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Looking for the Best DSLR camera under 300 Dollars? Well, DSLRs have hurled the scenario of photography for the world.
Who doesn’t want a DSLR? Professional photographers want it to upgrade their career, while there are people who have photography as a hobby. We all have smartphones. Yet, don’t you feel that memories in a camera become more precious than storing the same in phones?
Well, the clear pictures, beautiful light effects, and distilled captures grab all our longing for purchasing DSLRs. Again, our budget becomes a huge factor in buying any product.
Don’t worry! We have brought our top picks and the Best DSLR cameras under $300.
Isn’t it Jaw-dropping? Yes, you would be so glad to know the technical details of these cameras, as far as we could provide the same in our concise reviews.
Now, without any further delay, let’s quickly check our list!
Table of Contents
Best DSLR camera under 300 Dollars
Nikon D3400
Nikon D3400 is a very competitive entry-level DSLR from the powerhouse of Nikon Cameras. It is much better than many cameras you will find on the market and it can easily outperform most of its competition. Everything right from the body, price, battery life to performance feels well balanced and a worthy purchase.
Looking at the specifications, you will find a 24.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor that is combined with the Expeed 4 image processor. The ISO range is quite decent covering from 100 to 25600 natively. With that, you get to see an 11 point autofocus system. It is also worth mentioning that the camera has no optical low pass filter.
Using the burst mode, you can capture 5 frames per second. The D3400 can also record Full HD videos at 60 fps. You can easily stretch its battery to about 1200 shots which makes its battery life the best in the segment.
The camera feels light and compact to hold and is very durable as well. The grip feels ergonomic enough to click good pictures without you having to worry. Also, it weighs just under a pound. The body is 2.95×4.88×3.86-inches in total.
The buttons are well placed and perfect for someone who is just wanting to see the creative side of the world. If you’re one of them, your photography needs this camera.
Overall, it is a very likable camera in terms of performance and an overall balance for beginners, particularly in terms of white balance and metering. Start with this camera at first and using lenses, you can just level up your skills as you progress.
Pros:
- Small and Portable look
- Beginner-friendly
- Great battery
- Textured grip
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Doesn’t have an external mic port
Nikon COOLPIX B500 DSLR Camera
Not just the advanced features, but its affordability makes it top this list. Forget about $300, this valuable camera costs you just 200$! Unbelievable right? It is!
You can connect this stunning piece of technology using NFC, however, it has built-in WiFi too. The LCD screen size is 3 inches and is tiltable. The ISO ranges from 125 to 6400. It comes with a 921 K resolution and a 16 MP CMOS sensor. The Optical zoom lens is up to 40× and the Dynamic zoom lens is up to 80×.
It is integrated with a Nikkor f/3.0 6.5 millimeter ED lens and you may record your super HD video at 30 fps with 1080 p. The Camera has a facility of Vibration Reduction (VR) that helps for optical image stabilization. It contains digital filters, a 9 fps frame rate, Snapbridge feature (for Bluetooth connectivity), and a good battery life with a minimum of 600 shots. The shutter speed stays in between 1/4000th of a second to 25 seconds.
Doesn’t that sound enough for just 200$? Click Dazzling pictures with Nikon COOLPIX B500 DSLR Camera and grab the opportunities for praises and only praises! In Fact, you may try other variants from Nikon in case you are in need of any.
Pros:
- Stylish and compact look
- Affordable
- Long-lasting battery life
- Comes from a recognized brand for photography
- 3-inch tilting screen
- Textured grip
Cons:
- Lacks RAW format options
Canon EOS Rebel T5
Canon is a brand every photographer is aware of. This model is perfect for people who want to start off their adventure but are somewhat strict on their budget. This model has everything you need in terms of image quality.
The images turn out to be bright and there are no regrets in terms of performance. The camera is pretty lightweight compared to how it looks. It is somewhat of a semi-pro model and has some really great specifications. We also compared the Rebel T5 with its successor, the Canon Rebel T6, here. If you have a higher budget, I would definitely suggest you go with the Rebel T6.
With the DIGIC 4 image processor and an 18-megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor, you are getting a lot of value. With a wide ISO range from 100 to 6400, you can even capture long exposure photographs using this camera. However, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to light sensitivity. A maximum ISO of all 6400 can be sometimes felt as not enough.
You will see a combination of contrast-detect autofocus and PDAF (phase-detect autofocus) performance with a total of 9 focus points, meaning very quick performance. There is a continuous drive shooting mode that can capture 3 frames per second.
Coming to video performance, it can record 1080p Full HD videos at 30 FPS. The camera is also very lightweight and compact measuring at 5.12×9.94×3.07-inches. The camera weighs about 1 pound with the batteries inserted.
As a beginner camera, it is very simple to use and the controls are fairly easy to understand as well. There is nothing too complicated and you will figure out how to use this camera in no time at all. There are a lot of modes, meaning a good amount of scope for creativity on your part. The details and colors are something that you will definitely admire in the camera.
The 3 inch TFT LCD is good for starters, but definitely not the brightest. Canon could have worked on the video aspect of the camera as well, but for the price, you are paying, this a fairly solid competitor.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Affordable pricing
- Autofocus
Cons:
- No Support for WiFi
Canon PowerShot Sx420 Digital Camera
Beginning with the connectivity options, you have NFC and WiFi. You get variable and very well designed AF modes. A minimum of 200 shots is expected.
Good Optical stabilizer ensures amazing still captures. Further, you get Optical zoom of 42× and a beautiful HD video with 720 p precision. The ISO ranges from 100 to 1600. A very lightweight camera, which you can carry around easily with you. You don’t need to call it a luggage!
You get a 3 inches LCD screen, with a wide-viewing-angle and 230 K resolution. However, the screen does not rotate. The best part is its size. This camera comes so handily in size, it is smaller than usual DSLRs.
Canon PowerShot Sx420 Digital Camera is an ideal choice under $300 for your DSLR purchase.
Pros:
- Small and compact model
- Comes from a recognized brand for photography
- Affordable
- 3 inches screen
- EOS mechanism
Cons:
- Screen is not tiltable
- No 1080 p HD video quality
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 DSLR Camera
We just couldn’t stop ourselves from suggesting this piece of innovation, owing to its eye-catching features and advanced facilities this one offers. It has all the basic features that you might demand from a DSLR and is a very competent starter camera for beginners owing to its simplicity and great functionality.
The Lumix DC Vario lens gives 1200mm of focal range. The connectivity is easier with WiFi and the camera is USB chargeable. You can click pictures with varying focus options. With 18.1 MP BSI-CMOS sensor resolution and 60× optical zoom, you get lively pictures with amazing details, fairly unexpected at this price point. For image processing, Panasonic has gone with the Venus Engine image processor which is considered among the top-rated ones in this price point.
This bridge camera has an ISO range between 80 to 6400, with a massive 49 point autofocus performance with the contrast-detect sensor. 10 fps continuous shooting range in RAW without any issues, is somewhat a great feel for me personally. Other than that the 3 inches LCD touchscreen and UHD 4K video recording is something everyone admires in this little beast.
Even though it has a lot of qualities of a good DSLR, the cons associated with this camera are lack of interchangeable lenses and super detail retention.
If you are looking for a DSLR for capturing quality videos in decent lighting conditions, the Lumix FZ280 will not disappoint you.
Video shooting capabilities were excellent as well, and in good lighting conditions, you can take professional-level photographs without a doubt.
The camera feels sturdy to hold and weighs about 1.3 pounds with a battery and SD card. The body has an excellent grip and you will start loving its ergonomics in no time at all. The fact that it is not having a lot of buttons is great, especially for newbies who get overwhelmed by such information. You will get it up and running in almost no time.
The 1,170k-dot viewfinder and touch-enabled 3-inch LCD display coupled with contributing a lot in low light shooting with incredible image quality. There are so many features, and it’s hard to give concise details but it is a show-stealer in our honest opinion.
Pros:
- Advanced features
- Handy and fancy model
- Famous brand
- Clear pictures
- Affordable
Cons:
- Lack of interchangable lens
Sony Alpha Digital SLR A300K
The battery is of an optimum usage with about 750 shots. The Autofocus consists of various modes with 9 points face detection facility.
The ISO ranges from 100 to 3200, which is very expandable. The camera comes with a 10.2 MP capture quality.
It has a 2.7-inch tiltable LCD screen with a resolution of 230K. It has a live view mode but no video mode. In a reasonable price, you get an average grip with a slightly heavier body than other models.
If you are tight on your budget, and you still need a DSLR, this is a very relatable suggestion from our end on the said budget.
Pros:
- Allows Image stabilization
- Articulated screen which is tiltable
- Provides RAW format option
- Standard brand
- Affordable price
Cons :
- Lacks video mode
- Small LCD screen
Canon Rebel XSi DSLR Camera
This Canon sibling lets you take 500 shots per session of battery life. Almost all the versions of Canon come with the EOS mechanism.
9 point Autofocus works wonderfully with an expandable ISO range of 100-1600 to give effective clicks without extra effort. The 3 inches LCD screen offers a shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second, which is super quick for this price. 12.2 MP image quality work together to give the desired output from a DSLR camera under $300.
Canon cameras have versatile features and are affordable too. So is true with this version.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Advanced
- High resolution
- Durable
- Recognised device by Canon
Cons :
- Battery life could be better
Canon Rebel XTi Digital SLR Camera
This version allows 500 shots and an average battery life. RAW format option is a noticeable feature available here.
A variety of manual and semi-manual modes come in very handy. 9 point AF and a quick shutter speed of 1/ 4000 of a second are a decent offer. The 2.5 inches LCD screen allows 160 degrees viewing angle. 10.1 MP image quality and no noise features add to its completeness.
So yes, if you are on a hunt for a DSLR at the said budget, do not miss this one if you really want something very affordable.
Pros:
- Allows RAW format
- Handy and stylish
- Affordable
- No noise feature
Cons:
- No image stabilization
These were the most decent DSLR(s) you can find in the market, near the $300 mark. I would highly recommend you check out the best DSLR under $400 to have more comprehensive purchase options. If you are picking something especially for vlogging, you can check out our in-depth guide of the best vlogging camera under 300. These cameras are made especially with vlogging in mind.
Now let us move on to cameras that are not precisely DSLRs but still worth mentioning.
Sony DSCW800/B 20.1MP Camera
The user guide is a must to be read before dealing with this camera but, once you have done that, you would celebrate this purchase!
The camera comes with secured modes and auto face detection facility. The CCD sensor is lightweight and enhances the features of the camera. With 20.1 megapixels and steady image stabilization, you can capture great videos and snaps. You may go for slow-motion details with incredible details! The 360° sweep Panorama mode steals all our attention at once!
This camera from Sony is a gem for photographers, with so many features and Specifications, great adaptability and controls, and all this you get under $300.
Pros:
- USB option charging of the battery
- Beautiful design
- Affordable
- Great range of options for mode selections
- Comes from a trustworthy brand
Cons:
- Lacks some DSLR specific features
GoPro Hero 5
We completely agree if a few are of an opinion that the brand name has not come to them so often. But that doesn’t mean we can miss this product. Let’s see how we stand true to these words.
The camera comes equipped with a GPS system, and waterproofing of as far as 10 meters, RAW format features, and 12 MP image quality with 4 K recording resolution. What else should you demand at such an affordable price? The touchscreen is 2 inches with electronic image stabilization.
That wraps up our list. Now let’s read a small guide to depict a clear picture of features that should matter and influence your purchase.
Factors to consider while buying a DSLR Camera
- Screen Size: A minimum of 2.5 inches screen becomes a must for proper vision and clarity.
- Screen type: LCD touchscreen display is again the newest trend and demand of the time.
- Image stabilization: is required for taking stills without any hindrance.
- EOS mechanism: ensures the self-cleaning system of the camera, which makes you so relieved.
- Water-resistant features are so important for almost any electrical device.
- High resolution is a must for crystal-clear images and videos.
- Expandable ISO range allows good low light picture quality effects even in dark.
- The decent battery life of a minimum of 500 shots again becomes a very important influencing factor that you should take care of.
- Tiltable Touch Screen should be a priority to facilitate proper clicks.
Conclusion
Here, we came to the end of our list with 8 best DSLRs under $300. Each of these brands advertises its variable cameras at varying prices. You must check the same. However, these were precisely selected options for you where we listed our best suggestions.
