Smartphone cameras have progressed leaps and bounds, but sometimes you just can’t beat a dedicated camera. Handheld cameras haven’t changed as much as smartphones, but they’ve added new features like Wi-Fi and Full HD. Unfortunately, some of that new technology has continued to make cameras even more expensive. We’ve gone ahead and put together a list of some of the best cheap camera deals available right now.
See also: The best cameras for beginners
As the post title suggests, you won’t find any high-end DSLRs that don’t run you thousands of dollars. This list is more for those of you looking for a first camera or an affordable upgrade. We’ve broken the deals down into each type of camera to make it easier for you to decide just what you need.
Best cheap camera deals
All of these deals were live at the time of writing but sites like Amazon changes its offers often. We’ll do our best to update the deals as we find new savings and others expire.
Cheap DSLR deals
DSLRs are what many people think of when they think of professional cameras. They feature interchangeable lenses and large sensors for better image quality than compact cameras. DSLRs also use a rotating mirror to preview and capture your image to the sensor.
See also:Â The best DSLRs you can buy right now
Nikon D3500
The Nikon D3500 is designed to be flexible and intuitive while maintaining the image quality you expect from a DSLR. It features a 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS sensor and Expeed 4 processor for high dynamic range (HDR), detail, and accurate colors. You can also send 2MP images straight to your phone with the SnapBridge Bluetooth feature.
See also: What is HDR in photography? Let us show you how it’s done
Canon Eos 250D
The Canon Eos 250D is the first Canon model on the list, and an easy way to enter the Canon ecosystem. After all, select accessories only fit select cameras, much like smartphones. The Eos 250D is not only very light, but it also features a movable screen. It sports a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and Digic 8 processor for live autofocus and 4K video.
Canon Eos 2000D
The Canon Eos 2000D is similar to the 250D in terms of sensors and accessories, but it’s a bit more affordable. The 2000D also swaps the Digic 8 processor for a Digic 4 Plus. If you’re looking for an entry point to the world of DSLRs, the Canon Eos 2000D includes creative filters and simplified controls to help you built confidence.
Canon Eos Rebel T6
The final cheap DSLR camera deal on the list, and the option with the most extras, is the Canon Eos Rebel T6. It’s a bit older than the other Eos models, but the Rebel T6 bundle includes an extra 75-300mm lens and a carrying case. On the inside, the Rebel T6 captures with an 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor and the Digic 4 Plus processor.
See also:Â The best Canon cameras you can buy right now
Mirrorless camera deals
Mirrorless cameras are similar to DSLRs in that they rely on interchangeable lenses for image quality. As the name suggests, they lack a mirror so images are captured directly on the sensor. Mirrorless cameras are often smaller and lighter as well, which makes them easier to carry and use.
See also:Â The best mirrorless cameras you can buy
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
The Olympus E-M10 Mark II packs five-axis image stabilization and a 16MP Live MOS sensor for blur-free shots and up to 4K video. You can even focus using a single tap of the touchscreen and send images to your phone over Wi-Fi. Make sure to either select a lens here or purchase an extra, as this offer is only for the body of the camera.
Sony Alpha a6000
Sony’s Alpha a6000 mirrorless camera upgrades to a 24.3MP Exmor APS HD CMOS image sensor and a Bionz X chip for high-quality shots and videos. It also features seven buttons that can be programmed to hundreds of functions for a custom experience. You can preview your shots on either the three-inch LCD screen or through the OLED viewfinder for the perfect picture.
Panasonic Lumix GX85
The biggest discount on the list belongs to the Panasonic Lumix GX85. Right now, you can grab the body along with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses on Amazon. The Lumix GX85 features a Venus engine and 16-MP Live MOS sensor plus up to 27 interchangeable lenses.
Canon Eos M50
The last of the best cheap mirrorless camera deals, the Canon Eos M50 takes many of the specs from Canon’s DSLRs and packs them into a mirrorless body. It features the Digic 8 chip and Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus which makes the M50 a solid choice for vlogging, if you’re into that. The M50 is also capable of autofocus tracking as well as eye detection for perfect portraits.
Compact camera deals
Compact cameras are often called point-and-shoot cameras because they’re small and easy to operate. The lens is built into the camera so you can essentially just point and capture images with the push of a button. Compact cameras are smaller than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras though, and you might find that your image quality is limited if you have designs on a photography career.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
The Panasonic Lumic DMC-ZS50 is light and portable, but that doesn’t mean it skips on quality. It relies on a 12.1MP sensor and a Leica DC lens with 30-times optical zoom. You can also focus your shots with a control ring similar to that of DSLRs and catch steady videos with built-in OIS.
Sony RX100
If you’re set on a compact camera and you’re looking for a solid mix of accessories, the Sony RX100 is a good bet right now. Not only does it feature a 20.2MP Exmor CMOS processor and Bionz X engine, but Focus is bundling it with plenty of extras. You can grab the RX100 with two 16GB memory cards, a Case Logic carrying case, and a full suite of Corel Deluxe Photo Software.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is a bridge-style camera that plants itself between a traditional point-and-shoot and a mirrorless device. It features a 20.1MP sensor with a 16x zoom lens and a Venus Engine for high-res 4K video. The Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is a solid choice if you want a camera with more power than most compacts but you don’t need the extra lenses of DSLRs.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80
The Lumix FZ80 wraps up our list, and it’s very similar to the FZ1000 listed above. It bridges the gap between compact and mirrorless models, but with slightly different specs than its sibling. The FZ80 jumps to a 60x zoom lens but drops to an 18.1MP sensor. It’s pretty much designed to be an all-rounder with exceptional zoom capabilities for those far-off shots.