Best DSLR Camera Reviews 2018

To put things simply, the amount of technology in a DSLR camera is what influences its price the most, but the brand name can also drive the price lower or higher. Anyone who has an interest in DSLR cameras likely wants the most advanced one on the shelf. But when they see the price tag, reality quickly sets in and desires adjust to budget limitations.

A high-end DSLR camera can cost over $6,000 while a humbly priced alternative that can still catpure first-rate pictures and has other digital SLR benefits can be purchased for less than $1,000. Be wary of cheap DSLR cameras because they may not have even the minimum features you need. You may also find that cheap models, while a good price at the time, may not be shockproof or warer-resistant, which can shorten the life of your camera. Although it’ll cost a good bit of money to buy a quality camera, it’s better to invest more at the beginning to avoid overspending later.

The days of DSLR cameras being reserved for only professional photographers are no more! These cameras are quickly becoming the standard for taking pictures, for amateur photographers and laypeople alik, because they’re revered for the image quality they’re capable of producing. Since you’re looking to get yourself one, these are the features to look out for:

• Resolution
• Image Processor
• Exposure
• Modes
• Connectivity
• Accessories
• Other Features

These features are not an absolute as your required features will be dependent on what you want to use the camera for. The list will help give you an idea of the most common, and most critical, features of a DSLR. As you shop, be sure to look out for these things as well as any other extras you may want the camera to have.

The first thing most people look for when checking out cameras is the number of megapixels. This is because of the belief that the more megapixels, the better the digital image quality. This is true, but somewhat overemphasized. Smartphones and most point-and-shoot cameras pack lots of megapixels, but they only use small megapixels. These small ones don’t behave like the larger ones do, which are used in DSLR cameras. The large megapixels absorb more light, produce better color, and are not as susceptible to color distortions. This is why a DSLR camera with 12 megapixels will produce images that are far better than those taken by, let’s say, a 24-megapixel point-and-shoot camera, or even a 42-megapixel smartphone.

DSLR cameras have different modes that they can operate in. It’s best to have a sound understanding of how you intend to use your camera, so you know what modes you might want. Depending on the situation, these modes are ideal to help you capture the best pictures. Highlighted below are some of the salient modes in a typical DSLR camera:

• Burst Mode – This is the mode you need to take pictures in quick succession, which is achieved by holding down the shutter button. When you hear the phrase ‘frames per second,' it refers to the number of pictures your DSLR camera can take within the space of a second. Some cameras can take up to 10 shots in a second. If this sounds like something you might want in your camera, be sure to have a sizeable memory card for storing all those photos.
• Scene Recognition and Multipoint Autofocus Mode – If you use a smartphone to take pictures, you know what autofocus does. DSLRs, on the other hand, are capable of multiple-point autofocus, which enables them to track and keep a moving object in focus. The scene recognition mode enables the camera to identify the situation—whether indoor or outdoor, landscape or portrait—and automatically adjusts accordingly.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) – This mode lets you shoot multiple pictures of your choice scene at different exposures. Your DSLR camera will then pick the best parts of each picture and merge them into one ‘delicious’ shot.
• Video Mode – DSLRs can record videos with great detail and bright colors. Some high-end DSLRs can even record in 4K resolution, giving you picture-perfect video quality.

You’re probably going to, at some point, want to share your photos with others. Another great thing about DSLRs is their connectivity. Most of them sport NFC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allows you to easily transfer pictures from your camera to your smartphone and share them right away. Some DSLRs even have apps that allow you control the camera through your smartphone. GPS capability that lets you tag where the picture was taken is also a stunning feature.

The image processor, which controls the cool features and capabitilies of your camera, is essentially the brain of a DSLR. The easiest way to get a good understanding of a DSLR’s image processor is to know what the camera is capable of, and whether or not these capabilities fit your needs.

DSLR cameras give you the ability to set and adjust the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and aperture, which are the elements of exposure. But if you’re not really a ‘pro’ anddon’t feel comfortable adjusting these settings manually, you can easily switch back to automatic. Such is the beauty of a DSLR camera.

Aperture adjusts the amount of light that gets through to your lens. A high aperture puts the bulk of your shot in focus, making the resulting iamge look sharp. A low aperture gives your shot a soft and blurry appearance. The shutter speed refers to how long it takes the shutter—which exposes and blocks the lens from light—to open and close. This is especially important when photographing moving objects. For instance, in low light, you’ll want a fast shutter speed, but in bright light, a slow shutter speed is better. ISO sensitivity is the level of sensitivity the camera’s sensor has to incoming light. In low light, you’d want to use a higher ISO, and vice versa.

For the sake of versatility and convenience, you might want to consider the accessories your DSLR camera will work with. Most are quite adaptable and fit a wide range of accessories. The most popular and useful ones are: DSLR lenses and filters, memory cards, external flashes, extra batteries, tripods, camera bags, extended warranties (of course), and mounts.

There are other features that set some DSLR cameras apart from others. The size of the LCD screen on your camera diesn’t affect the kind of pictures you take, but some people may want a high-quality screen for better viewing of their photography objects. Some DSLRs have dust protection, which is a great feature because it ensures your photos are always crystal clear. Some cameras are even fitted with self-cleaning image sensors. Another feature you may want to look for is stabilizing technology, dubbed ‘anti-shake,’ which lets you take ‘stable’ pictures even when you aren’t so stable.