11 Best Cameras for Amateur Photographers in 2023 (Beginner Gear Under $1000)

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My list of the 11 good cameras for hobby photographers. (Updated for 2023)

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Let’s face it:

Finding that “good, quality camera” isn’t an easy job. There are a lot of options on the market. The prices vary a lot. And it’s hard to make the decision.

I’ve been in the photography space for a while, and I’m here to help.

In this buying guide I’ll list my top 11 starter cameras under $1000 in 2023 (across 4 different brands), and what key parameters to look for, especially as an amateur.

To speed your research up:

• Best Canon cameras for beginners
• Best entry-level Nikon DSLRs for hobbyists
• Great starter cameras today (other than Canon or Nikon)

FYI: When choosing which product to include, I didn’t focus on the ‘latest and the greatest’, but rather on great price-quality ratio options.

In any case, whether you’re a complete newbie or an enthusiast, bootstrapped or not, you’ll find a good option that works best for your needs and budget.

Best Cameras for Hobby Photography in 2023

So…

Here’s a table that’ll give you a quick look of my roundup and the reasons to buy the product. For further details, simply click ‘review>’ in respective row.

What is the best cheap camera for photography beginners? Let’s find out!

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1. Best Camera for Hobbyist (Top Pick)

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Canon Rebel T6i (750D)

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 555 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (can expand to 25600)

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Look:

If you’ve ever read my other articles on cameras, you’ll probably see that I often recommend T6i for people just starting in photography.

Why do I recommend it the most?

Because it offers a great price/quality ratio and it’s pretty versatile and can be used for different photography genres, which include but not limited to:

• vacation/travel photos,
• sports photography,
• nature/landscapes,
• portrait shots,
• blogs, Instagram and other social media platforms.

Point is…

The camera’s 24MP sensor, fast autofocus system, tilting touchscreen, WiFi/NFC connection and other great features will help you realize your photography potential.

Very cool.

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2. Best All-Around Mirrorless (Under $1000)

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Canon M50

• Type: SLR-like mirrorless
• Weight: 390 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
• ISO: Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No 

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I’ll say this:

I personally own this baby and I love it. Just like many other content creators do. Truth is, it’s one of the best mirrorless compact cameras that you can get under $1000 with HD video recording.

There are several things you’ll love about it:

• it’s compact and stylish,
• it has an amazing dual pixel autofocus system,
• it has a high burst rate,
• high quality video shooting,
• it has a very to use interface (which is important for newbies),

Just to name a few.

One of the downsides is that it has a fairly short battery life when video recording, so I recommend you buy extra couple of batteries on Amazon. That’s exactly what I did and I just change the batteries after I’m done shooting a video for my YouTube channel.

Speaking of, check out this review done by Matt Ballard:

A LOT of video content creators actually love, use and highly recommend this little beauty and for good reasons.

I strongly encourage you check Canon M50 out, especially if you’re a YouTube/traveller yourself.

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3. Best Cheap Canon Camera for Beginners

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Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (100D)

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 407 g
• Resolution: 18 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
• LCD screen: Fixed
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (can expand to 25600)

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Now…

If you think that the previously mentioned T6i is too advanced, or you don’t want it for whatever reasons, then have a look at Canon EOS SL1 (also known as EOS 100D outside the US).

Today, it’s considered to be one of the most budget-friendly entry-level DSLRs on the market. In my opinion, SL1 is also one of the best Canon cameras overall.

Here’s why:

• excellent price,
• offers great quality images that corresponds to the level of an amateur DSLR,
• FULL HD video shooting (1920 x 1080 at 25/30 frames per second)
• a wide range of convenient auto-modes,
• advanced autofocus in Live View mode and video shooting.

… just to name a few.

Even a professional photographer will be glad to work with this camera as the true potential of the camera outshines many of the competitive models.

Why?

First of all, it’s light and compact (407 grams without the lens), which, in comparison with the older models is a good result.

Secondly, the ergonomic parameters turned out to be successful: the SL1 focuses quickly, has a convenient grip, and you can control it using the touch screen.

Of course it’s not perfect.

For example, you’ll likely see noise starting from about ISO 6400, but, in my opinion, Canon Rebel SL1 (100D) can safely be attributed in the category of the best cameras for beginners.

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4. Semi-Pro DSLR for Amateur Photographers

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Canon EOS 80D

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 730 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather sealed: Yes 
• ISO: Auto, 100-16000 (boost to 25600)

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I think Canon EOS 80D is a mid-level DSLR that can become an excellent “educational device” for beginners.

I’ll be straight:

Studying this camera with all the possible modes and functions (especially if there is an extended set of lenses) may take several days for a novice.

However, the result of such “harsh” studying can exceed all expectations: the talented beginner photographers will see impressive results from their very first works.

Now…

The ergonomics of EOS 80D is a successful compromise between size and convenience.

It doesn’t take up much space compared to its full-frame counterparts and it’s comfortable to shoot with. It is also convenient to operate the camera using the touch interface and a fully articulated LCD screen.

It has excellent image quality and the video shooting is possible in Full HD resolution up to 50/60 frames per second.

If you’re a video shooter too, then you also get an excellent autofocus, the manual exposure control, and an input for headphones and a microphone.

For fans of time-lapse shooting: there’s a built-in interval timer.

Very cool.

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5. Good Camera for Amateurs in 2023

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Canon EOS 70D Body

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 755 g
• Resolution: 20 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather sealed: Yes 
• ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (can expand to 25600)

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I’ll say this:

This universal camera has conquered many professionals and certainly is capable of becoming a reliable gadget in the hands of talented hobbyist photographers.

This camera stands because it has the Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor, which provides smooth and accurate auto focus adjustment for video recording in Full HD format, as well as fast autofocusing when taking photos in Live View mode.

The sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800 allows you to shoot in low light and use lower ISO values without compromising the image quality.

That’s important!

As for video fans, they will truly enjoy the stereo sound recording using the built-in microphone, as well as the ability to improve the sound quality with a plugged-in external microphone.

Other features worth mentioning:

Being dust and water resistant and having fully articulated touchscreen really helps with shooting from uncomfortable angles and in different weather conditions. Also, 70D allows you to work remotely with just your smartphone. 

In manual mode, it is possible to fully control such parameters as ISO sensitivity and aperture.

This freedom of action helps the beginning photographer to improve their skills.

Now…

While it has a friendly interface, you’ll still have to spend some time with the camera settings. Over time  though you’ll have no issues with it.

Note:

Many experienced people point out that it’s even better if you have had at least some sort of experience with DSLRs before getting the Canon 70D.

In any case, if you do decide to go for it, there are no reasons for discontent and disappointment: the camera is just as good as its (rather average) price tag.

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6. Cheap Entry-Level Nikon DSLR for 2023

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Nikon D3400

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 445 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Fixed
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: No 
• ISO: Auto, 100-25600

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If you’re looking for the best cheap camera for photography beginners, definitely have a look at Nikon D3400 (or D3500).

Here’s the deal…

The ergonomic parameters of this camera is exactly what you’ll need as a beginner on your photography journey. (I actually included it in my list of top rated Nikon cameras.)

Not only is the D3400 lightweight and has good design/structure, but also in this one, the Guide Mode is implemented. Meaning you won’t need to read the manual to understand the settings.

And it’s not just a set of tips, rather it’s an interactive guide to action!

Here’s how to access it:

Choose “Shoot”, then “Advanced functions”. Now select the scene or effect that you want to use in the picture.

It itself will explain which settings you need to apply for this and helps install them with its understandable graphical interface.

With one stone you end up killing two birds: choosing optimal settings for the scene, as well as understanding what this or that setting is responsible for.

Anyway…

The main things I love, and you will too, about this DSLR:

• low price tag (usually under $500 but prices on Amazon often change!)
• color rendering, saturation and contrast
• guide mode
• very easy to learn, even as a total newbie

In terms of shortcomings, I’ll mention the small memory buffer, as well as a digital noise at certain ISO values. You still get quality photos though.

(And honestly, with the price that you pay for Nikon D3400, you can simply close your eyes to such insignificant shortcomings.)

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7. Best DSLR for Beginner Portrait Photography

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Nikon D5300

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 480 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 12800 (25600 with boost)

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Without a doubt:

D5300 sure is one of the Nikon’s top rated entry-level SLRs. (It’s also the best budget camera for beginner portrait photography.)

This camera was created similarly to the D3400 model. Despite the already brilliant ergonomics of the camera, the Nikon D5300 body presents new improvements.

The main changes have to do with the internal filling and related technical characteristics.

The resolution of the new sensor is 24.78 megapixels, which clearly points to the “intra-corporate” struggle for every one hundredth of a pixel in order to improve the final result of the photo.

A lot of work was done on the balance of settings in order to enhance the color rendition and the relevant aspects.

Another qualitative leap was made in the field of the “weak link” of all average-budget DSLRs from Nikon: good sensitivity finally allows shooting at ISO 1600, bypassing the noise and loss in quality.

What you might like about it:

• the possibility of shooting at ISO 1600 without noise
• presence of the time-lapse function
• high quality photos

… just to name a few.

Considering the features it offers, purchasing Nikon D5300 would be an excellent investment.

One more thing.

It’s easy to take photos in different genres, from landscapes to portraits. A great autofocus allows you to even try yourself in a reportage shooting.

This being said, I do recommend D5300 as a first DSLR in 2023 and I encourage you to read my full review + photo samples here.

Definitely have a look at it.

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8. Great for Non Professional Photographers

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Nikon D7100

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 765 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Fixed
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: Yes
• ISO: ISO 100 – 6400, Lo-1 (ISO 50), Hi-1 (ISO 12,800), Hi-2 (ISO 25,600)

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Look:

Nikon D7100 is a classic SLR camera.

It’s a great camera in terms of price-quality ratio, suitable for those who already had worked with cameras at least from a low-price range.

In the heart of the camera is a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor with a physical size of 23.5 x 15.6 mm.

Why photographers like it:

• the ergonomics aspect is at its best
• truly great for landscape photography
• good colour rendition

(To learn more, here’s my full review.)

Its main feature is the absence of a low-pass filter, which traditionally serves to suppress the moiré effect by forcibly reducing the detail of the image.

Since this filter is not available on Nikon D7100, nothing gets in the way of obtaining maximum image detail.

Now…

I have to note that this Nikon will be very harsh to complete beginners, as the learning each button and the meaning of all the icons on the monochrome display can take more than just a day.

(Therefore, switching from point-and-shoot cameras to this camera will not be as easy as it seems.)

This is the only reason why this model is not recommended to aspiring photographers as their first DSLR.

Of course, if anything, there is a fully auto mode available.

On the other hand, if you have basic photography skills, the set of settings available on this SLR can’t but make you smile. As for the technical equipment, the camera outshines most of its competitors, including from its own line.

And like I’ve already mentioned earlier…

Nikon D7100 kit works well when shooting landscapes.

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9. Pentax Camera for Amateur Photographers

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Pentax K-3

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 800g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Fixed
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 51200

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If you don’t really want Canon or Nikon, there’s also another great Japanese mid-range camera that you can get: Pentax K-3 (Mark I or II whatever your current budget is).

So…

The filling of this device really looks decent: a 24.71 Mp sensor allows you to take photos with a resolution of 6016 x 4000, and instantaneous stabilization is achieved due to the use of optics and the shift of the sensor.  

It also has:

• improved autofocus
• two-level image stabilization system
• high speed shooting
• awesome quality photos for the crop
• super comfortable grip

The manufacturer also improved the phase focusing compared to its earlier camera models, which is a bonus.

How does it stand out?

The main feature of this is a phenomenally good image quality, even despite the installed kit lens.

Usually kit lenses aren’t THAT great but Pentax makes images taken with Canon kit lenses seem very mediocre. K-3 is that good.

(If you’re primarily into landscapes, check out Pentax K-1 on Amazon).

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10. Good Camera for Photography Hobby

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Sony SLT-A68 (a68)

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 610 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100-25600

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Sony a68 (also known as ILCA-68) is an amateur level camera, endowed with a number of abilities of more serious models.

In its essence, this is a simplified version of the semi-professional model ILCA-77M2, from which the a68 has borrowed many strengths.

The first one is autofocus.

The 79-point phase AF module works clearly, quickly and steadily in all conditions. Face recognition function and focusing on the eyes only adds convenience.

Its ergonomics deserves a special praise: it’s thoughtful and has a finely tuned control. The tilting LCD screen is an additional sweet bonus.

With Sony a68 you can shoot great panoramic photos, and enjoy the HDR photography.

Video shooting is also at its best:

• Full HD with a frequency of up to 50/60 frames per second,
• a high bit rate,
• phase autofocus is enabled during video shooting.

As for the quality of the image, the camera confidently shoots at ISO 1600, though with the ISO 3200 being already a “border line”.

Considering this camera has a 24 MP sensor resolution, with the correct settings, you can achieve an excellent balance of color depth and naturalness, something that lacks in many of its competitor counterparts.

Check out the video review of Sony Alpha-68 (ILCA-68):

What you might like about it:

• high speed of continuous shooting
• effective built-in stabilizer
• good image quality up to ISO 3200
• high-quality video with autofocus and stabilization

What you might not like about it:

• plastic camera body
• average screen
• small buffer

Also, it has slightly reduced detail compared to camera models that are equipped with anti-moire filter sensors.

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11. Best Mirrorless Superzoom Bridge Camera

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Canon PowerShot SX60

• Type: SLR-like (bridge camera)
• Weight: 650 g
• Resolution: 16 MP
• Sensor: 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, ISO 100-3200 (6400 in low light mode at low resolution)

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Look:

Arguably, out of all camera kinds the mirrorless compact cameras are the most suitable for beginners in terms of acquiring photography skills and developing as a photographer.

So…

One of the most worthy candidates for the title of the best mirrorless camera for beginners is Canon PowerShot SX60 HS, which has quite great technical characteristics and ergonomic parameters.

As with many Canon products, this camera has the Connect function, which is necessary for remote shooting and fast transfer of multimedia data via Wi-Fi.

Among the technical parameters the sensor of 16.8 megapixels should be noted, as well as a large range of focal lengths (the camera is suitable for macro photography, portraits, panoramas, etc.)

Its main advantage is a lens with an amazingly high optical zoom of 65x.

It will be appreciated by travel lovers who will like taking photos of things in distance that they can’t physically come close to.

For most buyers, this superzoom is likely to be the first digital camera, so its ability to work in auto mode plays a very important role.

Of course, the auto mode option of this camera can be relied upon.

It does a good job of determining the exposure in most complex scenes, and, if necessary, it is ready to receive corrections from the user.

(Fun fact: In 2017, it was Sony RX10 III that won the official EISA Award as the best superzoom camera.) 

Check out how incredible the zoom is:

What you might like about it:

• 65x zoom
• built-in Wi-Fi
• tilting screen
• convenient grip
• high rate of continuous shooting

What you might not like about it:

• difficulties shooting in low light conditions
• large physical dimensions

And it’s yet another great budget camera.

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Amateur Cameras Buying Guide (2023)

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So…

What is the best camera to buy for amateur use?

Here’s the thing:

Professional photographers who have made a hobby their main job need expensive equipment that not only has high key parameters, but also includes a number of subtle, and often completely redundant functions and settings. 

However, if you are a beginner photographer, I recommend that you pay attention to the following key parameters of the camera:

• Camera Type:

Many photography masters say that compact digital cameras are ideal for beginners, the mastering of which is much simpler than studying DSLRs.

However, the reverse is also true:

If one learns how to work with SLR cameras, the beginning photographer will have a device with a large set of functions and settings that are inaccessible to digital analogues.

• Camera Cost:

Don’t overlook this factor, because the better is the camera the greater is its the price.

It so happened that compact digital cameras are much cheaper than DSLRs, even under comparable (or superior) parameters.

However, the latter give greater freedom of creativity, which is the decisive factor in determining the type and price range.

(And still you don’t have to buy super expensive cameras. You’re in luck, this post offers  affordable cameras with great price-quality ratio.)

• Guide Mode Availability:

Recently, some of the DSLRs are equipped with a built-in Guide Mode, thereby making life easier for beginners in the photography world. 

If you are one of those – look for a model with the presence of such a function.

(Nikon D3400 is one example.)

• Physical Dimensions of the Sensor:

Do not pay much attention to the clever advertising trick about megapixels, since in DSLR cameras this function is not so important. 

It is much more important to know the size of the sensor – the more its dimensions are, the better is the color rendering, the higher is sensitivity and less noise even at high ISO values.

• Camera Zoom:

The camera for an amateur should have at least a 3x zoom, as well as come with interchangeable lenses. These factors significantly expand the your possibilities as a photographer.

• Battery Life:

Even professionals sometimes need to make several shots in order to achieve the desired effect from photography.

Newbies often face the problems of the first-try frame, so autonomy, which determines the number of possible shots with one full charge of the battery, is one of the key parameters.

• Presence of Auto Mode Settings:

At the very beginning of using a DSLR, it will be very difficult for the user to navigate in the settings.

Therefore, you should give preference to cameras with ready-made parameters for different types of shooting, whether it’s landscape, portrait or sport.

• Autofocus and Optimal Exposure Detection: 

The implementation of these two functions in the auto mode will significantly simplify the process of photographing for the beginner.

So, these are my 8 tips for choosing a good starter camera in 202 (and beyond). Having the aforementioned features in your camera will greatly help you as a budding photographer.

Let’s do a quick recap:

I will be updating this content as time goes on, but right now this is my list of top cameras for beginner photographers right now. 

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Get the Right Camera to Learn Photography

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So, amateur cameras… You decided to get into the world of photography because you are not satisfied with point-and-shoot cameras anymore.

Now what?

Since the professional cameras can be too expensive and difficult to master for beginners, and the simplest models will not allow you to seriously improve your photography skills, you might have a look at the cameras that were mentioned in this article.

All the aforementioned cameras have a large sensor and auto modes (and manual controls too!), and almost all of them have the possibility of using interchangeable lenses, which will allow you to shoot in any situations.

However this post, does not contain mirrorless cameras. For that, please check out this post.

Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:

• Which brand you prefer, Canon or Nikon, for starting photography journey?
• Mirrorless or DSLRs?

Let me know in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed my list of the top rated digital cameras for beginners in 2023!

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