The 5 Best Cameras for Any Budget

The 5 Best Cameras for Any Budget

Don’t get me wrong: the camera on your phone is about 10x better than my first digital point-and-shoot that boasted a full 5 megapixels, and at the end of the day, the WAY you use a camera generally matters a lot more than WHICH camera you’re actually using! (Check out this video to learn the best way to take pictures on your phone) However, there’s a reason that professional photographers invest a lot of money in their camera gear…I even have a separate insurance policy just for my camera bodies and lenses!

The good news is that you can buy an inexpensive digital camera that still takes great pictures, whether you want a cheap camera for traveling or you want to take great pictures of your kids. These are my top five picks for digital cameras on a budget, and it can help inform your next purchase! As always, if you have any questions, email me or leave a comment below!

1) The best camera under $100: Sony (DSCW800) 20.1 MP Digital Camera
Finding a great camera for under $100 is tough, but not impossible! This lightweight point-and-shoot camera is perfect for beginners on a budget, or anyone who just wants better pictures than your phone can take. If you’re willing to spend just a tad more, I’d recommend hopping to the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190, mostly because it has twice the optical zoom power of the Sony. Both are great cameras for amateurs, so you can’t go wrong!

2) The best camera under $250: Nikon COOLPIX B500
I’ve been a Nikon girl from the beginning, and I can tell you that this is a great starter camera for beginners. With a lower price point you won’t be able to get a solid camera with interchangeable lenses, but this is the next best thing! It has a great optical zoom (and if that makes no sense, just know that it’s better than digital zoom!) and will get you started on your photography journey.

3) The best camera under $500: Canon EOS Rebel T6
I love the ‘bang for your buck’ with this camera, and there are a lot of great options to get it with a kit lens (18-55m). Your money would be better spent buying a better lens, which you won’t need to upgrade even if you end up investing in a more expensive camera body - just stay within brands! I recommend buying this 50mm f/1.8 lens if you’re on a budget, or purchasing this 50mm f/1.4 lens if you want glass that you’ll never have to replace.

4) The best camera under $1000: Sony Alpha a7II Mirrorless Digital Camera
I’m a huge fan of mirrorless cameras, especially for vacations and travel photography. They provide a lot of the benefits that DSLRs give, yet they’re a lot more compact and lightweight. Sony is an innovative, up-and-coming brand that really responds to user feedback and gives great value for the price. This is hands-down the best camera for traveling, in my opinion!

5) The best camera under $1500: Nikon D610
Believe it or not, this is actually one of the cameras I use to photograph weddings still! When you start to spend money on lenses your budget will have to go up, but this workhorse will take you through any photography challenge you will meet. I know the ins and outs of this camera well, and besides a slightly more magenta tone than I’d prefer, I love the crisp images and beautiful colors. For the price, this is the best DSLR out there!

Of course, there are hundreds of cameras and so many brands I didn’t mention, so if you have a different opinion I’d love to hear it! The final thought I will leave you with is this: if you invest in a camera your pictures can be better, but until you know how to use the camera you have - whether it costs $100, $1000, or more - your picture quality will be disappointing at best. Moral of the story? Learn to take phenomenal pictures on your current camera (or phone!) before you upgrade, and you won’t be disappointed!


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