Best cheap DSLR and mirrorless cameras for 2021

If you're looking to take wall-worthy photos and record high-definition video, you need to get your hands on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. However, some of these can cost thousands of pounds, and you'll need to find a balance between quality and affordability if you're shopping on a budget.
Fortunately, we've done the research to help you find quality cameras at low prices. We've uncovered bargains and great-value models through our lab testing, and we've handpicked our top DSLR and mirrorless cameras available for less than £500 in the tables below.
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Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of August 2020.
Not found the right DSLR for you? Browse all our DSLR camera reviews.
Pricing, recommendations and test scores correct as of August 2020.
Happy to spend more than £500 to get an even more exceptional mirrorless camera? Browse all our mirrorless camera reviews.
Should you buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera?
If you're looking to take a step up from a basic compact camera to develop your photography skills, you may be unsure whether to opt for a DSLR or a mirrorless camera.
In most ways that matter, particularly to an amateur photographer, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are very similar, with interchangeable lenses, large sensors, and a range of manual options for advanced photography. We've found good budget cameras of both types.
Your best bet is probably to find the camera you're most interested in on its own merits. We test all DSLRs and mirrorless cameras according to the same test programme, so they're all directly comparable.
Key differences between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras
There are a few key differences that might nudge you in one direction or the other. We've highlighted some of the main ones, below.
Viewfinders
DSLR cameras have optical viewfinders. With optical viewfinders, you view the scene via reflex mirrors inside the cameras that bounce light up into the viewfinder. You'll see exactly what will be captured in the final photo. Many also display this image on a preview screen.
Mirrorless cameras, as the name suggests, do away with the mirrors and instead rely on the camera's image sensors to show a digital preview of the image on a preview screen. Most, though not all, also allow you to view this preview through an electronic viewfinder, which may be easier to use if bright light makes the screen hard to see.
The preview will typically be very accurate, and mirrorless technology is improving all the time, but in conditions where the camera sensors have to work harder (in low light conditions for example), the preview may not quite match what will appear in the final photo.
Size and weight
Mirrorless cameras are usually smaller and lighter than DSLRs, which is in part the result of doing away with space-consuming mirrors.
Range of accessories
Each type of camera will have a library of lenses and accessories that are only available for that type. Because DSLRs have been around for a lot longer, they usually come with more choice of accessories, but there is significant investment in mirrorless lenses and this gap is narrowing.
If you're still undecided about which type of camera to choose, check out our detailed guide on mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: what's the difference?

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