TOP 20 best SLR cameras: 2021 rating and which one to choose for a novice photographer

Digital SLR cameras are used by both professionals and beginners.
This is the most popular and popular section of photographic equipment in 2021. What to consider when choosing such a device and which models have won the trust of experts and buyers - we will tell you in the article below.

The presented rating in terms of price/quality ratio will help when purchasing and will indicate the advantages and disadvantages of each participant.

Rating of the TOP 20 best SLR cameras of 2021

Top 10 DSLR Cameras

Canon EOS 1300D Kit

This model looks quite strict and does not contain anything superfluous, it is compact in size and light in weight. Ideal for travel. Weight is only 550 grams including lens and battery. The body has a traditional and fairly ergonomic shape. There are anti-slip rubber inserts on the back of the panel and on the handle.

The display is non-rotating, its resolution is 920 thousand dots with a 3-inch diagonal. The menu is convenient, all the main functions are always at hand. The buttons are large and convenient. The device has excellent sensitivity and shooting quality is 18 megapixels. It is possible to record video at a frame rate of 25-30 per second and automatically focuses using a 9-point system. The camera has a Wi-Fi module that allows you to establish direct communication with various devices and transfer files.

Advantages:

• Very comfortable shape;
• Equipped with anti-slip inserts;
• Acceptable price;
• High-quality focusing when shooting;
• Availability of Wi-Fi module.

Flaws:

• Not suitable for professional photographers;
• Using panorama mode allows you to take only three frames;
• Low performance.

Canon 1300D. Video review

Canon EOS 1300D Kit

Nikon D3300 Kit

This is one of the best cameras for beginners who plan to pursue professional photography in the future. The case is made of high-quality plastic, is well assembled, and parts do not become loose over time. The dimensions are small and very comfortable to hold in your hands. At the front there is a slightly protruding handle and several buttons with which you can remove the lens or flash. On the left side of the case there is a cover under which you can find ports for HDMI, AV/TV outputs, and there is a connector for connecting an external microphone.

There is a slot for a memory card – SD format is supported, the maximum capacity is 64 GB. At the back there is a liquid crystal display with a resolution of 640*480. It's not very convenient to view photos on it. Above it there is a viewfinder equipped with a diopter adjustment wheel. The matrix is ​​standard for cameras in the low price category - 24 megapixels. The detail of your pictures can be increased by installing an additional lens. The device works very quickly thanks to the installed Expeed 4 processor. It is capable of taking up to 5 pictures per second, and has a noise reduction system. Automatic focus at 11 points, captures details well. Video shooting is done in Full HD format at a frequency of 60 frames per second.

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Advantages:

• High matrix resolution;
• Autofocus is equipped with a backlight;
• Color solutions can be customized almost instantly;
• Continuous shooting 5 frames per second;
• Automatic noise suppression system;
• There is a video editor;
• A very convenient lens.

Flaws:

• Not compatible with all lenses;
• Fixed display;
• There is no electronic level;
• Wi-Fi and GPS modules are not provided;
• There is no image stabilization system.

Nikon D3300 DSLR test

Nikon D3300 Kit

Canon EOS 100D Kit

It is a budget model. According to user reviews, this is a pretty good inexpensive camera. The number of buttons here is smaller, largely due to the presence of a touch display in the design. The power lever is three-position - off position, photo mode and video mode. The memory card slot is located under the battery cover. The body is made of rough material and has a rubberized insert on the handle. On the front of the panel there is a signal receiver from the remote control and a red-eye reduction device.

The large touch display is easy to use and has all the necessary settings for taking high-quality photos. On the left panel there is a rubber plug, behind which are hidden connectors for installing a microphone, a multifunctional miniUSB connector and a miniHDMI output. The matrix has 18 megapixels, the camera is equipped with a second-generation hybrid autofocus. DIGIC 5 processor, which ensures good camera performance in all operating modes. Continuous shooting mode provides up to 4 frames per second.

Advantages:

• Small dimensions, fits comfortably in the hand;
• You can take both photos and videos;
• Compatible with most lenses not only from Canon, but also with many others;
• Touch screen;
• Acceptable price.

Flaws:

• Makes a lot of noise during operation, regardless of the type of lens used;
• Auto focus isn't good enough;
• The focus point illumination in the viewfinder sometimes shifts.

Review of the Canon EOS 100D camera

Canon EOS 100D Kit

Nikon D5300 Kit

It is small in size, making the device convenient to take with you on trips and carry with you. The camera is distinguished by high-quality assembly - there are no backlashes between the body parts, they do not become loose over time. There is a video recording function, and the picture is of high quality. The device supports SDCH memory cards up to 128 GB.

The lens is equipped with a folding mechanism; focus and zoom are adjusted using special wheels. Automatic focus works very reliably, focusing on 39 points. The lens also has optical image stabilization. If necessary, it can be disabled. The display panel is large, the display itself is rotatable, it can be folded with the screen inward, which reduces the risk of scratches or abrasions. Next to it there are several buttons, the main function of which is to view and delete pictures. On the left panel you can find a rubber plug, where there are several outputs - for a microphone, connecting an HDMI cable, miniUSB. The memory card slot is located on the right. Continuous shooting allows you to take up to 5 frames per second, and this parameter is adjustable.

Advantages:

• Good color rendering;
• Video recording in high resolution 1920*1080;
• There is a GPS module;
• Wi-Fi is provided, and you can use a mobile phone as a remote control;
• A large number of automatic and manual settings;
• Small mass.

Flaws:

• Built-in microphone records auto focus noise;
• Low battery capacity;
• Sometimes the auto focus gets stuck.

Nikon D5300. Video test

Nikon D5300 Kit

6. Sony Alpha ILCA-77M2 Body

This is the first semi-professional model presented in our review. This mirror device is suitable not only for beginners, but also for advanced users. The device is equipped with a high-performance Bionz X processor, the display resolution is 1229 thousand dots. The number of focusing points is significantly higher compared to amateur SLR cameras - 79. The battery life is about 6 hours in photo shooting mode and about an hour and a half when recording video.

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The assembly is reliable, there are no gaps, and the camera is comfortable to hold even with one hand. The button for switching between the display and the viewfinder is located so that it can be reached in any position. The camera has a remote control. The display is rotating, touch type. There are a lot of settings, the main ones are automatic, additional and subtle ones are manual. On the left side there are four plugs, under them there are connectors for microUSB, HDMI, and a jack for connecting an additional microphone. On the right side there is only a slot for installing a memory card - the device supports cards up to 256 GB.

Advantages:

• Very user-friendly interface;
• The screen is rotating;
• Even when shooting video, there is autofocus.

Flaws:

• The matrix makes a lot of noise during operation;
• Often the picture turns out blurry;
• Autofocus is fast, but sometimes makes mistakes.

DRTV in Russian: Review of Sony Alpha A77 II

Sony Alpha ILCA-77M2 Body

Nikon D610 Body

The device is equipped with a fast shutter that allows you to shoot up to 6 frames per second in burst shooting, and this parameter can be adjusted. The overall dimensions are small, the camera is comfortable to hold with one hand. Automatic focusing is based on 60 points, which are evenly distributed throughout the frame, and it works well even in low light.

This is one of the best cameras of 2021 that comes with a built-in automatic flash. It is unlikely to be suitable for professional sessions, but when traveling it will be simply irreplaceable. The device has a large number of user settings. One of the main distinguishing features is the HDR mode - when using it, the device will take two frames and merge them into one, preserving very bright and very dark areas. The downside is that photos in this mode will only be in .jpeg format. To get a similar effect in .raw, you will have to perform all operations manually, which takes a lot of time.

Advantages:

• High quality images;
• There is a built-in flash;
• Performance;
• Battery reliability;
• High build quality.

Flaws:

• The shutter is weak;
• High price.

Nikon D610: full-frame DSLR review

Nikon D610 Body

Canon EOS 6D Body

This is a very compact device, ergonomic appearance, carefully designed camera design. The weight is practically no different from amateur models, so the device is very comfortable to hold even in one hand. There are significantly fewer buttons than other semi-professional devices. On the top there is an additional liquid crystal screen. The device supports SDHC and SDXC memory cards, providing high speed recording and reading of photos and videos.

The interface is quite convenient; you can scroll through the settings using two dials - there are a large number of quick parameters that can be adjusted directly during the shooting process. The camera has GPS and Wi-Fi modules. The camera response is average - in burst mode it is capable of delivering up to 4.5 frames per second: this depends on the selected file format. If necessary, you can use silent mode.

Advantages:

• Convenient white balance;
• Several built-in modules - GPS and Wi-Fi;
• High quality video;
• Color rendition is quite natural;
• The stabilizer is high quality.

Flaws:

• There is no built-in flash;
• There is no rotating screen for macro photography;
• The lens motor makes a whirring noise when operating;
• Portrait photography turns out blurry, photographs need additional processing;
• It is better to set the white balance manually.

Canon EOS 6D video review

Canon EOS 6D Body

Pentax K-1 Body

In the ranking of SLR cameras, this professional camera took an honorable third place. This is the first full-frame device released by this company. It contains a very large number of different functions and a 36-megapixel sensor. The stabilizer has five axes - no other professional or amateur device has this. The frame can be composed by shifting or slightly tilting the matrix.

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The camera has the original Pixel Shift Resolution sharpening function, GPS and Wi-Fi modules are provided. One of the heaviest designs presented in this review – it weighs more than a kilogram. The case has a significant number of rubber gaskets and plugs, which allows the device not to react to water splashes and even rain. The display is touch-sensitive, rotating, at the bottom of the structure there is a battery compartment, and there is a socket for mounting on a tripod.

Advantages:

• The stabilizer is located directly in the body;
• Metal case equipped with rubber inserts;
• Long battery life;
• Availability of backlight.

Flaws:

• Focusing is slow;
• You won't be able to quickly switch between photo and video modes.

DRTV in Russian: Review of Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 Body

Canon EOS 5DSR Body

This is the only model of its kind equipped with a low-frequency suppression system. Due to this function, high-resolution images become clearer and sharper, and image distortion practically does not occur. It has another advantage - it reduces mirror vibration, which allows for quiet shutter operation. The device has a 50.6 MP full-frame image sensor.

The camera has an ergonomic shape and fits comfortably in your hand. The display is non-rotating, the device's light sensitivity ranges from 100 to 6400, due to which you can fully use the camera for studio, landscape and other types of shooting. The menu has a new feature that allows you to set the most suitable aspect ratio.

Advantages:

• Very high resolution of both photos and videos;
• There is no noise in the shadows in the pictures;
• A large number of fine settings that are perfect for professionals;
• Excellent color rendition.

Flaws:

• It doesn't have enough time to work offline - you have to buy another battery.

DRTV in Russian: Canon 5Ds and Canon 5Ds R

Canon EOS 5DSR Body

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body

A recognized leader among professional cameras. This camera has a number of unique features. In particular, it is equipped with a Dual Pixel CMOS system, which allows you to open up a number of possibilities when processing photos. The sensor has a resolution of 30 megapixels, which made it possible to increase the burst shooting speed to 7 frames per second. The video quality is also high, the maximum number of frames is 60.

The case is metal, has excellent assembly, covered with plastic and moisture- and dust-proof materials. The device feels great indoors, outdoors, and in bad weather. It does not weigh too much - only about 900 grams, but due to its large dimensions it is very inconvenient to hold it in one hand. The display is liquid crystal, non-rotating, it is convenient to switch between it and the lens. On the left side there is a plug with a large number of connectors.

Advantages:

• Automatic focus is activated instantly;
• Availability of moisture-proof coating;
• Continuous shooting is fast;
• Quiet shutter sound;
• Availability of Wi-Fi module;
• Autofocus is used even when shooting video.

Flaws:

• Not found except for the high price.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. New king?

Canon vs Nikon | Canon or Nikon, which is better?

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body

How to choose a DSLR camera?

When purchasing a DSLR camera, consider the following points::

1. Frame . It should be durable and tactilely pleasant, preferably protected from dust and moisture. Pay attention to the weight and how comfortable it is to hold the device with one hand.
2. Battery capacity . Reflected in the number of pictures you can take per charge.
3. Connections . Modern models are increasingly equipped with wireless communication modules, which speeds up and simplifies the process of data exchange.
4. Screen . The size, brightness and its position should ensure comfort of use. The image needs to be clear, the brightness should be enough to use the device outdoors, and the rotating mechanism will allow you to set the desired angle.
5. Permission . Reflected in the number of points. The more there are, the higher the quality of the images, the better the details are reflected.
6. Focus . Helps to achieve image clarity, can be either manual or automatic with the ability to manually adjust.
7. Stabilization . If you often shoot objects in motion, this is a must-have option for your camera. It will not allow the frame to blur, including due to hand shaking.

Canon EOS 2000D Kit

The Canon EOS 2000D Kit is the best DSLR camera for beginners that weighs only 475 grams, allowing you to take it with you wherever you travel. Combined with a user-friendly interface, reasonable price and photo quality, this makes the model one of the best in the price category up to 30,000 rubles. There is support for NFC and Wi-Fi, which makes it easy to transfer footage to your phone. These same technologies allow you to remotely control the camera's capabilities.

Photos boast stunning detail and wide dynamic range. And thanks to the intelligent mode, you don't have to rack your brains with settings. In portrait mode, the blur is very effective, but fine details are not lost.

Pros:

• Ergonomic body;
• High-quality 24.1 MP APS-C matrix;
• Autonomy;
• Possibility of wireless control from a smartphone;
• There is Wi-Fi and NFC;
• The Canon Photo Companion app helps you become a better photographer.

Minuses:

• Screen without touch control.

What are the differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera?

DSLR cameras have more mechanical parts and are susceptible to even minor shocks . Such a device consists of two parts - the main body and the lens.

After the light passes through the lens and diaphragm, it hits a translucent mirror. The image is divided into two parts. The first is displayed on the viewfinder, and the second goes to the focusing system, after which it is reflected on the matrix. This is the photograph.

A mirrorless camera is a symbiosis of a DSLR and compact devices . Light is also output to the matrix, but the image is reflected on the screen after processing by the processor.