Top pick · Canon£420
Canon EOS M50 Mark II + Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
Body £370 + lens £50 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 23-68mm equivalent · 517g
Why: 387g body.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
What camera is best for a teenager?
A first proper camera should be simple to start with and leave room to grow, with lenses that are cheap to add later.
Quick answer
For most people, the best camera for teenagers and young beginners is the Canon EOS R50 with the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, about £750. Under £500 · Under £750 · Under £1,000
What to look for
Easy auto and guided modesSmartphone app for sharingLight bodyAffordable lenses
Lens advice: Start with the kit zoom, then add a 50mm f/1.8 prime: it's cheap and shows what a proper camera can do.
Best camera for teenagers and young beginners under £500
Best Fujifilm option£500
Fujifilm X-T200 + Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ
Body £370 + lens £130 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 23-68mm equivalent · 505g
Why: 370g body.
Best Nikon option£500
Nikon Z50 + Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Body £390 + lens £110 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-75mm equivalent · 585g
Why: 450g body.
Best OM System option£490
OM System Olympus PEN E-P7 + Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III
Body £320 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 28-300mm equivalent · 622g
Why: in-body stabilisation, 337g body.
Best Panasonic option£420
Panasonic Lumix G100 + Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III
Body £250 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 28-300mm equivalent · 637g
Why: 352g body.
Best camera for teenagers and young beginners under £750
Top pick · Canon£750
Canon EOS R50 + Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
Body £420 + lens £330 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-225mm equivalent · 685g
Why: 375g body.
Best Sony option£740
Sony ZV-E10 + Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC
Body £470 + lens £270 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-300mm equivalent · 803g
Why: 343g body.
Best OM System option£740
OM System Olympus E-M10 Mark IV + Panasonic Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4
Body £400 + lens £340 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-120mm equivalent · 703g
Why: in-body stabilisation, 383g body.
Best Nikon option£640
Nikon Z fc + Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Body £530 + lens £110 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-75mm equivalent · 580g
Why: 445g body.
Best Panasonic option£710
Panasonic Lumix G97 (G90) + Panasonic Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4
Body £370 + lens £340 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-120mm equivalent · 856g
Why: in-body stabilisation, 536g body.
Best camera for teenagers and young beginners under £1,000
Top pick · Fujifilm£920
Fujifilm X-T30 III + Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
Body £740 + lens £180 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-83mm equivalent · 688g
Why: 378g body.
Best Sony option£970
Sony Alpha A6100 + Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Body £490 + lens £480 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 26-105mm equivalent · 921g
Why: 396g body.
Best OM System option£970
OM System OM-5 Mark II + Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III
Body £800 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 28-300mm equivalent · 703g
Why: in-body stabilisation, 418g body.
Best Canon option£750
Canon EOS R50 + Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
Body £420 + lens £330 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-225mm equivalent · 685g
Why: 375g body.
Best Nikon option£750
Nikon Z50 II + Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Body £640 + lens £110 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-75mm equivalent · 685g
Why: 550g body.
Each pick is the best body and lens we found from that brand within budget, priced with the body used where MPB lists it. Scores weigh the specs that matter for teenagers and young beginners.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What camera is best for a teenager?
For most people, the Canon EOS R50 with the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM at about £750. Under £500: Canon EOS M50 Mark II. Under £750: Canon EOS R50. Under £1,000: Fujifilm X-T30 III.
Should I buy a teenager a used camera?
A used camera from a dealer with a warranty is a great way to get a better body for the money.
DSLR or mirrorless for a beginner?
Mirrorless is the better long-term choice; new DSLR bodies and lenses are mostly discontinued. A cheap used DSLR is still a fine way to learn.
What lens do I need for teenagers and young beginners?
Start with the kit zoom, then add a 50mm f/1.8 prime: it's cheap and shows what a proper camera can do.