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Best DSLR Cameras For Beginners?

 

The best DSLR cameras for beginners? This is really a relative thing. There are great cameras being manufactured by every camera maker. Not to disappoint, but the creative value of the picture is a result of the person holding the camera, not necessarily the camera itself. However, many of us want the best equipment we can get.

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One thing you should know... if you are not satisfied with the photos that your camera is producing, you should do one of two things. You should learn how to use your camera better, or you should learn how to use a camera better. Try taking a photography class. Getting the next model with the improved technology is not going to improve your picture taking ability. Plus, the old megapixel myth about getting more megapixels or better features just does not hold water.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the best DSLR Camera for beginners.. it is a list of highly regarded models.

Best Canon DSLR Camera For Beginners

best dslr cameras for beginners - Canon 60DTop of the list is the Canon 60D. The reason this camera is the best buy for beginners is the build, the mode and settings dials, and the rapid performance.

When you pick up a 60D compared to a T3i or a T3, you can feel the difference. It is a solid model with a professional look and feel. The price is right, too. It is a fantastic semi-professional model. Watch for deals, and you can have one for under $1000, which includes a super kit lens.

Find out more about the Canon 60D.

B&H Photo - Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-135mm Lens

Amazon - Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-135mm Lens

Best DSLR Cameras For Beginners - Canon 60D Product Features

  • 18.0-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor
  • ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800)
  • Includes 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD standard zoom lens
  • Improved EOS HD Video mode with manual exposure control
  • Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor
  • 5.3 fps continuous shooting; enhanced iFCL 63-zone
  • Dual-layer metering system
  • Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards (not included)

Canon 60D Technical Details

  • Brand Name: Canon
  • Model: 60D 18-135mm Kit
  • Optical Sensor Resolution: 18 MP
  • Optical Sensor Technology: CMOS
  • Optical zoom: 7.5 x
  • Maximum Aperature Range: F/3.5-5.6
  • Minimum focal length: 18 millimeters
  • Maximum focal length: 135 millimeters
  • Lens Type: Zoom lens
  • Optical Sensor Size: 14.9 x 22.3mm
  • Included Flash Type: Pop-up flash
  • Display Size: 3 inches
  • Light Sensitivity: ISO auto, ISO 12800, ISO 100-6400
  • Image types: JPEG, RAW
  • Exposure Control Type: Landscape, Portrait mode, Close-up, Night portrait, Sports mode
  • Viewfinder Type: Optical
  • Width: 5.7 inches
  • Depth: 3.1 inches
  • Height: 4.2 inches
  • Weight: 1.5 pounds

Best Nikon DSLR Camera For Beginners

Nikon has some excellent choices as well. But the Nikon D5100 is the best DSLR camera for beginners that Nikon makes. The look and feel of the D5100 is not quite up to the Canon 60D, but you will not be disappointed in the performance.

From the DPReview Website: "Sitting between the entry-level D3100 and the upper mid-level D7000, the D5100 is a hard camera to categorise. It combines the user-friendly ergonomics of the D3100 with the impressive 16MP CMOS sensor of the D7000, but throws in a couple of neat tricks of its own, including an articulated LCD screen, and a set of all-new 'Effects' modes. So is the Nikon D5100 just an entry-level camera with delusions of grandeur, or is it a wolf in sheep's clothing?"

 

Best DSLR Cameras for beginners - Nikon d-5100 front view
front view Nikon D5100 rear view Nikon D5100 top  view Nikon D5100 side view

 

It is important to comprehend just where the Nikon D5100 fits in Nikon's DSLR line-up. It is considered a "high-end enthusiast" DSLR camera which means that it shares the same image sensor as the high-end D7000, but it does not have all the advanced features of the D7000 Since this article is about the best DSLR cameras for beginners, you may want to save some money over the cost of the more expensive camera while getting the advantage of excellent images. The D5100 offers nearly the same image quality as its bigger brother in a less-expensive, smaller package, while adding a few tricks the D7000 doesn't have including an articulating display that helps you frame hard-to-reach spots.

Best DSLR For Beginners - Nikon D5100 Features and specs:

  • 16.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
  • 3.0" tilt and swivel LCD monitor (921,000 dots)
  • Movie capture at up to 1080p
  • Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
  • Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
  • 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
  • IS0 100-6400 range (25600 expanded)
  • 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
  • Expeed image processing engine

The Nikon D5100 will take on its Canon rivals and please those who buy, simply because it is a fantastic camera, and it comes at a price less than the Canon 60D.

B&H Photo - Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm VR Lens

Amazon - Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS DSLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Nikkor Zoom Lens

The Bottom Line:

This is a really tough call. You cannot go wrong with either of these best DSLR camera for beginner choices. You might even close your eyes and throw a dart.. you can't pick a loser.