What Is A Good Video Camera For A 10 Year Old

This page includes affiliate links.

Updated Oct 2020

An HD camcorder is a skilful selection for nether-12s
Mirrorless/SLR cameras may accommodate creative teenagers
iPhones, iPads and iPods are a skilful all-in-i solution
The DJI Osmo Pocket offers lots of telescopic for creative camera moves

What's the all-time video camera for younger filmmakers?

If you desire a 'real' video camera, a bones HD camcorder is a good option for children under 12. It'll be easier to film with than a telephone, and they can learn most different lens settings. But they'll need to copy the files to a calculator for editing.

Teenagers could apply a higher quality camcorder: these are better in low light, and offer more than artistic options.

For young people who are serious near artistic filmmaking, a mirrorless camera or DSLR may be the best option. Just for filming news and events, a used semi-professional camcorder could be ameliorate.

Alternatively, you could employ a mobile device like an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. They have better cameras than basic camcorders, and you lot can shoot and edit on the same device.

If you lot already have an iPhone, you may exist ameliorate off kitting it out for filmmaking rather than ownership a separate video camera.

Camcorders for nether-12s

HD camcorders are an easy way to shoot loftier-quality video. They're easy to handhold and well-nigh of them feature ameliorate image stabilisation than phones and tablets. Panasonic and Canon camcorders come top in reliability surveys. Yous don't demand 4K Ultra HD, which many computers will struggle to edit.

The Panasonic HC-V180K costs around $180 . It's small, easy-to-use, and has a good wide angle lens and optical prototype stabilisation. Information technology can also shoot fourth dimension-lapse and irksome move (more details on this folio).

Cheque price/buy Amazon

Cameras for teens

The Canon HF-R800 is hard to beat at around $200. Information technology has slow motion, time lapse and a microphone socket. The lens doesn't go very wide, but a filter ring lets you add a wide-angle adapter. More details on this folio.

Check cost/buy Amazon

DJI Osmo Pocket

DJI'due south tiny stabilised photographic camera lets you get smooth tracking shots and steady static shots in most whatever circumstances. It'due south besides skilful for action and tin shoot 4K boring move. It comes with a built-in touchscreen, or you tin can control it from your smartphone. Information technology'south a proficient culling to a camcorder (though it doesn't have a zoom lens, and it needs to exist handled with intendance). It costs $349.

More about the Osmo Pocket

Check price/buyDJI

Mirrorless cameras and DSLRs

Teens who are seriously into filmmaking might prefer an interchangeable lens mirrorless camera or DSLR. They're trickier to use than camcorders, only their images look more 'pic-like', they're better in low light, and you can get creative shallow focus furnishings.

Panasonic'due south G7 costs under $500, only it tin can shoot 4K Ultra Hard disk video, and 1080p slow move. Information technology has a microphone jack but no headphone socket. It's mirrorless, which makes it smaller and more convenient to use than a DSLR. But at that place's no image stabilisation, so you will definitely need a tripod.

Cheque price/buy Amazon

Over $600

If you're spending over $600, you could consider a mid-range DSLR or mirrorless camera. The Panasonic G85 is more solidly built than the G7 and has a ameliorate kit lens and image stabilisation.

Check toll/buy| Amazon

You could also look for a used semi-professional camcorder like the Canon XA10 or XA20. These accept better controls, handling and sound than DSLR or mirrorless cameras, which makes them more suitable for news and events.

What else y'all need

I recommend budgeting for a basic tripod: video looks much amend without camera milkshake. You'll also demand memory cards, and a spare battery can be useful.

If sound is of import, get a camera with a microphone socket. You tin can employ a budget lavalier (clip-on) microphone for presentations to camera. More about microphones

Basic filmmaking equipment list

Affordable accessories for filmmaking

iPhones, iPads and iPods (all ages)

Apple tree'southward mobile devices are a keen option for starting with filmmaking. Children can shoot and edit on the same device, and you lot can become dozens of apps to extend their capabilities. They don't have zoom lenses, only their video quality is meliorate than low-priced camcorders.

An electronic gimbal stabiliser like the DJI Osmo Mobile (from around $120) will permit you get smooth, flowing camera movements.

More than nearly filmmaking with iPads and iPhones

Making Movies Brand Sense is my interactive introduction to filmmaking for ages nine and up. It explains how to use the camera, sound and editing to tell stories, and how to program, shoot and edit a movie.

This 148-page multitouch book includes dozens of video clips, stills, interactive pictures, audio clips and pop-up tips and questions, with practical activities and links to downloads. Information technology's fabricated for Apple Books, and so you can use it on iPad, Mac or iPhone.

You can download a costless sample.

Get occasional news and updates from Learnaboutfilm.

Learn Filmmaking With My Step-by-Step Ebook

Start Making Movies is an easy to empathize, 163-page PDF guide that shows you how to start making short films and videos. It uses clear explanations and hundreds of illustrations to innovate equipment, the filmmaking procedure, pic language and film storytelling.

"A great visual primer...Highly recommended" (Peter, UK)
"This book is amazing" (Tiffany, USA)