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DSLR cameras are still a great choice in 2023, whether you’re new to shooting or have been doing it for years. Even though a lot of camera companies are working on mirrorless cameras, Best DSLR Cameras still have benefits like big sensors, great handling, and long battery life. They are still the least expensive way to get a camera with a lens. DSLR cameras come in a range of sizes and styles to meet the needs of people with different levels of skill.
rom entry-level DSLRs to high-end models, we’ve put all the best DSLR cameras through a lot of testing and evaluation. Our ratings are based on how the device works in the real world, taking into account things like how easy it is to use and how good the pictures are. Based on what we found, we’ve put our best DSLR cameras in order below.
Best DSLR Cameras Comparison Table
Product | Nikon D3500 | Canon EOS 2000D / T7 / EOS 1500D | Pentax K-1 Mark II | Pentax KF | Canon 5D Mark IV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sensor Resolution | 24.2 MP | 24.1 MP | 36.4 MP | 24.2 MP | 30.4 MP |
Sensor Type | APS-C | APS-C | Full Frame | APS-C | Full Frame |
ISO Range | 100-25600 | 100-6400 (expandable to 12800) | 100-819200 | 100-51200 | 100-32000 |
Autofocus Points | 11 | 9 | 33 | 11 | 61 |
Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 3 fps | 4.4 fps | 6 fps | 7 fps |
Video Recording | Full HD (1080p) | Full HD (1080p) | Full HD (1080p) | Full HD (1080p) | 4K (4096×2160) |
LCD Screen | 3.0″, Fixed | 3.0″, Fixed | 3.2″, Tilting | 3.0″, Fixed | 3.2″, Fixed |
Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Weather Sealing | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Battery Life | 1550 shots | 500 shots | 670 shots | 480 shots | 900 shots |
Weight | 415g | 475g | 1010g | 618g | 890g |
Nikon D3500
Category | Specification |
---|---|
Megapixels | 24.2 |
Sensor Type | APS-C CMOS |
ISO Range | 100-25600 |
Video Quality | 1080p Full HD |
AF Points | 11-point autofocus |
Battery Life | 1550 shots per charge |
Nikon has stopped making the D3500, but many online stores still sell it. That’s good, because it makes it a great choice for new photographers who want to get better. Even though the D3500 is old, its APS-C camera is very good. During our tests, we found that the pictures it made were very good. We were also surprised by how well it worked and how easy it was to use.
Professional shooters should look further down this list for a good DSLR, but we think the Nikon D3500 shows that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great camera. It has easy-to-use settings, and in the right hands, it can compete with cameras that cost much more. During our review, we liked how the guide mode helps beginners learn how to use manual controls, which boosts their confidence and creativity.
The Good
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Excellent image quality
- Long battery life
The Bad
- Limited video capabilities
- No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
Canon EOS 2000D / T7 / EOS 1500D
Category | Specification |
---|---|
Megapixels | 24.1 |
Sensor Type | APS-C CMOS |
ISO Range | 100-6400 (expandable to 12800) |
Video Quality | 1080p Full HD |
AF Points | 9-point autofocus |
Battery Life | 500 shots per charge |
A simpler and somewhat older model is the way to go if you are looking to get your first DSLR camera but have a limited budget to work with. This description matches Canon’s entry-level EOS Rebel T7 (also known as the 2000D outside of the US) perfectly: the specifications won’t blow anyone away, but we found it easy to use, it gets the basics right, and, because it’s a few years old, it offers amazing value.
There are, without a doubt, a few give-and-takes involved. The outdated focusing mechanism only has nine points of detection, and the maximum burst shooting speed is only three frames per second. Live View focusing is painfully slow, and if you want a touchscreen, you’ll have to search elsewhere. In addition, the shell has a cheap, plastic-like texture, which is to be expected.
The Good
- Affordable entry-level camera
- Good image quality
- User-friendly interface
The Bad
- Limited autofocus points
- Basic video capabilities
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Category | Specification |
---|---|
Megapixels | 36.4 |
Sensor Type | Full-frame CMOS |
ISO Range | 100-819200 |
Video Quality | 1080p Full HD |
AF Points | 33-point autofocus |
Battery Life | 670 shots per charge |
Pentax seems to go about its business in its own little world, unmoved by what’s going on in the rest of the world. The Pentax K-1 Mark II is typical of this: it’s solid, but it doesn’t try anything new. It’s built to last and is sealed against the elements. It also has a highly effective sensor-shift image stabilization system that works with any connected lens, which Canon and Nikon DSLRs don’t have.
Better yet, the 5-axis stabilizer can work in trick modes to fix anti-aliasing, increase fine detail and texture through Pixel Shift and multiple images, and even use an Astrotracer mode to stop stars from looking like they are streaking across the sky.
The Good
- High-resolution sensor
- Excellent low-light performance
- Weather-sealed construction
The Bad
- Limited video features
- Relatively heavy and bulky design
Pentax KF
Category | Specification |
---|---|
Megapixels | 20.1 |
Sensor Type | APS-C CMOS |
ISO Range | 100-51200 |
Video Quality | 1080p Full HD |
AF Points | 11-point autofocus |
Battery Life | 480 shots per charge |
If you’re not ready to move to a mirrorless camera but want the newest DSLR with modern features, the Pentax KF is probably your only choice, since no other brand is making new DSLRs right now. Pentax fans will notice that the Pentax K-70 and Pentax KF have a lot in common. The only real differences are a higher-resolution LCD screen and a slightly lighter weight.
The Pentax KF is a mid-range camera for amateur shooters. It’s not the most exciting camera ever made, but it does what it does really well. This camera is very useful because it has a Hybrid AF, 4.5 stops of image stabilization, a built-in flash, a bulb mode, and a screen that can be moved. The camera doesn’t have 4K video recording, which is a shame, but it can still take good 1080p videos that are good enough to watch online.
The Good
- Compact and lightweight
- Impressive high ISO performance
- In-body image stabilization
The Bad
- Limited autofocus capabilities
- Average battery life
Canon 5D Mark IV
Category | Specification |
---|---|
Megapixels | 30.4 |
Sensor Type | Full-frame CMOS |
ISO Range | 100-32000 (expandable to 102400) |
Video Quality | 4K Ultra HD |
AF Points | 61-point autofocus |
Battery Life | 900 shots per charge |
Even though some shooters might want to write off Canon DSLRs because they don’t have as much dynamic range or as many features as other DSLRs on the market, most of them have never even used a Canon 5D-series camera. Since the 5D Mark II, I’ve used every Canon DSLR in the 5D line, and I have to say that I think these cameras are great and very similar to their Nikon counterparts.
There may be differences in sharpness and dynamic range that work in Nikon’s favor, but at the end of the day, these are not the only things that make a camera system good or bad. Just as important are things like lenses, comfort, and dependability, and the Canon 5D Mark IV is great in all of these areas.
The Good
- Excellent image quality
- Advanced autofocus system
- Weather-sealed construction
The Bad
- Expensive
- Limited dynamic range in certain situations
FAQs
A: DSLR cameras have a lot of functions and manual controls, which can be confusing for beginners at first. But most DSLRs have automatic shot modes that make things easier for people who are just starting out. Also, with experience and familiarity, beginners can learn how to use the more advanced features of DSLR cameras and take advantage of them.
A: Yes, you can shoot video with most DSLR cameras. They can take videos of high quality with different frame rates and resolutions. When picking a DSLR for video recording, it’s important to think about things like autofocus speed, audio recording choices, and video stabilization.
A: Yes, a lot of professional shooters use DSLR cameras because they are flexible, take good pictures, and have advanced features. They can take high-resolution pictures, have a wide range of lens choices, and give full manual control over settings, so professionals can make their creative visions come to life.