igital cameras as much as disposable ones. LOL
Posted on 8/1/2008 4:51:00 PM by Anonymous
We have two of the fisher price cameras for our children and they love them! We find the noise the camera makes when taking and deleting pictures annoying.
Posted on 6/8/2008 10:01:00 AM by Anonymous
I went to LAKE DELAWARE BOYS CAMP,many years ago, I am trying to figure out if this the same camp . Which I have had some of the best experiencs of my life.
Posted on 3/12/2008 9:14:00 PM by Anonymous