If you’re looking for the Best Cameras Under $1,000 you can buy in (Summer) 2022, which is affordable, high quality and better performance, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, I have listed down the Best Cameras Under $1,000 in 2022.
We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.
The Best Cameras Under $1,000 you can buy today.
So, here are the Best Cameras Under $1,000 of 2022. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.
1. Nikon Z 50
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The best all-around camera we’ve tested for under $1,000 with a kit lens included is the Nikon Z 50. For an entry-level camera, it’s superbly well-built and comfortable to use. It even has some degree of weather sealing to give you more peace of mind when shooting on rainy days. Its controls and menu system are intuitive, and the camera takes beautiful photos. It’s among the best low-light performers of the APS-C cameras we’ve tested.
While it has a solid AF system that’ll get the job done in most situations, the similarly-priced Sony α6400 has a slightly more reliable autofocus system. Both are top-notch entry-level cameras, and you can’t go wrong with either, but the Sony doesn’t handle nearly as well as the Nikon, with worse ergonomics and a hard-to-navigate menu system. If you’re more style-conscious, the Nikon Z fc is also a great option that brings the nostalgia factor if you’re willing to stretch your budget a little. It’s one of the most stylish cameras on the market, designed after the vintage Nikon FM2 film camera. Its dedicated exposure dials give you a little more hands-on control over settings, but it has pretty much the same internals as the Z 50, so you’ll get very similar performance and features out of it.
Pros
- Great image quality.
- Comfortable to operate.
Cons
- Relatively bulky design.
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2. Sony ZV-E10
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Portability is the name of the game when it comes to vlogging, and while the large viewfinder and comfortable handgrip of the Nikon Z 50 make it a pleasure to shoot photos with, they also detract a bit from its portability. A dedicated vlogging camera like the Sony ZV-E10 ditches the viewfinder entirely, making it small, lightweight, and perfect for on-the-go vlogging. You also get a large, fully articulated screen that’s ideal for vlogs and video work, allowing you to see yourself without the screen getting in the way of cables or peripherals.
It also has the added benefit of dedicated focus modes designed specifically for certain kinds of vloggers. The ‘Product Showcase’ feature, for instance, automatically shifts focus to any object held up in the frame without you having to block your face—perfect for beauty or product vloggers of all kinds.
Pros
- Fully articulated screen.
- Great battery life.
- Excellent overall autofocus.
- No recording time limit.
Cons
- No IBIS.
- Autofocus isn’t as reliable as other Sony cameras.
- Very noticeable rolling shutter effect.
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3. Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
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While it doesn’t get more convenient than the smartphone camera you’ve already got on you, point-and-shoot cameras—compact fixed-lens cameras with smaller sensors than their interchangeable-lens counterparts—are a great option for travel and street photography. Although you won’t have out-of-this-world image quality, a premium point-and-shoot like the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II can still take great photos and comes packed with features that make it a great all-in-one camera for on-the-go shooting.
It’s one of the most comfortable point-and-shoots we’ve tested, with a perfectly molded grip and thumb rest. Plus, it has a tilting screen and a small pop-up viewfinder that comes in handy on sunny days. Its built-in lens has a fairly long zoom range, too, so it’s well-suited to a variety of shooting situations, whether you’re capturing far-off subjects or close-ups and landscapes. However, the battery life is limited, but that’s the trade-off of having such a compact camera.
Pros
- Larger image sensor than phones.
- 5x zoom lens.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Built-in EVF and flash.
- Selfie LCD with touch support.
- In-lens ND filter.
- 4K video.
Cons
- No mic input.
- Autofocus not as advanced as some competitors.
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4. Canon EOS RP
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The Canon EOS RP proves that you don’t need to break the bank to get a full-frame camera. While you’ll have to tip over $1,000 if you want to get a lens bundled with the camera, it’s still one of the most affordable full-frames on the market unless you shop second-hand. It’s relatively small and lightweight for a full-frame camera, and it has a simple control layout and an easy-to-use menu system.
While there’s a lot to love about the RP, it’s clear that Canon skimped on other aspects to keep the price down. Its all-plastic construction feels a lot cheaper than higher-end full-frame cameras aimed at enthusiasts and pros. It also has a disappointingly short battery life and a slow max burst rate. But you’ll have a hard time finding full-frame image quality for less, so if these aren’t dealbreakers for you, the RP is a great deal for those who are serious about getting into photography and want to jump right into a full-frame model.
Pros
- Compact body with full-frame sensor.
- Vari-angle LCD.
- Integrated EVF.
- Quick, accurate autofocus.
- Macro stacking and time-lapse tools.
- Wi-Fi.
- Attractive price.
Cons
- Small EVF.
- Low-cost native lenses not available yet.
- Inconsistent face and eye detection.
- 4K video suffers from heavy crop.
- Sensor shows limited dynamic range.
- Small battery.
- No built-in flash.
5. Canon EOS M50 Mark II
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There are a lot of great camera options around the $1,000 mark, but if you don’t need as many bells and whistles, you might be all set with an even cheaper budget camera like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. It’s simple, portable, and does just what you need it to, making it a great beginner camera. With a solid APS-C sensor inside, it can capture high-quality photos and videos. Plus, it uses Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel autofocus system for quick and accurate focusing.
Of course, you won’t get the best build quality at this price, and while it can record 4k video, it’s best suited to 1080p since it can only do 4k with a heavy crop. Lens options are also a bit limited, so if you want to upgrade lenses beyond the kit lens, you might want to consider a Micro Four Thirds option like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. It’s a bit pricier but still affordable, and you get more lenses and built-in stabilization to boot. Still, the simplicity and price point of the M50 make it one of the most attractive budget cameras around.
Pros
- Lightweight build with lenses to match
- 24MP APS-C imaging
- Wide focus coverage with 10fps bursts
- Swing-out touch LCD
- Integrated eye-level EVF
- Supports external microphone
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and webcam support
Cons
- Cropped 4K video with slower autofocus
- Short battery life
- Doesn’t support USB charging
- Small burst capture buffer