Best DSLR under 550$

[S1L3nT]

Hi, I want to buy a DSLR camera under 550$ (Cheaper is better) Main action: shooting on daily basis, excursion, trips etc. Also is it better to buy non-dslr ? and why dslr and why not.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

If cheaper is better for you just get a point and shoot camera. If you however truly want to take good photographs pick up a used Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i.

[coen113]

dslr is for much better photo's, specifically in lower light conditions.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

dslr is for much better photo's, specifically in lower light conditions.

 

Not always true.

[coen113]

Not always true.

it is most of the time, can you think of a case in which not?

[target39]

I've seen refurbished Nikon D7000 bodies go on ebay for about $500-600.

[Blade of Grass]

Not always true.

Not always, but 99.9% of the time it is true. There isn't really any point and shoot that can compare quality wise to something like a D5200 or D3200 (and if they are, they're most likely mirrorless, not point and shoots).

 

OP: If you want new, I'd say go the D3200/D5200/D90 or T3i/T4i route. Start off with the kit lens, and then when you advance your skills you can get more lenses. If you get a point and shoot you're locked to it unless you want to completely upgrade, unlike with a DSLR.

 

Now, if you want to go used, I'd say look for the same camera bodies, and add in an extra lens (50mm F/1.8 or 35mm F/1.8), or if you're more likely to shoot things that are farther away, look at a telephoto (55-200mm).

[Puppet]

Any particular type of photography you are interested in?

 

I always advise to look up the lens lineup and choose your body based on the available lenses.

[Silvercall]

You also have to cinsider if size matters to you.  DSLRs can be quite large while micro 4/3 cameras can be a lot smaller and lighter.  Plus, I highly doubt that many casual shooters can tell the difference between a photo shot with a APS-C sensor and one shot with a micro 4/3 camera. 

[ObeseWalrus]

Get a proper point and shoot instead, smaller and can still have an amazing picture quality

[chromeboy42]

You also have to cinsider if size matters to you.  DSLRs can be quite large while micro 4/3 cameras can be a lot smaller and lighter.  Plus, I highly doubt that many casual shooters can tell the difference between a photo shot with a APS-C sensor and one shot with a micro 4/3 camera. 

Panasonic GH2 is micro 4/3 and it is a DSLR. What you are calling "micro 4/3 cameras" are mirrorless.

[Silvercall]

DSLR does not equal "mirrorless".  (D)SLR stands for "Single Lens Reflex" which typlically use a mirror and prisim system.  By removing the mirror (hence "mirrorless") the camera no longer needs the prisim and is now known as a "mirrorless" or M43 camera.

 

M43 can be much smaller than (D)SLR but they can also be quuite hefty too.  The new Sony A7 & A7r can get quite big when the full frame lenses are attached.