What is the Best Used Digital Camera Under $100?
- Why I Want a Digital Camera Under $100
- Nikon D300 Camera Under $100
- Canon EOS 50D Camera Under $100
- Pentax K10D Camera Under $100
- Sony Alpha A700 Camera Under $100
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Camera Under $100
- You Need a Lens, Too!
- What Is Shutter Count (And Other Important used Camera Questions)
- 4 things to Look For when Buying a Used Camera Lens
- What Is a Prime Lens?
I had a fun project in mind that I thought some of you might really enjoy. I wanted to find a good, usable digital camera under $100. Can it be done? Spoiler alert: Yes!
How you find a nice camera for such a low price is to look at used cameras. I found multiple examples of a high-quality used camera under $100 at my favorite online platform for pre-owned photography gear, MPB.
I like MPB because they have a great quality control system, stand behind their stuff with a 6-month warranty, and let me trade in or sell my unneeded stuff to them. Their quality control begins before they take in a camera, inspecting each item prior to making an offer.
If they decide to accept any camera, lens, or accessory, it gets listed as the exact condition it is, including shutter count on cameras. There are also pics on the site of the actual item being listed.
Here is a video from the MPB YouTube channel explaining their condition ratings:
Now we can talk about some of the specific items I found as a digital camera under $100. Keep in mind that inventory changes daily, so check back if the camera you want is out of stock.
Table of Contents:
Why I Want a Digital Camera Under $100
I’m a professional photographer, and some memory cards cost over $100! So, why am I searching for any camera under $100? Primarily to give entry-level photographers, such as students, the opportunity to use high-quality equipment without busting a modest budget.
A good camera under $100 is also a great entry point for anyone wanting to try out a more involved level of photography than they get from point-and-shoot (P&S) cameras or smartphones. This lets them test out how involved they may wish to be without a large cash investment.
A third reason is I sometimes like to use them myself. I love teaching other people the art and craft of photography. Utilizing a camera under $100 lets me know what an entry-level but serious photography newcomer might be using. I can be ready with tips and ideas based on the types of cameras available.
Any current serious level camera under $100 will likely be a DSLR style and several years old. The crop formats will also be much more common at this price point. Interestingly, I found many of the cameras under $100 were higher level cameras when first introduced, like advanced intermediate, prosumer, and pro cameras.
Nikon D300 Camera Under $100
My first listing for a digital camera under $100 is the Nikon D300, a pro-level APS-C format DSLR with a stellar reputation. Reviews posted when this camera was introduced showed its rugged build, fantastic ergonomics, and excellent image quality.
Nikon D300 was the junior brother of the full-fledged professional camera in Full Frame format introduced near the same time, the Nikon D3. The features include a 12.3MP APS-C sensor, 51-point AF, high-speed motor drive, and HDMI video output.
This model saw great success in the professional photography market, and as a result, lots of the D300 cameras on the market now will have a fairly high shutter count. The life expectancy of this camera is awesome, though, so I wouldn't worry about a moderately higher shutter count as long as the camera is in decent shape.
It takes AF-S Nikon and Nikkor lenses, and many older F-Mount lenses will also fit and work, just without certain automatic features and functions. Check lens compatibility online to be certain before mounting any significantly older lenses.
In Nikon-speak, DX lenses are for APS-C and FX lenses for Full Frame format. The crop factor of DX vs FX is 1.5X.
Canon EOS 50D Camera Under $100
Another wonderful high-level digital camera under $100 is the Canon EOS 50D APS-C format DSLR. This fine camera is in the upper intermediate or prosumer levels of cameras.
It has a rugged build and excellent controls and features. The APS-C format sensor is 15.1MP and has impressive low-light capability for a crop sensor camera. A huge point is that any Canon EF-Mount lens from the mid-1980s and on will fit and function, though the AF may be slower with older lenses.
Lenses for the Canon EOS cameras are labeled as EF for Full Frame format, while EF-S are designed for crop format. There is a 1.6X crop factor for EF-S vs EF lenses.
Pentax K10D Camera Under $100
I’ve always liked Pentax cameras. The K-1000 is a fine example of a no-frills but fully capable 35mm film camera that was the backbone of high school photography classes for several decades.
For a digital Pentax camera under $100, I choose the Pentax K10D APS-C format DSLR camera with a 10.2MP sensor. This camera is a prosumer level with its rugged build, dust sealing, and advanced features.
Among the advanced features it has is in-body image stabilization. Even currently, IBIS isn’t standard for a DSLR, though it is for most mirrorless cameras. This means that almost any K-Mount lens made since 1975 will fit and operate (some functions are limited) on this camera. The crop factor is 1.5X.
In fact, with the UM-42 to K-Mount adapter that was often sold to K-Mount users during the heyday of 35mm film popularity, you could actually get limited image stabilization with a lens that is close to 80 years old! Full-aperture metering isn’t likely with those older lenses, and, of course, there is no AF, but that’s pretty impressive as it is.
Sony Alpha A700 Camera Under $100
Sony took over the imaging portion of the Minolta camera company, so many of the early Sony digital cameras were very similar to the last Minoltas. The Minolta Maxxum 7000 was the first truly successful mass-market, serious autofocus 35mm SLR. Sony has continued, actually improved upon, the fine photography reputation of Minolta.
An earlier but still currently usable DSLR in this lineup is the Sony Alpha A700 camera. The lens mount for Sony/Minolta DSLRs and SLRs is called A-Mount. Sony E and FE lens mounts are for their mirrorless cameras. Any A-Mount lens will fit and function on the A700. The crop factor is 1.5X.
Sony Alpha A700 has a 12.24MP APS-C format sensor, built-in image stabilization, rugged construction, and rapid autofocus. This is a worthy selection in our search for a high-quality digital camera under $100 that a person could learn on.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Camera Under $100
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is the only MFT (Micro Four Thirds, Micro 4/3rds) camera on my list of a fine digital camera under $100, but it’s not the only example of one. But I have to stop my list somewhere.
A mirrorless camera with in-body image stabilization, professional build and features, and a 15.9MP MFT format sensor (crop factor 2.0X), this camera is the smallest and lightest in my list and, with the proper adapter, can take so many different lenses, it’ll make your head spin.
You Need a Lens, Too!
Don’t forget, you’ll need a lens to go with your camera under $100. MPB has you covered there, too. MPB makes sure to correctly label each lens as to mount and format compatibility, besides their already great condition descriptions.
The common kit lens for APS-C format cameras is in the 18-55mm range. Many can be found on MPB for around $50. Add a nice strap and an extra battery, plus some memory cards, and you could come home with a great learner camera outfit for right around $200.
Find your best digital camera under $100 and start having fun today.
