Looking for your first DSLR Camera and Camera Lenses for Beginners?
One of the most common questions I get asked by friends & family is, “What is the Best DSLR Camera for a beginner?” Today’s post goes into detail about the entry-level DSLRs I commonly recommend to anyone just getting into digital photography.
If photography excites you and you are looking for an upgrade from your well worn point-and-shoot or smartphone, you are a perfect candidate for an entry-level DSLR.
Purchasing a DSLR camera has become much more affordable in recent years and brings many great advantages with it. Among them are greater clarity, flexible controls, and the ability to change lenses as you please.
The other worthwhile upgrade that is a big decision when purchasing a DSLR is deciding whether you want a crop sensor for a full frame sensor. Those terms likely seem very technical, but don’t worry, it is quite simple. A cropped sensor cuts material or “crops” your image as it is being taken, while a full frame DSLR captures exactly what you see in the viewfinder.
My best advice is to just start shooting! Start with whatever camera you can afford, master it & save up until you can make upgrades.
While the increase in features can seem daunting to a new DSLR user, the cameras outlined below all have auto modes that work well to get you acclimated to your camera.
Beginner DSLR Camera Suggestions
Canon EOS Rebel T7i –Â This camera is a popular choice among beginners and the ease of use is certainly one of the reasons why. Featuring a touchscreen, great autofocus capabilities, a tilt-swivel screen, and fantastic battery life, the Canon T7i makes purchasing a DSLR a lot less scary. While the dynamic range of this camera might be slightly lower than others, its user-friendly design makes it a foolproof choice for your first DSLR. Be aware that this camera has a cropped sensor.
Nikon D5600 -Â While this line of cameras is designed to be cost effective, the Nikon D5600 holds its own in the upper-echelon of entry-level DSLRs. It features excellent image quality, a comfortable hand grip, a fair autofocus system, and a touchscreen interface. While its video quality only goes up to 1080p, this should not pose as an issue if your main interest is photography. Overall, this camera produces top tier image quality for a minimal price and is a sound choice for your first DSLR. Be aware that this camera has a cropped sensor.
Have you recently upgraded from a point-and-shoot to a DLSR? What did you purchase? What do you love about it?
Ready to move into a full-frame DSLR camera? Full-Frame DSLR Suggestions
Nikon D750 – The Nikon D750 is a great option for a beginner looking to upgrade to a full-frame DSLR. The full-frame, 24 megapixel D750 sits between the more affordable Nikon D610 and the professional-grade, Nikon D810 or D850. The Nikon D750 borrows elements from both camera models and seemingly is the perfect hybrid! The D750 has a high ISO range, a tilting touch screen, incredible video capabilities, and built in wi-fi.
Canon EOS 6D – The Canon 6D is a price conscience 20.2 megapixel full-frame camera that claims to be the lightest one on the market as of Jan 2018. It has built in WiFI, GPS, an 11-point autofocusing system, and a silent-shutter mode. The built in WIFI system allows you to control this camera with your smartphone.
What Camera Lenses are Best for a Beginner?
As a new DSLR user, you probably do not want to worry about which lens would be the best fit for your needs quite yet. Luckily, the popular choice among beginners is to purchase a camera kit. These most often include both a DSLR camera body, a standard 18-55mm lens, and a few small accessories: Nikon 18-55 Kit Lens  & Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens.
The lens included in a kit can accommodate a wide range of needs and is surely the best option for newbies. Both of the aforementioned cropped sensor cameras have this option available and would be great choices to start you off with a DSLR.
My Favorite Lenses for Full-Frame DSLR Cameras
If you want to get some great glass right away for typical everyday portrait & lifestyle work I would recommend starting with a 35mm and/or a 50 mm.
50 mm f/1.4 mm Lens for Canon >> later you can upgrade to the f/1.2 for a prettier bokeh and faster focusing.
50mm f/1.4 Sigma Art Lens for Nikon
You can read my full photography gear list Here.
Shop Beginner DSLR Cameras and Lenses HereÂ
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