
Electronics are expensive. They can cost hundreds and thousands of dollars. Especially with photography and cameras. This is not a hobby that anyone should just jump into.
It can be intimidating to start such an expensive hobby.
What to Look for in a Camera
So, before you go diving into the world of cameras, you should probably figure out what to look for.
What Do You Need? | It’s easy to be like a kid in a toy shop when you are looking at cameras. After all, they are all shiny and have cool features. But this is mistake that can cost you. Make a list you can start with to find the best camera for photography beginners. Ones that are cheap and easy to use. |
Be Wary of the Extras | When looking at cameras, remember there may be extras that you want or need that aren’t included in the price. Some extras can include: Some retailers will group these extras or give a discount with a purchase of a camera. Like with your camera, make sure you know what you want from your extras, so you don’t buy a bunch of stuff you don’t need. |
DSLR or Point and Shoot? | A DSLR is a digital single lens reflex camera. This is a camera with a removable lens, has a reflex mirror that allows live optical viewing through the lens taking the image. A point and shoot camera can also be known as a compact camera. They are made to be used for simple shots. They use focus free lenses or autofocus, and have many settings already set up. DSLRs are bigger and heavier than point and shoots. DSLRs will probably give you more quality shots, but they aren’t as convenient as point and shoots. DSLRs are more expensive and you may have upgrade your lenses occasionally. You will have to decide which type of camera you would prefer. |
Read Reviews | This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Don’t just listen to the companies’ description or a salesperson. It’s always good to see what people who have actually used them think. Check out professional reviewers and people who leave reviews on purchasing sites. |
See If You Can Try One | If you are shopping in person, see if you can play with a camera a little. You can get a feel for it and how it feels in your hands. You can fiddle with the settings to make sure they will do exactly what you want them to do. Don’t be afraid to do more research into photography terms and features if you still feel unsure. |
10 of the Best Camera Deals
10 of the Best Camera Deals
Here are some of the best deals that we could find. There’s a variety of types of cameras, brands, and prices. Budget cameras don’t mean that they aren’t good. It just means that they may not have as many features or depth of tools. They could also be older models discounted because the newer model is out.
- 20.2 MP 1"-type Exmor R CMOS sensor. 28-100mm equivalent F/1.8-4.9 lens.
- Continuous shooting up to 10 FPS. ISO 160-12800, expandable ISO 100, 125, and 25,600.
- . 1080 60p/24p HD video with full exposure control (MPEG-4/AVCHD)3.0 inch tiltable TFT LCD with 1,229,000 dots
This is a great little compact camera. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s not full of helpful features. It has extremely high sensitivity and low noise. This is achieved by Sony’s massive megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor. Its back illumination technology collects light more efficiently and combines with image processing advances to bring noise to low levels.
It features a high performance lens that has an accurate performance with a 3.6x optical zoom. It also has a huge F1.8 aperture.
You can also see every scene through the 3 inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine monitor display scene. You can even see it during bright sunlight. It can be tilted up to 45 degrees downward or up to 84 degrees upward.
It has other features like being able to capture details in low light conditions, high speed auto focus, comfortable control ring for manual operation, and so much more.
It has a star 4.1-star rating. People like it because the quality of images, it’s easy to use, and it can go from light to dark and vice versa easily.
People complained about the fact it didn’t come with a memory card, that it’s doesn’t have a touch screen, and the accessories for this camera can get expensive fast.
- NIKON AUTHORIZED DEALER. 1 Year Limited Warranty. Nikon D3400 Digital SLR Camera + Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm...
- INCLUDES: 55mm 0.43x Wide Angle Lens (w/ Macro Portion) Vivitar Professional 2.2x Telephoto Lens + Bounce Zoom Slave...
- XPIX DELUXE CLEANING KIT included in the bundle to help you maintain your photo equipment safely and effectively
This is a great camera for beginners because it’s actually a bundle. You get the camera, a 16GB memory card, a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, bounce zoom slave flash, 58 inch heavy duty tripod, a 32 GB memory, a padded camera carrying case, memory card wallet, 55mm 3 piece filter kit, safety wrist grip strap and lens cap keeper, universal wireless remote, 3 high quality glass screen protector, SD card reader, deluxe cleaning, and microfiber lens cleaning cloth.
But more on the actual camera, it’s a great entry level DSLR. It has a compact body, a solid autofocus system, huge battery life, and great image quality.
Best of all, it’s so easy to use.
It has a both auto and manual settings which let the photographer grow as they practice.
WiFi hasn’t been included inside the body, but wireless image transmission is still possible through the SnapBridge feature.
It has a 4.6-star rating. Pros of this camera are that the photos upload to people’s phones, it’s easy to use, and all the accessories that come with it.
Cons are that it has no microphone and people believe that the accessories aren’t of high quality.
- LUMIX 30X Travel Zoom Camera with Eye Viewfinder
- Enhanced low-light sensitivity for improved sharpness even without a flash
- Built-in eye viewfinder eliminates outdoor glare on sunny days
This is a great travel camera. You can get close with the 30x Zoom LEICA Lens. This will bring subjects far away close enough to get all the small details in. It can handle low lighting thanks to the larger pixel size High Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor.
You can also use the live view finder. It’s a high 1.66k dot resolution and has 100% color reproduction. You also get to control the exposure, zoom, and focus thanks to the rubber control ring.
It can handle high speed subjects with 10 fps high speed burst shooting. It also can handle high speed video due to the 100 fps in HD resolution.
Other features are manual feature peaking, RAW format recording, being able to take macro shots, and more.
It has a 4-star rating. Highlights are the photo and video quality, it’s lightweight, and easy to use.
Lows are the panorama mode creates images that are fuzzy, the power of the zoom, and that the flash is where you normally hold the camera.
- 18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) image sensor and high-performance DIGIC 4+ Image Processor for excellent speed and quality
- ISO 100-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for shooting from bright light to low light. Compatible with Eye-Fi Cards....
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity provide easy sharing to compatible smart devices, select social media sites and the...
This may be the most affordable camera in the Canon series. This camera is equipped with an 18.0 megapixel CMOS image sensor and the DIGIC 4+ Image Processor. This gives highly detailed, vibrant photos and videos in low light.
It also has a 9 point autofocus system. This means that it uses normal and high precision focus to give you a crisp and clear detail. It also has an optical viewfinder. You can even use it in bright sunlight. There is also a 3-inch LCD screen in the rear of the camera.
It has wireless connectivity built into it. The Canon Camera Connect app help transfer photos and videos to and from compatible devices, upload directly to various web services and more.
Other features are continuous shooting, creative editing options, auto white balance, and more.
It has a 4.6-star rating. Pros of this camera are that it’s easy to use, the quality of photos it takes, and the wireless features.
Cons are that it doesn’t have a touch screen, the telephoto doesn’t have stabilization, and the manual isn’t super helpful.
- 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
- 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
- 5 frames per second continuous shooting
This is an ultra-high resolution DSLR camera. It can create incredibly clear, sharp, and rich photos. This is because of the 24.2 mega pixel DX format CMOS image sensor that capture the purest, most lifelike images. You can enlarge or crop your photos without losing any sharpness or detail.
It’s compact, lightweight, and comfortable to hold.
It also has built in WiFi and GPS. You can connect it with your smartphone or tablet. Then you can browse the photos on DS5300’s memory card, import your favorites and instantly email them, text them, or share them online.
Your smartphone can also double as a remote monitor for your camera.
It has a 4.6-star rating. People like this camera because the image quality, the focus point spread, and how easy it is to use.
People have complained about the WiFi quality, the buttons are in odd places and take time to get used to, and the battery life.
- Powerful 40x Optical Zoom with Intelligent IS helps optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allows for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
- 20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 Image Processor helps deliver stunning image quality even in low light.
This camera has a powerful 40x Optical Zoom meaning you snap close up portraits, landmarks, and anything else that’s far away. It has a 20.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 6 Image Processor. It’s compact and has a good size tilt angle screen.
It has built in WiFi that lets you share your photos from anywhere. You can post your photo on any social media, Google Drive, and more through the Canon Image Gateway. You can also save them to an online photo album.
It has a 4.2-star rating. Pros are the flash evenly distributes light, menus are easy to use, and that the zoomed in photos are so clear.
Cons of the camera are that the autofocus doesn’t work well in low light conditions and the battery life.
- 10x Optical / 20x Clear Image Zoom G Lens, 182MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor for superb low light images, BIONZ X engine for...
- Operating temperature:32-104°F/0-40°C.Smooth Full HD video recording in 1080/60p, Simple connectivity to smartphones...
- In the box: Rechargeable Battery (NP-BN), AC Adaptor (AC-UB10C / UB10D), Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Instruction...
This is a great compact point and shoot. It has a 10x Optical Zoom and has full HD video recording. There is also the 18.2 MP Exmore RCMOS Sensor that helps create clear images even in low light conditions. There is reduced grain.
It has built in WiFi and lets you connect to your smartphone. You can transfer images to Android smartphones and tablets. It’s easy to do this, all you have to do is touch the device to set it up.
It has more features like creative editing, sweep panorama mode, motion shot video, and more.
It has a 4-star rating. Perks of this camera are how small it is, how quick it can focus on a subject, and the quality of low light photos.
Takeaways are that the WiFi transfers are slow, some people feel that the camera is too small and they struggled with the buttons, and that the manual is not super helpful.
- POINT-AND-SHOOT LONG ZOOM CAMERA: 18.1-megapixel MOS sensor plus 60X zoom DC VARIO lens (20-1220mm) and POWER...
- HIGH-RESOLUTION VIEWFINDER AND LCD DISPLAY: High-resolution 1,170K-dot viewfinder and rear touch-enabled 3-inch LCD...
- 4K VIDEO CAPTURE: 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160), plus exclusive LUMIX 4K PHOTO and 4K Post Focus with...
This camera fits comfortably in your hand and has ergonomic grip. It has full range 60X long zoom, along 20 mm wide angle. The viewfinder can be looked through even in bright sunlight.
You can record photos up to 30 frames per second. This is great for moving subjects, you get multiple shots of it. It can also handle low light shots as well.
Don’t forget videos. It has 4K video capture in full HD.
It has a 4.4-star rating. Pros are how lightweight and how powerful it is, the quality of zoomed in photos, and the price.
Cons are that the battery life doesn’t last long, the video isn’t as crisp as it could be, and there have been some issues with using the flash.
- Built-in 5-Axis image stabilization for sharper images
- 2.3 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.62X magnification
- Silent mode (disables all shutter sounds)
This camera has a nostalgic look to it, but it’s all modern. It has a 5 axis Image Stabilization. This system is also used in their more luxury models from this company. This should help keep your photos clear instead of blurry.
It has an OLED electronic viewfinder and is easy to see through even in bright light. It has a touch autofocus. This means that you can focus and release the shutter by tapping the area of the screen you want to zero in on.
This is a camera you can grow with. It has a lens for every situation and budget. Also, this camera has an iAuto mode, which reads the scene and adjusts the settings. This means you literally point and shoot. But you can set it so that you can manually change the aperture and shutter. There are also more advanced tools like Live Guide which shows how different settings affect the image before you take the shot.
Other features include 8.5 fps burst shooting, silent shutter, creative filters, and more.
It has a 4.3-star rating. People like this camera because it’s easy to use, it has that classic look with modern functions, and the great image stabilization.
People have complained about focus in low light is challenging, autofocus is not good with moving targets, and the battery life doesn’t last long.
- SNAP, PRINT, SHARE - The Polaroid Snap instant digital camera captures all the fun and spontaneity of the legacy...
- ZERO INK, ZERO TONER, INSTANT RESULTS - The integrated ZINK printing technology enables you to instantly print...
- EMBRACE YOUR INNER PHOTOGRAPHER - Get snapping, capture details with the powerful 10 megapixel sensor, insert a microSD...
Do you miss the nostalgic polaroid where it would print out a photo right away? You can get that back with this camera. This camera is super easy to use, you just point and snap. It’s a 10 megapixel digital camera.
You raise the viewfinder to power on, and lower it to power it off. It also has 6 picture modes: normal, black and white, vintage, polaroid border logo format in normal, black and white, and vintage.
It has a no paper indicator and battery low indicator. It uses a micro SD card slot up to 32 GB. There are other great features and the camera comes in different colors.
It has a 3.5-star rating. Perks of this camera are that you get that old school feeling with the physical photo while getting the modern perks of having a digital copy, it’s easy to use, and that it’s rechargeable.
Takeaways are it doesn’t provide super crisp images, there are no instructions, and some people had a hard time adjusting in the viewfinder.
Finding the Perfect Camera for You
Product | Details | Price |
---|---|---|
Sensor 20.2 MP 1" Exmor R CMOS ISO 100-25600 Optical Zoom 3.6x Screen 3" WhiteMagic TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI Dimension 4" x 2.29" x 1.41″ Weight 240 g | ||
Sensor 24 MP 1" Expeed 4 CMOS ISO 100-25600 Screen 3" TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, SnapBridge Dimension 4.88 x 3.86 x 2.99″ Weight 445 g | ||
Sensor 12 MP CMOS ISO 80-6400 Screen 3" TFT LCD with AR coating Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, 802.11 b/g/n with NFC Dimension 4.37 x 2.56 x 1.34″ Weight 243 g | ||
Sensor 18 MP APS-C Digic 4+ CMOS ISO 100-6400, expandable to 12800 Screen 3" TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec Video Resolution 1280 x 720 (60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, 802.11b/g/n with NFC Dimension 5.08 x 3.98 x 3.07″ Weight 485 g | ||
Sensor 24 MP APS-C Expeed 4 CMOS ISO 100 - 12800 (25600 with boost) Screen 3.2" TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI Dimension 4.92 x 3.86 x 2.99″ Weight 480 g | ||
Sensor 20 MP DIGIC 6 BSI-CMOS ISO Auto, 100-3200 Optical Zoom 30× Screen 3.2" PureColor II G TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/3200 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, 802.11b/g/n with NFC Dimension 4.45 x 2.6 x 1.38″ Weight 269 g | ||
Sensor 18 MP Bionz X BSI-CMOS ISO Auto, 100 - 3200 Optical Zoom 10× Screen 3" ClearPhoto LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/1600 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, 802.11b/g/n with NFC Dimension 3.62 x 2.05 x 0.87″ Weight 121 g | ||
Sensor 16 MP Venus Engine CMOS ISO Auto, 100 - 3200 (6400 with boost) Optical Zoom 60× Screen 3" TFT Screen LCD Display Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (50i/60i) 1280 x 720p (50fps / 60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI Dimension 5.12 x 3.82 x 4.65″ Weight 606 g | ||
Sensor 16 MP TruePic VII CMOS ISO Auto, 200 - 25600, expands to 100-25600 Screen 3" TFT LCD Max Shutter Speed 1/16000 sec Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720p (60fps) Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, 802.11b/g/n with smartphone app Dimension 4.72 x 3.27 x 1.85″ Weight 390 g | ||
Sensor 10MP 1/3.2" CMOS Lens 3.4mm f/2.8 Lens Printing Technology ZINK Zero Ink Print Size 2 x 3" Print Speed <1 Minute |
Here are just a few options for you if you are looking for an inexpensive camera. Again, as a reminder, an inexpensive camera does not always mean it’s a bad one. Most of the time it just means that it has less features and is simpler in design.
No matter what camera you choose, whether it’s from this list, or elsewhere, make sure to make a list of what you want from your camera. These will help you narrow down the wide sea of cameras to a few that could work for you.
Never forget to read the reviews. People are passionate about these cameras. They leave mini essays about how great or awful it is. Many break down why or why not they like them and how the camera works. Reviews are the best way to know if something really works or not. A camera can look good on paper and be awful in real life.
Do all of that and take your time with research, and you will find the best camera deal and camera for you.