Are you new to photography? Or are you a casual photographer who just wants a camera to capture memories? Entry-level cameras are great for beginners. They pack enough features and processing power to meet almost all your needs. But what qualifies as a camera for beginners? Of course, beginner DSLRs (and mirrorless cameras) are usually inexpensive.
But there are several mid-range entry-level cameras in the market that cater to the needs of beginners. Explore our top ten picks for the best DSLRs for beginners in India from top players in the optics and imaging realm like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and more. We also have a buying guide to teach you the technical side of things.
Image | 1 ![]() Canon | 2 ![]() Sony | 3 ![]() Pentax | 4 ![]() Panasonic | 5 ![]() Fujifilm | 6 ![]() Sony | 7 ![]() Nikon | 8 ![]() Canon | 9 ![]() Canon | 10 ![]() Nikon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | EOS 80D | Alpha ILCA-68K | K-70 | LUMIX G7 | X-T200 | Alpha ILCE 6000Y | D5600 | EOS 200D | ROD 1500D | D3500 |
Features | Features a Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD Monitor | Fast and Accurate Autofocus With 79 AF Points | Has a Dust and Weather Resistant Body | Affordable 4K Camera for Vloggers | Faster Autofocus With Face and Eye Detection Algorithm | Comes With WiFi and NFC | Instantly Transfer Photos Using SnapBridge | Canon’s Affordable 4K Beginner DSLR | Single and Dual Lens Kits Available | Guide Mode Helps Beginners Create Amazing Photos |
Price Starts at | ₹92,990.00 | ₹34,999.00 | ₹88,270.00 | ₹39,990.00 | ₹59,000.00 | ₹53,990.00 | ₹64,490.00 | ₹52,990.00 | ₹30,899.00 | ₹42,999.00 |
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR | DSLR | DSLR | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | DSLR | DSLR | DSLR | DSLR |
Lenses | 18 - 135mm | 18 - 55mm | 18 - 55mm | 14 - 42mm | 15-45mm | 16-50 mm and 55-210 mm | 18 - 55mm and 70 - 300mm | 18 - 55mm | 18 - 55mm | 18-55mm and 70-300mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | Micro four thirds | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP | 24.2MP | 24.24MP | 16MP | 24.2MP | 24.3MP | 24.2MP | 24.1MP | 24.1MP | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 180p | 1080p | 4K | 1080p | 1080p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization | In-camera | In-camera | Lens stabilization | Lens stabilization, digital gimbal stabilization, and digital stabilization | Lens stabilization | Lens stabilization | Lens stabilization | Lens stabilization | Lens stabilization |
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Our top 10 list has one for all types of shutterbugs: casual snappers and even aspiring professional photographers. Go through our product descriptions and specifications table and choose one that suits your budget and needs.
From ₹92,990.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 135mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹34,999.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 55mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | In-camera |
From ₹88,270.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 55mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.24MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | In-camera |
From ₹39,990.00
DSLR/mirrorless | Mirrorless |
---|---|
Lenses | 14 - 42mm |
APS-C/full frame | Micro four thirds |
Megapixels | 16MP |
Max. video quality | 4K |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹59,000.00
DSLR/mirrorless | Mirrorless |
---|---|
Lenses | 15-45mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 4K |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization, digital gimbal stabilization, and digital stabilization |
From ₹53,990.00
DSLR/mirrorless | Mirrorless |
---|---|
Lenses | 16-50 mm and 55-210 mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.3MP |
Max. video quality | 180p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹64,490.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 55mm and 70 - 300mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹52,990.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 55mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.1MP |
Max. video quality | 4K |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹30,899.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18 - 55mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.1MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
From ₹42,999.00
DSLR/mirrorless | DSLR |
---|---|
Lenses | 18-55mm and 70-300mm |
APS-C/full frame | APS-C |
Megapixels | 24.2MP |
Max. video quality | 1080p |
Image stabilization | Lens stabilization |
We explore various factors involved in buying a beginner DSLR camera, like megapixels, image stabilization, sensor size, and many more in the sections below. Read our buying guide to learn the technicalities and their significance.
The prime difference between these two types is that a DSLR has a mirror that reflects light into the viewfinder, while in mirrorless cameras, the light goes straight to the sensor. The absence of mirrors makes mirrorless cameras extremely lightweight and compact.
Beginners will find mirrorless cameras easy to use since they come with digital viewfinders, while DSLRs have optical ones. What you see on the LCD screen while making adjustments to the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc., will be very similar to what you will see on a digital viewfinder.
Here are some aspects that could soon become irrelevant. There are numerous lenses from various manufacturers available for DSLRs, while the range of lenses for mirrorless cameras is small. Many mirrorless cameras in the market feature 5-axis image stabilization, but the same is rare in DSLRs. There is no winner here. Pick a camera that has features you want the most.
Entry-level or beginner cameras often come with "kit" lenses. Canon and Nikon usually provide the 18 - 55 mm lens, Panasonic comes with a 15 - 45 mm lens, and Sony gives you a 16 - 50 mm lens. You don't have to worry too much about the numbers.
They come under the wide-angle to mid-telephoto zoom lens category and are good for landscape as well as portrait photography. If you are into wildlife photography, you would want to go for a camera that comes with a telephoto zoom lens.
The 55 - 250 mm lens from Canon, 70 - 300 mm from Nikon, and 55 - 210 mm from Sony are some examples. These qualify as wide-angle as well as telephoto lenses. Dual lens kits are also available. For example, you can buy a Canon E0S 1500D that comes with 18-55 mm and 55-250 mm lenses, which are great for portrait, landscape, sports, and wildlife photography.
Beginner DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with APS-C and full-frame sensors are available in the market. A full-frame sensor is 36mm wide, while an APS-C is a bit smaller (size varies across brands). Since the full-frame sensor is larger, it will capture more of the scene than an APS-C sensor.
Each pixel in this type of sensor is larger, capturing more light, which creates an image with a better dynamic range. The larger pixels also give better performance in low-light situations. Since full-frame cameras allow for a shallower depth of field, you will be able to capture portraits with beautiful bokeh (the same will be sharper in an APS-C camera).
Full frame cameras cost higher than an APS-C sensor camera. But there are advantages to buying a camera with an APS-C sensor too. A DSLR with an APS-C sensor is lighter and compact, making it easy to carry while traveling. The images look more zoomed in, which makes macro, wildlife, and sports photography easier.
You must have seen smartphone manufacturers marketing the high megapixel (MP) count of their products. But does that matter in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras? The more megapixels a camera has, the more you can crop the picture before the individual pixels start showing.
Pictures taken with high MP cameras allow you to make large prints since more detail is captured. If you need pictures for social media or to print photographs, a camera with megapixels between 12 and 24 MP is more than enough. Don't be fooled by the high megapixel count marketing tactics of DSLR and mirrorless camera manufacturers.
Just because a camera is expensive doesn't mean that it will have the features you want. For example, if you want a camera for vlogging or for taking selfies while traveling, you would want one with a flip screen. Similarly, having a camera with NFC will allow quick transfer of photos and videos to your smartphone.
Nowadays, companies like Sony are making affordable entry-level cameras that support 4K video recording. Content creators on a budget usually go for such cameras. Some cameras like the Nikon D3500 come with guide mode to educate rookies about the various functions and features of the camera. Check the specifications on the official website of the maker before buying.
A DSLR or a mirrorless camera with image stabilization (IS) will help you capture sharp images even in low light conditions, when you may be forced to shoot at slower shutter speeds to get a properly exposed image.
There are two types: lens-based and in-camera. Lens-based image stabilization works by shifting the lens in the opposite direction of the camera shake. In-camera stabilization works in a similar manner: it adjusts the image sensor.
A lens that comes with IS will be much more expensive than its non-IS counterpart. But in-camera systems allow you to use any type of lens. Companies use different names for the IS technology they use. Find out about the type of image stabilization from the product description.
Did you choose your very first DSLR? If not, check out other cameras like action cameras, camera drones, and vlogging cameras. As usual, we have a top 10 list and a buying guide to advise you on how to choose the best one for your needs.
Both cheap and expensive DSLRs are good for beginners. Expensive DSLRs come with tons of features that will make capturing photos easier, while cheaper models will push you to find ways to overcome the camera's limitations.
Mirrorless cameras are on par with DSLRs. Our buying guide explains the differences between them, which will help you decide if it is the right one for you. Make sure that you don't fall for pumped-up megapixels of modern cameras. It just doesn't matter unless you plan on clicking pictures for large prints.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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