The Best Budget Cameras (2024) Nikon, Canon and Panasonic

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The best budget cameras give you a lot for your money, whether you’re looking for a cheap first camera or an upgrade that won’t break the bank. Even though these cameras are cheap, they don’t skimp on how well they work. And they’re just what you need if you don’t need the newest and fastest camera technology.

Some of these cameras used to cost a lot more than they do now. The only reason they are cheaper now is because their technology is a little bit old. Some of the new best budget cameras in this guide were made to offer the most features for the least amount of money, and they do a great job of it.

Best Budget Cameras

Nikon D3500

Specifications

Sensor	APS-C CMOS, 24.2MP
Screen	3-inch, 921K dots
Viewfinder	Optical
Movies	1080p

The Nikon D3400 was a very popular and successful DSLR, and the Nikon D3500 is its successor in the mirrorless era. DSLRs aren’t as common as they used to be, but their optical viewfinders still make them a better deal than mirrorless cameras, and the Nikon D3500 is still the best budget cameras for the money.

Key differences from the older D3400 include a better APS-C sensor (though it still has 24MP) and a longer battery life of 1,550 shots per charge, compared to the D3400’s 1,200 shots per charge, which was already very good.

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Canon EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D

Specifications

Sensor	APS-C CMOS
Megapixels	24.1MP
Screen	3in fixed, 921K dots
video resolution	1080p

The Canon Rebel T7 (called the EOS 2000D in some places) is a good camera for beginners, but it is pretty simple. It only shoots full HD video and doesn’t have Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF for faster focusing in live view. The back screen is fixed, and it only shoots full HD video.

It does have a 24-megapixel sensor, which is pretty amazing for the price, and it’s a perfectly good camera at a rock-bottom price for anyone who wants to start out with a real camera but doesn’t want to spend too much.

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Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

Specifications

Sensor	1/2.3-inch CMOS, 18.1MP
Lens	20-1200mm, f/2.8-5.9
Monitor	3-inch touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots
Movies	4k
User level	Beginner/enthusiast

If you want a camera that does everything and has a wide zoom range, a bridge or superzoom camera is a good choice. When it’s on sale, the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 is one of the best budget cameras under $300 and gives you a lot for your money.

In the end, you get a comfortable shooting experience similar to that of a DSLR along with the convenience of a built-in zoom lens with a full-frame equivalent focal length of 20–1200mm. This gives you a lot of freedom to take photos of everything from landscapes to far-away animals.

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Kodak PixPro AZ421

Specifications

Resolution	16 MP, 1/2.3 CCD
Focal Length	1008mm (35mm equivalent)
Video	720p (1280p x 720p)
Size	3.32 x 4.44 x 3.21 inches
Weight	15 ounces

If you want to get close to a subject for less money, the Kodak PixPro AZ421 might be the camera for you. This best budget cameras has a 42X zoom lens, which is the same as a 24-to-1008mm lens on a 35mm camera.

The PixPro AZ421 has a 3.0-inch LCD screen with 460k dots on the back, but it doesn’t have a touchscreen. It also has optical image stabilisation, but you’ll still need a tripod. The ISO range is from 80 to 3200.

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Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Specifications

Sensor	20.3MP
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
Monitor	3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,037K dots
Viewfinder	2.36m-dot EVF

If you want to get close to a subject for less money, the Kodak PixPro AZ421 might be the camera for you. This best budget cameras has a 42X zoom lens, which is the same as a 24-to-1008mm lens on a 35mm camera.

The PixPro AZ421 has a 3.0-inch LCD screen with 460k dots on the back, but it doesn’t have a touchscreen. It also has optical image stabilisation, but you’ll still need a tripod. The ISO range is from 80 to 3200.

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Sony Alpha a6000

Specifications

Megapixels	4.3MP
Sensor	APS-C CMOS
Display	3-inch tilting
Lens Mount	Sony E-mount

Even though it came out more than a decade ago, the Sony A6000 is still seen as one of the best compact camera sets you can buy. At the time of writing, this model is just a little over our $500 limit because the linked kit comes with a lens.

Sony’s fast autofocus, great handling, and great image quality that often punches above its weight make the A6000 still a good deal for the money. It doesn’t have 4K video like many of its competitors, the A6000 is still one of the best on the market in terms of handling and performance.

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Fujifilm X-T200

Specifications

Megapixels	24.2MP
Lens Mount	X mount
Sensor	APS-C CMOS
Display	3.5-inch LCD touchscreen

We still like the Fujifilm X-T30, but this cheaper, easier-to-use version is our favorite best budget cameras for people who are just starting out in photography or videography.

It is a big step up from the X-T100 in almost every way, including autofocus, and has a great 3.5-inch touchscreen on the back. Unlike the Fujifilm X-A7, you also get a viewfinder to help you frame your shots.

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FAQs

Which camera is best for daily photography?

1. Nikon Z6 II
2. Sony Alpha A7 III
3. Canon EOS R5.
4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
5. Sony A1
6. Nikon D850.

Why is a camera without a mirror better?

A mirrorless camera can take pictures without making a sound. This means that if you’re taking pictures of wildlife, the sound of the mirror flipping up won’t scare it away, and if you like to take pictures on the street, you won’t draw attention to yourself.

Can a cheap camera take good pictures?

If you keep doing photography for a long time, you’ll probably get a better camera. But at first, you won’t have as many choices, so you’ll have to think about how to make things work in your favour.