When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Updated Nov 22, 2024 $1000 might sound like a lot of money for a camera, but it's probably the least we'd recommend spending if you want to go beyond phone photography.
The picks on this list will give you more control than a phone and offer a more satisfying photographic experience.
At this price point, your main options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or enthusiast-tier compact cameras with a built-in lens. Compact cameras offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but – despite having sensors that are around 60% larger – likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones.
Meanwhile, an interchangeable lens camera won't be as easy to carry around and comes with the added expense of lenses. However, they can make you feel even more involved in the photographic process, and the flexibility of swappable lenses will let you learn and grow into different types of photography as you develop your passion. They also feature much larger sensors than phones and the majority of compacts.
It's worth noting that camera makers sometimes assume that beginners will stick with the basic 'kit' zoom that comes with the camera, so it's worth checking whether a good selection of lenses is available (at a price you're willing to spend) before deciding which brand's system to buy into.
Our recommendations:
Best camera under $1000: Canon EOS R10
The better performer: Nikon Z50II
The affordable kit: Sony a6100
Best compact camera under $1000: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA
Best camera for content creators under $1000: Fujifilm X-M5
Best camera under $1000: Canon EOS R10
24MP Dual Pixel APS-C CMOS sensor | 4K/30p video (60p with crop) | 15fps shooting (23fps with e-shutter)
Photo: Shaminder Dulai
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon. comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoWhat we like:Capable stills and video cameraSimple, effective AF in stillsRelatively easy-to-use
What we don't:Video autofocus is less effective than stillsMediocre battery lifeFew sensible RF lens choices
The Canon EOS R10 is a 24MP mid-level APS-C mirrorless camera for stills and video shooting.
There are a few things that earn it the top place of this list. The first is its stand-out usability, with dual top-plate dials for controlling exposure settings and a joystick to control its very capable autofocus system. It also has a decent selection of lenses; third parties like Sigma have stepped in to round-out the selection of primes and higher-end zoom lenses available for it, meaning you've got a lot of good options if you want to move beyond the kit lens that came with it.
The R10 has a powerful AF tracking system with subject recognition that makes it especially good at focusing on people, animals and vehicles. We found it both easy to use and effective. 15fps shooting with the mechanical shutter is good, though the buffer is limited.
"The EOS R10 is an approachable, capable option for stills and video"
The R10 has a relatively small body but finds room for two command dials. Most key settings can be accessed through the Q menu, making it easy to access the camera's core functions.
The R10 can shoot 4K video at up to 60p with a crop, or 30p using its full sensor width. The footage isn't the most detailed but, as in stills mode, there's the option to shoot footage for HDR TVs. Autofocus isn't as dependable as it is in stills mode.
With the EOS R10 Canon has re-created the capability and usability of its popular Rebel series DSLRs in its RF mirrorless lens mount. Now that there's a wider variety of lenses available for it, it's an excellent pick for those looking to get into photography.
Read our Canon EOS R10 review
See Canon EOS R10 studio scene
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The other options
While we much prefer the higher level of control that the EOS R10 provides, the less expensive Canon EOS R50 may also be worth a look if you're extremely budget-conscious but still want to stay in the Canon ecosystem. It has fewer control points – most notably, it misses out on the EOS R10's joystick – and it loses out on features such as 4K/60p video capture and an articulating display, but it's still pretty capable.
We don't recommend the cheaper still EOS R100. It's based on a previous generation of technology, so it's slower and has less sophisticated autofocus.
The better performer: Nikon Z50II
20. 9MP APS-C sensor | Subject recognition AF | Full-width 4K video up to 30p
Photo courtesy Nikon
Buy now:
$1049 w/ 16-50mm at Amazon. com$906 at Adorama$906 at B&H PhotoWhat we like:Twin top-plate control dialsSimple tracking AF w/ subject recognitionStrong video specs
What we don't:No sensor stabilizationWeak battery lifeLimited zoom lens selection
The Nikon Z50II is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera, built around a 21MP CMOS sensor. It features Nikon's '3D tracking' autofocus system, and can recognize nine subject types.
The Z50II makes a case for being the best pick for beginners, thanks to a simple and effective AF system with automatic subject detection. However, while plenty of prime lenses are available, Nikon appears to be blocking bright zooms from third-party makers, limiting your upgrade options compared with its rivals.
It has a solid grip, twin top-plate control dials, and a wide variety of customizable buttons, including one that, by default, controls color mode. Focusing is handled using the touchscreen or four-way controller.
The Z50II delivers on the basics without breaking the bank.
The Z50II can shoot full-width UHD 4K at 30fps, but requires a 1. 5x crop to hit 60fps. It has video-focused features like a tally light, waveform monitoring, N-Log, and headphone and microphone jacks.
The Z50II looks like a solid camera, with several features from Nikon's higher-end cameras. The lack of a stabilized sensor could be frustrating when shooting video, and the limited lens selection could hurt the camera's ability to grow with you as a photographer.
Read our Nikon 50II Initial Review
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What about the Z fc?
Nikon's Z fc is a stylish camera based on the original Z50, which means it has the same sensor as the Z50II. We like it a lot, but the autofocus on the Z50II is such a marked improvement that it's hard to recommend picking up a Z fc at this point – you can read our full comparison between the two cameras here. If you have a strong attachment to the Z fc's aesthetics, your best option is probably holding-off for a bit to see if Nikon updates the Z fc. If that's not an option, see if you can get it on sale or used.
The affordable kit: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture
The Sony a6100 offers a lot of power in a compact, well-priced body. The 16-50mm power zoom isn't the best, though.
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon. comBuy at Adorama$598 at B&H PhotoWhat we like:Excellent autofocus system4K/30p video recordingTilting touchscreen LCD
What we don't:Less robust build qualityRolling shutter 'jello effect' present in 4K videoCrop when recording 4K/30p video
The Sony a6100 is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera. It has a compact body and a 24MP sensor.
It was a very capable and affordable camera when it was launched several years ago, offering some of the best autofocus around and a wide selection of lenses. The latter part is still an advantage, but many competitors' autofocus systems are now on par with, or even more capable than, the a6100's. However, it's still worth considering if you want to get both a camera body and a decent lens for under $1,000.
The a6100 is the most basic model in the a6000-series and doesn't feel quite as robust as its step-up siblings. It offers a lower-resolution electronic viewfinder, and twin control dials that are both thumb-operated. Its touchscreen flips upward 180-degrees for easy selfie framing and vlogging. It also uses Sony's old menu system, which can be a chore to work with.
"The a6100's autofocus can effortlessly track whatever you point it at"
Sony's autofocus system has been trained to recognize people and pets as subjects, and will follow them flawlessly throughout the frame. Coupled with the ability to touch the screen to place a focus point, it's a system that will serve beginner users very well, whatever they're shooting.
The a6100 makes it easy to record 4K footage or slow-motion 1080 video. There's a socket to connect an external mic but no way to connect headphones for monitoring. It can be set up for tap-to-track autofocus in video, too. There's significant 'jello-effect' distortion in the 4K footage though, especially in 24p mode.
The a6100 is a good entry-level camera with a very powerful, easy-to-use autofocus system. We're not huge fans of the kit zoom and the interface isn't especially welcoming, but with a few settings changes, it can help you get excellent shots, easily.
Read our Sony a6100 review
See the Sony a6100 studio scene
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Best compact camera under $1000: Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 Va
20MP 1" Stacked CMOS sensor | 24-70mm equiv. F1. 8-2. 8 lens | 4K video capture
The RX100 VA can deliver excellent image quality, backed up by good autofocus
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon. comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoWhat we like:Excellent photo qualityVery good AF for a compact24 fps burst shooting with deep buffer
What we don't:Interface and controls can be overwhelmingNo touchscreenLimited battery life
The Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 VA is an updated RX100 V with the same 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor, fast 24-70mm equiv. lens, hybrid AF system, clever popular viewfinder and excellent 4K video quality. The 'VA' adds a larger buffer, new metering, white balance and AF modes, an improved EVF refresh rate and more.
Sony essentially created this class of cameras with the original RX100 model. A large sensor gives image quality that's still a match for a good smartphone but with the benefit of an actual zoom lens. The Stacked CMOS sensor and a built-in viewfinder add to the cost but also create a very powerful camera.
"Offers the best combination of photo and video quality, autofocus and speed of any compact camera"
Handling and ergonomics are the RX100 series' weak point, and they're most enjoyable when used as point-and-shoots in auto modes. But nothing else offers this combination of photo and video quality, speed and compactness, and the viewfinder makes it useable in a wide range of circumstances.
The RX100 VII is also worth a look. It's more expensive, and its lens is slower, taking away some of the low light performance, but it offers a much longer zoom, giving still more benefit over a smartphone.
Read our Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V review
See the Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 V studio scene
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Best camera for content creation: Fujifilm X-M5
26MP APS-C BSI CMOS sensor | Fully articulated 3" LCD | 6. 2K 3:2 video up to 30p
What we like:Great JPEG colors with dedicated dialSolid selection of vlogging features and UIGood level of direct control
What we don't:No viewfinderAF tracking performance isn't the strongestUnstabilized sensor
The Fujifilm X-M5 is based around an APS-C 26MP X-Trans sensor, and equipped with AI-powered subject detection autofocus.
It's aimed at creators taking pictures and video for the web, with a suite of vlogging features meant to let you shoot video that's ready to upload as soon as you transfer it to your phone and a dial that lets you easily switch between 'Film Simulations,' Fujifilm's much-loved color modes. It also has the full suite of stills features from larger, more expensive models – minus a viewfinder – and its X-mount lens mount also gives you access to the most complete range of APS-C lenses, no matter where your photography or content creation journey takes you.
Fujifilm's autofocus can recognize and accurately track several subject types, but overall its autofocus isn't as swift or reliable as its rivals and its general subject tracking isn't as dependable.
The X-M5's stills mode is among the most competent in vlogging-focused cameras
It has two top-plate control dials and a focus control joystick, but no four-way controller. It also features the company's film simulation dial for controlling the color profile.
The X-M5 can shoot up to 6. 2K open-gate footage, which can be cropped for sharing on multiple platforms. Many of its video modes, such as 4K 60p, lighter-weight 4K LP mode, and electronic stabilization modes, come with a substantial crop.
Our initial impressions of the X-M5 are that it's a capable camera for its size and price but that its non-stabilized sensor and last-gen autofocus tracking may be an issue for its target audience.
Read our Fujifilm X-M5 initial review
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What if I only vlog?
If you plan to shoot more videos than photos, you may want to consider the Sony ZV-E10 II. Its lack of a mechanical shutter makes it worse for photography, but its autofocus tracking performance in video sets it apart from the X-M5. It also has video-centric features like a front tally light and included wind sock, and it can shoot 4K 60fps without having to crop in too tightly on the frame.
Buy now:
$998 at Amazon. com$1098 w/ 16-50 at Adorama$1098 w/ 16-50 at B&H Photo
Click here to read the ZV-E10 II review
Sony also makes a compact vlogging camera called the ZV-1 II. It gives up a lot compared to the ZV-E10 II: it has a much smaller Type-1 sensor, no 10-bit video, no 4K 60fps, and, obviously, no ability to switch out lenses. In return, you get built-in ND filters, which will help if you're shooting in direct sunlight, and a built-in lens, which means that you're getting a complete package for under $1,000. Still, it's hard to recommend when cameras like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 exist and when many phones rival it in vlogging capabilities.
Click here to read our Best Cameras for Vlogging buying guide
Why you should trust us
This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
. dpreview.com2024-11-23 18:30
