The best DSLR camera for beginners (reflex cameras)

If you are about to buy your next DSLR camera or reflex camera, then do not miss this article. We will present to you the best DSLR cameras for beginners and amateurs.

We are passionate about photography and have spent some time thinking about the option of going for a digital SLR camera, also known as a reflex camera. But we do not know if we will get the best out of it or if we will have enough knowledge to take good pictures.

Well, the time has come to take the step and enjoy photography with a camera like the Canon EOS Rebel SL2. This is the best-valued digital SLR among those chosen by our experts. And because choosing a good and complete DSLR camera is not an easy decision, we give in this comparison all the information that is needed for an amateur to make the best decision.

Of course, in this analysis, we look for the equipment that best suits the needs of a large part of the population. Away from many other complex photographic equipment that is too heavy or that requires advanced photographic knowledge.

That is why it is very important to consider what use we want to give our camera, what we want that camera, what photography knowledge we have or want to get to have, and something no less important and fundamental: what budget we handle.

Types of professional cameras in the market

In order to decide what type of camera we want to buy, we must know what the market offers us today and differentiate the types of cameras we can find. We have grouped all of them into four categories: compact camerasbridge cameras, cameras for evil, and DSLR cameras.

  • The compact cameras offer interesting automatic programs to simply shoot and enjoy without further complication.
  • The bridge cameras go a little further, and although they do not have interchangeable lenses, they make it possible to shoot manually and ‘play’ with some camera controls (aperture, speed, ISO, etc.).
  • The evil cameras provide interchangeable optics and increase some features, but many of these cameras do not have an optical viewfinder and fall short in some aspects, such as the variety of optics or battery life.
  • And finally, or begin with, the reflex cameras, or Digital single-lens reflex cameras, which offer us quality and technique through very complete photographic equipment.

Digital SLR cameras

A reflex camera is ideal for large amateurs with advanced photography skills and for those who want to make the leap to the professional market.

These cameras give us great quality thanks to their powerful image sensors. They work with interchangeable lenses and give the user full control over the camera’s parameters, from sensitivity to shutter speed or aperture.

This type of camera is more complete and advanced in terms of image quality, focus speed, and battery life, although they are also heavier and larger than the ‘evil’.

Economically, we talk about more expensive equipment that must be added to the purchase of objectives to complete our photographic equipment.

What should I consider before buying the best digital SLR camera for beginners?

The use that we are going to give the team and how much budget we have are the first things that we should be very clear about. Because in the market we find camera bodies for 400 dollars, but also for 4,000 dollars.

And also, as each piece of photographic equipment is unique and technically provides specific components to improve and enhance some uses or others, the use that we will give to the camera will be decisive when making an election.

It is not the same to photograph a portrait, a jazz concert, a football game, or birds in the middle of nature.

And those variables, plus the price, will be what you have in mind to make one or the other decision. Therefore, we recommend always evaluating a series of parameters to reach your ideal camera:

How will we really use it?

If you want a simple digital SLR camera for beginners to take with you everywhere, you would like it to be as small and light as possible. For this, you may prefer a water camera or a sports camera.

If size and weight do not matter, I recommend a digital SLR camera like the Nikon D5600 or Pentax K-70. These camera models are much more suitable for some types of photography and provide great handling and possibilities.

For the smallest of the house, there are also cameras. Check out our list of recommended photo cameras for children to start in photography.

Do you want a camera just for photos or for video too?

If you want to record video too, the recommendation is to look at models with focusing systems that work well during video recording. The Fast Hybrid AF and Canon Dual Pixel CMOS AF systems from Sony are the best we have.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 and the Nikon D5600 also offer microphone inputs, making them great for using an external microphone to take audio recording to the next level. The microphones built into the cameras are only suitable for general use, and no serious cameraman about their work would consider using them for anything beyond that.

Flip-down LCD screens are also indispensable for virtual recording, as this allows you to see exactly what you are recording when presented to the camera. For those who start on YouTube, we have other recommendations on the best cameras for video blogging.

Sensor type and size

The larger the sensor, the better, since it will offer us greater image quality. We found different sensor sizes: Full Frame (36x24mm), APS-H (28.7x19mm), APS-C (23.6 × 15.7mm), APS-C (22.2 × 14.8mm), Micro Four Thirds (17.3x13mm),…

Megapixels

Broadly speaking, the greater the number of pixels in the camera, the better quality the final image will have.

ISO 

It indicates the sensitivity level of the sensor to light. The higher the range, the better performance it will offer in adverse light conditions.

JPG and RAW

These cameras offer us the recording of images in two formats: JPG and RAW, and video recording in FULL HD and 4K.

Rear screen

They help us to visualize the captured images, but they also help us to capture the images. We find static displays on the market, but also folding and variable angles.

Weight and ergonomics

Another fundamental factor. We talk about quite heavy and large equipment, so it would be good to calibrate our strength.

Available targets

It is another issue to always consider. Depending on the type of photography that we want to develop, we will have some objectives or others: macro, angular, telephoto, etc., that we will have to add to our budget. There is a much greater variety of objectives for this type of camera than for the ‘Evil’.

And don’t forget the connectivity with mobile devices through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The top 8 Digital SLR cameras or reflex cameras for both amateur and professional photographers

After several hours of searching, I was finally able to make my selection of the 7 best reflex cameras for beginners with a budget.

My favorite for an amateur photographer at the moment is the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Digital SLR camera. Its ease of appropriation, its image quality, and its versatility make it a device adapted to a large number of users, both beginners and enthusiasts. But if you are a genuine debutante and have a tight budget, the Nikon D3500 is an excellent choice.

You will find at the end of the article a purchase guide to help you determine which SLR camera suits you.

Canon EOS Rebel SL2

Best Digital SLR camera for beginners amateurs reviews

This small and powerful reflex camera offers us 24.2 megapixels through its APS-C sensor, a 3-inch folding rear screen, an ISO sensitivity of up to 51200, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

It is a camera that focuses quickly and accurately, thanks to its dual-pixel CMOS AF sensor with face detection and autofocus tracking. The EOS Rebel SL2 has an optical viewfinder with 49 points and an automatic focus of up to 9 points.

It weighs 453 g and claims to be the lightest SLR camera in the world with a variable-angle rear screen.

This camera manages to shoot up to five pictures per second.

It captures the images in JPG and RAW and records video in Full HD at 60p, although it does not do it in 4K.

We will have no problem photographing comfortably dimly lit spaces thanks to its ISO sensitivity of up to 12800, with the possibility of expanding to H: 51200.

It incorporates a lens of 18–55mm (f: 4-5, 6). Take into account that since the camera sensor is not full frame, this lens multiplies by 1.6x its focal length, that is, it offers a 28.8x88mm. The downside of this goal is that it is not very bright.

In the catalog, the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 has more than 80 lenses to complement this photographic equipment.

To take the step to an SLR camera and not fall short in terms of the benefits of photographic equipment, this is a good choice for quality and price.

Pros

  • Vari-angle touchscreen
  • New 18-55mm STM lens
  • 24MP APS-C image sensor
  • Vari-angle touch LCD

Cons

  • Only 9 AF points for viewfinder shooting
  • Size advantage reduced
  • Video limited to 1080p

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Nikon D5300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera

Nikon D5300 24 2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera

This SLR camera has a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor. Its large 3.2-inch rear screen will help us move through the menu without any problems.

Shoot up to five images per second in continuous mode, storing the images in JPG and RAW.

It records video in full HD, and thanks to its live view mode, it is able to maintain a defined focus on subjects in motion.

One of the advantages of this camera is that its rear screen is rotatable and flexible, which helps us take pictures from complicated angles, offering unique perspectives.

It has a sensitivity of up to 12800 ISO, somewhat lower than the first camera we analyzed.

We can catalog our photographs geographically thanks to their integrated GPS.

Another of the strong points of this camera is its 39 focus points and very precise autofocus system.

It incorporates an AF-P 18-55mm VR lens (f: 3.5–5.6). As we do not have a Full HD sensor, we must apply a 1.5x cut-off factor to the objective; that is, our lens mounted on this camera will be 27-82.5mm.

This VR lens has the particularity of having an optical stabilizer to reduce vibrations and keep the image stable when shooting.

It incorporates integrated WiFi connectivity to send and share the images directly to a mobile phone or tablet. The camera has a weight of 480 grams.

Pros

  • Built-in Wi-fi addition
  • Good build quality
  • A decent continuous shooting rate

Cons

  • Built-in 2.5mm mic socket
  • Disappointing kit lens
  • Lacking live-view app previews

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Sony a68 Translucent Mirror DSLR Camera

Sony a68 Translucent Mirror DSLR Camera review

This powerful camera boasts a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 79 focus points, and burst shots of up to 8 frames per second. Its 2.7-inch rear screen tilts up to 55 degrees.

One of its strengths is undoubtedly the speed of autofocus, even in extreme lighting conditions. Face detection with face registration recognizes up to eight faces in a scene.

It has an ISO range of 100–25600. Stores the images in JPG and RAW. And it is an excellent camera to record video in full HD, contributing even the levels of recording and audio on screen. However, the only downside is that it does not record video in 4K.

Another point in favor is its image stabilizer in the body of the camera, which is effective for any lens.

In addition, this equipment comes mounted with optics of 18–55 mm, which, by applying the cut factor of 1.5x, would be equivalent to 27–82 mm.

As a weak point, it does not have wireless connectivity without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

We are talking about a photographic team that can boast quality, focus, and speed in just over 594 grams.

Pros

  • Value for money
  • Fast, continuous shooting

Cons

  • Poor-quality LCD screen
  • Lacks Wi-Fi

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Nikon D3500 Reflex Camera for Beginners with a Tight Budget

We continue our ranking of the best digital SLR cameras by talking about the Nikon D3500, designed specifically for those who are having their first experience with a DSLR.

The camera has a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor that allows for very high image quality. The range of sensitivities goes from 100 to 25,600 ISO, with a noise that is kept fairly low up to around 1600 ISO. In video shooting, this camera supports the Full HD 1080p standard.

As for autofocus and burst, the Nikon D3500 is a cut above the direct competitors seen above. The autofocus system can count on 11 AF points (of which the central cross-type), while the burst reaches 5 frames per second. The LCD display, fixed and non-touch, has a diagonal of 3″ and a resolution of 921,000 points.

Thanks to Bluetooth support, an important innovation compared to the previous version, the Nikon D3500 can easily be associated with a mobile device so as to transfer the photos to memory. The autonomy of the battery is also exceptional, exceeding even 1500 shots in optimal conditions.

Although made predominantly of plastic, the camera shows a rather high build quality for this price range.

The Nikon D3500 is a decidedly “successful” camera, which will give a lot of satisfaction even to the most demanding beginners.

Pros

  • Compact
  • Excellent image quality
  • Affordable
  • 5 fps continuous shooting
  • Automatic image transfer via Bluetooth

Cons

  • A fixed LCD omits touch support
  • Contrast-based live view focus is not ideal for video
  • No 4K video
  • No mic input

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Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera

best camera for beginners DSLR buying guide

We could say that it is the small sister of the previous cameras analyzed. But we value this 18-megapixel photographic equipment, with an APS-C CMOS sensor, very positively for its performance and price.

It is not a camera as fast as the ones analyzed previously, since it shoots in bursts of up to 3 images per second, and the ISO range reaches 100–12800.

It offers Wi-Fi connectivity for NFC-compatible Android, iPad, and iPhone devices. Also, it has a 3-inch rear screen and incorporates a wide-angle zoom lens (18-155 mm stabilized) (applying the cut factor of 1,6x, we speak of 28,8-248 mm), covering a good range of focal points that allows us to photograph landscapes, portraits, travel, outdoor sports, etc. In addition, it is compatible with EFS and EF lenses, which are full-frame cameras.

For a tight budget, this complete and light equipment of 485 g of weight is a good purchase option.

Pros

  • Entry into a huge range of EOS accessories
  • Raw capture support
  • Great value
  • Wi-Fi and NFC

Cons

  • Slow for a family camera
  • Fixed non-touch-screen
  • Dated image sensor

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Pentax K-70 Weather-Sealed DSLR Camera

Pentax K 70 Weather Sealed DSLR Camera beginners review

As the latest model among the best amateur SLR cameras, we talk about the Pentax K-70, designed especially for outdoor photos. The complete tropicalization makes this DSLR resistant to dust, rain, and cold and therefore suitable for all weather conditions.

The Pentax K-70 is equipped with an APS-C sensor capable of churning out clear 24-megapixel photos, while with regard to video, the Full HD 1080p standard is respected. To signal the exceptional resistance to high sensitivities, even at values ​​of 3200 or 6400 ISO the amount of noise remains absolutely acceptable. By making compromises in terms of quality, it is possible to go up to ISO 102,400.

The autofocus can count on 11 AF points, of which 9 are cross-type. Although these values ​​may not seem exceptional, the autofocus of the Pentax K-70 is accurate and reliable even in low light conditions. In addition, the burst shooting speed is set at 6 fps for a maximum of 10 shots in RAW format or 40 in JPEG format.

In addition, the Pentax K-70 has a fully articulated display, which has a diagonal of 3″ and a resolution of 921,000 points. We report the interesting “night vision” feature, to be used when the photographer’s eyes are used to the darkness. By activating this function, the display turns red and maintains a low brightness.

Pros

  • Excellent still image quality, especially when shooting Raw
  • Class-leading low-light AF
  • 100% coverage optical finder
  • Builtin WiFi
  • Solid build quality

Cons

  • Slow-kit lens
  • Disappointing continuous autofocus in video
  • Small RAW buffer
  • No wireless flash control

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Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 80D

Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 80D review

The Canon EOS 80D is a semi-professional camera with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor capable of recording movies in Full HD 1080p.

The camera is completely tropicalized and can, therefore, be used without too many worries in all weather conditions.

The autofocus system is excellent, with 45 AF points, all cross-type. The burst can in turn boast of good performances, with a speed of 7 fps for a maximum of 25 shots in RAW format or 100 in JPEG format.

These features, combined with tropicalization and excellent resistance to high sensitivities, make the Canon EOS 80D a great choice for those who practice sports photography, photo hunting, or, in general, frequently shoot fast-moving scenes.

The camera is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC support; therefore, through the Canon Camera Connect application, it is possible to quickly transfer the files stored in the memory and command with maximum simplicity and remote shooting.

The LCD display on the back of the camera has a diagonal of 3″ and a resolution of 1,040,000 points. In addition, the screen is fully articulated and has touchscreen functionality.

On the back of the Canon EOS 80D, as on many of the best reflex cameras of the same brand, we also find a second panel that summarizes the main camera settings.

Pros

  • Easy-to-use menu system
  • Autofocus works well in low-light conditions, including live viewing.
  • Continuous AF during movie capture is excellent
  • Image quality also improves over Canon’s older DSLRs

Cons

  • No 4K video support
  • Single SD card slot
  • Omits PC sync connection

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Nikon D7500 DX-Format Digital SLR

Nikon D7500 DX Format Digital SLR reviews

We conclude the ranking of the best digital SLR cameras for beginner photography with the Nikon D7500, a model definitely suitable for 360-degree photography but that gives its best in sports and action photography.

The Nikon D7500 features a 20-megapixel APS-C sensor and can record movies in 4K format. We want to underline that, despite the resolution being a little bit lower than many of the models examined thus far, this is more than made up for by the superb responsiveness and excellent image quality. Resistance to high sensitivity, in particular, is truly extraordinary considering that it is still a reduced sensor reflex.

That said, the highest sensitivities (the camera can reach up to 1,600,000 ISO) are simply unusable due to excessive image deterioration.

The autofocus, fast and precise in every situation, has 51 AF points, of which the 15 central ones are cross-type. Even the burst speed does not disappoint, reaching 8 photos per second for a maximum of 47 files in RAW format or 100 files in JPEG format.

The Nikon D7500 LCD display has a 3.2 “diagonal and a resolution of 922,000 points. Although not fully articulated, the screen can be oriented along the vertical axis and has touch functionality. An additional panel on the top of the reflex also allows you to always keep the shooting parameters under control.

As expected, the Nikon D7500 also has a WiFi module, and it is, therefore, possible to quickly transfer files on the memory card to another mobile device, as well as command remote shooting.

Pros

  • Excellent image quality
  • A dedicated ISO button in a good spot
  • Bright, high-quality viewfinder with essentially 100% coverage
  • A wide array of focusing options, akin to Nikon’s highest-end DSLRs
  • Good battery life, even in cold conditions
  • The 4K video also looks great

Cons

  • No old AI-S lens metering compatibility
  • No UHS-II card support
  • 4K video is cropped

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Conclusion

With this little gem from Nikon, our ranking comes to an end. We hope that this comparison may have been useful for you to decide which digital SLR camera for beginners to choose. If there are any doubts, however, do not hesitate to leave a comment below.

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