1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best premium
5. Best improver
6. Best bargain
7. Best enthusiast
8. Best basic
9. Best rugged
10. How to choose
11. How we test
If you’re new to photography, the best beginner DSLR cameras have plenty to offer. From entry-level options to all-rounders that give learners room to grow, we’ve comprehensively tested the top DSLR cameras for novices and ranked our favorites below. While many manufacturers are calling time on the format, our exhaustive guide proves you can still find great deals on a range of the best beginner DSLR cameras.
We think the top choice for most people is the Nikon D3500. Its feature set is straightforward, but it gets all of the core requirements right: it’s easy to use, captures excellent images and has a large catalog of compatible lenses. While it’s officially been discontinued, you can still find it available from many retailers.
If you’re shopping with a bigger budget, we highly recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T8i – known as the Canon EOS 850D outside the US. It’s a more recent addition to the beginner DSLR market and has the skills to match. That means 4K video, fast phase-detect autofocus and a 3-inch articulating touchscreen – features which put it on a par with some of the best beginner mirrorless cameras.
Whatever your needs and budget, this guide will help you find your ideal beginner DSLR camera. Each entry has been tested by our experts in the real-world, to assess factors such as handling, usability and overall performance. If you’re happy to consider other formats, take a look at our round-up of the best beginner cameras.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. Tim notes, "the majority of beginner-friendly DSLRs, including the Nikon D3500, have now been discontinued. For now, it's still possible to find stock of the D3500 and many others in our list below. But if you're on a tight budget you should definitely consider delving into the second-hand market."
The quick list
If you’re looking for a shortcut to your ideal camera, the round-up below will give you an instant overview of the best beginner DSLR options. When you find a camera that fits your expectations and budget, you can use the links beneath to jump down to our full summaries.
The best beginner DSLR overall
With great image quality, intuitive menus and superb battery life, the Nikon D3500 continues to offer top value for beginners.
The best budget DSLR for beginners
It’s not the newest model, but a small body and versatile lens mount make the 250D a great choice for fans of the DSLR format.
The best premium beginner DSLR
Older DSLRs offer better value, but a vari-angle touchscreen and excellent AF make the 850D an appealing premium option.
The best beginner DSLR to grow with
A well-equipped camera that’s comfy to use and produces detailed images, the D5600 is a great option to improve with.
The best bargain beginner DSLR
Its specifications are modest, but if you want a no-frills DSLR on a limited budget, the EOS 2000D is a solid place to start.
The best enthusiast beginner DSLR
If you prefer DSLR to mirrorless, the 90D is a feature-packed option with a high-res sensor and speedy, smooth performance.
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The best basic beginner DSLR
Older components mean the 4000D doesn’t do anything special, but it’s ideal if you want a cheap step up from a smartphone.
The best rugged beginner DSLR
Solid, compact and reliable, the Pentax K-70 offers enough to keep novices occupied on their photography journey.
The best beginner DSLRs for 2023
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best beginner 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 overall
✅ 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 officially ceased production of the D3500, but it remains an excellent option for those who are new to photography. Building on the foundation laid by the D3400, it adds a handful of extra perks. Battery life is one of them: unlike power-hungry mirrorless models, we found in testing that the D3500 could capture more than 1,500 images between charges –way ahead of most other DSLRs. We found that the 24MP sensor was capable of delivering excellent image quality, too.
Nikon also revised the body and control layout of the D3500 compared to previous generations, which we think makes it nicer to handle and easier to use. The useful Guide Mode takes the first-time user’s hand and walks them through all the key features in a way that makes everything easy to understand. We still think the Nikon D3500 is the best DSLR option for new photographers. If you’re just getting started and can find one in stock, we reckon you will as well.
Read our in-depth Nikon D3500 review
The best budget DSLR for beginners
✅ You want traditional DSLR handling: The EOS 250D balances a well-built portable body with the handling for which DSLRs are known.
✅ You like a lot of lens choice: Canon’s EF mount is long-established, meaning the EOS 250D is compatible with a large pool of lenses.
❌ You want top-spec autofocus: The Dual Pixel CMOS AF system is excellent, but 9-point autofocus looks dated next to rivals.
❌ You shoot a lot of video: The EOS 250D can record 4K footage, but it’s subject to a crop and can suffer from rolling shutter.
The EOS Rebel SL3 (also known as the 250D and 200D Mark II outside the US) isn't Canon's cheapest DSLR, but we think it offers the a great blend of features, performance and value. For a start, it's the smallest and lightest DSLR with an articulating screen, which means it isn't an intimidatingly large as some of its rivals. It also adds a fresh processing engine and 4K video recording to its Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) predecessor.
We were impressed with its responsive touchscreen, speedy start-up time and excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which also works when you're shooting 1080p video (though not sadly in 4K). Its 5fps burst shooting can't compete with the latest mirrorless cameras, so those who like to shoot sports or action should look elsewhere. But for our money, the EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D makes slightly more sense than Canon's super-budget DSLRs like the EOS Rebel T100 (also know as the EOS 4000D / EOS 3000D), if you can afford to pay that bit more.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D review
The best premium beginner DSLR
✅ You need good autofocus: The Dual Pixel phase detection AF system is rapid, reliable and works very well for both photography and video.
✅ You have EF lenses already: The EOS 850D makes the most sense if you’re already invested in Canon’s EF lens system.
❌ You shoot lots of 4K video: You’re limited to contrast detection AF for 4K recording, and a big crop if you enable stabilization.
❌ You want a DSLR bargain: The 850D is pricier than its predecessor, and mirrorless competitors offer more for a similar price.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (know as the EOS 850D outside the US) picks up the baton from the popular Rebel T7i / EOS 800D, which is now tricky to find. This new model isn't a huge upgrade: the most notable addition is a 4K video mode, which we found to be hampered by frame-rate restrictions. Still, the Rebel T8i / EOS 850D remains one of our favorite all-round DSLRs for beginners.
You get a Dual Pixel phase-detection AF system, which in our tests was fast, reliable and great for video. Its button layout is also very considered, while the vari-angle LCD screen handles really well. As long you ignore that headline of 4K video, which involves a crop and the loss of phase-detection autofocus, it remains a great option for anyone who's starting a photography hobby and prizes DSLR advantages like battery life and handling over the latest mirrorless tech.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D review
The best beginner DSLR to grow with
✅ You want to shoot sharp: The D5600 leverages its high-res 24.2MP sensor to deliver impressively sharp, detailed stills.
✅ You want features to grow with: From the articulating touchscreen to the 39-point AF system, the D5600 is well-equipped for learners.
❌ You need 4K video: Despite its generous feature set, the Nikon D5600 is capped at 1080p video recording.
❌ You want rapid Live View AF: Viewfinder autofocus is reliable but Live View AF can be left hunting for subjects in dim conditions.
Here's another beginner DSLR that is holding its own against the rise of mirrorless cameras. The D5600 is a step up from Nikon's D3000-series models, with set of specs strong enough to rival the likes of the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D (see above). Key advantages over the D3500 include a large touchscreen that has a vlogging-friendly articulating design to flip round to the front, plus Wi-Fi and a healthy range of additional control on the inside.
In our tests, its 24.2MP sensor produced detailed images that didn't disappoint. In fact, despite the D5600's age, you'll likely need to upgrade to a full-frame camera to get better results. We also found its 39-point AF system to be decent, if a little dated, while polished handling makes the D5600 a well-rounded entry-level DSLR. You need to pay more for the privilege, but it makes sense to go for the D5600 if you want a beginner camera with growing room: it'll be a reliable companion for years to come.
Read our in-depth Nikon D5600 review
The best bargain beginner DSLR
✅ You want a bargain DSLR: Cheaper than a lot of high-end compacts, the 2000D is a great place to start on a budget.
✅ You like the benefits of a DSLR: With logical controls, decent battery life and an easy interface, the 2000D nails the basics.
❌ You want modern performance: Dated 9-point autofocus and limited 3fps burst shooting mean the 2000D is outgunned by rivals.
❌ You want to shoot 4K video: 4K wasn’t mainstream on DSLRs at the time of the 2000D’s release, but it’s an unfortunate omission now.
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 display and 4K video recording – but there's still a good level of physical control on offer.
Most importantly, we found the image quality produced by its 24MP sensor to be sound. The camera is designed very much with its target audience in mind, with a Feature Guide to help you understand basic settings, while its impressive battery life is also better than many mirrorless models at this price point. During our review, we found it a well-rounded first-time option for those on a budget, with features such as Wi-Fi, NFC and Full HD video rounding out the specs.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D / EOS 1500D review
The best enthusiast DSLR for beginners
✅ 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 Canon EOS 90D might be the last enthusiast DSLR the company ever makes. If so, it’s going out with a bang: the versatile 90D packs a high-resolution sensor which, paired with Canon’s Digic 8 imaging engine, offers the enticing prospect of uncropped 4K video at 30fps.
In our tests, color reproduction was superb and there was plenty of detail in both stills and video. A new 216-zone metering system also helped in this department, even if noise did creep into images above ISO 8000. Like the 80D before it, the deep grip meant the 90D felt comfortable to handle, while a joystick made selecting from the Dual Pixel CMOS AF points a cinch.
Battery life is a boon, too, with at least 1,500 shots possible on a single charge in our experience. It's possibly a bit too much camera for an absolute beginner (both in price and features), but there's no doubt it offers a lot of room to grow into. Either way, the 90D proves that DSLRs still very much have a place in the mirrorless world.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS 90D review
The best basic beginner DSLR
✅ You want a bargain DSLR: Its performance is unremarkable, but the 4000D offers the DSLR essentials at an aggressively low price.
✅ You value a logical control layout: The button configuration on the EOS 4000D is easy to understand, complemented by a useful ‘Q’ shortcut.
❌ You like a premium feel: Canon’s kept costs down by cladding the EOS 4000D with a plastic body and matching lens mount.
❌ You want modern specs: The 4000D is built to a budget, which means you get a low-res screen, low burst speeds and dated autofocus.
If you’re making your first foray into DSLR ownership, you don’t necessarily need a camera that can do everything. And if you’re looking for something very basic but very affordable, Canon’s 4000D (also called the 3000D in some markets) is a decent first choice.
There’s a lot about the 4000D that seems dated alongside the latest entry-level models. The 18MP sensor and DIGIC 4+ processor are both ageing, as is the modest 9-point autofocus system, which has been in Canon’s catalog since 2009. The LCD display likewise feels long in the tooth, with a 2.7-inch diagonal and 230k-dot resolution, while we found Live View performance to be a little sluggish. Finally, the polycarbonate shell feels understandably cheap.
But it’s not all bad: we found the button layout easy to navigate, while battery life proved solid in our tests at about 500 shots per charge. More importantly, we found image quality to be adequate, with noise handled fairly well. Those upgrading from a smartphone or compact should find results decent, with a fair amount of detail and a good level of saturation, while Picture Style presets enable easy tonal tweaks. To more experienced buyers, the 4000D will feel like a step back in time, with older components and unremarkable performance. But if affordability is your priority, you might be able to look past the limited feature set and see some wallet-friendly potential.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D review