Best Cheap Cameras For Photography In 2023: A Detailed Review

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W830

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W830

4.2

Starting at

$143.88

• Type: Compact
• Resolution: 20.1 MP
• Optical zoom: 8x
• Focal length: 4.5 to 36mm
• Video (max): 720p
• Weight: 4.2 ounces

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We found Sony Cybershot DSC W830 incredibly well performing for photos. This is the best cheap camera for photography that you can purchase right away.

It shoots stills with sharp details, steady images, and perfect color tones all through its 20.1 MP with a focal length from 4.5mm to 36mm.

Relatively inexpensive, this budget-friendly camera is best suitable for beginners and kids. Being a point-and-shoot camera, anyone can use it deliberately to capture a beautiful morning sunrise, street photography, telephotos and a lot more.

Kodak PixPro AZ421

Kodak PixPro AZ421

4.2

Starting at

$404.02

• Type: SLR
• Resolution: 16 MP
• Optical zoom: 42x
• Focal length: 24 to 1008mm
• Video (max): 720p
• Weight: 15 ounces

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The AZ421 is the best-known cheap Digital-SLR camera for photography. It shoots decent stills through its 16 MP camera resolution.

We have shot plenty of images and all of them are incredible. We also performed shooting on 900mm focal length, the picture quality was amazing and with sharp details.

For video, it only offers shooting at 720p which would not be good enough. As we tested, it fails to shoot in low light as well as the motion object fades away.

The quality wasn’t that good. Besides, with 42x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle lens, you can bring the world closer and capture your heart’s content.

Kodak PixPro FZ43

Kodak PixPro FZ43

4.1

Starting at

$230.68

• Type: Compact
• Resolution: 16 MP
• Optical zoom: 4x
• Focal length: 27-108mm
• Video (max): 720p
• Weight: 4.2 ounces

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The Kodak FZ43 is the younger brother of Kodak AZ421 as it is cheaper and spontaneously equivalent in performance.

Equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen, 4x optical zoom, and decent photo sensor technology; the camera is perfect for those who are on a budget and want a decent-performing camera.

It produces sharp and life-like images, and the LCD screen is also responsive and produces good color reading.

However, it doesn’t have 42x optical zoom, but still shoots quality zoom images, as we tested out.

Canon EOS 3000D

Canon EOS 3000D

4.1

Starting at

$408.70

• Type: DSLR
• Resolution: 18 MP
• Optical zoom: 3x
• Focal length: 18 to 55mm
• Video (max): 1080p at 30fps
• Weight: 52.9 ounces

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The Canon EOS 3000D is truly the best cheap camera for photography and video.

Not a compact point-and-shoot camera, being a DSLR, it’s big and bulky that takes great images in daylight and satisfied night images.

You can get DSLR-like picture quality with this budget-friendly camera. It shoots stills through its 18 megapixels and reads the light faster as it comes with an APS-C sensor.

For stills and video, you get pretty decent features like ISO 100 to 6400, Wi-Fi support, 5fps continuous shooting, and 9-point AF with 1 center cross-type AF point.

Overall, it is a pretty good DSLR camera to purchase and the best thing is that it resides in the budget range.

Canon PowerShot SX740

Canon PowerShot SX740

4.4

Starting at

$799.69

• Type: Compact
• Resolution: 20.3 MP
• Optical zoom: 40x
• Focal length: 4.3 to 172mm
• Video (max): 4K
• Weight: 9.7 ounces

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We tested this budget-friendly camera for a day and captured hundreds of photos. It delivers pretty amazing shots and is also good for everyday life photography and traveling.

It has 40x optical zoom capability, significantly parallel to Kodak PixPro AZ421 which has 42x optical zoom.

It’s portable and convenient, and its flip-out screen helps in many aspects.

For video, we get spontaneous results in the daytime. At night, the camera struggles to read the subject.

Overall, it has poor 4K performance at night time, unsharp details, and darker results.

Fujifilm X-A5

Fujifilm X-A5

4.6

Starting at

$427.11

• Type: Mirrorless
• Resolution: 24.2 MP
• Optical zoom: 3x
• Focal length: 4.3 to 172mm
• Video (max): 4K
• Weight: 12.7 ounces

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Fujifilm X-A5 is an updated version of the previous model, and we have tested it out for photography.

The X-A5 provides some of the best quality photos in both low and higher ISOs; we’ve seen clear, accurate, and sharp image colors.

It is a mirrorless camera, lightweight, and easy to shoot through its larger rear LCD monitor that can rotate 180 degrees.

For connectivity, you get additional support for Bluetooth technology for quick, easy, and automatic transfer of still images and videos.

Compared to the Canon EOS 3000D, X-A5 performs better.

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 III

4.2

Starting at

$668.99

• Type: Compact
• Resolution: 20.1 MP
• Optical zoom: 2.9x
• Focal length: 24 to 70mm
• Video (max): 1080 at 60p
• Weight: 10.2 ounces

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Sony RX100 Mark III is a perfect cheap camera for budget-oriented people. The camera shines in every aspect from taking a variety of images to shooting raw videos.

Equipped with a 20.1 MP type Exmor R CMOS sensor gives your lenses the capability to shoot detailed images in the way you want.

Additionally, you can connect to an external display when producing some serious content, thanks to the HDMI port.

USB port, NFC, and different modes for videos and images can also be tried when necessary.

Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon EOS Rebel T7

4.7

Starting at

$399.00

• Type: DSLR
• Resolution: 24.1 MP
• Optical zoom: 8x
• Focal length: 18 to 55mm
• Video (max): 1080 Full HD
• Weight: 16.7 ounces

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The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is pretty similar to the Canon EOS 3000D, the difference is that the T7 has image stabilization features.

Also, the price of the Rebel T7 is less than 3000D, which again is overwhelming.

As we tested both Canon entry-level cameras, we were impressed with the both camera’s image quality and video output.

But 3000D produces more sharp-quality videos than T7. This budget-friendly camera offers pretty much everything to beginners.

You can take landscape, portrait, close-up, night portrait, food, and sports photography. The camera is well-designed and optimal to do most photography jobs.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

4.4

Starting at

$397.99

• Type: SLR
• Resolution: 18.1 MP
• Optical zoom: 60x
• Focal length: 20 to 1200mm
• Video (max): 4K
• Weight: 21.7 ounces

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FZ80 isn’t rated much as an entry-level camera but it shoots stills brilliantly. The build quality is impressive as well as the ergonomics are also great.

Though it is an entry-level camera, the specs that it offers are worth and equivalent to the pros camera segment.

You can expect to get decent-quality pictures when traveling, sporting, or street-outing.

Overall, AutoFocus is responsive, it’s easy to use, fairly quick burst rate, and has great ergonomics.