8 Best Selfie Cameras for all Budgets

1. VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Best Value selfie camera pick goes to the VTech Kidizoom. It’s a fun product that offers a great introduction to photography with a real working device. It also happens to be super cute.

• Best feature 1: Fun, cute selfie camera for kids
• Best feature 2: Front and rear-facing cameras
• Plus points: Color LCD, multi-shoot, records video & audio, games, expandable memory
• Minus points: Average photos, a tad bulky for tiny hands

VTech Kidizoom Selfie Camera Highlights

The Kidizoom Duo is a toy-like camera but with real features and functions. It has a 2.4-inch LCD color screen for one. Front and rear-facing lenses let users compose regular snaps and selfies with ease. There’s a Photo Optimization function that takes several shots at once. Thus, kids can save the snaps they like most. The camera shoots video and audio, the latter having 5 fun voice-changing effects.

More than just a Camera

VTech’s Kidizoom is more than just a camera—it has 5 exciting games installed as well. Three of those games are motion-controlled that add further to the fun. This camera can withstand drops and knocks, so parents don’t have to worry about rough handling. Other highlights include the 256MB built-in memory and a slot that can take MicroSD cards up to 32GB.

The Not So Good

It’s best to view this product as a training camera. The image quality—though perfectly viewable—won’t blow you away. The maker’s recommended age starts at just 36 months. I think the camera is far too bulky for tiny hands and better suited to 6 years and above. Only the battery cover seems weak and may not last with rough handling. That’s something to think about with boisterous kids.

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2. DJI OSMO Selfie Action Camera | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

DJI makes the Best Value selfie camera pick with its digital OSMO Action Cam. But is it a realistic rival for established brands like GoPro? This short review should help.

• Best feature 1: Front-facing LCD display
• Best feature 2: Competitive video quality
• Plus points: HDR video, outstanding stabilization, 8x slo-mo, time-lapse, voice commands
• Minus points: Short battery life, no constant power ON icon, no live streaming

DJI OSMO Action Cam Bundle Highlights

There are selfies, and there are selfies. The most impressive photos and videos are action shots rather than the everyday ‘Say Cheese’ poses. That’s where action cams step in. The DJI OSMO here comes with dual full-color screens. That means you can see yourself as the camera points at you, thus avoiding those hit-n-miss selfies. And water-lovers can take this puppy down to a depth of 36ft (11m).

Another of OSMO’s unique features is its HDR mode that improves shadow and highlight details. There’s also a significant improvement in the colors when compared to standard video mode. DJI’s RockSteady combines with EIS to deliver shake-free footage even with extreme action. And the camera’s 8x slow-motion shot at 1080p, 240fps, takes your adventure world to a new level.

Big Features in a Small Package

Custom exposure settings, time-lapse and timed shooting are three more options available. Using this powerful little camera gets even easier with the Quick Switch (QS) button and SnapShot. The SnapShot feature powers the camera ON and starts to record in under 2 seconds. And let’s not forget those time-saving voice commands for when your hands are otherwise occupied.

The Not So Good

Short battery life is par for the course with tiny action cameras. That doesn’t make it any less annoying, though. This one is unlikely to give 90 minutes on a single charge. There’s no remaining battery power indicator during normal usage until it’s almost empty. Another disappointment with this otherwise exceptional action camera is that it doesn’t offer live streaming.

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3. LUMIX GX850 4K Mirrorless Selfie Camera | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Panasonic gets the Top Pick with its Micro Four Thirds Lumix GX850. It’s an exceptional entry-level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with a bright, selfie-friendly tiltable LCD.

• Best feature 1: Selfie-friendly 3” 180° tiltable LCD screen
• Best feature 2: Compact and lightweight
• Plus points: 4K selfies, interchangeable lenses, filter effects, built-in flash, low light AF
• Minus points: Confusing names (see review), low battery life, no mic jack, no hot-shoe

LUMIX GX850 Mirrorless Camera Highlights

A few things are absent from this camera—feature-wise—so why the top slot? Because it excels as a selfie camera, and that’s the primary purpose of this guide. It’s one of the most selfie-friendly mirrorless models around right now. You can take stunning 4K selfies using advanced functions like Panorama and Beauty Retouch, to name but two. There are 22 creative filters for people and scenes.

The travel-friendly LUMIX GX850 is small, neat, and comfortable to hold. It has a little hidden flash that pops up whenever it’s needed. And the low light autofocus keeps photos sharp even in tricky lighting. Remember, it’s an interchangeable lens camera too. Being able to mount lenses with different focal lengths gives it far more versatility than the fixed-lens alternatives.

The Not So Good

This camera goes by other names, which makes it hard to follow. It should be the Panasonic Lumix GX850 in the US, but it also goes by GX800 and GF9. The camera has a below-average battery life at just 210 shots per charge. There isn’t a microphone jack, so users must rely on the tinny built-in mic for their audio. Lastly, there’s only the built-in flash, and no hot shoe for external units.

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4. YISENCE Underwater FHD Selfie Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Dry-land selfies are the norm, but this camera is for those who like to get wet and wild. Meet the YISENCE. It’s an affordable picture-taking selfie camera that works down to a depth of 10ft.

• Best feature 1: Purpose underwater selfie camera
• Best feature 2: Built-in electronic stabilization
• Plus points: Front/rear LCDs, 16x zoom, 10ft waterproofed, sharp photos, smooth video
• Minus points: LCD not very bright, no MicroSD card included

YISENCE Underwater FHD Camera Highlights

Underwater selfies guarantee to stand out, unlike many of the dry land shots that dominate social media. This camera has a 1.8” front-facing color screen and rear 2.7” rear LCD. It can function down to a depth of 10ft (3m), which makes it perfect for swimming pools. The YISENCE underwater cam takes 48MP stills and shoots full HD 2.7K videos. Its self-timer offers 2, 5, and 10-second delays.

The 16x digital zoom lets you alter perspective and zoom-in while filming others. Electronic anti-shake stabilization helps to steady the camera underwater and keep the video smooth. It also has a built-in mic and waterproofed speaker. The 650mAh battery should last for around an hour when filming under ideal conditions. Charging time is on the high side of average at 3+ hours.

The Not So Good

The LCD screen at the back needs to be brighter. It’s okay for clear pools, but almost impossible to see in the murkier fresh or salt waters. All you can do is point the lens in the general direction and hope for a good result. The camera takes a MicroSD card up to 128GB but doesn’t include one in the box. It’s not a major setback, but new buyers need to have a card ready to use the camera.

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5. Polaroid SNAP Touch 2.0 Selfie Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Polaroid has been around since 1937, and that already tells us something about the brand. This review is for its SNAP Touch 2.0. It’s a versatile and portable 13MP selfie camera with a twist.

• Best feature 1: 2-in-1 camera printer
• Best feature 2: Ideal for selfie shots
• Plus points: Rear touchscreen, selfie mirror, 10x optical zoom, in-camera filters, Bluetooth
• Minus points: Average build, slow printing, lackluster touchscreen

Polaroid SNAP Touch 2.0 Camera Highlights

This is a fun-loving camera that comes in 6 vibrant colors. It’s small, lightweight, and super-easy to use. On its rear is a bright 3.5″ LCD touchscreen. On the front is the discreet selfie mirror for when you need to capture those spontaneous shots. Polaroid’s Snap Touch 2.0 has a 10x optical zoom that lets you get closer to faraway action. The camera shoots smooth HD 1080p video.

Not just a Camera

This camera is unique as it doubles as a mini photo printer. Yes, you did read that right. You can take photos and print them directly from the camera without ink or toners. The printed images have a sticky back should you wish to put them up somewhere. There is also a plethora of in-camera filters, frames, and emojis to choose from. Bluetooth connectivity lets you post your snaps directly to social media.

It’s also possible to connect to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. That means you can send a photo from the phone to the camera for printing if you want to.

The Not So Good

The build quality is average at best. That was quite a surprise considering the price of the camera. Touchscreen displays are always welcome, and this one is big and easy to use. The problem is that the LCD details are a tad lackluster. Lastly, the instant prints are misleading because they’re too slow to own that title. Printing is fine—it’s just that it takes a while, that’s all.

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6. GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition Action Selfie Cam

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

GoPro action cameras provide users with the ultimate selfie potential. The advanced HERO8 Black Edition here captures you wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, and in striking 4k video.

• Best feature 1: Stunning 4K video and tack-sharp 12MP stills
• Best feature 2: HyperSmooth video stabilization
• Plus points: Built-in mounting, super-light, waterproof, 3 lens views, presets, on-body ports
• Minus points: HOT while charging, average battery life, weak card slot

GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition Highlights

Action cameras started the selfie craze, and they continue to be popular for that purpose. Keep reading if you want to capture some incredible self-footage to save for posterity. GoPro’s HERO8 Black comes with some impressive enhancements to its predecessor. It has built-in mounting, weighs 14% less, and boasts enhanced audio. And this tiny cam is waterproofed down to a depth of 33ft (10m).

Smooth just Got Smoother, Says GoPro

This GoPro has a feature called Time Warp 2.0 that auto-adjusts to speed based on the subject’s motion. Hero 8 Black is the company’s most stabilized product to date. Its Hyper Smooth 2.0 has 3-level stabilization to ensure silky smooth results with every shoot. Be sure to watch the company’s promotional video for demonstrations if you’re interested.

Views, Ports, and Presets

Digital lens views include Super-View, Wide, Linear, and Narrow. Users can choose from 3 preset video modes, i.e., Cinematic, Activity, and Slow-Motion. The on-body ports are a 3.5mm mic port, HDMI-out port, and USB-C port. The camera also has a couple of cold-shoe mounts. There’s much to explore and marvel over with the GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition, but it’s not perfect (see next).

The Not So Good

This little action camera gets too hot for comfort when charging. The company obviously doesn’t think it matters, but it doesn’t feel right. Hero 8 uses a lot of power to run at its full potential, and the battery can drain in less than an hour. Spare batteries are essential if you expect to shoot for a few consecutive hours. The last gripe is with the memory card slot that is both cramped and flimsy.

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7. Google Pixel 3a Smartphone Selfie Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The penultimate review goes to the Google Pixel 3a Smartphone. It sells well mainly because of its camera quality and ease of taking impressive selfies. However, it has plenty more to offer.

• Best feature 1: Superb selfie camera
• Best feature 2: Exceptional image clarity and rich color reproduction
• Plus points: Excellent low-light performance, fast charging, headphone jack, fingerprint reader
• Minus points: No wireless charging, plastic body, no memory card slot

Google Pixel 3a Smartphone Highlights

All modern smartphones are selfie-capable, but they’re not all equal. Google’s Pixel 3a has a fast f/1.8 lens and a 12.2MP sensor. That sounds a tad meager compared to some products, but don’t let it deter you. This camera still produces insanely crisp and detailed photos. And its color reproduction is simply outstanding. Thus, it brings selfie shots to life when taken against multi-colored backdrops.

The only downside—for some at least—is that there’s no option to shoot wide-angle selfies. Wide selfie modes are necessary for group shots as they can fit more people into the frame.

The Google Pixel 3a also produces pin-perfect photos in low light without flash. That’s thanks to its Night Sight mode, which can even brighten up selfies taken in the pitch dark. The 15-minute fast charging is also worth mention. There’s a handy headphone jack, reliable fingerprint reader, and an option to shoot RAW format. And let’s not forget free, unlimited storage offered by Google Photos.

The Not So Good

There’s no wireless charging, though most won’t let that influence their buying decision. Even so, wireless charging is fast becoming a sought-after feature. A more serious gripe is the plasticky polycarbonate finish of this tall camera. Despite that, it feels better in the hand than it looks. Lastly, there’s no MicroSD card slot, but then the unlimited storage compensates for that.

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8. ASUS ZenFone 6 Selfie Smartphone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

Last up is another smartphone favored for its tack-sharp images and selfie capabilities. It’s a big, powerful device packed with a plethora of unique features.

• Best feature 1: Dual cameras, primary and ultra-wide
• Best feature 2: Motorized flip camera system
• Plus points: Infinity screen, Gorilla Glass 6, fast charging, 1-click smart key access
• Minus points: No WiFi charging, heft

ASUS ZenFone 6 Smartphone Highlights

Consider the ASUS Zenfone 6 if you want a gorgeous camera that performs beyond expectations. That’s how many owners of this quality smartphone view it. It has a dual system with a 48MP primary camera and a 13MP secondary selfie. The latter has an ultra-wide lens to cater for group shots. Wide lenses also capture more of the scene and make some photos extra interesting.

A gorgeous infinity style screen occupies a full 92% of the phone’s facade. Furthermore, it’s protected by the nearly indestructible, chemically-strengthened Gorilla Glass 6.

Users In Control

The Flip Camera gives you control of its position from 0–180°. That’s useful for shooting awkward camera angles. ASUS’ Zenfone 6 boasts a powerful 5000mAh battery that supports QuickCharge 4.0., so you’re always connected. The Smart Key access button on the side lets you navigate the phone with one hand. Enhanced sound features include dual speakers, dual smart amps, and an audio wizard.

Point to note: This device is incompatible with CDMA Networks, e.g., US Cellular, Verizon, and Sprint.

The Not So Good

Despite its high-tech appeal, the Asus Zenfone 6 doesn’t offer wireless charging. The phone is big and thick because of all that goes into it. But heft is something to think about for those with small hands.

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