10 Best Nikon Photography Cameras for Every Budget

Top-rated Nikon cameras for beginner and professional photographers.

Similarly to the models released by Canon Co., Nikon photography cameras deliver flawless performance and allow capturing high-quality pictures. They are used by novices and professionals alike. Nikon Co. released a variety of models for different purposes. Due to this, it might be challenging to select the best Nikon photography camera unless you understand what features you need. These cameras stand out for high image quality, an impressive range of settings, and affordable prices.

Read this article if you want to select the most suitable model without watching tons of YouTube reviews. The models listed below cost from 300 dollars. They support the excellent resolution and are fitted with top-level AF systems.

On this list, you will find easy-to-use Nikon photography cameras with impressive AF capabilities as well as high-end cameras fitted with a full-frame sensor. Using them, you can take high-clarity photos with impressive resolution.

Type: DSLR | Resolution: 24.2MP | Video: HD | ISO: 100 – 25,600 | Weight: 0.86 pounds

In case you have little to no experience, the Nikon D3500 is a perfect option to consider. This model is suitable for beginner photographers as it has the guide mode that helps novices acquire the necessary skills. The camera supports high-precision focusing and has 5 fps continuous shooting speed, which allows you to use it for capturing moving objects. Using this camera, you can capture 60p HD video.

Another selling point of this new Nikon camera is its 1,550-shot battery, which allows you to use it for long hours. Impressive battery capacity makes this model better than its competitors. Whether you want to test out a DSLR camera or are looking for a compact and affordable model for your trips, the Nikon D3500 is a great camera to buy. In addition, it’s compatible with a wide range of Nikon lenses.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR. This is a standard high-aperture lens for everyday shooting.

Type: DSLR | Resolution: 45.7MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 64 - 102,400 | Weight: 2.02 pounds

If you do not pay attention to the price, this photography camera is a real success. Focusing through the viewfinder is fast because it has the focus module of Nikon D5. It is also a great choice for sports, as it allows you to shoot even serious events and keep moving objects in focus. The reportage potential of the camera is complemented by continuous shooting with up to 7 frames per second.

The new 45-megapixel back-illuminated matrix provides not only an amazing level of detail but also a low noise level at high ISO. Due to its advanced features, you can easily capture high-quality photos. The camera is also perfectly suitable for taking photos at 4K UHD.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. This lens allows you to capture a well-structured bokeh. With it, you can take photos of the highest clarity.

Type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 24MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 1.3 pounds

The Nikon Z5 has a compact, fully weather-sealed body. It won’t slip out of your hands even when they are sweaty. This Nikon digital camera boasts 273-point AF, which ensures high clarity across the frame. It supports eye and animal detection, which makes it even more convenient to use.

This mirrorless camera stands out for its 4.5fps max burst rate. However, the previous version had more impressive capabilities. It is hardly suitable for those who specialize in wildlife or sports. However, despite some minor shortcomings, it allows you to record 4K UHD footage.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S. It allows you to capture pictures with a mesmerizing bokeh effect even at short focal distances.

Type: DSLR | Resolution: 20.9MP | Video: Full HD | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 1.68 pounds

Nikon D7500, which release is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the manufacturer, is well assembled, comfortable to use, and allows you to focus on the shooting. The camera demonstrates sufficient speed and accuracy of autofocus, and it allows you to shoot at high speed – up to 8 frames per second. High ISO tolerance is satisfactory. The photosensitivity up to ISO 164,000 makes it impossible to get an acceptable image.

Its sensor perfectly reproduces colors and halftones, and the electronics in most cases successfully cope with setting the white balance automatically. The wide dynamic range makes it possible to get stable results when shooting scenes with large differences in brightness.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G. The quick aperture will help you create a wonderful and natural bokeh effect, and its Nano Crystal Coat will remove unnecessary flares.

Type: DSLR | Resolution: 20.8MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100 – 102,400 | Weight: 2.8 pounds

Besides being a great camera for sports, this model is used by wildlife photographers and professionals who need to take photos in severe weather conditions. It is also popular among reportage photographers. The camera has a compact body resistant to the elements. What makes it the best Nikon camera for photography is its long battery life. Due to its impressive battery capacity, you can use it for hours. The 20MP sensor allows you to take superb photos in low-light situations.

When it comes to shooting video footage, this model might look more basic than some of its competitors. It supports shooting in 4K UHD, while other similar models allow you to shoot high-resolution videos at 4K CINE. Its contrast-detection AF delivers poor performance if you compare it to phase-detection focus systems.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED. Using this lens, you will easily capture professional-quality photos of birds, wildlife, moving objects, landmarks, etc.

Type: DSLR | Resolution: 24.5MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 1.57 pounds

The Nikon D780 is a full-frame camera that caters to the needs of seasoned photographers. This model is suitable for professionals working in different genres. It is an upgraded version of the Nikon D750. The camera features a large sensor and up to 204,800 ISO. Another advantage of this model is the excellent image quality achieved due to the high resolution and impressive dynamic range.

Featuring a 51-point AF system, it delivers great performance even if you take photos in poor light conditions. When using its Live View mode, you can take photos at 7fps—12fps. Besides an impressive continuous shooting speed, it supports 60p video shooting, which allows you to use it for creating HD content. However, this model can hardly be considered the best option for videographers.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED. Nano Crystal Coat minimizes ghosting and flare, which allows you to take crisp and clear photos with a high level of detail.

Type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 20.9MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 1.48 pounds

In case you want to become a vlogger, take a closer look at the Nikon Z30 camera as it has everything that a novice user might ever need. It is fitted with loads of handy features, including a front-facing display and high-precision AF. Using it, you can shoot 4K footage with high-quality audio. Due to its well-thought-out design, it’s quite convenient to use and has multiple connectivity options.

Fitted with a small kit lens, this new Nikon camera looks somewhat similar to point-and-shoot models despite its larger size. It weighs 12.4 ounces and is 2.4 inches deep, which means that it won’t take up a lot of space in your bag. You can use it as a replacement for more expensive point-and-shoot cameras. It will come in handy to budget-conscious videographers and photographers who enjoy taking photos during their trips.

Recommended camera lens: NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. With it, you can take photos from both wide and regular angles. Whether you want to take landscape photos or capture urban spaces, you will enjoy using this lens as it boasts 4.5 stops of vibration reduction.

Type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 20.9MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 2.38 pounds

Nikon Z fc is a new mirrorless camera with a DX APS-C sensor. It is different from other models released by this brand and cameras produced by other manufacturers. It has an attention-grabbing retro design and convenient controls. This model looks like film Nikon cameras that were popular in the 70s. It’s the only mirrorless Nikon camera with a flip-out screen that has a vari-angle design. However, to give this camera a retro look, manufacturers had to remove the handle on the sight ride and get rid of in-built flash.

This camera supports high-speed burst shooting more (11 fps) as well as quick and precise AF. It allows you to get 21MP images of the highest quality. Another its advantage is that this model is compact and lightweight. It comes at a budget price, which makes it suitable for beginners and professional photographers alike. You can use it to adjust the setting manually.

Recommended camera lens: Nikon Nikkor Z 28mm F2.8. Featuring an f/2.8 aperture, this 28mm lens (42mm equivalent if you use it with Nikon DX format cameras) allows you to capture detailed images at the standard focal length.

Type: Bridge | Resolution: 16MP | Video: 4K | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 0.81 pounds

Just like the P900, this camera stands out for its 83x optical zoom. Thanks to the 35mm equivalent focal length ranging from 24 to 2000mm, you can use it to shoot everything you want, from group photos to pictures of Lunar craters.

Dynamic Fine Zoom technology from Nikon extends this range to an impressive 166x. However, the image quality might worsen if you zoom in. The lens supports Nikon Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction, which allows you to get clear images even when shooting with a long focal length.

Type: Bridge | Resolution: 16MP | Video: Full HD | ISO: 100-51,200 | Weight: 1.19 pounds

Nikon Coolpix B500 is a convenient camera fitted with a telephoto NIKKOR glass lens. It allows you to record Full HD footage at 1080p and create a well-balanced composition in the frame using its flip-up LCD. With it, you can easily capture mesmerizing still images and videos in different lighting conditions thanks to its 16 MP low-light sensor. It supports Lens-Shift Vibration Reduction (VR) and has a well-thought-out menu layout. You can adjust its settings as you see fit. This Nikon digital camera has loads of beautiful effects and handy automated features.

You will appreciate the fact that the Coolpix B500 can be securely connected to your smartphone. It supports Bluetooth low energy technology, which makes it easier for you to share photos and control your camera remotely using compatible devices or the Snap app.

If you want to purchase the best Nikon photography camera, keep in mind that there are many models released by this manufacturer. Thanks to it, you can easily select an option that suits your needs best. To select a perfect option, you need to take into account several things.

The matrix is the heart of your camera and the main criterion for choosing your gear. Whether it is a full frame, crop or micro 4/3 (keep in mind that there is no Nikon camera with such a matrix), each matrix size has a worthy representative. If the full frame gives you excellent sharpness and image depth, the crop will be much more convenient for you to choose suitable lenses and it will give you better stabilization.

Do not chase the highest megapixel camera. It will be useful only if you need to publish your photos in magazines, use them for posters, or if you want to print them in a very large format. Moreover, now almost every camera has enough megapixels.

If you are going to frequently take photos in low-light conditions (for example, at dusk), choose a camera with the highest possible ISO values. Depending on the specific model of the device, the sensitivity can vary in the range from 50 to 25,600 units. High sensitivity values make it possible to take a clear picture at dusk or even at night, but in this case, you will inevitably get small image defects.

The biggest mistake those who buy a camera can make is to choose the most expensive body, and spend the rest of the money on some inexpensive lens. This is the wrong decision! If you want to get great high-quality images, you need to use a really good Nikon lens that can cost even more than your camera. The average price of a Nikon camera for personal use is about $1,000.

It is recommended to purchase a camera with manually adjustable settings (aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and matrix sensitivity). It will open unlimited shooting possibilities.

People used to think that the larger and heavier a camera is, the better it works. Now camera manufacturers have disproved this fact. More and more mirrorless cameras appear on the market. Most of them are powerful SLR cameras, but such models are much more expensive.

This allows minimizing camera shake. Some cameras have in-built image stabilization elements (IBIS), while others feature lenses with image stabilization. For instance, Canon lenses stand out for perfect image stabilization. Such cameras and lenses will come in handy for those who often need to shoot in poor light.

Using a modern digital camera, you can easily shoot a video. In case you need to shoot a long video, it’s better to select a model that allows you to capture high-quality footage. If you want to shoot clips, you won’t have any issues using any camera that was released during the last 5 years.

Before you buy a camera, even on the web, visit the photo equipment store where you can see the model you need and hold it in hand. Sometimes even the best camera by Nikon with all the suitable characteristics can be very unpleasant in your hands.