Mirrorless might be the future, but the best DSLR cameras still have a lot to offer for photographers in 2024. That’s true across the board, from entry-level to full-frame flagships. If you’re still on the fence, check out our comparison of mirrorless vs DSLR cameras. But if DSLR is for you, read on.
Choosing the right DSLR in 2024 is no easier than choosing any other kind of camera. It comes down to your skill level, your budget and your shooting style. That means we can’t categorically recommend one single camera that’s right for everyone – although we do have a personal favorite: the Nikon D3500.
Officially, it’s been discontinued, but the D3500 can still be found online. We suggest keeping an eye out for it Amazon’s Prime Day camera deals: with a simple interface, excellent sensor and reliable battery life, it ticks all the right boxes for beginners.
Every option below has been tested comprehensively in the real world, to assess factors such as handling, battery life, autofocus and image quality. Like our list of the best beginner DSLR cameras, the idea behind this guide is to help you find the right DSLR for your needs and budget.
Top 3 picks
If you want a shortcut to the best DSLR cameras in 2024, the round-up below will give you an instant overview. If any options take your fancy, use the links beneath each entry to jump to our full summary.
The best choice for beginners
Great image quality, intuitive menus and superb battery life make the Nikon D3500 a fantastic value DSLR option for beginners.
The best crop-sensor DSLR
Pairing a deep grip and solid battery life with rapid performance and a high-res sensor, the EOS 90D is a DSLR for the mirrorless era.
The best full-frame hybrid
A modern DSLR with features to match, the D780 is a full-frame all-rounder with stellar autofocus, battery life and image quality.
Best by use-case
The best value all-rounder
It’s not the newest, but with specs that still impress at an ever-decreasing price, you’ll struggle to find a better DSLR for the money.
The best entry-level full-frame DSLR
There’s limited AF coverage and no 4K, but the Mark II remains a well-rounded entry point into full-frame DSLR ownership.
The best flagship
If you can handle the asking price, the EOS 5D Mark IV is one of the most complete and capable DSLR cameras we’ve ever tested.
The best DSLR for image quality
Combining impressive performance with a bomb-proof build, the Nikon D850 is one of the best DSLR cameras photographers can buy.
The best sports and wildlife DSLR
Harnessing every last inch of performance, the 1D X Mark III is a feature-packed, super-fast and impressively precise DSLR flagship.
The best black and white DSLR
Niche, hefty and not cheap, this is still a top choice if mono is your style, with excellent image quality and lovely handling.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras Editor. He has more than 15 years of experience working as a freelance photographer and technology journalist. In that time, Tim has had the opportunity to test a wide range of DSLR cameras from the top manufacturers. As a result, he has a deep practical understanding of what makes a good DSLR camera. Tim notes, "new DSLRs are a rarity these days, with the manufacturers now focused almost entirely on mirrorless models. That being said, if you're a fan of the DSLR format, there are still some excellent new and second-hand options in our list.”
The best DSLRs for 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best DSLR cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best beginner DSLR camera
Nikon D3500 sample images
✅ You have a sharp eye: The D3500’s 24.2MP sensor produces impressive stills, especially when paired with decent DX mount lenses.
✅ You value longevity: With a huge 1,550-shot battery life, the Nikon D3500 is a camera that can keep going and going on a single charge.
❌ You want to shoot 4K video: Unlike most smartphones, the Nikon D3500 is limited to Full HD recording, rather than 4K footage.
❌ You like to use a touchscreen: With the same fixed 921,000-dot display as the D3400, the D3500 doesn’t benefit from a touch interface.
Nikon has discontinued the D3500, but you can still find it available online and second-hand. That’s a good thing, because we think it's an ideal choice for beginners looking to sharpen their skills. Despite its age, the D3500 has a very capable APS-C sensor. To get the most out of it, we’d recommend buying the D3500 with the ‘VR’ version of its kit lens, as this incorporates Nikon’s image stabilization system at little extra cost. Nikon also has a vast catalog of DX system lenses, giving you plenty of choice when your skills advance enough to justify a glass upgrade.
We think the Nikon D3500 is proof that you don’t have to pay a fortune to get a great camera. In our tests, we found the images it produced were top-notch. We were also impressed by the camera's battery life and ease of handling. During our review, we praised the accessibility of controls for learners, as well as the guide mode, for the way it introduces novices to manual controls. While enthusiasts should look further down this list, in the right hands, the D3500 is a match for cameras that cost a lot more.
Read our in-depth Nikon D3500 review
The best crop-sensor DSLR
Canon EOS 90D sample images
✅ You like a lot of pixels: With a 32.5MP APS-C sensor, the Canon EOS 90D produces detailed stills with lots of cropping flexibility.
✅ You want to shoot 4K video: Unlike a lot of beginner DSLRs, the EOS 90D can record 4K footage at 30fps, using the full width of the sensor.
❌ You already have an EOS 80D: Unless you need the option of 4K video, the Canon EOS 80D does a remarkable job of shooting stills.
❌ You shoot a lot after dark: Noise is well controlled at lower ISO values, but it becomes very evident at sensitives above 8000.
The EOS 90D was quite the step forward for the EOS DSLR line when it launched in 2019. It was the first of its kind to sport a 32.5MP APS-C sensor, giving it a decent number of pixels for both cropping and producing large prints. Unlike the earlier 80D, it offered uncropped 4K video recording, along with a new processing engine and faster burst shooting. The 1300-shot battery also provided far more juice than the average mirrorless camera, while protection against dust and water was a bonus.
It still stacks up well today. In our review, we were impressed by the versatility of the 90D. It's an excellent all-rounder for those who like to photograph a broad range of different subjects. It is worth weighing up whether the benefits of a mirrorless alternative to the EOS 90D, like the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, might appeal to you. The M6 Mark II is smaller, cheaper and offers faster burst shooting. But by focusing on key areas like battery life, handling and a fully articulating rear screen, Canon has made the EOS 90D a strong and versatile alternative for anyone who prefers the DSLR experience.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS 90D review
The best full-frame hybrid DSLR
Nikon D780 sample images
✅ You shoot video, too: One Nikon's most capable DSLRs for video, with 4K shooting and decent autofocus chops.
✅ You want a hybrid DSLR: Traditional DSLR benefits like great battery life and optical viewfinder fused with mirrorless tech.
❌ You want the best bang for buck: The D780 remain pricey and the mirrorless Z6 is a cost efficient alternative.
❌ You want high resolution photos: 24MP is nothing to sniff at, but the D850 has almost twice the resolution.
The D780 is effectively a hybrid of a full-frame DSLR and a mirrorless camera like the original Nikon Z6. While it's still relatively expensive, the D780's slight price drop since it landed in 2020 means it's now our top pick for anyone who wants to combine the benefits of mirrorless tech and DSLRs. Our review revealed that the D780's image quality is among the best around, while its 4K video skills are boosted by the inclusion of modern features like Face and Eye detection.
Building on the solid foundation laid by the D750, the D780 uses the same 273-point on-sensor phase-detection AF system as the Z6, allowing it to focus rapidly when you're shooting via Live View. If you prefer to frame through its optical viewfinder, you'll be able to make the most of its impressive 2,260-shot battery life. As one of the latest DSLR it's still quite pricey, but if that isn't an issue for you, then the D780 is one of the best full-frame all-rounders you can buy.
Read our in-depth Nikon D780 review
The best value all-rounder for enthusiasts
Nikon D7500 sample images
✅ You have a budget of $1,100 / £1,000: The D7500 is regularly on sale and you'll struggle to find a better DSLR for the price.
✅ You're happy with the crop sensor: This is arguably the best all rounder DSLR with APS-C sensor.
❌ You shoot a lot of action: The quicker, dual-card slot D500 is the crop sensor camera to get for action.
❌ You want the best autofocus: Autofocus performance is the most notable sacrifice in this low-budget all-rounder.
Fancy the Nikon D500 but don't fancy the price tag? Well, if you're prepared to make a few compromises here and there, the D7500 is what you should be looking at. It's packed with the same 20.9MP APS-C sensor (or 'DX' as Nikon calls it) as its more senior stablemate, and also matches it in offering 4K video recording.
Nikon has also furnished it with the same 180k-pixel RGB metering sensor and the tilting screen on the back is just as large at 3.2 inches in size, although not quite as detailed, and it's all wrapped up inside a weather-sealed body. In our tests, we were impressed by a number of things, including battery life, image quality and handling. It's a great all-rounder for those with a healthy amount of budget.
Read our in-depth Nikon D7500 review
The best entry-level full-frame DSLR
Canon EOS 6D Mark II sample images
✅ You shoot from all angles: A vari-angle touchscreen is super useful and a rarer find in DSLRs.
✅ You're new to full-frame: An excellent starting point to realize what all the fuss is about regarding full-frame.
❌ You want the most detail in photos: The dynamic range of the EOS 6D II fails to match rivals.
❌ You mainly use the optical viewfinder: For a full-frame DSLR it's a disappointment that the viewfinder coverage is less than 100%.
Although it's a full-frame DSLR, the entry-level EOS 6D Mark II is impressively user-friendly. While we found the chassis rather plasticky in our review, the 26MP sensor housed within is stellar, and offers Canon's trusty Dual Pixel CMOS AF system when using live view mode. The rear touchscreen also offers tap-to-focus and tap-to-shoot for anyone missing a joystick.
With 45 AF points to choose from and a burst speed of 6.5fps, there's plenty you can capture – including some decent wildlife shots as well. It's not quite fast enough for speedy trackside racing shots, but we discovered in our tests that it does surprisingly well for most anything else. The 6D Mark II is reliable, produces great results and is still a favorite amongst enthusiast photographers.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS 6D Mark II review