Best Affordable Camera?

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

I am looking for an affordable camera. Nothing SUPER expensive. What is a good camera that will be great for a beginner that doesn't cost more than $400?
I don't want to spend a ton of money in the beginning. I would LOVE to own one of those high-tech $2000+ cameras but I don't have the money for that! haha

ruifo · Jul 30, 2014

Look at the D3200 (~ $500) and at the D5200 (~ $ 600).
These are entry level DSLRs from Nikon. The D5200 is a hell of a good camera.

Canon's entry level are ~ $300

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

ruifo said:
Look at the D3200 (~ $500) and at the D5200 (~ $ 600).
These are entry level DSLRs from Nikon. The D5200 is a hell of a good camera.

Canon's entry level are ~ $300

Thank you, I will check these out. I heard very good things about Nikon cameras. My last camera was a Canon I believe but it was only a simply point and shoot $250 camera. Not great for outdoor shooting on my opinion.

picunderapp · Jul 30, 2014

I'll definitely second the D3200!

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

Is this the right one? Nikon D3200 DSLR Camera with 1855mm VR Lens Black D3200 Black Kit - Best Buy

If so, it sure got good reviews!

ruifo · Jul 30, 2014

^^
Yes.

Msteelio91 · Jul 30, 2014

Just got my gf a D3200 kit for her birthday. It's an excellent camera with some real wiggle room experience-wise. When you're ready to upgrade, it'll make a great backup.

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

Msteelio91 said:
Just got my gf a D3200 kit for her birthday. It's an excellent camera with some real wiggle room experience-wise. When you're ready to upgrade, it'll make a great backup.

Thanks! I will definitely keep this one at the top of the list. It sounds very nice for a beginner.

robbins.photo · Jul 30, 2014

Britanica said:
I am looking for an affordable camera. Nothing SUPER expensive. What is a good camera that will be great for a beginner that doesn't cost more than $400?
I don't want to spend a ton of money in the beginning. I would LOVE to own one of those high-tech $2000+ cameras but I don't have the money for that! haha

D3200 is a great starter, if you can stretch the budget just a tad d5200 used or refurbished is an outstanding option as well.

Both are very hard to beat in there price range as far as all around cameras are concerned.

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

robbins.photo said:
Britanica said:

I am looking for an affordable camera. Nothing SUPER expensive. What is a good camera that will be great for a beginner that doesn't cost more than $400?
I don't want to spend a ton of money in the beginning. I would LOVE to own one of those high-tech $2000+ cameras but I don't have the money for that! haha

Click to expand...

D3200 is a great starter, if you can stretch the budget just a tad d5200 used or refurbished is an outstanding option as well.

Both are very hard to beat in there price range as far as all around cameras are concerned.

I will look around, thank you

I have found deals in the past on Amazon. I will check there first. I have gotten refurbished items before so that don't bother me. My cellphone, laptop, and one of my cameras is refurbished haha

Msteelio91 · Jul 30, 2014

Amazon has a 12 month financing program if that helps you. Alternatively, don't be afraid to look at refurbs!

Britanica · Jul 30, 2014

Msteelio91 said:
Amazon has a 12 month financing program if that helps you. Alternatively, don't be afraid to look at refurbs!

That I did not know! haha I shop on amazon for most tech stuff as it is usually cheaper. I will look into this.

Rob5589 · Jul 30, 2014

How about this body http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3200-D...41179&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d3200+camera+body
and my gently used 18-55 kit lens for 55.00 shipped to you. Nice starter set for under 400.00. I am going to sell my 55-200 kit lens too, if interested.

TCampbell · Jul 30, 2014

Check the prices on "refurbished" cameras. The Nikon website has an online store with a refurbished section ... as does the Canon online website.

Nikon's D3xxx models are their "entry" level bodies.

Canon's "T3" and "T5" models (without the "i" suffix... a T5 and T5i are not the same camera) are their "entry" level bodies.

A refurbished camera still comes with a warranty but would save you quite a bit off the price of a "new" camera. It's not the same as a "used" camera. A "refurbished" camera is one that was returned by a consumer (for whatever reason) but then re-checked and if necessary repaired by Nikon or Canon to put it back into basically "new" condition -- except they can't call it "new" because it was previously sold and returned.

Here's a link to the Nikon D3200 (because for some reason it's very difficult to navigate Nikon's store to find "refurbished" cameras grouped together):

Refurbished D3200 Nikon HDSLR Camera | Digital SLR Camera from Nikon (with kit 18-55mm lens it's $399 -- a "new" D3200 with the same lens is about $479. You save about $80 for buying refurbished.)

Here's a link to Canon's "refurbished" section of the store: Canon Refurbished EOS Digital SLR Cameras | Canon Online Store

The T3 with similar 18-55mm kit lens is here: Canon EOS Rebel T3 Black EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit Refurbished | Canon Online Store (about $359).

You will also need a memory card (they don't include that... but those are cheap. Typically somewhere around $1 per gigabyte. E.g. a 16GB SD card is probably less than $16.)

Other than that memory card, the camera will include everything you need to start using it.