You want to buy a decent camera, but you do not want to break the bank? The good news is that there are some cracked cameras out there if you have a tight budget, including some entry-level DSLRs, sleek-looking mirror cameras, advanced high-end compact cameras, bridge cameras with large lenses, not to mention the travel zooms and the pocket compacts.
And while some of these cheap cameras may not be the latest and best models available at this time, they still deliver the merchandise.
We have compiled a selection of the best economical cameras that work, so if you want something simply to be placed in your pocket for the strange snap of photos that will be better than your smartphone, or a camera with which you can be a little more creative, here you will find it.
You need a little more help to find out what kind of camera you need, then read this article: What camera should I buy?
And if you want to spend a little more money, check out our other camera purchase guides below:
1. Sony Cyber-shot RX100
Sony's first true premium compact is now a couple of years old, but still has a stroke
Type: Compact | Sensor: 1 inch, 20.2MP | Lens: 28-100 mm f / 1.8-4.9 | Display: 3 inches, 1,229 K points | Viewer: N / A | Continuous shooting: 2.5 fps | Movies: 1080p | Level of user: Expert
Large and capable sensor
High-end finish
Without touch screen
Showing his age
The last Sony camera on his RX100 line, The RX100 V, is one of our favorite compact cameras at the moment, but there is no way to avoid the fact that it is a costly option. The good news is that the original RX100 is still available again (as well as all the other versions we've had since), and although it may not offer some of the latest features, it's still a great compact at a bargain price. The large 1.0-inch sensor provides excellent levels of detail, with the wide and fast range of the zoom lens that makes it a versatile travel companion. Well, there is no built-in viewfinder or tilting screen as we have seen in the Mk V, but the monitor offers excellent clarity, and the RX100's controls offer many options for those who like to get down to work. Consider the elegant and premium finish, and it all adds up to a great compact camera at an incredible price.
Read our in-depth review by Sony Cyber-shot RX100
2. Nikon D3400
The best entry-level DSLR is great value
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Display: 3 inches, 921,000 K points | Viewfinder: Yes, optical | Continuous shooting: 5 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
Easy to use
Excellent picture quality
Limited connectivity options
Non-touch screen
If you are looking for your first DSLR, then The D3400 from Nikon is hard to beat when it comes to the price. It may not have the most complete specification, but in a nutshell, the D3400 meets many requirements for novice users. The large 24MP APS-C sensor offers excellent images that are rich in details, is easy to use thanks to the useful integrated guide mode, has an impressive battery life and is backed by an impressive variety of lenses and accessories. A great DSLR that also has great value.
Read our in-depth review of Nikon D3400
3. Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / Lumix TZ70
A large compact camera with a large zoom range
Type: Compact | Sensor: 1 / 2.3-inch, 12.1MP | Lens: 24-720 mm, f / 3.3-6.4 | Monitor: 3 inches, 1,040,000 points | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 10 fps | Movies: 1080p | User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
30x zoom range
Wi-Fi and NFC
Without touch screen
Limited unrestricted mode
The ZS compact series / Panasonic's TZ has long dominated the compact travel zoom market, and that is still the case with the ZS50 (known as the TZ70 outside the US). While it may be overshadowed by its larger sensor sister, the ZS100 / TZ100, the TZ70 has the advantage of including a huge 30x zoom in a pocket body. There is even room for an electronic viewfinder (modest), ideal for when lighting makes it difficult to compose or review shots on the back screen. You can use the camera as an advanced point-and-shoot compactor, simply by leaving it on automatic for the camera to take care of the settings, or you can take high quality raw files and make your own decisions about the aperture and shutter speed.
Read our in-depth review of Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / Lumix TZ70
4. Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D
Perhaps the cheapest DSLR available today
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 18MP | Lens mount: Canon EF-S | Display: 3-inch points, 920,000 K | Viewfinder: Yes, optical | Continuous shooting: 3 fps | Movies: 1
080p | User level: Beginner
Easy to use
Compact size
Slow live view focus
Fixed screen
The EOS Rebel T6 (known as EOS 1300D out of USA) is Canon's most affordable digital SLR in its lineup and, although it does not share the same technology as newer models, it is still an excellent choice for novice users. The 18MP sensor is starting to show a bit its age, while the AF in the live view is a bit slow, but when you consider that you are getting a DSLR for the price of an average compact, then it does not look very bad in absolute.
Read our in-depth review Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D
5. Nikon D5300
Replaced by the D5500 and D5600, but still a good buy
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 24.2MP | Lens Mount: Nikon DX | Display: 3.2 inch joint, 1,037,000 points | Viewfinder: Yes, optical | Continuous shooting speed: 5 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner / enthusiast
High resolution sensor, without smoothing
Built-in GPS
Without touch screen
Slow focus light
The D5300 was around more than a year before the D5500 technically replaced it, which in turn has been replaced by the D5600. It shares the same 24.2MP sensor with a maximum ISO25600 sensitivity identical to the D5500, while the EXPEED 4 image processor of the D5300 and the 39-point autofocus system have also been replaced. While the D5300 does not have an elegant touch screen control, instead you get a GPS. The D5500 has beaten the battery life of 600 shots of the D5300, but will still last longer than a Canon EOS Rebel T6i / 750D. All in all, it may not be the latest entry-level DSLR, but the D5300 is still a smart purchase.
Read our exhaustive review of Nikon D5300
6. Sony Alpha A7 II
More megapixels than you could want at a reduced price
Type: Without mirror | Sensor: Full Frame CMOS, 24.3MP | Lens Mount: Sony E-mount | Display: 3-inch joint, 1,230,000 points | Viewer: Yes, electronic | Continuous shooting speed: 5 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Enthusiast
Great IS system
Compact size
Without touch screen
Small control disks
The new Alpha A7 III is one of our camera rights favorites now, in a great performance for a brilliant price. However, if your budget can not increase, the Alpha A7 II is still worth it, since in some cases, it is half the price of your newest brother. It may not have all the latest features, but still gets an excellent 24.3MP full-frame sensor, a very capable AF system and excellent image stabilization. The handling is not as refined as the newer camera, but at the incredibly tempting price, this can be overlooked. It will be difficult for you to find a better camera for your money.
Read our extensive review by Sony Alpha A7 II
7. Sony Alpha A5000
Sony's basic CSC is easy to use
Type: Without mirror | Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 20.1MP | Lens Mount: Sony E-mount | Display: 3-inch inclination angle display, 460 K points | Viewer: N / A | Continuous shooting: 3.5 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner / intermediate
Compact size
Tilting display
Without touch screen
Up a little
Despite having more than two years, the Alpha A5000 There is still a great purchase for those looking for an easy-to-use mirrorless camera. Not only that, it is also incredibly compact: even the 16-50 mm lens is not that big considering the focal length. There is a decent-sized tilting angle screen, but the resolution looks a little behind the current times, while there is no viewfinder. That said, it's easy to use, while Wi-Fi connectivity only increases its appeal.
Read our extensive review by Sony Alpha A5000
8. Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
Compact 30x optical zoom at a great price
Type: Compact | Sensor: 1 / 2.3-inch, 20.3MP | Lens: 25-750 mm, f / 3.2-6.9 | Display: 3 inches, 922,000 points | Viewer: No | Continuous shoo
ting: 6 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
30x optical zoom
Wi-Fi and NFC
Without touch screen
Without format capture
The PowerShot SX710 HS is attractive for absolute beginners and for those with a little more experience in photography. On the back there is a small dial so that it allows you to quickly switch between different exposure modes, including full manual and semi-automatic modes for those who wish to take control, in addition to fully automatic and scene modes. The 30x optical zoom covers an excellent range of focal lengths and offers great flexibility for the average vacation shooter. However, there is no touch screen, but you can not complain about the price. A camera with a good capacity for those who only want a compact point-and-shoot with a long focal length zoom range.
Read our exhaustive review Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220
Pocket interpreter with 10x optical zoom
Type: Compact | Sensor: 1 / 2.3-inch, 18.2MP | Lens: 25-250 mm, f / 3.3-5.9 | Monitor: 2.7 inches, 460,000 points | Viewer: No | Continuous shooting: 1.5 fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
10x zoom range
Built-in Wi-Fi
Without textured grip
Confusing menu system
If you want a compact camera that can make a better work than your smartphone, the Cyber-shot WX220 meets many requirements, especially if you consider the additional flexibility offered by the 10x optical zoom, which runs from 25 to 250 mm. The images are bright and strong, with decent details, ideal for online sharing or printing in typical sizes, while it is also nice to see Wi-Fi connectivity. The 2.7-inch screen is a bit small, but that helps keep the dimensions of the camera in a pocket size. The WX220 may not have many good things, but what it does, it does well.
Read our exhaustive review of Sony Cyber-shot WX220
10. Panasonic Lumix FZ70 / FZ72
Bridge camera that includes a 60x zoom monster
Type: Compact bridge | Sensor size: 1 / 2.3-inch, 16.1MP | Lens: 20-1200 mm, f / 2.8-5.9 | Display: 3 inches, 460,000 points | Viewer: Yes | Rate of continuous shooting: 9 fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p | User level: Beginner / enthusiast
60x zoom range
Formatless format shooting
Without Wi-Fi
Low resolution EVF
Despite being a From the cheapest bridge cameras available, you still get plenty of camera for your cash with the Panasonic Lumix FZ70 (known as the FZ72 outside the US). Let's start with the lens. The Lumix FZ70 is packaged in an amazing 60x optical zoom, which runs from an impressive ultra wide of 20mm equivalent to 1200mm, so you will not have excuses for not filling the frame. It also has the option of full manual control (as well as a lot of useful automatic modes), capture of format without format and decent image quality from a sensor of this size. Disadvantages? While there is an EVF, it is not of the best quality, and there is no touch screen functionality or wireless connectivity.
Read our in-depth review Panasonic Lumix FZ70 / Lumix FZ72
