Digital SLR Camera Prices

Page updated: November 2009 Share on Facebook

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.

1. Budget: cameras that retail for less than $600 don't have all the features of the higher-end SLRs but still take great photos
2. Consumer: these digital SLR cameras are priced under $1,000 and are aimed at casual and amateur photographers who want more megapixels and features
3. 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
4. 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.

Professional digital SLR cameras are not listed on this page since the price for the camera bodies alone often exceeds $3,000 USD.

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 ($600 or less)

The cameras in this price range used to have very limited features - that's certainly not the case anymore.

It's a win-win scenario: you get advanced features and exceptional image quality at prices that are starting to compete with compact cameras.

Level 2 - Consumer Digital SLRs ($601 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 everyone since it drives down the prices and makes it easier to find better bargains.

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.

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.

Related Links

• Digital SLR Camera Dealers
• Best Digital SLR Deals
• Compare Prices for Canon Digital SLRs
• Compare Prices for Nikon Digital SLRs
• Compare Prices for Olympus Digital SLRs
• Compare Prices for Pentax Digital SLRs
• Compare Prices for Sony Digital SLRs

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