Do you want to step up your photography game and move beyond the ‘point and shoot’ or smartphone camera? If you plan to invest in a Digital SLR then entry level models would be the right way to go with.
Entry-level DSLRs take your photography to the next level with the bigger sensor, improved image quality and far more manual controls and offer you the choice to change lenses depending on the kind of photography you are into.
There are tons of entry-level DSLRs out there by different manufacturers and it can get pretty confusing to decide which one to pick for yourself if you do not have the geeky knowledge about these devices.
We have listed down some of the best beginner DSLRs to help you choose one for yourself without breaking your bank.
• Nikon D3400:
We are going to start our list with the Nikon D3400 as it is one of the most popular entry-level models and you will find it on every Best entry-level DSLRs list. This camera offers really great image quality, impressive performance with more than enough features for a beginner without spending a fortune.
The Nikon D3400 is an upgrade to the famous D3300 DSLR and has almost the same design and functionality but with few major upgrades. You get Nikon’s Snapbridge Bluetooth connectivity which uses low Bluetooth energy to maintain the always-on connection to your smartphone. The camera automatically transfers the images to your mobile device via the Snapbridge app so you are ready to share them on Facebook or Instagram as soon as you pick up your smartphone.
It has an APS-C CMOS sensor with DX image sensor format. It is a 24.2 megapixel sensor that is one of the best available in the business. There are 11 autofocus points and the camera can shoot up to 5 frames per second in burst mode allowing you to capture some sporty action.
The Video quality is also decent and the camera can record 1080p at 60 frames per second, you can also slow do slow mo at 30 FPS. It is a solid choice for a beginner DSLR and costs only about $500 with the kit lens. Check Amazon Price
Pros:
The camera has superb battery life and good single-shot AF.
Cons:
There is no microphone port available.
The Display is not touch-sensitive.
• Canon EOS Rebel T7i / Canon EOS 800D:
Next up on our list, we have the Canon EOS Rebel T7i which is a bit pricey but is the best on our list.
This camera has very impressive low light and high ISO performance offering you to shoot even in dark situations.
The T7i’s autofocus system is also really great and the 45 points autofocus system is so fast and accurate allowing you to capture fast moving objects. It can also shoot up to 6 frames per second. There is a newly designed 24.2 megapixels APS-C sensor which captures great details, sharpness and colors.
The camera also performs well in video department thanks to Canon’s Dual Pixel Autofocus (DPAF) technology. This technology allows the Canon T7i to focus smoothly and quickly helping those who want to make their own videos. You can record 1080p at 60 fps with this camera.
The 3 inch display is an articulating touch screen allowing you to easily navigate the interface and capture images at different angles. Check Amazon Price
Pros:
The Display is touch-sensitive.
The image sensor is really good.
Cons:
It is slightly expensive.
Plastic build and finish.
• Nikon D5300:
The Nikon D5300 is basically an improved version of an already great camera the Nikon D5200. This time the sensor lacks optical low pass filter means now you can get even sharper images. It is one of the sharpest camera in its class.
The overall design and built quality are also upgraded and the viewfinder is slightly larger. The improved APS-C image sensor is of 24 megapixels. There are 39 autofocus points and the camera can shoot up to 5 shots per second in continuous mode.
The Nikon Expeed image has improved the high ISO image sensitivity and a couple of cool new effect modes have been added.
You also get features like high resolution articulated screen, WiFi and GPS. The camera ships with an 18-140mm zoom lens providing more flexibility than any other camera’s kit lens on the list. Check Amazon Price
Pros:
Excellent Dynamic Range.
Built-in WiFi and GPS with remote control and sharing feature.
18-140mm kit lens with a versatile focal length range.
Cons:
No external headphone jack.
The AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to noise.
• Canon EOS Rebel T6i / EOS 750D:
If you think that the T7i is too pricey for you then you should take a look at the slightly less powerful Canon T6i. The sensor has the same amount of megapixels as the T7i but the image quality isn’t quite as good.
The autofocus system is also decent with 19 AF points and the camera can shoot up to 5 frames per second. You get the same articulated touch screen here that is in the T7i. You also get features like WiFi and NFC to transfer your images instantly.
The maximum video resolution is 1080p at 60 frames per second. Overall this camera is pretty decent entry-level DSLR considering the price point. Check Amazon Price
Pros:
Wifi and NFC connectivity.
Great touchscreen display.
Cons:
Autofocus is a bit slow.
Battery life is not good enough.
• Nikon D3300:
The last one on the list is the Nikon D3300 which is a very budget friendly option that delivers similar image quality as the Nikon D3400. The only major difference between the two is the lack of connectivity. However, you can invest into a cheap WiFi dongle that you can insert it into one of the ports.
It has almost the same specs as the D3400, the image sensor is the same 24.2 megapixel. The autofocus system has 11 AF points and can shoot 5 frames per second. You can also record videos at 1080p at 60 frames per second. Check Amazon Price
The 3-inch screen is slightly low resolution than the D3400 but is still decent enough. You can get an excellent image quality and sharpness with this camera as it lacks the optical low pass filter.
Overall this is an excellent camera for the budget with some really decent specs but after the release of D3400 the stocks are running down and it is becoming less easy to find the D3300 at a good price.
Pros:
Excellent image quality and low light performance.
Low price point
Cons:
No touchscreen display.
No WiFi connectivity.
Canon Eos Rebel T6/ Canon Eos 1300D:
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 is one of the most affordable entry-level DSLR in Canon’s line-up. This camera is an upgrade to the T5 and shares many similarities with it. The main difference between the two is in the connectivity department, the newer T6 has built-in WiFi and NFC technology for easy photo transferring to a smartphone.
The image sensor is also improved and it captures excellent quality images with the Canon’s Digic 4 image processing technology. You get an 18 megapixel shooter and 9 point autofocus system which is decent considering the price.
However, you can not shoot fast moving objects with it as it only captures 3 frames per second in the burst mode.
Pros:
Very Low Price.
Excellent image quality.
WiFi and NFC connectivity.
Cons:
Slow burst shooting.
Mediocre autofocus performance.
Mediocre low light performance.
Canon Rebel EOS SL2/ Canon EOS 200D:
The Canon Rebel EOS SL2 feels like a slightly pared-down version of the T7i. It is amongst the most compact and lightest DSLR on the market.
The image quality is good and the sensor is a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor.
It has 9 autofocus points and can shoot up to 5 frames per second in burst mode.
This is a much decent camera compared to the T6 as it has more megapixels, faster burst rate and much better low light performance.
Pros:
Compact in size.
Excellent image quality.
Cons:
Poor battery life.
Fixed LCD screen.
Nikon D5600:
The Nikon D5600 is a competition to the Canon T7i, it is a high-end entry-level camera with improved 24.2 megapixel sensor and 39 point autofocus system.
This is a great entry-level DSLR if you want to get creative with amazing features like articulated touchscreen and Snapbridge technology.
The image quality and color production is on point and this camera can shoot up to 5 frames per second in burst mode. The autofocus could have been much better as it is relatively slower than the Canon T7i. Overall the D5600 is a great mid-range entry-level DSLR.
Pros:
Excellent image quality.
39 point autofocus system.
Cons:
Slow focusing speed in live view.
Snapbridge is a bit slow.
Even though most of the people prefer to buy well-known brands like Nikon and Canon, they overlook lesser known brands like Pentax which offers great bang for the buck as well.
Pentax K-S2:
The Pentax K-S2 is a great entry level DSLR for outdoor and landscape photography as it offers unique weather resistance feature which is a feature usually saved for higher end expensive cameras. It is the cheapest weather resistant DSLR that you can find in the biz.
The image quality and performance is quite similar to the Nikon D3400 but it has a slightly lower sensor of 20.1 megapixels. It can shoot up to 5 frames in burst mode and the autofocus system has 11 AF points.
This camera can also record in 4K which is a feature that you can hardly find in an entry-level DSLR. It also has WiFi connectivity for data transfer.
Pros:
Weather Resistance.
The autofocus is fast.
Articulated LCD screen.
Cons:
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow.
Battery life is really poor.
Limited Lens option available.
Pentax K70:
The next Pentax camera that made its way in our list is the Pentax K-70. This DSLR is slightly expensive but is a very viable competitor to the Canon T7i. This camera also provides weather resistance like the KS-2.
It has an improved 24.2 APS-C CMOS sensor that performs really impressive in low light situations. The image quality, sharpness and color is also on point.
The camera also provides built-in image stabilization which cuts camera shake and can even correct slightly skewed horizons. This camera has 11 autofocus points which are really fast. You can also shoot 6 frames per second in burst mode.
Pros:
Weather Resistance.
Excellent Image Quality.
Excellent High ISO performance.
Cons:
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow.
Battery life is really poor.
Limited lens options available.
Slightly expensive.
So these are the best beginner/Entry-level DSLRs we have selected for your ease. We have also accumulated some best budget-friendly DSLR lenses to buy in 2017. Check them out as well! Also, as a cherry on top, learn Reverse Lens Technique here for macro shooting.