The capabilities of cameras have sky rocketed in the past few decades and there’s never been a better time to pick up a budget camera with extremely high functionality for a bargain price.
Whether you’re searching for a compact point-and-shoot camera for your next holiday abroad, an instant camera for on-the-go snaps or a more function-heavy mirrorless or DSLR where there’s the opportunity to finesse your photography, there’s a wide selection of affordable choices.
Typically, the most budget-friendly cameras are models that are a couple of years old and have been superseded by more advanced devices. While they might not be at the cutting-edge of the latest technology, they can still offer the features and performance you want in a camera - and at an extremely accessible price point.
Whatever your budget, you will need to make compromises when it comes to the features your new camera includes. Cheaper models might not shoot in 4K, but that isn’t an issue if you’re looking for something to capture still images rather than video footage.
When it comes to the best budget cameras for travel, keep an eye out for models that are lightweight, have dependable battery life and pack down small; these features are more important than picking the option with the fanciest array of settings.
It’s also worth considering the price of lenses if you opt for a DSLR. The camera body can be the cheapest part of the package, and so you might find yourself limited when it comes to finding budget lenses to add to your kit.
Ready to say cheese? Here are the best budget cameras, from painless point-and-shoot compacts to entry-level DSLRs and cutting-edge mirrorless designs.
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Nikon D3500
Nikon’s entry level model follows a series of high-achieving beginner DSLRs, which have become firm favourites among aspiring - and later, professional - photographers alike. The most impressive feature of the D3500 is its extremely competent 24.2 MP CMOS APS-C sensor, which is matched with a truly dependable battery life (1,550 frames per charge) and a handy beginner mode for getting you out the starting blocks with ease.
We also loved the range of affordable interchangeable lenses that you can buy to use with this camera, and which will easily come with you in the future as you develop your photography skills or upgrade to a higher-level model. It’s worth noting that the Nikon D3500 doesn’t have 4K video shooting or a touchscreen, but, regardless, it’s consistently rated as the best DSLR for beginner photographers and is our favourite budget DSLR, too.
Buy now £449.00, Argos
Sony A6000 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Feature-packed, without breaking the bank, the Sony Alpha A6000 was released in 2014 to a great deal of fanfare and it’s easy to see why. Its 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor and 11fps burst mode prove it’s an extremely powerful device, which can compete with many of the more expensive mirrorless cameras, despite its entry-level pricing.
There’s also a tiltable LCD screen for when you’re capturing video, plus an electronic viewfinder for use in bright conditions. The handy Wi-Fi feature was also one of our favourite features: use it to quickly send shots to your mobile phone for editing and posting online. You can even customise many of the buttons on this camera for a truly seamless workflow when you’re behind the lens.
While it’s since been succeeded by five new models from Sony, and its price has crept up across the years (rather than lowered), this mirrorless camera remains a strong budget option.
Buy now £499.00, Amazon
Canon PowerShot IXUS 185
No one does point-and-shoot cameras quite like Canon, whose Powershot range have been a staple of the compact market for years. Small enough to pop in your pocket, but delivering a decent enough 20 MP sensor and offering an impressive 8x optical zoom, this stylish camera is the model of choice for the casual photographer looking for something with enough capability (and packability) for a trip away.
If you’re levelling up your photography and want to move from point-and-shoot, there’s a semi-automatic programme mode where you can adjust ISO and white balance, but most will be happy enough snapping pictures using the automatic settings.
While it doesn’t have many bells and whistles, and is only separated from a good-quality smartphone camera by its optical zoom, this unassuming little camera will easily become your favourite holiday partner.
Buy now £119.00, Currys
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Micro Four Thirds System Camera
The age of mirrorless is most definitely here and you can’t go far wrong with the impressive Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, the company’s flagship beginner model. While it can shoot in 4K (although it’s limited to 30fps), this camera is built for excellent quality stills. There’s the 20.3 MP sensor and extremely capable in-body image stabilisation that ensures your photos are consistently high quality, while the convenient flip-down touchscreen should make for an easy transition if you’re coming directly from your smartphone.
As a Micro Four Thirds camera, it’s a more compact in size and lighter in weight than a traditional full-frame DSLR, meaning this is the perfect affordable mirrorless camera for travel.
Buy now £649.00, Amazon
Canon EOS M50
Designed for beginners and with a very accessible price tag, the Canon EOS M50 is one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners.
The impressive 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor achieves fantastic stills, with what was once Canon’s latest image processor, the DIGIC 8 (although this has since been updated in later models), allowing it to shoot 4K up to 24fps. It’s worth noting that there’s a crop on the sensor when shooting in 4K, which does let it down when you’re filming at arm’s length, so if video is a crucial component of your photography, then you may want to give this camera a miss or opt for the newer - and slightly more costly - EOS M6 Mark II.
However, all in all we found the design intuitive and easy to use, thanks in no small part to the touchscreen and built-in electronic viewfinder. Images are sharp and there’s also a good selection of lenses, at a range of price points, for when you want to expand your kit.
Buy now £499.99, Canon
Sony Cyber-shot HX99
Designed with travel in mind, Sony’s flagship portable compact camera features a highly impressive 30x optical zoom that’ll take you from 24mm up to 720mm - capable of capturing wildlife high up in the trees above or other faraway subjects. It’s worth noting that the sensor is small at 1/2.3 inches, so the quality is only slightly better than what you might get on your smartphone, but the optical zoom is a triumph and well worth the investment.
An electronic viewfinder adds useful functionality to the Sony Cyber-shot HX99 in bright light, while the 3.0-inch touchscreen adds to what is an intuitive design; it was extremely easy to point and shoot straight out of the box. There’s even shutter and aperture priority modes if you fancy brushing up your photography skills further.
With 4K shooting capabilities (at 30fps), this camera will switch between stills and videos with ease, making it an ideal budget camera for travel or at home.
Buy now £399.00, Amazon
Olympus Tough TG-6
When it comes to shooting underwater, you’d be hard pushed to find a more versatile and reliable camera than the Olympus Tough TG-6 - without spending plenty more money, that is. This compact point and shoot offers only 12 MP with a tiny 1/2.3 sensor, however the quality of imagery is surprisingly good and the camera lives up to its tough name, working down to 15 metres and -10°C.
There’s even an underwater microscope mode to optimise your ocean photography, plus wide, snapshot, macro and HDR settings. You can even shoot in 4K video up to 30fps.
If you’re heading out on an adventure, or just have kids who aren’t quite as careful with your precious tech as you’d like, this budget camera is an absolute must.
Buy now £399.00, Amazon
Nikon D5600 Digital SLR Camera
With higher specs than the Nikon D3500, including a larger LCD screen and Wi-Fi capabilities, the Nikon D5600 is a slightly more advanced beginners’ camera, aiming at that sweet spot above entry-level and below intermediate. While it’s definitely on the pricier end of the scale, you’re paying for tools that you’ll grow into on your photography journey.
The 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor means business and delivers: images are sharp and the EXPEED 4 image processor ensures you can capture excellent photography in whatever light conditions you encounter. A further feature that sets it apart from its cheaper Nikon brother is the 3.2-inch touchscreen display, although filming in 4K is still absent; you’ll instead have to plump for a decent if not scene stealing 1080p.
Ultimately, this is a polished version of the cheaper D3500 that should give you room to grow as you learn.
Buy now £529.00, Jessops
Polaroid Go Instant Camera
Nothing is cuter - or more stylishly simple - than the Polaroid Go. Extremely small and exquisitely easy to use - just point, shoot and voila, the print appears - this is a nostalgic return to the simplicity of instant film in the 70s - regardless of whether you’re old enough to remember it or not.
The Polaroid Go has been updated for a modern age, with a self-timer, LED film counter display and selfie mirror just some of the additional tools at hand. While image quality can be a little on the dull size, and the cost of additional film may well take you over budget, you’d be hard pushed to find a more fun and frivolous budget camera.
Buy now £109.99, Polaroid
Verdict
Nikon has long cornered the market when it comes to dependable yet powerful entry-level DSLR cameras, and the D3500 is no exception, with its high-quality sensor and access to affordable lenses for taking your photography to the next level.
If a budget point-and-shoot camera that’ll survive your holiday and capture those all-important memories is what strikes your fancy, the Canon PowerShot IXUS 185 is an easy transition from your smartphone but with a decent 8x optical zoom to boot.
