The 5 Best Cameras Under $1,000 - Spring 2023

I’ll get around to updating this eventually. 🤣

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Nikon Z50
Nikon Z50

The Nikon Z 50 is a compact, entry-level DX mirrorless camera in the Z series that is designed to be small, powerful, and easy to use. It has a 20.9MP DX CMOS sensor, an EXPEED 6 engine, and the widest lens mount of any comparable camera system, making it ideal for low-light photography and creating amazing online stories.

It also has advanced video specs like 4K Ultra HD and time-lapse, in-camera editing, and slow-motion capabilities. The camera is equipped with a flip-down LCD screen that activates Self Portrait Mode, making it perfect for taking selfies and vlogging. The Z 50 is Wi-Fi compatible and can be used with a compatible iPhone, iPad, and/or iPod touch or smart devices running on the Android operating system using the Nikon Snapbridge application.

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  • Compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around
  • Large 55mm lens mount provides advantages in high image quality and low-light performance
  • 20.9 MP sensor allows for high-quality stills and 4K UHD video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for simple pairing to a smartphone
  • “Selfie” flip-down touch LCD screen is great for self-portraits and vlogging
  • Compatible with Nikkor Z lenses and F Mount NIKKOR Lenses using FTZ Mount Adapter (sold separately)
  • Limited lens options compared to other camera brands.
  • The camera has a smaller battery life compared to some other mirrorless cameras.
  • The autofocus system can struggle in low light conditions.
  • The camera’s touchscreen interface can be slow and unresponsive at times.
  • The camera does not have a built-in image stabilization system.
  • The camera’s menu system can be difficult to navigate for some users.
Fujifilm X-S10
Fujifilm X-S10

The X-S10 combines features from the premium X-T4 with a smaller size and simplified control setup. One of the headline features of the X-S10 is its In-Body-Image-Stabilization (IBIS), which is a new miniaturized system developed by Fuji that works well and is rated for six stops of stabilization.

The camera’s advanced features include lightning-fast, accurate autofocus, 18 film simulation modes, and the ability to shoot in 4K and Full HD. The X-S10 is also highly customizable, with adjustable parameters and touch operation. Additionally, the camera is compatible with wireless and wired communication, making it easy to share photos and videos.

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  • Solid and confident handling with any kind of lens attached thanks to its deep handgrip
  • Intuitive controls ensure effortless operation, no matter what camera system you are used to 180° vari-angle LCD touchscreen for flexible shooting angles
  • Up to 20fps uncropped continuous shooting for capturing fast-moving subjects
  • State-of-the-art X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 combination for astounding results
  • 26.1-megapixel back-side illuminated sensor offers a wide dynamic range and incredible image quality
  • X-S10 may be considered expensive for some customers.
  • Some users may find the design too minimalist and lacking in style.
  • The camera’s autofocus system may not perform as well in low light conditions.
  • Some users may find the menu system difficult to navigate and understand.
  • The camera body may be too small for users with larger hands or those accustomed to DSLR cameras.
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm X-T30

The Fujifilm X-T30 is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera that was released on February 14, 2019, as a successor to the X-T20, and has been succeeded by the X-T30 II, which was announced on September 2, 2021.

The X-T30 has a 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, a joystick for autofocus point selection, a hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detect autofocus points across the entire frame, an increased speed of burst shooting to 20 fps when using the electronic shutter, or 30 fps in 1.25 crop mode (16.6 MP), high speed 100 and 120 fps video modes at 1080p for slow motion video, Eterna film simulation mode, automatic focus bracketing function, F-Log Gamma video mode at 4:2:2 10 bit via HDMI.

It is available in three finishes: black, silver, and charcoal silver. The X-T30 has a magnesiium alloy body, a 3.0" 1.04M dots touchscreen variable-angle monitor, an NP-W126S Li-ion battery, HDMI D, and a ⌀2.5 mm audio jack.

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  • Assured image quality with Fujifilm’s fourth-generation X-Trans CMOS 4 back-illuminated sensor
  • Incredible focusing in all conditions with X-Processor 4 quad-core CPU
  • Advanced video and imaging controls, including 4K video recording at 30 frames-per-second and 10-bit, 4:2:2 color recording
  • Inspires creativity with its vintage aesthetic charm, cutting-edge features, and touchscreen functionality
  • Primed for sharing with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with FUJIFILM INSTAX Smartphone printers.
  • Limited zoom range: The camera has a 3x optical zoom, which may not be sufficient for capturing distant objects or scenes.
  • No weather sealing: The camera lacks weather sealing, which means it may not be suitable for use in adverse weather conditions.
  • Small buffer: The camera has a small buffer, which may limit the number of continuous shots that can be taken in burst mode.
  • No in-body image stabilization: The Fujifilm X-T30 II XC15-45mm Kit does not have in-body image stabilization, which means that stabilization must
Canon EOS RP
Canon EOS RP

The Canon EOS RP is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with a 26.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that was launched by Canon in March 2019. It is the least expensive full-frame camera produced by Canon.

The EOS RP features a DIGIC 8 image processor and a 143-point autofocus system that uses Canon’s Dual Pixel AF system to capture and record. It has 4,779 manually selectable focusing points. The camera’s ISO ranges from 100 to 40000 with expansion down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 51200 equivalent (H1) and ISO 102,400 equivalent (H2).

The EOS RP has a flip-around 7.5 cm (3 inch) TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 1,040,000 dots with touchscreen capabilities, and an OLED electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2,360,000 dots and a .70x magnification. The camera can record 4K Ultra HD video at 23.98 frames per second with a noticeable APS-C sensor crop of about 1.7x. The EOS RP is the second camera to use Canon’s RF lens mount and can also use older EF and EF-S lenses with one of the three available Canon EOS R mount adapters.

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  • Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to travel with.
  • Has a versatile zoom range of 24-105mm and optical image stabilization that allows for stable, high-quality photos and videos.
  • Comes with a full-frame sensor that delivers impressive image quality with a 26.2 MP effective still resolution.
  • Offers the option to use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn the camera into a high-quality webcam.
  • Capable of 4K UHD 2160p video capture resolution.
  • The camera’s autofocus system is not as reliable as some of its competitors, which can be frustrating for users who need to capture fast-moving subjects.
  • The camera’s video capabilities are limited to 4K resolution at 24 frames per second, which may not be sufficient for some users who need higher frame rates or more advanced video features.
  • The camera’s battery life is relatively short, especially when shooting video or using features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Some users have reported issues with the camera’s build quality, particularly with the buttons and dials on the body of the camera feeling less sturdy than they would like.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Canon EOS Rebel T8i

The Canon EOS 850D, also known as the EOS Rebel T8i in the Americas and the EOS Kiss X10i in Japan, is a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) that was announced by Canon on February 12, 2020.

It features a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 45 cross-type AF points, DIGIC 8, standard ISO 100–25600 (expandable to H:51200), high-speed continuous shooting at up to 7.0 fps, built-in Bluetooth, 4K UHD video recording capability (at 23.98 fps), movie electronic IS, built-in HDR and time-lapse recording capability, and 15 custom functions with 44 settings settable with the camera.

It also comes with Canon’s standard UI, but it can be switched to a more beginner-friendly graphic UI also found in the 77D. Its predecessor is the Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D, and the 850D offers the following improvements: new 4K video recording capability (at 23.98 fps), longer battery life (800 vs 600 shots), faster continuous shooting (burst mode) (7.0 fps vs 6.0 fps), better exposure metering, bigger RAW buffer (40 vs 24 shots), lighter weight (471g vs 485g (14g lighter) without lenses), addition of an “AF ON” button to facilitate back-button focusing, and addition of quick control dial. The camera is compatible with a Bluetooth remote BR-E1.

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  • 24.1 megapixel APS-C sensor provides high-quality, detailed images.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology allow for easy photo sharing and remote shooting.
  • Optical viewfinder with approximately 95% coverage provides a clear, accurate view of the scene.
  • 9-point autofocus system with AI Servo AF allows for quick, precise focusing on moving subjects.
  • EOS Utility Webcam Software (Mac and Windows) turns the compatible Canon camera into a high-quality webcam.
  • Limited compatibility with older Canon lenses due to the EF-S mount.
  • No built-in image stabilization, making it reliant on lens stabilization or higher ISO settings.
  • Price point may be high for beginners or those looking for a budget camera.
  • Video quality is limited to 1080p, while some other cameras offer 4K video at a similar price point.
  • Battery life may not be sufficient for long shooting sessions, requiring frequent battery changes or a battery grip.