Need a Camera on a Budget? Try One of These Under-$200 DSLRs
- National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography
- Photography: The Definitive Visual History
- Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs
- 24.2MP CMOS sensor
- 1080p video capabilities
- ISO range of 100-6,400
- 4fps burst mode
- 3” LCD with 921k dots
- 95% viewfinder coverage
- 1 lb
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 18MP sensor
- Full 1080p HD video
- 9-point AF system
- ISO range of 1-6,400
- 3.7fps burst mode
- 3” LCD with 1.04-dots
- 95% viewfinder coverage
- 16.75 oz
- 16MP sensor
- Full 1080p HD video
- 7fps burst mode
- 100% viewfinder coverage
- ISO range of 100-12,800
- 3” LCD with 921k-dots
- 1.47 lbs
Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash
The best part about shopping on a budget is finding diamonds in the rough, which is exactly what all of these cheap DSLRs are.
While each of the budget-friendly DSLRs on this list are older, you can still find many of them in like-new condition, just with used prices.
Every camera on this list can be found for under $200, and some of them are closer to $100, which may just be the perfect gift for photographers for Valentine’s Day. The Nikon D3200 camera is our most favourite because it has got all round features that we need in a DSLR camera.
Look no further for a great camera on a budget than these excellent options!
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Nikon D3200
The Nikon D3200 dropped in April of 2012, making it nearly a decade old. However, if you’re looking for a cheap entry-level DSLR, it probably features enough modern technology for you.
As a bonus, the Nikon D3200 is frequently used in photojournalism courses to this day because of how simple it is to use.
This under $200 DSLR shoots Full HD videos, weighs just over 1 lb, and has an incredibly easy to use interface.
Plus, the LCD resolution is not much worse than other, much newer DSLRs I’ve written about before.
Nikon D3200 Specs:
Since the Nikon D3200 is too old to purchase new, you can buy one used on MPB starting at $150.
Canon T2i
The Canon Rebel T2i, which dropped in 2010, is extremely similar to the Nikon D3200, right down to its build.
The Canon T2i features full HD video, like the D3200, the exact same ISO range (which isn’t excellent, but there are ways around poor low-light shooting capabilities, and they both weigh just over 1 lb.
The Canon T2i doesn’t feature built-in Wi-Fi, unfortunately. But, it is otherwise an excellent camera on a budget.
Canon T2i Specs:
You can purchase a used Canon T2i from MPB starting at $105.
Pentax K-5
The Pentax K-5, which also dropped in 2010, is my favorite camera on a budget on this list, although I’ve always been partial to Pentax.
It features 100% viewfinder coverage, which neither of the other cameras on this list do, and it has a larger ISO range, which normally doesn’t affect a camera’s performance so much considering modern cameras have incredible ISO ranges, but when it’s the difference between 6,400 and 12,800, it matters.
The Pentax K-5 also features a faster burst mode.
But, if you’re looking for an under $200 DSLR that is compact, this camera might not be your best bet since it’s noticeably heavier than the other cameras under $200 on this list.
Pentax K-5 Specs:
You can purchase a Pentax K-5 off of MPB starting at $155.
