Best Digital Cameras For Teens or Tweens

Is your teen or tween a budding photographer? Do they find that the camera on their cell phone just isn’t what they are looking for in recreational photography? Today’s market offers digital cameras for teens and tweens, at any skill level, at any budget.

Before Buying a Digital Camera for a Teen or Tween

Before running out the door to buy the next best digital camera, there are a few points to consider.

Consider their level of interest

You might think price should be at the top of the list, but with digital cameras for your tween, it’s vital to assess their interest level first. Are they interested in recreational photography, or to snap pictures of friends? Are they looking to capture the majesty of landscape or adventures with friends? There are many options available making it a main consideration in determining which camera style to consider.

What skill level are they currently at?

Photographers know that it’s much more to capturing the perfect picture than aiming and shooting. We’ve included the digital camera for your beginning tween as well as the more advanced option if your tween is showing greater skill.

What is your budget for a digital camera?

Digital cameras for your tween begin under $100 and go up from there. With the higher prices come more features and more technical applications. Consider whether you or your tween is buying the camera and the level of responsibility of your tween. 

What style and size would work best?

Is your tween looking to keep their digital camera in their pocket, purse, or school bag? Or are they going out on a photography-specific outings? This will help determine the size and style of camera that will be best for them.

Quick Pick – Sony DSCW800

5 Best Digital Cameras for Teens and Tweens

With those considerations in mind, let’s take a look at five digital cameras for your tween.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11

Flashback to the days of the Polaroid camera! Using today’s digital camera technology, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 brings back the fun with printable photos giving instant satisfaction. The Instax Mini digital camera bundle includes fun frames and albums to give your budding photographer an extra pit of instant fun.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a camera intended for fun. With few features and a simple design, this is a good option for your tween to help develop a sense of their true ability.  

Sony DSC800

The Sony DSCW800 “point and shoot” camera is perfect for pictures on the go. This digital camera features a 5x zoom lens, SteadyShot Image stabilization, MP Super HAD CCD sensor for clean and crisp photos, and has the option to shoot HD video. It’s small size makes it ideal for travel, fitting conveniently in a purse, backpack, or even a pocket.

The flash on this camera is not overly bright making it a better camera for settings with more natural light. It’s good for the outdoors with friends and simple scenery shots, though the 5x zoom is somewhat limiting.  Despite these minor limitations, the DSCW800 is a good entry level digital camera for your tween.

Panasonic Lumix FZ80

Continuing up the scale of digital cameras for your tween, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 opens up a new realm of digital technology and skills. This camera features a 60x point and shoot lens, high resolution LCD display, 4K video recording, Low light performance, and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless downloads to your preferred device. Best of all, the affordable price makes this a great entry level camera for your tween.

The drawbacks to this camera aren’t likely to impact the average user in any way that would cause them to turn if off and put it away. The fixed position LCD screen, small sensors, and challenges to record HD video are the recurring concerns among advanced photographers.

There's also another step up from this model that you might be interested in – Lumix FZ300

Canon EOS Rebel T7

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is the next step in photography and another excellent product from the Rebel line of Canon cameras. It sports good photo and video quality, a comfortable and lightweight design, and built in WiFi. Venturing into the photography world is easier with a great camera, with the right features, and ease of use – the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is that camera and exploring the passion of photography will be right at your tween’s fingertips.

Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 digital camera is an excellent choice for those tweens entering the digital photography world with a serious eye for more than point and shoot imagery making it, arguably, the best entry level digital camera.

Equipped with an image sensor 15 times larger than today’s smartphone, your tween will capture photos and memories in extremely high resolution. Due to its size, this camera is not made for your pocket, purse, or backpack, but its light and comfortably balanced design with huge 3” LCD display is made for everyday use. Using the SnapBridge app by Nikon this digital camera can stay connected with your tween’s smartphone for the easy download and sharing of photos.

Imagination Through Photography

Photography can be a peaceful and creative hobby helping to bring a greater balance to the chaotic world we live in. Photography helps focus our attention on what matters. The photographer crops out the noise and zooms in on the beauty of the subject giving greater appreciation to the simple things in life. As you have seen, there is a wide range of options for your tween when it comes to digital cameras. Knowing your tween will help you choose the best option for them.  And digital cameras have made entry level photography easier than ever.

Online Classes for Budding Photographers

Outschool has online classes from the arts to life skills. Here are some amazing photography courses with 5-star reviews that your teen would love.

• Photography for Beginners – First Step Into Photography (ages 9-14)
• Photography 1: Introduction to Photography
• Photography 101: 12 Week Semester Course for High Schoolers