If you’re intending to get a start on your filmmaking, vlogging, or even photography journey, you surely must be wondering what’s the best camera for you.
Picking the right camera for your specific circumstances and needs it’s absolutely essential for you to be as productive as possible. There are a lot of teens out there looking for an opportunity to be quality content (and artistic) creators, and acquiring a good and intuitive camera it’s the very first step for doing that.
A camera for beginners should be simple to use, intuitive, and preferably have a lower price than the cameras recommended for the more experienced professionals in the area. It should be the camera you’ll eventually learn all you should know about photography and/or video with.
In this article, we’ll be analyzing the main characteristics of top camera choices on the market for enthusiast teens. We’re going to talk about resolution, configurations and features, lenses, other accessories, and, of course, prices. All that important stuff you should definitely know before making your final choice.
Ok, no more stalling. Let’s get right into this and help you buy the right camera!
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Our 5 Favorite Cams for Teens
1) Canon M6 Mark II
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 32.5 megapixel sensor
- 14fps high speed continuous shooting mode
The Bad
- A bit expensive (doesn’t come with any lenses or accessories)
This Canon mirrorless option comes full of features and will allow you to capture some incredible images as your first time handling a pro camera!
First off, the M6 Mark II has a small size, making it easy to handle, which is always good for people that aren’t really used to handling professional or semi-professional cameras. It also has an amazing focus system, with incredible color capturing abilities.
The 4K resolution allows you to shoot outstanding videos since the camera’s stabilization system doesn’t back down in higher resolutions. You’ll come out really smooth in your videos.
The wireless transfer feature is fast and intuitive, enabling you to transfer photos and videos rapidly to other devices. Battery life is also solid, but it’s best to always carry at least two batteries (the product only comes with one battery).
The camera comes at a higher price than usual, which could be spicy for teens that don’t have any sort of income. Remember that you’ll also have to purchase lenses and other types of accessories separately.
2) Panasonic Lumix GX85
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 16 megapixel sensor (w/ boost in detail)
- Great and intuitive touchscreen interface
- Comes with lenses (at affordable prices)
The Bad
- Viewfinder could be bigger
- Battery life could be better
Panasonic’s Lumix options are great for beginners on most occasions. The GX85 is no different.
First of all, you have options of buying the camera with one or two lenses (between the 12-32mm and 45-150mm or both of them) at really affordable prices. Not having to buy any lenses separately, you’ll receive the entire kit at the same time, getting to properly test your camera right after you get it!
This one has a 5 axis body stabilization system which makes it a great camera for video recording. The 4K video and photo resolution also is a big plus, of course.
The camera also has great weight, making it easy for beginners to handle. A great autofocus system along with quiet electronic and mechanical shutters will enable your photography process to be silent, fast and efficient.
And then we have the interface system, which is a big positive here. Although full of options, you don’t tend to get confused, once it’s all pretty well organized and intuitive, enabling you to test your preferred features easily, experimenting with new stuff in your videos and photos.
Most common user complaints mention battery life that could be better (the product comes with one battery) and a small viewfinder size.
3) Panasonic Lumix FZ80
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 18.1 megapixel sensor
- Extremely affordable price
- Comes with 60x Zoom DC Vario 20-1200mm lens
The Bad
- Low light conditions could be better
- Troubled focus when using zoom
Another Panasonic Lumix option, this camera comes at a really affordable price, with an interesting zoom lens that makes it highly attractive for those looking to take pictures at vast scenarios during the daytime.
The product has an Optical Image Stabilizer feature that enables smooth 4K video recording. The camera can also capture high-resolution photos from these 4K recordings.
Wi-Fi connectivity it’s also present here, and you can easily transfer your photos and videos to other devices.
Now let’s talk a little bit about the zoom. According to buyers, the zoom really is something else, with amazing reach capacity. However, maintaining a satisfactory focus when zooming can be troubling and demand quite some time.
The camera also has a poor capacity for capturing proper images during nighttime. So, if you’re a teen who wants to save some money but also get its worth, make sure you’re buying the camera to use it mostly during the daytime. Otherwise, you could be quite displeased.
4) Panasonic Lumix G7
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 16 megapixel sensor
- Flip screen is selfie-friendly
- Affordable price (comes with 14-42mm lens)
The Bad
- Troubles with autofocus and stabilization reported
This is another top choice from Panasonic’s G series, and it’s a very reliable camera. What most teens will like about it is the fully articulated screen, which will allow them to take selfies and record themselves easily.
We have a 4K video resolution capability that also extracts individual pictures of the recordings at 30 fps, enabling you to register split-second moments. Pictures and videos also come out great both in day and nighttime.
The controls are very intuitive, with aperture and shutter controls in the front and rear dials, and ISO and white balance adjustments on the fly. You also have the option of assigning your preferred settings to any of the camera’s six function buttons.
The viewfinder has great size and high resolution, and the LCD display has a technology that allows it to be clearly seen even on the brightest days.
The most commonly reported downsides of the camera are troubled autofocus when recording videos and a stabilization feature that could also be improved.
5) Nikon Z50 Compact
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 20.9 megapixel sensor
- Flip under feature for selfies
- Wi-fi and bluetooth pairing
The Bad
- A bit expensive (doesn’t come with any lenses or accessories)
- Battery life could be better
- Flip screen would be better if it opened to the side
This small-sized Nikon option it’s definitely one of the top choices for teens looking to start off in any kind of business that requires a good and reliable camera.
First, let’s talk about practicality. This thing is small, light, and super easy to handle. That’s what the “newbies” out there need!
Along with the camera’s numerous interesting features, it’s worth highlighting the selfie flip-down LCD screen, which easily enables you to take selfies or do some vlogging.
I don’t exactly love flip-down screens because they don’t allow you to use a tripod with your camera when the screen is flipped. However, if you’re doing mostly handheld recording, you won’t have any trouble with it.
Video and photo quality is also great (both in day and nighttime), coming up to a 4K resolution, which is really favored if you’re also using any lenses from the Nikkor Z series. Stabilization in this camera tends to always be solid, regardless of the lens you pick.
The most commonly related problems regarding this product are the not-so-affordable price (for only the body of the camera) and a battery life that could be improved (the product only comes with one battery).
6) Canon EOS 4000D (DSLR)
The Good
- 18 megapixel sensor
- Comes with 18-55mm and 58MM lenses, 64GB memory card, case, tripod and more
- Very affordable price
The Bad
- Doesn’t have 4K video resolution (1080 FULL HD)
- Stabilization system could be better
- Reports of secondary accessories being defective
This Canon DSLR option is a really solid and affordable choice for those wanting to take their first steps in the photography and/or video niche.
Although the camera doesn’t have 4K resolution in videos or photos, it still delivers good material even with its limited capabilities. It doesn’t have a very sophisticated stabilization system, so it could be a better fit for beginners in the photography world.
It can produce high-quality images in sunlight and decent photos at nighttime even though it’s a more affordable camera.
If you buy it with a kit, it would allow you to go straight to video recording or taking pictures as soon as you receive it. You can test different lenses, use the tripod, and of course, already have a memory card to save your images and videos in. It’s about as practical as could be.
7) Panasonic Lumix G85
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 16 megapixel sensor
- Comes with 12-60mm lens
- Affordable price (considering its overall qualities)
The Bad
- Autofocus could be slightly improved
- Not so good in low light as a mirrorless with a larger sensor
Many claim this is the best camera option from Panasonic’s G series. Let’s talk a little bit about the motives for that.
This camera is compact and very easy to handle, and it has all the basics that a G series camera like this usually has: a great stabilization system for video recording, a sensor that enables a boost on fine image details, and a 4K video and photo resolution (that offers high quality both in day and nighttime).
The LCD viewfinder also deserves some praise, coming in with a comfortable size and good image quality. There’s also a flip LCD display that is adjustable for optimal viewing angles.
This is seen by many as one of the best camera options for beginners wanting to work with a 4K resolution.
We have little to no complaints about this product, aside from the autofocus when recording could be slightly improved.
8) Sony Alpha a6000
The Good
- 4K resolution
- 24.2 megapixel full frame sensor
- Comes with 16-50mm lens
- Affordable price
The Bad
- Menu could be better organized
- Flip screen not fully articulated
This mirrorless camera from Sony has been gaining the attention of enthusiast teens all around the world for its amazing video and photo quality on top of an affordable price.
The features on this one are pretty impressive. First off, we have a 24.2 MP full-frame image sensor, combined with an ISO that goes up to 51200. Then we have the 4K resolution (both for video and photos) that sustains quality in the nighttime very efficiently.
We also have a rock-solid image stabilization system that makes the product a sweetheart for amateur filmmakers and vloggers out there.
An anti-dust system present in the camera will provide extra protection to your optical filter and offer a lot more durability capacity.
Some people complain regarding the camera’s menu, stating that it could be a bit overwhelming, with a lot of information and a not-that-great organization of features.
9) Panasonic Lumix FZ300
The Good
- 4K resolution
- Comes with 24X F2.8 zoom lens
- Affordable price
The Bad
- Sensor could be bigger
- Limited low light images
Yet another Lumix option, the FZ300 covers multiple bases required for a beginner’s productive use of it.
This camera has a great build, it’s lightweight and offers a very good grip. It also has a quiet shutter that is great for places like museums, libraries, or even wildlife settings, keeping you from startling any animals.
The focus system is really consistent and fast, as well as the stabilization system. That allows for amazing video recording capability, especially during the daytime. The 4K resolution also helps with that, of course.
There’s also a Wi-Fi feature that enables you to transfer images and videos to other devices in a quick and simple fashion.
The product also comes with a great variety of photo modes, great for amateur photographers and videographers to play around with, experimenting with new styles and colors on their material.
Most common complaints regarding this product mention a small-sized sensor and a limited capability of capturing high-quality moments in low light conditions.
10) Canon EOS 2000D – Rebel T7 (DSLR)
The Good
- 24.1 megapixel sensor
- Comes with 18-55mm and 58MM lenses, two 64 GB memory cards, USB card reader, filter kit, tripod and more.
- Very affordable price
The Bad
- Doesn’t have 4K resolution (1080 FULL HD)
- Stabilization system could be better
- Reports of secondary accessories being defective
The second Canon DSLR option on this list, the Canon EOS 2000D fits the bill just right if you’re not looking for a camera that reaches 4K resolution.
This type of camera is highly recommended for teen beginners. The product comes with a kit full of basically all the accessories you’d need to just start recording and photographing material, transfer to your laptop or mobile device, and post it on social media.
The camera comes with two memory cards, two lenses, a USB card reader, tripod, neck strap, wired remote shutter, and more. This type of material gives you a big variety of options when producing, expanding your creative horizons, letting you explore multiple artistic choices.
The autofocus system is solid and will help you capture some amazing-looking photos during the daytime as well as some great videos (as long as you have more steady hands).
Wi-Fi functionality that allows you to transfer photos and videos to other devices nearby is also present here.
The most commonly related problems regarding the camera are its limited capability when capturing moments in low light conditions and complaints referring to defective secondary accessories coming along with the product. They’re usually the tripods and USB card readers.
Will has been a full-time content creator since 2014. He’s an audio, video, and tech hobbyist dedicated to reviewing products and giving you the best tips he knows to grow your audience.