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Photography enthusiasts still love their trusty DSLR cameras. During our testing and research, the Nikon D810 stood out with its impressive image quality. The best part? This powerful camera is relatively easy to use.
The digital camera market is in the midst of a significant change. Smartphone cameras are taking control of the low end of the market, which is fueling development of the best DSLR cameras.
Digital camera makers are searching for ways to differentiate their cameras from smartphone cameras, and the best way to do it is by providing high-end image quality and performance features that a smartphone camera cannot match. Buying a DSLR camera (short for digital single lens reflex) is a great way to achieve this separation.
We at Business Insider showed the performance difference in a hands-on test between the iPhone 6, a DSLR, and a point-and-shoot camera a couple of years ago. Certainly, things have changed since then, and the iPhone 7 Plus and other phones with bokeh effects have really upped the smartphone photography game. However, DSLRs are still king in several categories based on a test by Ars Technica, and serious photographers can't imagine life without them.
Below, we'll get into why you should consider a DSLR camera and how to choose the best one for you. After we go over the basics, we'll move on to our top picks.
DSLR cameras vs. simple cameras
DSLR cameras base their primary design features on 35mm SLR cameras from the days of film. It is a tried and true design for a camera, but it does end up being a bit bulkier than simple cameras. However, the performance benefits of the DSLR are easy to see once you’ve tested both types of cameras, even for a short period of time.
As discussed in Photography Life, a DSLR camera separates itself from a simple camera through three primary features:
- Interchangeable lenses: DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, meaning you can give them different capabilities just by swapping out the lens. A simple fixed-lens camera has the lens embedded in the camera body.
- Big image sensors: The image sensor on a DSLR camera is going to be larger in physical size than that of a simple point-and-shoot camera. Larger sensors pick up more details in a scene and work better in low light than smaller sensors. Adorama has a nice table comparing image sensor sizes. The physical size of an image sensor is different than the number of megapixels it can record.
- Fast image processors: DSLRs have fast image processors, which allow them to offer minimal shutter lag and delays between shots. A simple camera often will have a sluggish performance, which could cause you to miss a photo.
Buying a DSLR camera
Most DSLR cameras will range in price from around $500 to $5,000. Cameras aimed at professional shooters will carry an even higher price point. Older and used DSLRs will be available below the $500 threshold.
When looking for a DSLR camera, you’ll find that they’re sold in three different configurations.
- Body only: If the DSLR is listed as a body-only camera, that means it ships with no lenses. Obviously, the camera will not work without lenses, so this seems like an odd way to sell the DSLR. But for those who already own some compatible lenses, this is a cheaper way to buy a DSLR camera body. Individual interchangeable lenses can fit on several different camera bodies, as long as there’s compatibility both ways.
- With lens kits: DSLRs that come with a lens are sold with one or two compatible lenses that offer basic features — they're called kit lenses. It's the most cost-effective way to purchase a camera and lens, but these lenses won’t yield extensive zoom or wide angle capabilities.
- With component kits: If you select a DSLR lens and component kit, you’ll receive a basic lens, a tripod, a memory card, and some other components needed to get started with photography. For those who are just starting with DSLRs, this can be an inexpensive way to go, but you also run the risk of spending money on components that you don’t really need.
Although the Nikon D810 is our top DSLR camera pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, the Canon Rebel T7i, the Nikon D7200, and the Sony A99 II.
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The best DSLR camera overall
Why you’ll love it: The Nikon D810 DSLR’s image quality is incredible, but it’s relatively easy to use and provides fast performance, too.
A great DSLR camera has to be able to create amazing photographs, while also offering a mix of easy-to-use and advanced features. Nikon has created this combination extremely efficiently with its D810 camera.
The impressive performance level of this camera was obvious during my extensive testing of the D810 for Steve’s Digicams. I haven’t found another camera that can match its image quality below the professional level of the camera market. In his review, camera expert Ken Rockwell pointed out the strong all-around capabilities of the D810.
The D810’s outstanding image quality outperforms other models in its price range, thanks to its above average image sensor. It offers 36.3 megapixels of resolution in a full-frame sized image sensor. Full frame is the largest image sensor size you’ll find in a consumer-level DSLR camera in terms of physical size. It’s similar to what was found with a frame of 35mm film.
With such a large image sensor, the Nikon D810’s low-light performance is well above average, too. Low-light photography is an area where DSLRs outperform all other types of cameras on the market, and the D810 even does better than most DSLRs.
The Nikon D810’s dual memory card slots are a handy feature for those who shoot a lot of photographs. After one card is full, you can keep shooting, and because the D810’s battery life is extremely strong, you’ll have a better chance of filling both memory cards before running out of power.
TechRadar, PocketLint, PCMag, and Digital Trends all gave the Nikon D810 high marks, and user reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive. We highly recommend the D810 as the best DSLR you can buy.
Pros: High-resolution count, large full-frame image sensor size, easy to use for beginners, plenty of control buttons for advanced photographers, two memory card slots, great battery life
Cons: High price tag, heavy camera body, maximum burst rate is only 5 fps
The best DSLR camera for sports photography
Why you’ll love it: With a shooting speed of 10 frames per second, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II excels in sports and action photography.
Even though the Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera is a couple of years old, it remains Canon’s fastest performing camera with an APS-C sized image sensor. This is a slightly smaller image sensor in terms of physical size than you’ll find with some other DSLRs (such as full-frame image sensors).
However, for beginner photographers, an APS-C sized sensor with 20.2 megapixels of resolution delivers more than enough image quality to meet their needs. Only experienced photographers will be wishing for more resolution. By offering this level of performance in an APS-C image sensor DSLR, Canon is able to sell the 7D at a mid-range price point.
As explained in Photography Life’s review of the 7D Mark II, you’ll be able to capture those fast-moving subjects successfully with this DSLR’s incredibly fast burst mode. The Imaging Resource rates the 7D Mark II as a perfect five stars, thanks to excellent image quality, its fast autofocus system, and its fast burst mode performance.
The 7D’s video recording capabilities are better than average, too, which contributes to its ability to capture sports and wildlife scenes. You can record Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second, and the 7D Mark II includes a 3.5mm microphone jack, as well as a headphone jack to ensure a strong audio signal.
The Canon 7D Mark II is just a little too old to incorporate 4K video recording, which is a slight disappointment in an otherwise strong DSLR.
TechRadar, PocketLint, CNET, and PC Mag all gave it good scores, and user reviews on Amazon are also positive.
Pros: Fast burst mode capabilities, excels for sports and wildlife photography, good video recording options, fast autofocus system, good mid-range price point
Cons: Cannot record in 4K video, slightly older design, only 20.2 megapixels of resolution
The best DSLR camera for beginners
Why you’ll love it: The Canon EOS Rebel T7i improves on the easy-to-use design of earlier DSLR cameras from the popular entry-level Rebel line and it's more powerful, too.
If you haven’t heard of Canon’s Rebel family of DSLR cameras, you simply haven’t been paying much attention to the entry-level digital camera market. Rebels have been around dating back to film SLR cameras, and they’ve maintained popularity among those seeking entry-level DSLR cameras for more than a decade. Our current favorite in this group is the Rebel T7i.
I’ve had plenty of chances to test Rebel cameras over the years for Steve’s Digicams, and these are my favorite cameras for less than $1,000 and for beginners. They’re just so easy to use while providing excellent image quality that they’re perfect for beginners. And as the beginners’ photography skills grow, the Rebel has enough advanced features to allow it to grow with them.
The Rebel T7i (called the Canon EOS 800D in some parts of the world) doesn’t have major upgrades over the T6i, but it’s just different enough to make it an excellent value for the money.
As Tech Radar points out, the Rebel T7i’s APS-C sized image sensor contains the same 24.2 megapixels of resolution of the T6i, yet Canon has upgraded the technology in the T7i’s image sensor to make it perform better in low-light situations. The T7i also has an improved autofocus system versus older Rebels, allowing for faster overall performance.
Canon always does a nice job with the placement of the buttons and dials on its Rebel DSLRs, and the EOS Rebel T7i maintains this physical design. For those new to digital cameras who are used to shooting photos on a smartphone camera, the Rebel T7i’s articulated LCD screen allows you to twist the screen so it will face forward for shooting selfies.
Users on Amazon love it, and Digital Trends was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this entry-level DSLR camera. PC Mag also had good things to say about it.
Pros: Low price, easy to use camera, very good image quality, articulated LCD twists for selfies, upgrade over previous Rebel cameras for better low light performance, faster autofocus performance
Cons: No 4K video recording option, not enough advanced features for experienced photographers
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