Capturing some of our best memories and special occasions through photography is one of the simplest joys in life. Even as we grow old and our memory fades, photos preserve these special moments. Going through a family album together with your elderly parent or relative can be a great bonding moment. Seniors love to relive happy times. Who doesn’t!
To enable seniors capture these memorable moments for years to come, an easy to use camera comes top of the list.
In this post, we are going to look at some of the best digital cameras for seniors available in the market and how to choose one.
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Top Digital Cameras for Seniors
After days of researching, interviewing and testing out, here are our recommendations of digital cameras we believe to be the best for seniors.
To start our list is the ISHARE Mini Digital Camera. For starters, the camera has a 3-inch LCD screen that is perfect for seniors with eyesight problems. The image quality of this camera is 20 Megapixels, and features 1080p full HD video recording, allowing the user to comfortably film those precious moments.
The camera comes with an 8x digital zoom feature that lets the user focus on their desired subject and zoom out when they want to. Other extra features that come with this feature include; an automatic face detection that allows the user to focus on the face of the subject.
A smile capture feature, an anti-shaking feature that prevents the user from taking blurry pictures, and built-in flash allows the user to take photos in areas with poor lighting. It also comes with some effects like black and white, sepia, sunset to give those pictures an extra oomph.
Worried that your senior loved one will still not be able to see pictures in the camera? The camera comes with an AV cable that allows the user to view images from a larger screen like a television or a laptop. It is also equipped with a long-lasting 800mAh Lithium rechargeable battery that can last up to 8 hours.
Pros
- It is lightweight
- It comes with a 3-inch LCD screen
- Long-lasting battery
- Affordable
- Extra features for high-quality pictures.
- 8x digital zoom feature that allows the user to zoom in and out
Cons
- Although it comes with an anti-shaking feature, the camera captures blurry pictures when the user’s hands are not steady.
Final Thoughts
This digital camera is the best and most affordable option for seniors who are new to photography.
2. Kindscam Digital Camera
Another simple digital camera on our list is the KIDSCAM Compact Digital Camera by KIDSCAM. Like ISHARE, this camera targets users who are simply looking to capture and film moments in their golden years. The camera features a 3-inch LCD screen, which is ideal for seniors with eyesight issues.
The image quality of the camera is 20 Megapixels and 1080p full HD video recording, allowing the user to film those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
It also features 19 special image effects, including the black and white, sepia, to mention a few. Not forgetting the self timer and built-in flash to enhance the user’s experience.
The camera comes with an 800mAh rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 hours. Worried of money going down the drain in case it malfunctions? Well, fret not because the camera has a one-year warranty if your camera has any glitches.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Long-lasting rechargeable battery
- One-year warranty
- It comes with extra features to enhance images
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the camera does not come with an SD card.
Final Thoughts
This is also the ideal digital camera for seniors who are just looking to capture those precious moments.
3. Atian LCD Digital Camera
For years, ATian has taken pride in providing high-quality Automatics Electronics, Home and Office electronics, and photography Accessories, and this digital camera is no exception. For starters, it features a 2.7-inch LCD screen for clear viewing of photos and videos.
The image quality of the camera is 18 Megapixels, and also features a 720p full HD video recording, for better filming experience. As well it features an 8x digital zoom that allows the user to easily zoom in and out of the subject whenever they want to.
The camera comes with extras like face detect, continue shot, self Timer, anti-shake, and smile capture. Like the first two digital cameras, this one also has a 550mAh rechargeable battery that can last up to 80 minutes.
It also features the Newest phoTags express software allowing the user to edit, print, and share the captured photos and videos. The camera supports a maximum of 64GB memory card, although that is not included in the package.
Pros
- It is lightweight and easy to use even for seniors with eyesight problems and dementia.
- Comes with extra software that allows the user to edit, print, and share the captured photos and videos.
- Its battery is long-lasting.
Cons
- May be a little too complicated for some seniors to operate
Final Thoughts
Although this camera has similar features to the first two cameras, the extra software in this one is what makes it stand out.
4. Vmotol Mini Camera
Next on our list is the Vmotol mini digital camera. A camera that features a 2.8-inch LCD screen for more comfortable viewing of captured photos and videos. The image quality of this camera is pretty impressive with a 12MegaPixel and a 720p full HD video recording.
What’s more, it comes with a Sony M1841 sensor, and other extra features like anti-shake, face detection, smile capture, and other image effects like panorama to enhance the user’s experience. Its 800mAh rechargeable battery is long-lasting and lasts up to 80 minutes.
Pros
- It is lightweight and easy to use even for seniors with dementia
- Produces high quality images
- Large LCD screen
- It comes with extra features and image effects for better photography and filming experience.
Cons
- Does not come with an inbuilt speaker, you will have to play the recording in a computer or TV to listen
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a simple camera for your senior loved one, then might be a great option. It is lightweight and easy to operate, not forgetting how affordable it is.
5. Cannon Powershot
Wrapping up our list is the Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital camera. We loved how lightweight this camera is as well as its chic design. Am sure most female seniors will fall in love with it too.
The camera features an 8x optical zoom with an optical image stabilizer, allowing the user to zoom the subject in and out comfortably whenever they want to, and still not lose focus. The image quality of this camera is 20 Megapixel and is combined with a DIGIC 4+ image processor, which makes the photos look amazing.
It is equipped with a 720p full HD video recording, and the user can delete some parts of their video while playing back. It also comes with a Digital IS feature that reduces any shaking while capturing photos or videos.
What’s more, it has other extra features like the fisheye effect, toy camera effect, monochrome, portrait, face self-timer, among other effects for better photography and filming experience.
The camera is also equipped with an Eco Mode that reduces power consumption while capturing photos and videos, enabling the battery to last longer.
Worried that your senior loved one will have a hard time operating the camera? It has a help button that displays the help menu right on the display screen, so the user can get smooth and clear explanations on how to operate the camera.
Pros
- Stylish design
- It has a help menu that explains how the user can operate the camera, making it easy to use.
- Features an Eco Mode that reduces power consumption
Cons
- You cannot manually adjust the shutter speed.
- The camera does not perform best in areas that have low light.
Final Thoughts
Although the camera does have a lot of similar features to the other four digital cameras, it’s stylish design and eco mode makes it worth checking out.
How Photography Helps Seniors
With an easy to use digital camera, seniors can have a lot of fun taking pictures and videos of memorable moments such as birthday parties and graduations of grandchildren.
These cameras may also motivate seniors to venture into photography full time as second careers since most have the luxury of free time on their hands.
Photography is a great pastime for the elderly and is an even rewarding hobby, keeping seniors mentally and physically active.
Additional Factors To Look For
Due to the many camera options on the market today, buying the best camera for seniors can be a tough nut to crack. Here are few points to keep in mind as you look for a camera that best suits your needs and preferences.
- Large and easy controls
Some seniors experience a drop in sensory perception thus affecting their sensory feedback. If this is the case for you go for a camera with a good grip, large buttons and wheel dials that you can easily maneuver. Avoid a camera with too many buttons to choose from as they may be confusing. Ideally, a good digital camera for a senior should have only one button at the top.
- Minimal settings
Consider a simple digital camera without any fancy unnecessary settings and features unless you are going into professional photography. The fewer the settings the better. You do not want a camera that is complicated to an extent of frustrating you at moments when you want to capture memories.
- Automatic focus
Digital cameras with automatic focus are called point and shoot cameras. They are the easiest to use. As a senior, all you need to do is point the camera at the subject then press the shutter button and get a great shot. Avoid a camera that requires you to change lenses or requires you to make a selection of settings before taking the photo.
- LCD display size
As you age, your eyesight tends to fade gradually. Therefore, look for a camera with a big LCD type screen that is clear, bright and easy to read. The big screen allows you to see the photo you are taking better as well as making the menu options and messages easier to read. Digital cameras with large LCD type screens make for a better picture in the end.
- Image stabilization capacity
For seniors who may have slight hand tremors and as such are unable to hold perfectly a still shot, then a digital camera with this feature will enable them to get a perfect shot. Image stabilization capacity enables you to take a sharp and focused image.
- Lightweight and durable design
Seniors with Parkinson’s disease tend to be clumsy and are unable to hold things for a long time. That is why a digital camera that is light in weight and has a durable design fits in well with seniors. Consider features that make the camera more durable such as waterproof, shockproof and crushproof.
- Simple charging
Get a camera whose charging cord can easily be plugged into the camera and then to a USB port or the socket on the wall. Avoid cameras that require you to remove batteries in order to get them charged. This may be cumbersome and confusing and chances of forgetting to charge the camera are high.
- Price
Price is an essential factor when you set out to buy a digital camera. Have a budget in place and then research for the best possible model within the range of your set budget. However, never compromise the quality and durability to fit into a price cap, try as much possible to get the best value.
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