Are you looking to start a photography website? Are you looking for a camera on a budget? Do you like to take professional photos for fun? Are you a professional photographer? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this article is for you; our list of the best DSLR cameras under $600 is tailor-made for casual and professional photographers alike. Check it out below.
- Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
- Panasonic Lumix G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera
- Canon Digital SLR Camera Kit [EOS Rebel T6]
- Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera
- Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle
- Canon Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
- Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Often, photos can be as memorable or even more memorable than your trip. With these cameras, you’ll take exceptional photos. Each photo you take has a story tied to it and these cameras have the modern technology and accessories to capture that story with elegance.
Maybe you hiked a mountain to take your photo; perhaps you asked random strangers to pose for a picture, perhaps you captured an animal in action…whatever the backstory, it will always be with you in a beautiful photo or video thanks to these great cameras.
You may not think you need one, since most cell phones today have great cameras. But if you want to hone your photography skills or capture professional shots for a living, these DSLR cameras are the perfect fit for you.
Throughout this article, we’ll include some travel tips and tricks too, so keep your eyes peeled for those!
Are you ready to bring beauty to life? Here’s our pick for the best budget DSLR camera.
In A Hurry? Here’s What We Recommend
Image | Title | Price | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
Top | Panasonic Lumix G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera - Lightweight | Check on Amazon | |
Top | Canon DSLR Camera Kit [EOS Rebel T6] - Reliable | Check on Amazon | |
Top Top | Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens Bundle - Most Versatile | Check on Amazon | |
Top | Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera - Best-Seller | Check on Amazon | |
Top | Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle - Excellent Quality | Check on Amazon | |
Top | Canon Rebel T7 DSLR Camera - Great for Beginners | Check on Amazon | |
Top | Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera - Budget Friendly | Check on Amazon |
Best DSLR Cameras Under $600 – Our Top Pick
Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
- Sensor Size: APS-C | Max Resolution: 18 megapixels | ISO Range: 100-12800 | Optical Zoom: 3 inches | Lens Size: 18mm-55m
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080 P | Continuous Shooting Speed: 3 fps | Screen Size: 3 inches
- Optical Viewfinder, 920K Dot LCD Monitor | Wifi Compatible
- Includes a monopod, tripod, HD filter kit, Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens, 500mm Preset Telephoto Lens, T-Mount Adapter, and many other accessories
- Weight: 1.07 pounds | Dimensions: 5.10 x 4.00 x 3.10 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 provides you with phenomenal flexibility. This bundle comes complete with an 18-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens, allowing you to shoot portrait photos, wide-angle shots, and anything in between.
You can catch people in action, elegant shots of architecture, nature, or even your pet…the possibilities are endless!
If you love wildlife photography, try out the 500mm telephoto lens too, great for grabbing professional action shots from a far distance.
Another nice perk of this camera is you can shoot at any time of day. The ISO range is second to none: 100-12800! You’re sure to find a setting that will help you produce professional photos. Also, try the lower settings in bright environments and turn up the setting for darker shots.
Additional Accessories
- Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens
- Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens
- 500mm Preset Telephoto Lens
- T-Mount Adapter for 500mm Lens
- Canon Battery
- Canon Battery Charger
- Canon Neck Strap
- Body & Lens Caps
- Interface Cable
- 2x Tulip Lens hoods for Canon Lenses
- SanDisk 32GB High Speed Memory Card
- Commander UV Filter for Canon Lenses
- A Commander 3 Piece 58mm HD Filter Kit (UV,CPL,FLD)
- Commander Wired Remote
- Memory Card Reader
- Monopod
- Flexible Spider Tripod
- Lens Cap Keeper
- Commander Camera Grip Strap
- Shoulder Bag
- Slave Flash
What We Like
- Fast 3 fps continuous shooting speed
- Complete camera bundle with over 20 accessories
- Great for professional photographers
- Shoots high-quality 4K video
- Includes a 500m telephoto lens for long-range landscape photography
What We Don’t Like
- Not as suitable for beginner photographers
- Comes with a lot of accessories – you may not find a use for all of them
Traveling with Your Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
On a Plane
Are you planning a flight? No problem! This camera bundle comes with a secure padded bag so you can be confident that your camera will remain unscathed during air travel. Before you leave, decide on what accessories you want to bring on your trip; there are a lot!
Always bring your camera with you on the plane so you can keep an eye on it and ensure it doesn’t get damaged.
Tip: Sometimes your camera may turn on by accident and you’ll arrive at your destination with a dead battery. If you won’t be using your camera, take the battery and memory card out.
You’ll love the battery charger in this bundle too. Charge this camera to full before you head out on your flight and you’ll enjoy several hours of sustained use!
On the Road
The bag with all your accessories also converts to a shoulder bag, which is a great place to store your camera on the go. With this shoulder bag, you won’t have to wear your backpack on your chest for extra security – and this of course limits your movement too!
This Canon EOS Rebel T6 also comes with a tripod and monopod, giving you a lot of flexibility. The monopod offers great flexibility in a pinch; it’s not as good as a tripod, but it’s much better than holding the camera to take your shot. But even if you’re holding the camera, the grip strap will help you keep it steady. Just use what you’re comfortable with.
If you want to take photos on higher shutter speeds or night shots, though, definitely use the flexible tripod for added stability!
The accessories don’t end here! I wouldn’t want to drop this nice camera, but luckily you’ll also get a neck strap which makes it easy to transport on the go. Since you’re just inches away from your camera, you can be ready to capture any beautiful moment in real time.
Tip: Remember, a Canon camera is a valuable camera. If you’re feeling uncomfortable carrying your camera – perhaps you’re in an area that may house pickpockets – keep the camera secure in its bag.
In the Wilderness
If you just want to get outside and experience the true beauty of nature, be sure to bring this camera along!
One useful feature of this camera that’s an update compared to the older T5 model is that the T6 offers built-in WiFi. You can share your photos and upload them to any device so long as you have WiFi access.
But, that’s not all. You can also control your camera remotely! Just download the free Canon Camera Connect app and link it to your camera. Imagine how useful this can be in the wilderness. Set up your camera on the spider tripod and wait patiently a few yards away to capture the perfect shot.
The 75m-300m lens is fantastic for shooting photos in nature. For long range shots, give the 500m telephoto preset lens a try.
Tip: Be sure to clean your camera daily. After a long day out on the trails or in the woods, your camera will accumulate dust and have to weather the elements.
You can read actual customer reviews and check the current price for the Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera on Amazon here.
If this camera isn’t for you, keep reading. We discuss six other options in great detail.
Panasonic Lumix G7KS 4K Mirrorless Camera
- Sensor Size: M 4/3 | Max Resolution: 16 megapixels | ISO Range: Max 25,600 | Optical Zoom: 3x | Lens Size: 14mm-42mm
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K QFHD | Continuous Shooting Speed: 7.0 fps | Screen Size: 3 in. | Viewfinder: 2,360K dot | Wifi Compatible
- Includes body cap, hot shoe cover, shoulder strap, hood lens storage bag, front & rear lens caps, and other useful accessories
- Available in Black and Silver
- Weight: 14 oz | Dimensions: 4.92 x 3.03 x 3.39 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Panasonic Lumix G7KS is a great camera. It is lightweight and takes exceptionally sharp photos. There’s no low pass filter on this camera so you can take some really sharp photos of nature and other environments where you don’t have a lot of action and movement.
You can purchase this camera in a black or silver finish, so beyond the specific features, you have a little freedom when it comes to design too!
The Panasonic Lumix G7KS is also available with a 14-140mm lens, but it’s outside the budget for this article. If you can afford to spend a little more though, the 10x zoom is fantastic!
Additional Accessories
- Li-ion Battery
- Battery Charger
- Body Cap
- Hot Shoe Cover
- Shoulder Strap
- USB Connection Cable
- AC Cable
- Software DVD-ROM
- Lens Hood
- Lens Storage Bag
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
What We Like
- Incredible 100-25800 ISO range
- Lightweight at just 14 oz
- Great for professional photographers
- Shoots high-quality 4K video
- Includes a lens hood to take quality photos on bright days
What We Don’t Like
- 3x zoom not ideal if you shoot photos from long range
- Plastic build materials, vulnerable to the elements
Traveling with Your Panasonic Lumix G7KS
On a Plane
Your Panasonic Lumix G7KS comes with a comfortable shoulder strap which is a great way to carry it on to the plane. Definitely bring it with you so you don’t risk losing it.
You’ll also get a lens storage bag so you can keep your lenses nice and secure while traveling.
If you’re going on a long flight, charge the camera battery before you leave – that is, if you want to keep it turned on. You can always take the battery out to conserve power, too.
On the Road
Of course, the shoulder strap is always handy while you’re on the road. But while you’re out and about, you won’t want to forget about your lens hood either.
What a great accessory! On a bright, sunny day you can use the lens hood to block some of the oncoming light to capture a clean and crisp photo. You can also use a lens hood to shield your camera from scratches and other wear and tear.
Note: You can also use a lens cap or lens cover for some extra protection of your camera, two of which are included in this bundle!
Canon Digital SLR Camera Kit [EOS Rebel T6]
- Sensor Size: APS | Max Resolution: 18 megapixels | ISO Range: 100 to 12800
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080 P | Continuous Shooting Speed: 3 fps | WiFi Compatible
- Optical Zoom: 3x (with small lens), 4x (with larger lens) | Lens Size: 18-55m, 75-300m
- Screen Size: 3 in. | Viewfinder: Optical 920K dot
- Weight: 4.00 pounds | Dimensions: 8.40 x 13.30 x 11.40 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This Canon EOS Rebel T6 is the lightweight, more budget-conscious version of our pick above, which was also a T6 model.
Although this camera doesn’t come with as many accessories, it boasts 4k video, high ISO which is great for low light and bright environments, and WiFi compatibility. You essentially get all the perks of our top pick with less accessories.
This camera is great for beginners.
Additional Accessories
- Camera bag
- Battery pack
- Battery charger
- 18-55mm lens
- 75-300mm lens
What We Like
- Versatile 100-12800 ISO range
- Shoots professional-quality 4K video
- Built in image stabilization for crisp photos
- Fast 3 fps continuous shooting speed
What We Don’t Like
- Bulky compared to the other cameras on this list
- Offers manual focus only
Traveling with Your Canon EOS Rebel T6
On a Plane
All you’ve got with this camera is the camera bag, battery pack, charger, and the two types of lenses, so you won’t have to stress about keeping track of everything while you’re traveling. This can all easily fit in your camera bag.
On the Road
Don’t forget your camera bag before you leave, but you should also consider what type of lens you want to shoot with.
If you are going to shoot more close-up shots or action shots, the 18-55mm lens is great. It offers some flexibility too; if you’re a little far away, test out the 3x zoom.
Or, if you’re looking to get out into nature, definitely go with the 75mm-300mm lens so you can take some quality shots from far away. You also might consider purchasing a tripod for extra stability, like this one from Amazon.
Check out the Canon EOS Rebel T6 on Amazon here.
Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera
- Sensor Size: APS | Max Resolution: 18 megapixels | ISO Range: 100-12800 | Optical Zoom: 3x
- Lens Size: 18-55m | Video Capture Resolution: HD 1080p | Continuous Shooting Speed - 3 fps
- Screen Size - 2.7 in. | Viewfinder: Optical | Wifi Compatible
- Includes deluxe gadget bag, 58mm UV filter, 7 spider tripod, Jerrys Lens Cleaning Cloth, lens caps, body cap, and more useful accessories
- Weight: 15.4 oz | Dimensions: 5.08 x 4.02 x 3.03 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Much like the lightweight Canon EOS Rebel 6, the Canon EOS 4000D camera is easy to carry around. It weighs just 15.4 oz making it easy to travel with. If you want to shoot action shots, this is a great camera for that. The continuous shooting speed of 3 fps will give you great results!
You can set this camera to manual focus or auto focus depending on your needs and how you like to shoot pictures. Manual focus is a bit more difficult to use for beginners, but, with some practice, you’ll be able to drastically improve your image quality.
If you prefer videos and not photos, no worries! This camera can take 1080p video too. Check out its many features below.
Additional Accessories
- Transcend 32GB High Speed Class 10 SD Memory Card
- USB Card Reader
- 58mm UV Filter
- Battery
- Charger
- Lens Caps And Body Cap
- Deluxe Gadget Bag
- 7″ Spider FLex Tripod
- Neck Strap
- Jerry’s Photo Lens Cleaning Cloth
- EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 DC III Zoom Lens
What We Like
- Versatile 100-12800 ISO range
- Shoots 4K video at 30 FPS
- Comes with a 58mm UV filter for added protection of your lenses
- Incredibly fast 3 fps continuous shooting speed
What We Don’t Like
- Small screen size compared to other cameras on this list
- Comes with just one lens
Traveling with Your Canon EOS 4000D
On a Plane
Carrying this camera on a plane is not a problem. This camera bundle comes with a comfortable neck strap. Also be sure to attach the lens caps to ensure that your camera is well protected on the flight.
Once you’re in the air, if you get bored, pull out your camera and start cleaning it with the lens cleaning cloth that comes with your purchase. This is a great accessory and it makes cleaning your lenses hassle-free in a pinch. If you get some dirt on your lens or smudge it with a fingerprint, no problem!
On the Road
This camera is lightweight and it comes with a travel bag to make photography on the go simple and easy. The Canon EOS 4000D has built-in Wi-Fi capability which allows you to upload photos to any device immediately and control the camera remotely.
Also, don’t forget about the UV filter included in this bundle. Today, most photographers use a UV filter to protect their lenses. But it’s also effective at reducing the oncoming UV light through your lens.
Check out the Canon EOS 4000D on Amazon here.
Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Bundle
- Sensor Size: APS-C | Max Resolution: 24.1 megapixels | ISO Range: 100-12800 | Optical Zoom: 3x | Lens Size: 18-55m
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080p | Continuous Shooting Speed: 3 fps | Screen Size: 3 inches
- Viewfinder: Optical, 920K dot | WiFi compatible
- Includes deluxe padded camera case, slave flash light, 3pc filter kit, tulip lens hood, 50 tripod, and 0.43x and 2.2x zoom lenses, among other great accessories
- Weight: 7.93 pounds (shipping weight) | Dimensions: 5.09 x 3.99 x 3.06 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is the highest megapixel camera on this list at 24.1 megapixels! Not only that, but you’ll also enjoy several other accessories like a 50” tripod, two auxiliary lenses, a car and home charger and a padded camera case, just to name a few!
Unique to this camera is its four piece macro close up kit, which will allow you to take high-quality close up shots! Macro filters are normally quite expensive but they don’t drive up the price on this product.
Additional Accessories
- Canon 18-55mm II Lens
- 2 x SanDisk 32GB SDHC Memory Cards
- Deluxe Padded Camera Case
- Slave Flash Light
- 3pc Filter Kit
- Extra Battery Pack
- AC/DC Car & Home Charger
- Tulip Lens Hood
- Canon Wide Neck Strap
- Commander Wired Shutter Release Remote
- High Speed USB Card Reader
- Body Cap for Canon EOS Cameras
- 4 Pieces Macro Close Up Kit
- 50″ Camera Tripod
- 0.43x Auxiliary Wideangle Lens
- 2.2x Auxiliary Telephoto Lens
What We Like
- Macro close up filters included
- 24.1 megapixels for high-resolution photos
- Comes with two auxiliary lenses
- Fast 3 FPS continuous shooting speed
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy shipping weight
- Lots of accessories – some may or may not be useful to you
Traveling with Your Canon EOS Rebel T7
On the Road
This camera is great to bring on the road. There’s so many useful accessories, available at an affordable price.
Carrying your camera around is no problem, thanks to the neck strap and padded case. You’ve also got a car charger, so while you’re driving out to your destination you can charge your camera!
Once you’ve arrived, you have so many different options for the type of photo you want to shoot. Are you just looking to take some standard photos? The 18mm-55mm lens will work just fine.
Do you want to take a wide landscape shot? Pull out the wide angle lens.
Are you shooting from afar? The 2.2x Telephoto lens should do the trick.
And finally, the macro filter kit that we touched on earlier makes for professional quality close up pictures.
When shooting in the light of day, to shield from bright light, pull out the lens hood and attach it to your camera. The lens hood will allow you to shoot a much cleaner photo.
On a Plane
If you’re taking this camera on a plane, you won’t have any issues protecting it. The padded case is your friend, so don’t forget to pack your camera in there before you head to the airport.
Also before you leave, decide what accessories you will need on your trip. This camera has a lot and you may not need every single one.
Don’t forget to bring your car charger. Often, when I’m going on a trip I’m out and about for most of the day, so I wouldn’t be home to charge my camera. But the car charger solves that problem!
Check out the Canon EOS Rebel T7 on Amazon here.
Canon Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
- Sensor Size: APS-C | Max Resolution: 24.1 megapixels | ISO Range: 100-6400 | Optical Zoom: 1.0x | Lens Size: 18mm-55m
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080p | Continuous Shooting Speed: 3.0 fps | Screen Size: 3.0 in.
- Viewfinder: Optical, (920k dot) | WiFi Compatible, NFC
- Includes cleaning cloth, camera bag, eyepiece, body cap, UV protective filter, and CPL and FLD filters, among other accessories
- INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE: Canon Rebel T7, 18-55mm DCIII Lens, Canon Neck Strap, Battery, Battery Charger, Cleaning Cloth, Camera Bag, Eyepiece, Body Cap, and UV Protective Filter, CPL and FLD Filters!
- Weight: 3.63 pounds | Dimensions: 5.10 x 3.10 x 3.60 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Another Rebel T7 makes the list; these cameras are some of the most reliable and budget-friendly out there.
This Canon Rebel T7 features Full HD 1080p video which is a great perk. The 18mm-55mm lens is perfect for action shots and a continuous shooting speed of 3 fps allows you to take dozens of photos with ease. You won’t miss out on any of the action.
Your Canon Rebel T7 comes with some useful accessories: CPL and FLD filters and a lens cleaning cloth. Not many cameras on our list have these addons, so be sure to check them out!
Additional Accessories
- Canon Neck Strap
- Battery
- Battery Charger
- Cleaning Cloth
- Camera Bag
- Eyepiece
- Body Cap
- UV Protective Filter
- CPL and FLD Filters
What We Like
- High-resolution 24.1 megapixels
- Includes CPL and FLD lens filters
- Fast 3.0 fps continuous shooting speed
- Lens cleaning cloth included
What We Don’t Like
- Comparably low 100-6400 ISO range
- 1.00x zoom
Traveling with Your Canon Rebel T7
On the Road
When traveling on the road with your Canon Rebel T7, don’t forget the battery charger and camera bag! The camera bag will keep everything nice and protected, while your battery charger will ensure you will always be ready to shoot beautiful photos and videos.
Also, while you’re out and about, if your lens gets dirty, just pull out the cleaning cloth to wipe it off.
On a Plane
This camera is easy to carry on your flight thanks to the camera bag and neck strap included with your purchase.
There’s a lot of accessories in this bundle, so be sure that you bring what you need to the airport.
Check out the Canon Rebel T7 on Amazon here.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera
- Sensor Size: 1 / 2.3 in. | Max Resolution: 18.1 megapixels | ISO Range: Unknown | Optical Zoom: 60x with 20-1200mm lens | Lens Size: 20-1200mm
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K FHD | Continuous Shooting Speed: 3 fps | Screen Size: 3 in.
- Viewfinder: Electronic 1170k dot | WiFi Compatible
- Weight: 1.36 pounds | Dimensions: 4.69 x 5.13 x 3.71 inches
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is the most budget-friendly camera on this list.
This camera is lightweight and easy to use, making it a great option if you love to travel. It still has many of the qualities of the more expensive cameras like 4K video, a high-dot display viewfinder, and Wifi connectivity.
Additional Accessories
- Battery pack DMW-BMB9PP
- AC adaptor
- USB connection cable
- Lens cap/Lens cap string
- Shoulder strap
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- 60x zoom capability
What We Don’t Like
- Small sensor size
- Comes with few accessories
- Camera bag is small
Traveling with Your Panasonic Lumix FZ80
On the Road
Like the other cameras on this list, this bundle includes a shoulder strap and a camera bag. It’ll probably only fit your camera, but there’s not that many accessories included, so you should be able to travel comfortably with just the bag.
Since you don’t have a lot of accessories, you’re limited in how you can shoot photos out in the field. But, there’s one really cool feature of the 20mm-1200mm lens: it sizes all the way up to 1200mm! This massive lens gives you a 60x optical zoom which can result in some very detailed incredibly close-up shots!
On a Plane
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is one of the smallest cameras on this list, so you shouldn’t have any problems carrying this onto your plane. If you don’t want to stash your camera away in a backpack, the shoulder strap will come in handy.
Check out the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 on Amazon here.
Did you know?
Learning how to use your new camera and become a great photographer is not as difficult as it seems. Have a look through some of the great resources from Digital Photography School. You will find many resources including ebooks, courses and presets.
Browse through the huge selection and you will learn how to take amazing photos in no time!
In Summary
Hopefully you enjoyed our guide on the seven best cameras under $600. While many of these are great to use for beginners, some are also popular among experienced professionals.
In our list, for the under $600 price point, I’ve found that the quality of each camera is about the same. For example, all of the cameras shoot 4K video, and several have 18-megapixel max resolution. But the biggest difference here lied in the included accessories, which was a big reason we went with the Canon EOS Rebel T6.
Stay tuned for more articles on cameras and check more of our favorites out below. Thanks for reading!
Related Articles
Best Travel Cameras Under $500
Best Mirrorless Camera Under $600
Best Compact Cameras Under $400
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.