Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Sharon Advik
Photography is the art of using a camera to capture light, typically through a digital sensor or film and turning it into an image.
Composing shots, modifying camera settings like the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, and editing the finished picture are all parts of the process.
It’s challenging but enjoyable to experiment with different settings to capture various scenarios, making it attractive as a hobby.
In my experience of trying other cameras, I compiled the top cameras for under $800.
Photography is my passion.
When I see any exciting view or object, I capture it with my camera.
For this purpose, I always need to have a perfect camera with myself.
Let’s get through this guide, and you will find an affordable and best camera.
Which is the Best Camera under $800?
Here are my recommended top 7 Best Camera under $800:-
Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera: (Best Camera under $800)
Starting with one of my favorite cameras, the Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera is the best for under $800.
My late uncle gifted me this camera on my birthday.
He wanted me to use this camera for picturing his different videos.
I used it per his suggestion, and this camera changed my picture quality and brought them to the next level.
After that, I started using it in my projects and my collection.
Also, it is a memory of my late uncle.
Feature:
• Model: Panasonic Pentax K-70 DSLR
• Camera effective pixels: 24 megapixels
• Storage type: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS, 23.5 x 15.6mm
• Lens: Pentax KAF2
• ISO: Auto, 100-102400
• Image stabilizer: Sensor-shift
• Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage
• Weight: 688g
• Dimensions: 126 x 93 x 74 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed:
One of the reasons this camera is my favorite is its fast auto-focus.
Doing experiments to try new things is fun.
I usually set my ISO at 3200 and shutter speed at 1/320 and got solid results.
You can use different settings based on lightning.
Still, it is affordable and gives good-quality pictures.
Aperture/Depth of field:
I set a wide aperture in most daytime photography, but for my standard setting, it’s F/3.5, or sometimes F/4 would be fine.
F/4 is perfect for most cameras and mostly got excellent results; however, I like results at F/3.5, too.
White Balance/Frame Rate:
It is the best for shooting moving fast objects.
When shooting a video of my friend’s car, I adjusted my white balance to daylight and removed any color casts introduced due to the car’s speed movement.
And with 6 fps, my camera easily kept to the car’s speed and didn’t mess up the result.
Why is this the best camera?
I find it is one of the best cameras for under $800.
Its features include a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor with an anti-aliasing simulator, weather-resistant construction, and HD 1080 video at 30 and 25 fps.
6 fps continuous shooting, which is good for capturing moving objects.
It also gives a high dynamic range.
Conclusion:
Capturing video at 1080 is something everyone wants, and it has fast autofocus and one of the best automatic settings for videos.
It also makes it easy for beginners; capturing moving objects and having various modes make the camera an ideal choice for photographers.
Click the link to buy.
Nikon D5600 Digital SLR Camera: (Best Camera under $800)
After reaching my goal as a professional photographer, I now like collecting and trying different cameras.
I got a suggestion for this camera online.
I researched a bit and bought it for my new photoshoot of Godafoss, Iceland.
After using it for a while, I was surprised with the results, and it made me think, is this under $800?
Features:
• Model: Nikon D5600
• Camera effective pixels: 34 megapixels
• Storage type: SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Sensor: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor
• Manual focus: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 25600
• Image stabilizer: No
• Viewfinder: Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage
• Weight: 465 g
• Dimensions: 124 x 97 x 70 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I like its sharp, detailed images even when the ISO is high in the setting.
A button to turn on / off ISO is quite helpful too.
I set ISO 3400 and shutter speed at 1/300 to get one of the best pictures of that time.
Sometimes, I use a 3.2-inch touch screen with tilt and swivel.
APS CMOS image sensor, 24.2 MP.
I use a different range of ISO 100–25,600.
Turning the Command dial, I change the shutter speed (the unmarked dial next to the Mode dial).
I hold the exposure/aperture button (near the Shutter button) while rotating the Command dial to change the aperture.
Aperture / Depth of field:
I set my aperture at a slightly higher f-stop to get a perfect result.
This camera helped me take pictures of the whole area with a deeper depth of field, and the results were outstanding; showing the waterfall with side land was terrific.
White Balance / Frame Rate:
Setting the white balance to daylight was a good option, and for the frame rate, I selected 30 fps at 1080p.
To make a perfect result, and it was shown in the result.
There is an option of an auto setting that directly puts the settings at almost the same as the manual, which is fantastic.
An automatic environment could be helpful, too.
Is this the best camera?
It has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility, which makes the transfer much easier.
One of the best things is it can take sharp, detailed pictures even at high ISO settings.
It is also comfortable and best for beginners learning more about cameras.
It is the best camera for under $800.
Conclusion:
It is helpful for many situations, like travel or landscape photography, but it could not be good for studio videos or vlogging.
Overall, it’s a good camera with different modes and instant autofocus.
Beginners should try this camera.
Click here to buy
Canon EOS Rebel SL3: (best camera under $800)
My friend just started photography and wanted to buy a camera at a reasonable price.
She asked me for a suggestion.
This Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is the best camera for beginners for under $800.
Because I used it too when I started and liked the result, it helped me understand more about cameras.
After she bought it, she went to a field and sent me pictures of that camera, and the results were fabulous.
Feature
• CMOS Sensor: 24.1 mp APS-C, 22.3 x 14.9 mm
• Image processor: DIGIC 8
• AF points: 9-point phase detection (viewfinder), xxx
• ISO: 100 to 25,600
• Max image size: 6,000 x 4,000
• Metering modes: Evaluative, Centre-weighted, Spot, Partial
• Max burst: 5fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Weight: 451g
ISO/Shutter Speed:
Usually capturing in dark areas, I mainly use this camera because it gives the best results possible.
I set ISO 900 and used a slower shutter speed, such as 1/30 a second.
This camera makes its sensor more sensitive to light, allowing it to capture more light.
Aperture/Depth of field:
Using a larger aperture or smaller f-stop is the number that would be the best option to capture in low-light situations.
So, I set it to f/2.8, with a small area to focus on, to make the depth of field shallow.
This camera helps me to isolate the subject and blur the background.
It creates a dramatic effect and is the best for studio shooting.
White Balance/Frame rate:
I tried different settings for white balance in a low-light scene, but warm-white fluorescent is the best among them.
And for fps, I usually set it at 30p or 24p sometimes.
For burst shooting, 5fps is the best.
Is this camera the best?
It is the best camera for sports and wildlife photography.
It features a relatively fast maximum shutter speed and captures smooth pictures.
Its focusing system is marvelously adept in following inanimate objects, such as moving automobiles on a track.
Conclusion:
Even high ISO gives less noise and grains, which is the best feature of this camera.
Its creative assist mode is also a feature that is very helpful for beginners.
Overall, it is the best camera and is considered a good value for the price. It is a solid choice for photographers looking for a versatile and capable DSLR camera.
Click the link to buy.
Fujifilm X-T20: (best camera under $800)
As I progressed in my photography career, I learned about this camera.
I bought and clicked pictures of every famous building.
Using it was one of my best decisions; the results were smooth and precise.
I blur some of the backgrounds, and the pictures still look good.
Fujifilm X-T20 is the best camera for under $800.
Features:
• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
• Autofocus: Hybrid phase/contrast AF
• ISO range: 200-12,800 (exp. 100-51,200)
• Metering modes: 256-zone, multi, spot, average
• Video: 4K UHD, 30/25/24p
• Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 2.36m dots
• Memory card: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS I)
• Max burst: 8fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Size: 121.0 x 83.7 x 55.1mm
• Weight: 370g
ISO/Shutter Speed:
Experimenting to get different results is one of what I like.
For this camera, I want to use a lower ISO.
For my project, to click the pictures of famous buildings, I use ISO 400.
It is perfect for high or normal lighting, and I use a faster shutter speed.
I generally use at 1/250 of a second to get a freeze action.
Aperture/Depth of field:
A small aperture or more significant f-stop number is good for street photography because of the deeper depth of field with a larger area in focus.
I prefer an aperture of f/11.
But sometimes, when I wanted to blur the background, I used a larger aperture because it focuses on a small area in focus and blurs the background.
White Balance/Frame Rate:
I usually set the white balance at daylight and even automatic sometimes.
I usually change the white balance can be changed to account for unexpected lighting circumstances.
I fill the viewfinder with a white object and push the shutter button to take a reading of the white balance (choose the most recent custom value and leave without measuring white balance by pressing DISP/BACK; pick the most recent value and display the fine-tuning window by pressing MENU/OK).
As for the frame rate, I use 60 fps.
It makes a picture more perfect and realistic.
Is this the best camera?
It is one of the best choices for professional photography, and it supports 120 fps, which is good for professional photography.
It also has a 24.2 megapixels CMOS sensor.
It also shoots HDR video and digital gimbals that use gyro.
Conclusion:
It is the best choice for professionals to choose.
Yet it has some problems.
Still, it is the best camera under $800 and has faster processing, and 4k video capturing makes it the best camera.
Click the link to buy.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III: (best camera under $800)
I enjoy observing the sparkling sky, stars, and the depth of the night sky.
I promise to capture its best image whenever I look at the sky.
My uncle suggested this camera, so I bought it.
I experimented with various lenses and mode types, which altered the image’s quality.
Undoubtedly, it was the best camera available for under $800.
For beginners, it is simpler to purchase due to the lower price.
Features
• Body type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Max resolution: 4608 x 3456
• Effective megapixel: 16 megapixels
• Sensor: 17.4 x 13 mm
• Sensor type: CMOS
• Auto ISO: Auto, 200-25600
• Shutter speeds: 1/4000 sec
• Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported)
• Image stabilization: Sensor-shift
• Dimension: 122 x 84 x 50 mm (4.8 x 3.31 x 1.97″)
• Weight: 410 g.
ISO/Shutter Speed:
The 5-axis stabilization impressed me, which enabled me to obtain sharp results while holding the camera at 1/13 sec.
I use a 12-100 mm f/4 PRO lens and a shutter speed.
The dynamic range is excellent even when the camera is held in one hand while shooting video or images at slow shutter speeds. ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 are still eminently usable.
The upgraded image stabilization system operates without a hitch.
Aperture/Depth of Field:
A single focal length lens with a large maximum aperture is the setting I prefer to use.
The EVF has a 100% field of view, a 1.23x magnification, and a resolution of 2.36 million dots.
White Balance/Frame rate:
I like the burst rate of 8.6 frames per second, but it can only achieve that by locking the focus point at the first frame of the sequence; otherwise, it can only autofocus continuously at a slower maximum speed of 4.8 frames per second.
Is this the best camera?
It is among the unique cameras I have used.
The 5-axis stabilization produces precise results; the best feature is that it automatically focuses.
It uses smaller Micro Four Thirds lenses and is relatively portable.
It is extraordinarily well built, incredibly cozy to shoot, and temperature- and weather-resistant.
Conclusion:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is the ideal camera, thanks to these exceptional features, especially when traveling.
It is portable and produces sharp, high-quality images.
Additionally, using it is easy.
Why am I so in love with it?
The trendy vintage design of this camera instantly draws the eye.
It is simple, obvious, and timeless.
Click the link to buy.
Panasonic Lumix G85: (best camera under $800)
Once, I traveled to Russia for some business matters.
My friend and I bought a Panasonic Lumix G85 as we have heard that this is the best camera under $800 to capture moving pictures and videos while traveling.
There, I couldn’t stop recording; everything looked perfect there.
I used this camera because I like it for recording video.
I traveled from different streets, but the street gave different vibes, making recording more fun.
The buildings, markets, museum, everything I captured in my video.
Features:
• Model name: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
• Resolution: 16.00 Megapixels
• Viewfinder: EVF / LCD
• Dimensions: 128 x 89 x 74 mm
• Native ISO: 200 – 25,600
• Extended ISO: 100 – 25,600
• Shutter: 1/16000 – 60 sec
• Max Aperture: 3.5 (kit lens)
• Weight: 728 g
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I generally use a lower ISO because it is good for recording video, and a higher ISO makes noise.
At the lowest ISO of 25,600, mean saturation steadily decreases to a minimum of 101.6%.
The mean saturation at the base ISO 200 is 108.2% (8.2% oversaturated).
The Lumix G85 is considerably oversaturated yellow, under-saturated dark red and dark blue, and somewhat undersaturated in several other colors.
The shutter speed would be the best at 1/60.
It makes the best quality possible.
Aperture/Depth of field:
I select the aperture priority mode, A, on the top left-hand ring.
I then made this camera’s aperture a priority.
In that case, I would need to move the right-hand ring to choose an aperture, and the in-camera light meter would take care of the rest.
This camera favors a broad range of apertures, giving it versatility in managing the video’s depth of field.
My default setting for depth of field is f/16.
White balance/Frame rate:
I used the white balance in the warm-white setting, which was perfect for recording in Russia.
FPS was half of the shutter speed, which was 30fps.
With this setting, I got the ideal result possible.
Is this the best camera?
Panasonic’s G85 (G80/81 in Europe) is the best mid-range camera for low-cost filmmaking and video.
It’s roughly $700 with 12-60 lenses.
It features excellent image stabilization and captures 4K and 1080p video.
I use 4K Ultra HD and Full HD (1080p) to capture in slow motion.
This camera has 5-axis stabilization with dual I.S.2, which is wonderful.
It captures 4k video quality, which makes it the best camera for recording videos.
It has no anti-aliasing filter.
It is weather-sealed sealed, too.
I got touchpad autofocus.
It was the best feature I found in this camera.
Conclusion:
I have 12-60 lenses on this camera, and it produces fantastic pictures.
It features excellent image stabilization and captures 4K and 1080p video.
It can record in slow motion in 4K Ultra HD and Full HD (1080p).
It also has a brand-new noise-free electronic first curtain shutter mode; however, more is discussed below.
It is the best camera to get under $800.
Click the link to buy.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II: (best camera under $800)
I got this from my mother while preparing for my turkey trip.
I decided to bring this camera because it was my mother’s gift and I like its features too, as I landed there, I took some pictures, which was wonderful.
I still decided to click more photos with different settings to analyze thoroughly, and this camera is the best for under $800.
Features:
• Total pixel: 20.9 mg
• Effective pixel: 20.1 mg
• Ratio: sensor aspect ratio is 3.2
• Body type: Compact
• Sensor size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
• Sensor type: BSI-CMOS
• ISO: Auto 125-12800 (expandable to 25600)
• Screen dots 1,040,000
• Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
• Dimensions: 106 x 61 x 42 mm
• Weight: 319g
• Storage types: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-l attuned)
ISO/Shutter Speed:
The best ISO I like to use is ISO 200, which clicks and smoothes pictures without any noise.
And for the shutter speed, a higher shutter speed is better for clicking photographs.
I usually set the shutter speed at 1/250 of a second.
Aperture/Depth of field:
I set a lower aperture to get better results; it is the most efficient way.
And because of the lower aperture, the depth of field also got deeper, with a larger area to focus.
I also use another lens that offers an F1.8-2.8 fast maximum aperture range and a 24-100mm equivalent focal length.
It is beneficial in capturing landscapes.
White balance/frame rate:
I tried different white balance settings, but I mostly use automatic because of a difference in the lightning everywhere.
And for the frame rate, I used 60 fps, which makes the quality outstanding.
Is this the best camera?
After one and a half years of rigorous testing, every photographer should own a camera like this, a so-called professional small camera.
It is quite a valuable camera for video recording because it supports 120 fps, improving video quality.
Its sensor captures sharp, detailed images and offers high ISO performance for its class.
With its newer processor, this camera is much faster, too.
It is the best camera you can buy for under $800.
Conclusion:
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II camera offers different modes and settings, which is good for scenes like low light photography or video recording.
Its design and weight are comfortable to move around.
Overall, this is a great compact camera with a lot of performance for the price.
Click the link to buy.
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which is your Best Camera under $800?
Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
Related post:
I am a Professional and Certified Digital Photographer born in the USA. I have been in this field of photography for 22 years, and in these years, I have used many photography lenses and Cameras, which I want to share here on this website about my experience. The idea for Bestoflens.com is to provide honest information about different Lenses and Camera products in the format of a “Best lenses for AYZ” list. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best Cameras and lenses to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Bestoflens.