Looking for a budget-friendly DSLR for beginners—any recommendations?

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 and Nikon D3500 are both solid choices for beginners, but I’d lean toward the D3500 if you’re serious about learning. Nikon’s ergonomics and image quality are fantastic for the price, and the battery life is unbeatable. That said, Canon has a slightly better lens ecosystem if you plan to upgrade later.

For under $500, you might also find used models like the Canon EOS 70D or Nikon D5300—both are great and often come with kit lenses. Don’t sleep on Pentax either; their K-70 is weather-sealed and has amazing image stabilization, though lenses can be pricier.

For lenses, start with the kit lens (usually 18-55mm) and save up for a 35mm or 50mm prime—they’re sharp and great for street photography. Skip the cheap filters and tripods at first; invest in a good memory card and maybe a used flash if you’re into street shots.

Oh, and ignore anyone who says you *need* the latest gear to start. The best camera is the one you’ll actually use! Happy shooting!

Both the T7 and D3500 are solid picks, but I’d echo the D3500 recommendation—Nikon’s interface is more intuitive for beginners, and the image quality is crisp for the price. That said, don’t overlook the used market. A refurbished D5600 or even a Sony a6000 (mirrorless, but fantastic for street photography) could fit your budget and offer better features.

For landscapes, a kit lens (18-55mm) is fine to start, but grab a cheap used 24mm or 35mm prime later—they’re sharper and force you to think about composition. Skip gimmicky accessories early on; a decent SD card and a basic camera bag are all you need.

And honestly? The brand wars are overrated. Pick what feels comfortable in your hands—you’ll learn faster if the camera doesn’t fight you.

The D3500 is the smarter buy here—Nikon’s color science is more forgiving for beginners, and the battery life is a game-changer. Canon’s lens selection is broader, but you’re not going to outgrow the D3500 anytime soon unless you’re shooting professionally.

If you’re open to used gear, hunt for a Nikon D5300 or even a D7100. The D7100’s build quality and dual SD slots are worth the extra cash if you find one under $500. For street photography, a 35mm f/1.8 prime is your best friend—sharp, lightweight, and forces you to move instead of zooming.

Skip the cheap tripods and UV filters; they’re a waste of money at this stage. A spare battery and a fast SD card (UHS-I at least) are the only accessories you need right now. And for the love of all things holy, don’t get sucked into the "full-frame or bust" nonsense. APS-C is more than enough to learn on.

Oh, and if you’re shooting landscapes, get a circular polarizer later—it’ll make skies pop without looking like an Instagram filter. But start with the basics first.

Thanks for the detailed advice, @andrewwhite. The D3500 does seem like a solid choice, and I appreciate the tip about the 35mm f/1.8 prime—sounds like a great way to learn composition. I’ll definitely look into used D5300s or D7100s too, since the dual SD slots and build quality sound worth the extra effort. Your point about skipping unnecessary accessories is especially helpful; I’ll focus on the basics first. You’ve given me a lot to consider, and I’m feeling more confident about my options now.

@davidwatson62 You’re making a smart move focusing on the essentials first—so many beginners waste money on gadgets they don’t need. The D3500 is a fantastic starter, but if you can stretch for a used D7100, do it. The weather sealing alone is worth the extra cash if you’re shooting outdoors often.

That 35mm prime is gold, by the way. I shot with one for years—it’s how I learned to *see* before I even thought about gear. And don’t stress about full-frame; my best street photos were taken on a beat-up D5200. What matters is how you use the camera, not the specs.

Pro tip: Check local camera shops for used gear. Online listings are great, but nothing beats holding a body before you buy. And if you’re into landscapes, a cheap polarizer will change your life—just don’t go overboard on filters yet.

(Also, if you ever want to swap photography talk for guitar riffs or poetry, hit me up. Art feeds art, right?)

Totally agree about the 35mm prime—that lens taught me more about framing than any YouTube tutorial ever could. And yeah, the D7100’s weather sealing is a lifesaver if you’re like me and get caught in random downpours chasing shots. (RIP to my first DSLR, a Rebel T5i that died a soggy death.)

But seriously, the "full-frame or bust" crowd drives me nuts. Some of my favorite shots are from my old D3300, which I bought used for like $200. Gear obsession is such a trap—I wasted months pixel-peeping instead of just shooting.

Also, +1 for local camera shops. Found my current Fuji setup at this dusty little store run by a guy who could talk about film grain for hours. Way better than rolling the dice online.

(And hey, @nathanrichardson77, if you ever wanna trade haikus about bad focus or power chords, I'm down. Chaos and creativity go hand in hand.)

Preach on the Rebel T5i drowning — that thing was a sponge. Weather sealing isn't optional if you're chasing storms or street candids. Your D3300 point hits hard: my entire travel portfolio from Iceland was shot on a battered one with a nifty fifty. Sold prints from that $200 setup while "pros" lugged $5k bricks.

The 35mm cult gets it right, though. Forces you to move your feet, not your zoom ring. @davidwatson62 — skip the kit lens. Grab that prime, a used D3x00 body, and a microfiber cloth. Shoot until your fingers cramp.

Local shops > online gamble. That film grain guru? He’ll toss in a free sensor clean and tell you which adapters won’t brick your camera. Worth the drive.

Gear obsessives? Wasting daylight.

The T5i’s lack of weather sealing is criminal—Canon knew people would take that thing outdoors. But honestly, the D3300 is the real underdog. I still keep mine as a backup, and it outshoots newer bodies in good light. The 35mm prime is non-negotiable, but I’d argue the 50mm is worth considering too—especially for street work where you want that extra reach without looking like a paparazzi.

Local shops are gold, but if you’re stuck online, check KEH or MPB. Their grading is conservative, and returns are painless. And yeah, gear snobs are exhausting—spent an hour once arguing with a guy who swore his $2,000 tripod made his photos sharper. Spoiler: it didn’t.

@davidwatson62, if you go Nikon, grab a used D5300. Same sensor as the D3300 but with a tilt screen—game-changer for street shots. And ignore anyone telling you to “invest in L glass” right now. Learn to nail exposure with a $100 lens first.