Top 5 cameras for beginners with a low price năm 2024
Claire Gillo and the AP team round up the best cameras under $300 / £300, both new, used and second-hand. Read on for the best budget buys, and follow our advice on how to get the best deal. Show
Finding one of the best budget cameras under $300 or £300 can be a little tricky. This is quite a specific mid-range price – it’s enough that you can definitely get a decent camera capable of producing high-quality results, but it’s restrictive to the point where you do have to be discerning. What’s more, you will almost certainly need to be comfortable buying used, renewed, or second-hand. Decent cameras you can buy new within this budget do exist, and we’ve included some in this guide, but you’ll have a lot more options if you go second-hand. That makes it fun for us though, as we get to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some absolute classic cameras that wowed us when we reviewed them years ago – and still make for great buys today. Professional DSLRs that would have commanded four-figure price tags on launch can now be found ultra-cheap on the second-hand market, and we’ve done the scouring of used retailers to find them (meaning you don’t have to). Before we get to the list, however, we’ll quickly run through the basics of second-hand camera shopping – and for more choices, you can check out our comprehensive guide to the best second-hand cameras. How to choose the best cameras under $300 / £300Buying second-hand can be intimidating at first, but there are plenty of reputable used-camera dealers around, all of whom we have complete confidence in. They will check over all used gear before selling it on to be sure it works, and offer a guarantee that it’s in good working order. While this often won’t be as comprehensive or as long as the warranty you get with new cameras (a period between 3, 6 and 12 months is common), it’ll help assure you that you’re not about to waste your money, and gives you someone to go back to if a problem does develop. With up to 12 months warranty available, this is as good as some new warranties offered. Our list of recommended second hand dealers are as follows:
*Length of warranty correct at time of writing, but please check item and website to confirm, this does not cover items sold as faulty. In terms of what camera you want to buy – really it depends on what you plan to shoot. It’s worth working out which specs you want to prioritise. If you want to print large-scale images in pin-sharp quality, it’s worth trying to get a camera with a high-resolution sensor shown as mega-pixels or MP, see our guide to sensor sizes for more on this, or have a look at how much resolution do I actually need? Alternatively, if you’re interested in capturing fast-moving subjects like wildlife, fast burst rates and good autofocus speeds may be a higher priority. It’s worth checking out the video resolution too if you want to shoot both movies and stills, as some older cameras offer limited video functionality or even none at all. Different types of cameras have different strengths; check out our guide to DSLRs vs mirrorless for more on this. We’ve included multiple different types of camera in this guide; take a look through the entries and read our reviews to get a feel for which might suit you best. Got a little more to spend? Check out our guide to the best cameras under $500 / £500. And alternatively, if your budget is on the lower side, we also have a guide to the best cheap cameras under $200 / £200. Should I buy a used camera from eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other online market? Buying second-hand from a private seller means you’ll have no come-back should there be any problems with the item, so for the purposes of this guide, we recommend buying from a reputable dealer so that you’re covered by the warranty. Best cameras under $300 / £300So, with all that in mind, here is our full list of the best cameras under £300/$300, including mirrorless models, DSLRs and fixed-lens compacts. 1. Sony A5100At a glance:
Sony’s APS-C cameras have always been speedy, and back in 2014, the Sony A5100 was impressing us with its 6fps burst speeds and 0.06sec AF acquisition times. It’s a capable, unfussy little camera that essentially provides a stripped-back version of the popular A6000 (which features in our guide to the best cameras under $500/£500). So while you don’t get a viewfinder or much in the way of external control dials, the core imaging experience still shines. Which one you prefer out of the A5100 and the A6000 is more a matter of handling than it is image quality. This is still one of the smallest APS-C cameras you can buy, and is a great choice if you want to have a pocketable camera that doesn’t compromise too much on image quality. Sony’s E-mount lens range gives you plenty of choice when it comes to optics, and the easy-to-use flip-around touchscreen makes the A5100 a pleasure to operate. Best camera under £300 / $300 for enthusiast photographers Read our Sony Alpha 5100 review 2. Nikon D700At a glance:
In these halcyon days of big-resolution sensors, 12.1MP may sound absurdly quaint. But there’s a lot to recommend the Nikon D700 as a second-hand buy, and if you’re not planning to print large-format images, 12.1MP could very well turn out to be all you need. The Nikon D700 was a flagship pro DSLR in its day, and hails from the era before DSLR video – as such, it doesn’t shoot video at all, just stills. It’s a simple machine, designed to do one thing – take pictures. And it does it well. This tank of a camera isn’t the sort of thing you’ll forget about if it’s hanging around your neck all day, but it really can take a pounding, and many professional photographers used it for years in all sorts of conditions and found it just kept on going. We nominated the Nikon D700 as a second-hand classic back in 2019, and since then its used price has continued to drop, making it only a more tempting prospect. Full frame for less than £300 or $300 really is nothing to shake your head at. Best for camera under £300 / $300 for portrait photographers Find out why we consider the Nikon D700 to be a second-hand classic. 3. Fujifilm X-T10At a glance:
The Fujifilm X-T10 was announced back in 2015 and has since been succeeded by the X-T20 and X-T30. It remains a very capable camera provided you’re aware of its limitations. Its autofocus is a bit sluggish compared to the latest X-series models and you get far fewer AF points across the frame. On the plus side, we found it handled extremely well for a camera that’s small in build, and loved its rich and vibrant colours produced by its 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor The X-T10 has also been beautifully designed and the classic retro body build will turn any head. Finally, the X-T10 is supported by a wide range of excellent lenses. Best camera under £300 / $300 for street photographers Read our second hand review of the Fujifilm X-T10 to get our full detailed analysis. 4. Canon EOS 6DAt a glance:
The full frame Canon EOS 6D is an excellent camera that comes with some impressive specs, including its full frame 20.2MP CMOS image sensor. When it was launched ten years ago it was met with great enthusiasm and was the first affordable full frame DSLR camera. Hobbyists who previously couldn’t upgrade to full frame camera bodies could now take advantage. Depending on what condition you pick one up in will determine the price. A well-used Canon EOS 6D can be picked up under the £300 / $300 budget. But if you want a model in good condition with a lower shutter count, you’ll have to push the budget up by another £100 – taking you over the £300 / $300 mark. In our review of the Canon EOS 6D we found it to respond impressively to noise, come with intuitive controls and have an excellent battery life. The basic autofocus system, single SD card slot and lack of vari-angle LCD screen are all a bit disappointing. Best camera under £300 / $300 for studio photographers on a budget Read our review of the Canon EOS 6D 5. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIAt a glance:
The Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II succeeded the OM-D E-M5 back in 2015 and came with some excellent upgrades such as the faster burst mode rate, 40MP high-resolution multi-shot mode and more efficient AF system. The EM-5 Mark II has now been succeeded by the OM-D E-M5 Mark III meaning there are plenty of second-hand models available on the market. These vary in price depending on quality. When we reviewed the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II back in 2015 we gave it five stars. We found the 16 megapixel Four Thirds image sensor produced excellent JPEGs straight out of camera and that it was fast and responsive to operate. The robust and weather-resistant body was also well made and the excellent custom controls were another big tick on our list. For those looking for a bargain, Micro Four Thirds cameras are a great choice, as there are a vast range of great Micro Four Thirds lenses available, both new and used. Best camera under £300 / $300 for photographers on the go Read the five-star review of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II 6. Canon EOS 5D Mark IIAt a glance:
The Canon EOS 5D MK II comes from the legendary Canon 5D line and the model still has a great reputation even in today’s market. The 21.1 full frame image sensor and full HD video are impressive specs for a camera that’s now 13 years old. This camera was over £2000 when it was launched and now a second hand model can be picked up for around £300 (sometimes over, sometimes under) depending on the condition and shutter count. When we reviewed the Canon EOS 5D Mk II we found it performed solidly across all our areas of testing and gave it a solid four stars. The ISO range is a little low compared with cameras of today’s standards, however, for landscapes or studio photography this shouldn’t bother you. Best camera under £300 / $300 for landscape photographers Reviewed: the Canon EOS 5D Mark II 7. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIAt a glance:
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens, based on the Micro Four Thirds design. When we reviewed it a few years ago we stated that it was made for budding photographers who want to take a step up from their smartphone camera. This is still true today. The OM-D E-M10 Mark III, is the upgrade from the MK II, and when it launched in 2017 it gained an updated 121-point autofocus system and 4K video recording thanks to Olympus’s TruePic VIII processor. Apart from those changes, the MK III and II are pretty much identical. Best for camera under £300 / $300 for beginner photographers Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review 8. Canon EOS 2000D / Rebel T7At a glance:
Canon has released quite a few entry-level DSLRs, and the EOS 2000D is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive. It offers a good balance of features, performance and price, especially if you don’t mind picking one up second-hand, which you can comfortably do for less than £300 or $300. With an APS-C sensor, it’ll produce images of markedly superior quality to a smartphone, and having the EF-S lens mount at your disposal means access to loads of lenses, Canon-made and otherwise. It’s a pretty basic camera, as we said in our full review, but our main sticking point with the EOS 2000D originally was its price, and on the second-hand market that becomes a good deal more reasonable. You don’t get 4K video, so those interested in video would probably be better off with a sub-£300 camera from Olympus or Panasonic. However, for beginner photographers, the EOS 2000D is extremely user-friendly, and provides a superb platform on which to learn the ropes. Best camera under £300 / $300 for beginners wanting to learn Read our full Canon EOS 2000D review 9. Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82 / FZ80At a glance:
The first camera to make it onto our list that isn’t second hand is the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82. This camera can go ultra-wide to ultra-zoom. It’s a great point-and-shoot for those who have no camera skills and are looking for an easy to operate system. The mode dial on top of the camera allows you to take full creative control by shooting in Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority or Manual if you wish. There are also lots of scene modes to choose from. This camera could be a great starting point for a beginner who has no photographic expertise, and is unsure how far they want to take their hobby. For those who have grander aspirations, we’d recommend purchasing something more advanced. Best camera under £300 / $300 for beginners wanting to capture wildlife or sports 10. Canon PowerShot SX430 ISAt a glance:
The Canon PowerShot SX430 IS is another bridge camera that makes it onto our list. Retailing new with a RRP of £299.99 this camera just comes in under budget. As with the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82 listed above, this camera has been designed with the amateur in mind. This camera however doesn’t include a mode dial on top, making it very much a point and shoot aimed at beginners. It does, however, sport some nice features such as the 45x optical zoom that goes from a 24mm view to 1080mm, plus intelligent IS meaning you can shoot steady shots even in lower light or when you’re zoomed right in to your subject. Finally, the PowerShot SX430 IS also includes Wi-Fi with NFC, meaning you can instantly share images. Best beginner camera under £300 / $300 Looking for more budget round-ups and guides? Check out these other articles:
If you have more money to spend, then why not have a look at the best cameras available for under £1000/$1000? Which camera company is best for beginners?DSLR cameras for beginners are affordable and easy to use: Here are top 10 picks. Panasonic DMC-G7KGW-K Mirrorless Camera. ... . Sony A6100 Mirrorless Camera. ... . Nikon D7500 Digital Camera. ... . Sony A6400 Mirrorless Camera. ... . Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera. ... . Canon EOS M50 Mark II Mirrorless Camera. ... . Sony ILCE-6400L Mirrorless Digital Camera.. What camera should I start photography?The Nikon D3500 is the brand's latest beginner, entry-level DSLR camera, perfectly suited to those wanting to start learning the craft of photography. The Canon EOS M200 is a good choice if you're a novice looking for a compact, affordable camera with a good LCD screen and a helpful navigation menu.11 thg 7, 2024nullBest beginner cameras 2024: Canon, Sony, Nikon and more | Spacewww.space.com › Stargazing › Astronomy Kitnull What is the best cheap movie camera?The best cheap video cameras for 2024. Sony ZV-1. The best cheap vlogging compact camera. ... . Panasonic Lumix GH5. The best cheap video camera for serious filmmakers. ... . DJI Pocket 3. The best camera for vloggers on a budget. ... . Insta360 X4. The best 360 degree camera overall. ... . Sony ZV-E10. ... . GoPro Hero 10 Black.. Which camera are small cheap and are more generally used?Canon EOS M100 This model can be called the best and cheapest camera in its class. A compact model (67.1 x 108.2 x 35.1 mm) has a sturdy, compact body, which is made of plastic. It is lightweight enough (302 g) – your hands will not tired even when shooting for a long time.nullTop 10 Best Cheap Cameras in 2024: Choosing a Budget-Friendly Optionskylum.com › blog › best-cheap-camerasnull |