The Best Cameras for Beginners in 2023 Under $1,200

There are tons of fantastic cameras on the market. And if anything, that’s the thing. No one makes a bad camera. They’re all more than capable of doing everything that you need them to do. However, some are much better than others out there. So if you’re considering the best cameras while being on a budget, then take a look at these.

Table of Contents

Here are some tips on using this guide on the best cameras for beginners.

Lensrentals lists the following specifications for the Canon EOS R10:

In our review, we state:

The Canon EOS R10 delivers a set of controls that’s simultaneously beginner-friendly and still enough for serious hobbyists. The design is comfortable and easy to navigate. The process of taking pictures of people and animals is also much improved over a Rebel with a very smart eye detection autofocus. Even the 15 fps burst speed feels better than most budget cameras. Images feel similar to a Rebel, with good colors and sharpness.

LensRentals lists the following specifications for the Canon EOS R50:

In our review, we state:

While the mix of intelligent autofocus and a $680 price point may be more than enough reasons for some to pick up the R50, there are several big sacrifices. It uses an older sensor design that quickly loses detail when lighting isn’t ideal. The card reader is also old tech, which slows the ability to take photos in quick succession. It lacks weather-sealing to prevent dust build-up. It even lacks an actual, physical shutter. The R50 also skips out on in-body stabilization. And once newbies do learn manual modes, the small size limits the number of physical controls.

Taken from the Nikon USA website

In our review, we state:

The Nikon ZFc reminds me of modern dating for the man who wants to spend the rest of his life with someone. The Nikon ZFc suddenly appeared in front of all of us, strutting around and bedazzling our eyes. That small-spoon stature and those alluring looks can appease any photographer craving a compact, high-performance camera. The tech specs are just standard, but you decide to give it a try. It can’t hurt, right? But the real-life experience is something different. And in some ways, you end up feeling catfished. Nikon says it’s lightweight, but it feels a bit cheap in places. Ultimately, you end up realizing you’re worth more than that, and you call it off. In the end, just swipe left on the Nikon ZFc. However, I hope Nikon realizes its mistakes and doesn’t play around with a full-frame variant.

Nikon USA lists the following specifications for the Z30:

In our review, we state:

The Nikon Z30 is so small it resembles an oversized point-and-shoot camera. Compact size, $709 price point, and excellent image quality in low light are three strong reasons to consider this camera. It also has some weather sealing and doesn’t feel as plastic-fantastic as other budget models. It has a wealth of features for vlogging and video, but doesn’t slack when it comes to stills. Images from the Z30 are great for this price point. In particular, images in low light are quite impressive. The controls and menus are newbie-friendly, and the grip will make even DSLR die-hards happy.