7 Best and Cheapest Video Cameras for Beginners

Hannah Sacca
Nov 17, 2019
5 min read

When choosing a camera it can be hard to choose from the thousands available. There are also a million factors to consider, such as price, type, style, ability, viewfinder, lenses, and the list goes on, and on, and on. I am going to try to keep it simple. As a beginner, the few things you should worry about is price and how easy it is to use.

My advice is to keep it cheap and basic. Use this camera as a learning vessel, experiment with it, and from here you can better determine what kind of direction you are going in and how you want to make use of your camera. Do you want to shoot short films, or are you finding your calling in photography? These questions will be answered once you have your hands on your camera. Then you won't waste thousands of dollars on equipment you might not even need!

Okay, I think you get it by now, I'll give you my ten best options for your first camera. From here you can make a better decision on which to by, rather than choosing the cheapest one offered on Amazon.

First things first, you have to decide which type of camera you want. There a few to choose from...

DSLR Cameras: Currently, these are the most popular type of camera in the market. They're built a little larger, but are professionals in versatility. You can modify these with literally thousands of interchangeable lenses to customize the aesthetic of your photos and videos.
Mirrorless Cameras: These cameras are favored by videographers, including me. They're more advanced than the typical DSLR and smaller too. Since they have better features, it's going to cost a little extra for these guys. If it fits your budget, you can get better quality due to the absence of a mirror in the image processing system.
Point-and-Shoot Cameras: Traditionally, these cameras have been restricted to solely being digital cameras, but as technology advances many have a built in video recording feature. If you need a camera small enough to fit in your pocket, this would be your best option.
Camcorders: Portable, with video capture and recording being its primary function. Often, there are advanced functions over more common cameras. Unfortunately, camcorders are the least popular due to the advancements of DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Although, they can be easier to handle and less bulky. Not the best for shooting in low light because of their smaller sensors.

When deciding the type of camera, the two main factors to consider is your budget and type of footage you want. If photography is your thing, go for a DSLR. Video production or vlogging? Get a mirrorless or camcorder. Want to take photos while traveling (if you don't have a smartphone)? Point-and-Shoot cameras are small and can travel easily in your pocket or purse. Now, let's get onto the seven best options on the market for your first camera!

1. Canon EOS Rebel SL3/EOS 250D

This DSLR camera can shoot in 4K Ultra HD. It's lightweight and has amazing Live View shooting. It comes with a touchscreen display and Canon's dual pixel autofocus. The screen is so high quality it is better to use than the viewfinder itself. There is also Wifi and NFC connectivity packed into the smallest DSLR body on the market. It is a more expensive option, but worth the price. Cost: $500-700

2. Nikon D3500

D3500 is a cheap and easy to use DSLR model. It has a "guide" mode that shows all the how to's on how to use the video and photography settings. Although, because of the basic controls, there's not much room for customization in camera preferences. The LCD also does not offer any tilt or have a touchscreen. These features make it a perfect learning camera if you don't require any fancy frills. There are a bunch of lenses to choose from to jazz up this camera, and it records in 1080p. Cost: $350 and up

3. FujiFilm X-T100

Fujifilm's mirrorless camera is by far one of the more stylish and "aesthetic" cameras on this list. It's small and easy to use, and also features both a touchscreen and a viewfinder. The only downside is that the 4K is limited to 15fps, meaning you're better off shooting at 1080p. Mirrorless cameras can be expensive, but this model remains affordable. Cost: $400 and up

4. Canon EOS Rebel T7i

This camera is another one of Canon's cheap, but effective DSLRs. It shoots in 1080p at up to 60 fps. There is a LCD touchscreen and Wifi plus bluetooth. Again, it is a basic model, so there's not much flexibility with fine tuning any features. It is still a longtime favorite, at a fairly cheap price. Cost: $550 and up

5. Panasonic Lumix GX85

This small, mirrorless camera adapts to both beginners and professionals alike. It offers automatic photo and video options, while also offering those fine tuning features for those who like to have more control. It captures 4k footage, has an LCD touchscreen that tilts, and an electronic viewfinder. If you want a small camera that you can travel with, this is it. Cost: $460&up

6. DJI Osmo Pocket

If you want something small enough to fit into your pocket, the DJI Osmo is perfect. It shoots in 4k with up to 60fps. It has a tiny stabilizer, with an even smaller camera. You are also able to attach your phone to use as a monitor. It has nightshot and panoramic modes, with time-lapse features too. WiFi and bluetooth monitoring are also offered. If you like the GoPro, but need something even smaller, I'd say this is your best bet. Cost: $350

7. Sony A6000

Last, but not least, is the Sony A6000 mirrorless camera that shoots in 1080p. A lightweight and dependable model, that can serve as a foundation for beginners to develop their skills. You'll have to do some messing around with the camera at first because it lacks in guidance compared to other cameras. Also, there's no touchscreen. Cost: $550

I hope this gave you some guidance on which camera to choose. I highly encourage you to visit a store and try these out for yourself rather than purchasing online. It can be helpful to get a feel for the camera before purchasing to avoid any dissatisfaction, you don't want to have to deal with a long and difficult returning process. Trying to communicate with customer service can be a real pain. Cameras cost a good amount of money, so it's best to be cautious with your choosing. If these cameras are still too expensive for your liking, check out some used options.

All the photos used are taken from the company's website.