DSLR cameras are getting cheaper and cheaper. You can buy some of the terrific old models for less than $1000. However, some cameras cost you even less than $600, and we are going to discuss them in this guide. Despite their low price, these cameras offer excellent image quality, brilliant low light performance, and a host of other features you may require to take captivating photographs. We will also announce the best DSLR under 600 dollars and some other great options to choose from at Th end.
Best DSLR Camera under 600 Dollars
The following are the best cheap DSLR models to consider according to our experts. They have chosen these cameras after testing them against parameters like image and video quality, ISO range, lens type, autofocus, built-in image stabilization, built quality, and weatherproofing, etc.
| Image | Model Name | Burst Rate | Viewfinder | Check Price |
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 | Canon EOS Rebel T7 |
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 | Canon EOS Rebel SL3 |
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 | Canon EOS 4000D |
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 | Panasonic Lumix G7 |
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| Check Price |
 | Nikon D3500 |
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| Check Price |
 | Canon EOS Rebel T5 |
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| Check Price |
 | Nikon D5300 |
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| Check Price |
 | Pentax K-70 |
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| Check Price |
 | Canon EOS Rebel SL2 |
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| Check Price |
 | Nikon D3200 |
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| Check Price |
1. Canon EOS Rebel T7: Best Beginner DSLR Camera
Canon EOS Rebel T7 was one of the most successful DSLR cameras of its time. It still offers a lot of benefits and some great features for the newcomers. It has a powerful 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and ISO range of 100-12800. It means it delivers superb image performance even in low light. The DIGIC 4+ image processor further improves the images taken in the dark.
The camera features a 3-inch 920K-Dot LCD monitor as well. The 9-point autofocus is also quite acceptable at this price. The continuous shooting speed of 3fps is sufficient for someone transitioning from a smartphone to a proper camera.
You can record Full HD 1080P videos at 30fps. Moreover, built-in WiFi and NFC allow you to easily share your files with your smart devices.
The camera also comes with a lot of accessories such as a 50” tripod, two kit lenses, and a four-piece macro close-up kit lens. Therefore, you can exceptional take exceptional images using this camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T7 is difficult to carry because of its heavy weight. Therefore, it is not a good traveling camera, unfortunately. Some of the accessories are useless as well.
2. Canon EOS SL3/250D: Best DSLR under 600
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is the lightest EOS DSLR from Canon. The body is available for $599 but you have to pay extra for an 18-55 STM kit lens. It has the powerful 24 megapixel CMOS sensor offering images of the highest quality. Similarly, it can also record beautiful 4K videos.
Despite being cheap, the camera has a 45-point Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus with fast and accurate tracking. The Eye Detection autofocus detects the subject’s eyes to determine which part of the image to focus on. The 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen further enables you to compose and review your photos including selfies. The 9-point optical viewfinder ensures you always frame your ideal shot perfectly.
Rebel SL3 also excels in low light thanks to the ISO 100-25600 and DIGIC 8 image processor. The built-in WiFi and Bluetooth make a connection to a WiFi network fast and easy.
The Creative Assist is perhaps one of the best features of the camera. It helps you easily change camera settings and find the right look according to the tone of the image.
3. Canon EOS 4000D: Best Affordable DSLR for Travel
Canon EOS 4000D is not only cheap but also a very lightweight camera. It is an ideal choice for travel, adventure, outdoor, and street photography.
The camera comes with a powerful 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image sensor. The 9-point autofocus system seems archaic but it is enough for a newcomer. However, you can also switch to manual focus.
The camera records full HD 1080P videos at 30fps. The low light performance is quite reasonable due to the ISO 12800. Beginners would also be happy with 3 fps continuous shooting speed.
Canon EOS 4000D shoots remotely with WiFi and Canon Connect app, making it one of the best cameras under 600 dollars.
The camera also includes a lot of accessories including a 58mm UV filter. Other useful accessories include a 32 GB high-speed memory card, 7” tripod, and EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 DC III Zoom lens.
The only problem with Canon EOS 4000D is the small screen size compared to other cameras in the same price range.
4. Panasonic Lumix G7 4K: Best Cheap DSLR for Professionals
Panasonic Lumix G7 is a great option for novice and professional photographers alike. It features a 16 megapixel four thirds sensor to ensure clear and sharp images. Similarly, the photos are artifact-free and have a high dynamic range.
The camera also takes 4K photos. Furthermore, you can pause the “click” to capture the perfect moment. Not to mention, it records 4K videos at 30fps as well.
Lumix G7 comes with a high-visibility viewfinder that offers increased visibility even under the bright sun. You also get optimum clarity thanks to the swivel or tilt touchscreen.
The camera also has very fast and accurate autofocus. The Depth from Defocus technology automatically and quickly adjusts the focus after measuring the distance from the subject. You can see the exact area in focus using the manual “focus peaking” feature.
Apart from regular AF, the camera also has starlight autofocus. It enables you to use the moonlight to capture the night sky.
The Panasonic Image App connects to the camera through WiFi. Therefore, you can also remotely use some of the functions and features of the camera.
5. Nikon D3500 Compact Camera: Best Digital Camera under 600
Nikon D3500 is the best camera under 600 dollars for many reasons. It is especially a superb camera for landscape photography because of the 18-55mm wide-angle kit lens. It is also compatible with a lot of other Nikon lenses.
You can use Nikon D3500 as a point-and-shoot camera. It is perfect for travel for being a lightweight and compact camera. It has easily accessible controls on a comfortable yet sturdy body.
The camera has a 24.7 megapixels sensor that is 15 times larger than a sensor of an average smartphone. Therefore, the photos are more detailed, sharper, and clearer.
The camera takes vibrant images in any condition with the help of the famous EXPEED image processor by Nikon. The Nikon D3500 also records awesome high-definition 1080P videos.
The continuous shooting speed of 5ps is a bit low but acceptable considering D3500’s price. The camera includes a wide-angle lens as well as a telephoto zoom lens.
Finally, you can easily share your files with most smartphones.
The lack of image stabilization is our major concern regarding the camera.
6. Canon EOS Rebel T5: Best Cheap DLSR Camera
Available for just $259, Canon EOS Rebel T5 is one of the cheapest DSLRs available on the market. However, it packs some useful features for a novice such as 18 megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch color LCD, and the ability to shoot full HD 1080P videos.
The DIGIC 4+ image processor cannot offer the same performance as DIGIC X, but it still is quite a capable image processor. Similarly, The EF-S 18-55mm IS II Standard zoom kit lens helps you capture distant objects with the utmost ease.
Other notable features of the camera include Scene Intelligent Auto mode, 3fps continuous shooting speed, built-in flash, creative filers, and a feature guide.
Canon EOS Rebel T5 is not a very advanced or powerful camera. But – it is a cheap camera with some useful features. It can become the best DSLR under 600 if you learn how to use it.
7. Nikon D5300: Best Affordable DSLR Camera
Nikon D5300 is another entry from Nikon on our list of the best DSLR under 600. It is an affordable camera but offers a lot of powerful features such as an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600), continuous shooting speed of 5fps, and 24 megapixels DX-Format CMOS sensor.
You can shoot from all angles using a 3.2 vari-angle touchscreen. The camera records beautiful videos in 720P at 50 or 60fps and full HD 1080P at 60, 30, or 24 fps.
The best feature of the camera is the 39-point autofocus system. It is difficult to find such a fast and accurate AF in such a cheap camera. The AF also has 3D tracking and 3D metering modes, making it the best DSLR camera under 600 if your main concern is autofocus performance.
The camera offers amazing image quality by combining all the above features. You can also enlarge or crop the image without compromising sharpness or details.
You can connect D5300 with other devices through WiFi and GPS. However, the GPS is not perfect and just won’t work on sometimes.
Finally, you can also browse the files on the memory card through your smartphone.
8. Pentax K-70 Weather-Sealed Camera: Most Affordable DSLR for Nature Photography
Pentax K-70 is a wonderful camera for action, wildlife, and nature photography. It comes with a 24.4 megapixel CMOS sensor with a CAA filer lens for high-definition images. Similarly, the continuous shooting speed of 6fps is quite reasonable at this price.
What separates this camera from others on our list is the Live Hybrid Autofocus. The ISO range of 100-2-4800 means the camera delivers images with very fine details and extremely rich colors.
The SR shake reduction mechanism takes four images of the same scene, resulting in excellent high-resolution images. The weather-resistant as well as dustproof and cold proof body resists snows, fog, water, sand, and dust. Therefore, it delivers impeccable performance in the harshest of weather.
The 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen enables you to take images from almost all angles. The camera supports smartphone operation through WiFi and a host of other wireless connectivity options as well. The WiFi is nice but quite limiting though.
The camera also comes with a remote control albeit a flaky one.
9. Canon EOS Rebel SL2/200D: Best Camera for Video under $600
We have a lot of cameras from Canon on our list and for good reasons. The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 can impress you despite its small size and low price tag. The 24.2 megapixels sensor produces fantastic images with astounding resolution and color reproduction.
The DIGIC 7+ image processor further improves the photo and ensures their quality remains the same even in low light. The low-exposure shots are particularly brilliant.
The vari-angle touchscreen enables you to shoot from different angles. The camera focuses precisely and quickly when using the viewfinder or in Live View. The optical viewfinder enables you to compose your images easily even in the bright sunlight.
Another great feature is the ability to shoot smooth full HD videos at 60fps. Therefore, you can create professional vlogs because the built-in microphone also helps you capture great audio.
You can swiftly set your WiFi connection using the easily accessible WiFi button. Other connectivity options include built-in Bluetooth and NFC.
All in all, Canon EOS SL2 is the best DLSR under 600 for its affordability and a host of amazing features.
10. Nikon D3200 Digital Camera: Affordable DSLR to Consider
Nikon D3200 is yet another extremely affordable DSLR to consider. It packs a lot of powerful features and functions to amaze all the users. For instance, it has a 24.2 megapixels DX-format CMOS sensor that offers excellent image performance.
The famed EXPEED 3 image process expedites the operation besides offers creative in-camera effects. The camera also records full HD 1080P videos with stereo sound, manual exposure control, and full-time autofocus. It is very easy to frame and review your videos thanks to the 921000 dots ultra-high-resolution display.
The camera has 11-point autofocus for accurate and quick tracking of your subjects. It is popular among serious and professional photographers for its NIKKOR lens. The lens offers matchless clarity, reliability, precision, and consistency.
Nikon D3200 is a compact and lightweight camera, perfect for travel and outdoors. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity means you can conveniently share your files with your friends and on social media.
How to Buy a DSLR Camera under $600
You can easily get a good entry-level DSLR with a budget of $600 or less. The choice of the camera depends on your requirements and photography goals. Therefore, the following are some of the factors you must keep in mind while buying the best DSLR under 600.
Megapixels
Your images are better if your camera has high megapixels. However, megapixels alone cannot determine the image quality. You also have to consider the sensor size. The bigger the sensor, the more details your images will have. The best DSLR under 600 on our list mostly have more than 20 megapixels sensors.
Viewfinder
The viewfinder is an important component because it handles the focus and sharpness. Similarly, it helps you frame and review your shot as well. It also displays exposure compensation, light sensitivity, and shutter speed. I strongly recommend buying a camera with a good viewfinder.
Frames per Second
Frames per second refer to how many pictures your camera can take in a second. You need high frames per second if you normally shoot fast-moving objects. Higher frames per second mean less chance of missing important moments.
ISO
ISO is another important consideration, especially if you don’t use a tripod while capturing moving objects. ISO refers to how much light your sensor can catch. Therefore, you should go for a high ISO while buying the best camera under 600. The shutter speed also improves in the case of high ISO.
Camera Modes
Most DSLR cameras have auto modes for different situations, conditions, and environments. Auto modes save you a lot of time while helping you beautifully use the background.
Video
Video capabilities such as 4K are only important if you are mainly buying the camera for shooting vlogs or recording videos. Otherwise, you don’t need to spend extra money on expensive cameras.
Additional Features
Your camera, despite being cheap, should have additional features such as wireless connectivity, touchscreen, different effects and filters, and image stabilization, etc.
Final Thoughts
Concluding our guide to the best DSLR under 600 dollars, we declare Canon EOS Rebel SL3 as the absolute winner. The Nikon D5300 finishes on a close second while Canon EOS Rebel T7 takes away the third spot.