If you’re looking for a beginner camera for photography, a budget DSLR is an excellent choice. Thanks to the abundance of manual settings, studying the fundamentals of aperture control, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance is better done on a DSLR camera over smartphones or point-and-shoots.
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel T7
Canon EOS Rebel t8i
Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Best Budget DSLR Camera Overall:Nikon D3500
Learning DSLR photography on theNikon D3500is straightforward. It features a handy built-in guide for newbies that gives step-by-step directions on how to achieve many photography techniques. These include how to achieve shallow depth of fields, take advantage of the ISO 100-25600 range, use the autofocus (AF) system, and shoot continuously.
It’s a basic, easy-to-use device that delivers excellent image quality. Photos exhibit good details with edge-to-edge sharpness, natural colors, and striking contrast. The 11-point AF system is a good learning base, and its 5fps continuous shooting rate allows newbies to learn how to capture fast-moving objects and candid shots.
It’s by no means a camera for serious action, but it’s efficient for the price range and targeted skill level. With a remarkable battery life rated at 1550 shots per charge, you can shoot from dusk to dawn without worry.
The Nikon D3500 is an affordable and highly recommended entry-level DSLR, perfect for students and newcomers to photography. Its user-friendly design and impressive image quality provide an excellent platform for learning and honing photography skills.
Best Budget DSLR for Beginners:Canon EOS Rebel T7
With its solid yet basic specs and features, theCanon EOS Rebel T7is one of the best cameras for beginners. It features a 24.1MP APS-C sensor that delivers pleasing picture quality, especially when the light is good. Images have balanced exposures with vibrant colors and good contrast. Noise is well controlled at up to ISO 6,400. However, you’llneed a good tripodfor nighttime shots to get the absolute best quality.
The T7 offers an entry-level nine-point autofocus and 3fps continuous shooting. It’s also compact and lightweight, making it ideal for traveling DSLR novices. While theNikon 3500offers better specs, some beginners may prefer the slightly slower learning curve and affordability of this camera.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 also offers a decent 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens with image stabilization, that’s a good entry-level start.Kit lenses can be excellent choices for beginners, but as your skills grow, you’ll want to invest in better lenses from thewide selectionthat is available.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is an excellent DSLR choice for beginners, offering affordability and user-friendly features. Its compact size and intuitive settings allow novice photographers to capture impressive photos while mastering the world of DSLR photography.
Best Budget DSLR for Outdoors:Pentax KF
If you’re heading off into the mountains and want a quality yet well-priced DSLR, you couldn’t do much better than thePentax KF. It’s a weather-resistant DSLR that can withstand cold temperatures, while its dustproofing enables a level of protection when shooting at the beach.
Thanks to its ergonomic rubber grips, it’s easy to hold when wearing gloves on frigid morning shoots. But despite the rugged design, it’s still a relatively compact DSLR. In general, the image quality is excellent. The 24.2MP APS-C sensor retains sharp details. In addition, the in-body image stabilization is effective, and noise is well-managed at higher ISOs.
The KF also features an accurate 11-point optical viewfinder autofocus system with reliable subject tracking. It also has a Hybrid AF system in live view for accurate focusing over a wider area, though it may not be as fast in low light.
The Pentax KF offers dependable technology and an articulating LCD with a clear and bright picture. It remains in the budget category and is a good choice for anyone who requires an affordable DSLR with a rugged design for outdoor photography that they can rely on.
Best Budget DSLR for Video:Canon EOS Rebel T8i
While theCanon EOS Rebel T8iis a budget DSLR, its features push it toward the midrange. It’s one of thebest DSLR camerasyou can buy in any budget category for shooting video. However, if your primary concern is making movies, you may want to consider a mirrorless or camcorder before committing to a DSLR.
The T8i, aka the Canon EOS 850D, features a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processors that deliver detailed images with accurate color. With its 45-point all-cross-type AF system and continuous shooting of 7fps, you won’t miss a shot of the action. The autofocus is swift in good light, and there’s even eye detection AF for precise tracking.
However, what really makes it stand out in this price range is its ability to shoot 4K video. you’re able to shoot at up to 24fps, and content creators get the added bonus of 16:9 support. With the vari-angle touchscreen LCD and digital image stabilization (video only), it’s an excellent pick for budget-loving vloggers.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i offers something of a rarity in a budget DSLR—4K video. With the added features of digital video stabilization and a vari-angle touchscreen LCD, it’s the ideal DSLR for vloggers or anyone who wants to shoot video on a budget.
Best Budget DSLR for Travel:Canon EOS Rebel SL3
TheCanon EOS Rebel SL3, otherwise known as the 250D, is another lightweight addition to the Canon Rebel series. It’s also one of the smallest and most compact DSLRs, and the lens-free weight of just 15.8oz makes it one of the best budget-priced DLSRs for travelers.
It supports 4K video at 25fps (with a crop), and the 24.1MP sensor delivers good image quality. The 9-point AF system is reasonably fast and accurate, allowing you to focus on subjects fairly quickly and shoot natural, candid photos. It may not be the ultimate choice for shooting rapid action sequences, but it’s fine for general travel photography.
The SL3 features an optical viewfinder, and the 9-point autofocus system works well in bright light. However, live view offers much smoother and more accurate focusing. The touchscreen is sharp and fully articulating and is ideal for travel vloggers.
With its lightweight and compact construction, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a budget-priced DSLR camera for travel. It comes complete with an 18-55mm kit lens, which features optical image stabilization. You can also shoot 4K video. It has excellent battery life and handy features if your traveling involves vlogging.
