Muhammad NaeemOne lakh rupees used to buy a respectable starter DSLR kit in Pakistan without much hunting. That is still true in 2026, but only just. New stock is thin, most of what sells is grey import or lightly used, and the same model can be priced Rs. 20,000 apart between two shops on the same day. We checked the prices below on 1 October 2026 against the seller listings tracked on PriceGum, and every pick links to its full price page so you can see the shops yourself.
Quick answer: Buy the Nikon D3500 if you want the safest camera under Rs. 100,000. New kits run Rs. 76,999 to Rs. 84,999 and nothing else at this money matches its battery life and image quality. If it has to say Canon on the front, the Canon 1500D at Rs. 99,999 is the only brand new Canon kit that still fits the budget. Tight on cash? A used Canon 1300D at Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55,000 gets you shooting today.
1. Nikon D3500: the best camera under Rs. 100,000 for most people
The D3500 is not new, and that is exactly why it wins here. Nikon made so many of them that kits still surface in Pakistani shops, and the camera itself does the basics better than anything else under a lakh. The 24.2 megapixel sensor is genuinely sharp, the battery is rated around 1,550 shots per charge (in real use it feels endless), and the body is light enough at roughly 415 grams with battery that you actually carry it.
New kits were listed at Rs. 76,999 on mega.pk and Rs. 84,999 on Leyjao when we checked. Clean used kits also move on OLX regularly. Full seller detail is on our Nikon D3500 price in Pakistan page.
- Sharp 24.2MP sensor that still holds up for prints and client work
- Outstanding battery life, roughly 1,550 shots per charge
- Light, simple body with a Guide mode that teaches beginners as they shoot
- New kits still land between Rs. 76,999 and Rs. 84,999
- No touchscreen, and the rear screen does not tilt
- Bluetooth only, so photo transfers to a phone are slow
- Video stops at 1080p and autofocus hunts in live view
2. Canon 1500D: the brand new Canon that just fits
If you want a Canon with a local receipt and no used-market risk, the 1500D is the last model standing under Rs. 100,000. Parhlo and Shophive both listed the kit at Rs. 99,999 when we checked, which puts it a single rupee under the line. You get a 24.1 megapixel sensor, Full HD video, and built in Wi-Fi with NFC, which the Nikon above cannot match for quick phone sharing.
The trade offs are real. Autofocus is a basic 9 point system, burst shooting is slow at 3 frames per second, and the processor is old. For family photos, school events, and learning the ropes it is plenty. See the current shops on the Canon 1500D price in Pakistan page.
3. Canon 200D: best here for video, if you buy it right
The 200D is the camera we would hand to someone starting a YouTube channel on a budget. Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus tracks faces smoothly in video, the screen flips out and responds to touch, and at 453 grams it does not punish you on a small gimbal. The honest catch is price. A new kit costs Rs. 105,899 at mega.pk, which is just over this guide’s budget.
Used is where it makes sense. Clean 200D kits trade between Rs. 52,000 and Rs. 90,000 on OLX depending on shutter count and condition. At the lower half of that range it is the best value in this entire list. Check both markets on our Canon 200D price in Pakistan page before you commit.
4. Canon 1300D: the cheapest honest way in
Not everyone has a lakh. A used Canon 1300D kit at Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55,000 is the lowest priced route into interchangeable lens photography that we can recommend with a straight face. The 18 megapixel sensor is old, the screen is fixed, and video is basic, but for learning exposure, shooting portraits with a cheap 50mm lens, and figuring out whether photography is your thing, it does the job.
Two checks matter when buying one. Look at the shutter count (under 40,000 is comfortable) and test the kit lens for fungus, which is common in humid storage. Listings and guidance are on the Canon 1300D price in Pakistan page.
5. Nikon D5600: the used upgrade pick
The D5600 is what to buy when the D3500’s fixed screen and basic autofocus feel limiting. You get a tilting touchscreen, a far better 39 point autofocus system, and 1080p video at 60 frames per second. A new body only unit was listed at Rs. 74,999, and used kits start around Rs. 66,000 on OLX, which keeps a lens and body combo inside this budget.
It is a meaningful step up for event and wedding side work, where the flip screen and autofocus earn their keep. Details are on our Nikon D5600 price in Pakistan page. Browse the wider range in the Cameras section if none of these five fit.
Worth saving for: Canon 250D
The Canon 250D is the natural next step, with a newer processor, eye detection autofocus, and 4K video. It does not belong in an under Rs. 100,000 list because new prices start around Rs. 174,999. If your budget can stretch later, start with a D3500 or 200D now and put the difference aside. Read the Canon 250D price in Pakistan page for current listings, and note that its 4K mode is heavily cropped, so most owners shoot 1080p anyway.
Comparison table
| Pick | Best for | Price anchor (checked 1 Oct 2026) | Full price page |
| Nikon D3500 | Most beginners | New kit Rs. 76,999 to Rs. 84,999 | Nikon D3500 |
| Canon 1500D | Brand new Canon buyers | New kit Rs. 99,999 | Canon 1500D |
| Canon 200D | Video and vlogging | Used Rs. 52,000 to Rs. 90,000; new Rs. 105,899 | Canon 200D |
| Canon 1300D | Cheapest entry | Used Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55,000 | Canon 1300D |
| Nikon D5600 | Used upgrade pick | Body Rs. 74,999 new; used kits from Rs. 66,000 | Nikon D5600 |
Who should buy which camera
First camera, no second thoughts: the Nikon D3500. It is the only pick here still sold new at several shops, and the battery alone saves beginners constant frustration.
Wedding and event side income: the Nikon D5600 used. The autofocus and flip screen are worth real money when someone is paying you.
Video first: the Canon 200D used. Dual Pixel autofocus is the difference between usable footage and a reel of missed focus.
Learning on a tight budget: the Canon 1300D used. Spend the savings on a 50mm f/1.8 lens later and you will learn faster than buying a fancier body.
Must have a warranty slip: the Canon 1500D new at Rs. 99,999, accepting the older autofocus as the price of peace of mind.
FAQs
Is the Nikon D3500 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for stills. The sensor and battery remain excellent, and at Rs. 76,999 to Rs. 84,999 new it undercuts every comparable option. Skip it only if video is your main use, because its live view autofocus is slow.
New or used camera under Rs. 100,000 in Pakistan?
New limits you to the D3500 and 1500D kits. Used opens up the 200D and D5600, which are better cameras for similar money, provided you check shutter count, sensor dust, and lens fungus before paying.
Which of these is best for YouTube?
The Canon 200D. Its Dual Pixel autofocus and flip touchscreen were made for solo creators. Budget separately for a microphone, because no camera in this list records clean audio on its own.
What extra costs should I keep aside?
A fast memory card, a padded bag, and a spare battery if you shoot events. Together these usually run Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000, and they matter more than jumping to a pricier body.
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