Are you ready to go into high quality and serious photography or video recording? What about upgrading your phone or your old digital camera to really distinguish your photos from others? The Best DSLR Cameras For Beginners depend on a few factors. Before we started, we wanted to confirm that you made the right choice when you take a digital SLR – they do not leave quickly. Although we have seen the evolution of mirrorless cameras, DSLR cameras remain the norm and the best choice available, especially for those who are just starting their photo journey.
Best DSLR Cameras For Beginners
Nikon D3500
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With the Nikon D3500, it is especially easy to work with. In addition to an “intelligent” fully automatic mode, a wide range of scene modes and effects are available. More unique is the Guide shooting mode, which serves as a kind of interactive photo course. With a powerful 24.2MP image sensor and processor, a generous ISO range (sensitivity), a fast maximum frame rate of 5 frames per second, and a high-resolution LCD screen, there is no shortage of quality.
However, it is not a touch-sensitive screen, and there is no tilt or swivel capability. Another drawback is that the autofocus is relatively slow in live view and movie recording mode, but overall the D3500 is currently the most attractive and best DSLR camera for beginners.
Nikon D5600
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Ideal for sports and wildlife photography, the Nikon D5600 features an advanced 39-point autofocus system with the auto surface, dynamic range, and 3D tracking modes. The optional 18-140 mm (18-140 mm) VR kit lens is also ideal for this type of photography, with its “effective” zoom range of 27-210 mm and its expert vibration reduction system (optical image stabilization). And if you need to go hiking in the wild to photograph wildlife, or stand for long periods of time at a sporting event, the D5600 won’t weigh you down, as it’s one of the lightest and most compact DSLRs on the market. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i
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Canon’s EOS Rebel T7i (known outside the USA as EOS 800D) has been replaced by the EOS 850D / Rebel T8i, but the stock of the latter is still hard to find. So much so that we haven’t had a chance to check them out yet. Canon’s newer DSLR offers 4K video, better focusing in low light and live view focus points. It also features Canon’s latest Digic 8 chip for continuous shooting at 7 frames per second, improved metering, and better noise reduction. However, the global pandemic has severely affected supply chains, making it difficult to find such a camera on the shelves.
So is the 800D still a valid choice? Absolutely. Provided you’re not planning to shoot 4K shots or focus frequently with Live View, the older model remains a solid all-around talent for those who prefer the greater handling of a DSLR. It also features an excellent, easy-to-use touchscreen and a 24.2MP sensor that delivers impressive overall image quality. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Canon EOS 250D
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The Canon EOS 250D is the first entry-level DSLR with 4K film recording and replaces the popular EOS 200D in the Canon product range. The dual-pixel CMOS autofocus system for live view and film mode, inherited from its predecessor, makes it ideal for tracking actions during video capture. The virtually noiseless autofocus performance of the 18-55mm kit lens is another bonus.
Not only for video, but the 250D is also a great package for still images. It’s beginner-friendly with an optional guided user interface and creative assistance modes that work seamlessly with the full motion touch screen. The camera can grow with you as you learn new skills and techniques. Canon’s excellent Quick Menu provides intuitive and instant access to key settings. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Canon EOS Rebel T100
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When you make your first foray into DSLR ownership, you don’t necessarily need a camera that can do everything. And if you’re looking for something very simple but very affordable, Canon’s Rebel T100 could tick the boxes. Besides the latest entry-level models, much of the Rebel T100 seems to be outdated. The 18MP sensor and DIGIC 4+ processor are both outdated, as is the modest 9-point autofocus system that has been in Canon’s catalog since 2009.
The 2.7-inch diagonal LCD display with 230 kDot resolution is also aging, while live-view performance is somewhat sluggish. Finally, the polycarbonate shell understandably feels cheap. But it’s not all bad: the button layout is easy to navigate for new users, the battery life is high at 500 shots, and the image quality is solid, with the sound being handled quite well. Those upgrading from a smartphone or compact camera should find decent results with good detail and saturation, while the Picture Style presets allow easy tonal adjustments. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Nikon D5300
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Although the D5300 has been replaced by the D5600 (above), the D5300 will continue to be sold, but at a lower price – making it an affordable option. It retains most of the features we’ve come to appreciate on the upper-end D5000 cameras series, such as a 3.2-inch flip-out screen, a 39-point AF system, and a respectable 5fps continuous shooting mode, along with Full HD video up to 50/60p and a sensor without a low-pass filter for better detail. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Canon EOS Rebel T7
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This is one of the cheapest DSLRs in Canon’s current range, which also makes it a very affordable way to get access to an endless selection of lenses, flashes, and other accessories. Its low price means it understandably lacks some of its bigger brothers’ fancy tricks – flip-out LCD screen, 4K video, and so on – but it still offers a very good level of physical control. And, most importantly, the picture quality of the 24MP sensor is sound.
It’s designed with the target audience in mind, with a feature guide to help you understand everything, and the battery life is also better than many mirrorless models in this price range – still a major advantage of DSLRs. Wi-Fi, NFC, and Full HD video recording round out the specifications and make it one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Pentax K-70
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Although the K-70 is now a few years old, it remains an affordable option for anyone who is not unduly harassed by the two major manufacturers. Even better is to have a stock of old Pentax lenses that are gathering dust in a basement from manual labor times. It has a very useful articulating screen, while the hybrid Live View autofocus system makes it a truly practical alternative to using the viewfinder. Perhaps what we like best about the K-70 is its robustness – something that entry-level models usually lack.
If you can rely on it not being destroyed by adverse weather conditions, it’s a great advantage if you want to take lots of outdoor shots, such as landscapes. A small disappointment is the kit lens, which is often bundled with the camera – although it offers a much longer focal length than most of the others here, it can be a bit soft in some places. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Nikon D3400
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Nikon‘s entry-level D3400 is a small, very affordable, and easy-to-use DSLR that combines a simple exterior layout with a high degree of manual operation under the hood. Based on a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor and an EXPEED 4 processing engine, the camera is usually offered as part of a set with the retractable AF-P NIKKOR 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR lens 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 G (you can find it cheaper with the non-VR lens, but it’s really not worth saving). If you are looking for your first steps in photography and don’t want to leave too big a dent in your bank account, this may be the best cheap Nikon camera you can buy right now.
Canon EOS 80D
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The EOS 80D is one of the camera manufacturer’s older cameras, which has been on the pile of Canon’s entry-level DSLR cameras since 2016. Nevertheless, it is one of the more “advanced” entry-level cameras, thanks to its range of functions and technical specifications, including a 24.2 MP sensor with a 45-point autofocus system that is indeed remarkably reliable. There is a guided menu system that is easy to navigate, as well as integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transmission of images when needed. The only drawback is that the kit lens included is slightly soft at the edges, and we recommend that you buy only the body and a better lens separately. Overall, this is one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Final Words
A novice digital SLR camera is the natural progression if you think you have passed your compact camera or if you are no longer satisfied with the clichés of your smartphone. The Best DSLR Cameras For Beginners guarantee an important step in image quality compared to a compact camera or smartphone. They can share the same number of megapixels, but the size of the entry-level DSLR sensor is physically much larger in most cases, resulting in superior results with more detail and low light performance.
