Inexpensive Digital SLR Cameras

Page updated: January 2008

Finding an inexpensive digital SLR camera is not exactly an easy task.

Since digital SLRs offer more speed and performance than many compact cameras, the average price for these cameras hovers around $800.00.

On the plus side, digital SLR cameras are very similar to cars and computers when it comes to price: as soon as a camera is released, its value starts going down.

You'll note as you read through this page that all of the inexpensive digital SLR cameras I list about are several months old.

Compare SLR Cameras

Introduction By Megapixels By Cost (Inexpensive) By Ratings (Top Rated) By Size (Smallest) By Speed (Fastest) By Special Features

The Least Expensive

If you like the idea of owning a digital SLR camera but don't want to pay top dollar for it, then you really have two different inexpensive digital SLRs to choose from: the Canon EOS Rebel XT and the Nikon D40.

Canon EOS Rebel XT 350D

Release Date	March 2005
Avg. Kit Price	$450
Key Features	8 megapixels
Uniqueness	Small size, low weight
Great For	Parents, travel
Level	Beginner
The EOS 350D is the second generation Rebel from Canon (the first was just called the Digital Rebel). The most notable improvement in this camera from the previous one is a significant reduction in size and weight. If you don't need 10 megapixels or dust control, this is a great inexpensive alternative to the Rebel xTi.
Compare prices for the Rebel XT at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Nikon D40

Release Date	December 2006
Avg. Kit Price	$500
Key Features	6.1 megapixels, 2.5in. LCD, SD Memory
Uniqueness	Helpful LCD
Great For	Learning photography
Level	Beginner
The D40 features an innovative LCD display that actually SHOWS you how changing camera settings affects your images. It's a great tool for photographers who are learning terms like aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The D40 is also the smallest, lightest and cheapest Nikon digital SLR.
Compare prices for the D40 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Inexpensive 10 Megapixel Digital SLRs

If you want to make larger prints, then you're going to need a camera with more megapixels. Digital SLR prices have dropped so much recently that you now have some great choices when it comes to inexpensive 10 megapixel digital SLRs.

There are two cameras that fall into this category: the Olympus E-410 and Olympus E-510 (similar to the E-410, with the addition of built-in image stabilization)

Olympus E-410

Release Date	June 2007
Avg. Kit Price	$450
Key Features	10 megapixels, dust control, compact and light
Uniqueness	Live view
Great For	Travel
Level	Beginner
The E-410 packs a lot of punch into its compact frame. Even though it's almost the same size as a compact digital camera, it still includes dust control and a live view LCD screen, making the transition from compact to SLR much easier.
Compare prices for the E-410 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Olympus E-510

Release Date	July 2007
Avg. Kit Price	$570
Key Features	10 megapixels, dust control, compact and light
Uniqueness	Live view
Great For	Travel and low-light
Level	Intermediate to advanced
Identical to the E-410 in many ways, the E-510 includes one important enhancement: a built-in image stabilizer. The stabilizer will work with any Olympus lens that you attach to the camera, and will help when taking photos of still subjects in low light without flash. I've selected the E-510 as the best digital SLR of 2007.
Compare prices for the E-510 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama