The Best Cameras Under $200

I’ve found 7 used cameras under $200, from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic.

There are DSLR and mirrorless cameras. I’ve focused on cameras with removable lenses.

They are perfect to have fun learning photography or to shoot videos.

The controls, built-in flashes, and other features make them a different experience than the camera on a phone.

All of the cameras use SD memory cards. 2TB is the maximum capacity (SDXC). 64GB or 128GB will be enough for most people.

How to get a good deal on a used camera

• Consider multiple cameras.
• Check different sellers.
• Buy a bundle with accessories.
• Know lens prices.

The peak years for digital camera sales was 2010 through 2013. Every brand was releasing new models every year. Often with minor changes.

Be willing to buy a few different models and consider several brands. That increases your odds of finding a great deal.

None of the cameras can be charged with USB. Look for bundles that include a memory card, battery, and battery charger. Those can cost $15+ on their own.

If a lens is included, a circular polarizer is a the best filter. It’s effect can’t be replicated with a phone. It will make skies a deeper blue and bring out detail in clouds. Sunrises and sunsets will be more saturated with color.

Canon and Nikon released several versions of their 18-55mm kit lenses. Some have optical stabilization, which helps get sharp images when zoomed in.

That’s also true for the cheap telephoto zooms that are available. They’re better for wildlife, birds, and sports photography.

How much is a camera worth?

I use the “Sold Items” filter on eBay to check prices. It shows what’s sold in the last 90 days.

The cheapest cameras sell the fastest. There are bundles, but smart photographers quickly buy them.

eBay auctions are where I consistently see the best deals.

Camera Condition

Avoid cameras that are dusty or have sand on them. That’s bad for moving parts.

Make sure there is no corrosion in the battery compartment.

Look for cameras with shutter counts less than 50,000.

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Canon Cameras Under $200

These Canon DSLRs are great entry level cameras. They are easy and fun to use for video and photography.

Sales were very good for both. There are videos that cover everything about the cameras.

Canon Rebel T3i (600D, Kiss X5)

• Released 2011, 560g (20oz)
• 18.0 megapixels, 3.7fps, 9 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• LP-E8 Battery, LC-E8E Charger
• Single SDXC slot

The Canon T3i has a 18.0 megapixel sensor and was released in 2011. It has an original price of $899 with the kit Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens.

The T3i is good for video. It can record 1080p30 video. Video capabilities can be expanded with Magic Lantern.

The screen can flip out and face forward. It’s also good for high or low angles.

Look for lenses with IS. That’s Canon’s optical image stabilization. It helps get sharp images when shooting hand held.

Canon Rebel SL1

• Released 2013, 407g (14.4oz)
• 18.0 megapixels, 4 fps, 9 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• LP-E12 Battery, LC-E12 Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The 18.0 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is also known as the Canon EOS Kiss X7 in Japan and Canon EOS 100D in Europe.

It’s biggest downside is that it has a fixed screen. That can make the SL1 harder to use when capturing high or low angle shots.

The SL1 was released in 2013 in two different colors, black and white. The white SL1 came with a white Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.

Nikon Cameras Under $200

I think Nikon cameras are better for photography than the competition from the other manufacturers. They’re the worst for video.

Nikon F-mount DX lenses are currently a great value. The selection is better than what’s available for Canon EF-S cameras.

The downside is that lens compatibility is a bit of a mess.

Nikon D5100

• Released 2011, 510g (18.3oz)
• 16.2 megapixels, 4 fps, 11 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• EN-EL14 Battery, MH-24 Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Nikon D5100 is from 2011 and has a 16.2 megapixel sensor. It’ll most commonly be found with a Nikon DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR AF-S kit lens.

The D5100 has a front facing screen and can record 1080p30 video. That’s still usable for social media.

VR is Nikon’s name for optical image stabilization. Again, that’s the lens feature to look for. There are versions that don’t have it.

Beyond that, there are many great lenses for the Nikon D5100.

Nikon D3100

• Released 2010, 455g (16.1oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 3 fps, 11 AF points
• 1080p24 video
• EN-EL14 Battery, MH-24 Charger
• Single SDXC slot

I’m not a fan of the fixed screen, but the Nikon D3100 was released in 2010, right at start of the peak of digital camera sales.

There are so many D3100’s out there. So look for a deal.

It has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and can only record 1080p24 video. For photography, I’d rather have it than the Canon SL1.

Sony Cameras Under $200

The first of the Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras are starting to show up.

They are by far the best choice for travel or street photography. They are much smaller than DSLRs.

The Sony E-mount is still being used and supported. The Nikon F and Canon EF mounts have been discontinued.

It’s nice to have an upgrade path.

Sony NEX-5 Series

• Released 2010, 287g (10.1oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 7 fps, 25 AF points
• 1080i60 video
• NP-FW50 Battery, BC-TRW Charger
• Single SDXC/PRO DUO Memory Card slot

The series starts in 2010 with the 14.2 megapixel Sony NEX-5. There’s also the Sony NEX-5N, NEX-5R, and NEX-5T which ends at 16.1 megapixels.

That small jump is resolution is because a new sensor was used. The bigger benefit is in low light than the original NEX-5.

All the models came in three different colors, black, silver, and a harder to find white.

They can be found with a color matching Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS PZ.

The lens is special because it is a power zoom. That means smooth zooming for recording video.

The ability to record 1080p60 is impressive, considering the small size and light weight.

Sony NEX-3 series

• Released 2010, 297g (10.5oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 7 fps, 25 AF points
• 720p30 video
• NP-FW50 Battery, BC-TRW Charger
• Single SDXC/PRO DUO Memory Card slot

The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-C3 can only record 720p video. The Sony NEX-F3 and NEX-3N can record 1080p30.

There are red and pink colors, in addition to black, silver, and white.

For photography only, it can be a stylish choice. For any amount of video work, the NEX-5 series will be better.

Panasonic Cameras Under $200

Panasonic has made lots of cameras with Micro Four Thirds sensors.

That’s smaller than an APS-C sensor that all of the cameras above use.

The advantage is that lenses for Micro Four Thirds can be smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

Panasonic G3

• Released 2011,
• 16.7 megapixels, fps, AF points
• video
• DMW-BLD10PP Battery, DE-A93B Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Panasonic G3 is another camera from 2011 with a 16.7 megapixel sensor.

The Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S. kit lens has good image quality. (Mega Optical Image Stabilization 🦖)

Where Micro Four Thirds has the biggest advantage is in the selection of small and cheap lenses under $100.

That’s why the G3 makes sense for photography that needs a focal length that isn’t covered by a kit lens. It is easy to find a fisheye, portrait, telephoto, toy, or mirror lens.

Video is a bit odd because it can record 1080i60. That can be de-interlaced to 1080p30, but I wouldn’t want to do that.