Best Affordable DSLR Cameras
For those people who want to find an affordable DSLR camera, the requirements should be taken into consideration. One could easily find and inexpensive DSLR that would be nothing more than a simple point and shoot type camera that allows for interchangeable lenses. Obviously, there should be more taken into consideration when looking for an affordable option.
While price is a major factor when searching for anything ‘affordable’, one must consider all aspects of an offering in order to find the best. Best in terms of quality, durability, options, accessibility, and of course, pricing. That being said, there are many aspects that may cause people to regard one camera over another, so in this listing you will find fewer cameras rather than a large list that normally accompanies such listings. More attention will be paid to the features, options, and ease of use for beginners.
Keep in mind that the "newest" entry level DSLR camera on the market might not be the "Best" in terms of features and usability. Yes, a brand new 2011 DSLR entry level DSLR might have some new bells n whistles, technology wise, but they might not be as "good" as an older DSLR. So keep this in mind as you read our recommendations.
Chances are that most people looking for an affordable DSLR are not involved in professional endeavors that require major functionalities that typically go right along with high end (and therefore high cost) DSLRs. Therefore, ease of use in options, functions, and otherwise more technically challenging areas will be taken into consideration. The average person looking to find an affordable DSLR is likely a beginner at least or a slightly experienced hobbyist at best. This listing will keep these things in mind as part of the criteria for choosing each camera listed.
The best beginner digital SLR camera must meet two primary criteria:
- It must be easy to use
- It must be inexpensive
Fortunately, these two criteria are hand in glove. Most cameras that get high marks in ease of use tend to boast large feature sets. The fewer features sets or options a camera has equates to a lower cost.
This leaves the beginner level photographer with two options when it comes to acquiring a DSLR:
- Purchase a used camera for little money, learn how it operates, and then (at some later date) spend more money on a camera with all the features desired.
- Purchase an inexpensive up to date camera with a limited features and (at some later date) after learning how to use all the features the camera has to offer, upgrade to a more advanced and higher cost camera.
Each approach has its own advantages and, as such, each should be seriously considered before one goes out and spends hundreds of dollars on a camera, used or new.
Purchasing Used DSLRs
Before you go off and buy a used camera, here are some questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are making a wise decision:
- Will I use all of the features offered by DSLRs that are more expensive?
- Will I actually learn more about the camera and photography in general?
- Will I try to use all of, or most of, the features on the camera?
- Will I primarily keep the camera in auto mode?
- Will the size and weight of a DSLR preclude me from taking it along on excursions?
- Do I really need a DSLR, or will another type of camera suffice?
- What is my budget?
If your answers are no, no, no, yes, yes, no/yes, and really cheap, then you might want to forget about getting a DSLR and move towards better and smaller point and shoot. However, if you are willing to learn, willing to lug around a larger and heavier camera, really want a DSLR, and are willing to spend more than $400 on it, then you are thinking properly.
If your main concern is cost, and $400 is a bit on the high side of your budget, then you can likely find a good used DSLR as a starter. This will actually get you moving in the right direction a bit faster. While you may not have all of the features that typically go along with the newer DSLRs, like HD video, dust control, vibration reduction, and live view LCD screens, you are likely to get an overall higher quality camera that happens to be a few years older and has been around the proverbial block.
The good news for you is that there are plenty of great used cameras currently available since older shooters are now trading up for some of the new features that are available on modern DSLRs.
Purchasing Older Model DSLRs
Another option is to find and purchase an older model camera that has never been used. Like all technology, when it first comes out it is at its most expensive. After two or three years, the original asking price typically drops substantially. In many cases, the new camera of 5 years ago that was $1,100 is now as low as $500. Depending upon your budget and your mindset, you can get quite a bit of camera for a very low price.
These models are likely to be limited when compared to features that the new cameras have built in. You will probably not see things like, HD video, dust control, vibration reduction, and live view LCD screens just as you would not see when purchasing a used camera. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Quite honestly, many of those "features" are just selling points to convince buyers to buy the newest model. In terms of day-to-day use, usability, and image quality, those features really don't add anything.
Most beginners and cost conscious DSLR buyers should concentrate more on learning the basics of their camera, and the general concepts of photography and worry less about the technical capabilities of the camera. Learning to use the camera in full manual mode instead of auto or priority mode is preferred to having a large number of options. Learn the art and then learn the technology later.
Mega Pixel Mythos
People are concerned, dare I say, obsessed with mega pixels. They automatically think that more is better and a camera that has 22 mega pixels is higher quality than a camera that has 10 or even 5 mega pixels. This is simply not true. What matters the more is the quality of the lens on the camera and the quality and size of the image sensor inside the camera. The thing that matters most is the person behind the camera composing the shot and practicing the art of photography.
If you decide to purchase a used or older model DSLR, then you will likely not get the big mega pixel numbers that the newer cameras have. In fact, you may find many point and shoot cameras that have more mega pixels than the DSLR at which you are looking. Rest assured, the high quality DSLR with 6.1 mega pixels will take better pictures than the point and shoot with 18.1 mega pixels. Mega pixels are not the measure of quality in a camera. They can definitely help in terms of quality and enlargements, but they are not the sole factor in determining quality photos.
Because of the highly subjective nature of camera purchases, and because we are also looking at the possibility of purchasing used cameras, the following list is not to be looked at in the order of ranking. In other words, the first camera mentioned is not necessarily the best or #1 Affordable DSLR Camera for 2011. Neither is the last camera on the list to be looked at as the bottom shelf in the category. The following list is presented in no particular order, the decision is left to you to make based upon your own criteria.
Best Affordable DSLR Cameras
Released during the holiday season of 2010, the Nikon D3100 is the successor to the incredibly popular D3000. While the price point is a bit higher, the D3100 has added a couple of key features that make it worth the money to some people. The main two features that have been added are a Live View mode, something that is only available on the newer and higher end Nikon models, and the ability to shoot video, HD video in either 1080p or 720p. The other significant change between the Nikon D3000 and the D3100 is the resolution. The D3100 is a 14 mega pixel camera, a boost from the 10 mega pixels that came on the D3000.
Still engineered for the beginner, the D3100 has capitalized on the Guide mode. The guide on the D3100 will not only explain what features are for, but will also help the user choose which mode will be the best and even show examples of images before asking if the user would like to shoot with the optical viewfinder or the Live View LCD. It even prompts for the option of shooting video if desired.
More than simply a guide, the Guide Mode should probably be called Teacher or Tutor due to its wonderful ability to teach users about specific settings on the camera to cater to specific conditions as they are encountered. A very smart addition for Nikon to include in this D3000 follow up.
Something else that sets the D3100 apart from its competitors and forerunner is the fact that it is one of the first DSLRs to try for full time autofocus when in video mode. Most of the D3100’s rivals, even the high dollar contemporaries, virtually become a manual video camera once the video mode is selected.
The screen, optical viewfinder, autofocus system, and continuous shooting capabilities are identical to the D3000 and it does not include features like exposure bracketing, depth of field preview, or a built in auto focus drive for older lenses, but with the addition of HD video, Live View LCD, an HDMI port and the aforementioned upgrades of the guide, makes the D3100 a wonderful option for beginners.
The one area where the D3100 falls down a bit is on the price. This was likely an intentional decision by Nikon. While the competitors have been focusing on producing DSLRs to hit the market at the lowest possible pricing, Nikon has instead applied the same strategy it uses for the mid and semi-professional range offerings by adding a step up in the area of features and listing a slightly higher price point. Thus, the ‘affordable’ tag does not quite make the mark with the D3100, but one would be hard pressed to find more camera for the standard amount of the Nikon D3100.
So while it might be more expensive than many people are willing to stomach, the value for the money allows it to be well situated as ‘affordable’ when one takes the features into consideration for this camera. Priced as low as $525 for a body only model and around $640 with a kit lens, the Nikon D3100 is a great piece of equipment for the money.
For a long time, Canon and Nikon were able to divide equally the entry level DSLR market in the sub $1000 range without paying much attention to any other companies trying to compete in the market. However, this only spurred on the competition and gave them time to try to put together competitive well-priced packages.
Tech giants like Sony and Panasonic started becoming serious about this market niche and as soon as Canon got wind of it, they began to come up with something themselves to make sure they remained at the top of the pack. So, as of February 2011, Canon announced the EOS Rebel T3 or 1100D in the UK a lengthy two and a half years after the release of the Rebel XS. While that time span might not seem long to many people, in the realm of technology, it left many people wondering if Canon had thought to abandon the sub $1000 DSLR market for good.
Canon was able to put its best foot forward in this market niche with the T3, undercutting the Nikon D3100 with price and giving the camera a host of features that one would normally pay a great deal more for than the T3 costs.
The beating heart of the T3 is the 12 mega pixel sensor, 9-point auto focus system, Canon’s latest 63-zone sensor, HD video recording, and large LCD screen boasting Live View. The overall design of the T3 is very similar to the XS and other Canon models of the past, but many would say that if something is not broke, don’t try to fix it.
The T3 is a solid piece of technological wonder packed into a small frame. While still solidly in the realm of entry level DSLRs, this camera can offer a lot to the beginner by way of control aids, allowing the photographer to grow and learn with this camera.
One thing to keep in mind with this camera, Canon was intent upon coming in at a lower cost than the Nikon D3100, so it took features from higher end models and stripped it down to make the T3. Nikon decided to incorporate higher end features and keep the price a bit on the high side. Two different approaches to two very similar cameras, makes for a difficult decision.
All of the expected controls are available on the T3, full auto, scene modes, priority modes, and full manual mode. The ease of use factor is still very high on this offering from Canon, and the addition of HD video and Live View cannot go ignored. However, the HD video is limited to 720p, but in most cases, there is no real need for higher resolutions unless one is intent upon burning BluRay disks.
Canon has made user interactivity easier in the editing phase as well by making sure that the formatting of their photos are easily integrated with Windows 7, which makes things a far cry easier than Nikon’s antiquated proprietary stance on their NEF file format. One can find the Canon EOS T3 with a kit lens, typically an 18-55mm IS II, for $599.99 on the Canon website. However, if you are diligent in your searching, you can find the same offering elsewhere for around $520 and a body only version for just over $400.
The Nikon D3000 was the 2009 replacement for the famous Nikon D60. At the time it was released, it was the cat’s meow of Nikon’s prosumer line. The DX formatted camera will accept all DX compatible lenses without any problems. The D3000 is a 10.2 mega pixel camera that is very easy to use. In fact, the D3000 was designed by Nikon to be used primarily by beginners. It is a perfect fit for those who want to upgrade from a point and shoot to a DSLR.
One of the best features for beginners with the camera is the Guide mode. The guide mode helps explain what certain features are without the necessity to revert to the user’s manual. This is especially helpful in the field where people typically do not take user manuals along. The 3 inch LCD screen and 11 point auto focus system help keep pictures sharp and well framed.
The image sensor is a DX-format CCD sensor, the same sensor that was used in the widely popular D60, D80 and D40x of Ashton Kutcher fame. The D3000 does not have a live view mode, so shooters will have to look through the optical viewfinder in order frame shots and snap the shutter. As is expected from Nikon, the D3000 has all of the basics expected in any DSLR. Full auto mode to full manual mode and priority modes as well are all easily accessible with the command dial on the left hand top of the D3000 body.
The optical viewfinder only shows 95% of what is covered in the shot, so you will likely have to crop every picture you take to get the framing you saw in the camera viewfinder. While to some this is an annoyance, it should only take a few seconds to deal with in the edit bay. The D3000 has a great 11 point auto focus system but it does not feature a built-in auto focus motor to drive older lenses that might still be circulating. If you buy this camera used, or find an older lens, you want to be sure it is an AF lens or the auto focus feature will be of little use.
The D3000 comes with many scene modes that can help in various lighting conditions, and it is a fairly intuitive camera for beginners to use. You can buy this older camera new for as little as $399.99 on Amazon.com or you can try to find it on auction sites where it has been seen for as little as $199.99.
The D3000 comes in on the heavy side with a weight of 1.2 pounds with the battery in place. This means that you will have to lug around a bit of a boat anchor if you attach a lens of any substance. The image quality and the overall build of this camera are superb. The multitude of high quality DX lenses that one can purchase and put on this camera are sure to produce high quality stunning images that anyone would be proud to claim.
The price, the value, the quality, and the ease of use place the Nikon D3000 firmly as one of the Best Affordable DSLRs for 2011.
When the D50 came out in 2005, it was designed for the broadest range of consumers possible. From the casual family photo junkie, to semi-pro users, the intent was to make a DSLR that was easy to use and still had major functionality. It can capture brilliant digital images, vibrant color clarity, and great sharpness. Hitting the market near the side of the D70 with a few less controls and some updated aspects as well, the D50 made its mark as the most affordable pro-sumer DSLR of the year, making superb digital photography available to everyone.
Yes, we know this camera is over 5 years old. But it's still (even today) a fantastic DSLR. Rememeber, it's not the megapixel count that makes a picture!
For those wishing to find a good DSLR at a very affordable rate, it is still possible to find new in box D50’s on the net and even easier to find a great deal on a gently used model. While the D50 is only a 6.1 mega pixel camera, it is well within the realm of possibility to achieve great image prints as large as 13 x 19 inches. The D50 is a great combination of smart, easy to use features and stunning image quality. It will lack some of the more trendy options and controls, but for the beginning photographer it is plenty of camera, and can produce wonderful images for years to come.
The D50 is a DX format camera that has a host of controls and scene modes that allow anything from full auto shooting to full manual and nearly everything in between. Scene modes for sports, child, night time, and more fill out the control set to help those who are willing to grow with the camera and only move up when they are ready to do so.
As would be expected from Nikon, the quality of the build is solid and sturdy. Some areas that are not up to snuff with the newer versions of DSLRs are the continuous shooting and shutter speeds. The D50 can shoot 2.5 frames per second for up to 137 frames and the shutter only goes up to 1/4000th of a second. However, it does allow for a high speed flash sync of up to 1/500th and the iTTL flash technology can take care of these settings automatically.
As far as DSLRs go, the D50 is light, easy to carry, and not too bulky, and most users will find that it is very intuitive when handling the camera. The LCD screen on the back is a bit small, but for a camera that came out more than 5 years past, it is to be expected. The battery is a solid piece of engineering that will last for about 1,500 exposures on a single charge.
The only other possible problem that a user will face is the proprietary NEF-RAW file format of Nikon. Most editing applications will have plug-ins to translate the NEF-RAW file by Nikon, and while some might see this as a negative aspect, even the newest Nikon on the market will require the same type of plug-in for most editing programs. It is not a D50 thing, but rather a Nikon thing in general.
Depending upon where you shop, you should be able to find a ‘new’ Nikon D50 with a kit lens, like the 18-55mm for around $400 and used prices can go as low as $250 for a body only version. All in all, the Nikon D50 is an excellent choice for burgeoning shutterbugs that are not willing (or able) to shell out the big bucks for a newer trendy DSLR.
The Canon EOS Rebel XS or 1000D as it is known it the UK, was introduced in 2008 as Canon’s entry level DSLR. Succeeding the best selling EOS Rebel XTi and just below the Rebel XSi, the XS is a lot of camera for the money, even today. The Rebel XS is a 10.1 mega pixel DSLR using a CMOS sensor, has 3 fps of continuous shooting speed (jpeg), and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.
Having Live View capabilities is a plus for those who are accustomed to framing shots with point and shoots by using the screen. It is also a big help when one wishes to attain angles that might otherwise be difficult when using the optical viewfinder on the camera.
The XS has a 7-point auto focus system that outshines most of the contemporary competition entry level DSLR offerings, which had only a 3-point system. While the continuous shooting speeds are as high as 3 fps in jpeg, if you shoot RAW (and you should), the speed drops to a sluggish 1.5 fps and is limited to a slight 5 frames of consecutive shooting, but in jpeg you can shoot till the card is full.
Another nice feature on the XS is the addition of image stabilization, which makes using longer focal lengths a bit easier to accomplish without a tripod. The XS is a Canon DSLR and Canon has always been great at creating stunning images. The image processor is the same that is used in many high end Canons and is hard to critique. This DSLR will produce stunning color, clarity, vibrancy, and sharpness without much difficulty at all.
The camera offers a host of user controls ranging from full auto to scene mode, and priority modes to full manual. A great camera for beginners to learn on and an easy to use feature set that will allow even the most novice photographer to achieve stunning images. Finding a Rebel XS ‘new’ will run around $400 for a body only version. Used models come in around $300. It is not uncommon to find the camera with a kit lens for under $500. This makes the Canon Rebel XS (1000D) a great camera at a wonderful price point.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few offerings that make your selection of an affordable DSLR camera a bit of a hard choice. Understanding the basic functions and features that come along with most DSLRs is a good beginning point. Understanding that prices are very similar and that just because one camera has more mega pixels or is 'newer' does not necessarily mean that it is the right choice for you is also a good point to keep in mind. In the end, much of your decision is going to come down to personal preference or even brand loyalty. Hopefully, you will not simply choose the least expensive DSLR you can find and pray that it will suffice. One last suggestion would be to go to a local camera shop and ask to see one of the cameras you are thinking of purchasing. There is much to be said about physically holding a piece of equipment before you purchase. In many cases, the shop will even have a floor model that you can handle and snap off a few shots. Think of this as akin to test driving a car. There may be some things you like or dislike about the feel of the camera you are testing. Better to know these things before you shell out a few hundred dollars. As a final reminder, the cameras in this listing are not rated in any particular order. The first on the list does not mean it comes in at number one. There are too many variables with which to contend to place one camera as "the best". Take your time and make an informed decision and you will be happy that you did.