Best Cheap Camera for Photography Beginners in 2024
Buying your first camera can be exciting plus daunting as you must consider many factors. You definitely be looking for a camera that is easy to use for a person who has never held a camera before. You will also be looking for an option that is affordable.
Cameras designed for professionals are often expensive. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take great pictures with affordable options.
Affordable cameras specially designed for beginners can take great pictures. They are a step up in quality as compared to smartphones.
There are plenty of camera options on the market that claim to provide fine image quality with great value but they don’t prove to be true. They largely compromise on quality when affordability is met and vice versa.
In this guide, we have chosen the best cheap camera for photography beginners that combines quality with affordability. We have picked the options just at the end of the minimum price range with functionality at the highest.
Canon EOS 2000D / Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
The Canon Rebel T7 also known is a beginner friendly camera. It is the cheapest in Canon’s DSLR lineup. The camera comes with an APS-C sensor offering a good balance of cost along with performance.
The Canon Rebel T7 is an old model lagging in terms of specs. It has fewer features means you can easily get a hang of it. You will better take control of your photography which matters the most as a beginner.
The camera has a fixed rear screen with a higher-resolution 24-megapixel sensor. If you are moving to it from a smartphone, you will get better-quality images relatively. The camera feels super comfortable to shoot with and with the price tag, you are getting a competent option.
The camera offers plenty of excellent Canon EF-mount lenses to help you set up the quality of photos. With the options, there are limitless options for you to be creative with your photography.
Canon EOS R50
The Canon EOS R50 hits the spot as the best camera for beginners combining performance with value. Although not the cheapest of Canon’s lineup, it has exceptional autofocus and Canon’s date sensor you can’t have at this price.
The compact mirrorless camera will appeal to you with its features packed in a lightweight design. It has a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and Canon’s latest ‘RF’ lens mount which is pretty amazing for the price.
The RF-mount camera has excellent autofocus with amazing burst shooting capabilities resulting in excellent image quality. The portable camera is easy to carry around with an interchangeable lens. The camera makes it easy to get you started with an amazing autofocus system plus numerous advanced features.
OM-D E-M10 Mark III
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III is not the newest in its line, but it is still in demand for its price plus picture quality. The camera captures 16 mp images which is relatively low compared to other models but it is enough for most purposes. The camera is more oriented toward beginners with an intuitive interface that is easy to understand.
The camera has Advanced Photography mode on the dial. It allows you to put shooting modes on the menu with great ease. The twin dials and articulating touchscreen give you direct control which is amazing for the price.
The camera handling is also made quite easy by thinning out options in the menu structure. Now you get an easy-to-operate camera that offers 4k video with greater stabilization.
The camera’s output is also impressive with great color rendition. Furthermore, its performance is also good considering its elderly sensor.
Panasonic Lumix G7
The Panasonic Lumix G7 is a DSLR styled compelling model with several upgrades over its predecessors. Although not equipped with the latest cutting edge technology, the camera is still in high demand for the great value it offers for the price.
The Lumix G7 employs a 16 mp sensor enhanced by Panasonic’s DFD (depth-by-defocus) technology. Although the resolution is behind the latest technology, it offers 4k impressive video. The mirrorless camera is a true electronic eye-level viewfinder with fold-out screen.
The camera’s ease of use makes it ideal for beginners. The controls on the camera are arranged well for easy understanding. Furthermore, the camera allows creative and fun possibilities with its capability to extract 8MP images from 4k video.
Fujifilm X-T30 II
The compact camera by Fujifilm has earned a spot on our list for high-end performance. The interchangeable lens camera is popular among beginners as well as professionals. The camera offers a dial-based approach along with an automatic switch dial. If you find the dial-based approach to be frustrating, you can let the switch handle all your exposure settings.
The Fujifilm X-T30 II is a modest update to the original Fujifilm X-30. The upgraded model has the same exceptional performance as its previous version with few features upgraded.
With a more competitive landscape in the camera market, Fujifilm X-stands as a competent camera. It consists of an in-body flash which is considered outdated by most as they are replaced by off-camera lights in the latest models. But if you are a beginner this is a handy option to have better control of your shots.
Sony A6100
The Sony A6100 is a speedy camera with exceptional image quality and terrific autofoucs. It is light and compact with touch screen making it a stand out option in digital camera world. It is most popular among beginners for its basic control buttons that are easy to understand.
The mirrorless camera has been a top seller from its day of release and have maintained its reputation until now. Although the A6100 comes slightly expensive compared to previous models, it still falls in the budget category.
The image quality the camera offers meets the high quality standards. It captures videos at 1080p which is quite good for a camera in that price range.
Conclusion
For photography beginners in 2024 finding a cheap plus quality camera is easier than ever. Affordable cameras designed for beginners can take great pictures, offering a significant upgrade from smartphone photography. These options combine ease of use and excellent image quality without breaking the bank. While some affordable models may lack advanced features, they make up for it by being user-friendly and functional, helping new photographers gain confidence.