As we all known 2020 has just begun and already we’ve already been graced with two new DSLR announcements, the anxious-focused Nikon D780 and the extremely-professional-focused Canon EOS 1D X Mark III. Both of these cameras look very promising, and both have very high quality image and video quality but as they’ve yet to make it to market, we can’t include either on this list.
So for now, the long-standing Nikon D850 remains the best DSLR you can buy. Its a combination of speed, resolution, build quality, and decent video capabilities will satisfy the most demanding professionals and advanced enthusiasts alike.
The core feature is the optical viewfinder, which uses a mirror to let you see directly through the lens (see our DSLR explainer for more information). They also get much better battery life.
While we also recommend taking a look at the best mirrorless cameras, if you’re set on a DSLR, here are some our current favorites.
So for now, the long-standing Nikon D850 remains the best DSLR you can buy. Its a combination of speed, resolution, build quality, and decent video capabilities will satisfy the most demanding professionals and advanced enthusiasts alike.
The core feature is the optical viewfinder, which uses a mirror to let you see directly through the lens (see our DSLR explainer for more information). They also get much better battery life.
While we also recommend taking a look at the best mirrorless cameras, if you’re set on a DSLR, here are some our current favorites.
At a glance
- Nikon D850
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
- Canon EOS Rebel T7i
- Canon EOS 90D
- Nikon D3500
Nikon D850
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| Nikon D850 Image |
Shopping for a DSLR isn’t all that different: You can go for speed or resolution, but usually not both. Larger photos, like larger cars, mean slower performance. But the Nikon D850 might just be the first real exception to the rule, where a 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor co-exists alongside a maximum 9-frames-per-second (fps) burst speed. But can such a camera really deliver the best of both worlds? Find out in our Nikon D850 review.
The D850 is the update to the D810, the company’s $3,000-ish full-frame camera line ranking above the D750 and D610. But the D850 actually rivals some of the specs of Nikon’s flagship, the $6,500 D5. It’s not quite as fast, but it uses the same 153-point autofocus system and has more than twice as many megapixels. The D850 also adds a tilting LCD touchscreen similar to that of the D750.
All of this means the D850 can seamlessly move from shooting golden hour landscapes to extreme sports and back again — and while there’s a few quirks, the mix of resolution and speed could just make the D850 the best full-frame camera on the market for 2017.
Design:
It has Sturdy, control-heavy design. Built with a magnesium-alloy frame with weather sealing for moisture and dust, the D850 feels sturdy in the hand. We took the camera to a dust-filled motocross track and it wasn’t fazed one bit.
Handling the D850 is like hopping back on a bicycle for any photographer who has shot with a Nikon DSLR before. It keeps much of the same design of earlier models, yet has a few important upgrades from its predecessors.
The control layout is similar to the D810, but now many of the buttons can be illuminated, just like the D5. The top of the camera houses the familiar secondary screen that displays shooting information, and the ISO button, dedicated video record button, and exposure compensation button all sit between it and the shutter release.
While the camera serves up plenty of physical controls, users can also make some adjustments via the LCD screen. The touch interface brings expected options like touch-to-focus, but also offers smartphone-like playback features, allowing you to swipe through your shots or pinch to zoom.
Find your own flash
While there’s a hot shoe at the top of the camera, the D850 doesn’t include a built-in flash, a first for the series but not an unexpected move after Nikon also took it out of its DX-format flagship, the D500.
Most photographers investing in a $3,000-plus camera are going to use the more advanced external flash, but the pop-up flash in the D810 could be used to remotely trigger Nikon flashes. Fortunately, the D850 is compatible with Nikon’s new radio frequency (RF) wireless flash system, although this requires a separate transceiver. The RF transceiver offers better communication than an optical system, but photographers who used the pop-up as a commander will need to factor the accessory into the total purchase price.
Handling the D850 is like hopping back on a bicycle for anyone who has shot with a Nikon DSLR before. Another thing D810 users will notice missing from the D850 is the Compact Flash card slot. Don’t worry, though: It’s been replaced by a much more capable XQD slot. XQD cards are very fast, which is important for both high-resolution and high-speed photography. The camera also retains the SD card slot for overflow, backup, or split RAW and JPEG recording.
On the opposite side of the camera are ports for headphones, microphone, USB 3, and HDMI — hinting at this camera’s role as a true multimedia machine.
Buy here: Nikon D850
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
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| Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Image |
Canon may not always be the first to introduce the latest in camera tech, but it’s good at one thing: steadily turning out products that do what they’re supposed to, which is to take good photos and videos. After all, it’s the number-one seller of interchangeable lens cameras. The new EOS 5D Mark IV ($3,499, body only) is no different, the latest iteration of the much-loved, full-frame 5D-series. Although Canon’s slow-and-steady approach to innovation is nothing new, the Mark IV has been a long time coming – four years after its successor, the EOS 5D Mark III, which is long even by Canon’s standards.
The 5D-series finally gets 4K video capture, as well as Canon’s highly praised Dual Pixel AF technology for fast video focusing. It also has a souped-up sensor and image processor. So, was it worth the wait? This excellent performer will dazzle those looking for a versatile DSLR, particularly Canon users stepping up to their first full-frame camera, but video pros may be left wanting more.
Design, features, usability:
The EOS 5D Mark IV looks very similar to the Mark III: an all-black body (5.9 x 4.6 x 3 inches) with a faux-leather texture surface and a substantial grip. It is a big and bulky camera, but, for a full-frame camera, it is actually very comfortable with a well-balanced feel – even with our test lens attached, the rather long Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM stabilized zoom. If you’re stepping up from the entry-level Rebel series you’ll notice the size difference.
With 30.4 megapixels, you can crop to your heart’s content or make massive prints.
As for weight, the Mark IV is slightly lighter than the Mark III, at 31.4 ounces versus 33.5, respectively. Of course, body weight is a moot point after you attach a heavy lens, but you can keep things light when using a compact prime lens.
On the top of the camera is a locking mode dial with nine options including the standard assortment of automatic and manual exposure modes, plus three custom settings. As with previous 5D-series cameras, the Mark IV does not have a built-in flash – not a big loss for advanced users, but it might take some getting used to for step-up users.
On the top right is a large LCD that allows you to quickly check your settings. The White Balance, Drive/AF, and Exposure Compensation/ISO buttons are all nearby – clearly labeled and designed for easy access when holding the camera in shooting position. Near the grip you’ll find the shutter, jog wheel, and a Multifunction key for changing autofocus area and other options. Combined with all the other buttons and dials on the back, almost every parameter is easily adjustable without going into onscreen menus. Current 5D-series users will find the layout familiar, while newbies will be up and running in no time.
On the back are the optical viewfinder and a fixed 3.2-inch LCD screen for Live View, playback, and menu adjustments. The viewfinder is big and bright, while the monitor is touch-enabled for improved control over a variety of features, including moving the active focus point with the swipe of a finger. The 1.62-million-dot resolution looks great and colors are accurate, but it would have been nice if the screen could tilt or flip out.
On the right side is a dual-slot compartment for one CompactFlash (CF) and one SD card. There’s nothing radical here, such as the XQD card support of top-end Nikons or CFast 2.0 on Canon’s 1D X Mark II, but at least current 5D Mark III owners won’t need to invest in any new cards. The CF format is growing long in the tooth, but this is just another example of Canon shying away from new technologies in the early stages of its development strategy. On the plus side, there’s an NFC tag here to sync with a compatible smartphone or tablet, in addition to Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS for location tracking. The camera works efficiently with Canon’s new much-improved Camera Connect mobile app.
On the left you’ll find HDMI and USB 3.0 ports alongside headphone and microphone jacks.
Buy here: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon EOS Rebel T7i
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| Canon EOS Rebel T7i Image |
It’s rare that an entry-level DSLR can get us excited these days, but we found Canon’s EOS Rebel T7i to be a refreshing exception. The latest in a long line of entry-level DSLRs, the T7i puts up some of the best performance-per-dollar numbers of any DSLR, and has enough bells and whistles to make even some enthusiast photographers happy. After putting it through a serious test that should have pushed well beyond its capabilities, we had to do a double take to make sure that this was, indeed, a Rebel – because it feels an awful lot like an 80D in disguise.
That’s not by accident. The T7i inherits much of its DNA from Canon’s admired APS-C champion. That includes a 45-point all-cross-type autofocus system, 24-megapixel sensor, and Dual Pixel AF for fast and accurate focusing in live-view and video modes. Continuous shooting speed falls to six frames per second from the 80D’s seven, and the fastest shutter speed is 1/4,000 of a second compared to 1/8,000, but those numbers are not half bad for a low-end DSLR. Somewhat surprisingly, the T7i actually gets the newer Digic 7 image processor, giving it an expanded ISO range of 100-51,200 – one stop higher than the 80D.
Unique to the T7i is a new “guided” menu system, which more-or-less walks new users through the functions of the camera as they’re selected. It explains the core role of each top-level menu before you dive into it, and organizes those menus into large icons that make easy tap targets for the touchscreen interface. It also does a good job of visualizing things like the effects of different shutter speeds and apertures in a way that users without any photographic training should be able to understand. More experienced users can revert back to the tried-and-true Canon menu, if preferred.
On the physical side, the T7i remains every bit a Rebel, which may be the one thing holding it back from appealing more to enthusiast shooters. It makes due with a single command dial and foregoes the top information display. (Fortunately, users who want these niceties can opt for the slightly upmarket 77D if they’d rather not shell out the cash for the 80D.) The viewfinder is also woefully small, with just 0.82x magnification and 95-percent coverage compared to the 80D’s at 0.95x magnification and 100-percent coverage. For anyone familiar with higher-end cameras, the T7i does come across as feeling a bit cheap; but that feeling all but vanishes when you look at the pictures it takes.
Performance for pros:
The bulk of our test was conducted in San Diego, California, where we tasked the T7i with capturing what is perhaps the most challenging motorsport ever devised by humans: the Red Bull Air Race. Stunt planes weighing just 1,500 pounds scream between inflatable pylons at 230 miles per hour, just 80 feet off the ground (or, in this case, water). Pilots pull up to 12G – that’s twelve times the force of gravity – in order to maneuver their planes as quickly as possible through the tightly twisting course. Loaded down with the Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 and Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Sport lenses, we felt like we were pulling a couple G of our own.
The T7i far exceeded our expectations.
We went into this test with some trepidation: Can a Rebel really handle this? In fairness, the T7i is not designed to be used in such high-speed scenarios. It is not a sports camera like the 7D Mark II or 1D X Mark II. If action photography is your thing, we’re not going to recommend the T7i be your first choice — yet it far exceeded our expectations.
Buy here: Canon EOS Rebel T7i
Canon EOS 90D
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| Canon EOS 90D Image |
As each new mirrorless camera continues to one up the last, the DSLR is trying desperately not to be relegated to the bargain bin. Armed with Dual Pixel Autofocus (DPAF) and a 10-frames-per-second burst speed, the $1,200 Canon EOS 90D is the embodiment of Canon’s promise that DSLRs will remain relevant in the mirrorless era.
While the best mirrorless cameras outclass most DSLRs when it comes to continuous shooting speed, 10 fps is anything but slow and a decent step up from the EOS 80D. Importantly, it’s also an additional 2 fps faster than the Nikon D7500, despite the 90D having 12 more megapixels. And thanks to DPAF, in live view the 90D almost feels like a mirrorless camera, if you can ignore the heft of the it.
Housing the same 32.5-megapixel APS-C crop sensor as the mirrorless EOS M6 Mark II, the 90D, on paper, offers specifications to put it in league with the best DSLRs. But, that still leaves the question: Can the 90D offer enough perks to warrant buying a heavier DSLR instead of the cheaper Canon EOS M6 Mark II or another mirrorless model?
The Canon EOS 90D is no lightweight — not in features nor in physical bulk. Weighing 24.73 ounces, the camera is every bit a traditional DSLR. However, that larger size felt better matched for my hands than some smaller cameras.
As Canon’s most advanced crop sensor DSLR, the 90D will feel immediately familiar to 80D shooters and takes on several of the physical features more common in full-frame DSLRs. The top of the camera houses a secondary screen which can be illuminated at the press of a button to see vital shooting settings while working in low light. A joystick makes quick work of adjusting the focal point, though, annoyingly, the control defaults to off and you have to dig into the menu to get it to actually do anything.
Dual control wheels, one at the top by the shutter release and a second on the back of the camera, offer direct access to shutter speed and f-stop. The rear control wheel isn’t quite where the thumb rests naturally, creating a slightly awkward grip when using it compared to cameras that the dial farther up.
The shutter and aperture is easy to adjust without pulling your eye away from the viewfinder. If you’re new to Canon, the top buttons for autofocus, drive mode, ISO, and metering mode will time some time to learn, since all of them feel similar except for the ISO option which has a small bump in it.
The back of the 90D is dominated, as expected, by an articulating LCD screen, which also tilts to the side a full 180 degrees. Less expected, the touchscreen is easy to use and the screen options were big enough not to “fat finger” the wrong option. Images on-screen are sharp, with excellent color.
Sadly, the 90D houses only a single SD card slot, although many photographers are probably just fine with this. You also get ports for USB, HDMI, and a microphone.
The optical viewfinder is what sets a DSLR apart form a mirrorless camera. It’s also what allows 90D to shoot all day long without swapping batteries. Battery life is rated at 1,860 shots, but as always, real world use may see much more than that. We shot nearly 1,200 photos — including some with Live View — and the battery indicator still showed roughly half the life remaining.
Annoyingly, several of the more advanced features are left off by default, sending new users digging into the menu to actually activate them and turn them on. Besides the joystick that has no function before one is assigned to it, focus peaking and eye-detection autofocus will need to be turned on within the menu. These may end up being features that you find years after owning the camera, if you don’t explore all the different options in the menu.
Performance:
canon eos 90d review hkg 8151
DSLRs tend to have poorer autofocus performance in Live View mode than through the optical viewfinder, but with Canon’s Dual Pixel Autofocus, that’s not the case. With the viewfinder, the 45-point autofocus system locks on to subjects fairly quick, but it lacks the coverage area of DPAF in live view.
The autofocus also performed as expected in limited light — the camera was able to focus inside a dimly lit cabin without serious lag. Interestingly, the spec sheets show the EOS M6 Mark II having an edge in low-light AF sensitivity, where we typically see DSLRs performing better.
Buy here: Canon EOS 90D
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