The best DSLR cameras of 2023
Beginner, professional, videographer, or somewhere in between: Here’s what you need to know when choosing a DSLR camera.
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DSLRs have been the default for advanced cameras since the dawn of the digital age. While mirrorless cameras have largely replaced DSLRs, there are still some really excellent DSLR cameras out there on the market. They have access to huge catalogs of legacy lenses, many of which have gotten even more affordable as more people switch to mirrorless. These cameras also still have a few actual advantages over mirrorless as well. For one, they still provide optical viewfinders, which cause zero lag, something mirrorless cameras can’t claim (at least not yet). We’ve rounded up this list of the best DSLR cameras still on the market, focusing on the features most photographers need while keeping them all in line with a reasonable budget.
- Best overall: Canon EOS 90D DSLR
- Best for beginners: Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR
- Best for landscape and wildlife: Nikon D850
- Best for portraits: Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame DSLR
- Best for video: Nikon D780 DSLR
- Best for professionals: Canon 1D X Mark III DSLR
- Best budget: Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR
How we picked the best DSLR cameras
The editors and writers at PopPhoto have been reviewing cameras for decades, and we’ve had hands-on time with just about every major camera released in recent memory. This list is the result of hands-on testing, user feedback, spec comparison, and editorial reviews. We considered the entire current lineup from all of the major manufacturers to land on these picks. We focused on usability, feature set, and budget to try and hone this list for specific users.
Best DSLR cameras: Reviews & recommendations
Best overall: Canon EOS 90D DSLR
Amazon
Why it made the cut: A solid mix of features and price make this a winner across the board.
Specs
- Sensor size: APS-C
- Resolution: 32.5 megapixels
- Weight: 1.32 pounds
Pros
- High-resolution sensor
- Solid mix of tactile controls
- Built-in auto modes to help beginners
- Dual-pixel focusing in live view and video modes
Cons
- Not built rugged for pro work
Easy to use, comfortable to hold, with solid checkmarks in all the right boxes to consistently produce high-quality shots, the Canon EOS 90D DSLR is one of the best DSLR cameras around. (It also has WiFi, Bluetooth, a moveable LED screen, and shoots 4K video.)
Why it’s worth paying a little extra for the 90D versus the 80D? It’s lighter (701g vs. 730g), three years newer (2019 vs. 2016) and has a significantly higher sensor resolution (32.5 MP vs. 24.2 MP), has twice the shutter durability (200k vs. 100k), shoots four more frames per second (11 fps vs. 7 fps), a much higher ISO sensitivity (25,600 vs. 6,400 native; 51,200 vs. 25,600 boosted), and better battery life (1,300 shots vs. 900 shots).
It’s not built for professionals, but it has all the settings a pro could need in a pinch. Still, it’s simple enough to use in its automatic modes that it’s easy to pick up and start shooting.
Best for beginners: Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR
Canon
Why it made the cut: This compact, lightweight DSLR has a built-in guide mode for beginners.
Specs
- Sensor size: APS-C
- Resolution: 24.1 megapixels
- Weight: 15.84 ounces
Pros
- Very light and compact
- Friendly for beginners
- Affordable
Cons
- Autofocus is a bit slow
For those wanting to learn the basics of photography, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is one of the best options. For starters, it provides a built-in guide mode for beginners to explain what actually happens when you change your exposure settings in real-time. It’s a useful tool for getting off of Auto mode. And the camera is extremely small, making it easy to keep on you so that you take more photos.
Despite being a beginner camera, it features a quality 24.1-megapixel sensor and is capable of 4K video. Its JPEG files have excellent colors right out of the camera, so you won’t need to worry about editing if you don’t want to. The autofocus isn’t as responsive as other options, but it will work well for situations other than fast wildlife or sports.
Best for landscapes and wildlife: Nikon D850
Nikon
Why it made the cut: It offers a massive 45.7-megapixel resolution resulting in stunning detail, as well as a rugged build, long battery life, and backlit buttons.
Specs
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Resolution: 45.7 megapixels
- Weight: 2.21 pounds
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- High resolution
- Backlit buttons
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
Nikon’s D850 is one of the best full-frame DSLRs ever made. It’s a rugged workhorse with a 45.7-megapixel resolution for highly detailed images. That detail is in part thanks to the back-illuminated design of the sensor. Landscape and macro photographers will especially appreciate the image quality that’s possible with this camera.
The camera is weather-sealed and robust enough to handle even the most serious adventures in the backcountry. And the battery life will last for ages as well, which is an asset for those long trips or for astrophotographers. A rarity on cameras, the buttons are backlit, so you’ll be able to easily navigate the camera while shooting those night skies.
Beyond still photography, the D850 is more than capable as well. It can record 4K30p video as well as 8K time-lapses. And it’s autofocus system is reliable and accurate in most situations.
Best for portraits: Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame DSLR
Canon
Why it made the cut: This workhorse DSLR is still ready for professional portrait work for years to come.
Specs
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Resolution: 30.4 megapixels
- Weight: 1.76 pounds
Pros
- Built like a tank
- Dual memory card slots
- Excellent image quality
- 4K video shooting
Cons
- Getting old
- No rotating screen
The best DSLR for professional portrait photographers is the Canon 5D Mark IV, a full-frame DSLR with rock-solid stats: 30.4 MP (with a beefy enough image processor to still shoot 7 frames per second), a native ISO of 32000 that expands to 102400, 61-point reticular autofocus, and dual-pixel recording in stills and video.
Despite all its heft, the Canon 5D Mark IV is still remarkably comfortable to use and carry, and for all its technical prowess, it remains an intuitive model, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. A rotating screen would be nice, but the optical viewfinder is large and bright, which makes composing shots easy and comfortable. The super-rugged build quality also means it will be durable enough to endure pro work.
Best for video: Nikon D780 DSLR
Amazon
Why it made the cut: This full-frame camera shoots 4K video without cropping into the sensor like many other DSLRs do.
Specs
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Resolution: 24.5 megapixels
- Weight: 1.57 pounds
Pros
- Full-frame, no-crop 4K video
- Excellent image quality
- Magnesium alloy shell for toughness
Cons
- Can be hard to find
The Nikon D780 is one of the best DSLR cameras for video. Its focus abilities (including two autofocus systems and a focus-stacking mode to increase the depth of field), as well as its performance in low light, image processor, and overall image quality (it offers a 10-bit, versus 8-bit option, which means that much more detail preserved), make this model a standout.
We also absolutely recommend the Canon 5D Mark IV, our pick for the best camera for portrait photography, as a 4K DSLR camera for video.
Best for professionals: Canon 1D X Mark III DSLR
Canon
Why it made the cut: Canon’s flagship DSLR is a staple on the sidelines at pro sporting events thanks to its huge battery life, super-fast capture, and tons of physical controls.
Specs:
- Sensor size: Full-frame
- Resolution: 20.1 megapixels
- Weight: 3.17 pounds
Pros
- Built-in vertical grip
- Thousands of shots per battery charge
- Excellent image quality
- Super-fast burst rate
- Big, bright viewfinder
Cons
- Big
- Expensive
If the Nikon 5300 is a Honda Accord, the Canon 1D X Mark III is a Porsche. And we say that with no shame on the former (camera or car), it does what it does great. But if you want a Porsche, you want a Porsche.
The Canon 1D X Mark III won out over the Nikon D6 because of a few small factors and one big one. The small: The Canon 1D X Mark III has a more hand-friendly button and wheel layout on the camera body, particularly the top, double the frames-per-second shooting speed in continuous mode, and a much larger buffer (1,000 frames vs. 200 frames) for image processing. The big: The Nikon D6 does not begin to measure up on the video front, and at this level (and, to the dollar, same price point), that’s a major, limiting shortfall.
Best budget: Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR
Amazon
Why it made the cut: Canon’s entry-level DSLR offers manual controls and helpful shooting guides to accommodate every kind of photographer.
Specs
- Sensor size: APS-C
- Resolution: 24.3-megapixels
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
Pros
- Very compact
- Super affordable
- Manual and automatic shooting modes
- Well-regarded sensor
Cons
- Plastic
- Drastically lacking in video
Starting out with a camera that’s too complex can get in the way of learning photography. Also, paying for features you’ll never use can soak up the photography budget you could otherwise dedicate toward lenses and accessories. We like the Canon EOS Rebel T7 for its durability and ease of use, as well as a solid assortment of features for the very-low-for-DSLR price. Plus, it readily upgrades with a new lens or two, which can then carry to another Canon camera body, should you choose.
Features to consider when shopping for the best DSLR cameras
The perfect DSLR camera for you depends largely on the subject matter, your experience level, and your budget. We’ll walk you through the questions to ask—and the DSLR cameras we recommend, accordingly.
Tactile controls
When it comes to a DSLR, your layout preference likely depends on your current skill level. More advanced photographers tend to prefer more tactile buttons so they can change settings quickly and easily without having to dive into an on-screen menu. For photographers just starting out, a bevy of buttons and dials can seem overwhelming. We tend to lean toward more buttons so photographers can grow into them. But, it’s most important that the camera feels comfortable to you.
Sensor size
It’s easy to just assume that full-frame cameras are the best, but opting for a smaller APS-C camera can have its advantages. A full-frame camera will typically give you better low-light performance and improved overall image quality. APS-C cameras, however, can be more compact thanks to their smaller sensors. APS-C cameras also get access to lenses built specifically for those smaller sensors. Those lenses often cost less than their full-frame counterparts, but they won’t cover the entire full-frame sensor if you decide to upgrade in the future. Some people are just fine staying with APS-C forever.
Video
If you’re looking for more advanced video performance, you’re probably better off opting for a mirrorless option. But, there are many DSLRs that are still relatively capable. Some of them offer 4K recording and advanced AF features during motion capture. For many DSLR shooters, video is relatively irrelevant, but these features can be a blast to learn if you’re willing to put in the work.
Resolution
Most consumer-level DSLRs hover between 20 and 30 megapixels. There are some older models that go up beyond that, like the 5DS, but that model has gone out of production. Generally, anything over 16 megapixels will do you just fine for almost every purpose. However, if you want to make truly huge prints or crop very aggressively go with a higher resolution camera.
ISO range
Looking at a camera’s maximum ISO range can be misleading. Some cameras promise ISO over 100,000 but will only be usable for a small fraction of that range. Don’t get dazzled by super high maximum numbers. Most DSLRs will max out around 4,000 for usable images, and even then, you should expect a ton of grain.
Build quality and weatherproofing
This category represents one of the big differentiators between high-end models and more consumer-oriented cameras. Pro bodies like the 5D Mark IV offer magnesium alloy shells that can take a beating. Cheaper models often rely on more plastic. More expensive cameras also have more safeguards against water and dust getting inside the body, so if you plan to use your camera for work or take it into a lot of challenging situations, pay extra and get something higher-end.
FAQs
Q: What is a DSLR camera?
If you’re wondering what is a DSLR camera in the first place, it stands for ‘digital single-lens reflex.’ Cameras in the DSLR category use a mirror that sits inside the camera body, between the back of the lens and the sensor plane and shutter. The mirror reflects the image coming in through the lens to the eye and then flips up out of the way to let the light through the shutter and onto the digital sensor when the shutter button is pushed.
Q: Is a DSLR still worth buying?
Yes, a DSLR is still worth buying. While camera phones have improved drastically, you still have a smaller, inferior sensor on the phone (which no number of megapixels can counteract) and are stuck with one lens, among other limitations. Mirrorless cameras offer some advantages, but some shooters would still prefer an optical viewfinder over a digital one. Some also prefer the classic feel of a DSLR to the more slender bodies of mirrorless cameras.
Q: What digital camera should I buy?
What digital camera you should buy depends on your primary goals and intended use (e.g., stills, video, or both?) and your budget. Overall, it’s worth going to the top end of your budget, as price really does reflect quality here—but do not forget to consider a lens budget, too, particularly if you are wanting to do any portrait photography, as kit lenses really fall short.
Q: How many megapixels is enough in a DSLR camera?
A camera’s megapixels (MP) are how many million pixels the sensor has onboard to capture light. The MP number alone does not indicate quality but rather how much information is gathered. So how many megapixels is enough in a DSLR depends on sensor size as well as how large you’ll print or scale the images. Your storage capacity (those high MP files take up a lot of space) is also something to consider. Unless you’re doing ultra-large-scale work, 20 megapixels is going to be plenty. Even less is acceptable for an amateur user. For quality, focus on your lens, aperture setting, and sensor size/quality—particularly how it deals with light.
A final word on shopping for the best DSLR cameras
The best DSLR cameras are out there, and the more you know what you want from the camera, the easier it will be to choose.
Remember: You get what you pay for. And your skill can only do so much when up against an inferior camera. So while respecting your budget, if you want the best photos possible, go for the reach and buy yourself time before you’ll need to upgrade.
And please remember to plan for lenses. If you want the best DSLR cameras, you’ll also need the right lens(es) for the job.
