When looking for an affordable camera, it’s important to pick one that fits your budget and needs. Thankfully, almost any modern digital camera can capture excellent images in the cheap polaroid camera right hands, but cameras can quickly veer into very expensive territory, especially if you’re set on buying brand new—and that’s not even considering the extra cost of additional lenses and accessories like memory cards and camera bags.
Thankfully, cameras generally don’t depreciate in value or performance as quickly as other kinds of technology, so if you’re on a really tight budget, you can always shop around for an older used model on eBay or at retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo Video, KEH, and MPB. Many digital cameras released within the last five to ten years are still well worth considering and can be found at relatively cheap prices. An older camera body will also give you ample room to grow as a photographer and can still yield excellent results when paired with a good lens. As a general rule, it’s better to invest in a less expensive camera body and higher-quality lenses than it is to invest in an expensive camera body and cheap lenses.
We’ve bought over 100 cameras, and below, you’ll find the best cheap and budget cameras we’ve tested in our lab. If you have a set budget, you can also see our recommendations for the best cameras under $1,000 and the best cameras under $500. If you’re more interested in recording videos than snapping pics, you can try our best cameras for YouTube instead. Otherwise, you’ll find the best cameras we’ve tested overall in our list of the best digital cameras.
If you’d prefer to buy new, the Canon EOS R50 is the best overall budget camera we’ve tested. It may not be the absolute cheapest option, but it offers the best bang for your buck if you’re after a modern mirrorless camera with a lot of value. It’s not only highly portable, making it a breeze to take on the go, but it also features a high-resolution APS-C sensor that captures excellent image quality. It also features a fully articulated screen and records 4k video with a decent amount of frame rate options, making it a solid choice for vloggers and video shooters.
Though its intelligent auto mode takes a lot of the guesswork out of photography for beginners, this camera also uses the same RF lens mount as Canon’s latest high-end cameras, so you can eventually upgrade to a more advanced body without buying into a whole new system. If you’d prefer an even more portable camera, check out the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. You’ll find plenty of highly compact lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system, and it’s one of the few cameras at this price point to feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS). However, its autofocus isn’t nearly as reliable as the Canon’s, and its ergonomics feel more cramped.
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3/250D is the best budget camera we’ve tested for those who prefer a more traditional DSLR. It’s one of the most portable and lightweight DSLRs Canon has ever produced, and while it isn’t as portable as mirrorless offerings like the Canon EOS R50, it’s still very easy to take on the go. Aside from their ever-lower prices, the biggest advantage of getting a DSLR is the wide range of lens options on offer, not to mention a significantly longer battery life and a lag-free optical viewfinder.
While the SL3’s autofocus system isn’t as effective as the R50’s, it’s still fairly reliable and does a good job with slower or more static subjects. This is also one of the few DSLRs to offer 4k video capability. Despite some limitations, it works fine for more casual video recording. All that, plus the usual intuitive controls and user interface that Canon is known for, makes this one of the most appealing budget DSLRs on the market.
If you want something even more affordable than the picks above, the Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D is the best cheap camera we’ve tested. This DSLR doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the Canon EOS R50, so there’s no 4k video capability or flip-out screen, but it has a high-resolution APS-C sensor that can capture great photos. Like the Canon EOS Rebel SL3/250D, it’s compatible with any of Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, so you’ll have plenty to choose from if you ever want to upgrade from the kit lens.
While this DSLR has a longer battery life and a more established lens ecosystem than its RF counterparts, its autofocus system is more basic than the AF found on modern mirrorless cameras. Because of that and its very slow burst rate, it isn’t the best option for sports or fast-moving subjects. Still, this is the best cheap camera for photography if you want a simple interchangeable-lens model that won’t break the bank.
If you’re set on mirrorless but on a very tight budget, the Canon EOS R100 is the cheapest mirrorless camera that Canon offers and is essentially the mirrorless equivalent of the Canon EOS Rebel T7/2000D above. Because it’s newer and mirrorless, it has a more portable design, akin to the Canon EOS R50, as well as a more effective autofocus system. However, unlike the pricier R50, this model doesn’t have an articulating touchscreen, and its 4k video features are very limited.
Although RF lenses are relatively few and far between, the kit lens will be enough to get you started. Because this model has the same lens mount as Canon’s high-end mirrorless cameras, it’s also a solid long-term investment since you can eventually upgrade bodies without needing to replace your lenses. Despite its pared-down design, this is a decent entryway into mirrorless cameras for those on the tightest of budgets who don’t want to buy used. That said, if you can afford it, we recommend going for the R50 over this model, as it offers significant improvements in areas like autofocus and video at only a slight premium in price.
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