INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
If you've outgrown your point-and-shoot camera or are no longer satisfied with the snaps you get from your smartphone, and feel like you're
ready to take your photography to the next level, then an entry-level DSLR is the most obvious choice.Entry-level DSLRs deliver a big step
up in image quality from a compact camera or smartphone, offering far more manual control and the ability to change lenses to tackle a huge
DSLR offers.The best entry-level DSLRsObviously, the more features you want, the more you'll pay, but do you actually need them Our top
camera is one of the cheapest on the market, but still offers impressive performance and image quality, plus enough features to handle most
assignments, especially if you're still learning.You may also want to consider a mirrorless camera as an alternative
If so, you'll find our video above or Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences guide very useful
Or, if you're not sure what kind of camera you need at all, then read our easy-to-follow guide to camera types: What camera should I buyDSLR
bundlesIf you're buying your first DSLR, it makes sense to buy it as a kit, which generally includes the camera body along with an 18-55mm
Often referred to as a 'kit' lens, this covers a pretty broad zoom range, perfect for everything from landscapes to portraits, but that's
kit with additional lenses
For example, wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses, a flashgun, and other accessories, to make the most of whatever types of photography
you're into.Canon and Nikon offer the largest collections of DSLR lenses, but Pentax and Sony also offer decent ranges
You're not limited to own-brand lenses either, with the likes of Sigma, Tamron and Tokina selling quality lenses at prices that are often
lower than the camera manufacturers' equivalent lenses.1
Nikon D3400Not the most expensive entry-level DSLR, but we think it's the best Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon
DX | Screen: 3-inch, 921,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level: BeginnerSuperb battery
lifeGood single-shot AFNo microphone portNo touchscreenNikon's D3400 builds on the brilliant D3300, which was until recently our top pick
Sharing pretty much the same design and specification as its predecessor, the D3400 adds Nikon's SnapBridge bluetooth connectivity to
transfer images directly to your smart device to make it that much easier to share images
The 24.2MP sensor resolves bags of detail, while the D3400 is also a very easy camera to live with
Its clever Guide Mode is a useful learning tool that gives real-time explanations of important features
Canon EOS Rebel T7i / Canon EOS 800DOne of the best options out there, but a bit priceySensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount:
Canon EF-S | Screen: 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 6fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User
level: Beginner/enthusiastGreat touchscreenExcellent sensorPlastic finishExpensiveThe EOS Rebel T7i (known as the EOS 800D outside) sits at
the top of Canon's entry-level EOS DSLR range
Sporting a newly designed 24.2MP sensor that delivers an improved high ISO performance over older models, the Rebel T7i's autofocus also
gets a boost, now with a 45-point arrangement that's backed up by excellent live view AF system
There's also newly designed graphical interface that will certainly make this camera even more appealing to new users, but the absence of 4K
video and the quality of the exterior materials disappoint
Perhaps the most expensive option out there, but definitely one of the best.Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T7i review / Canon EOS 800D
Nikon D5600Choosing between Canon and Nikon is tougher than ever Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen:
3.2-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level:
Beginner/enthusiastExcellent image qualityArticulating touchscreenSlow Live View focusingSnapBridge needs workThe D5600 competes directly
with Canon's EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D at the upper end of the entry-level DSLR market
Where Nikon's D3000-series cameras are designed as cost-conscious introductory DSLRs, the D5000-series is preferable if you want to get more
The D5600 sports a large 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, and while the live view focusing speed could be quicker, the 39-point AF system is
the best you'll find in a entry-level DSLR
There isn't much wrong with the D5600's 24.2MP sensor either, delivering excellent results, while the logical control layout of the D5600
Nikon D3300Still one of the best beginner DSLRs aroundSensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3-inch,
921,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level: BeginnerGreat image qualityGuide modeFixed
LCDLimited connectivityReplaced by the D3400 last year, the D3300 and D3400 share a very similar set of features (and design for that
The biggest difference between the two though is the D3300's lack of connectivity - if you want to transfer your images to your smartphone
or tablet, you'll need to invest in Nikon's cheap plug-in Wi-Fi adapter that plugs into one of the ports on the D3300
With stocks running down as the D3400 takes hold, the D3300 is becoming less easy to come by, but if you do track one down at a good price,
Canon EOS Rebel T6i / Canon EOS 750DA compelling combination of top-notch ergonomics and a superb sensor Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels:
24.2MP | Lens mount: Canon EF-S | Screen: 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video
resolution: 1080p | User level: BeginnerGreat touchscreenWi-Fi with NFCAverage battery lifeAF could be betterThe EOS Rebel T6i (Called the
EOS 750D outside the US) may have just been by the EOS Rebel T7i / 800D last year, but is still a great option if the price of the newer
While the sensor isn't quite as good as the one in the newer T7i despite sharing the same resolution, it's still very good, while the
vari-angle touchscreen is still one of the best around
review / Canon EOS 750D review6
Nikon D5300No longer Nikon's latest and greatest entry-level DSLR, but almost Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX
| Screen: 3.2-inch articulating, 1,037,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level:
BeginnerHigh-res, non-anti-aliased sensorGPS built inSlow live-view focussingNo touchscreenThe D5300 was around for little more than a year
before the D5500 technically replaced it (which has in turn be replaced by the D5600)
It shares the same 24.2MP sensor with an identical maximum ISO25,600 sensitivity as the D5500, whilst the D5300's EXPEED 4 image processor
and 39-point autofocus system have also been carried over to its replacement
The D5300 doesn't sporta fancy touchscreen control, you do get GPS instead, while the D5300's 600-shot battery life will still outlast a
All in all, it may not be the latest entry-level DSLR, but the D5300 is still a smart buy.Read our in-depth Nikon D5300 review7
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / Canon EOS 200DA cheap and very cheerful entry level camera Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Canon
EF-S | Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level:
BeginnerSmall sizeEasy to useBattery life rated at 380 shotsFixed rather than vari-angle screenCanon introduced the EOS Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D
outside the US) to compete with the influx of compact system cameras and it was the smallest DSLR available when it was introduced in March
Now replaced by the EOS Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D), its slightly bulkier proportions make it feel more like a slightly pared-down Rebel T7i / 800D
It's not a bad option for new users, but there are better-value alternatives available at the moment.Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel SL2
review / Canon EOS 200D review8
Canon EOS Rebel T5i / Canon EOS 700DStill fresh on the outside, if a little long in the tooth inside Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 18MP |
Lens mount: Canon EF-S | Screen: 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution:
1080p | User level: BeginnerSound ergonomicsArticulating touchscreenOutdated sensorNo Wi-FiStick the EOS Rebel T5i (EOS 700D outside the US)
next to the T6i or the T7i and you'll struggle to tell them apart
The EOS Rebel T5i is really intuitive to use, regardless of your ability, but the T5i's sensor can trace its roots back to the T2i that was
released in 2010 and it's now outclassed in terms of noise suppression and dynamic range
The 9-point autofocus system is also dated and you don't get Wi-Fi connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel T5i review / Canon EOS 700D review9
Canon EOS Rebel T7 / Canon EOS 2000DCanon's no-frills entry-level DSLR gets a very minor updateSensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.1MP |
Lens mount: Canon EF-S | Screen: 3-inch, 920,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 3fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level:
BeginnerEasy to useLogically laid out controlsDated AF systemNo touchscreenThe EOS Rebel T7 (known as the EOS 2000D outside the US) is
Canon's cheap and cheerful entry-level DSLR
While not featuring quite the same impressive spec as pricier models up the Canon range, you still get a pretty solid set of features for
the beginner including Wi-Fi and NFC technology built-in
This means you can transfer images to your smartphone for super-quick sharing
Images from the 24.1MP sensor are more and adequate, but not quite a match for those from the EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D
in-depthCanon EOS Rebel T7 review / Canon EOS 2000D review10
Canon EOS Rebel T6 / Canon EOS 1300DCanon's ageing budget DSLR is starting to show its ageSensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 18MP | Lens
mount: Canon EF-S | Screen: 3-inch, 920,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 3fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level: BeginnerLow
priceGood image qualityNo touchscreenSlow live view focusingIt's just been replaced by the EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D (above), but that does
mean that the EOS Rebel T6 (known as the EOS 1300D outside the US) should now be even cheaper
In many ways the specification is very similar to the newer camera, with the key difference being the Rebel T6 features a 18MP sensor, which
in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T6 review / Canon EOS 1300D reviewAlso considerOlympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIThe brilliant E-M10 Mark III is a little
powerhouse of a cameraSensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1MP | Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds | Screen: 3.0-inch tilt-angle
display, 1,037,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 8.6fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/intermediateCompact size, lenses tooPremium
finishSmaller sensor than a DSLRFocus tracking could be betterThe OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a great alternative to an entry-level DSLR
Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C) but the effect on image quality is minor
and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself
Sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system, decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no
