The best kids cameras include a wide variety of models, some of which are basically toys, while others are beginner-level models that are really easy to use. All of them are pretty inexpensive.
If your child has some photography experience, most of the cameras listed here aren't going to be powerful enough to meet their needs. The cameras listed here are very basic models. If you want more of an intermediate or advanced model, check out my digital camera gift guide instead.
For beginners, here are the best digital cameras for kids, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Digital Blue Disney Pix Jr.
Digital Blue
The Disney Pix Jr. camera, shown here in the Princess model, is a very basic children's camera, offering only 1.3 megapixels of resolution. It's more of a toy than a really powerful camera, but it will be fun to use. And kids are sure to enjoy all of the different Disney characters featured on the camera, including princesses, Cars characters, and High School Musical characters.
2. Digital Blue Lego Camera
Digital Blue
If you're considering purchasing the Lego digital camera for a child, keep in mind that this is a toy camera, and its image quality is nowhere near good enough for a child who wants to be even slightly serious about photography. Also, keep in mind that this camera doesn't come apart, as would other types of objects built with Legos.
However, if you're looking for a fun, extremely basic camera, the Lego camera is worth considering.
3. Digital Blue U-Turn Children's Camera
Digital Blue
Even though the Digital Blue U-Turn Camera is a children's camera, parents might find themselves borrowing the U-Turn from time to time, just because it is such a fun camera to use. The U-Turn has a cool morphing feature, and its camera body can twist to allow easy self-portraits.
4. DXG 5F9V 3D Dual Camera
DXG
The DXG 5F9V is an interesting dual camera for kids, because it can be used in either a 2D or 3D mode, and it offers both still image and video capabilities. It's also a pretty small camera that has an interesting design that kids will like. The LCD on this DXG camera can simulate 3D images on the screen, too, which kids will love.
Its image quality is a little bit shy of some more advanced cameras, and its price might be a little high for a children's camera, but its features are a lot of fun to use.
5. Fujifilm FinePix XP10
Fujifilm
Don't let the curved shape and the bright body colors (black, blue, green, pink, or silver) of the Fujifilm FinePix XP10 fool you, as this is a "tough" camera, designed as waterproof, shockproof, and weatherproof. The XP10's "tough" features aren't quite as powerful as some other "tough" cameras, but, with a sub-$150 price tag, the XP10 is much less expensive than those models. The XP10, which made my list of the best cameras for 2010, includes 12.2 megapixels of resolution, a 5X optical zoom lens, and a 2.7-inch LCD.
With its tough features, it will be almost impossible for kids to destroy this camera.
6. HP CW450t
HP
This camera makes the list of best kids cameras because it is so easy to use, thanks to its touch screen. The CW450t's touch screen LCD is smaller than most I've seen, measuring only 2.7 inches diagonally, but it's still impressive to find a touch screen in a camera in the sub-$100 price point.
You'll find 25 scene modes with the CW450t, along with 12.2 megapixels of resolution, a 4X optical zoom lens, and AVI video. The CW450t's camera body -- available in blue and merlot -- measures 1.13 inches in thickness, and the CW450t made my list of the best cameras for 2010.
7. Kodak EasyShare PlaySport
Kodak
"Tough" still image digital cameras are growing in popularity and availability. "Tough" video digital cameras aren't quite as easy to find, though, which makes the Kodak EasyShare PlaySport video camera an interesting option.
The PlaySport, which is the second generation model and which was announced at CES in January, can shoot full 1080p HD video in a small video camera body. With still images, the PlaySport can shoot at 5MP of resolution. It has a 2.0-inch LCD.
Kids who enjoy outdoor activities, such as snowboarding or skateboarding, will love the PlaySport, because it's small and easy to use to shoot videos and images of friends.
8. Pentax Optio RS1500
Pentax
With the Pentax Optio RS1500, you can change the look of the camera at any time with a new faceplate, a new lens ring, or a customizable skin, such as the skin shown here feating the Green Lantern. You'll find 14 megapixels of resolution, a 4X optical zoom lens, 720p HD video capability, and a 3-inch LCD screen with the Optio RS1500.
The RS1500 is an upgrade to the Optio RS1000, which was released late in 2010 and could accept various skins. Pentax designed the RS1500 to be easier to customize than its predecessor.
9. Sakar Gummy Bears Camera
PriceGrabber
The Gummy Bears digital camera is really aimed at preschool-aged children, so it has no significant features that photographers will appreciate. However, it can be fun to use, and it's made of a soft, rubbery material that is good for really young kids.
10. Samsung MV800
Samsung
Samsung is well known for its innovative point and shoot cameras. Where other companies are content to come up with models each year that increase the optical zoom or add more megapixels, Samsung looks to innovate, even within the inexpensive point and shoot market, adding dual LCDs and WiFi capabilities.
Now, the Samsung MV800 includes a flip LCD that can rotate 180 degrees until it's positioned over the top panel of the camera, allowing for easy self-portraits. Throw in a touch screen LCD, and you have a camera that's really easy to use and that would be a lot of fun for kids.
It would be nice if the performance levels of the MV800 in low light were a little better, but this is still a fun camera to use with excellent autofocus capabilities.
11. Vtech Kidizoom
Vtech
The Kidizoom camera from Vtech is more of a toy than a serious camera, but, for children, it will be a fun option. Younger children will enjoy the Vtech more than pre-teens and older children interested in photography, because the Kidizoom offers only the most basic photography features. Its photography options only are good enough to shoot photos to share by e-mail or to make tiny prints.
If you're looking for a children's camera with a few more features, such as a built-in flash and slightly more resolution, take a look my review of the Kidizoom Plus, which costs about $20 more than the Kidizoom.
