What is the best professional camera for the cheapest price?

Question

like $100-350

Answer 1

Nikon D40 or Sony A200 both 500(under with sales)

That is still a low end camera  professional cameras start at 2,000.

What will you be doing? Do you need a professional camera?

Answer 2

Not possible at all, that's not a pro. budget. The cheapest digital SLR ( professional camera ), cost 377$ on amazon.com body only, and when you add a lens, you're spending at least 430$, which is way over your budget. Sorry, you need to save up more, the on professional camera  you can buy with that is perhaps one that's used/not working. Photography isn't cheap, especially " professional" photography.

Nathan Grammatico

Oh, and you can never get a new digital slr for that price

Answer 3

Hello Doog.   You cannot get a new professional digital camera for your price range....   The battery chargers that go with them or their compatible flash units cost that much.    But if you are budget minded and want the most camera for an affordable price...  Why not try buying used?  It might be an older model professional,  but you can be sure that when the camera was new,  it was several thousand dollars.  Look on Craig's List.  There a few weeks ago,   I found a Nikon D1 - the first Nikon pro model digital camera for exactly $350.00 and the guy was selling it with the manual, charger and 2 batteries.  He was a professional photographer and did say if it gave me any trouble to give him a call.   You have to watch who you buy from to protect yourself... but that was just a suggestion and the only one I know of to precisely answer your question........    A Used One.

Answer 4

I think I saw one at the store next to the car lot selling new convertible sports cars that get 80 MPG for under 1 grand.

If you want a "professional camera" in that price range, your looking at a used Canon EOS-1N or Nikon F3, both film, or the Nikon D1 if you want digital.  The new professional equipment costs about 10x your maximum.  You're going to have to settle for less the professional and get a consumer point and shoot or a dslr that is a few generations old.

You can pick up a used digital SLR in that price range, if that's what you think professional is.  Look for a used Canon Digital Rebel (300D) or the Nikon D1.

When buying used equipment, Adorama is among one of the stores that I buy with confidence knowing that their description is going to be accurate.  B&H and KEH are also stores that I trust for used equipment. I always check Craigslist to see what is available.  If I see something, I can check it out in person.  I don't like eBay unless I can get it significantly cheaper.  eBay is just a little more of a risk.

Answer 5

The only realistic way to get a professional grade camera in that budget is to buy a film SLR camera. Many people still buy and use film SLR cameras, including professionals. You can find SLR's for about $300 with a lens due to the popularity of the digital SLR. Other than that, you are going to need at least $600 to get started with a DSLR.

Most people automatically assume digital and forget about the tried and tested film cameras professionals still use today.

Remember, its not just the camera, but those extra items, tripod, memory cards, flash, carry bag, cleaning kit, etc.

Answer 6

In that budget range of $100 to $350, you'll have to buy a used digital SLR.  Even a low megapixel digital SLR will perform better than a higher megapixel point and shoot.

Here are some used SLRs to consider in that price range:

Nikon D1h.  Typically available used on ebay from $300 to 500.

Canon D60.  Typically sells used on eBay for about $250 without a lens.  At the time it came out, it was Canon's second digital SLR (the first was the Canon D30).  Their pro lineup, the 1D series wasn't out yet.

Canon 10D.  Better AF than the D60, and that's the biggest difference.  About $300 used.

Fujifilm S2 Pro:  Uses Nikon-mount lenses.  Beautiful out of camera color.  About $300-$350 used without a lens.

Nikon D50: about $350 used, but often sells for $400+  Great entry-level Nikon camera.  Good color.  

All prices are based on ebay auctions.  In your budget range, you can't get a new SLR (the lowest priced one is the Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm lens, at around $470).

Your least expensive option: a used Canon D60 paired with a used Canon 18-55mm lens (plenty of those lenses on eBay too) should be under $350 total.

If you want the rugged body, the Nikon D1h is the toughest of these bodies, but has a low megapixel count (2.74mp) by comparison.  It'll still make good 8x10" prints.

Hope this helps.