Budget-Friendly Cameras to Consider for 2021
- 21.1MP sensor
- 1080p shooting
- 3.9fps burst shooting
- 1.87 lbs
- ISO range of 100-6400
- 3” fixed LCD screen
- Waterproof and dust resistant
- Crisp visuals, even in burst mode
- Full 1080p video capabilities
- Long battery life
- LCD screen that competes with cameras well into the 2010s
- Self-cleaning sensor
- No autofocus illuminator
- Less-than-ideal low-light shooting
- Power switch button can be difficult
- 16MP MOS sensor
- ISO range from 100-25,600
- 10fps burst shooting, or 6.5fps burst shooting with continuous AF
- 1.04M-dot 3” LCD touchscreen that tilts
- 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Dust, splash and freeze-proof
- Incredibly weather sealed
- Clear and crisp photos
- Ergonomic grip
- Accurate AF system
- Significant noise introduced at ISO 2000 and above
- Slow Wi-Fi
- AF points are too large
- 24.1MP sensor
- Mobile connectivity
- ISO range of 100 to 6400
- 6fps burst shooting for up to 100 shots
- AF system with 51 points
- 3.2” LCD screen with 1,229K dots
- Full 1080p video capabilities
- 100% frame coverage
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Incredible AF system
- Good LCD screen
- Dust and moisture proof body
- Performs well in low-light situations
- RAW shooting is lacking
- Must purchase accessories for Wi-Fi connectivity
- Noise becomes a problem at higher ISOs
photo by ARTYuSTUDIO via iStock
If you’re like me and have a family, then there’s pretty much no way to run a photography business or even have a photography hobby without searching for budget-friendly cameras.
For starters, almost all cameras now-a-days feature similar specs, and if they don’t, you can get almost any effects that you want in post-production.
While I follow all of the news on the up and coming tech, I’m really a cheap cameras aficionado at heart.
So, here are the top 3 budget-friendly cameras I’m looking at as we head into 2020.
Canon 5D Mark II
If you’re like me and have a family, then there’s pretty much no way to run a photography business or even have a photography hobby without searching for budget-friendly cameras.
For starters, almost all cameras now-a-days feature similar specs, and if they don’t, you can get almost any effects that you want in post-production.
While I follow all of the news on the up and coming tech, I’m really a cheap cameras aficionado at heart.
So, here are the top 3 budget-friendly cameras I’m looking at as we head into 2020.
The Canon 5D Mark II is a phenomenal full-frame camera that is not for beginners. This budget full frame camera dropped back in 2008, but it still features a 21.1MP CMOS sensor, full HD 1080p video, and 3.9fps burst shooting.
If any of these budget-friendly cameras prove my point that technology in professional cameras is no longer evolving so quickly that you need a new one every year, it’s the Canon 5D Mark II.
Other Canon 5D Mark II specs include:
JordanPhotoAudio does a great job of explaining the many benefits this camera still has over a decade later. So, check it out.
Pros of the Canon:
Cons of the Canon:
You can buy the Canon 5D Mark II on Amazon for $1,300, or get it for almost one-third of the cost by buying used. MPB features the Canon 5D Mark II starting at $539.
Olympus OM-D EM-1
On top of my budget-friendly cameras list is this micro four thirds Olympus. It features a 16.3MP Live MOS sensor, 2.36m dot electronic viewfinder, and is very cheap used.
This Olympus dropped back in 2013, and held the highest camera sensor rating of any Olympus cameras for the next year.
Olympus OM-D EM-1 specs:
Pros of the Olympus:
Cons of the Olympus:
You can purchase the Olympus OM-D EM-1 on Amazon for $850 right now, or head over to MPB to take a look at their used selection where you can find this camera for $339.
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Nikon D7100
In an effort to keep this budget-friendly cameras list diverse, I chose the Nikon D7100 as the final camera. This mid-range APS-C camera came out in 2013, just like the Olympus, but features very different strong points.
For example, The Nikon D7100 features a 24.1MP DX-format sensor, shoots incredibly well in low-light, and has one of the best AF systems of any camera from the early 2010s.
Other Nikon D7100 Specs include:
Pros of the Nikon:
Cons of the Nikon:
You can purchase the Nikon D7100 on Amazon for $900. If you’re looking for a better bargain, though, MPB features the same camera starting at $364.
Where Can I Buy Cheap Cameras in 2020?
While I think these three cameras are the most budget-friendly cameras you can purchase new going into the new year, they’re also the best cheap used cameras you can buy.
These cameras are all older, so you probably won’t find any of them in excellent condition, but if you’re looking to upgrade for half the price and are willing to purchase used, MPB has a wide variety of these cameras for you.
And, if you’re looking for newer used cameras, MPB has those as well. Some of which are in near-mint condition. You just need to browse around.
I trust MPB because of their grading system, which tells me exactly what condition my new-to-me camera is in. They also have one of the biggest selections of any used camera store online, which is helpful for me because I don’t have many physical camera stores nearby.
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