Just a few years ago, SLR cameras were not very affordable for photography enthusiasts. It was a matter of both price and the approach of manufacturers who did not consider the average person as a potential buyer of such products. Fortunately, today the situation has changed — SLR cameras can be purchased at any home appliance store, and at a very attractive price.
How to choose?
This equipment should be chosen according to a number of criteria, the key among them is the physical size of the matrix, in particular its diagonal — it is calculated in millimeters. It is advisable to choose a model that will be convenient to use. Medium-sized devices have a huge number of universal settings, a number of functions are provided that are aimed specifically at attracting buyers: the ability to transfer images via Wi-Fi, upload them to social networks immediately after shooting, shoot video, and so on.
When compiling this ranking of the top 10 best SLR cameras, we took into account all these factors, but were still based on customer reviews and opinions. Here are the most famous models that have a good value for money. We hope that the rating will be useful to every visitor.
The ten best DSLRs in 2022
10 Canon EOS 1300D Kit
This model looks quite strict and does not contain anything superfluous, it is distinguished by its compact size and low weight. Ideal for travel. Weight is only 550 grams with lens and battery. The case has a traditional and rather ergonomic shape. Anti-slip rubber inserts are provided on the back of the panel and on the handle.
The display is fixed, its resolution is 920,000 dots with a 3-inch diagonal. The menu is convenient, all the main functions are always at hand. The buttons are large and comfortable. The device has excellent sensitivity, the quality of shooting is 18 MPix. It is possible to shoot video at a frame rate of 25-30 per second, automatically focuses using a 9-point system. The camera has a Wi-Fi module that allows you to establish direct communication with various devices and transfer files.
Advantages:
- Very comfortable shape;
- Equipped with anti-slip inserts;
- Acceptable price;
- High-quality focusing when shooting;
- The presence of a Wi-Fi module.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for professional photographers;
- Using panoramic mode allows you to take only three shots;
- Low performance.
Canon EOS 1300D Kit
9. Nikon D3500 18-55P VR Kit Black
Excellent model, which is perfect for beginner photography enthusiasts. There is a built-in guide that will display the appropriate tips on the camera display. All these points contribute to the fact that the user will be able to master the interface of the device in a matter of days and achieve the highest quality photos. The device is characterized by compact overall dimensions, while the device has a deep and very comfortable grip, due to which the camera is very comfortable to hold in your hands. All control keys are located in the area of the thumb, slightly to the right of the LCD. This improves shooting flexibility and ease of use. The bayonet mount is of increased strength, so even when using interchangeable lenses, the camera can last for quite a long time.
The camera is based on a CMOS sensor with a resolution of 24.5 megapixels, its sensitivity range is within 100 — 25,000. Thanks to this moment, you can get clear pictures even in conditions of lack of natural light. The camera can shoot videos in Full-HD resolution at up to 60 frames per second. The camera uses Nikon SnapBridge technology, which allows you to send photos and videos to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Advantages:
- Small overall dimensions;
- It weighs little, so it’s easy to hold in your hands for a long time;
- Excellent stabilization;
- The rechargeable battery holds a charge for a long time;
- Excellent color rendering;
- Ideal for a beginner photographer;
- Designed with a swivel touch display.
Disadvantages:
- Not quite reasonable cost.
Nikon D3500 18-55P VR Kit Black
8. Canon EOS 250D EF-S 18-55 IS STM Kit
One of the lightest SLR cameras — its weight is only 450 grams, so it is very convenient to take it with you on trips, business trips or vacations. The resolution of the matrix is 24.1 megapixels, optical stabilization, thanks to which the photographs are quite clear and saturated. On the frames you can see even quite small details. The device shoots video in 4K resolution. The device is based on the DIGIC 8 processor, thanks to which even very low lighting will not interfere with taking beautiful pictures.
An auto focus system is provided. This technology operates using artificial intelligence, so when a face enters the frame, the system will automatically focus on it. Such a moment allows you to get high-quality portrait photographs. The camera is perfect not only for beginners, but also for professional photographers. An automatic mode is provided when the device independently selects all the necessary parameters, adjusting to lighting conditions. However, there are a lot of settings here, they can be set in manual mode. There is also the so-called creative mode, which allows you to make a real masterpiece out of even the most ordinary photo.
Advantages:
- Very user-friendly gadget;
- Carefully thought-out ergonomics of the case;
- Produced from very high quality components;
- It is possible to adjust the mode yourself or use the automatic mode — this makes the camera suitable for both beginners and professionals;
- The auto focus system works very well.
Disadvantages:
- Pictures are heavy — you will need to constantly carry a spare memory card with you.
Canon EOS 250D EF-S 18-55 IS STM Kit
7. Nikon D5300 Kit
It has a small size, due to which the device is convenient to take with you on trips, carry with you. The camera has a high-quality assembly — there are no backlashes between the body parts, they do not loosen over time. There is a video recording function, and the picture is of high quality. The device supports SDCH memory cards up to 128 GB.
The lens is equipped with a folding mechanism, focus and zoom are adjusted using special wheels. Auto focus works very reliably, focusing on 39 points. The lens also has optical image stabilization. It can be turned off if necessary. The display panel is large, the display itself is rotatable, it can be folded with the screen inward, which reduces the risk of scratches or scuffs. There are several buttons next to it, the main function of which is to view and delete pictures. On the left panel you can find a rubber plug, where there are several outputs — for a microphone, connecting an HDMI cable, miniUSB. The memory card slot is located on the right. Continuous shooting allows you to shoot up to 5 frames per second, and this parameter is adjustable.
Advantages:
- Good color rendering;
- Video recording in high resolution 1920*1080;
- There is a GPS module;
- Wi-Fi is provided, and a mobile phone can be used as a remote control;
- A large number of automatic and manual settings;
- Small mass.
Disadvantages:
- Built-in microphone records noise from auto focus;
- Low battery capacity;
- Sometimes auto focus gets stuck.
Nikon D5300 Kit
6. Canon EOS 850D Body
It catches interesting moments very well, for this you can use the mode that makes up to 7 frames per second. The device has an automatic eye focusing system based on Live View technology. The design of the camera implies the presence of a touch screen with an adjustable tilt angle — this allows you to create very high-quality images and not miss the most interesting moments of life. This camera comes with the Canon Photo Companion mobile application, with which you can almost instantly understand the functionality of the technique, there are many tutorials, useful tips from quite experienced photographers.
Allows you to take pictures with very high detail. It is possible to record videos with a resolution of 4K, and the camera itself has a very compact overall dimensions. The device operates on the basis of a CMOS matrix, its resolution is 24.1 megapixels, the sensitivity level can reach 51200 ISO. The design is equipped with an optical stabilization system, there is a very bright built-in flash, its range is 12 m. The display diagonal is 3 inches, you can easily view the footage on it. The camera has very wide communication capabilities — here you can find GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth modules. The battery capacity is 1040 mAh, it will be enough to take 800 photos.
Advantages:
- High level of reliability;
- There is a built-in flash and a connector for attaching an external flash;
- A decent set of wireless communication modules;
- The footage has decent detail.
Disadvantages:
- Insignificant capacity of the built-in accumulator.
Canon EOS 850D Body
5. Nikon D610 Body
The device is equipped with a fast shutter that allows continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second, and this parameter can be adjusted. Overall dimensions are small, it is convenient to hold the camera with one hand. Autofocus is based on 60 points that are evenly distributed across the frame, and it works well even in low light.
This is one of the best cameras in 2022 with built-in auto flash. For professional sessions, it is unlikely to be suitable, but when traveling it will be simply indispensable. The device has a large number of user settings. One of the main distinguishing features is the HDR mode — when using it, the device will take two frames and glue them into one, while maintaining very bright and very dark areas. The downside is that photos in this mode will only be in .jpeg format. To get a similar effect in .raw, you will have to do all the operations manually, which takes a lot of time.
Advantages:
- High quality pictures;
- There is a built-in flash;
- performance;
- Battery reliability;
- High build quality.
Disadvantages:
- The shutter is weak;
- High price.
Nikon D610 Body
4. Nikon D850 Body
This SLR camera will be an excellent choice for high-quality shooting. It combines all the key parameters. The equipment is based on a high-quality BSI CMOS matrix, the resolution of which is 45.7 megapixels. With the help of this element, it is possible to take pictures with a resolution of 8256×5504 pixels, the degree of sensitivity is in the range from 64 to 25600. The sensitivity can also be changed in manual mode, so that in the end you get very high-quality and clear photos with excellent detail and the most natural color reproduction.
Here you can also set the shutter speed in the range from 1/8000 to 30 seconds. The camera is also equipped with a timer for 2, 5, 10 or 20 s. It will come in handy when there is a need to take group shots. You can save the received frames in a variety of formats — .jpeg, .wav, .tiff and some others. Taking into account the subsequent processing, you can choose the most appropriate file type. There are a lot of focusing possibilities here — the camera can be easily adjusted in order to shoot a specific object. The design can connect to a computer via Wi-Fi, there is also a display with a diagonal of 3.2 inches. You can shoot video in 4K resolution and up to 30 frames per second.
Advantages:
- Very high quality pictures and videos;
- Auto focus works instantly;
- There is practically no noise with a lack of natural light;
- Comfortable to hold for a long time;
- The interface works at high speeds.
Disadvantages:
- You will not be able to remotely configure the camera;
- All focus points are located in the center of the image.
Nikon D850 Body
3. Pentax K-1 Body
In the ranking of SLR cameras, this professional camera came in third place. This is the first full-frame type device released by this company. It has a very large number of various functions, a 36-megapixel sensor. The stabilizer has five axes — no other professional or amateur device has this. The frame can be composed by shifting or slightly tilting the sensor.
The camera has the original Pixel Shift Resolution sharpening function, GPS and Wi-Fi modules are provided. One of the heaviest designs presented in this review — it weighs over a kilogram. There are a significant number of rubber gaskets and plugs on the case, which allows the device not to react to water splashes and even rain. The display is touch-sensitive, swivel, in the lower part of the structure there is a battery compartment, there is a socket for mounting on a tripod.
Advantages:
- The stabilizer is located directly in the case;
- Metal case, equipped with rubber inserts;
- Long battery life;
- The presence of illumination.
Disadvantages:
- Focus is slow;
- You cannot quickly switch between photo and video modes.
Pentax K-1 Body
2. Canon EOS 2000D Kit 18-55mm DC
This is an entry-level product, which is additionally equipped with a fairly convenient universal type lens, the focal length range is in the range from 18 to 55 mm. This camera is quite suitable for universal use. Most people who are not photography pros will be able to take very good pictures and videos. This camera is based on a CMOS matrix with a resolution of 24.1 megapixels, it provides a resolution of photographs up to 6000×4000 pixels. The sensitivity range is also wide — the minimum ISO is 100, and the highest reaches 6400.
There is a very effective LED-type flash, it is useful at a distance of up to 9.2 m. The resulting photo and video material can be viewed immediately on the display, whose diagonal is 3 inches. The camera has a Wi-Fi module, there is support for NFC technology. The function of storage media here is performed by SD memory cards with a maximum capacity of up to 256 GB. A capacious lithium-ion battery is able to work for quite a long time — its resource is enough for approximately 5000 photos.
Advantages:
- It is fairly easy to use this camera;
- Through wireless channels, you can almost instantly connect to your phone or laptop;
- Good ergonomics of the case — the gadget is easy to hold in your hands, your fingers do not get tired;
- The case is made of non-staining materials — you can take it with you even on long trips and hikes;
- It is possible right on the camera to change the quality of the picture, add effects and so on.
Disadvantages:
- Not all flashes are suitable;
- Only .jpeg photos can be transferred over Wi-Fi.
Canon EOS 2000D Kit 18-55mm DC
1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body
The recognized leader among professional cameras. This camera has a number of unique features. In particular, it is equipped with a Dual Pixel CMOS system, which allows you to discover a number of possibilities when processing photos. The sensor has a resolution of 30 megapixels, which made it possible to increase the speed of continuous shooting up to 7 frames per second. Video quality is also on top, the maximum number of frames is 60.
The case is metal, has an excellent assembly, is covered with plastic and moisture and dust protection. The device feels great indoors, outdoors, in bad weather. It does not weigh too much — only about 900 grams, but due to its large dimensions, it is very inconvenient to hold it in one hand. The display is liquid crystal, fixed, it is convenient to switch between it and the lens. On the left side there is a plug with a large number of connectors.
Advantages:
- Instant auto focus;
- The presence of a moisture-proof coating;
- Continuous shooting is fast;
- Quiet shutter sound;
- The presence of a Wi-Fi module;
- Autofocus is used even when shooting movies.
Disadvantages:
- Not found, except for the high price.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body
At the end of the video
If you are just starting to learn the art of photography, then you should not immediately purchase a model that is too expensive, since professional equipment has a large number of functions that an amateur will not need. It is advisable to buy a device with a lens in the kit — this equipment is also expensive separately. With experience, you can switch to more expensive equipment. In the ranking, everyone can find something suitable for themselves and share their impressions of their SLR camera in 2022.