Former flagship cameras can be a better value than newer, entry-level cameras.
Entry level consumer cameras depreciate the fastest and hardest. New, they are the worst value. After a couple years or longer, they can become good values.
Cameras under $100
The only new cameras under $100 are toy cameras.
For all of these cameras, if you look around, you can find a good deal. Check eBay, Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales, and anywhere else people sell used items.
Toy Cameras
If you want a toy camera, buy a used one. Most get used a few times and then sit in drawers for years.
Digital toy cameras:
- Camp snap
- “Scamras”
Digital Point and Shoots
As long as you avoid social media darling, you can still find cheap vintage point and shoots. For both film and digital.
For general use, look for cameras with wide zoom ranges. Extra telephoto reach isn’t as useful. I would rather have a 24-80mm than a 35-200mm lens.
- Canon Powershot
- Nikon Coolpix
- Fujifilm Finepix
- Olympus Stylus (Avoid models that use SmartMedia or xD memory cards.)
- Pentax Optio
Film Point and Shoots
Avoid models that use APS film. It’s discontinued. Expired film is discontinued and difficult to get developed.
- Canon Sure Shot
- Olympus Infinity, Stylus Zoom
- Nikon One Touch, Lite Touch
- Fujifilm Zoom Date
DSLRs under $200
Entry level DSLRs made around 2012 are the best value cameras. That was the peak year for DSLR sales.
Now there is an abundance of them on the used market. They are easy to find as complete kits with a lens, battery, and memory card. Some will have a second telephoto kit zoom, which is good for kids sports and lazy wildlife photography.
Nikon D3200
My go to recommendation is the Nikon D3200. It can record 1080p30 video and sees a 10 megapixel increase over the D3100.
The kit lens was an 18-55mm, which is perfect for general photography. A 55-200mm lens can be found bundled, or purchased separately. It’s an inexpensive way to be able to try sports, action, or wildlife photography.
There is a good upgrade path and Nikon DX lenses are the best value right now.
Canon T3i (600D)
The Canon T3i is the comparable model to the D3200. The front facing flippy screen and ability to run Magic Lanter make it a better choice if you also want to shoot video.
More than a third of the EF-S lenses Canon made were versions of the 18-55mm. The lens selection is no where as good as Nikon.
Nikon F Full Frame DSLRs
My favorite DSLRs for photography.
“Flagship” professional cameras have aged significantly better than swaths of newer entry level bodies. They will have additional features, we likely be weather sealed, have superior specs, customization buttons, and accessories.
Canon Full Frame DSLRs
The most popular full frame DSLRs. I think several are excellent values, such as the 5DS, 5D mark II, and 5D mark III.