How Much Does A Good DSLR Camera Cost For Beginners

Photography does not always have to be a costly hobby. While it is undoubtedly easy to spend a fortune on a new DSLR, those high-end models are not always the best way to learn your craft. If you are just starting out and are looking for new hobbies to pick up to avoid cabin fever, here is a cost guide to entry-level DSLRs for you to stoke your passion.

Key Differences Between DSLR And Mirrorless Cameras

In practice, the main difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras stems from how you frame your subject. DSLR cameras have a reflex mirror inside them, which bounces light up into the optical viewfinder.

As such, you see exactly what the lens sees in real-time. The mechanism on mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, allows light to go directly into the image sensor, causing you to see what the imaging sensor is seeing, regardless of whether you view it through the LCD screen or electronic viewfinder.

Mirrorless fans appreciate the cameras’ compact and portable bodies, as well as their highly responsive and silent shutters. In contrast, DSLR enthusiasts argue that the larger body is the point, as it is more comfortable to hold for an extended period of time, and will highlight that even the best electronic viewfinders cannot fully replicate the real-time feedback of an optical viewfinder.

The market is undoubtedly moving towards mirrorless, but DSLRs are definitely still in trend. All that said, both are amazing in their respective ways and you should choose one that best suits your needs.

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The best beginner DSLRs have been designed to strike a balance between features, complexity, and value for money, as well as excellent image quality.

#1 Nikon D3500

Nikon D3500 remains an excellent choice for those just starting out in photography. It boasts intuitive menus, long lasting battery life, and great image quality at 24MP. The main advantage of this camera over power-hungry mirrorless models is its battery life.

You can shoot 1,550 images between charges, which is far superior to most other cameras. Moreover, the Guide Mode takes the first-time user’s hand and walks them through all of the key features in an easy-to-understand manner.

Price: $749, Lazada

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Friendly user interface and handy guide mode
• Amazing battery life at 1,550 shots

Cons

• No touchscreen control
• Bluetooth but no Wi-Fi
• No 4K video

#2 Canon EOS 850D

The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (known as the EOS 850D outside the US) is a very capable and comfortable shooter and remains one of the most coveted DSLRs for beginners.

Although the build quality is not the greatest, it boasts great autofocus technology, an excellent dual-pixel phase-detection AF system, and good image quality.

The inclusion of the 4K video is, however, flawed due to a significant crop factor and the loss of phase detection. If video is not your focus, the Canon EOS 850D is definitely a fantastic option for those who just started out their photography hobby.

Price: $1,090, Shopee

Pros

• Good image quality
• Quick and reliable autofocus
• Excellent battery life
• Decent vari-angle touch screen

Cons

• 4K video limitations
• Small viewfinder display
• Made of plastic

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#3 Nikon D5600

As you step up from the D3000-series model, the Nikon D5600 is one of the best autofocus systems on this list, with arguably a great camera sensor, an excellent line-up of native lenses, a tilt-flip touchscreen, and a lightweight kit overall. Other key advantages include a high-resolution 24.2MP sensor that produces very detailed images, a large LCD screen, and polished handling.

Price: $799, Lazada

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Articulating touchscreen
• Decent 39-point AF system
• Comfortable handgrip

Cons

• Slow Live View focusing
• SnapBridge needs improvement
• Relatively expensive

#4 Fujifilm X-T200

The Fujifilm X-T200, a stripped-down version of the Fujifilm X-T30, is a far better entry-level camera than its predecessor. It outperforms the X-T100 in nearly all aspects: it has more processing power, a significantly improved autofocus system, and a larger, sharper 3.5-inch rear touchscreen.

It also boasts refined ergonomics and is also a lot more comfortable to hold while still retaining that appealing and distinct retro DSLR styling. The only downside is that subject tracking is a hit or miss when you’re continuously shooting, and it is not available when you are recording video. Overall, it is a great and inexpensive mirrorless camera that is responsive and full-featured.

Price: $899, Lazada

Pros

• Excellent colour and dynamic range
• Sharp 3.5-inch rear touchscreen
• Sleek and lightweight retro design

Cons

• No subject tracking in video
• Low buffer depth

#5 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The E-M10 Mark IV is easy to overlook, but if you are looking for a compact and stills-focused camera, it is definitely worth serious consideration. Olympus has meticulously refined this model over the years, with a robust emphasis on taking beautiful photographs. Its 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, 3-inch flip-down touchscreen, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi functionality, and five-axis in-body image stabilization put it in a class of its own.

Price: $1,300, Lazada

Pros

• Impressive image stabilisation
• Myriad of affordable compatible lenses
• Convenient flip-down touchscreen
• Very compact body

Cons

• No microphone/headphone input and USB-C port
• Video resolution at only 4K/30p

#6 Panasonic Lumix GX9

Panasonic’s Lumix GX9 offers excellent value for money. Its compact size and weight make it ideal not only for those new to interchangeable lens cameras, but also for travel photography. A built-in viewfinder, 5-axis dual image stabilization, and 4K Video and 4K Photo Modes round out the impressive feature set.

The GX9 comes with a 12-32mm lens as standard, which is a good starting point. Furthermore, there are dozens of different lenses available in the Micro Four Thirds mount, making this a camera that can truly grow with you.

Price: $720, Lazada

Pros

• Built-in viewfinder and flash
• 5-axis dual image stabilisation
• Compact design
• Fast focusing speeds in Single AF
• Responsive touchscreen

Cons

• Functional but not stylish
• 16:9 aspect ratio viewfinder

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Where You Can Get DLSR or Mirrorless Cameras in Singapore

Now that you have a rough idea of what you are looking for, you can easily hop onto e-commerce stores like Amazon, Shopee, or Lazada to snatch your dream cameras. If you are rather tight on budget, you can consider second-hand ones sold through platforms such as Carousell or Facebook Marketplace.

When using these online sites, do be wary of ongoing scams. Alternatively, if you are still unsure or would like to feel and touch the cameras before committing anything, it would be wise to visit physical stores and ask for advice from experts.

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