Shopping for a camera when you’re on a budget can feel overwhelming. There’s so much choice out there, and every brand claims their entry-level model is “perfect for beginners” or “punches above its weight class.” After testing dozens of cameras over the past year, here’s what’s actually worth your money in the sub-$1000 range.

The Sweet Spot: $600-$900

Most of the best value sits in this range. You’re getting interchangeable lens cameras with proper manual controls, decent sensors, and features that won’t feel limiting once you know what you’re doing.

The Canon EOS R50 consistently impresses me. It’s a mirrorless camera with a 24MP APS-C sensor, great autofocus, and video capabilities that make it versatile whether you’re shooting stills or vlog content. Body-only pricing usually sits around $750, which leaves room in your budget for a decent lens.

Sony’s ZV-E10 is another solid choice, especially if video matters to you. It’s built with content creators in mind, but don’t let that put you off if you’re primarily interested in stills. The sensor is excellent, and you’re getting into Sony’s E-mount system, which means access to tons of lenses down the track.

Don’t Ignore Older Models

Here’s something camera retailers won’t always tell you: last year’s model is often 90% as good as this year’s release, but at 60% of the price.

The Fujifilm X-T200, released in 2020, can now be found for around $600 with a kit lens. Yes, it’s a few years old. No, that doesn’t matter for most photography. The sensor hasn’t suddenly become worse. The ergonomics are still great. You’re just not paying the “new release” premium.

Same goes for the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. Canon has moved on from the M-mount system, which means dealers are clearing stock. If you can find one under $700 with a lens, grab it. The limited lens ecosystem isn’t ideal long-term, but for learning photography, it’s more than adequate.

The Kit Lens Question

Most cameras in this price range come with an 18-55mm kit lens. These get a bad reputation online, but they’re actually decent. Yes, they’re plastic. Yes, the maximum aperture isn’t impressive. But they’re sharp enough, versatile, and perfect for figuring out what focal lengths you actually use.

Buy the kit. Shoot with it for three months. Then upgrade to something specific based on what you find yourself shooting most.

What About Used?

The used market in Australia is excellent right now. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are full of people selling barely-used cameras because they upgraded or realized photography wasn’t for them.

You can often find cameras that retailed for $1500-2000 now selling for under $1000 because they’re a generation or two old. A used Sony A6400, for example, is an incredible camera that you might snag for $900-950 body-only.

Just be smart about it. Meet in person. Check the shutter count if buying a DSLR. Look for signs of damage or moisture. And if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Features That Actually Matter

When comparing cameras in this price range, focus on these things:

Sensor size matters more than megapixels. An APS-C sensor with 20MP will generally beat a smaller sensor with 26MP. The bigger sensor handles low light better and gives you nicer background blur.

Autofocus performance varies wildly. If you’re shooting anything that moves (kids, pets, sports), prioritize cameras with good continuous autofocus. Canon and Sony have the edge here.

Ergonomics are personal. If possible, hold the camera before buying. Some people love the small size of the Sony A6000 series. Others find them cramped. Neither is wrong.

My Top Three

If you walked into my camera shop tomorrow with $1000 and asked what to buy, here’s what I’d recommend:

For all-round use: Canon EOS R50 with kit lens ($800-850). Great autofocus, easy to use, solid video.

For video focus: Sony ZV-E10 with kit lens ($900-950). Built for creators but handles stills beautifully.

Best value used: Sony A6400 body-only ($900-950). Professional-level features in a compact body. Add a used 18-55mm for another $150-200.

The best camera is the one you’ll actually use. All three of these will take excellent photos in the hands of someone who’s learned the basics. The differences between them matter less than your willingness to get out and shoot.

Don’t obsess over specs. Don’t wait for the next release. Pick something in your budget, buy it, and start taking photos. You can always upgrade later once you know what you actually need.