DSLR's are advanced cameras that can provide you with a lot of control over your picture-taking. Like the low-end consumer point and shoot cameras, the DSLR's have 'Auto' capability to help you get a good picture with minimal effort. DSLR's have larger CCD's (the device that actually captures the digital picture) and this allows them to take a higher quality picture than a Point and Shoot camera. They also use removable lenses so, unlike a Point and Shoot camera, you may need to carry around an extra lens or two and exchange the lenses, depending on what sort of shot you wish to take.
For DSLR Cameras, Canon and Nikon are almost always at the top of the list with respect to sales, with a number of other companies sharing a relatively small (but growing) share of the market. We have divided DSLR's into 4 categories: Advanced, Intermediate, Entry Level and Entry Level Budget. More expensive Professional DSLRs are not included. Pertinent information can be found in the notes below the chart.
Overview of the Best DSLR's By Category and Manufacturer We have provided you with an overview of the top DSLR's in each category for each of the 6 major manufacturers. You will find links at the end of the page to comparisons of cameras in each category.
JQuery Tablify - Demo
Canon
Nikon
Sony
Panasonic
Olympus
Pentax
DSLR
Advanced
7D
$1480
D7000
$1499
A850
$1999+$799
K-5
$1579
DSLR
Intermediate
T3i/600D
$899
D90
$985
A580
$899
Gh2HK
$1499
K-5
$1579
DSLR
Entry Level
T2i/550D
$769
D5000
$629
A560
$749
DMC-G2
$569
E-PL1
$428
K-r
$650
DSLR
Entry-Level
Budget
Rebel XS
$479
D3000
$540
A390
$499
DMC-G2
$569
E-PL1
$428
K-X
$499
Notes:
1. The chart generally shows the best / highest spec cameras in each category. This does not mean that all of the cameras from the various manufacturers are equal.
2. Entry-Level Budget DSLR's are those under $600.
3. Entry-Level DSLR's (bottom two categories) are for the beginner and the casual photographer who wants to go beyond the capabilities of a Point and Shoot.
4. Intermediate DSLRs have more advanced features than the Entry-Level DSLRs and generally have higher specs. The capabilities of entry level cameras keep increasing so the gap between the low and high end has been closing.
5. Advanced DSLRs have the highest specs and the most advanced features in Consumer cameras.
6. Prices are based on the Amazon price in USD (updated periodically). In most cases, the price is for cameras directly from Amazon, not from third parties operating as Amazon merchants.
7. Camera prices are based on the cost of a camera with the standard lens provided by the manufacturer.
