Many people, including me, love photography. They want to capture the best moments in their lives to make them a memory for themselves or others. Therefore, almost every person has a smartphone and takes snapshots of different places or selfies with friends and family members.
Pictures are used everywhere, from social media to the design industry to hobby. For a beginner-level photographer, the smartphone is a good start, but if you need detailed and quality photographs of something, then you need a DSLR. Here, we discuss a generally recommended list of the best entry-level DSLRs for every beginner to try in your willing photography.
Many DSLRs have been tested over the past few years. People who have already used beginner-level DSLRs focus on some key characteristics, like ease of use, excellent shooting features, and reliable battery life. Most people also work with a variety of lenses. However, everyone’s love of photography has changed from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras as well. Many top-level photographers have a mindset about using DSLRs in their careers. But we have researched over the internet about some of the best picks for beginner-level photographers that are also affordable and can work for your entry-level photographs. In the list of DSLRs below, we have mentioned the features and drawbacks of using different DSLRs if you are a beginner-level photographer switching from a smartphone camera to a DSLR.
1. Nikon D3500 (Best Overall for Beginners)
Nikon D3500 remained the best option for many photographers, but Nikon is officially close to ending this product. It was built on the base of D3400, which had many features, including long battery life compared to power-hungry mirrorless cameras, capturing almost 1500 images per charge with high quality due to the 24MP excellent image quality.
Nikon’s previous generations also revised the body and control layout, making it easier to handle and use. First-time users or beginners have the benefit of Guide Mode, which walks them through the key features. To sum up the above details, we think that the Nikon D3500 is one of the best options for beginner-level photography enthusiasts.
Specifications:
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Nikon DX |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Screen | 3-inch 921,000 dots |
| Max video resolution | 1080p |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5fps |
| User level | Beginner |
| Reasons to Buy | Easy to use excellent Image Quality Can paired with decent DX mount lenses for impressive images the battery of 1550 shots is a plus point |
| Reasons not to Buy | Bluetooth is available, but no Wi-Fi No touchscreen control Limited to Full HD rather than 4K footage. |
2. Canon EOS Rebel SL3/250D/200D Mark II (Best budget camera for beginners)
The EOS Rebel SL3 (also known as Mark II Camera) is not Canon’s cheapest DSLR, but it provides many features. It is a smaller and lighter DSLR with an articulating large screen. Its processing engine is fast, and it records 4K video compared to its predecessor, the Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D).
It is famous for its responsive touch screen, excellent dual-pixel CMOS AF system, and speedy start-up (while used for shooting on 1080p). It is different from its rivals, like the EOS Rebel T100, in terms of money for value. The SL3’s battery power life is not as good as it is. Everything else is the same between the SL2 and SL3.
Specifications:
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-S |
| Megapixels | 24.1 MP |
| Screen | 3-inch, 1,040,000 dots |
| Max video resolution | 4K |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5fps |
| User level | Beginner |
| Reasons to Buy | Nice JPEGs built directly into the camera Cheapest DSLR with 4K video Excellent build quality |
| Reasons not to Buy | Heavy rolling shutter in 4K It can record 4K footage but can suffer from a rolling shutter Its 9-point autofocus looks dated next to its rivals |
3. Pentax K-70 (the best rugged DSLR)
Although the Pentax K-70 or Pentax KF is a few years old, it is essentially a good camera for beginners in terms of many features. If you have old Pentax lenses, it is a good choice. It has a beautiful articulating screen with a hybrid live-view autofocus system that provides a practical alternative to capturing our views.
Its build quality is great, which is commonly lacking in other entry-level models. If you are interested in outdoor photography, such as landscape photography, then the K-70 is a big bonus for you. A small disadvantage is that it offers a longer focal length than most other models. Overall, with solid build specs and rugged credentials, the Pentax K-70 is worth considering for value for money for a quality camera.
Specifications:
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Pentax K |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Screen | 3-inch, 921,000 dots |
| Max video resolution | Full HD |
| Continuous shooting speed | 6fps |
| User level | Beginner |
| Reasons to Buy | Anti-shake techCompact and rugged Dust-proof, weather resistant, and good down to 10 degrees Celsius |
| Reasons not to Buy | Few autofocus pointsSoft kit kens |
4. Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D (premium DSLR for beginners)
Popularly known as EOS 850D outside the US, the Canon EOS Rebel T8i comes from its variant Rebel T7i/EOS 800D. It was released in 2020. Canon Cameras are a bit expensive if you add extra lenses for advanced photography; although not a massive upgrade, it said the feature of 4K video mode, which is supported by an excellent 45-point autofocus system in the viewfinder and has a tilt-flip touchscreen. For many beginners, the Rebel T8i 850D is the all-around DSLR.
Compared to its predecessor, Canon T7i, it shoots 7 FPS instead of 6 FPS shooting. For fast, reliable, and excellent video quality, you may find the Dual Pixel phase–detection AF system. The shape is very flexible, and the vari-angle LCD screen handles your grip very well. For a long battery of 800 and the hobbyist, its autofocus phase detection is a great feature as well. Moreover, your EOS T8i is a little expensive for a beginner compared to the Canon T7i, Nikon D5600, or Pentax K-70.
Specifications:
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-S |
| Megapixels | 24.1 MP |
| Screen | 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots |
| Max video resolution | 4K |
| Continuous shooting speed | 7fps |
| User level | Beginner/enthusiast |
| Reasons to Buy | Speedy, reliable autofocus Best image quality Good for both photography and video |
| Reasons not to Buy | Plastic build body Conon’s Lenses are expensive Competitor’s mirrorless can be bought at a similar price. |
5. Nikon D5600 (Camera to grow and learn)
Another DSLR market competitor, dominated by mirrorless cameras, is the Nikon D5600. It is an upgraded version of Nikon’s D3000-series model, having enough specs to rival the EOS Rebel T8i/EOS 850D. Its main advantage over the D3500 is its large touchscreen, which has a vlogging-friendly articulating design that flips around the front. It also has Wi-Fi and a range of additional controls on the sides.
The 24.2MP sensor produces high-quality images, which are not disappointing. Despite the D5600’s age, you may upgrade to a full-scale camera for additional features. A polished handling makes it a well-rounded entry-level DSLR. Nikon decided to set the D5600 price up to $550 with a kit lens, which is less exciting than $800. This camera has a weight of 465-515 grams and a battery life of 970 to 800 photos on a single charge. For a beginner, you can get a good deal on a refurbished or used camera as well.
Specifications:
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Nikon DX |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Screen | 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots |
| Max video resolution | 1080p |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5fps |
| User level | Beginner/enthusiast |
| Reasons to Buy | Articulating touchscreen Best for sharp, impressive images Good for 1080p video recording |
| Reasons not to Buy | No 4K recording In dim conditions, Live View AF can be haunting SnapBrifge needs some improvements. |
Conclusion:
Above listed are some beginner-level DSLR cameras. As a photographer, one can use his/her smartphone for some random clicks as well. Advanced features in some phones like Samsung and iPhone are awesome to use for beginner photography, but in my experience of photography, DSLR photos are sharper and more detailed and have a good size compared to smartphone photos. So, as a beginner, you can start with a smartphone, but slowly, you will be shifting to DSLRs, and the above details are enough to buy a beginner-level DSLR for your beginner-level photography.