6 Best DSLR Camera for Beginners (2022)

Offering an impressive battery life, richly detailed images, and a relatively compact build for its class, if you want a DSLR format camera and are just starting out on your photographic journey, then the Nikon D3500 is a can’t-go-wrong option. 

While battery performance aside, there’s not a massive amount of difference between the D3500 and its predecessor, a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, Full HD video recording using built-in monaural microphone, and rear plate 3-inch LCD sensor is pretty much what we expect for this class of camera and the budget being asked.

There have been very few DSLRs announced in recent months and years, but the 850D is the answer for photographers who like a traditional way of shooting and are looking for their first “proper” camera. 

Those looking for a strong set of new innovations won’t find that here, but you do get a solid set of specs, now with added 4K to get you started with. 

You also get a strong battery life, an optical viewfinder (albeit on the small side), and a good vary-angle LCD screen. Most importantly, the 850D is capable of producing some lovely images. 

If you’re not tied to a particular system, you might be better off going for one of the many mirrorless options out there, but if you’re convinced a DSLR is for you, then this is the best DSLR camera for beginners.

The EOS Rebel SL3 – also known as the Canon EOS 250D and EOS 200D Mark II – is one of the more recent additions to this list. In fact, it’s one of only a handful of beginner models announced in recent years. As its name suggests, it picks up from where the Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) left off, adding a fresh processing engine and 4K video recording on top of a collection of smaller extras.

There may be lots of competition from entry-level mirrorless cameras right now, but if you like the traditional handling of a DSLR – including an optical viewfinder – and the flexibility of that articulating screen, the 250D remains one of the most attractive and affordable models available right now.

The D5600 is an excellent DSLR camera for beginners, especially if your budget can stretch to investing in some additional lenses to go alongside the kit optic. 

One of the most interesting specifications of this camera is that it’s fitted with Snapbridge – that’s a low-powered always-on Bluetooth connection which automatically transfers your shots to your phone for instant sharing on Instagram etc. What could be better than impressing your friends with DSLR quality shots while on the go? 

Aside from bragging rights, you get a high-resolution 24-megapixel sensor, an articulating touch-sensitive screen, and a 39-point AF system. 

There’s no doubt that the newer Canon EOS 90D, which is the EOS 80D’s successor, is the superior all-around DSLR in terms of power and features. But the EOS 80D currently sits higher in this list due to the impressive value it offers – right now, you can find it for almost half the price of its newer sibling. And despite coming out in 2016, it’s still a very capable camera for beginners.

For a start, the combination of a 24.2MP sensor and 45-point autofocus system ensures you get reliably good photos and focus. There’s a guided menu system that’s easy to navigate, and on-board Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transfer images wirelessly if needed. The only downside is that the 80D’s kit lens is a tad soft around the edges, so we’d recommend buying the body on its own and a better lens separately.

This is one of the cheapest DSLRs in Canon’s current line-up, which also makes it a very cost-effective way to get access to an endless assortment of lenses, flashguns, and other accessories. Its low price tag means it understandably lacks some of the fancy tricks of its bigger brothers – like a flip-out LCD, 4K video, and so on – but there’s still a very good level of physical control on offer.

And, most importantly, the image quality from the 24MP sensor is sound. It’s designed very much with its target audience in mind, with a Feature Guide to help you understand everything, and battery life is also better than many mirrorless models at this price point – still a key advantage of DSLRs. Wi-Fi, NFC, and Full HD video recording round off the specs making it a well-rounded first-time option.