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Welcome to our guide to the best entry level DSLRs on the market in 2018 - making it easy for beginners to get the best out of digital photography. We've also produced a useful free guide introducing you to thebasics of digital photography.
If you’ve been using a compact digital camera, or even just a smartphone, and are looking to take your pictures to the next level, then a DLSR is a natural choice. They offer higher quality thanks to their sensors, allow greater creativity (due to the amount of manual control), and you can change lenses.
If all of this sounds like a lot to take in – don’t worry, these cameras all have ‘Auto’ modes, so you can introduce yourself to the world of DSLR photography gently. The Nikon D3400 even has a ‘guide’ feature, where it will take you step-by-step through how to take a good photograph.
And all of the cameras featured allow for connectivity to your phone – so you can upload your images to social media without needing a computer.
So now you know why a DSLR is a great choice to improve your photography, what should you consider before buying?
We’ve covered a range of price-points to give you an idea of what you can get for your money (there’s a handy comparison table below). There are of course other models available, including older models that are still on the market.
Specification and build quality will factor in to the price you pay – our selection ranges from £369 for the Canon 4000D kit, through to the Pentax K-70 kit at £729.
You can see the full range of DSLRs (and check for latest prices and offers) on our website – don’t forget to filter by price!
There is obviously no right or wrong here – each brand has their own charms. If you have used a particular brand before (you may have one of their compacts or have used a certain type at college), then you may already be used to how their systems work.
One important consideration is that once you’ve invested in the camera, you can add extra lenses at a later date to really open up your world of photography. You may wish to consider second-hand options, or if you know someone who already owns a DSLR with lenses, then if you ask politely, they may let you borrow them! It’s a great way to open your eyes to the power of your camera.
Our guide explains the differences between lens types, but for the sake of convenience, this guide only looks at ‘kits’ – where the camera comes with a standard zoom lens.
Without a doubt, these lenses are best suited for everyday photography – perfect for when you are learning. But if you are buying a new camera with certain genres in mind, such as wildlife photography, then be aware you may need to buy a telephoto lens from the start.
This table looks at basic comparison points. With cameras it’s fair to say that you do generally pay for what you get – so more expensive cameras will likely have better build quality, faster and more responsive autofocus, and work better in low-light conditions.
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Price* (with kit lens)
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Lens
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Resolution
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Continuous shooting (frames per second)
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Connect to phone?
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LCD screen
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Video
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Canon EOS 4000D
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£369
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18- 15mm f/3.5-5.6
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18MP
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3fps
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Yes, via Camera Connect app
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2.7”
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Full HD @30 FPS
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Canon EOS 800D
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£749
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18-55mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilisation |
24.2MP
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6fps
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Yes, via Camera Connect app
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3" Vari-angle touchscreen
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Full HD @60 FPS
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Nikon D3400
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£469
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18-55mm
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24.2MP
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5fps
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Yes, SnapBridge utilises Bluetooth
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3"
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Full HD @60 FPS
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Nikon D5600
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£779
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18-55mm
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24.2MP
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5fps
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Yes, SnapBridge utilises Bluetooth
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3.2" Vari-angle touchscreen | Full HD @60 FPS
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Pentax K70
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£729
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18-50mm
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24.2MP
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6fps
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Yes, via WIFI
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3" Vari-angle
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Full HD @30FPS
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*As at time of publishing, check our website for current prices
We Love:
We Love:
We Love:
We Love:
In body image stabilization (‘Shake Reduction’)
ISO range 100-102400 – great for low light
Incredible spec for the money
2 control dials akin to top levels DSLRS for using manual mode
Weather sealed body, solid grip for a robust feel
We know that we can't cover everything, so if you have any questions do comment below!
If you enjoyed this, you may want to check out Beginner's Guide to Digital Photography
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By Park Cameras on 25/05/2018
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