Cameras under $1,200

All cameras

8 cameras under $1,200 from Nikon, Sony, Canon and more. Most cost $1,150 to $1,198, and half cost less than $1,198.

Top brands: Sony (5)

SonySpec score 8.1

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, 4K

+APS-C sensor for a balance of size and image quality

+4K video recording up to 60fps

+20 to 29 MP resolution for detailed stills

−Body only, so a lens must be bought separately

$1,198.00

as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - Details

Sony

Mirrorless, APS-C, With lens, Sony E

+Mirrorless design in a compact APS-C body

+Sony E mount works with a wide range of lenses

+Comes with a 16-50 mm power zoom lens

−Lens kit covers only the 16-50 mm focal range

$1,198.00

as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details

Nikon

DSLR, APS-C, With lens

+APS-C sensor for sharper images than compact cameras

+Includes 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for wide zoom range

+DSLR design with interchangeable lenses

−Kit lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 to f/5.6

$1,112.17

as of 11/04/2026 16:40 PST - Details

Nikon

Mirrorless, APS-C, Nikon Z

+Uses the Nikon Z mount for a wide lens range

+APS-C sensor for a compact, lighter body than full-frame

+Mirrorless design for electronic viewfinder and quick previews

−APS-C sensor gives less low-light room than full-frame

−Bundle lacks a lens, so one must be added separately

$1,169.95

as of 11/04/2026 00:26 PST - Details

Sony

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, Sony E

+APS-C sensor in a compact mirrorless body

+20 to 29 MP resolution range

+Sony E mount with a wide lens selection

−Body only, so a lens must be bought separately

$1,198.00

as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details

SonySpec score 8.1

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, 4K

+4K video recording capability

+20 to 29 MP sensor for detailed photos

+Comes with a 16-50mm lens and a battery

−Mirrorless design typically has a shorter battery life than DSLRs

$1,198.00

as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details

SonySpec score 8.1

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, 4K

+APS-C sensor with 24.2MP resolution

+Records 4K video at 30p

+Mirrorless design with Sony E lens mount

$1,198.00

as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details

CanonSpec score 8.1

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, 4K

+4K: only 1 of 8 here have a higher video

+20 to 29 MP: only 1 of 7 here have a higher resolution

$1,149.95

as of 11/04/2026 14:40 PST - Details

Compare specs

Camera type	Lens	Lens mount	Spec score	Price
Mirrorless	Body only	Sony E	8.1	$1,198.00 as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - Details
Mirrorless	With lens	Sony E	n/a	$1,198.00 as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details
DSLR	With lens		n/a	$1,112.17 as of 11/04/2026 16:40 PST - Details
Mirrorless		Nikon Z	n/a	$1,169.95 as of 11/04/2026 00:26 PST - Details
Mirrorless		Sony E	n/a	$1,198.00 as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details
Mirrorless	With lens	Sony E	8.1	$1,198.00 as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details
Mirrorless	With lens	Sony E	8.1	$1,198.00 as of 11/04/2026 04:36 PST - Details
Mirrorless	With lens	Canon RF	8.1	$1,149.95 as of 11/04/2026 14:40 PST - Details

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Spec scores, pros and cons, and prices are explained in the How it works section of the About page.

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