What is the Best DSLR Camera in 2018?

Here’s the deal:

2017 was a fantastic year for the world of photography and camera gear announcements with amazing new DSLR camera body releases.

All the photography skill levels are spoilt for choice when looking to buy a DSLR Camera. From beginner DSLR cameras all the way to professional DSLR cameras.

So many that it can be difficult to decide what the best choice for us is.

Well, not to worry. You are at the right place.

This DSLR camera review article covers all the best DSLR cameras to buy in 2018, comparing Canon vs Nikon.

Guaranteed to help you make the perfect choice for your DSLR photography needs and budget.

Let’s dive right in!

Index

This is a very long article, so for your convenience I have created an index to navigate this page with. It will not take you to other pages but rather transport you up and down this page. #beammeupscotty

HINT : You can use the TOP MENU NAVIGATION as well.

Why buy a DSLR in 2018?

DSLR (digital SLR) cameras have stood king of the hill for decades, as the top choice for anyone who wants to take their photography to the next level. From beginners, coming from a smartphone or point and shoot, to pros updating their current ageing camera body to the next great release or simply buying a second camera body.

DSLR stands for “digital single-lens reflex” camera. The REFLEX design is the major difference between it and other cameras.

This is the name given to the reflex action of the mirror inside the camera, which flips open and closes, every time you take a photo. The DSLR market has always been dominated by two brands that everyone has heard of, being Nikon and Canon. They make up 90% of my list today, with one mention of the appearance from Pentax K-1 here.

How does a DSLR camera work

Going with one of these 3 brands is really your only choice, but at the same time you know that your purchase is a quality one that will last you many years to come, as they have all been making DSLR cameras for a very long time (Nikon – 100yrs, Canon – 80yrs) and are natuarly amazing at it.

DSLR vs Mirrorless intro

Before you ask the question in your mind (or in the comments), you might have heard of the new kids on the block, the mirrorless cameras or DSLM (digital single-lens mirrorless) cameras.

As always there will be people who swear by DSLR and those who swear by DSLM. Those who stand by DSLR say they will always be king and those who swear by Mirrorless cameras, saying they are the DSLR killers, here to replace them, and take over the world!!! MUWHAHAH! 🙂

I didn’t really want to put this in this article because of the above biased and often rude opinions which come from these types of comparison topics, so please refrain from doing so. This also isn’t what this article is about, but at the same time I know the question is coming, so thought I’d briefly highlight an answer to the question preemptively.

Will mirrorless make DSLR cameras worthless?

While the matter that mirrorless will eventually dethrone DSLR can very well happen, it certainly will not cause DSLR cameras to instantly drop off the face of the planet. This will also not happen now or even within the next decade or more in my opinion, giving you many years of joy with your new DSLR camera.

You certainly will not go wrong with your DSLR purchase. DSLR still have many features and capabilities that the mirrorless cameras currently lack due to their size and attempt at recreating the physics of a mirror, digitally.

DSLR vs Mirrorless 2018

Mirrorless aren't perfect

While DSLR aren’t perfect, mirrorless aren’t either. Mirrorless cameras fall behind the DSLR counterparts from issues such as slow low light focusing speed (sports/wildlife), overheating & battery life (Sony A6500 Im looking at you), expensive and/or lack of lens selections, larger lens sizes (flange distance) and just the current price points of the bodies (although this gap is closing).

Again, before you rush and start raging in the comments, let me first say I stand neutral when It comes to things like this. I own both a Nikon D850 and a Panasonic GH5. Cameras are technology, which is a forever changing field, so I think it is a pointless exercise to defend something that is constantly morphing and progressing. The above list of shortcomings will very well change in the forth coming years as manufacturers improve on these issues.

DSLR vs Mirrorless 2018

Should I buy a Mirrorless or DSLR camera?

If I had to give an answer to the question in one sentence i’d say it like this: “As it currently stands, DSLR are the best choice for stills shooters and Mirrorless for video shooters.” Again this can be argued to mars and back, especially with the latest releases from Sony, there are lots of exceptions to this, but its a solid, foundational statement to go by.

You can read the review of the Sony a7 III to get an idea of why this is the best mirrorless cameras for its price point

Both are great. The Panasonic GH5 is an amazing video camera, and one i’d highly recommend for video, but I will always pick up my Nikon for stills. And yes they are different sensor sizes as the Nikon D850 is a full frame camera, while the Panasonic GH5 is a micro four-thirds camera so naturally the Nikon will deliver far superior still images. Remember, the Panasonic GH5 was built to be a video camera with the capabilities of taking some stills, while and the Nikon D850 is a stills camera, with some video capabilities. Each is the best at what it was built for, while also allowing it to be good at its secondary function.

Should I buy a Mirrorless or DSLR camera

Sony a7r III Release

The latest release of the Sony a7R III (Mirrorless) is a great competitor to the Nikon D850 and in my opinion the only camera that has ever given DSLR’s a fight for their money, although it still has it’s shortcoming that I briefly cover later in this article.

No one can tell you what the sales will be this time next year, as both the Nikon D850 and Sony were only recently released into the “wild” and haven’t had enough time to sufficiently see what the sales numbers between these two giants will tell us.

One positive indication however is that the Nikon D850 has been on a waiting list in many stores since its release late in August 2017, which definitely says something for its worldwide popularity. The Sony a7R III is also currently out of stock, so again high in demand. The competition is on, which spells only great things for us as consumers.

Best Mirrorless camera 2018 Sony a7r III

DSLR vs Mirrorless Shipments

But we are straying and this isn’t what this article is about, this so let’s keep focused on DSLR as they are still the world’s best selling camera type according to the CIPA, the shipments of DSLR cameras are still 70-100% greater than mirrorless.

So again, buying a DSLR in 2017/2018 is by no means a bad decision, which is what I am trying to say in all of the above. With that out of the way let’s get into why you are here. Our top DSLR cameras for 2018

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a DSLR offers three key ingredients: manual controls, excellent picture quality and interchangeable lenses. These main features also come with many other features and specifications that influence the price of the camera. So depending on your needs and current skill level, there is a DSLR for you.

DSLR vs Mirorrless camera sales 2017

Best beginner DSLR camera 2018

The DSLR cameras in the tier, are made to be the best cameras for beginners. They are the entry point into getting started in professional photography or simply being a hobbyist/parent, that wants to be in more creative control over just taking smartphone camera photos.

The cost of these entry level DSLR cameras is half the price of a smartphone these days and will give you years of photographic enjoyment.

There are so many features that set DSLR cameras apart from smartphones. This is a topic that would require an article all by itself. But for now, you don’t need to worry about that. The first main difference that you will immediately notice, are much cleaner images when viewed on a larger monitor such as your laptop or desktop computer. The larger sensor on a DSLR camera is worlds apart, compared to that of a smartphone.

The other and probably the most popular difference, are the interchangeable lenses. The interchangeable lenses on a DSLR, allow you to achieve zoom levels, far beyond what a smartphone will ever be able to achieve.

But before getting too much into the subject, let’s look at the Nikon and Canon options available, in this beginner tier.

Nikon D3400 - $396

Nikon D3400 is the cheapest way to get started in DSLR photography, opening up the world of interchangeable and optical zoombable lenses. This is the first step at moving away from your limited smartphone camera.

The Nikon D3400 has one of the sharpest APS-C sensors there is, while costing only a 10th of the cost of a professional Nikon D850. At under $400 for the camera and a lens, its makes it the best DSLR camera for beginners in 2018.

It comes with Nikon’s 11 point AF (auto focus) system while shooting at a glorious 24MP. The Nikon D3400 allows you to shoot in low light conditions with its 25600 ISO range. The Nikon D3400 is a lightweight camera at only 395g with an extraordinary battery life, allowing you to shoot 1200 shots before it needs to be swapped out. This is more an a few days of casual shooting.

Best Beginner DSLR Nikon to buy 2018 D3400
SensorAPS-C CMOS 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Image ProcessorEXPEED 4
Megapixels24.2MP (6016 x 4000)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-25600
Autofocus11-point AF, 1 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.0" | 921k | Fixed | Non-Touch
Continuous shooting5fps
Max Shutter Speed1/4000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 12-bit17
Exposure Metering Sensor440-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-1 to +19 EV
Dynamic Range13.9
VideoFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fps
Storage1x SD Card
Battery Life1200 Shots
Weight395g

The cameras in the beginner range, are sold new with a 18-55mm kits lens, as these cameras are made for people buying their first camera. Later down the line, people who are buying their second camera, will already have the lenses. Thus, the higher tier cameras are sold as camera bodies only, to avoid having to re-buy lenses you don’t need.

The 18-55mm lens is a great wide angle and versatile lens, although its zoom range is limited and kind of mimics the wide angle that your smartphone camera shoots, which is why most people don’t see the “difference” between the two. If you have some extra $100 to spare, I’d highly recommend looking at buying the Nikon D3400 kit with both the 18-55mm and the 70-300mm zoom lens. It’s well worth the cost, as zoom lenses are what really set your images apart from what you have been shooting with your smartphone camera.

Canon Rebel T6/1300D - $399

The Canon Rebel T6 aka 1300D, is the price bracket rival of the Nikon D3400, but unfortunately falls short in many ways.

The first is a smaller image size (18Mp vs 24MP), while not major, those extra 33% megapixels on the Nikon D3400 are great to have for many reasons including extra sharpness and cropping legroom.

The Canon Rebel T6 has 2 less focus points and shoots at 2FPS (frames per second) slower than the Nikon D3400 when shooting action like your kids soccer game. More focus points makes it easier for you to use the continuous shooting as well.

The Canon Rebel T6 is just about 90g heavier than the Nikon D3400, again not a major factor but after a few hours of it around your neck those 90g can feel heavier than they are.

Best Beginner DSLR Camera to buy 2018 - Canon T6 D1300
SensorAPS-C CMOS 22.3 x 14.9 mm
Image ProcessorDigic 4+
Megapixels18MP (5184 x 3456)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-6400
Autofocus9-point AF, 1 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.0" | 920k | Fixed | Non-Touch
Continuous shooting3fps
Max Shutter Speed1/4000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 12-bitNA
Exposure Metering SensorNA
AF Detection Range0 to +18 EV
Dynamic RangeUntested (approx 11)
VideoFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps
Storage1x SD
Battery Life500 Shots
Weight485g

Nikon D3400 vs Canon Rebel T6

The two major downfalls of the Canon Rebel T6 that prevent me from recommending it over the Nikon D3400 any day of the week, are the ISO and battery life.

ISO is a topic I can go into much detail here as it would take too long, but in short it allows your camera to shoot more light when there isn’t any (at night or sunset/sunrise) by artificially creating more exposure (light). The difference from the Canon Rebel T6’s 6400 ISO compared to the Nikon D3400’s 25600 ISO is massive! The Nikon D3400 also has a slightly larger sensor size, that all cropped sensor Nikon cameras have over Canon. The result is that the Canon’s low light images will be very grainy compared to the Nikon.

The other major issue is the battery life, where again the Nikon D3400 knocks the Canon Rebel T6 out of the park with more than double the battery capacity, allowing you to shoot around 1200 images before it dies, compared to the Canon Rebel T6 only being able to net you around 500.

Best Beginner DSLR 2017 - Canon T6 vs Nikon D3400

The one big advantage that the Canon Rebel T6 has over The Nikon D3400 is being able to shoot bracketed photos in order to create HDR images. This however is an advanced editing technique and not one that starting photographers will use for a while if at all, depending if this is a hobby or future profession, as there are so many other photography basics you need to learn first. Once you get more comfortable however, it is an amazing feature and one I often use for both my landscape and architecture photography.

But again I shoot professionally, and would see little use of HDR if I didn’t. Honestly, by the time you understand how to shoot HDR images, you will have outgrown this camera a long time ago and will most likely be looking into something like a Nikon D75xx or Nikon D5xx. Before shooting HDR you should be able to comfortably understand the RAW shooting process anyway, which the Nikon D3400 does beautifully.

Should you still want to choose the Canon Rebel T6 over the Nikon D3400, then again i’d highly recommend choosing the kit with both the 18-5mm wide and the 75-300mm zoom lens for an extra $50.

Best dlsr 2018 - HDR

Best intermediate DSLR cameras for 2018

Now that we have a basic understanding of the beginner DSLR cameras, let’s have a look at the next tier, the best intermediate DSLR cameras.

As with the Nikon D3400 and Canon Rebel T6, the intermediate 2018 DSLR cameras are actually also targeted at beginner/entry level photographers, but who have a bit more cash to spare, while looking for a big boost of features available above previous tier.

Because they are also essentially beginner DSLR cameras, they too, all come with a camera lens and a camera body as kits. However, this is the first tier that allows you to buy the camera body only, should you already own a camera from the previous tier and want to upgrade.

I use the Nikon camera/lens kits as an example on what to look for between the options, but the same applies to Canon, as the two companies put together very similar kits to compete against each other.

Nikon D5600 - $647 (Body Only)

If budget allows, I would highly recommend paying the extra $350 and getting the Nikon D5600 with an 18-55mm kits lens, over the Nikon D3400 as your first camera.

The reason being, is that if you really start getting into photography, either as a hobby or a future profession, you will quickly outgrow the Nikon D3400.

I started my photography career on a Nikon D5000 DSLR and couldn’t have been happier about my choice, as it lasted me a good 4 years, before I finally outgrew it and upgraded to a Nikon D800.

4 years in the world of technology, is a very long time and thus money well spent. It allowed me to make mistakes while I learnt, but at the same time, my camera and I grew together, instead of one of us lagging behind too soon.

Best Intermediate DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D5600
SensorAPS-C CMOS 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Image ProcessorEXPEED 4
Megapixels24.2MP (6016 x 4000)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-25600
Autofocus39-point AF, 9 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 1037k | Articulating | Touch
Continuous shooting5fps
Max Shutter Speed1/4000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 12-bit17
Exposure Metering Sensor2016-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-1 to +19 EV
Dynamic Range14
VideoFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fps
Storage1x SDXC
Battery Life820 Shots
Weight465g

Nikon D5600 Vs Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 and Nikon D5600 are similar cameras in many ways, however some big differences in features set them apart. Both the Nikon cameras are APS-C Sensors (cropped), but with large image resolutions/size of 24MP in JPEG or RAW formats.

Both cameras are able to shoot in the evenings with their very respectable, maximum ISO of 25600. Each camera can shoot at 5fps (frames per second) when in continuous shooting mode. Bluetooth and camera controls via your smartphone are available on each model.

The dynamic ranges are only 0.1 stops apart, with the Nikon D5600 pushing ahead with its dynamic range of 14 stops compared to the Nikon D3400‘s 13.9.

This is however where the similarities end.

The Nikon D5600 gives you 32% less battery life, giving you 820 shots per battery compared to the Nikon D3400’s 1200 shots, while the Nikon D5600 is 70g heavier.

But let’s dive into the real differences that you get for your $250 (Nikon D5600 body only) or $350 (Nikon D5600 Body + 18-55mm lens) and why they are well worth the cost over the Nikon D3400

Best Beginner DSLR 2017 - Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D3400

Articulating, Touch, Rear LCD Screen

To begin, the rear LCD screen size is slightly bigger and contains slightly more pixels on the Nikon D5600 than the Nikon D3400. But what makes the Nikon D5600 really special is that not only have Nikon made this a touch screen, but they have upgraded it from being a fixed screen to an articulated screen. This means you can now move it into various height and swivel positions, allowing you to get more creative with your photography.

A time when you would use an articulating screen would be when you are for instance shooting low on the ground, but want to see how the shot looks.

With a fixed screen you have to lie face flat on the ground to see, but with an articulating screen you simply swivel it, facing up towards you, while you stand over your camera.

Best Intermediate DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D5600 Screen

The reverse usage would be if you are trying to shoot above people’s heads, let’s say at your favorite band’s concert – you would need to lift your arms and camera up above the heads of the people standing in front of you to get a shot of the band.

Here again, having a fixed screen makes this more difficult, as you can’t see the screen and thus can’t see what you are shooting. Basically going on luck, meaning you might miss that crucial shot.

But with the Nikon D5600, you would simply swivel the articulating screen downwards towards you, allowing you to see exactly what you camera sees without having to look through the viewfinder. It’s one of those features you wonder how you ever lived without it, once you have it.

Nikon 39 point AF System

As nice as the screen is, the biggest improvement between the Nikon D5600 and the Nikon D3400 are the autofocus points and reason alone that I would pay an extra $350. Increasing your Autofocus (AF) points from a measly 11 all the way up to 39, is a massive 4x jump!

If you have never used a DSLR before, you most likely won’t understand the need for so many AF points, but trust me when I say that it is vital to nailing focus and will allow you to not be hindered by the lack of them.

This will increase you rate of landing focus when using the 5FPS continuous focus when your kids are running in the garden or at their sports game. The increased AF points are critical to photographing wildlife. The 11 AF points on the Nikon D3400 simply aren’t enough to get reliable results when in continuous focus mode.

The other great feature is the bracketing for HDR I mentioned earlier. While this is an advanced technique you might get there quicker than you expect, then at least you have peace of mind that you camera can do it.

Nikon D5600 Viewfinder 39 Point AF

Nikon D5600 Kit Lens Choices

If you already own a Nikon D3xxx range camera and are looking to upgrade, I would try to skip the Nikon D5600, unless you are strapped for cash. If not, rather jump to the Nikon D7500 or Nikon D500, as you will see a far bigger increase in features and performance for your money. Although, also remember that your older Nikon D3200 for example, is worse than the newer, Nikon D3400, so the jump to the Nikon D5600 will be even more satisfying. As you already have a camera, you most likely already have lenses as well, so you can just buy the Nikon D5600, Nikon D7500 or Nikon D500 body only.

However if this is your first DSLR camera purchase, and you have the extra cash, I would rather go with the Nikon D5600 than the Nikon D3400. If you do, then you have three options of kit camera and lens kits combos to choose from:

Best Intermediate DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D5600 18-55 + 70-300

I would go with the Nikon D5600 + 18-55mm + 70-300mm lens ($797) as this is just $50 more than the kit without the zoom lens, meaning you get a AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED Lens, that normally retails for $347 for just $50. Good bargain if I ever saw one.

2 lens combo vs 1 lens all-rounder

The Nikon D5600 + 18-140mm lens ($947) is also a great option, for its very wide 18mm and mid zoom range of 140mm, without the worry of having to swap lenses.

I own a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm on my full frame Nikon D850 and it is one of my favourite, all-rounder travel lenses, simply because of this wide range of zoom angles. It allows me to go to 24mm to capture a nice wide landscape, but then also zoom in to 120mm to get a great close-up shot of a person or animal. 

The 18-140mm lens kit kits equivalent is an extra $150 though and also falls short on the 300mm zoom that you get with the two lens combo. With the combo you gain double the zoom, but that means you have to carry two lenses with you and have to swap them out between landscapes and zoomed portraits. The 18-140mm lens is also a VR lens (Vibration Reduction) to avoid blurry photos when shooting off a tripod and in low light, whereas the 70-300mm is not.

Best Intermediate DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D5600 18-140

Welcome to the world of photographic gear choices, they will haunt you for the rest of your career 🙂

Looking at a Nikon D5600 with 18-55mm lens over the Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm lens all depends if you have the extra $350+ to spare. If not, go with the Nikon D3400, it will serve you well.

Canon T7i (800D) - $749 (Body Only)

A close competitor to the Nikon D5600 is the Canon T7i (or 800D outside of the USA).

You will notice more similar features between these two cameras than you will differences, so choosing one really comes down to you choice in brands.

The smaller benefits that the Nikon D5600 has is larger battery (more photos), lighter in weight and cheaper price.

The Canon T7i takes the lead with its number of focusing points and 1FPS faster when shooting in continuous mode.

Best Intermediate DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Canon T7i 800D
SensorAPS-C CMOS (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Image ProcessorDigic 7
Megapixels24MP (6000 x 4000)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-25600
Autofocus45-point AF, 45 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.0" | 1040k | Articulating | Touch
Continuous shooting6fps
Max Shutter Speed1/4000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Compressed24
Exposure Metering Sensor7,560-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-3 to +18 EV
Dynamic RangeUntested
VideoFHD 1920x1080 / 60 fps
Storage1xSD
Battery Life600 Shots
Weight532g

Canon T7i (800D) Vs Nikon D5600

If you look to the common strengths image, you will see an array of similarities between these two cameras, so I am not going to take those into account to recommend my choice. Rather, If you asked my opinion, I would say Nikon due to two factors.

The first is that Nikon had an amazing 2017, releasing 3 new groundbreaking camera models, being the Nikon D850, Nikon D500 and Nikon D7500, where as Canon seemed to lag behind, making some releases but nothing that took the photography world by storm. Mainly just releasing rehashed cameras with minor updates. They simply releasing them to not be totally left in the dust and say “they also released new cameras in 2017”. Why is this important, because once you invest in a camera brand, it is costly to swap sides, as you have to rebuy not only a camera, but lenses and accessories like flashes etc too.

In terms of finding the best DSLR camera, hopefully 2018 will be a better year for Canon, but as it stands now, Nikon is still king of the hill. I’d like to see Canon pull out some great cameras in 2018, especially some 4K 60p video cameras, as their video AF is amazing. Competition is good for us as consumers, as it eliminates monopolies and surging prices. Canons last major release was the Canon 5D Mark IV in August 2016.

Best Intermediate DSLR 2018 - Canon T7i vs Nikon D5600 similarities

Dynamic Range

The other reason I’d go with Nikon, is that Nikon’s sensors have always been better than Canon when it comes to dynamic range. Again this is a very detailed subject, but to summarise, it’s about how much exposure (light) information the sensor can collect from an image from the darkest shadow to the brightest light. This is very important to me as a landscape and architectural photographer, as it means I can get the most out of my images, without losing details in shadows or having blown out highlights (eg sun).

To give a quick comparison:

  • Canon 5D Mark IV (Aug 2016) has 13.6 stops of dynamic range – $3500.
  • Nikon D800 (March 2012) has 14.4 stops of dynamic range – $3000
  • Nikon D5600 (Nov 2016) has 14 stops of dynamic range – $650
Best Beginner DSLR 2017 - Canon T6 vs Nikon D3400

So as you can see even though the Nikon D800 that was released 4 years before Canon’s 5D Mark IV, the Nikon D800 still trumps it in dynamic range. The Nikon D5600 also beats the Canon Mark IV in dynamic range, while being far cheaper and also a smaller, cropped sensor compared to the Canon’s larger full frame sensor.

Naturally there are many other features that justify its price between the Nikon D5600 and Canon 5D Mark IV, but in terms of dynamic range, Canon has always trailed Nikon. And again, dynamic range might not be an important factor to some, but to be I am very happy that I have the best at my disposal when I am editing my RAW images.

Best enthusiast DSLR cameras for 2018

The next tier of DSLR cameras are the intermediate range. This is the first tier that steps away from entry level photographers, although you can very well still buy these cameras as your first camera if you have the budget to do so.

Both Nikon and Canon believe this too, which is why they also offer camera + kit bundles in this range. The bundles are different however, and come with lenses that have more zoom range than their beginner entry level brothers, thus more expensive as well. I will once again run thought the 3 camera kit options form Nikon, but again, Canon offer very similar bundles.

Let’s have a look

Nikon D7500 - $1147

As I mentioned above, the Nikon D7500 is one of the 3 big releases for Nikon in 2017 and is the successor of the older, but very popular Nikon D7200.

The Nikon D7500 is also the next tier of cameras, following the D5xxx range and will be something you would be buying either as your first camera (if you have the cash) or as an upgrade to your older Nikon D3xxx, or Nikon D5xxx.

Most people who buy the Nikon D7500 as their first camera or as an upgrade know that they want to be more than just casual photographers. The main reason for this is that the Nikon D7500 is a big leap in price from the Nikon D3400 and Nikon D5600

Let’s compare it to the Nikon D5600 and see if it’s worth the upgrade and to justify the big jump in price from of $499 ($647 to $1146) which is a 43% increase. This is the price for the bodies only, so you must already own at least one lens.

Best enthusiast DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D7500 body
SensorAPS-C CMOS 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Image ProcessorEXPEED 5
Megapixels20.9MP (5568 x 3712)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-51200
Autofocus51-point AF, 9 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 922k | Articulating | Touch
Continuous shooting8fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Comp73
Exposure Metering Sensor180,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-3 to +19 EV
Dynamic Range14
Video4K 3840x2160 / 30 fps
Storage1xSD + 1xSDXC
Battery Life950 Shots
Weight640g

Nikon D7500 Vs Nikon D5600

The two Nikon cameras exhibit more similar features than expected, especially considering that the Nikon D5600 is a year older, a lower tier camera and is almost half the price.

The first important similarities are in the rear 3.2″ LCD screens, that are both articulating and touch. The Nikon D7500 has slightly more screen resolution with 1037K dots compared to the Nikon D5600‘s 922K dots, which is going to be unnoticeable.

Both are wireless, bluetooth smartphone control compatible. The Nikon D5600 actually pushes out 24MP images while the Nikon D7500 only does 21MP.
Battery life is also very similar with the Nikon D7500 only slightly pushing ahead with 130 more shots per charge with 950 vs the Nikon D5600‘s 820 shots.

Both DSLR cameras have a microphone port and can do HDR bracketing, although the Nikon D7500 is able to do up to 5 expose stops, while the Nikon D5600 can only do 3 stops (-1,0,+1). When shooting architecture or landscapes, I rarely use less than 5 exposes (-2,-1,0,+1,+2) so while the Nikon D5600 has this feature it is more limited.

Best Intermediate DSLR 2018 - Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D5600

Now that we have looked at the similarities, let’s look at the differences. The first major difference is the max native ISO that has been doubled to 51200, meaning even greater low light shots with the Nikon D7500.

The AF Detection Range has increased from -1EV on the Nikon D5600 to to -3EV on the Nikon D7500, meaning you are able to better get focus in very dark conditions with the Nikon D7500, compared to the Nikon D5600. The AF detection for bright lights is unchanged at +19EV

Another big difference is the 51 point AF system on the Nikon D7500 that shoots at 8fps, compared to the 39 point AF system that shoots at 5fps on the Nikon D5600.

The max shutter speed has also doubled on the Nikon D7500 from 1/4000 to 1/8000. The faster shutter means capturing very fast moving subjects without motion blur, or when shooting in studio and wanting to use a shallow aperture such as 1.4 f-stop without getting a blown out image. If you don’t understand what I am referring to don’t worry too much about it. Just know that the feature is there should you ever need it.

One great extra is the second, top LCD screen on the Nikon D7500 DSLR. I have had this luxury since my Nikon D800 and cannot go without it now. It’s simply amazing to be able to look down at this little screen and get all the info you need to make quick adjustments.

Best Intermediate DSLR 2018 - Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D5600 differences 02

Now these are all great improvements, but are they worth the jump in price? I would say with a resounding YES, IF the Nikon D500 didn’t exist. Haha! I’ll compare the two just after we cover the Nikon D7500’s direct competitor, the Canon 7D Mark II.

Before we do either of those, let us take a look at some of the lens kit packages that you can buy with the Nikon D7500

Nikon D7500 Lens Kit Choices

As with the Nikon D5600, if the Nikon D7500 is going to be your first DSLR camera purchase, then you obviously need a lens to go with it, although they are slightly different to the Nikon D5600. The choices are as follows:

With the Nikon Nikon D7500, there is no option of either the Nikon 18-55mm and/or the Nikon 70-300mm. The reason for this is that those are aimed at the Nikon D3400 and Nikon D5600, as those are seen as entry level cameras and thus the lenses are as well.

The above lenses match the tier of DSLR camera that the Nikon D7500 falls into which is the next step up. This is why I said, that if you already own an older Nikon D3xxx, then upgrading to the Nikon D7500 rather than the Nikon D5600 could be a better option. This big jump in performance does however come at the 43% increase in price, which is always something to consider. 

Best enthusiast DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D7500 18-140mm

Nikon DX 16-80mm lens kit

The Nikon D7500 Kit choices start where the Nikon D5600 left off, with the Nikon D7500 + 18-140mm lens kit as the cheapest kit option at an extra $300 than the body alone. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens actually costs $497 on its own, so you are saving $197 by buying it in a kit which is nothing to sneeze at.

The second option is the Nikon D7500 + 16-80mm lens kit for an extra $600 over buying the Nikon D7500 body alone. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR costs $1067 to buy separately so again you are saving $467 by buying it in a kit.

The reason why this lens is double the price of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens, is because it has a faster aperture of f/2.8 instead of f/3.5, allowing you to get even better, shots in low light or to get even more background blur (Depth of field) in your portraits, but you are sacrificing almost half the zoom range and paying more for it

Best enthusiast DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D7500 16-80mm

Nikon DX 18-300mm lens kit

The last option is the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Lens Kit for an extra $630 over buying the Nikon D7500 body alone. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Lens costs $697 to buy separately so you are only saving $67 by buying it in a kit 🙁

The Nikon 18-300mm is the 18-140mm bigger, and more expensive brother. As I mentioned before, the 18-140mm is built to be a all rounder travel lens, allowing you to take both wide landscape and great zoomed photos without having to swap lenses. The 18-300mm increases the versatility by increasing the zoom to double the range, thus the increase in price.

The 18-300mm is a great lens for the DX cropped system and definitely more versatile than the 18-55mm + 70-300mm combo, as you only have to carry one lens around instead of two. However, this does come with a larger price tag and also means you need to already own the 18-55mm.

Best enthusiast DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D7500 18-300mm

Canon 7D Mark II - $1189

As with the Nikon D5600 vs Canon T7i , they share a lot of common features, such as image resolution, top LCD screens, and bracketing, but some major features set them apart.

The Nikon D7500 sports a far greater ISO of 51200, vs the Canon 7D Mark II, which only has an ISO of 16000. That is a 220% (3 times) increase in ISO performance. The Nikon D7500 has a slightly larger LCD screen that is both articulating and touch, while also being 30% lighter in weight and 30% more shots per battery charge. The Nikon D7500 again hits the Canon 7D Mark II out of the park with its dynamic range of 14 stops vs the Canon 7D Mark II‘s 11.8stops, while also offering more colour depth to boot.

It also features wireless, bluetooth and smartphone control, where the Canon 7D Mark II does not, but does support GPS instead. The Nikon D7500 shoots 4K video while Canon 7D Mark II only shoots FHD

Best enthusiast DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Canon 7d Mark II body
SensorAPS-C CMOS (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Image ProcessorDual DIGIC 6
Megapixels20MP (5472 x 3648)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-16000
Autofocus65-point AF, 65 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.0" | 1040k | Fixed | Non-Touch
Continuous shooting10fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Compressed25
Exposure Metering Sensor150,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-3 to +18 EV
Dynamic Range11.8
VideoFHD 1920x1080 / 60 fps
Storage1xSD (UHS-I) + 1xCF
Battery Life670 Shots
Weight910g

Canon 7D Mark II Vs Nikon D7500

The Canon 7D Mark II however beats the Nikon D7500 with AF points, with its 65 Af points compared to the 51 AF points on the Nikon D7500. It also offers greater Cross Focus Types for moving subjects and shoots at 10fps compared to the Nikon D7500’s 8fps. The Nikon only has one SD card slot while the Canon 7D Mark II has two.

So basically the Canon 7D Mark II DSLR offers better AF, but lacks the dynamic range, low light, screen, battery life and 4K video (if your interest lies in that). It’s really depends on your needs, but the Nikon AF system is world class, so definitely no slouch. I would sacrifice that minor improvement for superior dynamic range, low light ISO and longer shooting time.

The amount of times you will need all of these features instead of a slightly better AF (for a ultra fast moving subject such as a bird) is far greater.

If you do however shoot a lot of birds, then maybe the Canon 7D Mark II is the better choice, although you must remember that you won’t be able to push out shots closer to the evening that you would have with the Nikon because of the large lack of dynamic range and low light performance.

At this point in time, I would definitely go with the Nikon D7500, as the dated Canon 7D Mark II (released 2014) just can’t keep up with the newly released Nikon D7500 (released 2017).

However there are rumors of the Canon 7D Mark III being released around July/August of 2018. What it will bring to the table we can only speculate, but hopefully something exciting. 7 months is a long time to wait though, so if you are looking for a camera right now, you wont go wrong with the Nikon D7500.

Best Semi-Pro DSLR cameras for 2018

Semi-Pro Camera Intro

Nikon D500 - $1797

The Nikon D500 will most likely be and upgrade to either your older Nikon D3200 or Nikon D5200 that you have had for a few years now, as you obviously won’t be upgrading from the latest releases (Nikon D3400/Nikon D5600).

And yes, of course you can also upgrade from your Nikon D5200 to the latest Nikon D5600 model and get some great new features, but I’d recommend jumping up a tier to either the Nikon D7500 or Nikon D500 as you will most likely have outgrown the D5xxx range in terms of skill level.

The next tier will offer you far better features and performance, to fit your current skill level growth. The only time I’d recommend upgrading in the same tier is with the professional camera bodies such as the Nikon D850 or Nikon D5 range.

Best Semi Pro DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D500
SensorAPS-C CMOS (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Image ProcessorEXPEED 5
Megapixels21MP (5568 x 3712)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-51200
Autofocus153-point AF, 99 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 2359k | Articulating | Touch
Continuous shooting10fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Lossless200
Exposure Metering Sensor180,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-4 to +20 EV
Dynamic Range14
Video4K 3840x2160 / 30 fps
Storage1xSD + 1xQXD
Battery Life1240 Shots
Weight760g

Nikon D500 Vs Nikon D7500

Ok so, now we are back from my earlier statement where I said that I’d rather recommend the the Nikon D7500, if the Nikon D500 didn’t exist and here’s why.

They both have similarities, such as the same brand new EXPEED 5 180K RGB CMOS sensors and both shooting at 21MP. They also both have a maximum shutter of 1/8000 and ISO of 51200.

Both have 3.2” rear articulating touch screens and top LCD screens. Both cameras shoot 4K 30p video and offer microphone and headphone ports. But that is where the similarities end.

Best Advanced DSLR 2018 - Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D500

The differences are however, far more interesting.

The first is the new rear articulating touch screen on the Nikon D500 has been upgraded to a whopping 2,359,000 dots from the Nikon D7500’s 922,000 dots. That is a 155% (2.5 times) increase in resolution, meaning your rear LCD is as crisp as it’s going to get and looks stunning.

Continuous shooting performance is also upgraded, with an extra 2fps increase from the Nikon D7500’s 8FPS to the Nikon D500’s 10fps. This is coupled with a 200 RAW image buffer, upgraded from an already ‘not so shabby’ 50 RAW image buffer on the Nikon D7500. This means that you can shoot up to 200 RAW images without stopping in continuous shooting mode before the buffer fills up and you have to release you finger from the shutter button. An epic performance feat by Nikon.

You also get a higher AF detection range of -4 to +20 EV (exposure value) on the Nikon D500 compared to the Nikon D7500’s -4 to +20 EV. Again, this is how dark (-4 EV) or how bright (+20 EV) a scene can be and the camera will still be able to find focus. So -4 EV for night time scenes and +20 EV for shooting into bright lights. Both of which are very tricky/impossible to get AF focus, when your camera can’t cope. While this is a minor upgrade, the extra bump in performance is welcomed.

Best Advanced DSLR 2018 - Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D500 differences

The battery life is also increased by an extra 35% from the Nikon D7500’s 950 shots, to 1250 shots on the Nikon D500, meaning longer time in the field without swapping or recharging batteries. As I mentioned in my brief comparison between DSLR and Mirrorless, battery life on DSLR’s are outstanding, even at 950 shots, you will be able shooting a lot before you reach shoot 950 images. I have gone out on 8 hour hikes, shooting 80% of the time and still come home with plenty battery like to spare on both my Nikon D800 which shoots 1200 shots per battery charge.

Something that mirrorless definitely struggle with. Even the latest Sony a7R III can only output 650 shots before needing a battery swap. That is half the battery life of the Nikon D500. While it’s getting better and is definitely an improvement over the Sony A7RII quite unacceptable 290 shots, DSLR are still the clear winners in this department. Another big difference to note is that the Nikon D500 is MB-D17 battery grip compatible, where as the Nikon D7500 does not support one.

Best Semi Pro DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D500 accesories

We also need more space to store all of our glorious shots. The Nikon D500 thus comes packed with two memory card slots. One SD UHS-II and one super fast QXD UHS-II. These can be used to get more images saved per shoot or to be used as a backup in case one card should fail.

153 Point Autofocus System

While the above features are great, the star of the show is by far the brand new 153 point AF system that is used on both Nikon’s highest end cameras, the Nikon D850 and Nikon D5!

First introduced on the Nikon D5 on its release in January 2016, the 153 point AF system is world class and was a massive improvement over its older but still great 51 point AF system found on the Nikon D7500. As you can see the AF points tripled.

You can read my very detailed article on the Nikon AF 153 Point System, so that you can really understand just how much it has improved as well as how get the most out of your Nikon DSLR camera.

Nikon-D850-153 AF point coverage area image

Wildlife & Sports Photography

The Nikon D500 is the best APS-C (cropped sensor) wildlife, sports and action photography camera on the market today, leaving all others in its dust. Shooting at 10fps, with a 200 RAW image buffer using the brand new 153 point AF system and having access to a maximum ISO of 51200 is a ‘wombo combo’ not to be messed with.

Now these new features do however come at a cost. The Nikon D500 costs $650 more than the Nikon D7500, which is a big factor to consider for many.

The Nikon D500 is also 220g heavier than the Nikon D7500. So if you are wanting to upgrade from an older, lower tier camera like the Nikon D5xxx range, and have the extra $650, I would highly recommend the Nikon D500 over the Nikon D7500 for the.

Nikon D850 AF Area Modes - d25 Dynamic AF Example

Undefeated APS-C DSLR Champ

If you don’t have the extra budget to throw at the Nikon D500, then the Nikon D7500 DSLR is an amazing camera, one of Nikon’s big three, released this year. If you feel you don’t need the AF speed of the Nikon D500, then the Nikon D7500 is more than enough camera for your needs.

Lastly I am not going to compare an equivalent Canon camera here, as one simply doesn’t exist. The Canon 7D Mark II is its closest rival, which I already compared to the Nikon D7500. The Nikon D7500 already beat the Canon Canon 7D Mark II in many aspects except AF points. As i just explained above, the Nikon D500 is even better than the Nikon D7500, so it simply runs circles around the Canon 7D Mark II and thus would be a pointless exercise to compare the two.

The Nikon D500 is definitely the cropped sensor camera winner of 2017. If you have the cash for it, then it’s a no brainer. Just buy it.

Best Semi Pro DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D500 champ

Best Professional DSLR cameras for 2018

Intermediate Camera Into

Nikon D810 - $2797

The Nikon D810 isn’t a DSLR camera from 2017, but I am going to give it an honorable mention for two reasons, in case you are already a Nikon shooter or would like to test the waters, coming from Canon.

Firstly it’s come down in price due the the release of the new Nikon D850 in August 2017. For a new Nikon D810 you can save $500, but second hand or refurbished, you can really pick up a bargain, due a lot of Nikon shooters wanting to get rid of their Nikon D810s to upgrade to the Nikon D850.This is naturally at your own risk, but the option is there 🙂

The second reason is that this is the first full frame sensor camera recommendation on our DSLR cameras of 2017/2018, where as all the previous ones have been cropped frame sensor DSLR cameras.

The jump from cropped to full frame is a biggie and too much to explain in this article, but to summarize, the larger sensor, means more light, thus better image quality. Larger sensor also means better DOF (depth of field) for small aperture setting such as 1.8 f-stop.

Best Professional DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D810
SensorFF CMOS (35.9 × 24.0mm)
Image ProcessorEXPEED 4
Megapixels36MP (7360 x 4912)
ISO (Native)ISO 64-12800
Autofocus51-point AF, 15 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 1229k | Fixed | Non-Touch
Continuous shooting5fps (7fps with grip)
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Lossless28
Exposure Metering Sensor91,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-2 to +19 EV
Dynamic Range14.8
VideoFHD 1920x1080 / 60 fps
Storage1xSD (UHS-I) + 1xCF
Battery Life1200 Shots
Weight880g

Nikon D810 Vs Nikon D500

The Nikon D810 gives you the ability to shoot at glorious 36MP at a 14.8 dynamic range, but lacks in fast continuous shooting mode, ISO and its aging 51 AF point system compared to the newer Nikon D500 or Nikon D850 DSLR cameras.

The 51 Point AF system is no slouch though, but the Nikon D500 or D850 are definitely better if fast moving subjects are you choice of photography. For me I predominantly shoot stills, such as landscapes, architecture and product, so for me the 51 Point is more than enough and reason I’ve kept my Nikon D800 as a secondary camera.

It’s been my work horse for 6 years now and never failed me once, while coming on more hikes and international travels that I can remember. You naturally can’t get the Nikon D800 new any more, but you can get the Nikon D810 new as I just mentioned.

I however wouldn’t buy the Nikon D810 DSLR new. I would definitely go second hand, for it to be a backup camera or for getting your feet wet with full frame or as a previous Canon shooter wanting to check out Nikon. If you are within the $3000 budget range, I would much rather spend the extra $500 and get the Nikon D850 with far greater features.

Best Pro DSLR 2018 - Nikon D810 vs Nikon D500

Alternatively for $1000 less, I’d get the Nikon D500 DSLR if you are into sports or wildlife photography, and are happy to sacrifice the full frame sensor and higher resolution images.

As you can see the amount of features that the Nikon D500 offers over the Nikon D810 are quite remarkable, including 4 times the max native ISO, double the fps in continuous shooting mode, articulating rear touch LCD screen with double the resolution while its AF Detection Range is now at -4EV over the Nikon D810‘s -2EV, meaning better low light AF capabilities.

Other handy features such as wireless, bluetooth, smartphone, illuminated buttons and 4K video make it even more inviting, but the new 153 point AF system takes the cake over the Nikon D810‘s 51 point AF system.

So, the Nikon D810 a good option as a secondary camera, as there is currently an influx of them.

Canon 5DS R - $3699

Another honorable mention goes to the Canon 5DS R, which was the Nikon D810’s rival at the time. Again I would pick up a second hand one, as I would definitely not spend $3699 for this dated model.

If you are already vested in Canon and don’t want to jump ship to Nikon, I would rather wait to see what Canon brings to the table in 2018.

Alternatively if you want a new camera now, the Nikon D850 is there for the taking. The Canon 5DS R shoots at a whopping 51MP with a very nice 61 Point AF system, which all sounds great but unfortunately its downfalls are its weak ISO and dynamic range when compared to the Nikon D810.

Best Professional DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Canon 5DS R
SensorFF CMOS (35.9 × 24.0 mm)
Image ProcessorDUAL DIGIC 6
Megapixels51MP (8688 x 5792)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-6400
Autofocus61-point AF, 41 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 1040k | Fixed | Non-Touch
Continuous shooting5fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Compressed15
Exposure Metering Sensor150,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-2 to +18 EV
Dynamic Range12.4
VideoFHD 1920x1080 / 30 fps
Storage1xSD (UHS-I) + 1xCF
Battery Life700 Shots
Weight930g

Canon 5DS R Vs Nikon D810

At the time of release in of the Canon 5DS R, in 2015, Canon wanted to create a rival for the Nikon D810, by beating Nikon at the MP wars. They were a big late to the party as the Nikon D810 had already been around since 2014 and the D800 since 2012. Another thing Canon neglected was that landscape photographers value dynamic range more than AF technology and the people who value AF are action photographers, who actually prefer smaller file sizes and better ISO capabilities for low light action shoots. So a bit of a confusing conundrum on the target market was.

Beside this, the Nikon D810 offers 42% more battery life, a 18% higher resolution rear LCD screen and increased HDR bracketing capabilities. Again better for landscape photographers.

The Canon 5DS R is by no means a bad camera though and is a great wedding/wildlife camera. Anyone who owns one will testify to this. As with the Nikon D810, it’s just not currently worth buying new in my opinion, as there are newer options from Nikon such as the Nikon D850.

Best Pro DSLR 2018 - Nikon D810 vs Canon 5DR S

Nikon D850 - $3297

The Nikon D850 is the last camera of the big three released by Nikon in 2017 and is Best Nikon DSLR Camera you can currently buy.

I feel that it really only has two real competitors, which are both from Nikon, being the already mentioned Nikon D500, which costs less, but is also a cropped sensor camera or the Nikon D5, which is $3200 more, almost double the price. The Nikon D5 is a very niche camera though, aimed at serious and dedicated sports and wildlife photographers. For the average all-rounder professional, the Nikon D850 can do everything that the Nikon D5 can, and will suit all your needs and more for half the price.

The last semi-competitor to the Nikon D850 is the already mentioned Nikon D810 as a secondary/backup camera, bought second hand.

Best Professional DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D850
SensorFF CMOS (35.9 x 23.9mm)
Image ProcessorEXPEED 5
Megapixels46MP (8256 x 5504)
ISO (Native)ISO 64-25600
Autofocus153-point AF, 99 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 2359k | Articulating | Touch
Continuous shooting7fps (9fps with grip)
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Lossless51
Exposure Metering Sensor181,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-4 to +20 EV
Dynamic Range14.8
Video4K 3840x2160 / 30 fps
Storage1xSD + 1xQXD
Battery Life1840 Shots
Weight915g

Nikon D850 Vs Nikon D810

Against the Nikon D810, as I already mentioned you gain and extra 10MP with the Nikon D850’s newly redesigned, 46MP BSI (backlight illuminated) sensor. Just like the Nikon D7500 and Nikon D500, the Nikon D850 comes with the new rear articulating touch screen on, that has been upgraded to a whopping 2,359,000 dots from the Nikon D810’s 1,229,000 dots (91% increase).

The ISO has also been doubled from 12800 to 25600 on the Nikon D850. Due to the larger MP, the continuous shooting only increased 2fps from 5fps to 7fps. Although you can achieve 9fps if you add a Nikon MB-D18 Battery Grip to your Nikon D850. The buffer size shooting at 14bit RAW also doubled from 28 to 51 images.

Not that we really needed it but Nikon gave it to use anyway. The battery life is also now increased by 35%, from 1200 shots on the Nikon D810 to a staggering 1840 shots on the Nikon D850. Comparing this to the newer Sony a7R III, that can only output 650, you see why DSLR cameras aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

All this tied in with the amazing new 153 point AF system is what makes all the difference, as it now pushes the beloved Nikon D810 from not only being an amazing still life camera, but a very capable action oriented camera as well, which can easily compete with the Nikon D5 and smaller Nikon D500 for shooting sports and wildlife. To me this is really why the Nikon D850 has been in such demand since its release, as its a truly capable all rounder, suitable to all genres of photographers. Now you don’t need to own a camera for each type, the Nikon D850 does it all.

Best Pro DSLR 2018 - Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810

Some other little extras that you get with the Nikon D850 are wireless, smartphone, bluetooth and NFC, allowing you to update you social media faster than ever before, together with focus bracketing and built in 8K timelapse, unseen on any other camera. The buttons are also illuminated to help with night time shoots.

The Nikon D850 also shoots 4k 30p video using a full frame sensor. This is also an amazing feature which gives stunning crips video. Unfortunately this is let down by its mediocre live AF controls, lack of output formats and no 60p. Otherwise it would could easily have challenged the Panasonic GH5 in that field as well.

So is it worth the upgrade from the Nikon D810. Hell yeah! If you have the cash and aren’t too concerned about major video functions, get the Nikon D850. If you are looking at your first DSLR full frame camera, then there is no better option out there than the D850 right now.

Best Professional DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Nikon D850 Extras

Nikon D850 Vs Nikon D500

Now let’s compare it to the Nikon D500.
As I previously mentioned, one of the biggest differences is that the Nikon D850 is a full frame sensor, while the Nikon D500 is a cropped sensor. If you have shot with full frame, it can be difficult to go back to a cropped sensor, especially with landscape photography, using wide angle lenses such as my Nikon 14-24mm, as you just can’t make use of this gorgeous lens’s full potential.

However, there are benefits to cropped sensors, such as the price and faster continuous shooting capabilities. So if you prefer to shoot more action and want to save a $1000, then the Nikon D500 is a good upgrade, especially if you are still shooting with and older D3xxx, D5xxx or even a D7200.

Best Advanced DSLR 2018 - Nikon D850 vs Nikon D500 differences

Image Size and Battery
Another big difference is the image size from 21MP on the Nikon D500 to 46Mp on the Nikon D850, as well as a 30% increase in battery life from the Nikon D500’s 1240 shots, to the Nikon D850’s 1840 shots.

ISO
The Nikon D500 however, does beat the Nikon D850 in the max ISO, going to 51200 compared to the Nikon D850’s 25600. This is because of the smaller sensor and image size. The Nikon D850 does have a lower base min ISO of 64 compared to the Nikon D500‘s 100, giving the Nikon D850 cleaner images

Similarities are everywhere, from the 3.2” rear articulating touch screen with 2,359,000 dots, dynamic range, AF Detection Range, storage, illuminated buttons, top LCD and much more.

4K Video
Note that even though they both shoot 4K 30p video, the Nikon D500 shoots it at a crop, while the Nikon D850 shoots it at full frame, meaning that you don’t have to recompose (walk backwards) or change to a wide angle lens, when flipping from stills to video on the Nikon D850 to get the same angle of view. The full frame sensor will also give a far cleaner video under low light situations.

So should you buy the Nikon D500 or Nikon D850 coming from a lower level tier camera?

It’s a tough one, and really comes down to two factors.

  • Do you have the extra $1000
  • How experienced are you and are you wanting to go full time professional?

If you do have the cash then I’d say go with the Nikon D850, it has everything the Nikon D500 has and more.

Best Advanced DSLR 2018 - Nikon D850 vs Nikon D500

Cropped VS Full Frame Sensor
If you currently own a cropped sensor camera and are still deciding what genre of photography you want to go into professionally, or already know, then a full frame Nikon D850 won’t let you down in either scenario. Even if you are like me and shoot various types of genres, the Nikon D850 is perfect. As I said, it’s so versatile that it can be used for landscape, weddings, sports, product, architecture wildlife and everything in-between.

Remember that you need new full frame FX lenses to match your new full frame camera, so I’d suggest making the switch sooner than later, rather than investing more money into DX lenses. Once I bought my Nikon D800, I rarely ever used my Nikon D5000 again, only sometimes as a backup camera while my D800 was doing time lapses to keep me occupied.

If you want to just remain a serious enthusiast/hobbyist shooter that likes shooting your local wildlife for example, or up your game from a lower tier cropped camera, then you don’t need more than the Nikon D500. For its great price, super fast continuous shooting and image size, it’s more than you need for social media or some A4 prints. The Nikon D500 can even be a great first time camera if you have the cash to splash. It can also be a great cost effective secondary camera if you already own a full frame.

Canon 5D Mark IV - $3499

The direct competitor of the Nikon D850 is definitely the Canon 5D Mark IV, but unfortunately it’s not enough to beat the Nikon D850 DSLR when it comes to stills photography for 2017.

As a video camera, the Canon 5D Mark IV has better live AF tracking (Canon Dual Pixel), which is something Canon a very well known for, even though it shoots in a cropped 4K 30p. This is something I wish Nikon would take note of and improve their video AF. If video is your thing, then I would rather choose the Canon 5D Mark IV it over the Nikon D850.

The majority of buyers of the Canon 5D Mark IV bought it for its very strong video capabilities.

Best Professional DSLR camera to buy 2018 - Canon 5D Mark IV
SensorFF CMOS (35.9 × 24.0 mm)
Image ProcessorDIGIC 6+
Megapixels30MP (6720 x 4480)
ISO (Native)ISO 100-25600
Autofocus61-point AF, 41 cross-type
Rear LCD Screen3.2" | 1620k | Fixed | Touch
Continuous shooting7fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Compressed21
Exposure Metering Sensor150,000-pixel RGB sensor
AF Detection Range-3 to +18 EV
Dynamic Range13.6
Video4K 4096x2160 / 30 fps
Storage1xSD (UHS-I) + 1xCF
Battery Life900 Shots
Weight890g

Canon 5D Mark IV Vs Nikon D850

Comparing it to the Nikon D850, the Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR just can’t compete in the stills photography department. The Nikon D850 excels with 16 more MP with its 42Mp sensor over the Canon 5D Mark IV’s 30MP. The Nikon D850 has a superior rear, articulating LCD touch screen with double the resolution, better AF detection range and dynamic range. The Canon 5D Mark IV falls shorts with only half the battery life of the Nikon D850.

The Nikon D850 also has 92 more AF point with its brand new 153 point AF system, while the Canon 5D Mark IV has 62 AF points. The Nikon also offers 99 cross type focus points vs the Canon’s 41 cross type focus points for tracking horizontal movement in continuous AF shooting mode. It’s still most likely a close call, in performance, as Canon are known for their AF, but I can’t give a definite answer on that as I haven’t tested this.

The Nikon D850 offers better HDR bracketing performance as well as the brand new focus stacking feature.

While the Canon 5D Mark IV is a great camera, I can’t recommend getting it over the Nikon D850 unless you are already invested in Canon glass.

Best Pro DSLR 2018 - Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Conclusion

That about wraps it up.
I know many Canon shooters will hate what i’ve written, but I have remained as unbiased as possible. 2017 was just the year for Nikon with the facts and numbers to back it up. Nikon have always lead the dynamic range race and continued to do so this year. The difference has always been that Nikon offered more landscape type lenses and Canon more action and sport, but in 2017, Nikon closed that gap and now offer both in their cameras, leaving Canon to catch up.

Who knows, maybe 2018 will be the year of Canon. I really do hope they do release some great cameras, especially in the video world for vlogging.

I would really love to have a video camera that shoots full frame 4K 60p All-intra from Canon and makes use of their amazing AF system. While the Panasonic GH5 is a great video camera, its AF that simply lacks terribly and the reason why some have switched back to older Canon cameras, even if the shoot 1080p only.

This has however changed since April 2018, with the release of the Sony a7 III mirrorless camera, which offers 4K using a full frame sensor and the superb AF functionality from Sony cameras, combined with the newly announced Atomos Ninja V recorder.

Cheers

8 Comments

  1. Thanks for taking the time to read my article on what the best DSLR camera for 2018 is.
    Please let me know if there are any errors in specs (especially the tables) as I put this together in 3-4 days, so can very well be a few typos along the way 🙂

  2. It was wonderful article as usual. I have been following your blogs since long. I have a Canon 800d. I would never recommend anyone to use for traveling and making youtube videos as I find it bulky. Unfortunately this was the only option when I checked quality and budget. I am seriously thinking of replacing it with other camera which can be useful for regular traveling backpacking. Your article explained in detail thanks again. Keep traveling and exploring. Hope to meet you some day once I start my abroad expedition.

    • Hello Travel Camera! Thanks for visiting and taking time to ready my article as well as your kind comments. The 800d was the best DSLR camera of all the Canons, when compared to its Nikon rival, the D5600. Great AF for blogging/youtube, which is a must. So even though its slightly bulky, the features make up for it.
      Busy with some new articles so stay tuned 🙂

  3. Great article man!

    I have really struggled finding the best DSLR camera to upgrade to. Most other articles only cover price and features of individual camera, but don’t cross compare cameras to each other. Your article did this so well! Not only comparing Canon to Nikon, but also comparing the same brand DSLR cameras to the tiers below and above them. It really helped me pinpoint an above beginner DSLR camera that is within my budget and gives me the features that I really need, instead of tons I don’t.

    You also explained many DSLR camera features here that I didn’t even know existed, so now actually understand them (and want them haha!), instead of just pushing them aside in ignorance.

    By the looks of things, Nikon is the best brand to choose in 2018, so with my budget I am going with the Nikon D7500! 🙂

  4. 2 small corrections, please:
    D810 sensor = not BSI.
    D850 sensor = BSI.
    Otherwise an excellent article, thanks!
    Appreciate your great work.

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