Between tariffs, inflation, a tough economy, and the ever-present reality of how challenging it is to make money from photography alone, buying a new-to-you camera is a source of anxiety. There’s a lot of chatter on the Internet about how you can get a “budget” camera under $2000, but that’s not really a “budget camera” for me these days. Instead, let’s look at some of the highest-rated DSLRs we’ve reviewed at The Phoblographer, all of which can be purchased today for under $500.
Canon EOS 6D
The Canon EOS 6D is one of my favorite cameras of all time, not because it was the greatest camera I’ve ever owned, but because it was the first to get me started as a working photographer. That said, when it was originally released, it sat squarely behind the Canon 5D Mark III, but it was still able to deliver great results in terms of image quality. So much so in fact, we said the following in our 2013 review of the camera:
I found that the sensor rendered right on par with my 5D MKII up to about ISO 800/1600, at which point the 6D would deliver cleaner results through the rest of the selectable ISO range. Suffice it to say, if still photos are your primary concern, then the 6D is an excellent camera for this purpose.
Today, the Canon EOS 6D is a nearly professional-grade camera that can be purchased for as little as $250 on reseller sites and averages around $350 online.
Nikon D600
Like the Canon EOS 6D, Nikon also had a step-up camera in the D600 at one point. Unlike its Canon rival, however, it boasted a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor instead of a scrawny 20. Over a decade after its initial release, this camera continues to deliver exceptional results – especially if your specialty is portraiture.
The image quality is the best thing about this camera. The 24MP sensor is amazing. The skin tones, the colors, and everything else came out well-balanced.
As noted in the quote from our initial review above, the 24-megapixel sensor, when it was released, was capable of delivering excellent results on skin tones – a key requirement for working with portraits. As of this writing, you can find clean, customs-paid listings for around $330 – a steal for a 24-megapixel camera.
Canon 5D Mark II
Some cameras have been so good that they’ve become iconic in the photography world, and as far as ultra-budget cameras go in 2025, they don’t get more legendary than the Canon 5D Mark II. The Canon 5D Mark II revolutionized the world of photography, enabling photographers to capture uncompromising, full-HD video. But today, we’re focusing on the beautiful images that the camera delivers – a look that many photographers try to emulate with LUTs and editing presets.
Recently, our Editor-in-Chief, Chris Gampat, had this to say about the camera:
And besides having all the resolution that you really needed for the time, the RAW files were beautiful. They looked gorgeous in many ways because of Canon’s color science. But like the Canon 5D original, they had a film-like look to them that Canon hasn’t really captured again since.
You can purchase one for yourself for as little as $190.
Nikon D800
For its time, the Nikon D800 was a significant step up from the older D700 it replaced. The 36-megapixel sensor was more than capable of holding its own, borrowing technology from the D4, which enabled this camera to be an exceptional option in low light.
From our review:
When the D700 came out it was amongst the best high iso cameras available. Even with this not a big draw to this camera it is still being compared to the Nikon D3s and D4, even more after it gained number 1 status on DXO Mark. When compressing for web I will gladly shoot at 12,800 (or even higher) and my viewer base wouldn’t notice the difference. I rarely ever shot above 6400 on the D700 but on the D800 I can see myself doing it more often.
You can buy one for yourself starting at around $400.
Sony a99
Before Sony became synonymous with mirrorless interchangeable camera systems, the company produced some excellent DSLR cameras. So good in fact, that when we reviewed the a99 we found it outperformed the Canon 5D Mark III and D800 in a lot of ways:
Sony did an excellent job on this camera’s sensor; and in the right hands it can create images that not only hold their own with the likes of Canon and Nikon, but can outdo the 5D Mk III and D800 in some ways.
Today, this camera can be found for just under $500. It features a 24-megapixel sensor that will still provide you with ample resolution to play with, and its price will surely help you enjoy it to the fullest.
Final Considerations
As I mentioned at the top of this list, tariffs are a real issue when buying from auction sites like eBay. If a deal seems too good to be true, double-check that any potential duties are included with your purchase. Any reputable reseller would be happy to clarify. Happy hunting.