5 cameras for children

If you love photography and you have kids, chances are they've already tried to grab your camera — whether it's your smartphone, your nice and fragile compact, or your wonderful SLR or rangefinder.

And of course you don't let them. Nobody wants to see a beautiful Leica end up in a thousand pieces after an unlucky drop or a landing in the bathtub. So why not give them a camera designed for kids — or one tough enough to compete with your offspring's ingenuity?

Here's a selection of cameras thought through and designed for our kids, roughly aged 3 to 12.

Calistous

For under €20, Calistous cameras come in different colours (blue, white, orange, pink, yellow) and in two designs: bear and rabbit.

Photo resolution: 4608 × 3456
Video resolution: 1080p
Power: USB-rechargeable battery
Waterproof: No
Shockproof: No
Age: 4–8 years

Itshiny

Equipped with two lenses — one front, one rear — the kids' camera by Itshiny is available in blue or pink. It echoes the classic adult-camera design, with a large preview screen on the back.

Photo resolution: 3264 × 2448
Video resolution: 720p
Power: USB-rechargeable battery
Waterproof: No
Shockproof: Yes
Age: 3–8 years

Kriogor

The kids' cameras by Kriogor look like big Lego bricks, plus a lens. They're available in blue and pink, with or without a rear lens, and with or without a case for waterproof and shockproof protection. Icing on the cake: they cost around €25. Strangely, the pink models cost less than their blue counterparts.

Photo resolution: 3264 × 2448
Video resolution: 1080p
Power: USB-rechargeable battery
Waterproof: Yes (with case)
Shockproof: Yes (with case)
Age: 3–8 years

Lightswim

No — the kids' camera by Lightswim is not waterproof, despite what its name might suggest. Available in pink and blue, this camera has a front lens and a rear lens, plus an automatic flash that can be turned off. It has Wi-Fi connectivity, and thanks to a mobile app, you can interact with it from a smartphone.

Photo resolution: 4032 × 2256
Video resolution: 1080p
Power: USB-rechargeable battery
Waterproof: No
Shockproof: Yes
Age: 3–12 years

VTech KidiZoom Duo

VTech needs no introduction — a specialist in products for children. VTech of course sells children's cameras, under the names VTech KidiZoom Duo and KidiZoom Smile. Both models are available in blue and pink. On paper, however, given the rather steep price, VTech's children's cameras aren't very compelling. But — and there is a but — VTech's argument is that these aren't only kids' cameras. They come with games built in.

VTech KidiZoom Duo

Photo resolution: 5 MP
Video resolution: No
Power: 4 × LR06 batteries
Waterproof: No
Shockproof: Yes
Age: 3–12 years

Bonus: Vmotal waterproof camera

There's an interesting option to consider when looking for a kids' camera: waterproof cameras. They come at every price point and are generally built to withstand moderate impacts. They're suited to kids of at least 8 to 10. The look is less "toy-like", which will delight kids who want to be treated as grown-ups!

The GDC5261 from the brand Vmotal is waterproof to 3 metres and simple enough for children to use. It's available in blue and yellow.