Best Digital Cameras Under $300 [Expert Reviewed Picks]
By: Lumoid Staff
Tags: Buying Guide, Photography, Gear, Review, Cameras

Buying a new digital camera under $300 can be a big challenge, especially when looking at the newest with the most advanced features. But a good camera doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Thanks to camera technology ramping ahead in recent years, there are many options for those shopping on a budget. We have taken the time to review some of the best cameras under $300 to let you shoot the greatest pictures possible.

Just because a camera is a few years old, doesn’t mean it’s out of the running. Oftentimes, a good older camera can have the same or somewhat similar specs and features as a new entry-level model. The image quality can be on par with new technology and that’s really where it counts.

Features You Should Look for in Cameras Under $300

Here are some things you should look for in a camera under $300:

Zoom: You want to find a camera that will zoom in on your range.

You want to find a camera that will zoom in on your range. Megapixels & Resolution: While zoom is great, resolution will decrease the more you zoom. A camera with 10 to 16 megapixels will be ideal for most photographers’ needs.

While zoom is great, resolution will decrease the more you zoom. A camera with 10 to 16 megapixels will be ideal for most photographers’ needs. Other Features: Size and weight are going to be important features, but you should also look for durability, LCD screen size, and other features.

Have a limited budget? Don’t worry. We have compiled a list of the best digital cameras under $300 available on the market!

(We get commissions for purchases made from links in this post.)

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Deals

The Panasonic LUMIX DC-FZ80 is a force to be reckoned with. It zooms to a maximum of 60 times the original frame to capture all the small details. This camera also has a 20mm wide-angle feature that is particularly beneficial while photographing breathtaking landscapes.

For videos, the Panasonic DC-FZ80 offers 4K video capture technology. All videos are captured in HD, and the result is stunning. Also, this camera performs particularly well in areas with low lighting. It yields a reasonably good outcome for nighttime shots. Also, it has a commendable image stabilization interface.

Post Focus is another smart technological advancement seen in this device. This system allows you to select the point of focus even after an image has been captured.

If you’d like to find out more about this compact camera, read the full review of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-FZ80. This is our best-reviewed camera under $300.

2. Canon PowerShot SX530 (Best Canon Camera Under $300)

Canon PowerShot SX530 Deals

This Canon camera is a high-quality DSLR. It offers a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ image processor. Its ISO capability is 100–6400, with up to 3-fps shooting. Moreover, this device has the ability to automatically choose the best mode for photography, depending on surrounding lighting conditions. This is called “Scene Intelligent Auto Mode.”

It has a nine-point AF with center cross-type point. The video quality is particularly good at 1080/30p in full HD mode. Its screen monitor is LCD and spans three inches with a 920k-dot build.

The Canon PowerShot SX530 comes with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, making image and video sharing very convenient. All you need to do is connect the camera to your laptop or phone to start transferring data with no delay!

To get even more info, check out our Canon PowerShot SX530 review.

3. Canon PowerShot SX720 HS (Best for Features)

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Deals

This Canon camera is hard to beat! The Canon PowerShot SX720 HS has many great features and is one of the more quality cameras under $300 that people on a budget should consider. This camera has ISO 3200 with 5.9 fps shooting and also employs a helpful zoom framing assistant to help you get the perfect shot.

It comes with a built-in image stabilization system to eliminate shaky shots and achieve a very refined final image. Image stabilization works on video mode, too, enabling you to get a less shaky video.

The Canon PowerShot SX720 has a 20.3MP camera and can zoom to 40 times the original size. Its video capturing ability is very good at 1080p. The viewfinder is an LCD, with a 2.3-inch display size.

This device boasts built-in NFC and Wi-Fi to allow for secure data sharing to laptops, phones, and other devices. Gone are the days when data could only be transferred via cable. With the Canon PowerShot SX720, everything is wireless and hassle-free!

Read the complete Canon PowerShot SX720 HS review to get all the details you need about this camera.

Canon PowerShot SX420 Deals

Canon is one of the most well-reputed camera brands in the world. You cannot go wrong with a Canon camera! The Canon PowerShot SX420 is a powerful digital camera at the top of the list for digital cameras under $300 that still offers an array of fantastic features.

This camera offers an optical zoom capacity of up to 42 times. It comes with a 20.0MP 1.2.3” CDD image sensor and a DIGIC 4+ image processor. All videos are recorded in HD mode with a resolution of 720p at 25 fps. What’s more, is that this product is designed with an intelligent IS Image Stabilization system that minimizes the effect of hand movement when recording.

The SX420 has built-in Wi-Fi making it very easy to share photos. The device can be synced to a phone or laptop, and all images and videos can be transferred without the hassle of wires. This is a handy tool and saves a lot of time when transferring data.

Get even more info about the design and how the camera functions in our Canon PowerShot SX420 review.

5. Canon PowerShot SX620 HS (Best LCD Screen)

Canon PowerShot SX620 HS Deals

Another Canon camera hitting the list of cameras under $300 The PowerShot SX620 is a device worth betting on. It has a one-year warranty from Canon and is guaranteed to last many years if taken care of. This device has a 20.2MP camera with a ½.3” CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image sensory. Its LCD is three inches wide with a 922k-dot monitor and an electronic viewfinder.

For videos, this camera shoots at 1080p at 30 fps. Its image stabilization system helps achieve the ideal shot. The device weighs three pounds, which is average for a camera of its size. It is not too heavy and is easily portable.

This device comes with a kit that includes an adapter, an additional battery (Li-Ion), and a cleaning kit.

Head on over to our full Canon PowerShot SX620 HS review to find out more about how this camera performs.

6. Fujifilm FinePix S4800 (Best Fujifilm Camera Under $300)

Fujifilm FinePix S4800 Deals

Fujifilm is an age-old company that makes some of the most excellent cameras in the world. Its products sell very well with an international scope, and it is easy to see why. The Fujifilm FinePix S4800 has a three-inch wide TFT color LCD monitor. It boasts an impressive range of 16 million effective pixels and a 2.3 inch CCD image sensor with a primary color filter.

The lens offers a maximum of 30 times optical zoom capacity and a 7.2 times digital zoom. The focal length is f/4.33mm-129mm. this device’s full aperture details are f/3.1 / f/8 (wide), f/5.9 / f/20 (telephoto).

For video making, an impressive 1280x720p resolution is present with 30fps. A variety of shooting modes are offered and they can be altered to best suit the lighting and environment.

Nikon COOLPIX B500 Deals

Nikon is another spectacular company that has been manufacturing cameras for decades. Products from this brand can be trusted and are known for their quality and durability standards.

The COOLPIX B500 has a 16MP camera resolution with a 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS sensor. It also has a NIKKOR f/3/0–6/5 ED lens that offers a zooming capacity of up to 40 times the original image size via an optical zoom lens. With dynamic zoom, it can go up to 80 times!

With Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity options, transferring data to and from this camera is very convenient. There is no need for old wires and cables anymore to share photos and videos on your laptop or phone.

In terms of video recording, the B500 has a 1080p resolution at 30 fps, which is very good for a camera under $300. Also, all videos are recorded in HD and yield a great result.

Read the full Nikon COOLPIX B500 review to learn more and see if this camera is for you.

Bottom Line on Digital Cameras Under $300

Investing in a good digital camera is essential if you want to get post-worthy pictures. All the cameras discussed above are of excellent quality and give you a real bang for your buck. They all have additional memory cards. Hence there is no practical limit to the number of pictures and videos that can be stored in them.

All of these options of digital cameras under $300 are great for people on a budget, like students or people who do not pursue photography as a full-time job. These cameras provide abundance in terms of quality and will suffice for anyone who has a passion and calling for photography. They are also suitable for videographers as most of them offer an image stability mode that helps reduce noise while recording without a tripod.

All in all, these are some great digital cameras under $300. You must choose one that fits your personal needs so you can get the most out of your photography experience!