The best cheap Nikon camera deals right now

best cheap Nikon camera

You may think that Nikon cameras are expensive. And while this can be true, the fact is that if you know where to look – and we do – you can pick up fantastic shooters from this venerable manufacturer at amazing prices.

At Digital Camera World, we're always on the lookout for the best prices on our favourite Nikon cameras. Whether you’re looking for a cheap DSLR camera, compact or bridge camera, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best deals on the best cameras. Some of the cameras on our list are specific entry-level models, while others are more sophisticated shooters that have been out on the market for a while, giving their prices a chance to come down.

Incidentally, if you’re open to bagging a camera bargain generally and don’t mind which brand it comes from, you may be interested in one of our other guides:

What’s the price of a Nikon camera?

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Nikon cameras range in price from around $250/£300 for a compact camera like the COOLPIX AW130 or $360/£400 for an entry-level DSLR like the Nikon D3500, and up to $3,000/£3,000 – and a lot higher – for full-frame DSLRs like the Nikon D850. Of course, professional photographers will want a different set of features to beginners, and the more features you want, the more you'll pay.

We've searched the most reputable online retailers for the best Nikon deals on our favourite cameras. Read on to grab yourself a bargain.

Nikon Z50

1. Nikon Z50

The best Nikon mirrorless for beginners

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: APS-C CMOS 23.5 x 15.7mm | Megapixels: 20.9MP | Screen: 3.2in tilting, 1,036,000 dots | Viewfinder: 039in approx 2,360k-do | Burst shooting: 11fps | Video: 4K | Weight: 330g (inc. batteries)

Great ergonomic handling
Fast burst and autofocus
4k video
Poor battery life
Few DX-format Z lenses

When the Nikon Z mirrorless series began, it seemed like it would be the preserve of professional and serious enthusiast photographers only. But the Nikon Z50 brought it to a wider user base by being the first Z-mount camera with a smaller APS-C sensor. So while it doesn’t quite have that professional sheen of the Z6 II and Z7 II, it is much more affordable and lightweight.

The Z50 is still a camera that’ll suit enthusiasts, and boasts plenty of impressive specs. Being able to burst-shoot at 11fps is handy no matter what level you’re at, and the 4K UHD video from the camera looks pretty amazing. We’re also big fans of the comprehensive autofocus system, which provides a beefy spread of 209 autofocus points. 

Even a couple of years down the line, we still rate this as the best Z-mount APS-C camera. The newer Nikon Z fc is very flashy and tempting, with its gorgeous retro looks. However, the Z50 is both significantly cheaper, and has a few practical features the Z fc lacks, like a built-in flash.

Nikon D7500

(Image credit: Nikon)

2. Nikon D7500

A speedy and cheap Nikon camera for enthusiasts

Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 20.9MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Screen: 3.2in tilting touchscreen, 922k dots | Viewfinder: Optical, approx 100% coverage | Burst shooting: 8fps | Video: 4K | Weight: Approx. 720g (with battery and card)

Fantastic sensor
4k video
Only one card slot
Low rear screen resolution

The D7500 borrows some of the speed from Nikon's top APS-C D500 model, and some of the affordability of the D7200 below it, to offer a well-judged blend of performance and value. Nikon's 20.9MP sensor features here, which sacrifices almost 4MP against its older 24MP unit, but it brings improved overall performance and image quality together with 4K video and extended high ISO possibilities. You also get a tilting rear touchscreen and 8fps continuous shooting, the result being a camera that has no obvious shortcomings in any areas. 

Read more: Nikon D7500 review

Nikon D3500

(Image credit: Future)

3. Nikon D3500

An ideal option if you're just starting out with more serious image-making

Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Screen: 3in fixed, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Continuous shooting: 5fps | Video: Full HD (1080p) | Weight: 415g

Fantastic image quality
Friendly to beginners
Screen is fixed
Slow Live View AF 

This upgrade over the previous D3400 is incredibly well priced, to the point where you can pick either of the two cameras up for about the same amount. An entry-level DSLR designed explicitly for the novice user, the D3500 is packed to the brim with useful guide modes and tutorials to help its user make the jump to serious image-capture. It also provides plenty of room to grow, with decent 5fps burst shooting and a 24.2MP sensor that captures beautifully detailed images, perfect for printing. Having all this tech at your fingertips at such a bargain price, not to mention access to the amazing F-mount stable of lenses, makes the Nikon D3500 one of the best bargains around in the world of cameras right now. In terms of value for money, you cannot go wrong here.

Read more: Nikon D3500 review

Nikon D5600

(Image credit: Nikon)

4. Nikon D5600

Small, speedy and simple to use

Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Screen: 3.2in vari-angle touchscreen, 1,037million dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Burst shooting: 5fps | Video: Full HD (1080p) | Weight: 465g

Terrific image quality
Good live view performance
Only 1080p video
Limited external controls

Nikon's 'advanced beginner' camera is a little gem. The rear LCD screen is fully articulating and offers touch control, and, thanks to Nikon's new(ish) AF-P lenses, the autofocus is surprisingly swift and discreet when using live view or when filming videos. In many ways it's not much of a jump from its predecessor, the no-longer-available D5500, however this newer model supports Nikon's SnapBridge system for wireless image transfer. Unlike many comparable cameras, this little unit also sports a vari-angle screen, which makes it much easier to shoot memorable compositions from unusual angles.

Read more: Nikon D5600 review

best cheap Nikon camera deals

5. Nikon D5300

A great entry-level DSLR with a brilliant sensor

Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Screen: 3.2in vari-angle, 1,037million dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Burst shooting: 5fps | Video: Full HD (1080p) | Weight: 480g

Great sensor
No anti-aliasing filter
No touchscreen
Unsophisticated live view AF

Despite being superseded by the D5600 (above), the D5300 remains on sale but for a lower price – which makes it a good-value option. It maintains most of the features we've come to love on the upper-entry-level D5000 series of cameras, such as a 3.2in flip-out screen, a 39-point AF system and a respectable 5fps burst shooting mode, together with Full HD video to 50/60p and a sensor that lacks a low-pass filter for better detail retention.  

Read more: Nikon D3300 vs D5300 - specs compared

best cheap Nikon camera deals

(Image credit: Nikon)

6. Nikon COOLPIX W150

A waterproof compact suitable for the whole family

Type: Compact | Sensor: 1/3.1in | Megapixels: 13.2MP | Lens: 30-90mm (equiv.) f/3.3-5.9 | Screen: 2.7in, 230,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Burst shooting: Not specified | Video: Full HD (1080p) | Weight: 177

Decent image quality
Solid 10m waterproofing
Basic functionality
Only 13.2MP

Okay, it's not going to top anyone's camera-of-the-year list, and some of those custom colour jobs are certainly... interesting. But if you're looking for a decent, well-made waterproof camera at a frankly fantastic price, the Nikon Coolpix W150 is an excellent choice. Waterproof down to 10m, it's great for family trips to the beach as it's tough enough to take a few knocks from clumsy kids, and it takes decent 13MP images with a 30-90mm zoom lens, and can shoot Full HD video. If you'd like a little more shooting power, consider the

, a more sophisticated underwater shooter at a higher price tag.

best cheap Nikon camera deals

7. Nikon COOLPIX P900

The world's first bridge camera to feature an 83x optical zoom

Type: Compact | Sensor: 1/2.3in | Megapixels: 16MP | Lens: 24-2000mm (equiv) f/2.8-6.5 | Screen: 3in vari-angle, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Burst shooting: 7fps | Video: Full HD (1080p) | Weight: 899g (inc batteries and memory card)

Five-stop VR system
Huge zoom range
No Raw option
Quite bulky

If you’re after a cheap Nikon camera with a huge zoom range, the COOLPIX P900 should be top of your list. With its 24-2000mm (equiv) zoom lens and five-stop Vibration Reduction system, it’s unsurprisingly become a smash with amateur astrophotographers, as well as holiday photographers who don’t want to haul around a DSLR and lenses. Images taken in good light look vibrant, and there’s the option for full manual control, although we’d have liked to see Raw format shooting too. It’s perhaps a little heavy, but if you’re in the market for an ultra-zoom bridge camera, the COOLPIX P900 is Nikon's best-value offering right now (the subsequent P1000 is a good camera, but much more expensive, so we're sticking with the P900 for our cheap recommendation).

Nikon COOLPIX A1000

(Image credit: Future)

8. Nikon COOLPIX A1000

Already nicely discounted, this compact zoom is great for travel

Type: Compact | Sensor: 1/2.3in | Megapixels: 16MP | Lens: 24-840mm (equiv) f/3.4-6.9 | Screen: 3in tilting, 1,036,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Burst shooting: 8fps | Video: 4K | Weight: 330g (inc. batteries)

Great zoom range
4K video
Tiny sensor means noisy images
Very small EVF

While it was perhaps a bit overpriced at launch, the Nikon Coolpix A1000 is now available for less than £300, and this makes it an extremely tempting prospect for travelling photographers. A 35x optical zoom is nothing to sniff at, and this can be digitally extended with Nikon's Dynamic Fine Zoom technology. The firm has even crammed 4K video shooting into this camera's slender chassis, and unlike the previous A900, this camera can capture images in RAW format, giving it scope for serious photographers as well as casual snappers.

Read more: Nikon Coolpix A1000 review

How we test cameras

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

Read more:

10 tips on getting the best out of your Nikon camera
Best Nikon lenses
Best Nikon Z lenses
Best Nikon camera

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Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.


He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 


He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.