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 favorite Nikon cameras. Whether you’re looking for a cheap DSLR camera, mirroless 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.
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 four 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.
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'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
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
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).
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.
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