Even today, the best DSLR cameras don't lag too far behind their mirrorless competitors. Modern mirrorless features included in many DSLRs include 4K video, on-sensor phase detect autofocus, and useful live view options.
While mirrorless cameras do offer very evident benefits in some areas, it's by no means one-sided. This article on DSLRs vs mirrorless cameras that details all the technical and practical distinctions.
Making the switch from a camera phone or a point-and-shoot compact camera to a DSLR is an economical option. You may choose from years' worth of lenses with a DSLR, which is another major benefit over a mirrorless camera. Visit our buying guide for the best camera lenses for more information on this.
The Best DSLR Cameras
Check out our list of the best DSLR cameras below and find the most suitable for yourself.
-
Best video capture: Nikon D850
-
Best camera for stills: Nikon D780
-
Best overall: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
-
Best mid-range camera: Pentax K-1 Mark II
-
Best for beginners: Canon EOS 250D
- Best for art enthusiast: Canon EOS 90D
Reviews
1. Nikon D850
With its sturdy design, fantastic controls, and superior resolution and speed, the Nikon D850 is one of our all-time favorites.
Product’s Specifications
-
Model Name: Nikon D850
-
Form Factor: Digital SLR
-
Effective Still Resolution: 45.7 MP
-
Special Feature: digital-camera
-
Optical Zoom: 1 x
-
Color: Black
-
Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, NFC
Today' best deals: View at Amazon, View at Adorama WW
Product’s Highlights
Professional photographers have had to make a stark decision for a very long time. The Nikon D810, Canon EOS 5DS, or Sony A7R II are excellent resolution cameras, but they lack genuine speed. Alternatively, you can choose a high-speed camera like the Nikon D5, EOS-1D X II, or Sony A9, but you will have to give up resolution.
You could even find yourself needing to buy one of each. We haven't forgotten about the Sony A99 II, but Sony's Alpha SLT system hasn't yet shown to be a competitive, cutting-edge option for professional photographers.
Because of this, the new Nikon D850 is a huge deal. Along with raising the bar for sharpness, it also offers a continuous filming pace that can compete with specialized sports cameras.
Finally, a professional DSLR that is truly capable of anything is available. Additionally, this balance of speed and quality is just one feature of a camera that may be Nikon's most significant new model in years.
Reasons to buy
-
Astonishing degrees of detail
-
7 fps; 9 fps with a grip
-
Video in 4K full frame
Reasons to avoid
-
Lower buffer capacity at 9 frames per second
-
Fast memory cards are required
-
Foot traffic live view AF
Product Summary
The D850 appears to be the ideal all-purpose DSLR for professional photographers, but at this price it may also be attractive to many aspirational amateurs. It does have a few drawbacks, but overall it's 4K full frame video, continuous filming speed, and resolution are just astoundingly fantastic.
2. Nikon D780
The D780 is impressive because it combines mirrorless technology with DSLR handling.
Product’s Specifications
-
Model Name: D780 Body
-
Form Factor: DSLR
-
Effective Still Resolution: 24.5 MP
-
Color: Black
-
Connectivity Technology:Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
-
Screen Size: 3.2 Inches
Today' best deals: View at Amazon
Product’s Highlights
The long-running argument between mirrorless and DSLR cameras will be rekindled by the Nikon D780. We won't put much stock in it, but it might even obfuscate the lines and bring the two sides closer together.
A camera is only a camera to some photographers, but to others, the decision between mirrorless and DSLR is as contentious as contrasting political ideas!
The Nikon D780 is mounting a defense against the invading hordes of mirrorless cameras, much like the Canon EOS 90D from the previous year. A hybrid camera that combines an optical through-the-lens viewfinder with high-performance live view autofocus and video functions is made possible thanks to important mirrorless technology from Nikon's own mirrorless Z6.
Reasons to buy
-
Handling is satisfying and chunky
-
Quick live view AF
-
Full-frame 4K video
-
Excellent burst mode
-
Slots for two UHS-II cards
Reasons to avoid
-
Dual AF mechanisms
-
Live view switching by hand
-
Costly while being new
Product Summary
The Nikon D780 is not a show-stopper. It doesn't bring ground-breaking new technologies, impossible standards, or bizarre design elements. It's really a fantastic progression of a terrific camera design that offers something for both amateurs and professionals worldwide.
Fast phase detection live view AF has finally been added to Nikon's DSLR design, along with some pretty sophisticated 4K video features, better continuous shooting performance, more buffer space than we'd expect for the price, and the company's customary balanced, polished, and comfortable DSLR handling.
3. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Hybrid DSLR for professionals and Canon's most technologically advanced DLSR to date.
Product’s Specifications
-
Model Name: 1897C009
-
Form Factor: DSLR
-
Color: Black
-
Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, NFC
-
Screen Size: 3 Inches
-
Photo Sensor Size: Full Frame (35mm)
-
Shooting Modes: High dynamic rang
-
Flash Memory Type: SD Card
Today' best deals: View at Amazon
Product’s Highlights
There are high expectations for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, and it will have to put up a real fight to keep its crown. While DSLRs continue to rule the world of professional sports photography (with 70% of pros using Canon DSLRs at the Rugby World Cup last year), mirrorless cameras have advanced to the point that Sony's most recent model, the Sony A9 II, is a much better camera than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
With the A9 II dominating the market as the best camera for professionals, Canon had to truly outdo itself with its newest flagship DSLR. Thankfully, it has produced a real hybrid DSLR/mirrorless camera that brings in a number of new features and technology that will undoubtedly become standard in the industry.
Reasons to buy
-
A revelation, Smart Controller.
-
In fact, Deep Learning AF is impressive.
-
Standards for HDR stills and videos.
-
4K, uncropped
Reasons to avoid
-
Inferior to that of the Sony A9 II
-
No animal AF (yet)
-
Picture stabilization is absent
-
No LCD screen tilting
Product Summary
Canon EOS 6D Mark II, the usually circumspect corporation has unveiled a camera jam-packed with cutting-edge technology. This camera achieves so much that no other system can — but lacking the comforts of mirrorless — that it truly offers a glimpse into the future.
4. Pentax K-1 Mark II
We believe Pentax is squandering its efforts on its APS-C cameras because the K-1 Mark II is so excellent.
Product’s Specifications
-
Model Name: Pentax K-1 Mark II
-
Form Factor: DSLR
-
Effective Still Resolution: 36 MP
-
Special Feature: image-stabilization
-
Optical Zoom: 1 x
-
Color: Black
-
Connectivity Technology: USB, HDMI
Today' best deals: View at Amazon
Product’s Highlights
Since Canon and Nikon are the two leading brands in DSLR photography, it's simple to overlook the fact that Ricoh Imaging is still in business and offers some intriguing APS-C DSLRs under the Pentax moniker. Perhaps more significantly, the respected full-frame K-1 is the company's flagship model.
Pentax's first full-frame DSLR, the K-1, was introduced in February 2016. A new version of the K-1, the Mark II, was released by Ricoh Imaging two years later featuring an accelerator unit for improved high ISO performance, a new Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution option, and upgrades to its autofocus algorithms. For this larger full frame format, a continuous trickle of new Pentax lenses is also being added.
Reasons to buy
-
Resolving power of 36MP
-
Use of Shake Reduction with finesse
-
Solid construction and controls
Reasons to avoid
-
Weak video capabilities.
-
The maximum continuous frame rate is 4.4.
-
Live view contrast-detect autofocus
Product Summary
The Pentax K-1 Mark II initially has a retro appearance and feel, but it actually offers a pleasant change from modern touch-screen interfaces and digital miniaturization due to its harsh, hefty handling and strong, sensible controls. Our opinion of it is elevated even more by its superb overall image quality and deft use of shake reduction.
FAQs
1. What does a DSLR stand for?
The phrase "digital single-lens reflex camera" is another name for a DSLR. An image is reflected into a viewfinder by a mirror located inside the camera's body. When satisfied, the user can snap the picture and store it to a memory card.
DSLRs are distinguished from point-and-shoot and the majority of compact cameras by their full frame sensors, which are capable of recording far more data at a higher quality. When utilizing DSLR cameras, many photographers choose to store their files in RAW format for later editing.
DSLRs also have the advantage of being interchangeable with a variety of lenses, which is one of the reasons they are frequently purchased "body only." Vendor-provided cameras and lenses can be combined, albeit in certain circumstances an adaptor may be required.
2. What should I think about while purchasing a new DSLR?
A DSLR can be a pricey purchase. We recently updated from new cameras and anticipate that this will serve me well for some time. For the better part of eight years, canon Mark iii was more than competent at overseeing wedding photo shoots.
When making a significant purchase, you should keep the future in mind, especially if the build is pricey. If you want to experiment with videography, you should think about the camera's compatibility with lenses available on the market.
3. Which is superior: DSLR or mirrorless?
Mirrorless cameras have amazing capabilities. In a more compact design and frequently for less money, several mirrorless models can create RAW photographs that are virtually as good as those produced by DSLRs.
But consider why you want the camera. You could wish to choose a DSLR because of the variety of lenses already on the market if you plan to use it professionally in a situation where doing so would improve the quality of the photos.
Final Thought
Overall, we do believe that there are a few DSLR features that need to be highlighted in particular. The Nikon D3500 is still the greatest entry-level DSLR for beginners, and it probably always will be.
In contrast, the Nikon D850 is a robust professional camera that is fun to use and has the resolution, shooting speed, and even video capabilities to be current.
For aficionados, the potent Canon EOS 90D offers the handling and optical viewfinder of a DSLR along with the performance of the best DSLR cameras in its class.