Digital SLR Camera Prices |
Page updated: May 2009 |
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Let's me say this: there is a LOT of variation when it comes to digital SLR camera prices.
A great deal of the price difference is related to the number of megapixels a camera has, so it's important to figure out beforehand just how many you really need.
Other "special features" can drive up the price of a camera, and anything that was recently released is going to cost far more than a camera available last year.
In this sense, digital SLR cameras are quite similar to computers and cars: the minute you buy a camera, the value starts to decrease.
But if you've found the best digital SLR that will last you for years to come that won't matter, right?
Four Pricing Levels
There are four distinct levels when it comes to digital SLR camera prices.
- Budget: cameras that retail for less than $600 don't have all the features of the higher-end SLRs but still take great photos
- Consumer: these digital SLR cameras are priced under $1,000 and are aimed at casual and amateur photographers who want more megapixels and features
- Pro-Sumer (advanced amateur): the price on these digital SLRs is between $1,000 and $3,000, and the cameras are notably faster than other SLRs
- Professional: cameras in this category cost more than $3,000 and are almost exclusively used by professional working photographers
The majority of the Digital SLR Guide is devoted to budget and consumer level cameras, since there are plenty of models in this category to choose from.
These cameras are also more reasonable for the general public since many won't be willing to spend $1,500 on a piece of photographic hardware.
More Affordable By The Month
Digital SLR camera prices drop continuously.
In 2002, you couldn't find a digital SLR for anything less than $2,000 USD. Then, in 2003, Canon broke the $1,000 USD barrier with the introduction of their first Digital Rebel (also called the 300D).
This caused a bit of a frenzy between the camera manufacturers to introduce new cameras to the sub-1000 market. Today, there are many different cameras all competetively priced under $1,000 (and even a few under HALF that amount).
The good news is that prices are still dropping.
I imagine that within a couple of years you'll be able to go out and buy a decent digital SLR camera for about $200 to $300 USD.
How The Prices Are Organized
The digital SLR camera prices in the following tables are all sorted from low to high for each price level.
If two cameras list for the exact same price, they are listed in alphabetical order (by name of manufacturer).
All prices listed are approximate and do not reflect sales or special discounts.
Level 1 - Budget Digital SLRs (less than $600)
The cameras in this price range used to have very limited features - that's certainly not the case anymore.
Now you can get a full-featured 10 megapixel SLR for almost HALF of what they cost when first released.
It's a win-win scenario: you get advanced features and exceptional image quality at prices that are starting to compete with compact cameras.
| MAKER | CAMERA | RELEASED | MEGAPIX | U.S. PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus | E-420 | April 2008 | 10 | $ 400.00 |
| Nikon | D40 (Read Guide) | Dec 2006 | 6.1 | $ 440.00 |
| Olympus | E-520 | July 2008 | 10 | $ 450.00 |
| Sony | DSLR-A200 | Feb 2008 | 10.2 | $ 500.00 |
| Canon | Rebel XS (1000D) | Aug 2008 | 10 | $ 510.00 |
| Pentax | K2000D (K-m) | Oct 2008 | 10 | $ 520.00 |
| Nikon | D60 (Read Guide) | March 2008 | 10.2 | $ 550.00 |
| Pentax | K200D | April 2008 | 10.2 | $ 567.00 |
| Sony | DSLR-A300 | May 2008 | 10.2 | $ 600.00 |
Level 2 - Consumer Digital SLRs ($600 to $1,000)
The second level of digital SLR camera prices is aimed at mass-market consumers.
There are plenty of cameras to choose from at this price range, and each year the manufacturers introduce new models.
There is plenty of competition, which is good for you and me since it drives down the prices and makes it easier to find better bargains.
| MAKER | CAMERA | RELEASED | MEGAPIX | U.S. PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic | DMC-G1 | Nov 2008 | 12.1 | $ 630.00 |
| Pentax | K20D (Read Guide) | March 2008 | 14.6 | $ 670.00 |
| Canon | Rebel XSi (450D) (Read Guide) | April 2008 | 12.2 | $ 700.00 |
| Sony | DSLR-A350 | April 2008 | 14.2 | $ 700.00 |
| Nikon | D5000 | April 2009 | 12.3 | $ 850.00 |
| Panasonic | DMC-L10 | Nov 2007 | 10.1 | $ 882.00 |
| Canon | T1i (500D) | May 2009 | 15.1 | $ 900.00 |
What distinguishes the cameras in this category?
- They are light and compact, designed to be carried with you wherever you go
- They feature excellent autofocus systems (but not the best) and are fairly fast when it comes to action photography (but not the fastest)
- They are designed with the casual photographer in mind, and don't have the same build quality and attention to detail as the more expensive SLRs
Level 3 - Pro-Sumer Digital SLRs ($1,000 to $2,000)
If you're willing to break the $1,000 barrier for your digital SLR, you get a camera with more of the speed and advanced features that professional photographers look for.
| MAKER | CAMERA | RELEASED | MEGAPIX | U.S. PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | DSLR-A700 | Dec 2007 | 12.2 | $ 1,000.00 |
| Canon | EOS 40D (Read Guide) | Sept 2007 | 10.1 | $ 1,100.00 |
| Nikon | D90 (Read Guide) | Sept 2008 | 12.3 | $ 1,150.00 |
| Canon | EOS 50D | Oct 2008 | 15.1 | $ 1,290.00 |
| Olympus | E-3 | Nov 2007 | 10.2 | $ 1,300.00 |
| Nikon | D300 | Dec 2007 | 12.3 | $ 1,690.00 |
| Canon | EOS 5D | 2005 | 12.8 | $ 2,000.00 |
What justifies these digital SLR camera prices?
- Cameras in this price range are built with metal frames which makes them heavier but more durable.
- Many of them are completely weather-sealed so you can use them in wet conditions without worry.
- They have fast sophisticated autofocus systems and take continuous photos at high speed.
- They have many special custom settings and features required by pros but typically not used by amateur photographers.
Level 4 - Professional Digital SLRs ($2,000 or more)
If you thought the previous digital SLR camera prices were extreme, you haven't seen anything yet!
The cameras in this last category are strictly for professionals (or amateurs with an awful lot of money to burn).
| MAKER | CAMERA | RELEASED | MEGAPIX | U.S. PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | EOS 5D Mark II | November 2008 | 21.1 | $ 3,000.00 |
| Sony | DSLR-A900 | November 2008 | 24.6 | $ 3,000.00 |
| Nikon | D700 | August 2008 | 12.1 | $ 3,220.00 |
| Canon | EOS 1D Mark III | 2007 | 10.1 | $ 3,990.00 |
| Nikon | D3 | 2007 | 12.1 | $ 4,400.00 |
| Canon | EOS 1Ds Mark III | 2007 | 21.1 | $ 6,604.00 |
Here's what makes these digital SLR camera prices so high:
- Speed: pro cameras focus and take photos at an incredibly fast pace - they are designed to keep up with the action at professional sporting events.
- Durability: these cameras are built for photojournalists who spend their time in rugged conditions.
- Options: on these high-end digital SLR cameras, every camera setting can be manipulated for the desired effect.
- Quality: professional digital SLRs use the best sensors the camera manufacturer can produce, resulting in exceptionally clear, vibrant images.
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