How we pick our products
You’re considering purchasing a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera, however you are unsure which model to choose. Try not to stress, you’re not the first person to face such a dilemma. When looking to purchase one of these cameras it is important to do your research as this is a long term decision. To make the process easier, we have put together this total shopping guide for you.
Here you can find out about the most important aspects of the exciting world of DSLR cameras. With this guide you will discover all the advantages they offer and, of course, the disadvantages. Additionally, we will provide you with a series of purchase criteria so that you can make a confident decision with as much information as possible.
First Things First
- DSLR, or ‘reflex’ cameras, enable you to take higher quality photos than compact digital cameras, as they offer better control over the various parameters that can be configured when capturing an image. However as they are considerably more specialised and technical, their cost is also higher.
- Given their superb performance, these cameras are perfect both for photography enthusiasts with advanced knowledge and for the individuals who might want to begin in the professional photography industry.
- Equally or more important than the body of the camera is the lens you select. Often, the lens that comes standard with the camera is an entry-level piece of equipment, so over time it’s a good idea to buy a better one.
The best DSLR cameras in the UK
In the following section we present to you the ranking that we have prepared with the five best reflex cameras currently available on the UK market. We have prepared this list by trying to include the most varied products available, but always choosing products that offer very good value for money.
- Nikon D3500 + AF-P DX 18–55 VR Kit – Black
- Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera and EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 III Lens Body + 18-55 mm Lens and Camera Bag
- Canon EOS 200D EF-S 18 – 135 mm Digital SLR Camera – Black
- Nikon D5600 + AF-S 18-140 VR DSLR Camera – Black
- Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera + DA 18-135mm WR Lens Kit
Nikon D3500 + AF-P DX 18–55 VR Kit – Black
The D3500’s large 24.2 MP DX-format sensor captures richly detailed photos and Full HD movies—even when you shoot in low light. Combined with the rendering power of your NIKKOR lens, you can start creating artistic portraits with smooth background blur with ease.
The camera’s razor-sharp autofocus system will keep subjects in perfect focus, while a swift 5 fps lets you capture five beautiful images for every second. Whether you’re zooming in on a tender look or going wide to capture the kids in action-the moment is yours.
Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera and EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 III Lens Body + 18-55 mm Lens and Camera Bag
At this moment the product mentioned is not available from the supplier. That is why we have replaced it with another one with similar characteristics. Report a problem.
This camera is ideal for a beginner, it is easy to use, with well laid out controls and good battery life. It is also well priced, compared to many cameras on the market. The camera has Wi-Fi connectivity, plus a Quick Menu, which allows you to easily access commonly used settings. For beginners, or those getting back into photography, it does everything that a learner would need.
This camera allows you to take beautiful photos and movies with background blur. You can e asily connect, shoot and share on the move. It comes with a spacious camera bag that offers all the storage you need so you’ll never be caught out while filming or shooting
Canon EOS 200D EF-S 18 – 135 mm Digital SLR Camera – Black
At this moment the product mentioned is not available from the supplier. That is why we have replaced it with another one with similar characteristics. Report a problem.
This camera is very easy to use with excellent picture quality. With full manual control Equipped with microphone jack. Built-in Wi-Fi with Dynamic NFC Equipped with Bluetooth low energy technology for constant connection to compatible smart device24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor for photos rich with detail and colour and look fantastic straight from the camera.
It offers continuous shooting at up to 5 Ftp, optical viewfinder with 9-point autofocus, full HD movies at 60p and its easy to share wireless link through Bluetooth, NFC and Wi-Fi
Nikon D5600 + AF-S 18-140 VR DSLR Camera – Black
This is a camera that gives power to your ideas. Nikon D5600. Creativity runs through every frame, every angle and every detail. Sharing can happen automatically and effortlessly using Bluetooth and the Nikon Snap Bridge app.
Sharp, high-quality images transfer as you take them to your compatible smart devices. Optical viewfinder, vary-angle screen and AF with 39 focus points encourage you to keep shooting and sharing. Play around with the enriching filters and jaw-dropping time-lapse movies. The wide selection of NIKKOR lenses will help you elevate your creations even further. Spreading creativity.
Pentax K-70 DSLR Camera + DA 18-135mm WR Lens Kit
This is an all-weather digital SLR camera that expands the boundaries of photography, providing new opportunities to discover the scenery all around us. The PENTAX K-70’s compact body makes it easy to carry with you when shooting outdoors.
The camera allows you to combine real life imagery with high-sensitivity and low light performance, making it extremely reliable, even in the most demanding shooting situations. Whether it is under bright, blue skies, on wild overcast days, in the light rain or under dark wintry skies, the PENTAX K-70 captures the beauty of mother nature in an astonishing detail.
Shopping Guide: Everything you need to know about DSLR cameras
When purchasing a reflex camera, it is essential that you think about a number of important aspects before making your purchase. Remember that there are various models of DSLR and that every one is intended for a different use. In light of this, we will endeavour to answer to the most commonly asked questions amongst purchasers with the aim that you are well informed prior to making your purchase.
(Source: Esteban Martinena Guerrero: 118437215/ 123rf.com)
What are DSLR cameras exactly?
Reflex cameras are specifically categorised because they have a mirror that reflects (hence the name) the light that enters through the lens and transmits it to the optical viewfinder through a prism. The main advantage of reflex cameras is that what you see is through the viewfinder is exactly what will appear in the photograph. In addition, the advanced technology they use also makes it possible to capture higher quality images than a simple digital camera or mobile phone camera.
How does a reflex camera work?
When the picture is taken the mirror is quickly moved to a horizontal position to allow the light to pass to the sensor. When this occurs, the lens diaphragm is closed and the shutter is opened to allow the sensor to be exposed to light. The shutter then closes, the diaphragm reopens, and the mirror returns to its initial position. The result is usually a high quality photo that is displayed on the screen of the camera.
What are the advantages of DSLR cameras?
Reflex cameras also allow you to set parameters manually, giving you more control over things like shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance. They also allow enable you to reduce ‘noise’ when taking pictures in low-light conditions. The final advantage is they are usually ergonomically designed.
What are the disadvantages of reflex cameras?
Is it worth buying a reflex camera?
Who should buy a reflex camera?
What is the importance of a reflex camera lens?
With all this in mind, it is no wonder that the lens is a key element when taking photographs. This is why it’s best to choose a good quality lens. Keep in mind that most lenses that are included with the camera are usually quite basic or entry-level.
What modes does a DSLR have available?
The manual semi-manual modes are for full control of the camera and are also the most complicated to use but can potentially provide you with the best quality photos. In order to use these modes correctly, it is necessary to master at least some basic photography concepts. Remember that it is in manual mode that you can capture the most impressive photos.
(Source: 123mn: 106694892/ 123rf.com)
What types of stabilisers do DSLRs use?
During these situations, if the camera does not have correct image stabilisation, the image may be blurry or distorted. To correct this from happening, DSLR cameras can feature one of two image stabilisation systems: the optical stabiliser or the mechanical stabiliser. The following table explains each system further:
| Optical stabiliser | Mechanical stabiliser | |
|---|---|---|
| Uses | This is usually used by Nikon, Canon, Panasonic and Leica. | It has been adopted by camera manufacturers such as Olympus and Sony, among others. |
| Description | Consists of a displacement system located within the lens. These lenses detect and correct camera movements automatically. | Image stabilisation is achieved through the adjustment of the image sensor. |
| Advantage | Offers the advantage of being specifically tailored for each lens, although you will need a seperate stabiliser for each lens. | Since stabilisation takes place in the camera body, the camera remains stable regardless of which lens is being used. |
| Performance | Usually offers higher performance. | Overall, the performance is slightly lower. |
What accessories are needed for a reflex camera?
Among the first, there are the memory cards and, of course, a good lens to replace the one that comes with the camera. After these two purchases, other accessories you should consider are tripods, external flashes, filters, extra batteries and even external/remote triggers.
(Source: Mearicon: 98195795/ 123rf.com)
What care do reflex cameras require?
It is also necessary to clean the reflex camera sensor which can be done by a trained service technician or by yourself. If you plan on cleaning it yourself, first of all check the warranty as some may insist your camera is cleaned by a professional. It s quite easy to do but you must take special care to ensure that you do not to damage the equipment. Finally, if you know that you are not going to use the camera for a while, it is better to remove the battery.
Shopping Criteria
When the time comes to purchase your new reflex camera, it is important that you consider a number of purchase criteria. The following criteria will help you in the selection process, so that you can make a confident decision. We also hope that this criteria will serve as a guide for you to find the perfect quality-price ratio of your purchase.
Use
There is no doubt that the intended use of the camera is the first criterion you should consider carefully. Similarly, it is important to consider whether you actually need a DSLR camera. If you think that you are simply going to use it in automatic mode and mainly to keep some souvenir photos of your holidays, you might be interested in a simple digital camera or polaroid camera.
If you are buying a reflex camera to join the world of photography, maybe consider purchasing a camera which is specially designed for beginners. However, if you are an experienced photographer then you probably need it for professional use, so you’ll be looking for a camera with a lot better performance and control.
Sensor
Somehow, the sensor is the heart and soul of a camera, as it is the part that is responsible for capturing light. In the case of a sensor, size is a fundamental aspect. The larger the sensor, the more information it will receive and you will be able to capture a higher quality image. Keep this in mind as it is a very important aspect.
Currently, most DSLR cameras include an APS-C sensor, mainly used by Canon, Nikon and Sony, or the 4/3 sensor, used by Olympus, Panasonic, Leica and Kodak. However, some cameras have the full-frame (35mm) sensor. The full-frame is a larger sensor and is usually available in professional photography equipment.
Resolution
When talking about the resolution of cameras, you often think about megapixels. In general, the more megapixels, the higher the resolution and the more details the image will have. However, the quality of the image does not depend solely on the megapixels. As previously explained, the size of the sensor is equally, if not more, important.
A camera with a larger sensor will offer a larger area per pixel and therefore more quality and sensitivity. In any case, you should also keep in mind that a picture with more megapixels will take up more size in terms of storage. This will require a storage card with more space and more room on your computer for storing all your images.
(Source: Maxrisgo: 96788836/ 123rf.com)
Sensitivity (ISO)
The ISO value of a camera indicates the sensitivity of the sensor to light. If the camera sensor has a high value, around 3,200, you can take photos in low-light conditions. On the other hand, a lower ISO value, around 100, is suitable for taking pictures in good lighting conditions.
However, a very high ISO value leads to much more ‘noise’ in the image, as more light enters the lens. As a result, you need to know how to use a camera with a high ISO value in order to capture quality images. Generally speaking, with a wider ISO range you will be able to capture images in a wider range of lighting conditions.
Viewfinder and screen
Through the viewfinder of the camera you can see the photograph before capturing the image, hence it is vitally important. An optical viewfinder will allow you to see what you are going to photograph thanks to a system of mirrors that reflect the image into the viewfinder. A screen or electronic viewfinder will show you the image on an LCD or OLED screen.
Not all viewfinders are the same. There is actually a big difference between those available. The size and clarity of the image seen through the viewfinder can vary greatly depending on the model. That’s why it’s a good idea to try out a few different options before choosing the camera you’re going to buy. Ultimately, the viewfinder will have a fundamental influence on the images you capture.
Video Recording
It is increasingly common for DSLRs to have the ability to record video in high definition. This extra feature is never unnecessary. If the camera you are going to purchase has video recording, you should check what resolution it uses: HD, Full HD or 4K. Our advice is to chose a camera with recoding abilities of at least Full HD.
Brand
The best known brands of reflex cameras are Canon and Nikon. Besides these two superpowers, Sony and Kodak are also quite prestigious manufacturers and offer high quality cameras. Remember that once you choose a brand of camera, you will most likely be linked to this brand for life.
We say this because the accessories you buy, such as the expensive lenses or tripod, are usually only compatible with that brand. Although, as in almost everything in life, there are exceptions. Brands like Sigma or Tamron have lenses that are compatible with Canon and Nikon equipment, but they have a lower price.
Summary
With reflex cameras it is possible to take higher quality photographs even if at first you have little know-how. These cameras offer a great degree of control over the various parameters when capturing an image. This is a significant advantage because it means that they are not as accessible to the general public or as easy to use as compact cameras.
However choosing the right DSLR is not an easy task. Aspects such as the intended use, the manufacturer, the sensor, resolution and ISO sensitivity all need to be taken into careful consideration. To make it easier for you, throughout this guide we have made a detailed analysis of each aspect. With this, you can make a confident decision when buying your new DSLR camera.
Finally, if you think that this article has been useful to you in your selection process, you can leave us a comment or share it through the different social networks.
(Source of featured image: Bartolomiej Pietrzyk: 102106313/ 123rf.com)
Why you can trust me?
Most popular
Related posts
