Camera makers now put their new bodies into mirrorless, but a handful of DSLRs are still sold new, and they still take great photos. Below are five, each the clearest choice for one kind of photographer. Want a straight ranking instead? See our 5 best DSLRs. Still deciding between designs? Read Mirrorless vs DSLR first.
DSLR Camera Guide: Which One Fits How You Shoot
Five DSLRs still sold new, for five different kinds of photographer. Find your row in the table, then read the one pick that fits you.
At a glance
| Camera | Who it's for | Launch price | Strength | Catch | Lens mount | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS Rebel T7 | Best first DSLR | Canon: $549.99 in 2018 (with 18-55mm) | Simple, light, cheap | 3 fps; Full HD video only | Canon EF/EF-S | Check price |
| Nikon D7500 | Best enthusiast all-rounder | Nikon: $1,249.95 in 2017 | 8 fps with the D500 sensor | One SD slot | Nikon F | Check price |
| Nikon D850 | Best for sports and wildlife | Nikon: $3,299.95 in 2017 | 45.7MP with 153-point AF | About 1005 g | Nikon F | Check price |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | Best for landscapes and the outdoors | Canon: $3,499 in 2016 | 30.4MP, sealed, about 900 shots | 4K is large Motion JPEG | Canon EF | Check price |
| Nikon D780 | Best for weddings and events | Nikon: $2,299.95 in 2020 | 273-point Live View AF, 12 fps silent | 24.5MP | Nikon F | Check price |
Launch prices are from each manufacturer, in US dollars. Use each pick's Check price button for today's price.
Already in a system? Canon EF: Rebel T7 or 5D Mark IV · Nikon F: D7500, D780 or D850
Best first DSLR
Canon EOS Rebel T7
The one to get if you want an optical finder and the lowest cost of entry.
Canon: Launched at $549.99 in 2018 (US, with 18-55mm kit)
Check priceWhy it fits
- It is the best seller. It is #1 in Amazon's DSLR best-sellers as of October 23, 2026.
- It is easy to carry. About 475 g with battery and card.
- It shares easily. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.
✅ Buy it if
- This is your first camera. The kit includes an 18-55mm lens.
- You want to learn on an optical finder. It shows the scene directly through the lens.
❌ Skip it if
- You shoot sport. It has 9 AF points and 3 fps; look at the Nikon D7500 below.
- You want 4K. It records Full HD only.
Runner-up: the Canon EOS Rebel T100, a cheaper body we haven't covered yet.
The bottom line: the simplest way into a DSLR system.
Best enthusiast all-rounder
Nikon D7500
The one to get if you want a step up from a beginner DSLR without a full-frame price.
Nikon: Launched at $1,249.95 in 2017 (US, body only)
Check priceWhy it fits
- It has a pro sensor. The D500's 20.9MP sensor and EXPEED 5 engine.
- It is quick. 8 fps bursts.
- It is sealed. A weather-sealed body with 4K UHD video.
✅ Buy it if
- You shoot sport, wildlife or low light. It balances speed and image quality.
- You own Nikon F lenses. It takes the same lenses as the full-frame bodies below.
❌ Skip it if
- You need two card slots. It has one SD slot; the Nikon D780 has two.
- You want full frame. Look at the D780 or D850.
Runner-up: the Nikon D780, full frame with two card slots.
The bottom line: the best-value enthusiast DSLR.
Best for sports and wildlife
Nikon D850
The one to get if you want room to crop distant subjects and an optical finder.
Nikon: Launched at $3,299.95 in 2017 (US, body only)
Check priceWhy it fits
- It has the most pixels here. A 45.7MP back-illuminated sensor.
- It tracks well. 153-point AF and 7 fps, or 9 fps with the optional grip.
- It lasts all day. About 1,840 shots per charge (CIPA).
✅ Buy it if
- You shoot wildlife. Amateur Photographer says it "particularly excels for wildlife".
- You want one body for action and landscapes. Speed and resolution in one.
❌ Skip it if
- You want a light kit. It is about 1005 g with battery and card.
- You are on a budget. The Nikon D7500 is the cheaper action pick.
Runner-up: the Nikon D7500, lighter and cheaper with 8 fps.
The bottom line: the best DSLR you can still buy new.
Best for landscapes and the outdoors
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The one to get if you shoot Canon EF lenses outdoors.
Canon: Launched at $3,499 in 2016 (US, body only)
Check priceWhy it fits
- It is built for weather. Canon lists water and dust resistance.
- It has a bright finder. A pentaprism finder with about 100% coverage.
- It lasts. About 900 shots per charge (CIPA).
✅ Buy it if
- You own EF lenses. It uses them natively.
- You want built-in GPS. It tags locations, handy for landscape work.
❌ Skip it if
- You need the most detail. The Nikon D850 has 45.7MP.
- You shoot a lot of video. The Nikon D780 below is the better video DSLR.
Runner-up: the Nikon D850, more resolution at a lower launch price.
The bottom line: the full-frame DSLR for Canon EF owners.
Best for weddings and events
Nikon D780
The one to get if you want an optical finder plus mirrorless-style autofocus for video and quiet shooting.
Nikon: Launched at $2,299.95 in 2020 (US, body only)
Check priceWhy it fits
- It focuses like a mirrorless camera in Live View. 273-point hybrid AF.
- It is quiet. 12 fps silent shooting in Live View.
- It is safe for paid work. Dual UHS-II card slots and about 2,260 shots per charge (CIPA).
✅ Buy it if
- You shoot weddings or events. Silent shooting and two slots suit them.
- You film as well as shoot. Full-frame 4K with Live View AF.
❌ Skip it if
- You need the most detail. The Nikon D850 has nearly twice the pixels.
- You are on a tight budget. The Nikon D7500 costs much less.
Runner-up: the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for Canon EF owners.
The bottom line: the most versatile DSLR here for people photography.
Also considered
- Canon EOS 90D. A strong enthusiast DSLR, but major US retailers list it as no longer available new.
- Nikon D500. We could only find it used or as a grey-market kit.
- Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and Pentax K-1 Mark II. No longer reliably sold new.
How we chose
We only picked DSLRs we could confirm are still sold new. We started from the cameras that TechRadar, Space.com, Amateur Photographer and Photography Life recommend, then checked every spec and launch price against the manufacturer. Each pick had to be the clearest fit for one role. We haven't tested these cameras ourselves; the photos are credited under each one.
Prices are launch prices from each manufacturer, in US dollars for the body only (the Rebel T7 with its 18-55mm kit lens). They aren't today's prices, so check before you buy.
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Picks as of October 23, 2026
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