UPDATED 12/14/2022
Looking for the best camera under 300 dollars? You can easily get a feature-packed camera for an affordable price — a high-quality camera doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Check our recommendations.
Over the last couple of years, camera technology has made huge strides. The cameras we have today in this price range are advanced and mainly point-and-shoot — meaning mostly automatic. Under 300 dollars, it is now possible to get features which were previously only available in high-cost cameras. These include super zoom, full HD 1080p video recording, and images of superb quality.
Buying Tips Best Cameras Under 300
Don’t be too stuck on making sure that you only get the “best” camera in a specific class or category. The truth of the matter is that for $300 you will not get a single camera that will outshine all the others in all 4 major criteria—features, design, performance, and photo quality. What you should seek is a camera that suits you best. And that, for example, could mean that it may not have all the best features, but it gives you stellar performance in terms of zoom, or high resolution and quality photos.
Whenever possible, before you buy, try the camera. Ensure it comfortably fits in your hand, that it’s neither too heavy nor so big that you’ll prefer leaving it behind. You also wouldn’t want a camera whose features are so hidden. What you need is quick access to the menu and the majority of commonly used functions.
Additionally, the features of even the best DSLR camera under for 300 dollars should be logical, well-structured, and simple to learn. For example, although today’s touch-screen cameras allow greater functionality, they also can be quite frustrating in case their menus and controls are not well-organized. Imagine getting a touch screen camera whose screen can’t be easily calibrated to your touch!
Once you have formed an overall idea of the kind of camera you want to obtain, and your budget, it becomes much easier to dive deeper into the camera features and specs. However, always remember that no single feature or spec can fully tell you if a particular camera is good or not.
A Complete Buying Guide – Best Digital Camera Under $300
Here are our 4 best cameras under 300 dollars.
Click on any image to learn more about a camera right on Amazon…
1. Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera (Black)
Whether you are recording 1080p Full HD video with the flip-up LCD or you’re zooming using the super-telephoto NIKKOR glass lens, the COOLPIX B500 has a great feel in your hands. This camera makes all the work of shooting beautiful videos and photos easy. This is achieved with its light 16mp low- sensor, easy controls & menus, Lens-Shift Vibration Reduction (VR), fun creative effects plus exceptional automatic operation.
This is rated the best camera under 300 for good reason! The image stabilization and processor technology collaborate to deliver sharp image quality with minimal blur and low noise. This is even while you are strolling with your camera pointed and zoomed in.
Here is a bullet list:
- 16mp resolution for high-quality video recordings and still images
- Outstanding features include Face Detection, Image Sensor, Full HD Video 1080p Recording, and 4-Axis Hybrid VR
- 22.5-900mm NIKKOR zoom lens that comes with easy autofocus, 40x optical/4x digital zoom
- Face Priority AF, and Target Finding AF
- A three-inch tilting LCD screen with a very easy-to-read menu system
- In-built Auto flash
The COOLPIX B500 kit includes a total of 13 manufacturer-supplied accessories/items all of which have full USA warranties.
The large, tilting LCD display of the COOLPIX B500 makes monitoring your video recording and composing shots easy. In addition, as you continue shooting, you can seamlessly and easily connect this Camera to any compatible smartphone via Bluetooth Low Energy technology (BLE) for instant sharing of photos. This is definitely our pick for the best digital camera under $300 for it is simply brilliant!
2. Canon PowerShot SX600 HS 16MP Digital Camera (Black)
The advanced technology of the PowerShot SX700 HS camera ensures that you get truly impressive photo quality every time.
Key features worth noting include:
- In-built Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC
- 1080p HD video
- 16.1 megapixel
- 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor
- 3-inch TFT color LCD
With the powerful 30x Optical Zoom, it becomes easy to capture images just as you see them. The in-built image stabilization feature assists in eliminating camera shake that could mar your photos. This allows you to get sharp images even when working in environments of low or poor light.
One of the best digital cameras under 300 you can get today!
3. PANASONIC LUMIX DC-ZS70S, 20.3 Megapixel, 4K Digital Camera, Touch Enabled 3-inch 180 Degree Flip-front Display, 30X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens, WiFi (Silver)
Panasonic lumix point-and-shoot digital cameras are known among camera enthusiasts for reliability and innovative features. The Lumix DC-ZS70S offers the renound optical performance of a 30x (24-720mm) DC vario-elmar Leica lens with fabulously stable 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilizion to a highly portable point-and-shoot travel camera. Traditionalists will love the hands-on manual feel of a lens-mounted control ring, plus the familiarity of an eye-level electronic viewfinder. The modern enthusiast will love the Wi-Fi mobile device controllability and next-generation flexibility that 4K video and 4K photo modes bring to the creative experience.
- 20.3 Megapixel MOS sensor plus 30x Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens (24-720mm), plus 5-axis Hybrid O.I.S. (image optical stabilizer)
- 0.2-Inch 1, 166k-dot EVF (electronic view Finder) with eye-sensor for easier viewing under sunny outdoor conditions
- 4K QFHD video recording (3840×2160), plus exclusive LUMIX 4K PHOTO and 4K Post Focus with internal Focus Stacking feature
- Lens barrel mounted control ring enables quick, intuitive operation of important functions
- Wi-Fi plus a 180 degree front flip-up touch feature-enabled screen simplifies selfie photography, and framing for unusual perspectives.Wifi:IEEE 802.11b/g/n.Battery life (Approx.):Approx. 380 images (rear monitor), 250 images (LVF) (*1)
4. Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera (Black)
Get sharp detail up close with the world’s smallest and lightest^5 30x zoom camera. There’s even a pop-up electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing and a 180° tilt screen for 18.2MP selfies. Stunning picture quality comes from the low light Exmor R sensor and premium ZIESS lens with 5-axis image stabilization. Then share photos instantly with built-in Wi-Fi^2 and NFC^3.
- 30x Optical/60x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar Clear Image Zoom Lens, 18.2MP CMOS Exmor CMOS Sensor for superb low light images, Built-in OLED retractable Tru-ViewFinder
- Versatile video w/ multiple high-quality AVCHD, XAVC S, and MP4 formats, Easy smartphone connectivity via Wi-Fi w/NFC, image stabilization in 5-axis greatly reduces shake and blur
- Selfie-ready LCD has multi-angle display, various modes, customizable settings and Special Memory Recall mode, enhanced extra features with user-downloadable camera apps, Capture the great moments with up to 10fps and maintain subject in focus with Lock-on AF
- Focus Range Wide: 1.97″ (5 cm) – Infinity Telephoto: 8.20′ (2.5 m) – Infinity.Adjustable Angle Up by approx. 180 degrees. F-number (Maximum Aperture) F3.5 (W) – 6.4 (T)
- In-The-Box: Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1; AC AdaptorAC-UUD12; Micro USB cable; Wrist Strap; Instruction Manual
The History Of The Digital Camera
The core technology being used today in digital photography was invented by Kodak, yet the Company was itself quite slow in making the transition into digital photographyhttp://factslegend.org/30-interesting-photography-facts/. The world’s first digital SLR was the Nikon D1 and it was built entirely by a major camera industry player, an aspect that was important because it contributed to keeping the cost down. It was also made compatibility with equipment that existed thenhttp://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-digital-cameras/.
Camera technology is advancing at a furious pace. The image quality and features of the best cameras under 300 surpasses by far what you could get just a couple of years ago. Within this price range, it’s now easy to acquire feature-loaded point-and-shoots and superzooms that offer you tons of reach. But of course, if you are willing and ready to spend just a little more, say $400, you can get top-of-the-range Digital SLRs with an interchangeable and mirrorless lens!
Best Camera Under 300 Features To Consider
At this price point, digital cameras are mainly targeting people who want to undertake photography as more of a hobby. Besides the extended lenses and some advanced manual controls, some of these DSLR cameras feature GPS tagging. With this feature, you will know where in the world you were when you took that particular picture.
With a good under 300 dollars camera, you are likely to get access to models that offer the best touch screen controlled products. All cameras in this class will in all probability support High Definition (HD) movie recording. As well, some will offer you the ability of recording sound in stereo mode. The most important thing is to get a camera that gives the ideal balance between your budget and needs.
For digital cameras within the under $300 category, it all comes trying to hit on the best balance possible between multiple features and specs. Among the most important are probably sensor size, megapixels, lens zoom range, connectivity options, video recording capabilities, and ISO range.
It’s of course not easy to get the perfect match that meets the needs of every shopper, but our guide that looks at different cameras and their respective features is meant to assist you sift through all the details.
Sensor Size
A central factor when making your decision on the camera to buy should be the image sensor size. From an image quality perspective, a larger sensor will mean that more information and light enters your camera. As such, the images are likely to be more accurate and detailed.
If you are planning on sharing your photos largely through social media or electronically, a smaller sensor will do just fine. However, in case you are planning on having large prints or will be shooting in tough weather conditions, a bigger sensor may serve you better. The advantage of a camera that has a bigger sensor is that it opens up more options in regard to more zoom as well as features.
Megapixels
The first digital camera sold to the public was only 1.4 megapixels, costing about $10,000https://kidskonnect.com/fun/photography/. Megapixels or MPs are the units used in measuring quality of an image and you have in all likelihood, seen it on your smartphone or other devices. They are representative of the pixels density that makes your photograph. They are generally referred to in the order of millions. Therefore, if yours is 21 megapixels camera, the photographs you will get are made up of 21 million tiny dots.
A tiny sensor loaded with lots of pixels is not going to generate great images whereas when you have a large sensor that has fewer pixels, you can expect to have great images produced. So it makes more sense to search for a good sensor instead of concentrating on the pixels.
Zoom Range
One of the best reasons for buying an under $300 camera is a good zoom range. The fact is that your smartphone can also give you good quality images just like some of the under 300 cameras, but zoom is one thing that the camera beats them with, and that’s important. It is, however, important to bear in mind that having more zoom will usually mean a heavier and larger camera. With the majority of superzooms, you tend to lose out on the pocketability advantage.
Weight & Size
Steven Sasson designed the first digital camera for Kodak. It was the size of a modern-day toaster and weighed 3.6-kghttp://www.funbull.com/interesting-facts/show-fact.asp? The camera had a 0.01-megapixel resolution, and recorded black and white images to a magnetic cassette tape.
As the $300 price category has lots of compact superzooms and point-and-shoots, the size and camera weight choices could vary quite considerably. A compact P&S can literally slide into your pants or jacket pocket. On the other hand, superzooms are at times double or even three times heavier, requiring substantially more space in your pack.
Both of the above are some of the best cameras under 300 and have their respective pros and cons. The final choice will come down to your concerns about mobility and size.
Weather Protection
A great reason why you would want to get a camera within this price range is that most of them have weather protection. In case you’re planning to go hiking, skiing, rafting, or any activity that exposes you to the elements, there is a possibility of risking your $300 investment. Therefore, as you study the features, ensure your camera comes equipped with dustproof, waterproof, and freezeproof as much as possible.
Camera Potential
Today, digital cameras are no longer coming just as stand-alones — they are now also available with a host of other inbuilt features or tech gadgets like laptops and cellphones. The latest models, which are of course pricier, are becoming lighter, thinner, and smaller, yet with more features.
Newer camera models now have HD and 3-D technologies, offering crisper, clearer, images as well as more depth. Digital camera are being designed with more features like dual lenses that are providing panoramic shots and better self-portraitshttp://www.modernmom.com/96bb610a-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html. So as you make your choice of the best camera for under 300, you may want to consider such potential features.
Conclusion:
With advances in technology, quality cameras no longer cost a fortune. As a matter of fact, you can get some of the best cameras for under 300 dollars. These can give you great images, are durable, and work well in nearly all situations. Certainly, $300 is a good bargain if you can get a good product at that range. You may, of course not really get the best DSLR under 300 dollars, but it’s possible to get something worthwhile in that range.
The best DSLR under 300 for a professional photographer will certainly be millions of miles from what an adventure sports buff will want. However, it’s also a fact that the camera features and options expand significantly if you’re ready to push above the $300 mark.
Most people are scared of the task of choosing the right camera, especially when you want the best dlsr under 300. Although it requires some effort on your part, when operating under a restrictive budget, as it has been said, when there’s a will, a way will be found. And that has been the goal of our best digital cameras under 300 reviews.
Today, you don’t really have to spend thousands of dollars to realize your photography dream. With the increasing levels of competition being witnessed between camera manufacturing companies, they have been left with no alternative but to design products that will cater for nearly every budget, ranging from just 100 bucks.
We are living in an era of rapid moving technology, and the innovation of affordable cameras is among the evolving fields. There are lots of cameras out there waiting for you to make your pick, but we are sure with one of the above best dslr camera under 300 units, you will have found what you require.
Product images sourced from Amazon.com