In the end, despite some shortcomings with AF performance, the Nikon D3500 is an extremely enticing camera for beginner photographers. It has a compact design, comfortable ergonomics, fast single ...

Sure, most of the top beginner cameras are now mirrorless ... the one we'd buy is the Nikon D3500. Officially it has been discontinued, but you can still find it online, especially secondhand.

The Nikon D3500 is available body-only, or bundled with either the Nikkor AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Visit our Nikon D3400 Optics page to see how the AF-P 18-55mm kit lens performs.

From all of the cameras we’ve tested, the cheap camera we’d choose for ourselves to develop and level-up photography skills is the Nikon D3500 ... s one of the best beginner cameras available.