What Are The Least Expensive But Highest Quality DSLR Cameras?

1. 68

   PhoenixVposted 12 years ago

   What Are The Least Expensive But Highest Quality DSLR Cameras?
   
   What Are The Least Expensive But Highest Quality DSLR Cameras?

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2. 68

   VirginiaLynneposted 12 years ago

   The best deal out right now is a Kodak EasyMax--since Kodak went out of business they are selling their high end camera at under $200--it has anything you might want plus a fabulous lens.  I've had mine now for 18 months and love it.  I'm going to buy a second one.  I have a review I've written for this under Cameras for Moms on my Hubs.  It has video and photos from this camera, but actually, anything on my Hubpages account was taken with this camera if it is listed VirginiaLynne--check out my flower photos--fabulous macro lens.

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3. 52

   lisa42posted 12 years ago

   Right now you can get a Nikon D3100 under $500, and there's no question that Nikon makes great DSLRs.
   
   What you have to remember when buying a DSLR is that the expense of the body and kit lens is not going to be your only expense if you plan to get seriously involved in photography. If you want a DSLR because you're interested in the flexibility of multiple lenses and accessories, your choice of manufacturer is also going to impact your future expenses. Professional Nikon cameras and lenses are often more expensive than other brands, including Canon.
   
   Right now, Sony trails Nikon and Canon in the DSLR market in terms of units sold, but you can get more features in a Sony camera for less than you'd pay for a Canon or Nikon. Are they good? Well, Popular Photography has chosen a Sony for its Camera of the Year in two of the last five years, and Nikon actually uses their sensors in their APS-C cameras. So, yeah, they're good. They just haven't been making DSLRs long enough to have as much name recognition in that segment of the market as Canon and Nikon.
   
   I personally shoot Canon because that's what I've owned for over 30 years, and I absolutely love, love, love my Canon cameras (an EOS 7D and old T1i). But if I were just starting out again, it wouldn't be a slam dunk for Canon. There are so many amazing options on the market right now. I think I'd have a hard time deciding!
   
   If budget were a main consideration, I would definitely lean toward Sony. Or even Pentax. You can get a completely weather-sealed Pentax DSLR for under $1000, and, yes, it gets good ratings.
   
   I'm partial to Canon, of course, and think the EOS Rebel series is a great entry-level DSLR series. The T3i, T4i, and T5i are all great, but they're more expensive than Sony, Pentax and even the Nikon D3100.
   
   But I think you'll get the most bang for your buck with Sony. (Sorry, Canon!!)
   
   You can get a Sony A37K with a kit lens for under $500 on Amazon. It has more focal points than the Nikon D3100 (15 vs 11), can shoot faster than the Nikon (7fps vs 3fps)  and has higher resolution than the Nikon (16.1 mp vs 14.2 mp).
   
   Ultimately, however, your decision should be based not only on what you want right now, but what you plan on doing in the future. If you're interested in photography as a career or serious hobby, the choice you make now will also affect your choices - and expenses - in the future.

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