Digital SLR Cameras: Reviews

Updated November 2011
We looked at reviews from photography experts who conduct in-depth lab tests of digital SLR cameras as well as recommendations from general interest publications to determine our picks in this category. Reviewers say that for those upgrading from a point-and-shoot camera, you can spend well under $1,000 for both the camera and kit lens. For more expert shooters, you can upgrade your camera body, but continue to use the same lenses.
 

Best digital SLR for beginners

Nikon D3100 *Est. $500 with kit lens Compare Prices

DPReview.com: Now with HD video and live view, the Nikon D3100 wins DPReview.com's Silver Award.

Imaging-Resource.com: For point-and-shooters who want to upgrade to a more serious camera, the Nikon D3100 is a top pick by experts at this reputable website.

DigitalCameraReview.com: With good still-image quality and a decent kit lens for the price, the Nikon D3100 scores 4 stars out of 5 here.

PhotographyBlog.com: The Nikon D3100 gets a Highly Recommended tag here.

Amazon.com: The Nikon D3100 earns high ratings in a large number of reviews -- more than 300 when we checked.

Step-up entry DSLR

Nikon D5100 Discontinued Compare Prices

DPReview.com: After shooting thousands of frames and minutely testing every detail of the Nikon D5100, experts here find a lot to like.

Imaging-Resource.com: Terrific image quality, terrific features and an "approachable design" (including a useful swiveling LCD screen) make the Nikon D5100 an easy top pick, testers here say.

DigitalCameraInfo.com: The Nikon D5100 "blows away" its under-$1,000 rivals, T.J. Donegan concludes after an extensive test.

Photography Bay: Eric Reagan illustrates his review of the Nikon D5100 with a wide variety of test shots, including several challenging low-light, no-flash photos shot indoors at Disney World.

DCResource.com: Jeff Keller recommends both the Nikon D5100 and its rival, the Canon EOS Rebel T3i, after thorough tests.

Ken Rockwell: Plain-spoken camera critic Ken Rockwell calls the Nikon D5100 "the best all-around camera for most people" in his buyer's guide.

Amazon.com: With more than 150 owner reviews posted, the Nikon D5100 earns an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Best-value advanced DSLR

Nikon D7000 *Est. $1,200 body only Compare Prices

DPReview.com: DPReview.com heaps praise on the Nikon D7000's advanced specifications.

Imaging-Resource.com: After much shooting and testing, reviewers here say the Nikon D7000 proves an easy top pick for both enthusiasts and beginners who want to learn.

StevesDigicams.com: The Nikon D7000 earns a spot on the Steve's Best list.

PhotographyBlog.com: Tests here confirm many of the same pros and cons for the Nikon D7000 that other reviews show.

DigitalCameraReview.com: With outstanding image quality, even at high ISOs, the Nikon D7000 wins an Editors' Choice designation here.

Amazon.com: The Nikon D7000 averages 4.5 out of 5 stars in more than 300 owner reviews here.

Pro digital SLR with full HD video

Canon EOS 5D Mark II *Est. $2,090 body only Compare Prices

Amateur Photographer: This detailed review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II praises it as improving all aspects of the earlier Canon EOS 5D. It's judged an "extremely capable camera," but reviewers here still find Nikon's high-end digital SLRs more refined and customizable.

Ken Rockwell: Experienced photographer and camera reviewer Ken Rockwell calls the Canon EOS 5D Mark II "the best digital SLR ever made by Canon," as well as "the world's best DSLR" for nature, landscape and multitask shooting.

PhotographyBlog.com: This full hands-on review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II covers both the still and movie modes.

DXOMark.com: DxOMark.com bases its ratings on very technical lab tests of camera sensors -- only one factor in comparing cameras.

Luminous- Landscape.com: This review focuses on the movie mode of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (aka the Canon 5D MKII in Europe), criticizing some inconveniences but praising the aesthetic possibilities it provides.

VincentLaForet.com: This two-part article demonstrates the movie capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a sample video.

The Digital Journalist: This review focuses on the video capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, but Halstead is less enthusiastic than other reviewers.

Best all-around pro DSLR

Nikon D3S Discontinued Compare Prices

DPReview.com: After testing every aspect of the Nikon D3S in exhaustive detail, Barnaby Britton concludes that it's "simply unmatched" in formerly impossible low-light situations.

Imaging-Resource.com: Experts here shoot stills and video with the Nikon D3S in the field for three weeks.

ePhotoZine: Reviews at this British website are excellent, including this head-to-head shootout between the Nikon D3S and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. Both are built for speed and super-low-light shooting, but the full-frame Nikon D3S holds a slight edge for noise control and dynamic range.

PhotographyBlog.com: Here, you'll find PhotographyBay.com's hands-on review of the Nikon D3S, as well as detailed head-to-head tests between the D3S and Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, comparing their autofocus performance (at basketball games and a track meet) and low-light performance (judging JPEG and RAW files as well as 14-by-9-inch prints). The Nikon wins on both counts.

What Digital Camera: The Nikon D3S tops this British website's list of the five best digital SLRs.

PopPhoto.com: Breaking the ISO 100,000 barrier "is a groundbreaking achievement" for the Nikon D3S, Phil Ryan says.

Amateur Photographer: The Nikon D3S's trade-off -- a lower-resolution sensor in exchange for best-ever low-light performance -- is worth it for most photographers, testers here say.

Amazon.com: More than 30 owners posted reviews for the Nikon D3S at the time of this writing, and all but two give it a perfect 5 stars.

Digital SLR Cameras Runners Up:

Canon EOS Rebel T2i *Est. $700 with kit lens

12 picks including: PopPhoto.com…

Canon EOS 7D *Est. $1,350 body only

11 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…

Nikon D300s Discontinued

9 picks including: PopPhoto.com…

Nikon D700 Discontinued

9 picks including: Amazon.com, Ken Rockwell…

Canon EOS Rebel T3i *Est. $700 with kit lens

9 picks including: Amazon.com, DCResource.com…

Canon EOS 60D *Est. $900 body only

8 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…

Sony A55 *Est. $800 with kit lens

7 picks including: Amazon.com, TechRadar.com…

Pentax K-5 *Est. $1,200 body only

6 picks including: Amazon.com…

Nikon D3X *Est. $8,000 body only

5 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…

Canon EOS Rebel T1i *Est. $545 with kit lens

5 picks including: PopPhoto.com…

Pentax K-r *Est. $630 with kit lens

5 picks including: Amazon.com, DCResource.com…

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV *Est. $4,600 body only

5 picks including: Amazon.com, ePhotoZine…

Sony A580L *Est. $850 with kit lens

5 picks including: Amazon.com, TechRadar.com…

     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
 
image
Sony a55 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm zoom lens
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
Browse All ConsumerSearch Digital Camera Reviews

Back to top