Photography is now an extremely popular hobby and profession. As a medium its grown massively over the last few years and shows no signs of slowing down.
As the demand has risen – the amount of cameras, gear and accessories on the market has also risen created more options for consumers but also a lot more confusion. When first setting out on what camera, lens or film you might buy there are lots of options and it can often be extremely confusing.
If like many professional, hobbyist or amateur photographers you decide that a DSLR camera is the right choice for you, you’re probably not going to want to drop 2000 – 3000 dollars on your first camera.
This list is designed to show you the best DSLR options out there that are under the 1000 dollar price tag. When you first buy a DSLR camera its best to decide which will best covers your needs as a posed to gambling on various add-on settings that will be confusing at first.
This list will run you through a range of DSLR cameras that are all under 1000 dollars which range in uses. Whether you’re looking to snap portraits, shoot films or just want a great walk around camera – on this list we will cover all the best options so you don’t have to waste your money on a camera you don’t need, or a camera that won’t work for you.
Read on to find out about the best DSLR’s for under 1000 dollars!
D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR w/AF-P DX NIKKOR
The Nikon D5600 DX DSLR is the first camera that makes our list. This camera is both extremely popular and very reasonably priced. Chances are, whether you’re completely new to photography or you’ve owned cameras but never a DSLR you’ll have heard of the brand Nikon.
Nikon make some of the best DSLR cameras at the moment regarding both functionality, build quality and specifications. For less than 650 dollars this camera will immediately offer you sharp, crispy and clear images.
The Nikon D5600 comes with an LCD screen that is reversible – perfect for those that are new to the filed of photography. The camera is both lightweight and compact making it the perfect travel companion. If you purchase this camera you’ll be extremely impressed with both its features and ease of use.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Great value for money.
- Nikon build quality.
- Perfect for beginners.
- Comes with a large LCD that is reversible.
- Lightweight and compact – perfect for anyone who wants to travel, use the camera for long periods of time or wants to shoot street snaps.
- Great button placement for ease of use.
- Autofocus that is fast and sharp.
- 7 seconds to turn on, autofocus and shoot an image.
- 1 seconds lock on time for the autofocus in bright conditions.
- 5 seconds for autofocus to focus in dark conditions.
- 24 megapixel image sensor.
- Speedy camera that will never miss a shot.
- External mic support for sound recording whilst you film.
- 1080p video filming capabilities.
- WiFi and Bluetooth are built in to easily transfer your images and free up memory space.
Cons
- Limited scope for experimentation.
- More experienced shooters will quickly become bored with the lack of additional features.
Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera
The Fujifilm X-T30 is our second camera and a close second to the Nikon. This camera is slightly more expensive than the Nikon which is why we placed it here.
The Fujifilm X-T30 would make a sound investment for anyone who wants to purchase a DSLR that takes outstanding shots. What’s more is that the Fujifilm camera is also aesthetically pleasing. The body is cast with a vintage edge that makes this camera look and feel like a retro piece of equipment.
However, don’t be fooled by the exterior of this camera. On the inside this camera offers the highest specifications and all the latest modern mods and cons. Its extremely versatile for shooting, lightweight compact and robust.
Fujifilm make great cameras that have stood the test of time. Their DSLR range is no different and whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer looking to purchase a DLSR the Fujifilm X-T30 would be well suited for anyone.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Great build quality.
- Perfect for novices as well as more experienced photographers.
- Has a beautiful vintage feel.
- Fujifilm quality is shown throughout.
- Modern settings.
- Extremely versatile – this camera takes great shots straight out of the box.
- Blue and WiFi connectivity for easy transfer of your snaps as well as memory clearing.
- Extremely high video output and quality control.
- Controls are easy to use and manipulate.
- The shutter speed is fast and consistent.
Cons
- Slow and insensitive autofocus.
- Feels like a cheap point and shoot as a posed to a DSLR.
- Small buttons that can be annoying for people with larger hands.
Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera
The Sony Alpha A6400 was always going to make it onto our list. This camera is extremely popular right now and for good reason. Those of you that are looking for a great DSLR under the 1000 dollar price point will be blown away by this cameras capabilities.
The camera functionality is one of the main selling points of this camera. Beginners and experienced photographers a like have been drawn into the cameras ease of use and high end image quality.
The autofocus is sharp and fast whilst the LCD touch screen also makes it easy to use and of course fun. This is probably the best DSLR for under 1000 dollars for anyone wanting a camera that shoots extremely good video too.
Sony make great quality products and this is another example of that!
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Amazing fast and sharp autofocus.
- Great for video making as well.
- LCD touch screen built in.
- High end image quality.
- Great functionality.
- Well built and durable body.
- Sharp, crisp and clear image quality.
- ISO range that goes up to 102,600!
- Superior filming abilities.
- Good value for money.
Cons
- No inbuilt image stabilisation.
- When adding lenses to this camera the autofocus can lag and become unresponsive.
Panasonic Lumix G85 4K Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix G58 is another great DSLR that will blow you away for less than 700 dollars!
This is a great all round camera perfect for beginners as well as more experienced shooters looking for a DSLR. Generally speaking this camera is a great investment with plenty of built in mods and cons as well as up to date features such as 4K video performance which other models don’t have at this price point.
The moisture and dust proof body also add to this cameras durability making it the perfect travel companion and partner in crime for documenting your next great adventure!
Pros
- Great all round camera.
- Good value for money.
- Up to date with features.
- 4K shooting is the best on any DSLR under the 1000 dollar price range.
- Hardy exterior.
- Great for travellers and outdoor shooters.
- Dust and moisture proof body for shooting abilities in all weather and terrain.
- Excellent autofocus.
- LCD screen for easy use.
- Smaller body that other models on this list making it more portable.
- Allows you to get creative with lots of inbuilt features that allow for a range of different shooting styles.
- Great for novices and more experienced shooters.
Cons
- Can take some time to figure out.
- Control can be complicated for beginners.
- The autofocus is louder than most cameras on this list.
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
The final camera that makes our list is the Canon EOS 7D 18 mega pixel. Canon are of course another brand that is of course known for their cameras and modern photography equipment.
This camera offers plenty of high end features whilst working on a tight budget. The cheapest on the list and our pick for the budget option, this is a great DSLR camera to get you started.
Pros
- Decent image quality.
- Great value for money.
- Shoots well in low level light conditions.
- Customisable controls and easy to add accessories.
- Easy to use.
- User friendly.
- Good battery life.
- Comes with a 19-point autofocusing system.
- Shoots up to 8 frames per second.
Cons
- Worst image quality of the cameras listed here.
- Autofocus doesn’t function as well inside a studio setting.
Conclusion
This list has shown that there are multiple great DSLR cameras out there for under 1000 dollars. For anyone wanting to take up photography as a hobby or someone who knows there way around a camera but is yet to shoot on a DSLR any of these cameras will serve you well.
Consider what basic aspect of your camera is most important to you and find the right camera within your price range from this list today! Happy shooting.
