What are the best cameras under $200 in 2026? Budget cameras that take great photos

The best cameras under $200 / £200 are generally found on the second-hand market. While decent new cameras at this price point do exist, and we’ve seen a couple arrive recently, they are few and far between. So, if you are on a budget, and want a level of quality that’s an upgrade from your smartphone, or a camera that gives you more control, as well as lens options, second-hand is the way to go. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the sub $200 cameras that are right for you.

Look at any second-hand camera site and you’ll find a fair few cameras under $200, but not all of them will be worth buying. So, how do you decide which ones are worth buying? That’s where we come in – drawing on our experience of testing and reviewing all the major camera releases over the years, we’ve identified the ones that are still worth $200. By buying used, you can still get a great camera from a big brand, including Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic and others.

I’ve picked this amount because we think it’s the least you can spend on a camera that’s actually worth buying, but be aware, there are some compromises, for example you won’t find any of these models with 4K video, and will need to spend more. For those with higher budgets, we also have guides to the best cameras under $300 / £300 and the best cameras under $500 / £500.

For useful tips on where to buy and what to look out for when buying a used camera, go to the end of this article.

Best cameras under $200 / £200: the quick list

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