Best beginner DSLR cameras 2020: the 10 finest DSLRs for new photographers Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D

Looking for the best DSLR for beginners? This is the buying guide for you. We’ve reviewed, rated and ranked all of the top entry-level DSLR cameras, covering every budget and preference. So whether you’re new to photography, switching from a smartphone or ready to upgrade your compact, you’ll find your ideal beginner DSLR in the list below. (Want a broader look at the best beginner cameras? Check out our separate buying guide covering all types of entry-level cameras)

While smartphones and mirrorless cameras both provide accessible routes into photography, DSLR cameras continue to offer a unique experience for photographers who are just starting out. With large sensors and changeable lenses, even beginner DSLR cameras are more powerful and versatile than any mobile phone. They also feature better battery life, controls and handling than most mirrorless models. And you’ll only find true optical viewfinders on DSLR cameras.

All DSLR cameras deliver plenty of flexibility for first-time photographers, but entry-level models like the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D tend to have fewer advanced features and are slightly slower when it comes to autofocus and burst shooting. You’ll have to pay a lot more for the superlative performance of top-end models like the Canon EOS 90D, and many of its skills will be unnecessary for novice photographers.

Most manufacturers are now paying more attention to the mirrorless market. Canon cancelled its entry-level 7D line last year after just two iterations, while stocks of the long-awaited EOS 850D / Rebel T8i – equipped with a Digic 8 processor and 4K video – are only just surfacing after some delays.

That said, there are still plenty of choices for beginners looking for a DSLR. Our current number one pick for the title of best-entry level DSLR is the Nikon D3500, which hits the sweet spot of image quality, beginner-friendly features and value. But Canon and Nikon both have a healthy catalogues of entry-level models – with lenses to match – so it’s worth perusing the rest of our buying guide to see if there’s a better match for you. For example, if you’re not interested in shooting video, some older models like the Canon EOS 80D and Nikon D5300 still offer impressive value. Read to the end and you’re sure to find a model that’s just what you’re looking for.

Best beginner DSLRs 2020 at a glance:

1. Nikon D3500
2. Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D
3. Nikon D5600
4. Canon EOS 80D
5. Canon EOS Rebel T7/ 2000D / EOS 1500D
6. Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D / EOS 200D Mark II
7. Canon EOS 90D
8. Canon EOS Rebel T100 / 4000D
9. Nikon D5300
10. Pentax K-70

The Best DSLRs for beginners in 2020:

Nikon may not have announced any new entry-level DSLRs for a while, but the D3500 remains an excellent option for those new to photography. It picks up from where the D3400 left off, but with a handful of extra perks. Unlike power-hungry mirrorless models, the major advantage of this camera is battery life. You can keep going for 1,550 images between charges, which is way ahead of most other DSLRs, while the 24MP sensor delivers excellent image quality. Nikon has also revised the body and control layout, not only to make it nicer to handle but easier to use too, while the 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 love it – and if you’re just getting started, we reckon you will too. 

The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (know as the EOS 850D outside the US) has now officially taken the baton from its Rebel T7i / EOS 800D predecessor, with stock of the latter tricky to find. This new model isn’t a huge upgrade, with the most notable addition being a 4K video mode that’s somewhat 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 is fast, reliable and works just as well for video as it does stills. Its button layout is also very considered, while the vari-angle LCD screen handles really well. As long you ignore that headline of 4K mode, which involves a crop and the loss of phase-detection autofocus, it remains a fantastic option for anyone who is starting a photography hobby and prizes DSLR advantages like battery life and handling. 

Here’s another model which is still holding its own against the rise of mirrorless. The D5600 is a step up from the D3000-series models, with a stronger set of specs to rival the likes of the Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D (position 2). Key advantages over the D3400 and D3500 include a larger LCD screen, which not only flips out and swivels all the way around to face the front for vlogging, but also responds to touch, together with a more advanced autofocus system, Wi-Fi and a healthy range of additional control on the inside. Sure, you pay a little bit more for the privilege, but if you need a little more growing space it makes sense to go for the D5600 so that it stays with you for years to come.

There’s no doubt that the newer Canon EOS 90D (below), which succeeded the EOS 80D in August 2019, is the superior all-round DSLR of the two in terms of power and features. But the EOS 80D currently sits higher in this list due to the impressive value it offers – right now, you can find it for almost half the price of its newer sibling. And despite coming out in 2016, it’s still a very capable camera for beginners. For a start, the combination of a 24.2MP sensor and 45-point autofocus system ensure you get reliably good photos and focusing. There’s a guided menu system that’s easy to navigate, and on-board Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transfer images wirelessly if needed. The only downside is that the 80D’s kit lens is a tad soft around the edges, so we’d recommend buying the body only and a better lens separately.

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 that it understandably lacks some of the fancy tricks of its bigger brothers – flip-out LCD, 4K video and so on – but there’s still a very good level of physical control on offer. And, most importantly, image quality from the 24MP sensor is sound. It’s designed very much with its target audience in mind, with a Feature Guide to help you understand everything, and battery life is also better than many mirrorless models at this price point – still a key advantage of DSLRs. Wi-Fi, NFC and Full HD video recording round off the specs, making it a well-rounded first-time option.

The EOS Rebel SL3, also known as the Canon EOS 250D, is the latest entry-level arrival to this list – indeed it’s one of only a handful of beginner models announced in recent years. Like its name suggests, it picks up from where the Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) left off, adding a fresh processing engine and 4K video recording on top of a collection of smaller extras. There may be lots of competition from mirrorless right now, but if you like the traditional handling of a DSLR – including an optical viewfinder – the 250D is one of the most attractive models available right now.

Canon’s 90D might be the last enthusiast-level DSLR the company ever makes – and 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. Color reproduction is superb and there’s plenty of detail in both stills and video, aided by a new 216-zone metering system – though noise can be an issue above ISO 8000. A deeper grip means the 90D is also really comfortable in the hand, while a joystick makes selecting from the Dual Pixel CMOS AF points a cinch. Battery life is a boon, too, with 1,500 shots possible on a single charge. 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 have a place in the mirrorless world.

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 might tick the boxes.

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 aging, as is the modest 9-point autofocus system, which has been in Canon’s catalogue since 2009. The LCD display likewise feels long in the tooth, with a 2.7-inch diagonal and 230k-dot resolution, while Live View performance is a little sluggish. Finally, the polycarbonate shell feels understandably cheap.

But it’s not all bad: the button layout is easy to navigate for new users, battery life is strong at 500 shots and image quality is solid, 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 key criterion, you might be able to look past the limited feature set and see some wallet-friendly potential.

The oldest DSLR in this list, the Nikon D5300 first arrived in 2013. Despite its slightly grey hair, this formerly mid-range camera now has a entry-price and still has plenty to offer the beginner photographer. For a start, the 24.2MP sensor still performs very well, with its lack of a low-pass filter ensuring its captures plenty of detail, while the 39-point AF system remains reliable as long there’s plenty of available light. Unusually for a DSLR that’s this old, the D5300 also has a vari-angle screen, which is handy if you like to compose via Live View rather than the optical viewfinder. Admittedly, AF performance in Live View lags a long way behind its mirrorless rivals, but if you want a classic shooting experience, the D5300 remains a good buy at today’s lower prices.

Although a couple of years old now, the K-70 remains a good value option for anybody who is not overly bothered by the main two manufacturers . Even better if you have a stash of old Pentax lenses gathering dust in a basement from manual days. It has a very useful articulating screen, while the hybrid live view autofocus system makes it an actual practical alternative to using the viewfinder. Possibly our favorite thing about the K-70 is its tough credentials – something which is typically lacking for entry-level models. If you’re keen to take lots of pictures outdoors – such as landscapes – being able to rely on it not to be destroyed by inclement weather is a big bonus. One slight disappointment is the kit lens which is often bundled with the camera – while it offers a much longer focal length than most others here, it can be a little soft in places.

Also consider…

None of the above take your fancy? Here’s another option to consider.

The EOS 77D is a slightly more advanced beginner DSLR, and it provides a few extra treats for those who feel they may outgrow more basic models before long. While we weren’t too excited about it at the time of its release, the fact that it’s spent some time on the market now means it can be bought for a much more agreeable price tag. On top of the bones of the EOS 800D, there’s a top-plate LCD screen that gives you shooting options at a glance, as well as two control dials to make adjusting options faster. You also get some extras on the inside such as bulb and interval timers. If you can stretch to the EOS 80D that sits just above it, even better – otherwise, this would be a slightly more capable option than its more basic siblings.

What should you look for when buying a beginner DSLR?

There are three main factors to consider when buying a beginner-friendly DSLR: the camera’s size, screen and kit lens options.

If you’re trying to learn your way around manual settings like aperture and shutter speed, which is one of the main benefits of a DSLR, then you’ll ideally need a model that’s small and light. This means you’ll be more likely to take it out regularly and master those controls. The most beginner-friendly cameras, like the Nikon D3500 and Canon 250D, tend to be particularly small for DSLRs, so take a close look at those.

Looking to shoot lots of video along with your stills? DSLRs can be a cheap way to get into vlogging too, so make sure you look out for models with a vari-angle screen if you need this. These can help you shoot from different angles and also flip round to the front so you can check your framing while vlogging to camera.

Lastly, you’ll want to consider lenses. As a beginner, you’ll most likely be starting from scratch, which means it makes more sense to buy your DSLR with a kit lens. A word of warning here, though – most manufacturers offer two types of kits lens, one with image stabilization and one without. It’s best to go with the image-stabilized kit lens, as you’ll be able to shoot sharper images at slower shutter speeds.

While an 18-55mm kit lens will be more than enough to get you started, one of the big benefits of DSLRs is being able to add extra lenses for different kinds of photography. For example, wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses, as well as high-quality macro options. You can also add a flashgun and other accessories, which help you to make the most of whatever types of photography you’re into.  

Still not entirely sure whether you need a DSLR or a mirrorless camera? Don’t forget to check out our Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences guide. Alternatively, if don’t quite know what kind of camera you need at all, then read our easy-to-follow guide to camera types: What camera should I buy?

Should you buy a mirrorless camera over a DSLR? Watch our guide video below to learn more: 

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