myFirst Camera 50 Review

The myFirst Camera 50 is a clever, easy-to-use, AI-driven camera reminiscent of a smartphone but without the features or security vulnerabilities that would concern most parents. The style of the camera is simple, with a large screen on the front, enabling the composition of shots as well as providing a decent space for editing and manipulating the images your kids capture.

While the camera is primarily a camera, it incorporates additional features focused on image capture and the use of photography, which is where this small device becomes truly interesting. In addition to being able to take images, children can upload their work to their Circle—a completely secure platform where you, as the parent or guardian, can set up access and permissions, ensuring the pictures remain exactly where they should be.

The camera includes standard options to take and review photos, along with features to apply effects, filters, and stickers. However, the real power and fun come when they connect to the Circle. Here, they can create albums and journals by adding images and text, offering a superb environment that is both closed and safe.

Available in a striking baby blue or pink, the myFirst Camera 50 is roughly the size of a standard smartphone and weighs 151 g. As the camera is designed for children, the rounded edges and bright colours reflect this—there’s nothing overly adult or serious about the basic design. Given its intended audience and the high likelihood of it being dropped, thrown, or possibly even stamped on, the construction is extremely robust, with a tough, protected screen and rubberised edges. Even if it comes flying towards you at speed, it shouldn’t cause too much damage.

While the design is durable, it isn’t waterproof, so all ports—the USB Type-C and MicroSD—are exposed. This is a bit of a shame, but it does keep the design slimline.

On the front of the camera is the large screen, which allows children to compose and edit their shots, along with a small front-facing camera for selfies and pulling faces. On the rear is the main camera and lens, as well as a grip that helps small hands get a better hold of the device.

On top of the camera is the power button. Hold this down for a second or two, and the camera powers up, this takes about 30 seconds as the system runs on the Android operating system, similar to many mobile devices. This setup makes it easy for the company to release future updates.

Once powered on, the camera can remain on, and the battery life should easily last through a full day of image capture and editing. Next to the power button is a smaller button; pressing the power button activates the selfie lamp, while the smaller button adjusts the lamp’s brightness. On the right side of the top edge is the shutter button.

The camera features a built-in battery, which can be charged using the USB Type-C port on the base of the camera. This port can also be used for data connections. The camera includes built-in Wi-Fi, which can be set up during the initial power-on process. Next to the USB port is the MicroSD card slot, which takes a standard MicroSD card.

The design of the myFirst Camera 50 ensures simplicity, it is after all designed for kids, but it includes plenty of features beyond just capturing images. These features are designed to hopefully reassure you that even with online connectivity, your children and the content they capture are kept safe.

One of the key features of the myFirst Camera 50 is its AI capabilities, which help them to capture videos and images with suggestions more on how to curate their pictures rather than how to take them. These features, along with most others on the myFirst Camera 50, are integrated into the Circle—this online service is an essential part of the camera. While many functions rely on online connectivity, the Android-based camera also includes a range of built-in options that can be used equally well off line.

The online AI curation works through Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling video and image editing with a focus on creating child-safe Circles. These Circles allow only a select group of individuals, such as parents and siblings, to be invited. This feature essentially enables children to have a safe and family-friendly introduction to social media.

Through the editing tools, kids can enhance their pictures by adding voiceovers, music, and stickers. While these tools are simple, they are decent enough to keep the photographer occupied for a good length of time.

Of course with any online device aimed at children, safety is a major priority, both on the camera itself and within the Circles created for sharing content. The camera features an audible click, so parents will always know when a picture is being taken. Online, the Circle is a secure environment through the manufacturer, with parents having full control over the content and who that content is shared with.

Another feature that really stands out is the diary/journaling tool. This enables kids to shoot videos and images, upload them to their Circle, and then use the journaling tools to reflect on their images.

When it comes to taking pictures, there are a few additional features that add a nice touch to the standard camera functionality. These include the selfie light on the front of the camera, with brightness control, and the ability to use the onscreen button to switch between the front and rear cameras quickly.

This camera is clearly designed for children, and the baby pink sample that I have makes it evident that a child is the best person to test what it can do. The only challenge is that once they start playing with it and adding stickers, it’s very unlikely you’ll get a chance to try it yourself. When they do eventually finish with it, then you’ll very likely spend even more time figuring out where they’ve hidden it, before you get to take a look yourself!

To test it out, I gave the camera to a photographer friend with a small child (around 4 years old), who was eager to try it but warned me that it might not come back in one piece—or at all. Thankfully, it returned intact. Despite being dropped, thrown, and nearly submerged, it came back fully functional, albeit slightly scuffed.

In terms of performance, the camera in the hands of a small child functioned extremely well. A few test shots taken in the New Forest demonstrated the level of detail and resolution the camera is capable of capturing. Unlike the feet, walls, and countless selfies taken by the child, these photos, er taken by an adult, highlighted its true capabilities. What stood out most was how engaging the camera was for the child, not so much for the adult. Even though the pink colour initially caused some hesitation, there was no denying its effectiveness as a distraction.

The ease of use was the first major highlight. Once switched on, the child quickly figured out how to tap the button and started taking pictures. The touchscreen was intuitive, something they seemed familiar with, making the entire process—from taking photos to uploading them—completely seamless.

What really stood out for me, though, was the journaling feature, particularly for older kids. The myFirst Camera 50 enables children to take pictures with a short press of the shutter button or record videos with a longer press. They can then upload and edit their creations in the journal. Adding text, images, audio, stickers, and music is straightforward, and the sharing function within their secure Circle offers a safe introduction to image capture and social media.

For any child aged four and upwards (possibly younger), up to about 10 years old, this is an excellent first camera. Not only does it encourage them to take pictures and videos, but it also serves as a great educational tool, helping with creativity and developing journaling skills.

The myFirst Camera 50 is an excellent choice for any child who likes creative projects as well as writing. It’s also ideal for those who, even at an early stage, show an interest in getting online and exploring social media in a controlled and safe way, reflecting what they see in their environment.

The concept of the Circle provides a fantastic and secure introduction to this digital world, allowing you to take full control over what your child does and how content is shared. While it does encourage creativity and gives children the opportunity to develop their image and video editing skills, especially with the ability to cut and edit video footage, it also introduces them to how to share their images, but in a safe environment.

As a first camera, this is far more than a simple point-and-shoot device. With its online capabilities—limited for safety—it offers a superb introduction to photography and helps children begin to understand social media.