Best DSLR and DIL Cameras Under a $750 Budget

Canon's highly popular and long-running Rebel series of DSLR cameras is continuing with the EOS Rebel T2i. The Rebel T2i, which made my list of the best cameras for 2010, offers nice versatility for an entry-level DSLR model, making it one of the best beginner DSLRs.

It can shoot at 18 megapixels of resolution with still photos and at full 1080p with HD video. If you have a CEC compatible HDTV, you even can connect the award-winning Rebel T2i to your TV via an HDMI cable, and then control the camera with your TV remote.

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Canon's Rebel T3i camera builds on the successes of past Rebel DSLR cameras while incorporating a nice list of technologies and features.

The T3i uses an APS-C size image sensor and uses Canon EF lenses. With 18 megapixels of resolution, the T3i is near the top end of consumer DSLR cameras. The award-winning T3i allows for nine AF points and includes a 3-inch high-resolution LCD that can swivel away from the camera. 

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Canon's EOS Rebel XSi contains plenty of features to like for the photographer looking for a first DSLR. Canon has included a nice mixture of automatic shooting settings and manual control settings, helping intermediate photographers learn more about photography. With 12.2 megapixels of resolution, the EOS Rebel XSi can create high-quality photographs for large prints. The continuous shooting mode in the Rebel XSi is especially impressive, shooting at 3.5 frames per second up to 53 full-resolution JPEG images. Canon offers the EOS Rebel XSi in two colors, black and silver, making it different from most DSLRs. Even the LCD with the Rebel XSi is impressive, measuring 3.0 inches diagonally and offering a viewing angle up to 170 degrees.

Fujifilm's X-S1 digital camera is a fixed lens camera that includes some high-end features that you may find with a DSLR camera.

The X-S1, which was announced by Fujifilm just before CES 2012, offers a precision Fujinon 26X optical zoom lens. It includes a popup flash and a viewfinder, along with a 3.0-inch, high-resolution LCD.

The highlight of the X-S1, however, is its large image sensor, which is a 2/3-inch sensor. This allows the X-S1 to excel in low light.

You won't find many fixed lens cameras in such a high price range, so it may be tough for Fujifilm to gain a lot of traction here, but it's impossible to argue with the great features of this camera.

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The Nikon 1 system of DIL cameras was introduced with quite a bit of fanfare and a strong advertising campaign last year. This year, the latest model in this DIL system, the Nikon J2, might not have the same amount of fanfare, but it's going to be another popular option for those looking for a lot of photography power, coupled with a stylish camera design.

The J2 has 10.1 megapixels of resolution, but don't let that number confuse you. This camera uses a CMOS image sensor that's larger than the sensors found in point and shoot cameras, allowing it to create better image quality with fewer megapixels.

The J2 can shoot videos at full 1080p HD, and it offers a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD for framing photos. It's available in six body colors: white, black, silver, dark red, pink, and orange. If you liked the look of the J1, the J2 has a similar look with a few extra features, making it well worth considering.

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 digital interchangeable lens camera attempts to bring advanced photography options into a camera body more similar to a point and shoot model.

The E-PL3, which sometimes is called the PEN Lite, includes a tiltable 3-inch LCD, which is handy for shooting odd-angle photos. It offers 12.3 megapixels of resolution with a CMOS image sensor, and it can shoot at up to five frames per second. The PEN Lite will be available in a variety of body colors, depending on where it's sold in the world.

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The PEN family of DIL cameras has always had great looks and fun-to-use options. One of the latest models, the Olympus PEN PL-5, includes an improved feature set over its predecessors too.

The PEN PL5 has an articulated touchscreen LCD, 16MP of resolution, interchangeable lenses, and burst mode shooting up to 8 frames per second. You'll find it in silver, black, or white camera bodies.

I reviewed the Olympus PL3 recently, and it was a great camera. I'm sure the PL5, which is also called the "PEN Lite," will follow in its footsteps.

The latest "mini" camera from Olympus, the PEN E-PM2, should be another very nice DIL model to build upon last year's success with the Olympus Mini PEN E-PM1, which made my list of the best 5-star cameras.

The E-PM2, which is now available in silver, black, white, or red camera bodies, features 16.1MP of resolution, interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lenses, a 3.0-inch touch screen LCD, and full HD video.

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At first glance, the Olympus Stylus XZ-2 iHS fixed-lens camera might not look like anything special. However, this model is aimed at intermediate photographers who want high-end results in a small camera without the hassle of having to carry a series of lenses, as with a DIL system.

The XZ-2 doesn't really fit in with the other top sub-$750 cameras, as most cameras here are interchangeable lens models. However, the XZ-2's outstanding image quality definitely shows it belongs on this list.

A fast f/1.8 lens leads to the strong image quality of this model, as Olympus has based the XZ-2's lens on its DSLR camera technology. The XZ-2 includes a 4X optical zoom, 12MP of resolution in a CMOS image sensor, ISO settings up to 12,800, a 3.0-inch articulated LCD, and 1080p HD video capabillities.

Panasonic's latest DIL camera, the Lumix G5, builds on the past successes of these models, providing plenty of photography features.

The G5 includes a live MOS sensor, 16.05MP of resolution, full HD video, and an articulated 3.0-inch high-quality LCD. The Lumix G5 uses Micro Four-Thirds lenses.

I've had a chance to review quite a few of the best DIL cameras in the past, including a few Lumix DIL models, and I'd expect the Lumix G5 will also be a very strong model.

The K-01 isn't quite as small as the Q, which I reviewed recently, but it still looks like a very interesting camera, especially because it can accept any Pentax K lens. As far as I can decipher, this is the first DIL camera that can accept lenses originally made for DSLR cameras.

Obviously, carrying a DSLR-type lens mount makes the K-01 a bit bigger than other DIL cameras, but it's smaller than many DSLR cameras.

The K-01 has 16.2 MP of resolution, can shoot HD video at 1080p, and showcases a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD. You'll find the K-01 in a yellow camera body with silver and black trim, a black body with silver trim, and a white body with black trim.

The Pentax Q10 DIL camera is a great-looking camera that remains small while being able to make use of interchangeable lenses. In fact, you can use either Pentax Q-mount lenses or K-mount lenses (with an adapter).

The Q10 can shoot at 12.4 megapixels of resolution and at five frames per second in burst mode. With a CMOS image sensor, the Q10 performs well in low light, shooting at an ISO up to 6400. You can shoot full 1080p HD video with this model, which is available in red or silver camera bodies, both with black trim.