Nikon D3300
Best DSLR for Beginners
Replacing Nikon's popular D3200, the new D3300 offers intermediate-level performance with a beginner-friendly design and price. It shoots sharp 24.3-megapixel images and smooth 1080p video at a top-performing 60 frames per second — capabilities comparable to those of cameras costing hundreds more. Detail in photos is exceptional: We could read a tiny plaque on the corner of a house shot at a wide angle. Colors are not only rich, but faithful to how they appear in real life. There are some compromises for the price. The camera's 3-inch, 921K-pixel LCD does not tilt or rotate, and is not a touch screen. The D3300 also doesn't offer some of the advanced controls more expensive cameras have, but all the key settings are easy to access.
The optional 18-55mm lens is smaller and lighter than its predecessor and collapses to make the camera even easier to transport. The lens produces little distortion, but the D3300 can capture better images with even slightly higher-end glass. Being a Nikon, this DSLR has access to hundreds of lenses, allowing the camera's capabilities to grow as yours do.
The optional 18-55mm lens is smaller and lighter than its predecessor and collapses to make the camera even easier to transport. The lens produces little distortion, but the D3300 can capture better images with even slightly higher-end glass. Being a Nikon, this DSLR has access to hundreds of lenses, allowing the camera's capabilities to grow as yours do.
Canon EOS Rebel T5i
Best Intermediate DSLR
If you’re familiar with f/stops, white balance and ISO and want to trade in your years-old DSLR for the latest tech, get the 18-MP Canon EOS Rebel T5i with an 18-55mm STM zoom lens. That "STM" stands for silent stepping motor. Now, when the camera autofocuses as you’re recording a video, the camera mics won’t pick up the noise of the lens moving. This is very important if you’re capturing a quiet scene.
Other standout features of the T5i include shooting 5 photos per second in burst mode and providing light sensitivity up to ISO 25,600 for shooting in very low light. Video recording is up to 1080p HD at 30 fps with stereo sound from built-in microphones. There are manual audio adjustments and a jack to connect an external mic, as well. Movie quality is quite good at 1080p/30 fps, but it’s not as good as the 1080p/60 fps of some competing cameras, such as Sony’s. One final bonus: Canon offers nearly 100 lens choices.
Other standout features of the T5i include shooting 5 photos per second in burst mode and providing light sensitivity up to ISO 25,600 for shooting in very low light. Video recording is up to 1080p HD at 30 fps with stereo sound from built-in microphones. There are manual audio adjustments and a jack to connect an external mic, as well. Movie quality is quite good at 1080p/30 fps, but it’s not as good as the 1080p/60 fps of some competing cameras, such as Sony’s. One final bonus: Canon offers nearly 100 lens choices.
Canon EOS 70D
Best Enthusiast DSLR
Those serious about taking their photography or video to the next level will love Canon's EOS 70D ($1,350 with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM kit lens). The 20-MP camera packs a CMOS imaging chip with "dual-pixel" focus technology incorporating fast phase-detection pixels into 80 percent of the sensor to speed up autofocus when shooting in live view mode (framing images on the LCD). In addition, a 19-point autofocus system in regular shooting mode, a top shutter speed of 1/8,000 sec (versus 1/4,000 for most other DSLRs) and an ISO light sensitivity range of up to ISO 25,600 make the 70D a versatile shooter for almost any situation, day or night.
When shooting video, the dual-pixel sensors lock focus on the subject you designate, keeping it sharp regardless of where it moves. This is the first DSLR autofocus technology comparable in accuracy to a skilled videographer using manual focus, making the 70D a superb rig for aspiring filmmakers. A flip-out, tilting 3-inch LCD touch screen lets you compose still and video at a variety of odd angles, and an LCD readout on the top lets you quickly check and adjust your settings. The EOS 70D is compatible with Canon's 103 EF lenses, plus many third-party lenses, to cover any shooting situation.
When shooting video, the dual-pixel sensors lock focus on the subject you designate, keeping it sharp regardless of where it moves. This is the first DSLR autofocus technology comparable in accuracy to a skilled videographer using manual focus, making the 70D a superb rig for aspiring filmmakers. A flip-out, tilting 3-inch LCD touch screen lets you compose still and video at a variety of odd angles, and an LCD readout on the top lets you quickly check and adjust your settings. The EOS 70D is compatible with Canon's 103 EF lenses, plus many third-party lenses, to cover any shooting situation.
Nikon D800
Best Professional DLSR
You can spend well north of five grand for pro DSLRs such as the Nikon D3X or Canon EOS-1 Dx, but those behemoths are really for photo studios and professional sports coverage.
The Nikon D800 ($2,999, body only) has the same key feature of higher-priced competitors: a so-called full-frame imaging sensor that's the same size as a frame of 35mm film. The D800's massive sensor allows it to capture wider-angle shots than lower-end DSLRs and affords it a whopping 36.3-MP resolution — the highest for any full-frame DSLR.
The color accuracy is outstanding, and it captures the finest details. The D800 also captures full HD videos at 1080p/30 fps in the high-quality AVC format, which can directly output via HDMI to external recording devices for further editing.
Although quite hefty due to its dust- and moisture-sealed magnesium alloy body, the D800 is not intimidating. All the controls are clearly marked and within easy reach. This is one photographic tool that will take time to completely master, but while you’re “playing,” you’ll capture some of the best images you’ve ever seen from a digital camera.
The Nikon D800 ($2,999, body only) has the same key feature of higher-priced competitors: a so-called full-frame imaging sensor that's the same size as a frame of 35mm film. The D800's massive sensor allows it to capture wider-angle shots than lower-end DSLRs and affords it a whopping 36.3-MP resolution — the highest for any full-frame DSLR.
The color accuracy is outstanding, and it captures the finest details. The D800 also captures full HD videos at 1080p/30 fps in the high-quality AVC format, which can directly output via HDMI to external recording devices for further editing.
Although quite hefty due to its dust- and moisture-sealed magnesium alloy body, the D800 is not intimidating. All the controls are clearly marked and within easy reach. This is one photographic tool that will take time to completely master, but while you’re “playing,” you’ll capture some of the best images you’ve ever seen from a digital camera.
Sony Alpha a77 II
Best Action DSLR Candidate
The latest salvo in the autofocus war, the new Sony Alpha a77 II shoots 12 frames per second for up to 5 seconds. That makes it one of the fastest DSLRs on the planet and by far the fastest anywhere near this price. (The Canon 70D, for example, shoots 7 fps.) Key to the a77 II's speed is Sony's variant on DSLR technology. Most DSLRs use a mirror that directs light into an optical viewfinder and an autofocus (AF) sensor, then flips out of the way to expose the image sensor. Sony uses a translucent mirror that bounces some light into an AF sensor with a record-setting 79 focus points while allowing most to pass onto the imaging chip. As a result, the translucent mirror doesn't have to move, and the camera can autofocus for every shot.
The 3-inch, 1.2MP LCD tilts and rotates for shooting from any angle, even selfie, and the 2.4MP OLED viewfinder is the equal of an optical eyepiece. The a77 II body offers plenty of physical controls for quick adjustments along with a solid handgrip — which you'll need to hold this 1-pound, 10-ounce (body-only) beast.
The 3-inch, 1.2MP LCD tilts and rotates for shooting from any angle, even selfie, and the 2.4MP OLED viewfinder is the equal of an optical eyepiece. The a77 II body offers plenty of physical controls for quick adjustments along with a solid handgrip — which you'll need to hold this 1-pound, 10-ounce (body-only) beast.
