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11 Best Cheap Cameras for Amateur Photographers 2024 (Under $1000)
Best Camera for Amateur Photographers? (2024 Update)
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 the best starter cameras under $1000 in 2024 (across 4 different brands), and what key parameters to look for, especially as an amateur.
Here’s a table that’ll give you a quick look of my roundup of 11 good cameras for hobby photographers and the reasons to get it.
For further details, simply click ‘review>’ in respective row.
Product | Image | Reasons to Get It | |
1. Canon T6i Best camera for hobbyist (cheap) |
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2. Canon M50 Best compact for content creators |
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3. Canon SL1 Small & light entry-level DSLR |
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4. Canon 80D A semi-pro DSLR for amateurs |
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5. Olympus M10 Good cheap amateur camera |
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6. Nikon D3500 Starter DSLR to learn photography |
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7. Nikon D5300 One of the best beginner DSLRs! |
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8. Nikon D7100 Great upgrade from D3x00 series |
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9. Pentax K-3 Excellent crop for a photo traveller |
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10. Sony a68 SLR-like bridge for hobbyists |
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11. Canon SX60 Great starter superzoom choice |
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As you can see, I divided the post in the following categories:
- Best Canon cameras for beginners
- Best entry-level Nikon DSLRs for hobbyists
- Great starter cameras from brands 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.
(You can always go for a newer model of the ones mentioned here.)
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.
What is the best cheap camera for photography beginners? Let’s find out!
1. Canon Rebel T6i (750D)
Best Affordable Camera for Amateur Photographers
Type: Compact SLR | Weight: 555 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) | LCD screen: Fully articulated, 3″ | Touchscreen: Yes | Environmentally sealed: No
Reasons to Buy:
- Auto mode is excellent
- fully articulated and responsive 3″ touch screen
- 19-point phase AF system
- continuous shooting up to 5 fps
- large buffer for JPG photos
- great image quality at high ISO units
- Scene modes and creative filters available
Reasons to Avoid:
- small buffer when shooting in RAW
- no HDR and interval shooting mode
- not very well optimized Wi-Fi power consumption
This is one of my highly recommended Canon DSLR for amateurs.
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, continuous shooting of 5 fps, and other great features will help you realize your photography potential.
Canon T6i (750D outside the North America) rightfully deserves to be in my list of top recommended photo gear today.
If you wish to learn more about the awesome features and capabilities, then read my full review here.
While it was released a few years ago, it’s still a great investment and a great choice for starting your photography journey. And you can get it for cheap this year!
Now, if you prefer the ‘latest & greatest’ and have a bigger budget, then consider the newer models like Rebel T7i or T8i. They are even better.
2. Canon M50
Best Mirrorless Camera for Amateurs (Under $1000)
Type: SLR-style mirrorless | Weight: 390 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100 – 25,600 (expandable to 51200) | LCD screen: Fully articulated, 3″ | Touchscreen: Yes | Environmentally sealed: No
Reasons to Buy:
- compact and lightweight
- works with different interchangeable lenses
- fully articulated 3″ touch screen and electronic viewfinder
- confident AF with face and eye detection
- wide angle kit lens
- great image and video quality
Reasons to Avoid:
- battery life isn’t great (have spare batteries)
- small buffer for continuous shooting
- cropped 4K video shooting
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 under $1000 today with HD video recording.
There are several things you’ll love about it:
- light and stylish
- amazing dual pixel autofocus system
- high burst rate
- high quality video shooting
- 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.
A LOT of video content creators actually love, use and highly recommend this little beauty and for good reasons.
The reason why this compact is so popular among YouTubers is because Canon created it with (video) content creators in mind.
That’s why there’s this dual pixel autofocus feature present so that people can move around and have focus in place. The fact that it has a fully articulated LCD screen is also helpful, you can just flip the screen however you want and see yourself while recording a video.
I encourage you to read my full review here.
Check out Canon M50 out, especially if you’re a YouTube/traveller yourself. One thing is clear, this baby is one of the most underrated cameras on the market today.
3. Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (100D)
Best Cheap Canon Camera for Beginners
Type: Compact SLR | Weight: 407 g | Resolution: 18 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) | LCD screen: Fixed | Touchscreen: Yes | Environmentally sealed: No
Reasons to Buy:
- very compact
- smooth continuous focusing when video-shooting
- fast focusing in Live View mode
- the kit has an STM lens with image stabilizer
- Full HD video recording
Reasons to Avoid:
- fixed screen
- inconvenient access to HDR mode
- low burst rate when shooting in RAW
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).
A few years ago, SL1 also used to be one of the best Canon cameras overall. Today, it’s one of the cheap cameras to start photography.
The reasons to consider it:
- excellent price
- great quality images corresponding 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
While the SL3 model is newer and better, the SL1 one is a great cheap camera for budding photographer.
Even a professional photographer would be glad to work with this camera as the true potential of the camera outshines many of the competitive models.
First of all, it’s light and compact (407 grams without the lens), which, in comparison with the older models is a good result.
Second, 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.
One of the downsides is that 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 cheap digital cameras.
As a beginner, you’ll find that SL1 is a great tool for creating your first shots in many ways thanks to auto modes and a great system of built-in hints.
It gets better:
Not only is it fairly cheap, but it also is one of the smallest, lightest DSLRs available on the market.
(And if you replace the kit lens with one of Canon’s compact lenses, then this camera will take up minimum of space and become an ideal companion in your travels.)
Note: There are mostly used models of this body, you might have better luck with SL3 version instead.
4. Canon EOS 80D
Semi-Pro DSLR for Amateur Photographers
Type: Mid-size SLR | Weight: 730 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-16000 (boost to 25600) | LCD screen: Fully articulated | Touchscreen: Yes | Environmentally sealed: Yes
Reasons to Buy:
- thoughtful ergonomics
- comfortable to use touch interface
- high speed continuous shooting
- 45-point autofocus system
- confident and fast AF in Live View mode and videos
- large buffer size in JPEG
Reasons to Avoid:
- buffer size in RAW is limited
- no support for UHS-II memory cards
- no built-in GPS
- small monochrome noise at low ISOs in JPEG
I think Canon EOS 80D is a mid-level DSLR that can become an excellent “educational device” for beginners.
Here’s the thing:
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.
Overall, the 80D was a great upgrade from the Rebel series.
Canon was always confident in the DSLR cameras market but it further strengthened its position by releasing another very successful model – the Canon EOS 80D.
And even though this camera doesn’t have any revolutionary or breakthrough technologies, its main advantage is a serious set of characteristics/features.
As for videographers, this camera is simply a gift because of its working phase autofocus in Live View mode in combination with a fully articulated touch screen and an output for an external microphone.
In a nutshell, a successful semi-professional camera.
5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 II
Great Starter Mirrorless Camera for Amateurs
Type: SLR-style mirrorless | Weight: 410 g | Resolution: 16 MP | Sensor size: Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) | LCD screen: Tilting, 3″ | Touchscreen: Yes | Weather-sealed: No | ISO: Auto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600)
Reasons to buy:
- 4 “shooting assist” modes for beginners
- pretty compact and easy to use
- extra capabilities: time-lapse, photo stories, selection of focus
- 3 Live modes: Composite, Bulb, and Time
- focus bracketing
- stylish/retro vibes
Reasons to avoid:
- battery life is fairly short
- you’ll need time to adjust to the settings
- a bit outdated sensor
This Olympus is the one of the best affordable options in the micro four-thirds sensor department.
This mirrorless camera combines a compact all-metal body with a number of advanced technologies found in the older OM-D cameras, such as the E-M1 and E-M5 Mark II.
Its built-in 5-axis image stabilization system, which allows you to get clear photos and smooth videos, even if the photographer is on the move and in extremely low light conditions where the scene is being shot.
At the time of release, according to the manufacturer, it had no analogues in the world in terms of efficiency.
The E-M10 Mark II offers a high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder, a 3″ tilting touch screen, ultra-high-resolution 4K time-lapse shooting, photo sharing, and remote control of all camera functions using a smartphone or tablet, just to name a few.
More importantly, it’s pretty easy to use and understand. To the point that it’s also listed as one of the starter cameras for teenage photographers.
6. Nikon D3500
Beginner Nikon DSLR Camera for Beginners 2024
Type: Compact SLR | Weight: 365 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | LCD screen: Fixed, 3″ | Touchscreen: No | Weather-sealed: No | GPS: None | ISO: Auto, 100-25600
Reasons to Buy:
- Guide Mode feature
- simplified ergonomics and user interface
- compact size and light weight
- wide dynamic range, relatively flexible in RAW processing
- excellent battery life, up to 1550 frames per charge
Reasons to Avoid:
- not touchscreen
- no Wi-Fi
- no 4K video recording
- no mic and headphone jacks
- not a lot of new cameras in stock
If you’re looking for the best affordable Nikon camera for photography beginners, definitely have a look at Nikon D3500 (or the older D3400 model).
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 D3500 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!
And this is what makes it one of the best cameras to learn photography.
This Guide mode itself will explain which settings you need to apply for this and helps install them with its understandable graphic 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.
Here are the main things I love, and you will too, about this DSLR:
- 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.
D3400 (or the newer D3500 model) is one of the most popular starter cameras on the market right now and for good reason.
This is a good choice for those who are unsure about their skills in photography, want to dip their toes in the water without having to spend thousands of dollars on photo gear.
You’ll be surprised how beautiful your photos can come out.
And this camera’s excellent characteristics are the reason why it’s often recommended Nikon camera for beginner photographers. Here’s my full review of Nikon D3400.
7. Nikon D5300
Best Cheap Digital Camera Today
Type: Compact SLR | Weight: 480 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | LCD: Fully articulated | Touchscreen: No | Weather-sealed: No | ISO: Auto, 100 – 12800 (25600 with boost)
Reasons to Buy:
- fully rotating LCD screen
- excellent image quality
- great work in Auto mode
- time lapse feature
- built-in Wi-Fi and GPS features
- post-processing functions in the camera itself
- one of the cheapest DSLR cameras
Reasons to Avoid:
- no touchscreen
- small image buffer size when shooting in RAW + JPG
- not the best video capabilities
While D5300 is an old model, it sure is one of the Nikon’s top rated entry-level DSLRs.
(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.
When shooting with good lighting it provides the highest detail, and when shooting in low lighting, you will have a clean and noise-free image.
Considering the features it offers, purchasing Nikon D5300 would be an excellent investment.
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 2024 and I encourage you to read my full review with photo samples here.
Definitely have a look at it.
Note: It’s an old camera and you’ll find mostly used bodies (hence the extremely low price tag). However, if you have a higher budget, consider the newer D5600 model.
8. Nikon D7100
Great for Non Professional Photographers
Type: Mid-size SLR | Weight: 780 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-6400 (25600 with boost) | LCD screen: Fixed | Touchscreen: None | Environmentally sealed: Yes (Weather and dust resistant)
Reasons to Buy
- has a screw drive motor (autofocuses with older Nikon lenses)
- ergonomics = at its best
- excellent for landscape photography
- good color rendition
- absence of low-pass frequency filter (means higher image detail)
Reasons to Avoid
- possible digital noise from ISO 400-1000
- small image buffer (might be an issue for professionals or hybrid shooters)
Look:
Nikon D7100 is a classic DSLR.
Nikon D7100 is an excellent choice for an enthusiast photographer who is familiar with the theory and practice of photography.
In the heart of the camera is a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor with a physical size of 23.5 x 15.6 mm.
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.
Nikon D7100 kit also works well when shooting landscapes.
In general, this camera was very successful given its highest quality of the image (especially with good optics and at low ISO), convenience and fast control, as well as an impressive set of characteristics.
Only a relatively little image buffer can limit the serious professional application of D7100.
Now…
I have to note that this Nikon might 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 budding 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.
9. Pentax K-3
Pentax’s Cheap Camera for Beginners (Under $500)
Type: Mid-size SLR | Weight: 800 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100 – 51200 | LCD screen: Fixed | Touchscreen: None | Environmentally sealed: Yes
Reasons to Buy
- advanced ergonomics
- 24MP sensor with anti-moiré filter
- high speed of work
- two slots for memory cards
- good autofocus, including in tracking mode
- fairly long battery life
Reasons to Avoid
- high quality lenses needed to unlock its great potential
- no automatic turn off of the screen backlight
- need to get adjusted to controls
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).
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 lenses 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.
All in all, Pentax K-3 is an excellent choice for a photo traveler. (If you’re primarily into landscapes, check out Pentax K-1 instead).
It has proven itself in shooting in the most difficult conditions: no snow, no rain, no shortage of light will be a problem.
Pentax made a rather great camera, which can confidently compete with other mid-range DSLRs. I encourage you to consider it.
10. Sony SLT-A68 (a68)
Good Camera for Photography Hobby
Type: Mid-size SLR | Weight: 610 g | Resolution: 24 MP | Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-25600 | LCD screen: Tilting | Touchscreen: None | Environmentally sealed: No
Reasons to Buy
- excellent ergonomics
- two control discs
- phase detection AF with 79 points
- built-in stabilizer
- pretty great quality video recording
Reasons to Avoid
- plastic build
- average display screen
- small buffer
- not a direct AF point selection
Sony a68 (also known as ILCA-68) is an amateur level cheap camera to start photography, with a number of abilities of more serious models.
In its essence, this is a simplified version of the semi-professional model ILCA-77 Mark II, 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 fps,
- 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.
Also, it has slightly reduced detail compared to camera models that are equipped with anti-moire filter sensors.
Overall, Sony a68 is a great solution for photographers making their first step into the world of photography.
11. Canon PowerShot SX60
Best Mirrorless Superzoom Bridge Camera
Type: SLR-like (bridge camera) | Weight: 650 g | Resolution: 16 MP | Sensor size: 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) | ISO: Auto, 100-3200 | LCD screen: Fully articulated | Touchscreen: None | Environmentally sealed: No
Reasons to Buy
- 65x zoom
- built-in Wi-Fi
- tilting screen
- convenient grip
- high rate of continuous shooting
Reasons to Avoid
- difficulties shooting in low light conditions
- large physical dimensions
Arguably, 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.
Check out how incredible the zoom is:
And it’s yet another great budget camera.
You should consider getting what’s called a bridge camera:
These cameras tend to be more affordable than DSLRs, with similar handling and versatility, and many offer superb features like the massive 65x zoom as seen in Canon PowerShot SX60 HS.
If you just came into the world of photography and you need a cost-effective camera with the most versatile lens, then consider this one.
Amateur Cameras Buying Guide (2024)
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:
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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.
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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.)
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Get the Right Camera to Learn Photography
So, amateur cameras… You decided to get into the world of photography because you are not satisfied with point-and-shoot cameras anymore.
Let’s do a quick recap:
Cheap Digital Cameras for Photography Beginners
- Rebel T6i – My top recommended entry-level Canon DSLR for 2024.
- Canon M50 – Best mirrorless compact camera for content creators.
- Rebel SL1 – Cheap Canon camera for photography beginners.
- Canon EOS 80D – A semi-professional DSLR that works for amateurs.
- Nikon D5300 – One of the best Nikon starter DSLRs in 2024.
- Nikon D3400 – Best cheap camera for amateur photography.
- Nikon D7100 – Yet another excellent choice for enthusiasts.
- Pentax K-3 – Amazing kit for travel and landscape photography in 2024.
- Sony SLT-A58 – Great translucent mirror DSLR for amateurs.
- Sony SLT-A68 – Will realize almost any creative intentions of yours.
- Canon SX60 HS – Best mirrorless (superzoom) camera for beginners.
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.
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?
- What are the best cameras for hobby photography in YOUR opinion?
Let us know in the comments below!
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About Author
Zarina
Founder & content creator at Digital World Beauty. My main objective here is to create a valuable resource for photography enthusiasts with honest tech reviews, course recommendations, and how-to tutorials.
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Zarina
Hi Lizzie. Choosing the lens is very individual. 18-55 is the cheapest, and accordingly it is inferior to other models for a number of parameters.
The good thing with kit lenses is that it allows you to decide which lens will be next (at a cheap price), what parameters to look at after.
As I said, the focal length is very individual, just like the size of the shoe. After all, no one advises you to buy shoes of size 39, just because they are cooler, right?
Reply
I always thought about getting a camera but could never bring myself to spend that much money on them. Although I was on Instagram and I saw these pictures of people doing “tricks” with light.
I guess one person would stand still while the other goes around with a red flare or something around the motionless person. When everything was said and done it looked like the person was on fire. There were other ones with people writing names and stuff.
If I was going to buy a camera it would be for stuff like that. My phone can’t do whatever that is so if I were going to buy a camera, which one can do that?
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Zarina
Hey James, you got me slightly confused to be honest.
Are you sure it was the CAMERA that made all the tricks? Some guys are just amazing with video-graphics and use a whole bunch of special computer programs to create something like that. If it was the camera – then unfortunately, I am not familiar with it.
I will research about it though – it got me curious lol.
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Hi Zarina!
I’m overwelmed with information regarding so many products! A great post but got me a bit uncertain about which one could be a good pick for me.
I personally never had a professional camera but have been reading quite a bit about photography and am very interested about it.
May I ask what you started off with in your early days? Or what you would recommend to a person that has an eye for colors and loves taking pictures of nature panoramas? Maybe with a 360 degree picture feature too!
PS. I think the thing James refered to was something about long exposure time and frame interval settings which let you have in one picture the movement of an object or in the case he was explaining a light /person.
ReplyHi Zarina,
Very informative article about best digital cameras for beginners. Even though I used an SLR camera when I was much younger, technology has changed ever since and so I’m not familiar with all the features of modern DSLR photography. So, to get back in I would like to buy a “beginner” camera.
If I chose the Nikon D5300 body for the high quality ISO1600 shooting, (which you also mentioned in your best list of Nikon cameras for 2018), what would be a good lens choice to go with it?
Thanks, Ed
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Zarina
Hi Ed, welcome back to the photography world!
In terms of your question on which is a good lens for Nikon D5300.
Frankly, it really depends on your shooting tasks/purposes, and on your budget, of course. I will try to give you a few options based on what you plan to do with it and I will choose pretty cheap versions of them, after all, Nikon D5300 is a budget amateur camera.
1. The most popular lens and one of the best lenses for the price is Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (under $200 price tag).
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is a real “golden mean” – a model with relatively affordable cost and high performance.
If I were to say it in a few words, I’d say that it’s ideal for shooting in low light conditions or for shooting portraits with a flat bokeh. It’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) provides fast and quiet autofocusing. Last but not least, it’s extremely light and compact.
2. If you are into portraits, for example, I’d suggest going with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G (under $500).
It’s not exactly my lens but Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G definitely is the choice of a portraitist, (or a wedding photographer). At the studio, the lens is pretty limited unless you shoot with a powerful pilot light.
Street portraits shot with this lens are beautiful. Any chromatic aberrations simply go to the background.
It’s a bit more expensive than Nikon 50mm f/1.8G but with what Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G has to offer, it definitely is a bang for your buck.
3. If you want a lens for travelling purposes, you can check out Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G (costs around $650).
Now, even though I put this lens in the “travel” section, really it can be used for a wide range of shots most of the time.
Now, why would this lens be good for travels?
First of all, it has 11x travel zoom. This means that you can shoot distant objects, and it is very important when you’re traveling around. Having bought this lens, you can forget about changing lenses on your trip.
In general, the picture of this lens does not differ much from the above lenses. I think the reason why it’s more expensive is because it’s more universal. The only thing that you might not like about this lens it’s its size, you definitely wouldn’t want to use for every day purposes.
Overall, I have a feeling that Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G will suit you best in terms of shooting purposes and price. It’s definitely a very popular lens option to buy for your Nikon D5300.
I hope I could help, Ed!
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Hello there! I’ve been wanting to have a digital camera but I can’t decide which dslr should I buy. Luckily, I read your article which is very informative and helpful.
I read that the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) Kit is the best in terms of price for beginners but during my research, I learned that Canon Rebel t6 (EOS 1300D) is also a good camera.
How does the Rebel SL1 compare to Rebel t6?
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Zarina
Hey John. We can do a quick SL1 vs Rebel T6 comparison.
1. SL1 has a higher ISO sensitivity of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600), whereas T6 has ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800).
2. T6 has built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connection and a battery that lasts longer (therefore, takes more shots). This is a pretty huge thing for some photographers.
3. On the other hand, SL1 is lighter, 1 fps faster (I am talking about continuous shooting) and has high quality recording option.
They are pretty similar overall, to be honest.
Both T6 and SL1 are great entry-level cameras and last time I checked they had a similar price tag, minus/plus $100.
Totally forgot, SL1 also has a touch-screen, which T6 doesn’t (some people prefer a touchscreen LCD for easy control of camera functions).
It just depends what qualities you appreciate more and this way you’ll be able to make your decision.
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I have the passion for mountains and I would like to capture as much experience in the mountains as possible in the form of images.
Please advise me a good semi-professional SLR camera for that purpose.
Or a combination of a camera and a lens with a tilting screen and a Wi-Fi module on which I can take high-quality pictures of the mountains and mountain landscapes.
I plan on taking the camera with me to travel around, so the weight and the number of frames on one full battery charge also play an important role. It would be nice bonus if the camera had protection against moisture and fine sand.
The lack of video shooting and GPS module is probably what I would like to save on in the first place, since these functions interest me the least.
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Zarina
You asked – we answer.
Landscape is a pretty democratic occupation in terms of photography equipment.
What I am trying to say is that absolutely any DSLR camera with an 18-135mm lens (Canon) or 18-140mm (Nikon) will suit your needs.
The tilting display contradicts the idea of protection from dust and moisture, so you need to decide what is more important for you.
And finally, it is difficult to suggest a concrete model without knowing the budget that you set out for your camera purchase, so I’ll limit myself to general recommendations.
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My girlfriend is into outdoor photography and her birthday is coming up.
I would like to get her a nice camera, but I have no clue what I am looking for.
After reading through your review I think i would like to go with the Nikon D7100 Kit.
Can you tell me if this is a good camera for shooting outdoors?
Also is this camera weather resistant? Or is there another model i should be looking at?
Thanks,
Brendon
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Zarina
Hi Brendon.
Nikon D7100 is pretty good for landscape photography.
However, if your girlfriend is an amateur photographer, then this camera might be a little harsh in a sense that it can take a while to learn the buttons and icons on the display. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it to complete beginners.
I’d say Nikon D7100 is a great camera in terms of price-quality ratio, BUT it is suitable for those who already had worked with cameras at least from a low-price range.
Also, the benefit of D7100 is that it’s weather sealing compared to its alternative, Nikon D5300 (also on the list). The disadvantage is that it is more expensive.
Nikon D5300 It is one of the best landscape cameras on the market, and you could get very professional landscape photos with the right choice of lens. The camera is also smaller in size and weight, so for some ladies with small hands, that’s a bonus.
As a wide-angle lens with D5300, you can consider Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5, which is ideal for landscape photography. If it will be too expensive, you may want to consider getting a cheaper camera body but a better lens like this.
However, if your girlfriend likes more extreme weather conditions, Nikon D5300 is NOT a good choice. For that, Nikon D7100 would suit better.
Anyway, there is a lot of factors to consider as always but I still hope I could help you out.
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For a while I had point and shoot camera but now I feel like I need to start doing photography and upgrade to a DSLR camera for beginners.
I plan to take photography classes but I have an issue with deciding which camera I need to get. I was thinking of nikon d5300 18-140 mm vr.
Will this camera and camera lens be good for learning process and for photography gigs after?
Any cameras under 1000 dollars – that’s my budget.
What do you recommend? Or should I consider Canon cameras instead?
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Zarina
Meliza, starting your photography journey with this Nikon camera and this lens will absolutely be enough.
For non-hectic commercial work in good light conditions Nikon D5300 with 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is totally enough.
If your new photography work picks up and you start making decent income with it, you can invest in a new camera that upholds the requirements of a professional photography better.
In any case, Nikon D5300 sure is one of the Nikon’s best entry-level SLRs and it is a good digital camera choice for beginner photographers. Hope it helps.
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Thanks for your help with cameras. I can’t call myself a photographer but I take a lot of photos for my graphics work.
Right now I use a canon ixus but I do a lot of editing on photoshop and I find the pictures are very pixellated. I guess my mistake was going by the megapixels.
I have been looking for a better camera to buy in 2018, and have been looking for a while now, but I always found it rather daunting with all the choices available.
Without doubt, your camera reviews/camera buying guide is great and clear.
From what I’ve learned from the article, I like the sound of the Canon Powershot SX60. It looks like it has enough features for my graphics work and the price is not as much as the others!
Also, earlier I came across one of the Nikon cameras – P610.
Do you know, by any chance, which one is better Canon SX60 or Nikon P610? If I am not mistaken, Nikon P610 has 2x faster shutter speed and lighter optics.
Thanks 🙂
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Zarina
Hi Hollie, glad to hear you found this buying guide useful!
Usually, the higher is the # of megapixels, the better is the quality of the image.
I feel you, choosing a camera can be frustrating, especially if you are a beginner photographers and there is just too many options available.
To answer your question:
I believe that the minimal shutter speed won’t highly affect anything. I don’t really think you’ll have many photo scenes for it to be used.
And since you mostly take photos for your graphics work, I think choosing Canon Powershot SX60 is a wonderful choice.
First of all, it is a compact camera. So, as being an amateur, I think you will appreciate the fact that it’s not bulky.
Secondly, it does have a lot of great features, yet won’t confuse or bore you out.
Thirdly, if you travel a lot and use travel pics for your work, then having the 35x zoom will definitely be useful as you won’t always have the chance to come closer to a particular object.
Fourth thing is that It has Auto Mode that will be easy for you to use, yet it will still produce quality images.
Last but not least! This price tag of this digital camera is under $500. It’s a great price for what you’re being offered with Canon SX60.
Hope this helps you make a smart buying decision!
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I appreciate the time you put into this article.
I am a newbie when it comes to photography and I am looking to buy my first digital camera. So yes you can call me a beginner.
I am looking for a quality digital camera so I don’t mind paying a little more.
I would like your opinion on which of these digital cameras would be best for me? I will be taking mostly pictures outside during the day with some inside.
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Zarina
Based on what you say, Chris, sounds like you’d be fine with a basic camera. (What I mean is that you don’t need specialized camera for landscape photography, for example).
Any camera from this list will suit your basic photography needs really. It’s hard to give advice to you exactly without knowing your exact price point, your preferred camera brand etc.
If you have a bigger budget you may want to check out the article on the best digital cameras for 2018 according to EISA. Just don’t choose the ones that were voted as the best “prosumer” or “professional” camera because those will be too advanced for beginners.
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Hello. I am an absolute novice when it comes to photography (I mean just getting started.) My dad did photography when he was my age and has recently passed, I would like to do this to feel closer to him, I’m wondering what you would reccomend for something under 500.
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Hi Megan,
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Sorry to hear about your loss and glad to hear you have something you can use to feel closer to your father.
In this article, I recommend D3400 as one of the cheap options, but as of now the newer model D3500 is also under $500 with the kit lens (and it’s easier to find online than the older model).
Reason why many beginners choose this entry-level DSLR is because it’s light, compact, very budget friendly. More importantly it offers a “Guide” mode, which basically teaches you what to do in what shooting scenes.
==> Here’s the link to check it out (it should direct you straight to your country’s Amazon store).
Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions!
A good list for beginners, I wonder how different the 2022 list will be, do you think that will be any DSLR’s on the list next year?
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Hi Paul, while I’ll likely add/remove/update some products, most of the gear listed will stay. The reason is because even though there’ll be newer camera models, my focus on price-quality ratio for beginners, not on the latest and greatest (and expensive). Do you have any suggestions as to what else to include in this list? 🙂
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Hi Zarina,
A very good review you have done. My teen daughter has been wanting to join her school’s photography club and was looking for an affordable camera to start with. So glad to have found your site.
With quite a bit of choice here, I am having difficulty to figure out which one to go with. What would you advise for 2023?
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Zarina
Hi Sharon,
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I will assume here that your daughter has no basic knowledge in the photography. Now, out of this selection, I’d most likely choose Nikon D3400 (click to read my review of it).
Why?
Well, the first camera should be easy to use and easy to understand (the settings and buttons and all that).
What I like about this camera is that it’s not only affordable but it also has the Guide Mode which will help your daughter on her photography journey.
Hi Zarina
This article is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I have an inexpensive camera, but I would really like to get into some more photography as a hobby. I’m really looking for something with an auto mode that I can learn the manual settings as I have time.
At the moment I am trying to choose between Nikon D5300 and Canon ESO 750D, but I got confused with lenses.
My friends said that the lens is not about what is in the kit (18-55), and that you must choose the best right away. For example, is it worth choosing 18-105? Can they do portraits and everything else (landscapes, children).
And also heard that someone was buying a portrait lens of 50 mm, which takes pictures of everything (from portraits to landscapes). How to choose the best option? I don’t want to buy a portrait lens of 50 mm, and then buy another one and change them constantly.
Thank you so much for this article and looking forward to your response!
Lizzie