Our team has tested many cameras from different price segments and for absolutely different categories of photographers: from beginners to professionals. Without ingenuity, let's say: not one hundred. In this article, we have collected the best price and quality cameras with an average cost under $1000. Among them, you will find both models for enthusiastic photographers who do not earn from a photo yet, and those that are suitable for professionals: full-frame and crop sensor SLR cameras, excellent mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, and top compact models with built-in zoom and outstanding performance. Choosing a camera from this category, you can learn the basics of photography, create masterpieces, start earning from photography, and hold sessions in the studio or nature. And, of course, take the camera with you on vacation and bring photos of the highest quality from there. Let's go!
Canon EOS 80D
Canon EOS 80D belongs to the category of semi-professional mirrors. This model is for a traveler enthusiast or professional with a limited budget. It looks solid, well adapted to the shooting of dynamic scenes. The camera is equipped with a swivel 3-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1.04 million points and a built-in flash. The minimum shutter speed is 1/8000 seconds, and the serial shooting speed reaches 7 frames per second.
The EOS 80D is equipped with a 24MP CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, which provides precise and fast focus when shooting with on-screen viewing, as well as a phase module autofocus with 45 cross-type sensors — for shooting with framing through the viewfinder. These are good characteristics for semi-professional class cameras. UHS-I SD memory cards are supported; an external flash can be connected via the “hot shoe.” Canon EOS 80D is able to shoot videos at Full HD (1080p) at 60 frames/s and time-lapses.
The EOS 80D has a dust-proof and moisture-proof housing and provides a direct focus point selection in the viewfinder. Nine controls can be assigned 26 functions, and there is a 3.5mm connector to connect an external microphone and headphones to monitor audio during video recording, Wi-Fi, and NFC modules. The full charge of the EOS 80D battery allows you to remove up to 960 frames, the power consumption of the camera can be further increased with the help of the battery pack.
When buying a camera completely, if the budget allows overpaying, it is worth taking a universal standard lens with an extended focal length range EF-S 18-135mm f/3 .5-5.6 IS USM.
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 6D is an affordable full-frame SLR camera, released in 2013. And although Canon EOS 6D Mark II has replaced it, the EOS 6D model is still relevant due to the developers quality resource. This is an excellent choice for those looking for the optimal ratio of price and technical capabilities. Beautiful background blur effect, high level of detail in landscapes and architecture, excellent image quality on high ISO when little light - these are the abilities of this full-frame camera.
Canon EOS 6D is equipped with a full-frame 202-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 + processor and TTL-CT-SIR CMOS autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. At the same time, the sensor in the center has an increased sensitivity of up to -3 EV, so the camera focuses very well in poor light conditions (but only at the center point). Canon EOS 6D gives a quality picture with the study of small parts up to ISO 3200. If you can do without fine detail, we raise the threshold of sensitivity to ISO 6400.
Of course, this camera can also shoot videos — in Full HD format with a frequency of up to 30 fps, and also has a 3.5mm input for an external microphone to record quality sound. The serial shooting speed of Canon EOS 6D reaches 4.5 fps.
As with most modern cameras, Canon EOS 6D has a Wi-Fi module that allows you to configure communication with mobile devices to control filming and transferring files, as well as to share photos between cameras, print photos on compatible printers and send them to Internet services. There is also a GPS module for recording the coordinates of the frames. The dimensions of the camera are 144.5 x 110.5 x 71.2 mm and the weight without the lens is 755 grams, including the battery and memory card.
We recommend this camera to an enthusiastic photographer who shoots in a variety of genres and appreciates the possibility of a full frame, such as a small depth of field. Note that within the budget up to $1000 fits only the camera itself (body), and will have to spend more on the lens. But despite this, still, be sure to take a look at this model!
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7500 is a slightly lightweight version of the Nikon D500 professional crop-mirror. It is suitable for both enthusiasts and novice professionals. The D7500 is more compact (135.5 × 104 × 72.5 mm) and lighter (720 grams with battery and memory card) than the mentioned D500.
At the same time, it is equipped with the same 20.9 megapixel CMOS sensor DX-format (APS-C) with dimensions of 23.5 × 15.7 mm, autofocus module Multi-CAM 3500 II with 51 focus points (15 of which are cross-type) and up to − 3 EV sensitivity, 180000-zone RGB-Exposer sensor, and high-speed EXPEED 5 processor. By the way, the same processor is in the top model D5, and the autofocus module is in D750, D810, and D4s. The camera's sensitivity range ranges from 100 to 51,200 ISO units with the possibility of extending up to 50 downwards and up to 1,640,000 units. This allows you to shoot safely in conditions of insufficient lighting.
The camera rate is 8 frames per second, and the length of a continuous series is up to 50 RAW images or up to 100 JPEG images. Such opportunities will be enough for any photographer-enthusiast not only for the daily shooting of portraits and landscapes but also for reporting. By the way, the camera body has dust and moisture protection so that you can remove and in relatively extreme conditions.
The camera has a mechanical autofocus drive “screwdriver” that allows the use of D-series lenses that are not equipped with an autofocus motor. The main advantages of such optics are good image quality and relatively low price. There is also a built-in flash with the ability to control driven external flashes in two groups of four channels via optical infrared and radio channels.
You can build a frame in Nikon D7500 not only through an optical viewfinder with a magnification of 0.94 x and 100% coated frame but also by a swivel 3.2-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 922 thousand dots . You can use Live View mode to focus and shoot in one touch during photography, and to refocus during video recording.
You can shoot 4K at up to 30 frames per second or in Full HD at up to 60 frames per second. When shooting with hands in Full HD resolution and less, the use of an electronic image stabilization system is available. Also in the camera, there is an HDMI connector, through which an uncompressed signal is output to the external device.
The D7500 is also equipped with wireless modules: there is a power-saving Bluetooth, which allows you to configure continuous automatic uploading of pictures to mobile devices and modern Wi-Fi. The latter allows you to transfer the footage to a smartphone/tablet and upload it to the Internet, as well as remotely control the shutter and camera settings.
Within this price sample, you can purchase Nikon 18-105mm f/3 .5-5.6G AF-S ED DX VR or Nikon 18-140mm f/3 .5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S, which are easy cope with most amateur photo tasks.
Nikon D610
Nikon D610 is not a new model with a 24-megapixel FX sensor, which remains attractive thanks to an affordable price. Some of the limitations of functionality (below) narrow the usage of the camera, for example, in professional reporting, but a photo-enthusiast shooting in other genres, this camera is quite suitable.
Full-frame sensor provides a three-dimensional picture due to a spectacular blur of the background. Besides, the camera has a relatively wide dynamic range.
The camera body Nikon D610 is dustproof and moisture-proof, the upper and rear panels are made of magnesium alloy, the rest is made of high-quality plastic. Note the characteristics of the optical viewfinder: 100% coverage of the frame field at an increase of 0.7x.
The camera is equipped with an autofocus system consisting of 39 points, 9 of which are cross-type, which is essential for working with light-strong optics. But their overcrowding in the center of the frame can create difficulties when working with such optics. Another problem with speed is the contrast type of autofocus in Live View mode — it is slightly slower than the phase one is used in modern cameras.
An important feature of this camera is the presence of two slots for SD memory cards. They can be used to duplicate relevant material, sequential, or to record images simultaneously to different maps in different formats (JPG and RAW). Nikon D610 can shoot a series at speeds of up to 6 frames per second. This value is enough for photographing not the most dynamic events, but, for example, for some sports will not be enough.
There are no wireless modules in the camera, but it has good video capabilities: records videos in Full HD format with a frequency of up to 60 frames per second, and allows you to stream recording to an external recorder via HDMI output. For high-quality recording and sound control, there is a microphone input and audio output.
Nikon D750
Nikon D750 is a fast and versatile full-frame mirror, the capabilities of which are enough for professional event and art shooting, as well as for advanced fans. The model is equipped with a 24.3-megapixel FX sensor, an autofocus system based on the module Multi-CAM 3500 II with 51 sensors (15 of them are cross) and an oblique 3.2-inch touch display.
The speed of serial shooting reaches 6.5 frames per second, which is often enough for reportage shooting, but this scope of application is somewhat limited to the minimum exposure of 1/4000 s — not too short for operation with ultra-light strong optics, and insufficient buffer capacity when writing to RAW (up to 15 frames).
The Nikon D750 is equipped with two slots for SD memory cards, which is convenient for expanding memory size, shooting RAW and JPEG in parallel, or backing up files.
The Nikon D750 camera can be controlled remotely from mobile devices via Wi-Fi connection. It will also allow you to transfer pictures to them or upload files directly from the camera to the Network. Creative personalities will appreciate the Effects shooting mode, which allows you to apply interesting effects filters immediately when photographing.
This model will be able to quite successfully use video graphs: it can record video in Full HD format with a frequency of up to 60 frames per second, and also allows you to connect an external microphone and headphones for recording sound. In addition, the camera has an HDMI output and a Flat profile, allowing you to keep an uncompressed video stream with an extended dynamic range. Nikon D750 is also able to create timelapse. You can save settings separately for photo and video shooting.
If you plan to buy Nikon D750 with a lens; then within the amount of $1000, it is easy to buy a camera with a universal zoom lens. Check out our list with the best lens for Nikon D750.
Sony Alpha a6500
Sony A6500 is a mirrorless APS-C camera line Sony Alpha, able to replace a large professional mirror in travel and photography. It is made in small dust and moisture-proof case measuring 120 × 66.9 × 53.3 mm and weighing 453 grams. The equipment includes 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, BIONZ X processor, integrated 5-axis stabilization system, hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase sensors. electronic OLED viewfinder with 2.36 million points resolution and 100% coated frame, 3-inch touch swivel screen.
Sony Alpha ILCE-6500 can conduct serial shooting with a frequency of up to 11 frames/s, it is possible to control the position of the focus point, using the touch screen to adjust the camera conveniently, available Wi-Fi and NFC modules. Another high-tech capability of Sony A6500 is video shooting in 4K resolution at a speed of 30 frames per second and in Full HD at a speed of up to 120 frames per second. It is possible to connect an external microphone.
Sony Alpha ILCE-6500 has advanced technology and, thanks to its high performance, ease of control, fast and accurate autofocus, high image quality, is suitable for both photography in any genre, and video shooting. We recommend this camera to beginners, for whom the camera provides intelligent auto mode and lots of storytelling programs, including hand shooting at dusk, and professionals. The latter can use it as a second camera and a travel camera, and some of its capabilities will be enough to work.
The camera kit may include standard zoom Sony 16-50mm f/3 .5-5.6, but if you want more it is better to buy it with universal zoom with constant light intensity — Sony 18-105mm f/4 G OSS or 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (SEL-1670Z).
Sony Alpha A7II
Sony Alpha A7II is the base model of the second generation among Sony mirrorless full-frame alpha “seven,” which is suitable for many types of professional shooting. This model has been equipped with a 24.3-megapixel full frame image sensor, a five-axis shift stabilization system, fast phase autofocus with 117 sensors, a Wi-Fi module, ability to record video in Full HD quality with support for XAVC-S format.
Sony A7II easily replaces professional SLR cameras and is suitable for all filming genres, including conceptual art, portrait, and reportage photography.
The camera has quite small dimensions — 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7 mm, relatively light — together with the battery and memory card weighs about 599 grams. The body is protected from dust and moisture, and the model has a convenient operation with ten programmable buttons. It is equally easy to view the scene both through a bright and clear turntable screen with a resolution of 1.23 million points, and through an electronic viewfinder (one of the best in its class). equipped with an OLED matrix with a resolution of 2.36 million points and having an increase of 0.71 x at 100% frame coverage.
The Sony Alpha ILCE-7M2 focus speed and accuracy is achieved through the hybrid autofocus system with 117 phase type sensors (centered closer to the center) and BIONZ X. In addition, the camera can recognize faces and store registered in its memory, which provides accurate and quick focus when shooting certain people (for example, relatives or groom and of the bride at the wedding).
Serial shooting speed is up to 5 frames per second, and Sony Alpha A7II uses a dual 5-axis stabilization built into the camera itself to get sharp frames in poor lighting. , and in the lens.
If we talk about video shooting; Sony Alpha ILCE-7M2 allows you to record videos in XAVC-S format in Full HD quality with a frequency of up to 60 frames/s and a bitrate of up to 50 Mbps. For high-quality sound recording, it is possible to connect an external microphone through a multi-interface connector (“hot shoe”) or a standard 3.5mm jack, as well as headphones via audio output. For easy video editing, you can shoot with an extended dynamic range using the S-Log profile.
Sony Alpha A7II has wireless Wi-Fi and NFC modules to connect to a tablet or smartphone, with which you can remotely control the camera, as well as share files and view the footage. Professional photographers, as well as demanding quality shooting enthusiasts, we recommend to buy Sony Alpha A7II separately (body), not in the kit, and then choose the optimal lens for their creative tasks.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2 is a camera with a non-replaceable lens, which in many situations can replace both mirrorless and SLR cameras. However, it does not need a whole fleet of optics, as it is equipped with a high-quality 8.3x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T zoom lens with a constant luminous intensity of f/2 .8, more than enough for most plots. the focal length range of 24 — 200 mm and the integrated optical SteadyShot stabilization system.
The shape of the case Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2 resembles a mirror, and thanks to its comfortable grip, it is easy to work all day long. The body has dust and moisture protection, which means you can remove without problems in any field. Like mirrors, this camera has a hot shoe connector in which you can install, for example, an external flash.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2 has a 1" CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, a system of autofocus with 25 sensors operating by contrast method. The rate of fire of the camera reaches 14 frames per second. This is less than the DSC-RX100M5, but still more than many other cameras, including professional cameras. Note the presence of an electronic shutter with a minimum shutter speed of 1/32000 s.
This camera is able to become a real workhorse of a photographer working in a variety of genres, as it allows you to shoot both in automatic and manual modes, not to mention intermediate semi-automatic and diverse creative programs. The only thing is that the contrast autofocus system is not too adapted for dynamic shooting.
Wireless modules include Wi-Fi and NFC, through which it is convenient to use mobile devices as a remote control, as well as to view and transmit footage. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2 is an all-in-one camera of high level, which will especially appeal to travelers and tourists, photo hunters and photographers who shoot in the genres of a street with not too dynamic stories. Those who need more long-range optics and who are willing to pay for it decently should pay attention to the older models of this line — RX10M3 and RX10M4.
Fujifilm X-T2
Fujifilm X-T2 is a top mirrorless camera of the previous generation with branded X-Trans sensor APS-C format. Its potential is well suited to trained photographers, and against the background of modern top models Fujifilm — X-T3 and X-H1, which is inferior in a number of characteristics, is attractive at a more affordable price .
Despite the small size (91.8 × 132.5 × 49.2 mm) and the weight of 507 grams (with battery and memory card), the camera looks solid and its body is protected from dust and moisture. The control resembles film cameras: there are metal discs with which you can set manually shooting modes, ISO sensitivity, shutter value, including Bulb (up to 60 min) / Time (60 − 1 / 8000 (c), and introduce exposure correction.
The camera has 24,33-megapixel CMOS III X-Trans CMOS III APS-C format and uses a hybrid 325-point autofocus system (contrast and phase) with face and eye detection. The equipment also includes a rotary 3-inch LCD with a resolution of 1.04 million pixels, an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 megapixel, automatic brightness adjustment, 0.77x, and 100% m magnification coated frame, “hot shoe” to connect an external flash.
Fujifilm X-T2 is well prepared for reportage shooting. Thus, the speed of serial shooting reaches 14 frames per second, and the range of photosensitivity (with extended values) is 100 — 51 200 ISO units. The camera is equipped with two SD card slots that support the high-speed UHS-II standard. Up to 540 images can be taken on a single charge of the battery, which is an outstanding result for cameras of this class.
The camera is distinguished not only by the ability to take photos with high quality, a wide variety of creative possibilities, including the use of Fujifilm film profiles and art filters, but also the ability to shoot 4K videos with a frequency of up to 30 frames per second. Despite professional video features such as Log Gamma mode, microphone input, and completely silent autofocus, it is not a complete camera for professional video shooting. To do this, you will have to buy a VPB-XT2 booster with a headphone jack and an external recorder for recording video filmed with Log Gamma profile.
From the wireless interfaces, the camera is equipped with a Wi-Fi module for transferring photos to and remote control from mobile devices. In addition, Fujifilm X-T2 comes a lot of additional accessories: flash, converters, trigger cables, interchangeable handles, microphone for sound recording, extra metal grip, etc .
