Looking for the Best Nikon DSLR? Give These a Shot
- Best Value Nikon DSLR
- Best Hybrid Nikon DSLR
- Best High-End Nikon DSLR
- Recommended Nikon Lenses
- Final Thoughts on the Best Nikon DSLR
- Camera Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 20.9MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 51,200 (expandable to 500 - 1,640,000)
- Lens Mount: Nikon F Mount
- Speed: 8.0 fps
- Autofocus: 51 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 136 x 104 x 73 mm / 720 grams
- Battery Life: 950 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Pre-Owned Nikon D7500 Price: $659 - $839
- Camera Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 51,200 (expandable to 50 - 204,800)
- Lens Mount: Nikon F Mount
- Speed: 12.0 fps
- Autofocus: 51 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 144 x 116 x 76 mm / 840 grams
- Battery Life: 2260 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Pre-Owned Nikon D780 Price: $1,369 - $1,499
- Camera Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 45.7MP Full-Frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 64 - 25,600 (expandable to 32 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Nikon F Mount
- Speed: 7.0 fps
- Autofocus: 151 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 146 x 124 x 79 mm / 1005 grams
- Battery Life: 1840 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Pre-Owned Nikon D850 Price: $1,379 - $1,799
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
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- Looking for a Capable, Inexpensive DSLR? Try the Nikon D810
- Is the Canon EOS Rebel T7i the ideal DSLR for Enthusiasts?
Nikon D850
While Mirrorless cameras are undoubtedly the trendiest digital cameras of 2023, many people still prefer shooting with DSLRs due to their excellent image quality and affordable prices. Nikon DSLRs remain especially popular, and if you are considering purchasing one, you’ve come to the right place!
In this Nikon DSLR camera guide, we’ll break down three of the best Nikon DSLRs available today–one for beginners, one for amateurs/enthusiasts, and one for professionals. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used Nikon DSLR has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
Who is MPB? They are a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all their cameras and lenses are closely inspected by knowledgeable product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
Over the years, we’ve saved thousands upgrading our photography kits by buying, selling, and trading in camera equipment on MPB’s online marketplace, and you can do the same by heading over to their website. Now, it’s time to find out which of these best Nikon DSLR cameras is right for you and your budget!
Check out the video above by Martin Castein to compare and contrast Nikon DSLR and Canon DSLR cameras.
Table of Contents
Best Value Nikon DSLR
Nikon D7500
If you are new to photography or on a budget, the best Nikon DSLR is the Nikon D7500. It was released in 2017, and because of its relatively old age, the price to get your hands on one has never been lower, making it an insane value. Internally, it hosts a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor and an Expeed 5 image processor.
The D7500 has impressive image quality, even in low-light conditions, thanks to its industry-leading 1,640,000 max ISO. And, although we don’t suggest cranking it up that high often, it’s nice to know you have the option. The Expeed 5 processor also improves the autofocus performance and burst shooting compared to its predecessor, the Nikon D7200.
Amateur videographers will also love its 4K video capabilities, making it a solid choice for entry-level YouTubers and vloggers. The one downside of its 4K video footage is that a hefty 1.5x crop factor is applied. However, if you film 1080p Full HD video instead, there is no crop.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Nikon D7500:
Best Hybrid Nikon DSLR
Nikon D780
Next, we have the spectacular Nikon D780. It’s the best Nikon DSLR for people trying to make the difficult jump from an amateur to a semi-professional photographer. The D780 came out in 2020, replacing one of the most-sold Nikon DSLR cameras ever, the D750. It features a 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor and an upgraded Expeed 6 image processor.
The 24.5MP sensor is Back-Side Illuminated (BSI), meaning it delivers sharper photos and videos, especially when shooting in low or uneven light. Furthermore, the camera can continuously shoot still images up to 12 frames per second (fps). This makes it a great camera for wildlife, sport, and adventure photography.
On the video side, the camera boasts uncropped 4K/60p video, professional codecs (N-Log Gamma & HLG), and 1080p/120p slow-motion video. Uncropped 4K is a must-have for serious videographers and filmmakers. The professional codecs make editing and color-correcting easier in post-production. And the slow-mo footage looks great on all social media platforms.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Nikon D780:
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Best High-End Nikon DSLR
Nikon D850
The best Nikon DSLR is the Nikon D850–and no other model can even come close to matching its specs and performance. For starters, it has a super-high-resolution 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor. The only cameras you will find with higher resolutions are flagship mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z9, which is almost 4x the price.
When working with RAW images, its dynamic range is one of the best we’ve ever tested. Alternatively, the out-of-the-camera colors present in JPEGs manage to look bold, vibrant, and natural at the same time. The 151-point autofocus also makes capturing sharp, in-focus images easy, even when shooting moving subjects.
Notable video specs of the D850 include 4K/30p video, advanced audio controls, and an in-camera time-lapse mode. Its 4K UHD video is uncropped and can be output as 4:2:2 8-bit video. Headphone and microphone ports allow you to record higher-quality audio. And the time-lapse mode is ideal for making epic movies of landscapes or cityscapes.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Nikon D850:
Recommended Nikon Lenses
Nikon D780
Here’s a short list of some of the best Nikon lenses for photo and video to pair with a Nikon DSLR interchangeable camera system.
Final Thoughts on the Best Nikon DSLR
Nikon D7500
As you can see, Nikon has an extremely versatile DSLR camera lineup, so regardless of your budget or experience level, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. We’ve shown you three of the best Nikon DSLR cameras on the market, and now it’s up to you to decide which is the perfect one for you!
Didn’t see your dream camera above? Not sure a DSLR camera system is for you after all? Don’t sweat it! Instead, check out the list below of Nikon mirrorless cameras on sale now at MPB:
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