The best DSLR cameras for photography beginners

The Canon EOS 250D(opens in a new tab) is a great value starter-upper, which combines DSLR handling with a nice selection of tech features. The jargon might be intimidating for true beginners, but the price won’t be. Yes, £700-plus is considered fairly cheap. Welcome to the world of high-quality cameras — it’s gonna cost you. Actually, there are cheaper (and newer) DSLRs from Canon, but we like this better as a whole package.

It’s compact and lightweight — particularly for a DSLR — and high-quality images come courtesy of a 24.3-megapixel sensor. That combines with fast-working Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus and a powerful DIGIC 8 processor.

You’ll get the most from its autofocus while using live view mode on the vari-angle touchscreen (autofocus via the viewfinder is more limited). The vari-angle touchscreen is good for taking photos from an unusual vantage point and you’ll find modes that assist your photography — Guided UI and Creative Assist — plus 4K video, which is a bonus on a DSLR at this price. The 4K video is cropped, however — something that other cameras are phasing out.

When it comes to uploading images to your smart device, there are no complaints about this camera's WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity. 

There’s no two ways about it. The Nikon D850(opens in a new tab) is a very expensive camera. And putting a lens on the thing — you know, the other bit you need to actually take some photographs — will cost you even more. But stick with us: If you’re in the market to invest in something seriously impressive — with incredibly detailed images, fast shooting speeds, and a multi-faceted autofocus — this could be the one for you. 

The Nikon D850 has actually been around a few years now. It was a hit when it first dropped. And the fact it still comes recommended by camera aficionados speaks volumes about its quality and performance.

It’s a highly versatile DSLR that satisfies two distinct needs: high-quality imagery, which is all thanks to its whopping 45.7-megapixel resolution, plus the ability to point and shoot at competitive speed (especially at this resolution) of 7 fps. You can get it up to 9 fps with an additional battery pack, though that’s means even more money. The autofocus, though not as fast as some cameras, has 153-point phase detection.

With its tilting touchscreen, there are various live view modes — including autofocus and 4K — to play around with. And the 4K, unlike other cameras on this list, is uncropped. The touchscreen is iPhone-like: super responsive, intuitive to use, and pleasingly lag-free. The camera also has built-in wireless connectivity, which allows you to easily transfer images via Nikon’s SnapBridge app. 

DSLRs might be seen as behind the times — with many photographers and manufacturers making the jump to the new-fangled mirrorless — but Pentax is sticking to its DSLR guns with this relatively new model, the Pentax KF(opens in a new tab), which packs DSLR reliability and up-to-date tech inside a robust package. And robust is certainly the word: If you like to venture out into the great outdoors, or in less-than-clement conditions, this could be the one for you, being both weatherproof and dustproof.

Built-in “shake reduction” stabilisation and night vision add to its outdoorsy appeal. You won’t find stabilisation in other brands’ DSLRs, so that’s actually a nice touch that could make the difference for some potential users. And crucially, the images captured by this camera are very good. They're bolstered by a 24-megapixel resolution, a hybrid autofocus system, and decent shooting speed of 6 fps.

It doesn’t shoot 4K video, though it does shoot Full HD 1080p. Hey, remember when Full HD 1080p was an eye-popping revelation? Well, it still looks pretty good if you’re not too fussy. While we're on the subject of outdated features, the flip-out LCD monitor isn’t touchscreen, which might be a deal breaker for some.

The quality of the screen, however, has been well rated by reviewers — along with the optical viewfinder, which offers more than competing cameras.

The Canon EOS 90D(opens in a new tab) might be the closest that you’ll get to the mirrorless experience with a DSLR — the closest on this list, anyway. It uses a Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system in live view, which is used on Canon’s mirrorless range and gives you mirrorless-level performance. It also shoots uncropped 4K, which is usually the domain of mirrorless or more expensive cameras, so that’s certainly a welcome bonus.

This camera is just well-equipped all round, with a 32.5-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 8 processor, tracking and face detection, eye detection autofocus, a flip-out touchscreen, and an impressive shooting speed of 10 fps.

That shooting speed is designed for action photography — such as sports and wildlife — though some reviewers have noted that its buffer capacity (which means the memory capacity to store images before they are written onto a proper memory card) isn’t quite up to scratch. In other words, it’s fast but if you’re aiming for serious professional-grade action photography, you’ll need something a bit more specialist. But at a beginner or enthusiast level, it’s perfectly decent.

Reviewers have also praised the chunky, tactile build, which makes handling the camera a pleasurable experience — and there’s plenty to grip onto. Is it perfect? Of course not. Nothing at the price point will be. But what you get is a solid, features-packed camera.

If you’re looking for an all-rounder with a fair price tag, you’ll be impressed with the Nikon D7500(opens in a new tab) — a solid option that covers pretty much everything, even if some specs aren’t at quite the level of more advanced cameras.

It boasts a 20.9-megapixel sensor, a 51-point autofocus system, 8 fps continuous shooting, 4K video capabilities, an EXPEED 5 processing engine, and a tilting touchscreen on the camera rear. Another nice feature is an LCD screen on the top, which makes it easy to keep tabs on settings when you're using a low tripod.

The Nikon D7500 is also a solid choice for keen night-time photographers, with an ISO range of 100-51,200. This is the sensitivity of the sensor, which determines the camera’s ability to capture images in low light. There are a few niggles — such as a less-impressive autofocus than you'll find on other Nikon models and just one SD card slot instead of the preferred two — but these won’t be a problem for everyone.

It’s worth noting that this is just the body of the camera, though there is an option to buy a version with an 18-140 mm lens(opens in a new tab) — for an extra few hundred pounds. If you are in the market to spend more, you could always upgrade to the Nikon D500(opens in a new tab).

The Canon EOS 4000D(opens in a new tab) makes this roundup for one key reason: its price. Indeed, this camera is designed to give beginners and general enthusiasts something decent for their cash. And that’s exactly what you’ll get, as long as you don’t mind losing out on the kind of high-end features that come with pricier models.

It's plasticky but handles nicely, matching the tactile pleasure of other DSLRs, and captures very nice images. These come via an 18-megapixel sensor, 3 fps continuous shooting, and a nice-point autofocus system. The autofocus isn’t as intuitive or easy to use as more premium models, so that may take some getting used to.

Reviewers have also marked down the included lens, but the great thing about buying a Canon is that there’s no shortage of lenses available, so it can easily be upgraded.

The camera also captures HD video and has a live view monitor on the rear. If you’re looking to try DSLRs for the first time, or you’re unfussy about features, the Canon EOS 4000D represents great value for money. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can try the Canon EOS 2000D(opens in a new tab), the slightly higher-spec model.