It shouldn't come as a shock that photography is expensive. And that's true whether you're a beginner or a pro.
But that doesn't mean that there aren't good buys out there...
That's true a couple of ways, too. There are some excellent dirt cheap cameras available that are great for first-time buyers. There are also ways you can find those dirt cheap cameras for even cheaper, particularly if you buy pre-owned rigs from a reputable seller.
With that in mind, here's my picks for the three best budget-friendly DSLRs available today.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i
Quick Specs:
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 7 image processor
- 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD with 1.04-million dots
- 45-point autofocus system with Live View AF
- ISO range to 51,200
- 1080p video capabilities
Though the Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a couple of years old now, it's still a great camera for beginner photographers.
Its 24.2-megapixel sensor was a massive upgrade over its predecessors and produces great image quality at this price point.
The DIGIC 7 image processor means faster autofocus performance and better high-ISO performance, particularly for an entry-level camera.
Perhaps the T7i's best feature, though, is its 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD.
Not only does the LCD have a robust 1.04-million dots that make it clear, sharp, and easy to view, but it also offers shooters a much easier way to navigate through menus.
What's more, the touchscreen LCD can be used for autofocusing in Live View, which, with the camera's updated 45-point autofocus system, means you have pinpoint control over where the focus point is placed.
The LCD flips outward and angles up and down as well, so you can get creative with interesting shooting angles that result in more eye-catching photos.
On the downside, the body of the T7i has a plasticky finish that feels cheap in your hands. And though it offers 1080p video, with the prevalence of 4K video, 1080p is a bit of a disappointment.
That said, this camera's sensor, LCD, and Live View AF more than make up for its shortcomings. And at less than $700 for a pre-owned camera (at the time of writing), that's not a bad deal at all.
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Nikon D3300
Quick Specs:
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 4 Processor
- 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots
- 11-point autofocus system
- ISO range to 25,600
- 1080p video capabilities
Though the Nikon D3300 doesn't have the same flashy features as the Canon EOS Rebel T79 (namely, a touchscreen or live view AF), it's still a top vote-getter for one of the best dirt-cheap DSLRs.
For starters, this little Nikon has a sensor that's every bit as good as the Canon's. In fact, the D3300 doesn't have a low-pass filter, which improves image sharpness. That means you can get even sharper images with this camera.
The LCD is fixed and is not touchscreen enabled, which is a bit of a bummer, but the display is still clear and bright.
The D3300 has good low-light performance with a native ISO range to 12,800 which is extendable to 25,600.
The 11-point autofocus system is fast and accurate and allows beginners to dive into action photography, at least at a novice level.
Perhaps the best feature of the D3300 is its ease of use. Its controls, dials, and buttons are laid out well, and its menu system is logically organized.
Add to that the fact that there are an incredible array of lenses and other accessories for this camera, and you've got a winning recipe, especially considering you can snag a pre-owned D3300 camera body for less than $320 at the time of writing.
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Canon EOS Rebel T6
Quick Specs:
- 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 4+ Processor
- 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots
- 9-point autofocus system
- ISO range to 12,800
- 1080p video capabilities
- Built-In Wi-FI and NFC
In looking at the specs above, you can immediately see that of the three cameras on this list, the EOS Rebel T6 has the fewest bells and whistles.
However, that doesn't mean that this isn't a solid camera for beginners.
The 18-megapixel sensor provides good image quality, and the 9-point autofocus system is more than sufficient for novice photographers that want to capture the occasional action.
With 1080p video capabilities, you can also foray into videography if you choose.
Though this camera doesn't offer the same quickness, resolution, or ISO performance of the other two cameras on this list, it does offer built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for fast and easy sharing of images, an easy-to-use interface, and a wealth of lens choices from ultra wide-angles to telephotos.
This rig is priced well, too. Really well, in fact.
At the time of writing, you can pick up a pre-owned T6 in like-new condition for just over $300.
That leaves you plenty of money to pick up a lens or two while you're at it!