There
are plenty of great options at this price point, whether you want a
full 4K, a DSLR with a good lens packed in, or a fixed-lens compact
camera built to do all in one box, or a light mirrorless camera that is fast and high-quality.
Some
of these are newer models pitched to a more budget audience, others are
more mature cameras that are a few years old, and more modern models
have replaced them in some examples.
Right now, we've compiled a list of the best under $1000 cameras, and if our top budget is more than you want to spend, take a look at our best cheap camera guide.
Best 4K Camera under $1000
1.Fujifilm X-T30
SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR: 26.1MP BSI APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4
IMAGE PROCESSOR: X-Processor Pro 4
MAX IMAGE SIZE: 6240x3510
VIDEO: 4K DCI 2160P
VIEWFINDER: EVF,2.36m dots
MEMORY CARD: SD / SDHC / SDXC
LCD: 3.0-inch titiling touchscreen
MAX BRUST: 30 fps(mechanical shutter 1.25x crop ),8fps
CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
DIMENSIONS: 1.84 x 3.26 x 4.66 inches
The X-T30 comes with the new 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C image sensor from Fujifilm and an X-Processor Pro 4
image processor that is reported to be three times faster than the
previous version of the third generation X-T20. This new sensor debuted
in the X-T3 last autumn, and its back-illuminated present production
improved capacity for light collection and image quality.
Best 4k camera under 1000
isThe X-T30 also has some very impressive video features. For maximum
image quality, it can capture 4K UHD video at 30p, using 'oversampled'
6K capture downsampled to 4K, and it also has the new ETERNA cinema film
simulation mode from Fujifilm. The X-T30 is enabled to save 10-bit
4:2:2 over HDMI. It can load up to 30fps to 120fps in high-speed rec
mode at 1080p, and it also supports the 17:9 DCI format.
However, with a shutter speed dial on the top of the camera and lens
aperture rings on some (but not all) lenses, the X-T30 preserves the
characteristic control layout of Fujifilm. The prime lenses and 'red
badge' zooms from Fujifilm have aperture rings, but the 18-55mm f/2.8-4
kit lens has an auto/manual aperture control switch and an unmarked
aperture ring for the latter.
If
you need it, there is more tonal control available.
Fujifilm's extended
dynamic range modes (200% and 400%) plus highlight and shadow contrast
controls are offered by the X-T30. You can create in-camera JPEGs with
the Film Simulation modes and these extra tonal adjustments that are
very close to an ideal raw file conversion.
2.SONY A6100
SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
IMAGE PROCESSOR: BIONZ X
MAX IMAGE SIZE: 6000x4000 pixels
VIDEO: 4K 30/25/24p, 1080 120/60/30/25/24p
VIEWFINDER: EVF, 1440k dots, 0.39 type
MEMORY CARD: x Memory Stick/SD/SDHC/SDXC
LCD: 3.0-inch, 922k dots, tilting touchscreen
MAX BRUST: 11fps, 33 raw, 77 JPEG
CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
DIMENSIONS: 120x67x59mm
A
new 24.2 megapixel Exmor CMOS image sensor and a new generation BIONZ X
processor are at the heart of the A6100, the same as the current A6600
top-of-the-range camera. It's a strong combination that, along with
effective 4K movie capture,
looks for outstanding results in everything from autofocus and
quick-fire shooting to improved picture quality, even at high ISO
levels.
With
the same ergonomic handgrip, battery, SVGA electronic viewfinder and a
near-identical button configuration compared to the A6000, nothing much
has changed on the A6100 compared to other cameras in Sony's Alpha
line-up. It weights 396g to 344g on the A6000 and 503g on the A6600. The
standard of design is not as good as with the A6600, with the body
being made from plastic rather than metal. It is the only one of the
three that needs weather seals, too.
In
our dynamic range review, Sony's APS-C mirrorless cameras typically
fail to fit competition cameras, and the A6100 is no exception. At ISO
400 and beyond, it controls the X-T30 and OM-D E-M5 III, although it
shows a healthy increase in sensitivity over the A6000.
3.NIKON Z50
SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR: 20.9 MP APS-C CMOS
IMAGE PROCESSOR: Expeed 6
MAX IMAGE SIZE: 5568 x 3712 PIXELS
VIDEO: 4K 30/25/24p, 1080 120/60/30/25/24p
VIEWFINDER: EVF,,2.36m dots
MEMORY CARD: x Memory Stick/SD/SDHC/SDXC
LCD: 3.2-inch1.04M dots, tilting touchscreen
CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
DIMENSIONS: 9.1 x 9.1 x 9.1 inches
The two Z mount DX lenses introduced with the camera, the Nikon 50 Z DX 16-50mm VR and the Nikon Z DX 50-250mm VR, are both good choices for those who want to keep their camera kit compact and lightweight, but there are plenty of great full-frame Z-mount lenses already available for those who want more lens options, as well as older Nikon F lenses (both DX and FX) using the FTZ adapter. I specifically restricted myself to only the two DX kit zoom lenses the camera came with when testing the camera, so I can demonstrate their capabilities and see if they are appropriate for most photographers 'day-to-day needs.
The Z50 features an optical viewfinder as well. At 2.36 million points rather than 3.6 million, it is lower resolution than its full-frame cousins, but we considered it to be sharp and with few signs of the lag that affected some of Nikon's competitors. It takes a while to get used to electronic viewfinders, but once you do, it's nothing short of brilliant to see the impact of your exposure settings through the viewfinder before you take the shot.
Resolution is the only field of our lab tests where the Z 50 does not succeed. The raw images of 20.9MP (after conversion to uncompressed TIFF) do not contain the sharpness and fine detail you get from the Fujifilm X-T30 and Sony A6400 24MP images. Unsurprisingly, with the 20.4MP Olympus E-M5 Mark III, the Z 50 is on par.
4.CANON EOS M50
SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR: 24.1MP APS-C CMOS, 22.3 x 14.9mm
IMAGE PROCESSOR: DIGIC 8
MAX IMAGE SIZE: 6,000 x 4,000
VIDEO: 4K UHD at 25/24p
VIEWFINDER: OLED EVF, 2,360k dots
MEMORY CARD: 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC
LCD: 3in vari-angle touchscreen, 1,040k dots
MAX BRUST: 10fps (7.4fps with AF)
CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC
DIMENSIONS: 116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7mm
A
4K video can be taken on the EOS M50. This function (followed by the
newer EOS M6 Mark II) was the first EOS M model to offer, and this puts
it one step ahead of the now-dated EOS M5. Rather than just the older
DIGIC 7 processor in the EOS M5, it has a DIGIC 8 processor as well. As
mid-range models exceed top-end cameras in key specifications, this sort
of technical leap-frogging happens from time to time.
Depending
on the lens fitted, the 24.1MP sensor supports Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS
AF on-sensor phase-detection AF, which provides between 99 and 143 AF
points. This is more than the amount of AF points on the more expensive
EOS M5, so despite being a mid-price model, the EOS M50 is getting the
advantage of some of Canon's new best 4k camera under 1000 technology.
With
micro USB and micro HDMI data ports, the M50 has a standard 3.5mm
microphone input, but not a headphone jack. The memory load at the
bottom is the same as the battery compartment, with support for SD media
up to UHS-I speed. The battery is the same as in the other EOS M
cameras we saw. In the body, it can't be charged, but Canon provides a
wall charger in the package. Battery life is on the low side, less than
the 300 the EOS M5 manages, at 235 shots as tested by CIPA standards.
For vloggers, Canon sees the M50 as a successful choice. Its multi-angle LCD, mic input, and dual pixel AF system are all major video benefits. But the quality of the video itself is underwhelming. Next, let's talk about 4K. The M5 with 4K capture support is Canon's first user product, but it is a little crippled. When recording in 4K, the camera induces a heavy crop and its speedy Dual Pixel AF system is not working.
5.NIKON D7500
SPECIFICATIONS
SENSOR: 20.9MP APS-C CMOS
IMAGE PROCESSOR: Format. DX.
MAX IMAGE SIZE: 3,840x2,160
VIDEO: 4K UHD 3,840 x 2,160
VIEWFINDER: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage
MEMORY CARD: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
LCD: Tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen, 922k dots
MAX BRUST: 8fps
CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC
DIMENSIONS: 136 x 104 x 73mm
An
exceptionally strong buffer capacity of 50 raw (NEF) files, unique
outside the technical industry, allows the D7500. Any number of JPEGs
can be shot by the average best DSLR camera under 1000 is enthusiast or
mirrorless camera, but most keen photographers would prefer to shoot
raw, even in continuous mode, so the D7500 is well ahead of its major
competitors here.
It
also has the more affordable D7500's impressive high ISO configuration,
topping out at ISO 1,640,000. That's 5EV above its normal maximum ISO
value of 51,200, so the output eventually takes a nosedive, but it's an
indicator of the technical advances built into the D7500.
For
a crop-sensor camera, the D7500 has the best-in-class image quality. It
manages to maintain very high levels of detail in low light conditions,
where you will be using a high ISO system. I will be happy to print
these very large images up to ISO 3200, which makes this a viable
choice, except for Milky Way and night sky photography, with few
exceptions, traditionally the domain of full-frame cameras.
The
D7500 feels just as robust in your hand as the D500. The composite body
of carbon fibre is a little lighter than that of the D500 at 640g, and
the body dimensions are also a little narrower, making it a little more
natural to bring around.
Most
of the body is covered by rubber cladding, particularly where you can
normally grip it. For the microphone socket, USB(2.0) port, Mini-HDMI
port, headphone socket and accessory terminal, there are weather-sealed
flaps on the left. There is also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in, but no
NFC.
BUYING GUIDE FOR 4K ,MIRROLESS AND DSLR CAMERAS
Sizing up sensors
The
next type of size is APS-C (about 23.5 x 15.6 mm for most models and
22.2 x 14.8 mm for Canon), available, among many other models, on most
of the Fujifilm X Series lineup, Sony's A6100 and the Canon EOS M50 Mark
II.
It's
cheaper for both the camera body and lenses than the full frame, but
also brings much of the benefits. Dreamy bokeh, high ISOs for low-light
shooting, and relatively high resolution are still available. It's
perfect for shooting video with a sensor size similar to 35mm film, and
focus is less demanding than with full-frame cameras.
VIDEO
Here
are a few other things to ponder around. Does your camera line-skip or
read out the complete sensor for video recording? For instance, Sony's
A7S II and A7R III read the entire sensor but only in cropped APS-C
mode. By example, the A6100 and the GH5 scan the whole sensor and super
sample, provide you with crisp video without nasty moire and aliasing
artifacts.
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