The best DSLR in 2022: DSLRs offer solid build, groovy value and a huge range of lenses
Included in this guide:

The best DSLRs have actually stood the test of time. Mirrorless cameras may accept taken the camera market by storm, but the classic DSLR design still has an awful lot going for it, including strong, chunky build, value for money and a range of lenses that mirrorless cameras have yet to match. DSLRs are platonic cameras for beginners, withal popular with enthusiasts and brand great professional workhorses.
The best DSLRs even include some modern mirrorless features such as 4K video, on-sensor stage detect autofocus and effective live view modes. Early on in 2022, Nikon released the Nikon D780 which is capable of 4K 30p video recording and Catechism released the Canon EOS 90D in 2022 which incorporates the vari-bending screen and Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus technology also used in Canon’due south mirrorless cameras.
Nosotros have an article on DSLRs vs mirrorless cameras that spells out all the technical and practical differences, and while mirrorless cameras do have very clear advantages in some respects, it’due south past no means one-sided.
Even older DSLRs like the Nikon D850 or the Canon EOS 5D Iv have proved their long-term value. DSLRs are likewise an affordable way of making the jump from a camera phone or a point and shoot compact camera. The Nikon D3500 or the Catechism EOS Insubordinate T100 / EOS 4000D are great beginner cameras and even though they don’t accept all the features of more avant-garde models, they’ll get y’all started doing ‘proper’ photography without breaking the bank.
Another big advantage of investing in a DSLR over a mirrorless camera is that you’ve got years’ worth of lenses to choose from. For more on this, check out our guide to the best photographic camera lenses to buy.
So here we’ve rounded up the best DSLR camera for yous to peruse below. We start off with affordable and easy to utilize beginner cameras and work upwards to fully fledged professional models.
The all-time DSLRs in 2022
The Nikon D3500 was launched in 2022 and fifty-fifty today, information technology’s a popular camera among newbie photographers. We love it so much we charge per unit information technology every bit ane of the best Nikon cameras and i of the best cameras for beginners. That’southward considering it features a handy ‘Guide’ shooting style which acts as a tutorial and teaches the user how to use the camera via the LCD screen. The D3500 has a 24-megapixel sensor that’s able to evangelize super sharp images even with the 18-55mm kit lens which is also pretty skilful. Although the rear screen is stock-still and it can simply shoot upward to Total HD and not 4K, the fact its easy to use, inexpensive, small and light will make it appeal to a beginner. While information technology may not have all the features of a mirrorless camera, we can’t aid but remember all the thrills and frills are sometimes a bit much if you’re just starting and at this price, nothing is quite every bit skillful.
Read more:
Nikon D3500 review
Larn:
Photography tips for beginners
There are a few Catechism cameras that are cheaper than the EOS Insubordinate SL3 (known equally the 250D in Europe) but they lack on features and build quality. You don’t have to pay that much actress to have features such as a vari-bending touchscreen, a 24.3-megapixel sensor with Canon’southward Dual Pixel CMOS AF Technology which makes the autofocus in alive fashion actually fast – just like a mirrorless camera’s – and guided screen options to help you learn. It’south also capable of 4K video so if you lot think you might want to have a go at filmmaking, this may be better for y’all than the Nikon D3500.
Read more:
Catechism Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D review
This is the best Canon photographic camera for enthusiasts, and it arrived with groundbreaking specs that no other camera in this category can lucifer and could leave a few professional photographers and videographers taking a wait also. The EOS 90D packs in an amazing 32.5 1000000 pixels – the highest withal for an APS-C camera – though don’t look to see any obvious and instant do good in image quality. Instead, revel in this camera’southward 10fps continuous shooting adequacy and its uncropped 4K video capture – a consumer level Catechism that (finally) doesn’t reduce the angle of view for 4K video. The extra megapixels practice paring the EOS 90D’s high ISO/low low-cal performance, simply this camera has so many capabilities and then much potential, we call up information technology’southward a dazzlingly good all-rounder for enthusiasts who want to effort every facet of photography. What’s more, with its flip-out screen and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, it’s just like using a mirrorless photographic camera in live view style.
Read more:
Catechism EOS 90D review
| Canon EOS 90D vs EOS 80D vs EOS 7D Mark II
Despite being released 4 years ago we yet think the Nikon D7500 deserves recognition equally one of the best DSLRs for enthusiasts, even at present. It’south a decent all-rounder and Nikon’southward equivalent to the Catechism EOS 90D. It offers a slightly faster continuous outburst shooting speed at 8fps though lacks the resolution of the 90D. The 51-point autofocus system is reliable and it has the power to record 4K video. It has a tilting rear screen rather than the fully-articulated design on the EOS 90D and relies on slower contrast AF in live view mode, merely if you practise most of your shooting through the viewfinder these will be small points. Nikon fans who like sports photography might besides want to have a await at the Nikon D500, just this is a much more expensive camera and it’s growing harder to observe.
• Read more than:
Nikon D7500 review
• See likewise:
Nikon Z50 vs D7500
The Chiliad-lxx is ruggedly congenital to a semi pro standard, and with its smart blueprint features, the One thousand-70 is probably the best all-round Pentax camera enthusiast photographers can purchase right now. It started out at a much higher price merely is at present being sold at a good discount, making it great value. Pentax is the only visitor to make a DSLR with in-trunk epitome stabilization (IBIS) system, and the Thou-lxx uses a combination of phase detection AF and contrast detection AF when shooting using live view. The 24MP resolution is even so competitive today and the flip-out vari-angle screen actually makes the One thousand-70 feel very modern. The only matter missing is 4K video. The 480 shot battery life is fair, though a footling disappointing for a DSLR. On the other hand, there are lots of Pentax lenses to choose from, then although the Pentax brand no longer has quite the same ascendancy as Canon or Nikon, it’s nevertheless a significant strength in the DSLR market place.
The EOS 6D Marker Two has been out for a while now, and while its specifications are hardly cutting edge, this is still a powerful and versatile DSLR for photographers taking their first steps in total frame photography. The 26-megapixel sensor is good rather than keen, but it does have Canon’due south Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, and so the live view autofocus is very fast and effective. The 45-point viewfinder AF organisation is pretty practiced also, although the focus points are all amassed towards the centre of the screen. The EOS 6D Mark Ii tin can capture images at vi.5fps in burst fashion, and extremely useful vari-angle touchscreen display. It has been upstaged somewhat past the newer Canon EOS RP and Canon’s other mirrorless models, but it’s a solid buy that’southward cheaper than the Nikon D780 (below).
Besides read:
Canon EOS 6D Mark Two review
| Catechism EOS 5D Mark IV vs EOS 6D Marking II | All-time lenses for the Catechism EOS 6D Mark II
APS-C format DSLRs like those earlier in our list offer the best compromise between features, quality and toll, merely professionals will demand a step upwardly in image quality, and that means a full frame DSLR. The Nikon D850 is an expensive camera (though prices are falling), only its capabilities put it in a grade of its own. Its 45.7MP resolution is spectacular, it has a 153-point autofocus system, and can capture images at seven frames per second – or 9fps with the optional MB-D18 battery grip. Amazing video features besides makes information technology 1 of the best 4K photographic camera choices around – though the newer Nikon D780 would be a better and cheaper choice for videographers. The Nikon D850 doesn’t take the new Nikon D780’s hybrid on-sensor autofocus engineering, then its live view autofocus speeds are relatively pedestrian, but that scarcely puts a dent in the D850’due south all-round appeal equally arguably the best DSLR of all fourth dimension for professional photographers. It looked spectacular when it first came out in 2022, and information technology looks merely as practiced today… but cheaper!
Read more than:
N
ikon D850 review
The long-awaited upgrade to the much-loved Nikon D750 certainly didn’t disappoint us. The Nikon D780 includes the same on-sensor phase detection autofocus every bit the Nikon Z6 to give the same mirrorless alive view performance – a keen advantage for stills photography and specially for video. Admittedly, Nikon was a bit tiresome off the marking as Catechism has used its ain Dual Pixel CMOS AF in its DSLRs to practise the same affair for years. However, the D780 doesn’t just have avant-garde live view AF – information technology also comes with a high-resolution tilting touchscreen display, 4K UHD video, dual UHS-Two compatible memory card slots and continuous shooting speeds upwardly to 12fps in live view mode. Combine that with its solid design and comfortable grip and you’ve got a camera that’due south an instant classic. The D780, like other Nikon DSLRs, combines well idea out design with a solid build and very satisfying handling.
Read more:
Nikon D780 review
Released in 2022, the Catechism EOS 5D IV is notwithstanding a popular camera among professional photographers. Information technology’due south one of Canon’due south all-fourth dimension best DSLRs if you want a reasonably high megapixel count without sacrificing also much in the mode of continuous burst speed and high-quality images. Even at very high ISO settings, you can achieve clean, racket-free results. Compared to the Nikon D850 above its resolution might seem pretty average, only for lots of photographers xxx megapixels is more than than enough and y’all can shoot 4K video with this photographic camera too (although the format used means the file sizes it outputs are massive). The EOS 5D Mark IV features Catechism’south Dual Pixel CMOS AF which means users benefit from fast autofocus operation in live view and video modes. It’s robust, reliable and conditions resistant which is a major plus for pro photographers. Sadly, Canon has shifted almost all its attention to its new EOS R range of mirrorless cameras so we don’t know when – or even
if
– nosotros will ever see a successor to the EOS 5D IV.
Read more:
• Canon EOS 5D Mark Iv review
• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D850
Pentax seems to soldier along in its own petty bubble, seemingly unaffected by outside events, so the Pentax K-i Marker Ii is typically solid but unadventurous in is specifications. It does have a tough, conditions-sealed construction, and a highly effective sensor-shift image stabilisation arrangement that works with whatever attached lens, unlike competing Canon and Nikon DSLRs, which practice non have in-body stabilisation. Better still, the 5-centrality stabilizer can work in trick modes to deliver anti-aliasing correction, an increase in fine detail and texture based on Pixel Shift through multiple exposures, and fifty-fifty an Astrotracer mode to avoid stars actualization to streak through the sky. With a 36MP full-frame image sensor, the K-ane Marker II certainly gives y’all a lot of megapixels for the money, though the 33-betoken autofocus system does experience dated, and Alive View autofocus is poor. For DSLR fans who desire a big, solid, premium-quality and traditional camera, though, it even so has strong appeal.
Read more than:
Pentax Thou-i Mark II review
Read more:
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The best camera for beginners
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Best cameras for enthusiasts
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All-time professional cameras
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The cheapest total-frame cameras
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Best mirrorless cameras
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DSLR vs mirrorless cameras
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Source: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/uk/buying-guides/best-dslr-camera
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