Cheap digital camera vs expensive digital camera: what’s the real difference?

What is the difference between two cameras that share the same resolution but have wildly contrasting prices?

Take two DSLRs from the same manufacturer: the beginner-level Nikon D3300 currently costs less than half the price of the more advanced Nikon D7200, yet both offer the same 24.2MP image capture.

Both cameras can give you the same size photos using the same lenses and the same exposure settings, so is it worth paying the premium for the more expensive camera? What exactly are you getting for that extra cash?

Here, we highlight 6 differences between cheap cameras and expensive cameras which should help to make things a little clearer when you go shopping for a new camera…
Cheap camera vs expensive camera differences

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1 Cheap digital camera vs expensive digital camera: AF system
Expensive digital cameras typically have more advanced autofocus systems. What this means is a greater number of AF points – and more sensitive, higher-precision ones at that – as well as a faster response time and more detailed set-up and fine-tuning options.

Take two cameras at either end of Canon’s APS-C DSLR range: the entry-level EOS 1200D and the top-of-the-line EOS 7D Mark II.

SEE MORE: Canon EOS 7D Mark II review

The Canon 1200D features 9 AF points, the centre one being a more precise cross-type AF point with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger.

Canon lists the autofocus working range for the centre AF point as 0-18 EV, with the other AF points working from 1-18 EV. The AF points can be selected automatically or manually.

The Canon 7D Mark II costs a little more. In fact, you could buy six Canon 1200Ds for the same price.

But when it comes to autofocus, you really do get what you pay. The 7D Mark II has a total of 65 cross-type AF points. The centre AF is a dual cross-type AF point with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/2.8, and even works as a regular cross-type AF point at f/8.

Cross-type AF points offer greater accuracy than standard AF points.

The 7D Mark II’s AF system is more sensitive, rated as working from -3-18 EV, and has many options for changing the size of the autofocus area. The camera also offers continuous AF for photos and movie recording in Live View mode, thanks to its Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

SEE MORE: What is autofocus? Your camera’s AF options explained

Cheap camera vs expensive camera differences: autofocus
2 Cheap digital camera vs expensive digital camera: Faster shooting
Like smartphones, computers and cars, when it comes to cameras, more money tends to buy you more speed.

That may take the form of a faster processor, a faster maximum shutter speed or a faster continuous shooting speed – or more likely, all three.

For example, Canon’s professional EOS-1D X offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000sec. It boasts a shooting speed up to 12 frames per second, which can be bumped to 14fps in Super High speed shooting with continuous bursts of up to 38 raw files or 180 large JPEGs.

SEE MORE: Canon cameras: the full and complete range explained from IXUS to EOS

The cheapest camera in Canon’s DSLR line-up, the EOS 1200D can shoot up to 3 frames per second for 6 raw files or 69 JPEGs. It shutter speed tops out at 1/4000 sec too.

Spending more doesn’t always give you an increase in speed. The Canon 5DS only manages up to 5 frames per second – the same as the Canon 750D which costs around 1/6th the price – although it is chewing through 50.6MP files as it does so…

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Cheap camera vs expensive camera differences: speed
3 Cheap digital camera vs expensive digital camera: Build quality
Your money doesn’t just buy you better technology, it buys you a bigger chunk of Magnesium alloy.

Build quality is the immediately obvious difference between cheap cameras and expensive ones. Cheaper cameras have more plastic and less weather-sealing around buttons, dials and doors.

Contrast two of Nikon’s popular DX DSLRs, the D3300 and the D7200. The D3300 is less than half the price of the D7200, and weighs 460g with battery and memory card. The D7200 comes in at 765g loaded with a battery and memory card.

SEE MORE: Nikon cameras: the complete range explained

The D7200 has slightly beefier proportions and features Magnesium alloy top and rear covers. Nikon points out that it’s ‘drop resistant’, and its shutter unit has been tested to 150,000 cycles too.

There’s no real winner here: just as many people are likely to go for the lighter weight and portability of a camera like the D3300 as those who plump for a heavyweight, durable DSLR like the D7200.

SEE MORE: 6 reasons you should upgrade your lens, not your camera

Cheap camera vs expensive camera differences: build quality