The photography world may be moving towards mirrorless tech, but DSLRs remain good options for beginners. There are a few reasons for this – firstly, DSLRs are still the cheapest way to get a camera with a built-in viewfinder, which is an essential tool for framing and composition. Thanks to their heritage, DSLRs also continue to offer a wider and more affordable range of lenses than mirrorless cameras.
DSLRs also continue to offer some advantages over their mirrorless counterparts, particularly when it comes to handling and battery life. Plus, they remain the only cameras to feature true optical viewfinders (one that displays the actual scene as viewed through a lens and not what it would look like with specific shooting parameters applied). If those features are more important to you than the latest autofocus or compact form factors, then an entry-level DSLR is likely the way to go.
It’s worth noting that manufacturers have practically stopped making new DSLRs now – Sony has pretty much phased out its A-mount DSLRs, while Canon has discontinued its 7D line – but that doesn’t mean the DSLR format is dead. Both Canon and Nikon continue to offer a wide range of entry-level DSLR models, with extensive lens catalogues to match.
Today’s manufacturers have flooded the entry-level segment with appealing options. But, so much so, that’s now potentially difficult for first-time buyers to determine which camera is best for them. There are many factors to consider, such as price, performance, and ease of use.
And if you’re upgrading from a point & shoot or compact, the best options will change based on what features are most important to you. In this list, we’ve compiled a list of the most budget-friendly, feature-rich options from various manufacturers in today’s market.
1. Nikon D3500
The best all-round option for aspiring photographers
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A fine but modest upgrade from its predecessor
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The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (know as the EOS 850D outside the US) has now officially taken the baton from its Rebel T7i / EOS 800D predecessor, with stock of the latter tricky to find. This new model isn’t a huge upgrade, with the most notable addition being a 4K video mode that’s somewhat hampered by frame-rate restrictions. Still, the Rebel T8i / EOS 850D remains one of our favourite all-round DSLRs for beginners. You get a Dual Pixel phase-detection AF system, which is fast, reliable and works just as well for video as it does stills. Its button layout is also very considered, while the vari-angle LCD screen handles really well. As long you ignore that headline of 4K video, which involves a crop and the loss of phase-detection autofocus, it remains a fantastic option for anyone who is starting a photography hobby and prizes DSLR advantages like battery life and handling.
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Need a bit more power? The D5600 could be what you’re after
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4. Canon EOS 90D
A feature-packed all-rounder that gives you lots of room to grow
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Rugged and great value – an impressive alternative to the big two
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What should you look for when buying a beginner DSLR?
There are three main factors to consider when buying a beginner-friendly DSLR: the camera’s size, screen and kit lens options.
1.If you’re trying to learn your way around manual settings like aperture and shutter speed, which is one of the main benefits of a DSLR, then you’ll ideally need a model that’s small and light. This means you’ll be more likely to take it out regularly and master those controls. The most beginner-friendly cameras, like the Nikon D3500 and Canon 250D, tend to be particularly small for DSLRs, so take a close look at those.
2. Looking to shoot lots of video along with your stills? DSLRs can be a cheap way to get into vlogging too, so make sure you look out for models with a vari-angle screen (like the ones on most Canon models) if you need this. These can help you shoot from different angles and also flip round to the front so you can check your framing while recording to camera.
3. Lastly, you’ll want to consider lenses. As a beginner, you’ll most likely be starting from scratch, which means it makes more sense to buy your DSLR with a kit lens. A word of warning here, though – most manufacturers offer two types of kits lens, one with image stabilisation and one without. It’s best to go with the image-stabilised kit lens, as you’ll be able to shoot sharper images at slower shutter speeds.
While an 18-55mm kit lens will be more than enough to get you started, one of the big benefits of DSLRs is being able to add extra lenses for different kinds of photography.
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