Know a young person who wants to be a photographer? At any age, from toddler on up, there’s a camera with just the right features. For the youngest, ergonomics and durability are the key. For tweens and teens, color or web connectivity might be the priority. For a budding shooter with long-term aspirations, a camera system with interchangeable lenses and external flash is the answer. For anyone who wants to go old school or just have some fun creatively, there’s a great variety of film cameras still made in this digital age. There are even video cams sized to drop in a pocket.

Use these quicklinks to jump down this list.

• Cameras For Little Ones
• Cameras For Tweens & Teens
• Cameras With Interchangeable Lenses
• Compact Video Camcorders
• Waterproof Cameras
• Cool Film Cameras… really.

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Cameras for Little Ones

Kidizoom Plus by Vtech
2.0MP * $40–$55 * blue or pink
The Kidizoom is designed for little hands and features brightly colored buttons. It will capture up to 500 high-res photos or eight minutes of video on the 256mb built-in memory or add an SD card for more capacity. Kid-friendly editing software included. Can be connected directly to a TV. 1.8″ LCD. Uses 4 ‘AA” batteries. Amazon

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LEGO by Digital Blue
3MP * about $50
Looks like it’s made entirely of LEGO bricks, but fortunately it cannot be taken apart. You can, however, snap real LEGOs onto the top and bottom or just build the camera into a LEGO creation. 1.5″ LCD. Built-in flash. Amazon

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Kid-Tough by Fischer-Price
1.3MP or .3MP * $40–$55 * pink or blue
Here’s a digital camera that any pre-schooler will love. Unique design is styled for little hands. Features a 1.5″ color LCD. Resolution is selectable between 1.3 or .3 mega-pixels (enough for 4×6 prints at the higher resolution). Images are stored on the built-in 128mb flash memory (safe from curious fingers). Amazon

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Cameras for Tweens and Teens

Bean A5650 by VisionTek
5MP * 4x digital zoom * $50–$65 * multiple colors
The built-in carabiner on the Bean A5650 makes this an easy-to-carry camera–clip it to a belt, backpack or gym bag. Stores pix on removable SD card. Rechargeable li-ion battery. Water resistant. Comes in purple, yellow, blue, pink or red. Amazon

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FinePix Z30 by Fujifilm
10MP * 3x Optical Zoom * $95–$145 * multiple colors
If your kid is a fashionista or connects with friends via the Web, take a close look at the FinePix Z30. The highly-styled camera comes in orange, pink, black and violet. The Blog Mode enables quick posting of photos and video clips to blogs and social media sites. Waterproof cousin listed below. Amazon • B&H Photo

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Coolpix S220 by Nikon
10MP * 3x optical zoom * $120-$135 * multiple colors
The slim Coolpix S220 is an easy camera to carry: in a pocket, purse or backpack. This is a full-featured point-and-shoot with 10 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, image stabilization, built-in flash and a bright 2.5″ hi-res LCD. Cool colors: plum, deep red, cobalt blue, black. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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PowerShot SD1200IS by Canon
10MP * 3x optical zoom * $120-$135 * multiple colors
Canon’s PowerShots Digital ELPHs are known for their compact size, durability and great images. The SD1200IS features a 10 mega-pixel sensor, 2.5″ LCD, built-in flash and image stabilization. As a bonus it comes in a wide range of colors–certain to fit any personality from frivolous to serious: pink, orange, blue, green, grey. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Coolpix L100 by Nikon
10 MP * 4x digital zoom * $185-$210
This is the camera for the kid who wants a camera that looks like a big camera. It’s a full-featured point-and-shoot. The body design is… clunky, like a DSLR. The lens housing and hand grip stick out. Given that the entry-level DSLRs cost twice what the Coolpix L100 costs, if your young person wants a camera that makes him look like a photographer, this one won’t break the bank. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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PowerShot SX20IS by Canon
12.1 MP * 20x wide-angle optical zoom * $370-$405
The SX20IS features a lens that goes from wide to super long–the equivalent of 28-560mm on a 35mm camera! Fortunately the SX20IS also has image stabilization built-in. This versatile camera also shoots hi-def video at 720P. Uses Canon’s latest Digic 4 Image Processor for great speed, color and resolution. The 2.5″ LCD swings out and articulates–great for shooting in crowds and at low angles. Built-in flash pops up. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Cameras With Interchangeable Lenses

Lumix DMC-G1 by Panasonic
12.1MP * 14-55mm lens (others available) * $640-$675
* multiple colors
Panosanic is one of the pioneers in the new Micro Four-Thirds format. While it looks like a traditional SLR camera, M4/3 cameras use an electronic viewfinder rather than a mirror and optical viewfinder. The result is a robust camera in a smaller format–perfect for travel and smaller hands. The Lumix DMC-G1 is a full-featured camera for which a number of lenses and other accessories are available. A great choice for someone looking to get an easy-to-use camera system that can be expanded. Available in red, blue and black. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Rebel XS by Canon
10.0 MP * 18-55mm lens (others available) * $480-$525
* black or silver
The Rebel XS is a great starter camera. It can be operated in a wide range of settings from fully automatic to fully manual. Compatible with Canon’s extensive range of EF and EF-S lenses. Also works automatically with Canons E-TTL II Speedlites. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Rebel XSi by Canon
12.2 MP * 18-55mm lens (others available) * $570-$625
* black or silver
For another $100, the Rebel XSi features a better image sensor and a larger LCD screen than the original XS model. Compatible with Canon’s extensive range of EF and EF-S lenses. Also works automatically with Canons E-TTL II Speedlites.  Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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E520 by Olympus
10.0 MP * 14-42mm lens (others available) * $445-$475
The Olympus E520 is a digital single lens reflex (DLSR) camera suited perfectly for beginners. It provides in-body image stabilization–so IS is available for any compatible lens. The camera can communicate wirelessly with dedicated Olympus flashes. Many other lenses are available from Olympus. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Compact Video Cameras

Flip Ultra Camcorder, 120 minutes
120 minutes of VGA-quality video * $95–$145 * multiple colors
The Flip Ultra is a hi-def video camcorder that easily drops into a pocket. The 8gb built-in memory records up to 120 minutes of VGA-quality video. Then transfer the files to your computer via the built-in USB arm. Watch your videos on the 2″ color LCD. Includes FlipShare software that enables you to edit, email and upload your videos to sites like YouTube. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 minutes
120 minutes of 720P hi-def video * $165–$185 * black or white
Like the standard-def version above, the Flip UltraHD is a video camcorder that easily drops into a pocket. The 8gb built-in memory records up to 120 minutes of 720P hi-def video. You can watch your video clips on the built-in 2″ LCD or transfer the files to your computer via the built-in USB arm. Includes FlipShare software that enables you to edit, email and upload your videos to sites like YouTube. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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CountourHD Helmet / Handlebar Camera
up to 8 hours of 720P hi-def video * $255–$285
Here’s an HD video camera that’s small and rugged enough to go mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding… Two video modes: Hi-Def 720P at 30 frames/sec and Hi-Action standard-def at 60 frames/sec (great for slo-mo sequences of action sports). Loads of special mounts and brackets to park this 4″ videocam anywhere the action is. Includes Easy Edit software. Check online for updated model that shoots 1080P if you’re really into HD video. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Waterproof Cameras

FinePix Z33WP by Fujifilm
10MP * 3x Optical Zoom * $135–$150 * multiple colors
Here’s a camera that can go out in any kind of weather and go underwater down to 10 feet. Features face detection technology, automatic red eye removal and VGA movie capability. Available in vibrant shades of pink and green, plus black. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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PowerShot D10 by Canon
12.1 MP * 3x Optical Image-Stabilized Zoom * $265–$290
A rugged camera that’s freezeproof, shock proof and waterproof down to 33 feet. Face detection, image stabilization, red-eye correction, built-in flash … here’s a ready-to-go camera that has all the features. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Cool Film Cameras… really.

120N by Holga
uses 120-format Film * $28-$35
The magic of the Holga is that everything about it is cheap. The fixed-focus plastic lens translates your world into magical images. The 120N features a hot shoe for optional flash unit and also has a standard tripod mount. Includes two film masks to shoot either 6×4.5cm or 6×6cm frames. Multiple exposure capability and bulb setting for extra-long exposures. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Fisheye 35 by Lomography
uses 35mm Film * $40-$50
Creativity comes automatically with the Fisheye 35. The glass optics in the fisheye lens produce a 170-degree field of view. The lens is so big that it blocks the viewfinder–adding to the fun when you see the crazy images. Features a built-in flash for low-light shooting. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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Diana F+ by Lomography
uses 120-format Film * $45-$55
This is the modern version of the all-plastic Diana camera from the ’60s. Features 3 aperture settings on the manual focus lens. An added feature of the F+ is that the lens can be removed to allow for pinhole photography. Also included are a standard tripod thread and a hotshoe for the optional Diana Flash. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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INSTAX 210 Instant Photo Camera by Fujifilm
uses Instax (Polaroid-like) Instant Film * $75–$85
Fujifilm has revitalized the instant photo world with the introduction of their INSTAX film. The 210 camera has an automatic, electronic shutter with speeds from 1/64-1/200 second. It also has an automatic flash and two focusing ranges (3ft-10ft and 10ft-infinity). Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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3800N by Vivitar
uses 35mm Film * 50mm manual focus lens * $150-$165
Whoa! Here’s a manual-everything camera that’s perfect for teaching the fundamentals of photography. There’s a built-in exposure meter–but you have to set both the aperture and shutter speed. The 50mm lens is interchangeable with Pentax K-mount lenses. There’s a PC socket (sync speed 1/125). This is a great camera to enlighten a young photographer about the “old days”. Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo

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