*Some of these are affiliate links that mean I’ll be compensated if you purchase the, so thanks for the support!The following are my choices for the best beginner DSLR cameras. Because this article is written for the beginner / amateur photographer/filmmaker, these choices are mainly budget-friendly. I also choose to omit cameras from Fuji and Panasonic because those manufacturers mainly stick to specialized camera bodies. Although Panasonic is now creating full-frame cameras I will probably update this list in the future.
Canon EOS t7i
The Canon EOS t7i is Canon's entry level DSLR released in 2017. Some of the t7i's features are:
- Digital video stabilization
- Focus Points 45
- WiFi/NFC Connectivity
- Shooting up to 6.0fps
Current prices of the t7i can be viewed here on amazon.
Alternatives: EOS REBEL SL3
Another choice to consider is the SL3 which is newer and smaller than the t7i. The SL3 also has 4k but has a crop factor that might make it difficult to use. It's also missing 24fps in the 1080P mode which is a big deal for a lot of videographers.
Nikon D5600
- Selfie Friendly LCD
- WiFi/NFC Connectivity
Current prices of the D5600 can be viewed here on amazon.
Alternatives: Nikon D7500
Alternatively, the Nikon D7500 makes a good choice. It features 4k video recording which the D5600 doesn't have. It also has a longer battery life and has a higher iso. However, it is missing a fully-articulated screen that the D5600 has.
Sony a6100
Compared to Canon and Nikon, most Sony camera bodies are slightly more expensive. However, these cameras usually feature the latest technology such as 4k recording with no image crop. Here are some of the features of the a6100:
- Built-in Flash
- 396 grams
- 11.0 fps continuous shooting
- 4k Shooting
The drawbacks to choosing the a6100 are the low battery life.Current prices of the a6100 can be viewed here on amazon.
Alternatives: Sony A6600
I choose the A6600 it has a longer battery life which I think is always a plus. Also, if you decided to pursue photography or videography long term, the a6600 would make a great backup if you choose to buy a full-frame Sony camera. In addition to better battery life, the camera also features Built-in Image Stabilization. However, for a beginner camera it is more expensive than many of the cameras on this list.
Lenses:
I think the best lenses for a beginner are a versatile zoom lens and a small prime lens. Below are my choices for each brand:
Lenses for Canon
Lenses for Nikon
Lenses for Sony
Summary: Best Beginner DSLR Cameras
In conclusion, these are just a few picks for beginner-friendly DSLRs cameras.I decided to stick to mainly apsc/crop frame cameras because most beginner DSLRs use that format. I will do another blog post in the future about full-frame cameras. [tg_divider style="normal"]