Best dslr cameras cheap: The best budget DSLRs in 2023

Nikon D5600 review | TechRadar

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

TechRadar Verdict

Despite its ages, the D5600 is still a very capable advanced entry-level DSLR. This is a camera which is very much a sum of its parts rather than having one single standout feature. There’s a high-resolution 24.2MP sensor which produces very detailed images, an articulating touchscreen, a decent 39-point AF system and polished handling are some of the highlights that make the D5600 one of the most well-rounded entry-level DSLRs available.

Nikon D5600 deals

576 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

$839.95

View

$849.95

View

$1,224.95

View

Show More Deals

powered by

Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Nikon’s entry-level DSLRs can be split into two groups: the D3xxx series, epitomised by the excellent D3500, offering a very affordable way into DSLR photography; and the D5xxx range of DSLRs designed for those looking for a few more features and greater creative control. 

The D5600 is the most recent camera in this latter series, but it’s far from new, being introduced to the market in 2016. Still, if you don’t crave the latest technology, but instead are happy with a bit of a bargain, you can pick it up for a very reasonable price. It replaced the Nikon D5500, but that’s pretty hard to track down now.

The D5600 was a bit of a modest upgrade compared to its predecessor, with the big news at the time being the inclusion of Nikon’s SnapBridge technology, facilitating easy and automatic transfer of images directly from the camera to your smart device. 

With a range of beginner-friendly features, and excellent image quality, we think the Nikon D5600 is one of the best DSLR cameras you can buy, as well as one of the best cheap cameras currently available.

• Nikon D5600 (Black) at Amazon for $1,224.95

• Excellent APS-C CMOS sensor with a 24.2MP resolution
• Nice and large 3.2-inch, vari-angle touchscreen
• Only 1080p video capture

Nikon D5600 specs

Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS

Lens mount: Nikon F-mount

Screen: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,037,000 dots

Burst shooting: 5fps

Autofocus: 39-point AF

Video: Full HD 1080p

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth

Battery life: 820 shots

Weight: 465g

As far as features go, the specs for the D5600 are pretty much identical to those of the D5500. Resolution remains the same at a decent 24.2MP, with the APS-C-sized CMOS sensor again shunning an optical low pass filter in the quest to pull out even more detail from the data recorded.  

The D5600 also uses the same EXPEED 4 image processor, with a native sensitivity range running from ISO100 to 25,600 meaning it should be quite comfortable shooting in a range of lighting conditions.

The optical viewfinder provides coverage of 95% of the frame (pretty standard on a entry-level DSLR), so for some key shots you may want to double-check the composition on the rear display to ensure that nothing unwanted has crept into the extreme edges of the frame. 

Speaking of the display, there’s the same 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen display with a 1,037,000-dot resolution, although its operation has been improved. It now offers the frame-advance bar we’ve seen on both the D5 and D500 to speed up toggling through images, as well as a crop function for use during playback.

As far as features go, the specs for the D5600 are pretty much identical to those of the D5500

Another addition to the D5600 over the D5500 is Nikon’s timelapse movie function, as featured on models higher up the Nikon range. This allows for timelapse movies to be captured and put together entirely in-camera, with an exposure smoothing function helping to even-out variations in lighting as your sequence is captured.

While 4K video is pretty much a standard specification in 2021, when the D5600 was introduced it was often reserved for more premium offerings. As such, you won’t find it here, with Nikon sticking to 1080p capture. You get a choice of 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p frame rates so unless you’re a hardened film-maker, there’s probably plenty here to be going on with. You can even use a dedicated microphone if you wish, with a dedicated 2.5mm port on the side of the camera.

Image 1 of 3

As we’ve touched on, the most pronounced difference between the D5500 and D5600 is the inclusion of Nikon’s SnapBridge connectivity. While the D5500 featured Wi-Fi and NFC for image transfer, SnapBridge creates a constant connection between the camera and your smart device, once you’ve downloaded the free SnapBridge app and the initial setup’s been completed.

Using a low-energy Bluetooth connection, batches of images – or rather 2MP JPEG versions to be precise – can be automatically transferred from the D5600 to your device, or you can select individual images to transfer at full size, though again this is JPEG-only.

To make the most of the camera’s 24MP sensor, you’ll want to think about investing in extra lenses down the line

SnapBridge can also be used to transfer movies wirelessly, and for the remote capture of still images – in these cases Wi-Fi is used rather than Bluetooth.

The D5600 can be purchased body-only, but will more than likely be bought with the bundled AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens (there’s a non-VR version as well, but for a few dollars or pounds more it’s definitely worth the extra outlay for a lens with anti-shake technology).

The lens is nice and compact, as well as offering Nikon’s new silent AF and up to four stops of image stabilisation. It’s more than up to the job of getting you started, and fine for general photography, although to make the most of the camera’s 24MP sensor, you’ll want to think about investing in extra lenses down the line.  

• Best Nikon lenses: 20 top lenses for Nikon DSLRs

Nikon D5600: Price Comparison

576 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

$839.95

View

$849.95

View

$859.10

View

$869.95

View

$1,224.95

View

Show More Deals

powered by

• 1

Current page:
Introduction and key features

Next Page Build, handling and AF

Phil Hall is an experienced writer and editor having worked on some of the largest photography magazines in the UK, and now edit the photography channel of TechRadar, the UK’s biggest tech website and one of the largest in the world. He has also worked on numerous commercial projects, including working with manufacturers like Nikon and Fujifilm on bespoke printed and online camera guides, as well as writing technique blogs and copy for the John Lewis Technology guide.

The Best DSLR for Beginners in 2023

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

1. Electronics
2. Cameras

Photo: Rozette Rago

FYI

Manufacturers have not said that they aren’t developing DSLRs anymore, but if you’re buying a camera for the first time, you should most likely opt for a mirrorless camera.

June 2022

If you have a set of Canon or Nikon DSLR lenses or know that you prefer an optical viewfinder and don’t want to spend big on a camera, a beginner DSLR could be just the ticket. The Nikon D3500 is our pick for the best DSLR camera for novice photographers because it offers outstanding image quality for its price and a truly useful Guide Mode that helps you learn along the way. It boasts excellent battery life, easy smartphone connectivity, 1080/60p video with silent autofocus, and intuitive controls in a highly portable and lightweight body.

As we explain here, if you don’t already have some DSLR lenses and don’t dislike electronic viewfinders, or plan to frame your photos on a screen the same way you do with your phone, you should look for a mirrorless camera.

Our pick

Nikon D3500

This lightweight, easy-to-use camera offers both great image quality and battery life.

The Nikon D3500’s 24-megapixel sensor can create images with pleasing colors, and its Guide Mode has insightful explanations of camera modes and operations. Its battery lasts far longer than that of most competitors, and it is lightweight for a camera in this category and portable enough to carry anywhere. Connecting the D3500 to your smartphone is easy, which allows you to share what you capture quickly. It shoots 1080/60p video too.

Advertisement

Upgrade pick

If you’re more into video than stills, or if you prefer composing your shot on a swiveling touchscreen, the Canon Rebel SL3 may be a better, if slightly more expensive, choice for you. The SL3 can shoot 4K video, and its intuitive touchscreen is ideal for beginners, especially if you’re used to working with a smartphone.

Everything we recommend

Our pick

Nikon D3500

This lightweight, easy-to-use camera offers both great image quality and battery life.

Upgrade pick

The research

• Why you should trust us
• Who this is for
• Why not just buy a mirrorless camera?
• How we picked
• How we tested
• Our pick: Nikon D3500
• Flaws but not dealbreakers
• Upgrade pick: Canon Rebel SL3
• The competition

Why you should trust us

I’m a photojournalist, a writer, and a professional photographer, and I have a wide range of experience researching, testing, and writing about photography trends, techniques, and tools—including in my role as mobile-imaging editor at DPReview. I also teach photography to students of all ages, and I have firsthand knowledge of the most common points of confusion for fledgling photographers. I’ve written a few iterations of this guide over the past five years and have hands-on experience with all the top contenders in this category,

Who this is for

If you’re frustrated with the limitations of capturing photos or videos with your smartphone and are interested in learning the ins and outs of how a camera’s settings can affect resulting images, you should consider getting either a beginner-level DSLR or a mirrorless camera.

DSLRs have much larger imaging sensors than budget point-and-shoots and smartphones (which means better performance with less light and the ability to capture a wider range of lights and darks in a single image), more manual controls (to let you fine-tune how your photos will look), and the versatility of interchangeable lenses for different subjects (which provides more options for capturing the perspective you want). They also let you use high-power flashes so you can control your lighting conditions, and most DSLRs today can even record impressive HD video footage—better than your old camcorder—with external microphones for a soundtrack that matches your images. DSLRs even give you more options after you’re done shooting, since they can record what is known as a raw image, a larger type of file that stores more data than a JPEG, which you can edit with Photoshop, Lightroom, or other image-editing software to get the best result possible.

Great budget DSLRs—like our top pick in this guide—can even teach you to be a better photographer, walking you through the process of shooting in various modes by providing helpful hints and guides embedded in their control menus.

Why not just buy a mirrorless camera?

That’s a very, very good question. Choosing between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR might be tough, as they provide very different sets of strengths and weaknesses—and they both take excellent photos. But when deciding you should know that mirrorless cameras are the future and camera makers are putting their resources into developing them rather than trying to make significant advances with DSLRs.

Generally speaking, a mirrorless camera will be significantly smaller and lighter than a DSLR, but with equivalent image quality. Mirrorless cameras tend to have more modern feature sets that include touchscreens, Wi-Fi integration, and focus assistance when shooting video, and they generally run on the more affordable side. But they tend to have a battery that lasts hundreds of fewer shots. Their small size means shooting for long periods, which can potentially be uncomfortable for your hands; you have fewer lenses to choose from; and you’re limited to electronic viewfinders (some people prefer optical ones), if you even get a viewfinder at all. If you came of age using digital cameras and you’re accustomed to holding your camera out from your body and looking at the screen, rather than up against your eye, you might not miss a viewfinder. And a portable, light camera that you’re likely to take with you everywhere could be a better match than a bulkier DSLR, which you might end up just leaving on a shelf. Honestly, for a beginner, a smaller, lighter mirrorless camera makes a lot of sense over a DSLR.

However, if you have some past experience with Canon or Nikon systems, or some DSLR lenses at your disposal, it might make sense to continue down that path rather than learning a new camera language altogether or building your lens library from the ground up. Or maybe you prefer a more sizable camera in hand.

If you’re interested in what your options are, have a look at “What Camera Should I Buy?” for advice.

How we picked

Photo: Rozette Rago

We spent hours researching DSLRs that had been identified as top budget picks by the top photography sites in the world—DxOMark, DPReview, Photography Blog, CNET, and more. We also pored over customer reviews on Amazon, B&H, Adorama, and other top retailers, and we drew on our own years of experience with trends in photography.

An entry-level DSLR has to be able to do a lot these days. Here are some of the things we looked for:

• Excellent image quality: Images should be sharp and clear (even when shot in low light), have accurate-looking colors, and have a wide dynamic range (so that you can see detail across your image, in both the darkest shadows and brightest highlights).
• Easy to use: Even someone who has never tried a complex camera before should be able to quickly learn how to handle it. The best beginner DSLRs have some explanation of camera shooting modes and other features built in so that you can learn as you explore the menus and modes.
• Manual controls: You’ll probably start out using your DSLR like a point-and-shoot in fully automatic mode, but the camera should have manual controls so you can step up to using them as you improve your skills.
• Smartphone connectivity: You should be able to connect your camera and your smartphone so you can transfer images off the camera and share them with friends online quickly.
• Long battery life: Most beginner-level DSLRs don’t have the best battery life, so you’ll end up having to carry an extra battery or two. We favored cameras that can last longer than 1,000 shots between charges.
• Portable: If a camera is too large or too heavy, you won’t be inclined to take it with you. We looked to keep the camera size smaller than 5 inches wide and the weight to about a pound.

How we tested

For our latest update, I compared the Nikon D3500 directly against the Canon Rebel SL3, our two top contenders from our current research combined with past hands-on testing. I also compared images and video from our previous upgrade pick, Canon’s EOS T7i, with our results from this round of testing.

I did a lot of comparison shooting with each camera in everyday situations in Seattle and while visiting Sun Valley, Idaho, focusing mostly on our two puppies thanks to social-distancing measures. I observed each camera’s user interface, autofocus, special features, overall handling, menu layouts, and battery life. I connected each camera to my smartphone to see how quickly you could start to share images.

Our pick: Nikon D3500

Photo: Rozette Rago

Our pick

Nikon D3500

This lightweight, easy-to-use camera offers both great image quality and battery life.

If you’re ready to advance your camera skills and purchase your first DSLR camera, the Nikon D3500 is the best option for a beginner. Its best-in-class 24-megapixel sensor can capture sharp images with high dynamic range, meaning both bright and dark areas will show details, and it excels in low-light situations. It’s particularly easy to use, has a Guide Mode to help you learn, plus manual controls that you can grow into, and connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth. Small and light enough to carry all day, it also has a battery that can last through long shoots.

The Nikon D3500 comes with a Guide Mode that explains how certain settings work and when to use them. Photo: Rozette Rago

The Guide Mode cleverly coaches beginners to choose their shooting situation while offering instructions about how the camera will perform in each scenario. The easy operation mode offers simple explanations for when to use settings such as Night Portrait and Moving Subjects. If you select the advanced Guide Mode operation, you’ll have more control in a setting like Soften background, which prompts you to select your f-stop in aperture priority mode. As your photography skills grow, you can take off these training wheels to explore full manual controls and start shooting in raw.

You can easily use Nikon’s SnapBridge app to connect the camera to your phone and harness the camera’s Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity to continuously keep the images you shoot downloading to your phone, as long as they are smaller than full-resolution raw files. Once this option was set up, images seamlessly downloaded to my iPhone each time I turned on the camera. You can also use the app to control the camera remotely. Most other cameras will let you control the camera wirelessly but don’t send all the images you shoot to your phone. Instead you have to select which images you want to transfer after they’re shot.

The D3500 has truly impressive battery life—1,550 images per charge—a whopping 350-image increase over its predecessor and a previous top pick in this category, the D3400. That should easily equate to days of shooting before the battery needs to be recharged.

The camera’s lightweight and compact size is critical for a new user who might be graduating from a pocketable smartphone to their first interchangeable-lens DSLR. If a camera feels burdensome, it’s difficult to develop the habit of always bringing it with you. Here, the D3500 shines by weighing only 615 grams with the kit lens—or about as much as your grande latte. It’s one of the lightest DSLRs you can find.

Small and lightweight, the Nikon D3500 can be easily slipped into a bag or worn around your neck all day. Photo: Rozette Rago

The D3500 comes with Nikon’s collapsible AF-P 18–55mm Nikkor lens, which helps keep the camera’s size down when not in use. It uses a stepping motor to achieve speedy, ultraquiet focusing—something particularly useful in video mode. The D3500 can smoothly shoot full HD video at 1080/60p, and a half press of the shutter button while filming helps to keep your subject in focus.The kit lens is basically the same as you’ll get with any DSLR of this level, but when it comes to continuous focusing during video capture, Canon’s Dual-Pixel AF doesn’t require a half button press to maintain focus.

The Nikon D3500 accurately captures highlights and shadows, and a shallow depth of field even with the kit lens. Photo: Erin Lodi

The Nikon D3500 offers a Sports mode that makes it easy to freeze motion, like a dog shaking off after a swim. Photo: Erin Lodi

Weighing about as much as your large latte, the Nikon D3500 is convenient to bring along so you’re always ready to take a quick picture at brunch or anywhere else. Photo: Erin Lodi

The Nikon D3500 accurately captures highlights and shadows, and a shallow depth of field even with the kit lens. Photo: Erin Lodi

The D3500 boasts a burst rate of 5 frames per second, which should be sufficient for most basic fast-action photography and is as fast as you can expect from any camera in this category.

The D3500 offers an 11-point autofocus system, which should do a slightly better job at keeping your subjects in focus when shooting through the viewfinder than the Canon Rebel SL3’s 9-point system. In our hands-on testing we did not observe any noticeable difference.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We couldn’t stop trying to tap the D3500’s fixed LCD screen. Most of the competition has either slightly higher-resolution LCDs (1,044,000 dots to the 921,000 on the D3400), hinged screens, or touchscreens (or some combination of the above). For the price and image quality, we still settled on the D3500 as our top choice, but if you’ll mostly be shooting video or in live-view mode, or if retraining your brain not to tap a glowing digital screen feels insurmountable, you might want to take a look at the Canon SL3.

While the D3500 can capture high-quality 1080/60p video, this camera is not designed with the videographer in mind. Although the non-rotating, non-touchscreen display is likely the greater hindrance to filming, the D3500 also neglects a microphone jack.

The Nikon D3500 is paired with a collapsible 18–55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, which allows for keeping the camera compact when not in use but also requires you to push a button on the lens to rotate the lens before using it. A helpful on-screen prompt will remind you of this each time you turn on the camera if the lens isn’t already extended. (You can opt to leave the lens extended, but then you also lose that bit of compactness.) This is a bit annoying but also a habit you’d likely form quickly and is easily remedied by upgrading to better lenses in the future, which is, after all, the point of a camera with interchangeable lenses. We offer a beginner’s guide to “The First Nikon Lenses You Should Buy”.

If you do start to experiment with new lenses on the Nikon D3500, beware: This camera offers no automatic sensor cleaning. This common mechanism can help remove dust that makes its way to the sensor when switching lenses, which will display as dark spots on your image. Owners of the D3500 will need to be ultracautious about when and how they swap lenses to avoid any sensor dust.

Upgrade pick: Canon Rebel SL3

Photo: Rozette Rago

Upgrade pick

If you’re more interested in video than stills, or if you prefer a rotating touchscreen—which can be especially useful when shooting video and when focusing on fast-moving children and pets—the Canon Rebel SL3 is a better, though slightly more expensive, option.

Though the SL3 only offers a 9-point autofocus system when shooting with the viewfinder, in Live View you can select from 3,975 focus points on its very responsive touchscreen. Live View also uses Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus technology to keep moving subjects in focus when shooting stills or video: just tap to select your subject and the camera keeps focus locked as the subject moves, or even as you move the camera. The fully rotating touchscreen makes shooting from any angle easy—including selfies or videos starring you—and the SL3 can shoot up to 4K video while our main pick tops out at 1080/60p video.

The very responsive, fully rotating touchscreen on the Canon Rebel SL3 makes shooting video, or quick-moving subjects, easier. Video: Rozette Rago

Connectivity is simple via Canon’s Camera Connect app, which offers step-by-step instructions. It took only a few seconds to start downloading images to my iPhone, even raw files. You can also shoot remotely using the app. Unlike our main pick, you can’t have the camera send all of your images to your phone as they’re captured.

When shooting in Live View, the Canon Rebel SL3 can lock focus and keep tracking as the subject moves or even as you move the camera. Photo: Rozette Rago

The Canon Rebel SL3 menus offer plenty of explanations and definitions aimed at new shooters. Photo: Rozette Rago

When shooting in Live View, the Canon Rebel SL3 can lock focus and keep tracking as the subject moves or even as you move the camera. Photo: Rozette Rago

The standard kit lens paired with the SL3 is the EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM, a typical inexpensive zoom lens for everyday shooting. This lens should serve you well for shooting in bright conditions and is so quiet that it won’t interfere with sound when you’re shooting video, but as you grow in your photography knowledge and interest, you’ll likely want to invest in a better lens. (See our guide to “The First Canon Lenses You Should Buy.”) Though EF-S lenses aren’t as capable as their counterparts designed for full-frame DSLRs, they are considerably less expensive and lighter. Together, the SL3 and its kit lens weigh just slightly more than the Nikon D3500, but the combo is portable enough that you can easily wear it on your body all day, or stuff it into a purse or backpack easily.

Even the kit lens with the Canon Rebel SL3 can create beautiful-looking out-of-focus backgrounds. Photo: Erin Lodi

The Nikon D3500 offers a Sports mode that makes it easy to freeze motion, like a dog shaking off after a swim. Photo: Erin Lodi

Though slightly heavier than our top pick, the Canon Rebel SL3 is still small and portable enough to take along to brunch. Photo: Erin Lodi

Even the kit lens with the Canon Rebel SL3 can create beautiful-looking out-of-focus backgrounds. Photo: Erin Lodi

Though the SL3’s battery life of 1,070 shots per charge (about 500 less than the D3500) should carry you through days of shooting stills through the viewfinder, shooting video and in Live View will quickly deplete your battery. We always recommend carrying a spare battery in your camera bag.

The competition

Our previous upgrade pick, Canon’s EOS Rebel T7i, hasn’t dropped much in price, and though it offers a more effective Dual Pixel autofocus system, we think the SL3 offers a better value in this category. The Canon Rebel SL3 also has significantly better battery life at 1,070 images per charge versus 600 from the T7i, and it’s smaller and lighter, making it all the more portable.

Canon’s Rebel SL2 is the Nikon D3500 camera’s closest competitor in scale, but it still outweighs our pick when paired with a comparable kit lens. Its Feature Assistant suggestions can’t compete with the dedicated Guide Mode instructions the D3500 provides, giving our top pick an advantage in both portability and accessibility. The Canon’s outdated nine-point autofocusing system may also hinder your ability to find focus quickly when shooting through the viewfinder. For a better beginner experience (at a better price), the Nikon D3500 beats out the SL2.

We also considered older Canon models, such as the EOS Rebel T6i and T5i, as well as the SL2, but the newer features and handling of the SL3 pushed it to the top of our list.

Nikon’s D5600 offers a few more features than our top pick, like a fully rotating, higher-resolution LCD screen and a much better 39-point autofocus system, but it can’t compare with the value of the D3500 or the 4K video capabilities of the lower cost Canon Rebel SL3.

We considered but did not test Pentax’s K-70. Its control system is geared toward more-advanced shooters, and in DPReview’s test of the camera Samuel Spencer notes that the AF system—especially during continuous AF and tracking AF—is disappointing. Also, at 1½ pound, it’s on the heavy side, and its battery life of 410 shots per charge is lackluster.

Meet your guide

Erin Roberts

Erin Roberts is a freelance writer reporting on cameras and camera accessories at Wirecutter. She started her career as a photojournalist working in newspapers—shooting film—and was the mobile-imaging editor at DPReview. She is also a professional photographer who has made her living photographing everything from rock stars to humpback whales.

Further reading

• Tools for Improving Your Vacation Photos

  by Signe Brewster

  Our photo and travel teams have spent thousands of hours testing the must-haves and the nice-but-not-necessities for documenting your next adventure.

• What Camera Should I Buy?

  by Amadou Diallo

  Need a camera, but not sure which one will best suit your needs? Our retooled What Camera Should I Buy guide will help answer your specific questions.

• The First Canon Lenses You Should Buy

  by Erin Roberts

  If you want to shoot in lower light, with a wider viewpoint, or closer, you’ll need to invest in new lenses. These are our recommendations.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).

• About Wirecutter
• Our team
• Staff demographics
• Jobs at Wirecutter
• Contact us
• How to pitch

• Deals
• Lists
• Blog
• Newsletters
• Make a Plan: Moving

Dismiss

Nikon cameras, budget and SLR

Nikon is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and imaging devices. It was founded in 1917. Engaged in the production of optics for the Japanese Navy. After the Second World War, they retrained for the production of products for the population. In 1946, the first Nikon camera was released. Since then, the company has been improving its technology and producing new cameras.

Since 2006, the company has practically ceased the production of film cameras, and concentrated on the production of digital cameras. In addition, Nikon manufactures photographic accessories, binoculars, scanners and microscopes. Camera lenses are produced under the Nikkor trademark.

Nikon is one of the most successful companies in the camera market. Their main competitors are Canon and Sony.

Nikon’s range of cameras is quite wide. For lovers of the classics, an improved diaper reflex camera F6 is currently being produced.

Digital cameras are divided into three main categories: SLR, COOLPIX series and Nikon 1 series.

SLR cameras are divided into two types: amateur and professional. SLR cameras have a unique system that allows you to see the subject through the lens used to take the picture. Among professional models, the D700 model is very popular, as well as the new D4.

Consumer SLR cameras are now on the crest of a wave of popularity. In the top sales of online stores there are such models as D7000, D3100, D5100 and of course D90. Amateur cameras differ from professional ones in that they are more compact and somewhat limited in their capabilities.

The COOLPIX series are conventional compact zoom cameras. In turn, this series is divided into three groups. Group S (Style), are compact, modern and colorful design and low cost. Popular model S2600.

Group L (Life) are practical zoom cameras. The model line includes both superzooms and cameras with a wide-angle lens. In group L, the L25 is popular.

The P (Performance) group is designed specifically for those who want a versatile camera that keeps up with the times at an affordable price. These are hybrid cameras that look like SLR cameras. One of the most popular models is the P510.

Nikon also manufactures a specialized camera for people leading an active lifestyle COOLPIX AW100. The model is waterproof, frost-resistant and durable, equipped with a built-in compass and GPS with a world map.

The Nikon 1 series are compact cameras with an interchangeable lens. So far, only three models are presented: J1, J2, V1. Differ in an intellectual choice of a picture, a mode of instant shooting. Captures up to 60 frames per second.

Nikon continues to look for new camera technologies. The main trends in the development of the company are the improvement of optics and cameras.

Best Inexpensive Camera

Both DSLRs and mirrorless compacts can claim to be the best camera in the $800 price range. Our short review will introduce you to several camera models that offer the best value for money.

Consumers often face the question: what camera to buy if the budget allocated for its purchase is small? The final choice depends on the specific features or functions of a particular camera, and both DSLR and mirrorless compact cameras can compete for your attention. The reason for this is the fact that both types of cameras often offer extensive functionality, impressive performance and high image quality. In addition, both are quite diverse in terms of their physical size, although mirrorless compacts are usually much more compact than DSLRs. We’ve selected seven different models in our hunt for the best camera under $800. Perhaps among them is your future camera.

Contents

• 1 Best inexpensive camera: Nikon D3300
• 2 Best inexpensive camera: Canon 100D
• 3 Best inexpensive camera: Pentax K-50
• 4 Best inexpensive camera: Canon 1200D
• 5 Best Inexpensive Camera: Sony NEX-5T
• 6 Best Inexpensive Camera: Panasonic Lumix G6
• 7 Best Inexpensive Camera: Fujifilm X-M1

Best Inexpensive Camera: Nikon D3300

Best in Image Resolution .

Price from $799 for bodysuit.

Released earlier this year, the D3300 is the successor to the D3200 as the entry-level model in Nikon’s line of DSLRs. It retains its predecessor’s 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, but removes the low-level anti-aliasing filter to improve image clarity. HD video recording has also been improved to 60fps at 1080p (up from 30fps on the D3200). Other important improvements include new HDR and panorama auto shooting modes, as well as a fire rate increased to 5 frames per second. Nikon’s new camera model has retained a handy User’s Guide mode that helps you become familiar with basic manual and semi-automatic shooting modes by displaying tips and tricks on the display.

More about Nikon D3300

Best value camera: Canon 100D

Best for mobility.

Price: from $770 with 18-55mm lens.

released in the summer of 2013, a miniature 100D is equipped with an 18-mega-pixel CMOS APS-C sensor and an updated Canon Digic 5 image processor. However, the main marketing skate of this camera is that this is the smallest mirror from all offered by the market, making it the best choice for users with small hands. However, this does not mean that this camera has reduced functionality or underestimated performance. Canon100D equipped with 9-point autofocus system, support for recording Full HD video at 1080p resolution, and several in-camera filters. The good news is that the 100D is now available for $300-$350 off its launch price.

Best value camera: Pentax K-50

Best value camera.

Price: from $780 with 18-55mm lens.

Released in 2013, the Pentax K-50 is equipped with a 16.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and its own Pentax PRIMEM image processor. This combination allows the K-50 to offer the user a very impressive sensitivity range: from ISO 100 to 51,000, coupled with a 6 frames per second rate of fire. All this is crowned by an 11-point autofocus system, a 3-inch LCD display. But what really elevates the K-50 above the competition is the 81-point all-weather sealing of the body, which allows the camera to be used in all weather conditions! Overall, this is one of the best entry-level DSLRs in this price range.

Best inexpensive camera: Canon 1200D

Best for beginners.

Price: $720 with 18-55mm lens.

While Canon’s previous EOS 1100D was a reasonably good camera, the market has come a long way since its release in 2011. The recent release of the 1200D allows Canon to close this gap by improving the previous model in a number of key areas. The main upgrades are a new 18-megapixel sensor that captures more detail, a sharper LCD, and 1080p Full HD video recording. In addition, the surface of the 1200D case is made of a textured coating, which gives it a very pleasant tactile sensation.

Learn more about the Canon EOS 1200D

Best Inexpensive Camera: Sony NEX-5T

Best in size and performance.

Price: $720 with 16-50mm lens.

The Sony NEX-5T is the successor to Sony’s most successful 2012 mirrorless compact camera line-up: the NEX-5R. Based on the same 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor as its predecessor, the NEX-5T is no different. The main innovation used in this camera is the NFC connectivity, which can be used to share files with other devices instead of Wi-Fi, provided that the devices support NFC. In addition, the NEX-5T retains a beautiful 3-inch LCD display, 99-point “hybrid” autofocus using phase sensors built into the sensor for faster autofocus performance. In addition to this, you will get the ability to record FullHD video, as well as automatic HDR and Panorama modes.

Best value camera: Panasonic Lumix G6

Best for ease of use.

Price: $780 with 14-42mm lens.

The Lumix G6 is the successor to the hugely popular 2012 camera, the G5, and while there are few new features added to the new model, it’s a fantastically all-round camera. In fact, the G6 uses the same 16-megapixel LiveMOS sensor as its predecessor, paired with a Panasonic Venus image processor. This allows the camera to shoot from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with continuous shooting up to 7 frames per second. The camera is equipped with a rotary 3-inch LCD touch screen. And the ability to transfer files via Wi-Fi and NFC allows the G6 to claim the title of the best camera in the $800 price range.

Best value camera: Fujifilm X-M1

Best in portability and performance.

Price: $700 with 16-50mm lens.

Fujifilm’s premium “X” series has received a lot of positive feedback lately for its light blend of retro design and cutting-edge technology. The X-M1 continues this trend while also targeting a wider consumer audience thanks to its lower price point than other X-series cameras. The X-M1 features an innovative 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans sensor and Fuji’s proprietary EXPEED2 image processor. The X-M1 offers a sensitivity range from ISO 100 to 25600 and a maximum burst speed of up to 5.6 fps. In addition: 3-inch LCD display, built-in Wi-Fi module, support for Full HD video recording and 49-point autofocus system.

More useful information and news in our Telegram channel “Lessons and Secrets of Photography”. Subscribe! Follow us on Yandex.