An entry level camera is great, but for just a little more money, you can get many more features.
Are you still rocking a Canon Rebel, a Nikon D3XXX series camera, an old Olympus EPL body, or some other entry level camera? Have you been considering buying one of these cameras? Hold up! We have something to tell you. If you already own an entry level camera and are ready to break up with it, we have some fantastic options that won’t break the bank. That same message goes to anyone thinking about buying a consumer, entry level camera. If you want to get serious about photography, or if you truly want a camera that will outperform your smartphone, you need to see the cameras we have rounded up after the break. You’ll be surprised what you can get for under $1,000 these days.
The cameras listed below have all the bells and whistles most consumer-oriented or enthusiast photographers will ever need. An entry level camera is fine, but you will find that you will quickly outgrow it, and then you’ll be back at square one, looking for another camera. So, why not step up to the level beyond entry level? Why not step up to cameras that have most of the capabilities of their bigger, professional brothers at a fraction of the cost? You know it makes sense to.
All the cameras listed below will last a long time thanks to the better materials that are used to make them. Some of these cameras have features like IBIS, face, and eye autofocus capabilities and some will even track your dog Fido as he blasts around your garden. These cameras are small and lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about sticking out, nor will you have to worry about extra weight to carry around, and all of these cameras have fantastic sensors. These cameras, all of which are under $1,000, will help you capture the best pictures you have ever made, and they cost just a tiny bit more than outdated and underperforming DSLRs and some Mirrorless entry level camera options.
Fujifilm X-T3
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Brand new 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 Sensor
- Brand new X-Processor 4 Image Processor
- Excellent weather sealing
- Very solid build quality
- Excellent image quality
- In body RAW processing with built in film simulation profiles
- Versatile RAW files
- Amazing video capabilities
- Dual SD card slots (if your workflow requires it)
Cons
- Battery life can use some improvement
- Lacks in-body image stabilization
- Low light performance is improved over the previous generation X-T2, but hit rates during high-speed low light situations still leave much to be desired
Buy now: $999
Sony a6400
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent image quality
- 11 FPS continuous shooting with AF & AE tracking (mechanical shutter only)
- Improved Real-time Eye AF
- Real-time Tracking
- Real-time Animal Eye AF
- 4K video recording without 30 minute limit
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Lacks in-body image stabilization
- External battery charger not included
- Single SD card slot with support for only up to UHS-I speed cards
- The rear screen flips up into where the hot shoe is located and becomes essentially useless if youâve got any attachments mounted onto the camera
Buy now: $898
Fujifilm X-T30
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Solid construction that weâve come to expect and love about Fujifilm cameras
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Almost everything that made the X-T3 such a hit
Cons
- Lacks in-body image stabilization and weather sealing
- Rear touchscreen only tilts up and down, unlike the X-T3 which also tilts to the right as well
- Perhaps a tad too compact, particularly for photographers with larger hands
- The new joystick is awkwardly placed on the rear of the camera body, making single-handed operation challenging and increases the risk of accidentally dropping the camera due to its diminutive size
- Unremarkable battery life
Buy now: $899
Olympus OMD EM5 Mark III
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Beautiful retro styling
- Excellent image quality
- Robust weather sealing
- Reliable image stabilization
- Accurate autofocus
- Compact form factor
- Built-in Live Composite and 50 MP High Resolution shooting modes are highly effective
Cons
- Form factor can be too compact for some, particularly for photographers with larger hands or when mated with larger lenses
- Plasticky build quality
- Single UHS-II SD Card slot
- Lacks dedicated joystick
- Poor battery life
- Convoluted menu systems
- No major innovations after over four years
Buy now: $999
Pro Tip: No matter what camera you use, you’re going to need a way to transport your camera from a to b. Cameras bags are an accessory that don’t get as much of the spotlight as cameras and lenses, but they are incredibly important. Fortunately, we have reviewed many, many bags over the years, so if you need a new one for any of these cameras, check out our bag review section.
Canon EOS RP
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- This isnât Canon innovating on the inside, but instead on the outside
- This is the smallest and lightest ILC full frame camera on the market
- Goes well with a wrist strap and a light prime lens
- Weather sealing
- The autofocus isnât bad, and itâs quite usable in a number of working conditions
- Pretty good image quality
Cons
- Could have done better with a joystick
Buy now: $999
Nikon Z50
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- The best ergonomics of any APS-C Mirrorless camera
- Weather sealing
- Nice image quality
- A nice touchscreen interface (including menus)
- Capacitive controls make good use of some otherwise dead real estate
- Simply astonishing high ISO performance
- Good all-around autofocus and tracking performance
- Great battery life
- A nice, clean menu system
- The screen does a poppy thing (folds out from the body and down)
Cons
- The Z mount looks hideously huge on this camera
- The large Z mount lenses make you lose anything you gained in the size and weight department
- The touchscreen is not fully articulating, an odd choice for a hybrid camera thatâs for video and stills
- The Z50 is limited to 30-minute captures when filming and has no IBIS, nor a dedicated headphone jack. Again, some odd choices for a hybrid camera
- Ony one UHS-1 card slot
Buy now: $856.95
Canon EOS M6 Mk II
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Beautiful colors
- The sound of the shutter will appeal to long-time photographers
- It feels like a solid, impressive camera
- Canonâs implementation of the Touch and Drag AF system is the best itâs ever been with the Canon EOS M6 Mk II.
- Pretty stellar battery life
- Youâve got more megapickles than you need. U DONT NEED MOAR MEGAPICKLES!!!!
Cons
- We really wish it was weather sealed
- An integrated viewfinder would have put this over the top
Buy now: $849
