LucyLBug Loc: Ocala, FL

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for the best DSLR for a "newbie" wanting to move up from Advanced Zoom and cell phone. I have an "eye" for framing a picture creatively, but almost NO knowledge about how Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, etc work. I want to go further than just using the program modes.
So....what are suggestions for my first DSLR....would like both a Canon and a Nikon suggestion and why one over the other. Thanks!!!

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…well LucyLBug…my first suggestion is to consider a MILC vs DSLR…a MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) appears to be the wave of the future now and most companies seem to be moving in that direction…so my first suggestion to you would be to consider a MILC over a DSLR…

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Lucy - If you're willing to consider mirrorless, check out the Nikon Z50 with 16-50 kit lens. It's an amazing bargain, has phenomenal image quality and is available new for less than $1K with the 16-50 kit lens. Otherwise, a low shutter count used Nikon D7200 would fit the bill for a first DSLR.

tcthome Loc: NJ

And budget? The Canon R6 has a better focus system but, it might not be that important to you depending on what subjects you shoot. Nikon & Sony have DX mirrorless cameras that will get you going & cost less. There are plenty of videos online about getting off the program mode. Bryan Peterson has a good book Understanding Exposure which explains what the effects of how the Shutter Speed & Aperture affect a phot & how they can be used creatively. Also post photo examples if you feel you need help in some areas.
Welcome to thew hog & happy shooting.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I would recommend checking "backcountrygallery.com" run by Steve Perry who is a member of the hog also. He has some of the very best training programs you can find and they start with the very basics and teach you how to master your DSLR.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I am a Canon shooter so will address that brand. But Nikon and the other major brands make very good cameras. Stick to the major brands and it is hard not to get a good camera.
What type of pictures do you take, it can change which camera and lenses will suit you more.
Budget??? You can get a DSLR or MILC (mirrorless) for anywhere from less than $500 with a lens to $6500.

DSLR's https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-interchangeable-lens-cameras#facet:-1510168837682&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

MILC's https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-interchangeable-lens-cameras#facet:-1510177105114114111114108101115115&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

Refurbished direct from Canon, with the same warranty as new in box are about $350 to nearly $4000. I have bought two refurbished cameras from the Canon Store and except for the box could not tell them from NIB. And have had no problems with them at all.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras
Canon's refurbished are returns, demo models and cameras that were used at trade shows and stock from out of business camera stores. Inspected, tuned etc. at the Canon factory in more detail than the new ones coming down the assembly line. There are many, including myself, who trust them more than new in box. Being in or out of stock in the refurbished store changes rapidly, often in less than a day so you may have to check frequently. One of the two I bought from them came in stock in the morning, I bought one and after lunch it was listed as "out of stock" again. I got the last one they had at the time.

You can get the basic beginner model, a mid range or the more advanced model of each type usually. The advanced model has more manual controls in addition to the menu controls and the 'A' and 'P' auto and semi-auto modes. Through the '6' series that would have been T6, T6i and T6s, then the '7' series it became T7, T7i and 77D (the xxD cameras are mid range between the beginner models and the Pro models, current is the 90D and Canon Store Refurbished sometimes still has 80D models.

I would suggest that if your budget covers it get the better camera as there will be more room for you to learn and improve over time without needing to get another more advanced camera.

There is, at least in DSLR's the choice of a crop sensor or full frame camera. The crop sensors made by Canon make each image look like the lens is 1.6x as long as it is. So a 100mm lens will take images that look like you were using a 160mm while the same lens on a FF will look like 100mm. Full frames are better for wide angel such as landscapes and usually do better in low light. Those who do birds and wildlife often prefer the crop sensor (APS-C) for the apparent greater "reach". I own 1 FF and 3 crop sensor, my wife and daughter each have a crop sensor.

In MILC's the only current crop sensors are the older M series, which are also light and compact but use different lenses though they can use the EOS lenses with an adapter.
The new top of the line R bodies are at present only in FF but there are rumors of crop sensor models coming later this year.

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Start by watch tutorials on u-tube, (and yes there are lots of good ones out there), Learn the basics that have to do with Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO. ie; the triangle. Lastly; practice, practice, practice. Don't give up or you will miss out on the potential that is hidden inside you.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The "best" could be very subjective. All you need is a camera that in addition to AUTO modes will allow you to use the Manual Mode at will. Today, all cameras do that.
dSLR cameras have been available for a long time and mirrorless since around the year 2000 that I can remember. Nikon or Canon they are both excellent and I would say how the camera feels in your hands, its ergonomics are very important. Menus and how easy they are to use is important also.

My advise, if you have a reputable photo store nearby is to ask them for a camera that will fit your needs and try it in the store. There are excellent bargains in the second hand market. Your next step should be to learn the basics of photography. That "best" camera means nothing if you do not know how to use it. Good luck with your choice.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Look at Olympus it’s an amazing system with unbelievable results

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Take an introductory class at a camera store, at a local camera club, at a meet-up event, or at community school and rent before you buy. Remember, you will also need to process your pictures in a suitable computer.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

First of all, go a mirrorless camera. Because as you look through the viewfinder, you will see the final exposure BEFORE you take . It is a big advantage and something you can grow into.
Sony, Canon, and Nikon make very good mirrorless camera's.
My current mirrorless camera of choice is Sony because they have been the leader in mirrorless for many years and continue to pore money and resources into research and development into their mirrorless equipment.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

As others have pointed out, you should consider a mirrorless camera (MILC) rather than a DSLR. None of the major manufacturers are developing new DSLR cameras or lenses anymore so their technology has not advanced in four or five years. MILCs are not any harder to use than the DSLRs, in fact the basic principles are the same. You need to decide if you are going full-frame or crop-sensor (APS-C). I think that the Sony a6400 would be a good APS-C camera. But Canon and Nikon make great mirrorless cameras as well.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Lucy, I suggest, as have others, looking into a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. In camera talk, a mirrorless DSLR camera for the most part. Then, and I believe this is important, find a camera shop and at least hold some different brands to see what fits your hands well. Read some reviews. I am familiar with Nikon and Fujifilm brands, and prefer the Nikon over Fujifilm only because I have been shooting with Nikon for over 40 years so I am most used to their products. A great starter body would be the Nikon Z50 mirrorless. Do not count out factory Certified Refurbished from Nikon or Canon. All are delivered in like new condition and you can save hundreds of dollars on great starter kits. I also look for used gear rated “like new” or “excellent” from one of three suppliers: KEH, MPB, or Used Photo Pro, and these three sellers offer 180 day warranties, and Used Photo Pro sometimes extends their warranties to a year depending on the value of the purchase. I have never had any issues with Nikon or Fuji branded products bought new, certified refurbished, or used. Good luck in your search. Tell us what you decide.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I agree that going mirrorless is a most logical choice but I think it would be smart to get a training program or book that will teach you the basics first. It is hard to get a bad camera now but as you will see different people all seem to lean toward what they use because that is what they know best. No one can tell you just what to purchase but if I were going to become a race car driver, I would learn to drive before picking out a car.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I can’t remember the model number but I saw an ad for a Canon DSLR that claimed it was the perfect camera for beginners, that it would take those great photos you always wanted but didn’t know how to take. Of course, there’s no such camera. My advise is to find a camera that fits your budget and learn how to use it. If you’re a true beginner, I’d stay away from mirrorless. A friend of mine who is very experienced with DSLR's got a mirrorless and admitted that it had a bit of a learning curve to figure it out. Aside from all of that, I have read that a Canon's menu system is a bit more intuitive to navigate than a Nikon's.