Kidamento Model C review: A tiny digital kids' camera packed full of features
Jump List
Specifications
Price & Availability
Design & Handling
Photo Performance
Sample Images
Video Performance
Verdict
Alternatives
Kidamento specializes in making some of the best kids' cameras on the market, focusing on getting the basics right and not overcomplicating its cameras. It knows its target market and creates fun cameras that are exactly that, cameras, not the part camera part game system like some on the market.
Having a creative outlet is so important as a growing child, and photography offers kids another option besides painting, drawing, and crafts. It's a fun and engaging way to get kids outside and away from the TV and video games - have you ever met a child who doesn't like taking a photograph?
The Kidamento Model C is the smallest of the Kidamento cameras, aimed at children ages 3-7. It sits in a lineup consisting of the Kidamento Model K, Model P, and Model V, each offering something different from the next and for varying age groups.
In this review, I enlist the help of my 2-year-old daughter once more, who's quite the season pro by now. We put the Kidamento Model C camera to the test analyzing its photo and video performance along with ease of use and general level of fun!
Kidamento Model C: Specifications
Kidamento Model C: Price & Availability
The Kidamento Model C is available now worldwide for $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$89.99, shipping costs may vary depending on location.
Considering you may pay close to that for a one-time trip to the cinema or Zoo, I think this is a reasonable price for a digital kids' camera that can be used on many day trips out.
The closest alternative on the market is the MyFirst Camera 2, which is slightly more expensive and has a lot of similarities to the Model C, in terms of features and target demographic.
The Kidamento Model C is in its 5th generation and was released in August 2019. Although out for several years, I can't imagine a new generation anytime soon, as the current features align with similar cameras on the market, and if we are being honest, 3-year-olds don't need much more than what is included in this camera. From my experience as long as they can see the picture they have taken and the camera looks fun, they'll be happy!
Kidamento Model C: Design & Handling
One of the most important aspects of kids' cameras is safety, both for the child and the camera. That's why it is important to ensure that the design and build quality are up to standard, and Kidamento is one of the best on the market.
The camera is made from durable ABS plastic and encased in soft food-grade silicon that aids in shock absorption in addition to repelling the dirt or spills that are inevitable around small children.
The case is a highlight as it features a cute character that entices kids to interact with the camera. The camera I reviewed was the Mikayo the Bear model, which is one of two, the other being Akito the Fox.
The camera also comes with a lanyard that can ensure the safety of the camera when out and about on adventures but also doubles as the USB-C charger cable for an on-the-go power supply.
The small compact design fits perfectly into a child's hands, and the button layout is all within reach of their tiny fingers. My daughter intuitively held the camera as intended, most likely from watching me, but her finger could reach the shutter button on top of the camera and her thumb could press the tactile buttons on the rear.
Memory is in the form of a 32GB memory card, which is included with the camera, enabling thousands of images to be captured without the worry of filling it up.
The menus are easy to use, for adults and older kids, but kids around the lower end of the age range would need some assistance to help with adding filters and effects.
Kidamento Model C: Photo Performance
First things first, it is a kids' camera, so you're not going to get the best great image quality, you may not even get good image quality, because the number one thing that matters is the process of taking photographs. That said, it is better if you can make out what the photographs are afterward.
The Model C has a 2MP image sensor that can capture up to 8MP interpolated images, which in my experience is more than enough to enjoy on the back of the camera with a young child. You can perhaps push to a tablet and get acceptable results, however, printing the images will show the lack of resolution. Again, this is most likely not an issue for the child and more an issue for us.
The Kidamento Model C has a surprising number of cool features, such as a self-timer, a burst mode, various creative filters, and an anti-camera shake function. The in-built anti-shake helps with motion blur, but at this resolution, you wouldn't notice much either way.
We took the camera for a walk along the river and captured some images near the water on a sunny day. The performance of the camera varied, and the autoexposure fluctuated slightly in different scenarios. The camera does have built-in exposure compensation in the settings, but all of the sample images were taken straight out of the box.
The images came out ok, but not as good as other similar cameras such as the MyFirst Camera 2. But my daughter was more than happy with the results.
Kidamento Model C: Sample Images
Kidamento Model C: Video Performance
Much like the photo performance, it isn't going to look great when viewed on a large screen, but holds up on the back of the camera or a phone.
The anti-shake worked well to keep the camera movements smooth, which in the hands of a small child, is a great idea.
There are no specific video settings, instead, it emulates the photo settings and the video starts recording with a long press of the shutter button instead of a dedicated video button. This did raise a slight concern as my daughter went to take a photo and ended up starting a video by holding the shutter button too long.
Kidamento Model C: Verdict
The Kidamento Model C is a great kids' camera that can provide countless hours of fun. The design is small, grippy, and easily wipeable, ideal for a young child exploring the outdoors.
Like most kids' cameras the image quality is not a strong point, but does it need to be? In my experience, kids between 3 and 7 years old like to see what they have captured, even if you can see the individual pixels - take Minecraft as an example.
The Model C is tiny, and in combination with the long battery life and huge memory card, is perfect to hide away in your picnic hamper to capture moments of the trip.
Although the Model C will be a delightful treat for any kid under 7, I would recommend, if able, spending a little bit more on the Kidamento Model K. The Model K keeps the same thoughtful design but has improved image quality. It is a newer generation Kidamento camera and is very much evident when using it.
✅ Buy this if...
you want a fun summer activity
you want a new creative outlet for your child
🚫 Don't buy this if...
you want a camera with great image quality
you like a selfie lens option
for a child over 7
Alternatives
Kidamento Model K
The Model K offers improved image quality, a cute sloth design, and a touchscreen for easy-to-navigate menus. It is slightly more expensive, but I think it is worth the extra few bucks.
MyFirst Camera 2
This is a great alternative to the Model C. In my experience, the image quality is superior and has facial recognition included. It also comes with an underwater housing that enables you to take your photography to the pool/sea.
