This article is a comprehensive listing of the digital cameras best suited for elderly people.
The digital cameras listed below have been rated after considering different kinds of elderly people, ranging from people with shaky hands, to those who suffer from low vision, and of course, the ones whose proudest feature is their memory.
It is no big secret that digital cameras nowadays have become incredibly easy to use, fast to load, and are sometimes even capable of uploading images directly to social media when connected to a WiFi network.
As the popularity of digital cameras have grown literally all across the world, prices have been decreasing with each passing year.
Still, there is a very big gap between digital cameras suitable for elderly people and regular digital cameras.
A few years ago, the only difference was just the price point. A digital camera for seniors used to be more expensive than a normal digital camera.
Now, the differences are many. Here are just a few of the most important ones:
1- The LCD screen is softer, with a bright high resolution. Since a screen this big that is absolutely necessary for elderly people who have sight problems. Otherwise, they simply won’t be able to see what they are doing and that is highly counter productive.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera | Best Overall |  |
| Mini Digital Camera | Budget Pick |  |
| Sony DSC-H300/B DSCH300B H300 20.1MP | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera
Pros:
- Mirrorless: lighter body means it won’t be as bulky for people that are older or have a limited range of movement
- 24.3MP: 24.3 megapixels of power lets tackles things like vacation and portrait photography with a variety of shots without having to change settings
- Lens: simple to add an additional lens when needed
- Great product for shooting HD videos
- Easily adjustable for everyday use
Cons:
- You may have issues with the screen if your vision is deteriorating
- You may need to do quite a bit of research before you decide on this product
- It’s not necessarily cheap
This is a great alternative to the more complex digital cameras that are out there. It offers a great set of features without sacrificing ease of use. As this is a mirrorless, it’s more compact than most digital cameras. It’s also lighter, which means it will be a little more comfortable to use, especially for aging users.
2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital Camera w/Image Stabilization and Smart AUTO Mode
Pros:
- Cleverly designed with a simplicity that seniors will love
- Has a 3 inch LCD capacitive touch screen
- Amazing quality for the price
- Large LCD display that is clear and easy to read
- Great size for users with poor eye sight
- Reasonably priced
- Free downloadable EOS camera software
- Easy to navigate
- Great quality images
- 3 inch high-res LCD touch screen
3. Nikon D3300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR
Pros:
- Lightweight, convenient, easy to hold
- Screen tilts for a variety of shooting angles
- Great low light shooting, and low light shooting with a flash
- Easy to use and intuitive
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Has a large memory-card slot
- Comes with Nikon's Guide Mode
- The rechargeable battery uses a USB port to quickly and easily charge, so you don't have to take it to the store for a charge
- Zippy autofocus in Live View
- Large buttons make the camera easy to operate
4. GoPro Hero5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera
Pros:
- You will be able to capture incredible pictures and videos with this durable and waterproof camera
- It is easy to use for beginners
- It is portable and a great way to capture those once in a lifetime moments
- It has a touch screen display
- The camera is extremely durable, waterproof and shock proof
- It is compact, easily stored in a pocket or bag
- It has built-in software for sophisticated editing features
- It is designed to be wearable as it can be mounted to helmets, bikes, cars, etc.
- It comes with an array of accessories for mounting it on a variety of objects
- The battery lasts a long time
Cons:
- It takes a longer time to charge
- It is a little large as a point-and-shoot camera
- The videos are not that high of a resolution
"The enhanced voice control gives you the ability to simply tell your GoPro what you want it to do, without having to touch the device at all. Plus, with the addition of the GoPro Karma Grip you get the added bonus of being able to effortlessly capture steady, stable footage, with full control of panning and tilting, no matter where your travels take you. The GoPro HERO5 Session can be your own, personal, portable cinematographer," GoPro told customers.
5. Mini Digital Camera
Pros:
- However, this camera would be a great choice for kids or seniors
- This is a great point and shoot camera with a ton of features
- This camera will give you crystal clear pictures and videos thanks to its 20 MP camera
- This would be a great camera for anyone
- The camera has many features that allow you to capture great images outdoors
- This camera has a sturdy build that will stand up to a lot of wear and tear
- The screen on this camera is extremely clear even in direct sunlight
- This camera is also wall mountable
- The camera is easy to use so it would be a great choice for kids and seniors
- This camera would be a perfect gift for anybody who is interested in photography or loves capturing moments of clarity
6. Compact Digital Camera
Pros:
- Comfortable to hold
- Waterproof
- Great image capabilities in auto mode
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- Took great pictures of macro objects
- Large LCD screen easy to see in a variety of conditions
Cons:
- A bit bulky for an old lady to carry in her purse
- It makes a lot of noise
- Shutter speed too slow to capture action shots
- Touch screen takes practice to get right
- The pictures have a lot of grain
This is a nice camera for the price. The camera comes with colored exchangeable cases (yellow, pink, orange, green, blue, and purple), a wrist strap, a strap adaptor for the tripod, an instruction manual, a USB cable for charging, and a users manual to help you get started.
We were a little surprised that the camera did not come with a memory card. So if you are not ready to invest in a memory card, it would be a good idea to buy one on the side while you have a few dollars left in your wallet.
To be fair, you will want a memory card if you are intent on taking a bunch of pictures right away. The camera can store up to 800 pictures with the 8MB memory card that comes with the camera package.
7. HD Mini Digital Camera
Pros:
- Nice solid design
- Three LED lights on the front and back
- Simple to use
- Takes good pictures
- Great price
- Good video quality
- Easy to transfer pictures to your computer
- Small and easily fits in your pocket
- Good enough for the average user
- Could be perfect for an elderly person
Cons:
- Touch screen not as sensitive as we would like
- Some images seem blotchy when enlarging
- Doesn’t have a flash option
We were quite impressed with this digital camera. The shipment was right on time, and the camera was very easy to understand and use right out of the box. We have not mastered all of the features, but have found that the most basic functions served our needs just fine. This is a tremendous amount of camera for the price. We would recommend it for anyone including seniors and teens.
8. ATian 2.7" LCD HD Digital Camera Amazing Rechargeable Camera 8X Zoom Digital Camera Kids Student Camera Compact Mini Digital Camera Pocket Cameras
Pros:
- Great for both adults and children
- Easy to use
- Affordable price
- Easy to use and takes great pictures
- Easy to carry around due to its compact size
- Great pictures, wonderful quality of the pictures
- Takes good pictures, very clear
- The camera is very easy to use. Most settings can be changed using with the touch screen.
- Takes great pictures of everything, no matter how far away it might be.
Cons:
- Not easy to use at first. Can take a little time to figure this camera out.
- Takes great pictures, but the videos do not look very clear
Keeping in mind the buyer’s need, we have brought you a camera that is easy to use, extremely durable, compact, affordable and pocket-sized, the TIAN 2.7 Inch Digital Camera. Its user-friendly interface is a versatile device. Are you looking for a camera for taking close-ups? This is the one for you. Do you want a camera for taking images outdoors? This camera has a 26-108mm focal length. It possesses an automatic function that suits your needs perfectly under any circumstances.
The simple way to make your photos clear and clean is to select a high ISO. Typically, there are two ways to raise the ISO setting of the camera.
9. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital Camera
Pros:
- Newer version of this camera supported by a growing community
- Waterproof to 10 foot depths
- Automatically adjusts ISO depending on lighting conditions
- Electronic Image Stabilization
- Small and convenient to carry
- Great for those who are simple and casual photographers
- Great return for the price
- Automatic detection of faces and focus (good for the learning casual photographer)
- Attractive design and small to tote around
- RAW file support
Cons:
- Fixed lens
- Shoots only at 10 megapixels
- Easy to accidently activate motion detection, which can bring in red-eye or blur the photo
- Screen can be hard to see for some while angle in sunlight
- Battery power at about 50%
10. Zink Polaroid Snap Touch Portable Instant Print Digital Camera
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Tiltable touchscreen display
- Supports micro SD cards
- Photos stay on the device even when your phone is not connected to the camera
- Easy to share photos with Snapchat or social media
Cons:
- Might not be the best choice for pictures with the highest quality
- It takes around 5 seconds for the photo to develop
If you are looking for a camera that has a pragmatic, big display, the Polaroid ZINK might be the camera for you. It’s the first Instant Camera with a Tiltable Touchscreen! Rotate the brilliant 4” touchscreen to enter or exit camera mode and customize your viewing ajust the way you like it.
Share your pictures or videos with friends and family instantly on your existing social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and many more.
The Polaroid Simultaneous Charge/Share feature allows you to charge the camera and transfer to your computer or other devices at the same time.
11. Sony HDRCX405 Handycam Camcorder Bundle
Pros:
- Comes with a handy case to help you carry it
- Simple to use
- Does not take up a lot of room
- It’s well-built and relatively tough
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- A bit limited on zoom
- Not all the manuals are in English
This digital video camera is one of the few to feature HD lens. The Sony Handycam includes a 10x optical zoom and a 3.8-to-35mm camera lens.
You can get up to ten hours of shooting time on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery.
It comes with a mini-tripod so you can set it up on a table, mount the tripod on a wall, or even hook it up to a standard photo-tripod.
12. Canon PowerShot SX600 HS 16MP Digital Camera
Pros:
- Provides a range of benefits for the elderly
- That it is lightweight is good for users with some lessening in strength or skeletal density
- For many seniors, a camera on their tablet or phone is more intuitive than snapping up a camera with a clamper
- It takes full-resolution photos that are geo-tagged, making it easy for them to file away either physically or virtually
- Has a highly appreciated 18x optical-zoom lens, which gets close to things for those with diminishing eyesight
- It has a 3-inch rotating LCD display with a maximum resolution of 922,000 pixels
- It's quite simple to learn, thanks to its various instruction manuals that assume limited skills and sophistication
- It makes use of Wi-Fi for both wireless networking and remote control. Its app can also be installed on a cell phone
- Thanks to its range and scope, it takes multiple images, such as panorama trails
- It has 3D capability as well as HD video capture
13. Sony DSC-H300/B DSCH300B H300 20.1MP
Pros:
- Lots of great features
- Easy to use without extras
- Includes a flip up screen
- Good for anyone needing a tough camera
- Good storage
Cons:
- Very heavy
- Not good at extreme distances
- Possible problems with autofocus
- An anti-shake feature that doesn’t always work
In 2012 this camera got good reviews, but in 2013 it was rated as only a fair camera.
The Sony DSC-H300/B is a 20 MP camera with a zoom capacity of 35x. The digital camera has a 3 inch LCD screen with a very high resolution, and an anti-shake feature.
You can watch videos on this camera that you have taken, but you cannot plug it in to the television for larger viewing.
Conclusion
Before you head off to look at cameras for seniors, keep in mind that a camera for seniors does not have to be complex. Rather, seniors need to choose a camera that sits at a manageable price point and is easy to use. Most seniors have little desire to use an elaborate camera, as they aren’t really looking to do a lot of photography. Rather, they just want a camera that works well without all of the fancy features to burden them down. For certain groups of people, that can be a major issue.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera | Best Overall | |
| Mini Digital Camera | Budget Pick | |
| Sony DSC-H300/B DSCH300B H300 20.1MP | Upgrade Pick | |