Best Budget DSLR Cameras

Due to the overwhelming diversity of models on the market, most buyers have to deal with the question: what exactly should I look for in a DSLR camera?

The answer isn’t usually that easy, as there are myriad factors that need to be considered carefully in light of individual needs.

The overall cost

This is obviously the best place to start as it affects the kind of design and features which will be available to you. As you would expect, DSLRs fall within the lower mid and high-end price categories.

The range of functional features also expand as you go up the ladder, with professional models offering the most comprehensive feature sets. The key here is in defining what you want to use the camera for.

If you look at yourself as an amateur, the mid and lower price range is most likely to offer something which is quite suited to your needs. 

If you are considering to go pro, or you are an already established professional who is looking to upgrade to something more advanced, the upper mid-range and high-price range should have a good fit in-store.

Lenses

It’s always prudent to consider the cost of replacing lenses as the chances are that you may need to upgrade or simply replace the existing one in the future. This especially applies to professional photographers who might need several lenses to adapt the camera to specific needs.

Batteries

Almost all products come in with a set of batteries. However, it’s great to take your time and look at the cost of replacement in light of the camera’s efficiency in terms of energy consumption.

Camera Bag

Though most models come with a bag, some may not be as durable. Therefore you may need to consider the probable cost of a high-quality bag.

UV filters

UV filters help keep out the harmful ray from the sun. This prevents over exposure in your photos and also protects your lenses.

Size

If you don’t mind carrying some weight or using a tripod, size shouldn’t be much of an influential factor. However, if you are looking to get involved in on-the-go photography, it’s great to consider the lightest model, which offers the required quality.

Features

Now let’s take a look at some of the common DSLR features which have proven valuable to a wide range of users.

Mode dial

Just like other types of digital cameras, DSLRs incorporate a mode dial (or PASM dial), which is used to access a variety of automatic scene-mode settings. Some of the standard settings include shutter priority, program, aperture priority, fully manual mode.

Scene modes vary between cameras and are not customizable in most models. Good examples include silhouette, portrait, landscape, and many others. However, it is usually possible to achieve these settings manually by working in different settings.

Since professionals tend to be masters at manual calibration, most professional DSLR models don’t come with automatic scene-modes.

Dust reduction mechanisms

There are a variety of mechanisms used to prevent dust from accumulating in the camera’s chamber. Some models use the dust cover filter, which is mounted behind the lens to prevent the dust from reaching the inner, sensitive parts of the camera.

Other models such as some of the earliest DSLR models from the Olympus brand, incorporate a cleaning mechanism which relies on a built-in dust sensor.

Other models upgrade this mechanism by adding a vibrating sensor which operates at ultrasonic frequencies to remove the dust.

Interchangeable lenses

DSLR cameras are known for allowing the user to change lenses, thus having an extra edge in terms of making the camera adaptable to specific needs. This especially comes in handy for people who require several specialized lenses to handle different photographic needs.

In most cases, most lens mounts are built to accommodate a specific range of interchangeable lenses, which are usually products of the same manufacturer. For instance, an Olympus camera’ body might only be compatible with a range of interchangeable lens from the same brand.

There is also a good number of lens manufacturers who specializes in producing interchangeable lenses which can work on a wide variety of brands. Additionally, there are also lens adapters which allow you to use a specific lens on a different lens mount.

High Definition video capture

By the end of 2008, most manufacturers of DSLR cameras started producing cameras with movie-mode functionality; enabling users to record top definition videos. DSLRs which incorporate this functionality are commonly known as HDSLRs.

Video functionality in HDSLR cameras has evolved with time as manufacturers continue to produce more advanced models with greater resolutions and other features such as enhanced autofocus, exposure controls, and production of advanced file formats.

Live preview  

The first DSLR cameras couldn’t display the image in the optical Viewfinder on an LCD: a functionality commonly known as Live preview.

This comes in handy in circumstances where it’s impractical to use the Optical Viewfinder, such as in underwater viewing where the device is usually enclosed in a waterproof container.

Larger sensor sizes and better image quality  

DSLR cameras’ image sensors come in a variety of sizes. The largest sizes are found in “medium format” cameras. Due to the high costs associated with t0e manufacturing process, these cameras tend to come with high-end price tags.

“Full-frame” cameras incorporate image sensors with an identical size to the 35mm standard image film. The majority of modern DSLRs come with an APS-C sized sensor which measures at around 22×15mm, which is about 40% of the total size of a full-frame sensor.

Other sizes in popular brands range tend to fall somewhere between 26% and 61% of the full-frame size.  

The sensor’s capacity can also be described in terms of resolution, which is usually indicated by a megapixel rating. Normally, the larger the size, the higher the megapixel rating. However, a higher rate does not necessarily imply higher quality. 

Depth-of-field control

As you might be aware, lenses have their appropriate range of aperture sizes, and those used in DSLRs tend to have a wider range of aperture sizes. These can fall anywhere between f/0.9 and f/32. Those with smaller sensors tend to fall within the f/2.8 and f/5.6 range.  

To augment the range of exposure, some cameras with smaller sensors incorporate a filter pack into the aperture. Normally, apertures on cameras with small sensors tend to provide greater depth of field than DSLRs at the angle of view.  

The enhanced angle of view

The camera’s angle of view is largely dictated by its focal length and the size of the image sensor. For instance, given a lens with a particular focal length, a DSLR with a (36×24mm) sensor affords a smaller angle of view than a DSLR with a full-frame sensor.

However, full-frame sensor cameras are quite scarce, largely due to the inflated manufacturing costs, which also translate to inflated market price tags.

Other features

Other models have gone the extra mile to incorporate some high tech features which may be relevant in some professional circles or to those who are simply looking to get something that offers much more.

Another exciting feature seen in some recent models is the ability to carry out 3D imaging.  For instance, some models produced by Sony in recent years allow for the Panorama mode 3D mode which enables it to produce 3D images which can be viewed on 3D-enabled TV sets.