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Updated: Nov 24, 2024
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$1500 or the equivalent in your local currency is a lot to spend on a camera, especially when you’re just starting out. However, if you can spare the funds, it’s the price bracket where cameras start to get really good. You can expect powerful but easy-to-use autofocus systems, cameras that make it easier than ever to learn the craft of photography, and even some more advanced and capable options.
The biggest decision will likely be whether to go with a full-frame camera – a name that comes from their sensors being the same size as a frame of 35mm film – or a camera with a smaller APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor. Full-frame cameras have the highest potential image quality, but to get the most out of them, you’ll have to buy full-frame lenses, which tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive than similar APS-C lenses covering the same range.
Essentially, choosing a sensor size comes with trade-offs between size, price, and image quality, as well as features. If you spend $1,500 on a full-frame camera, you’ll be getting one of the most stripped-down models, whereas a similarly-priced APS-C camera will be packed to the gills with features and capabilities.
After extensive use, the following cameras would be our picks in this price range:
Our picks:
Best camera for under $1500: Canon EOS R8
24 MP full-frame CMOS sensor | 4K/60p 10-bit video recording | 8 fps burst shooting
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The EOS R8 is one of the most affordable ways to gain the image quality benefits of a full-frame sensor. Lens availability is a concern, but it’s a capable and enjoyable camera to use. Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Great image quality
- Very good AF subject detection and tracking
- Good starting price
What we don’t:
- No in-body image stabilization
- Short battery life
- No AF joystick
The Canon EOS R8 is a surprisingly capable compact full-frame mirrorless camera that has the features and image quality of Canon’s EOS R6 II at a much lower price.
The EOS R8 has a comfortable grip and twin dials, giving a good level of direct control. There aren’t many buttons so more committed users may want to move up to the EOS R6 II, rather than rely on the quick menu for changing settings.
Autofocus is the R8’s strong suit: tracking and subject detection are simple to use and very effective. There’s no AF joystick, so you’ll have to use the touchscreen or select a subject and recompose. Battery life is very limited for an entry-level full-frame camera, though it can charge over USB, at least.
“If you’re partial to Canon and are new to full-frame mirrorless, the EOS R8 is a great place to start your photographic journey.”
The R8 shoots attractive video, including 4K footage at up to 60p. The lack of in-body stabilization means you’ll need a stabilized lens or a tripod to get the best results.
Photos are on par with more expensive full-frame cameras, with great high ISO performance, detail-preserving noise reduction, and Canon’s pleasing JPEG colors. The 40 fps burst mode is prone to rolling shutter distortion, reducing its usefulness for capturing action.
The EOS R8 offers the image quality and many of the features of Canon’s more expensive models but battery life, viewfinder resolution and lack of sensor stabilization are part of the price you pay for that. The RF mount is still fairly new so it’s worth researching your lens options before buying, but an adapter allows the use of EF DSLR lenses if you have them.
Read our full review of the Canon EOS R8
See the Canon EOS R8 studio scene
Enjoyable to shoot with: Nikon Z5
24MP full-frame sensor | In-body image stabilization | 4K/30p video
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The Nikon Z5’s view and autofocus aren’t as good as those of the Canon EOS R8 but it can be nicer to use in some regards, not least thanks to its larger battery and high-res viewfinder. Photo: Dan Bracaglia |
What we like:
- Excellent image quality
- Superb build quality
- Effective image stabilization
What we don’t:
- 4K video has heavy crop
- Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction
- Noticeable rolling shutter
We also really liked the Nikon Z5, which sells for around the same price as the Canon.
The Nikon Z5 is among the most affordable entry-level full-frame cameras ever released. It sports a stabilized 24MP CMOS chip with on-sensor phase detect AF, packed inside a robust, best-in-class body.
“The Z5 is good for anyone seeking a well-priced, stills-oriented full-frame mirrorless camera”
Its autofocus isn’t quite as reliable as the R8’s and its video is nowhere near as good, but if anything we find it a slightly more enjoyable camera to actually use and it offers in-body image stabilization, which the Canon lacks. It has a higher resolution viewfinder and a joystick for positioning its autofocus point, which makes a surprisingly big difference to usability. It also offers significantly better battery life than the Canon, which is another nice-to-have feature.
Other full-frame cameras we considered
The Nikon Z6 II is essentially a slightly upgraded Z5. It’s priced just outside the scope of this article but will almost certainly go on sale for around $1500 or less throughout the year. If you’re serious about video the EOS R8 is still the better pick, but if you just want to shoot uncropped 4K/30p occasionally, the Z6 II may be worth considering.
We also considered the Sony a7c, which is still available at seemingly tempting prices. However, it’s a little hard to recommend in 2024; it’s essentially a smaller and less-expensive a7 III, which means it also has less sophisticated autofocus, video and image stabilization, as well as an outdated menu design. While some of the other cameras in this list have similar downsides, the a7c also has no front control dial – a feature Sony added to the a7c II – and, most significantly, a very small, low-resolution viewfinder.
Most versatile option: Sony a6700
26MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video capture | Fully articulating screen
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The Sony a6700 combines all-round stills and video capabilities with class-leading autofocus. The standard 16-50mm kit zoom’s not great, though. Photo: Richard Butler |
What we like:
- Front and rear command dials
- Excellent AF in stills and video
- 4K/120p capture (with crop)
What we don’t:
- No AF joystick
- JPEG sharpening can be aggressive
The Sony a6700 is an enthusiast-level APS-C mirrorless camera built around an image-stabilized, 26MP BSI CMOS sensor. It includes an impressive collection of features for both photo and video shooters.
The a6700 has a thumb-and-forefinger dial interface missing from Sony’s less expensive models. It’s just slightly larger than previous models in the line, but in exchange, you also get a fully articulating display. However, it lacks the AF joystick found on many cameras in its class.
Autofocus on the a6700 offers class-leading subject detection and tracking capabilities. Combined with a dedicated ‘AI’ processor, it effectively tracks subjects around the frame even when shooting at the maximum 11 fps burst shooting rate.
“Excellent photo and video quality with best-in-class AF in stills and video make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts.”
Image quality is very good in JPEG or Raw. JPEG colors are pleasing to the eye, though sharpening can be a bit aggressive. Base ISO noise levels are consistent with other modern APS-C models but in low light it exhibits a little more noise.
The camera produces very detailed 4K video up to 60p with 10-bit color, with good rolling shutter performance. There’s also a 4K/120p mode, albeit with a 1.58x crop. Autofocus performance is top-notch, with a well-designed touch interface. It’s a strong option both for videographers and vloggers.
Excellent photo and video quality, best-in-class AF in stills and video, and a deep set of features to support both make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts. Sony’s E-mount also includes a good range of available lenses.
Read our full Sony a6700 review
See the Sony a6700 studio scene
Other APS-C cameras worth considering
Fujifilm’s X-T50 is a good choice for beginner photographers thanks to its easily accessible auto mode, well-rounded specifications, and film simulation dial to encourage you to experiment with the look and feel of your images. It’s also available with Fujifilm’s 16-50mm F2.8-4.8 kit lens, which is much more capable than the typical kit lens and is compatible with the rest of the robust X-mount lens ecosystem. However, its autofocus tracking performance isn’t as strong as Sony’s or Canon’s.
The Canon EOS R7 is also an excellent option, providing a high-resolution sensor, great autofocus, and the ability to shoot at up to 15fps. Sigma has also recently started making APS-C lenses for RF mount, giving those who want to go beyond the kit lens more options, though there’s still no particularly great telephoto option for sports and wildlife photographers.
The affordable kit: OM System OM-5
20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor | 4K/30p video | In-body stabilization rated to 6.5EV (7.5 with some lenses)
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The OM-5 offers a smaller, more rugged alternative to APS-C or full-frame cameras. Photo: Brendan Nystedt |
Even smaller than APS-C are Four Thirds sensors. The Micro Four Thirds system uses a sensor one quarter the size of that in ‘full-frame,’ which means there’ll be an appreciable image quality hit in many situations and it’ll be harder to achieve the blurry backgrounds that full-frame can give. The flipside, though is a significantly smaller system for which some of the lenses are much less expensive.
What we like:
- Attractive JPEG output
- Selection of clever photo features
- Excellent image stabilization
- IP53 rating supports claims of weather sealing
What we don’t:
- AF tracking is disappointing
- Image quality is behind larger sensor cameras
The OM System OM-5 is a compact 20MP image-stabilized Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. And while most cameras in this list are $1500 on their own, you can easily get the OM-5 and a lens while still staying within that budget.
The OM-5 has a compact body but a decent number of control points and offers a high degree of customization. Its menu system is quite cluttered by the camera’s extensive array of features. Viewfinder and rear screen are typical for the price.
It has good phase-detect autofocus with face detection, but tracking for other subjects is distinctly unreliable. Using a single point or zone of focus and trying to keep up with the subject yields best results, but is somewhat awkward due to the lack of an AF joystick.
“Its combination of IP-rated weather sealing, image stabilization and compact size helps the OM-5 offer something different”
Image quality is good for its sensor size, with attractive JPEGs and flexible Raw files. A 12-shot handheld high-res mode lets it punch above its weight if your scene has relatively little movement. Excellent image stabilization expands the camera’s working range, and unique features like Live ND mean you rarely need a tripod.
The OM-5’s 4K video isn’t the most detailed, but this is made up for by some of the best image stabilization on the market, making the OM-5 a competent hand-held video option. Video AF tracks faces and people decently, but can struggle with other kinds of subjects.
The OM-5 offers strong all-round capability with excellent image stabilization in a compact IP53-rated weather-sealed body and access to one of the largest mirrorless camera lens systems.
Read our OM System OM-5 review
See the OM System OM-5 studio scene
Why you should trust us
This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview’s editorial team. We don’t select a camera until we’ve used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
Our DPREVIEW Tribute:
After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview closed on 10 April 2023. This difficult decision was part of the annual operating plan review that parent company, Amazon, shared earlier this year.
Over the course of 25 years, DP Review built up a reputation as being one of the most informative places to go for information about that new camera or lens you’re after. DP Review began as an independent reviews site based in the UK in 1998, the brainchild of Philip and Joanna Askey, but it was eventually purchased by Amazon in 2007 and relocated over to Seattle in the USA in 2010.
Cheers DPReview – thanks for the great work and content that guided photographers, videographers and techno junkies the world over!
