Best Camera for Photography in 2025 Based on Different Budgets

For most consumers, the primary consideration when deciding whether to purchase a camera is likely the price. After all, not everyone is a professional photographer who knows all the ins and outs of various camera specifications.

So, is there a universal camera buying guide that helps you choose the best camera for photography within your budget, even if you're not entirely sure about the specific features and selling points of a particular camera?

With that in mind, we hope this article serves as your one-stop camera-buying guide. What you need to think about is your camera budget, and we're here to help you select the best camera for photography within that range—possibly the very best.

This article was first published in November 2024, and we will update its content as necessary.

In this article, you will learn:

1. Best Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras for Different Budget Ranges
2. Best Choices for Compact/Fixed-Lens Cameras
3. Final Thoughts About Best Camera for Photography

Best Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras for Different Budget Ranges

1. Budget Under $300

Unfortunately, in the current market, DSLR and mirrorless cameras in this price range are either very poor in quality or extremely outdated.

The very poor camera models shoot like dash cams and fall short of even your smartphone's capabilities.

The extremely old models may have slightly better image quality, but they generally suffer from slow focusing, poor metering, bad display screens, complex operations, and high learning curves, resulting in a poor user experience.

Cameras below this price range not only heavily test the user's photography skills but also easily discourage photography enthusiasts, dampening their interest and confidence.

Therefore, if you simply want to capture everyday life moments effortlessly, we recommend investing this money into your smartphone budget instead, purchasing a mid-range to high-end phone with excellent imaging capabilities.

If you are genuinely interested in photography, and willing to dedicate time and effort to learn and practice, we still advise you to save up more, increase your budget, and invest in a camera that is more suitable for learning and entry-level photography.

2. Budget $300–$600 (Including Lens Kit)

The Canon EOS R100 was released in May 2023 and is Canon's most entry-level, affordable, lightweight, and compact mirrorless model currently on the market.

Initially, the Canon EOS R100 received poor reviews due to its high price tag paired with outdated processor and focusing technology. It lacked basic features like a flip screen and touchscreen, which left users dissatisfied.

However, Canon swiftly adjusted its pricing, and now the standout feature of this model is its affordability.

While the Canon EOS R100 may have weaker hardware specifications, it still boasts an APS-C sensor, Canon's renowned dual-pixel autofocus technology, excellent color reproduction, and a user-friendly beginner interface.

Therefore, for photography beginners on a tight budget or those looking for a camera within this price range for casual use, the Canon EOS R100 should be a top choice.

The G100D was released in December 2023 and is a mirrorless from Panasonic designed primarily for Vlog shooting.

Compared to the Canon R100, the Panasonic G100D falls slightly behind in terms of image quality, pixels, and autofocus. However, it offers a slight edge in video specifications and provides more lens choices.

Moreover, as a camera geared towards short video content creation, it features a flip screen, touchscreen functionality, and decent audio quality.

Therefore, if your budget is under $600 and you aim to balance both photography and video capabilities, we highly recommend the Panasonic G100D.

3. Budget $600–$900 (Including Lens Kit)

The ZV-E10 was launched in July 2021 and is an APS-C mirrorless camera from Sony's VLOGCAM series, featuring a side flip screen, three-capsule microphone, headphone jack, and various designs tailored for Vlogging or creating short online videos.

Moreover, the Sony ZV-E10 doesn't fall short in photography either, as it inherits the same sensor and processor from the Sony A6400, providing excellent autofocus and a wide range of lens options.

Therefore, whether capturing still photos or recording dynamic footage, the Sony ZV-E10 performs exceptionally well.

4. Budget $900–$1100 (Including Lens Kit)

The Canon EOS R10 was launched in May 2022 and stands as Canon's mid-range APS-C mirrorless camera, renowned for its outstanding autofocus, high-speed continuous shooting capabilities (ideal for capturing children and pets), and above-average video specifications.

Furthermore, the Canon EOS R10 offers a user-friendly interface and excellent color reproduction, making it suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and enthusiasts alike.

In terms of drawbacks, one limitation is the limited selection of RF-S lenses currently available, which may slightly restrict its versatility.

Another point to consider is that even two years after its release, the Canon R10 remains highly popular and in demand, leading to potential price markups through official channels, which could affect its future resale value.

The Sony ZV-E10 II was launched in July 2024, merging the concept of the first ZV-E10 with some features from the A6700, focusing on enhancing video performance and optimizing user experience.

In terms of video capabilities, the second-generation product supports 4K 60P recording, 10-bit color depth, and introduces CineVlog widescreen settings, transforming into a professional tool for short video creation.

Regarding usability, it incorporates creative functions that amateur users love, along with features like a larger battery preferred by professionals and additional practical buttons (such as a dial for switching between photo/video/slow-motion modes).

This camera is ideal for users in the $900–$1100 budget range who prioritize video performance or photography enthusiasts seeking a wide range of lens options.

5. Budget $1100–$1400 (Body Only)

The Nikon Z 5 was introduced in July 2020 as an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera that came with a very friendly starting price.

Although it's Nikon's most basic full-frame camera, the Z 5 excels in still image quality and offers features like in-body stabilization, a high-resolution viewfinder, and dual SD card slots, providing excellent value for money.

The weaknesses of Z 5 lie in its slower burst shooting speed and less professional video capabilities.

Therefore, users who require fast continuous shooting (such as wildlife photography, sports events, or news coverage) or have extensive video needs should think twice before choosing this model.

However, if you are not overly concerned about burst shooting or video features and simply want to purchase a full-frame camera on a modest budget, the Nikon Z 5 is an ideal choice.

6. Budget $1400–$1800 (Body Only)

The Panasonic S5 II was unveiled in January 2023 as Panasonic's entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, carrying over the sensor from the original S5 but incorporating phase-detection technology for faster and more precise autofocus.

Additionally, the Panasonic S5 II features a brand-new processor developed in collaboration with Leica, enhanced in-body stabilization, added cooling fan for heat dissipation, and more advanced video specifications.

In essence, it fills the gaps and extends the strengths of the first-generation S5, making it a well-rounded camera with excellent performance and value for money.

7. Budget $1800–$2200 (Body Only)

The Canon R6 Mark II was launched in November 2022, standing as Canon's latest mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera and one of the top contenders around the $2000 price point.

It excels in image quality, strong stabilization, accurate autofocus, fast burst shooting, and high video specifications, making it challenging to pinpoint any significant drawbacks.

If one were to nitpick, the 24 million pixels might seem a bit average, and the RF lens lineup is still expanding. However, as an affordably priced full-frame mirrorless camera, it performs exceptionally well.

The Sony Alpha 7C II was released in August 2023 as the second generation of the Alpha 7C lineup.

The Sony Alpha 7C II is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. In comparison to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mentioned earlier, the A7C2 not only has the advantage of being smaller and lighter but also boasts a higher pixel count and more lens options.

However, the Alpha 7C II falls slightly short in burst shooting performance, stabilization, video specifications, grip comfort, screen display quality, and it only supports a single card slot.

In our view, the Alpha 7C II is more suitable for users who prioritize portability or prefer the Sony ecosystem.

8. Budget $2200–$3200 (Body Only)

The Sony Alpha 7R IV was launched in July 2019 and stands as the oldest model discussed in this article.

As a camera that's a few years old, the Alpha 7R IV may fall short of meeting the expectations of today's discerning users. For example, its video capabilities may not be the strongest, stabilization might not be the most reliable, autofocus may not be the smartest, and the menu system may not be the most user-friendly.

However, its sensor configuration is still top-notch, with pixel count and image quality ranking among the best in the market for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is particularly well-suited for genres like landscape and portrait photography.

For users who focus on still photography and don't require advanced video features, the Sony Alpha 7R IV is undoubtedly a high-value choice.

9. Budget $3200–$4000 (Body Only)

The Nikon Z 8 was unveiled in May 2023 as Nikon's second-highest-tier mirrorless camera. It adopts the same core configuration as Nikon's top-tier Z 9, inheriting most of the Z 9's performance while offering a significantly lower price, making it extremely cost-effective.

The Nikon Z 8 caters to both photo and video shooting:

• In terms of photography, the Z 8 excels in pixel count and image quality, along with outstanding burst shooting and autofocus performance, making it suitable for capturing a wide range of subjects.
• For video capabilities, the Z 8 provides a range of professional tools, meeting the demands for high-quality commercial shoots.

Furthermore, the Z 8 boasts a professional control design, sturdy build quality, and can be considered one of the strongest mirrorless models priced at around $3500.

The Sony Alpha 7R V was introduced in October 2022 as Sony's latest flagship model, emphasizing high resolution and top-notch image quality for both photography and video purposes.

Compared to the Nikon Z 8, the Alpha 7R V boasts higher pixel count and more reliable autofocus performance, making it a standout choice for professional landscape and commercial portrait photography.

However, when it comes to genres like wildlife, sports, and news photography, the Alpha 7R V may lag behind in burst shooting speed.

Additionally, the Alpha 7R V doesn't match the Z 8 in terms of professional video capabilities.

For users primarily sharing photos on social media, the reason to choose the Alpha 7R V over the Z 8 likely isn't just its 61 million pixels but more likely its compact and portable form factor along with the extensive range of lenses available.

Best Choices for Compact/Fixed-Lens Cameras

Faced with the rapid advancements in smartphone camera capabilities and long-term camera production shortages, many camera manufacturers have chosen to pause the development and production of compact fixed-lens cameras.

Currently, the brands persisting in the development and production of compact cameras on the market are mainly Sony, Fujifilm, Ricoh, and Leica.

However, Fujifilm's X100 series and Ricoh's GR series compact cameras have become incredibly popular due to their design and straight-out-of-camera color rendition, leading to prolonged stock shortages through official channels.

On the other hand, the Leica Q series is priced too high, making it difficult for the average consumer to afford.

Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a compact camera, focusing on Sony might be your best bet.

Currently, Sony offers a range of compact cameras under the VLOGCAM lineup that are in production and available for sale, including three models: ZV-1, ZV-1F, and ZV-1II.

The Sony ZV-1 II, the second generation of the ZV-1 series, was released in May 2023, focusing on Vlogging and short video shooting.

Compared to similarly priced mirrorless cameras, the main advantage of cameras like the ZV-1 II lies in their compact and lightweight design, making them highly portable.

However, there will inevitably be some compromises in terms of image quality and flexibility in focal length, making them more suitable for casual hobbyists who prioritize body size and weight.

Compared to the first generation ZV-1, the ZV-1 II features an equivalent 18-50mm wide-angle lens, making it more suitable for handheld selfies.

It also introduces a "cinematic" mode, with upgrades in focus, audio, touchscreen capabilities, and menu options.

Final Thoughts About Best Camera for Photography

All recommendations in the article are based on our independent subjective opinions and do not involve any brand collaboration.

Due to space limitations, we may not be able to list all excellent cameras, so the absence of a camera in the article does not mean it is not good enough.

Once you've purchased your camera, the following articles might be helpful for you:

• Camera Memory Cards: Essential Knowledge for Photography Beginners
• The Ultimate Camera Lens Buying Guide: Your Path to Perfect Shots
• UV Protection Lens Filters: Should You Use One?

We believe this camera buying guide can help you discover the best camera for your photography needs. You must be eager to kickstart your photography journey now.

After capturing a series of wonderful moments with your camera, you might notice imperfections or flaws in your photos when you review them later. This is when you may need to do some post-processing on your photos.

Because, let's face it, no one can consistently produce flawless photos without some editing help, even the most skilled photography experts.

However, using photo editing software can be overwhelming with frequent parameter adjustments and complex photo management, potentially leading to frustration.

Therefore, we would like to recommend a controller, TourBox, that can significantly enhance your efficiency in photo editing.

Similar to using a game controller for gaming, TourBox provides a similar tactile experience when editing photos. Say goodbye to cumbersome keyboard operations—by controlling TourBox with just one hand, you can achieve precise and efficient control.

Check out our photo editing page to see how TourBox simplifies every step of photo editing.

We will regularly update the content of this article, so if you find our information valuable, please stay tuned for more.