Best Budget Camera for Backpacking – Top 5
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Best Budget Camera for Backpacking - The Top 5
Although you don’t need to spend thousands on a camera, it’s essential to own one. Back in the day, everybody owned a decent film camera. There’s a reason that your uncle’s Kodachrome slides from 1973 look so good on a big screen. Over the years, it’s become easier to take photos. Everybody’s got a camera on their phone, but image quality is still questionable at best. No matter how many megapixels you have, there’s still no substitute for a purpose-built camera. Don’t believe us? Try it yourself. Take a selfie on your phone and blow it up on your computer. It doesn’t take long before that low resolution begins to make it look distorted and blurry. A DSLR camera takes photos that are many times larger, with far superior resolution. I don’t know about you, but my backpacking memories are worth more than five megapixels. Our goal here is to list some of the best budget camera options that provide high-quality shots, all while fitting easily in your backpacking pack.
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How We Made Our Choices
New digital DSLR cameras make professional quality photos accessible to everyone. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a proper camera. DLSR cameras are easy to use and take fantastic photos and videos. Unlike rangefinder cameras, DSLRs show you precisely what comes through the lens. Many consider rangefinders superior for landscape shots, but they’re expensive. A professional digital rangefinder costs upwards of $10,000. A great DSLR can cost less than $1,000 and produce fantastic photos. Modern DSLR cameras have scores of interchangeable lenses available for every conceivable purpose. For decades, Nikon and Canon led the pack in SLR technology. These days not much changed in the camera world. Canon and Nikon still produce the best entry-level and professional digital cameras. Based on these facts, you can probably guess what brands you’ll find on this list. However, there’s one camera here that might surprise you.
At BackpackingNut, we established a few parameters for this list. Our team put together five of the best DSLR cameras available new for less than $750. If you want to spend $2,000 on a DSLR, be our guest, but you don’t have to. We examined the most popular DSLR cameras in the category, and the results surprised us. Most cameras in the $200-$750 range feature everything the more expensive models do. If you don’t take photos in a professional setting to put food on the table, then there’s no reason to spend over $750 on a new DSLR camera. The camera models on this list are sure to please landscape lovers, families, and recreation photographers alike. During your next backpacking trip, bring the memories home to share with everyone else.
1. Nikon D3500 DSLR Digital Camera ($396)
Nikon tops the list with its fantastic entry-level D3500 DSLR camera. This camera features Nikon’s legendary F-mount lens. The F series lens is arguably the most popular interchangeable DSLR lens ever made. Hundreds of lens options exist for this camera. Though the factory 18-55mm lens is versatile, you’re not limited. The international photography community recognizes Nikon as the standard for camera quality. Nikon cameras litter thrift shops and closets, ready for their next long-term friend. These cameras last for decades, and the D3500 is no exception. Nikon chose a durable plastic for the camera body, and the electronics are reliable.
The Nikon D3500 features more than you’d expect for a $400 camera. Moreover, the image quality of the D3500 is astounding. For photographs, the camera offers a top continuous shooting speed of 5FPS. This allows the user to take almost half a dozen photos per second. With this feature, you’re bound to get the perfect shot. While 5FPS isn’t the fastest speed on the list, it’s still impressive. The camera features a 24.5-megapixel image sensor; 15 times larger than a typical smartphone. The camera features full automatic and manual settings. For professionals and learners, manual mode offers precise adjustable settings. For day to day use, fully automatic mode does the work for you. Additionally, the D3500 features an ISO range of 100-25,000. Finally, this camera is capable of full HD video recording 1080p at 24-60FPS. For your landscape photography needs, this easily fits the bill as one of the best budget backpacking camera options. Unfortunately, the Nikon D3500 doesn’t support 4K video. If 4K is a deal breaker for you, consider the next option on the list.
2. Panasonic Lumix G7 ($498)
While the Panasonic Lumix G7 isn’t technically a DSLR, it still makes the list. “But wait,” you say, “why is a non-DSLR on a DSLR camera comparison list?” There’s a simple reason. DSLR cameras are popular for a couple reasons: they take great photos, and you see what you shoot. Additionally, they offer better depth-of-field control than rangefinders. The Panasonic Lumix G7 offers all those benefits and more. Like a DSLR, it features an optical viewfinder. The Panasonic Lumix G7 offers DSLR quality mixed with point-and-shoot portability. It’s a beautiful and versatile photography tool.
Time to get back to the camera. The Panasonic Lumix G7 is an excellent device. It’s a mirrorless camera, so its lightweight body is slim and low-profile. It’s constructed from durable plastic and feels stout. While it doesn’t offer as many lenses like the Nikon F platform, it’s still remarkably versatile. The 16-megapixel camera comes standard with a 14-42mm lens. This camera is the jack-of-all-trades of the price range. It features manual and automatic shooting modes, along with the expected adjustments. The screen is high-resolution, and all controls feel tactile. The Lumix G7 features the adjustments expected on a high end DSLR without the size and weight. Furthermore, the mirrorless design removes finicky mechanical bits, which enhances reliability.
This camera is an excellent choice for travel. Image quality is fantastic, and the shooting modes seem limitless. It features a tilting display, which is great for tripod shots. There’s one element where the Lumix G7 really stands out; video recording. The Panasonic Lumix offers full HD video in 4k and 1080p at various speeds. If you need an HD camera with 4k capabilities, this is a great option. Remember, the 16-megapixel image sensor can capture 4k video that looks good on a big screen. While some features fall short of the Nikon D3500, the Panasonic Lumix G7 is a big winner with us.
3. Canon EOS Rebel ($599)
The Canon EOS Rebel is a significant step-up in features from the previous models on the list, and for the price, you’d expect it to be. This camera is a real DSLR, with plenty of extra features. For just shy of $600, the camera comes equipped with a Canon 18-55mm STM lens. While not as ubiquitous as the Nikon F platform, Canon lenses are still quite common in the United States. Some photographers refer Canon screw-mount lenses over Nikon, as they seem sturdier. In true high-end DSLR fashion, the Canon EOS Rebel body is also available for $499. If you already have Canon lenses at home, you can save a pretty penny with this camera. At 24.2 megapixels, this camera falls just short of the Nikon D3500. It makes the most out of those 24.2 megapixels with a dual-pixel CMOS (APS-C) image sensor.
The Canon EOS Rebel is durable and can take lots of abuse. Of course, we don’t recommend beating up your camera. This model is popular with field photographers who rely on their cameras for work. For the price, the Canon EOS Rebel introduces some higher-end features. For example, this Canon features a massive three-inch display and WiFi sharing capabilities. Combined with Canon’s advanced CMOS sensor, the camera’s Digic-7 image processor is fantastic. This camera delivers crisp photographs with stunning color and detail. Image quality is certainly superior to other models in its class. The optical viewfinder features a nine-point AF system. When coupled with lightning fast auto-focus, this camera is ideal for live-action shots.
But wait, there’s more. The Canon EOS Rebel is a powerful video recording tool as well. The standard Rebel SL2 features full HD 1080p video recording. For those who desire 4K, there’s an option for you too. For an extra $50, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 offers full 4K HD video recording capabilities. Vloggers and amateur filmmakers alike rely on the Canon EOS Rebel to film. Furthermore, the Canon Rebel is compatible with a variety of premium external microphones. This Canon is a perfect choice for anyone interested in a semi-professional camera.
4. Canon EOS 77D ($649)
The Canon EOS 77D lost its lens to make it on the list. This is a premium camera, and the body alone can go for under $650. For that price, you’ll need to purchase (or provide) a lens separately, but there’s a good reason for the added cost. This camera packs all the features of the EOS Rebel, plus many more. It amazingly features the same 24.2-megapixel capacity as the EOS Rebel. This camera beats the Nikon D3500 for high-speed shots. The Nikon D3500 is capable of six shots per second, while this model can do six. But does one frame make a difference? Yes, it makes a huge difference. Every minute of shooting adds sixty extra frames, any one of which could be your dream shot. This camera can shoot continuously at high speeds until the memory card is full. With six shots per second, you’re basically taking a slow-speed video.
Canon aimed the EOS 77D at a professional audience and increased the size. This camera earns the best durability score so far, as it’s built with heavier materials. In addition to durability, the camera features an adjustable display. This ensures easy viewing at nearly any angle. Moreover, the analog viewfinder features Canon’s nine-point AF system. Of course, the camera features manual and automatic modes as well. This camera features versatile sharing options too. It’s Bluetooth and WiFi enabled so that you can export photos directly from the camera to your phone. Few DSLR cameras offer such a convenient feature. Take a stunning professional photo and upload it to Instagram without a computer.
This camera offers full-feature video recording. Built-in technology reduces shaking in the clip, without resizing the frame. Additionally, this camera shoots can shoot an HD time-lapse right out of the box. Additionally, the Canon 77D features HDR technology. HDR combines several frames of the same image to create a correctly exposed shot. While we’re on the subject of exposure, this camera includes a beautiful new system. Its RGB+IR metering sensor ensures ideal exposure always occurs. Canon packed the D77 full of advanced electronics, which all work seamlessly. So far, the Canon EOS D77 packs the most features on this list, making it hard a hard camera to beat in a list full of budget backpacking devices.
5. Nikon D7200 DX ($738)
Like the Canon EOS 77D, the Nikon D7200 DX makes the list as a body only. You’re not going to find this camera new with a lens for less than $750. This Nikon is the king of sub-$750 DSLR cameras. Many photographers consider the D7200 a professional camera. In addition to the name, the D7200 features just about everything you’ll ever need. Many professionals use the Nikon D7200 as their primary camera due to its versatility. It’s larger than any other camera on this list and features the highest level of capability. However, this camera features a 24.2-megapixel capacity, which is about average for this list. What it does with those megapixels sets it apart from the rest.
In terms of build quality, the Nikon D7200 DX tops the list. It’s big, heavy, and ridiculously durable. This monster measures nearly six inches across and four inches tall. Like we mentioned, it’s a professional camera. Professional cameras tend to be large. As all professional cameras should, this Nikon shoots black and white, and color. This camera features the best ISO on the list. As all professional cameras should, this Nikon shoots black and white, and color. Color ISO ranges between 100 and 25,600, which is expandable to 104,000 in black and white.
The Nikon D7200 DX ranks best-in-class in the most categories on this list. This camera features the highest high-speed frame rate, coming in at seven per second. For full resolution, the camera shoots six frames per second. The camera handles up to twenty-seven shots in 12-bit lossless, and eighteen in 14-bit lossless. Moreover, lossless photos are some of the highest quality digital images available. This camera captures the moment as well as any, and better than most. This camera is packed with photographer-assist technology.
Nikon’s D7200 is a nearly perfect HD video recording platform. The camera features wired external microphone compatibility. Additionally, the D7200 works with wireless microphones for optimal distance recording. The time lapse capabilities of the D7200 are unmatched. The camera monitors highlight display (known as zebra stripes) and automatically adjusts ISO. This unit is capable of full HD video recording up to 60FPS. However, no 4K recording is currently available with this camera. Don’t bum out over 4K; 1080P at 60FPS is still the industry standard. As you may expect, the Nikon D7200 features impressive sharing capabilities. You can quickly transfer uncompressed footage from the camera to your computer. Nikon included easy WIFI connectivity to move data directly to the web seamlessly.
Overall, the Nikon D7200 DX is the most capable camera on the list. It’s got all the manual and automatic settings you’ll ever need. This camera brings you professional quality for semi-professional pricing. You’ll need a lens or two, but lens rental programs can reduce costs. This camera is capable of serious photography and limited only by user ability. Cameras like this retain their value over time so that the extra cost could be an investment. While finding itself as the most expensive item on the list, when it comes to quality landscape photography and nature cameras the Nikon D7200 DX is definitely the best budget camera for backpacking less than $800.
Best Budget Camera for Backpacking - The Top 5 - Conclusion
Digital photography is an extremely popular passtime. As outdoorsmen, each and every adventure presents us with new opportunities to capture once in a lifetime circumstances. Landscape photography isn’t just about the hills, trees, mountains, skies, and wildlife, but also about the memories made with each and every step. With the help of this “Best Budget Camera for Backpacking” list, hopefully you can preserve them well so that one day future generations can enjoy the sights and sounds, too. Alternatively, if you’re looking for quality backpacking packs to haul your precious camera gear, check out our article “Best Camera Backpack Bag Under 100 Dollars“. Happy traveling!
