Best DSLR cameras for beginners in 2025 (UK)

The Canon EOS 250D is a great value starter-upper, combining DSLR handling with a nice selection of tech features. The jargon might be intimidating for true beginners, but the price won’t be. It's been around for a few years now, and the price has dropped to under £480, which is relatively cheap in the camera world. And we appreciate the value of the whole package.

It’s compact and lightweight — particularly for a DSLR — and high-quality images come courtesy of a 24.3MP sensor. That combines with fast-working Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus and a powerful DIGIC 8 processor.

You’ll get the most from its autofocus while using live view mode on the vari-angle touchscreen (autofocus via the viewfinder is more limited). The vari-angle touchscreen is good for taking photos from an unusual vantage point and you’ll find modes that assist your photography — Guided UI and Creative Assist — plus 4K video, which is a bonus on a DSLR at this price. The 4K video is cropped, however, something that other cameras are phasing out.

And when it comes to uploading images to your smart device, there's WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity. It's pretty simple. Overall, there's a reason this camera is still going strong: As a basic beginner DSLR, it's very good indeed.

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The Nikon D850 is a step up in terms of hardware and price. No one said advancing in this hobby would be cheap. And it's just the body of the camera. Putting a lens on it — you know, the other bit you need to actually take some photographs — will cost even more. But stick with us: If you’re in the market to invest in something impressive — with incredibly detailed images, fast shooting speeds, and a multi-faceted autofocus — this could be the one for you. 

The Nikon D850 is another one that's been around for a few years. It was a hit when it first dropped. The fact that camera aficionados are still recommending it speaks volumes about its quality and performance.

It’s a highly versatile DSLR that satisfies two distinct needs: High-quality imagery, which is all thanks to its whopping 45.7MP resolution, plus the ability to point and shoot at a competitive speed (especially at this resolution) of 7fps. You can get it up to 9fps with an additional battery pack. The autofocus, though not as fast as some cameras, has 153-point phase detection.

With its tilting touchscreen, there are various live view modes, including autofocus and 4K, to play around with. And the 4K, unlike other cameras on this list, is uncropped. The touchscreen is iPhone-like: Super responsive, intuitive, and pleasingly lag-free. The camera also has built-in wireless connectivity so you can transfer images via Nikon’s SnapBridge app. 

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The Canon EOS 90D might be the closest that you’ll get to the mirrorless experience with a DSLR — the closest on this list, anyway. It uses a Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system in live view, which is used on Canon’s mirrorless range and gives you mirrorless-level performance. It also shoots uncropped 4K, which is usually the domain of mirrorless or more expensive cameras.

This camera is just well-equipped all round, with a 32.5MP sensor, DIGIC 8 processor, tracking and face detection, eye detection autofocus, a flip-out touchscreen, and an impressive shooting speed of 10fps.

That shooting speed is designed for action photography — such as sports and wildlife — though some reviewers have noted that its buffer capacity isn’t quite up to scratch. (This is the memory capacity to store images before they are written onto a proper memory card.) In other words, it’s fast but if you’re aiming for serious professional-grade action photography, you’ll need something a bit more specialist. At a beginner level, though, it’s decent.

Reviewers have also praised the chunky, tactile build, which makes handling the camera a pleasurable experience — and there’s plenty to grip onto. Is it perfect? Of course not. Nothing at the price point will be. But what you get is a solid, features-packed camera — the top end of our list.

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The Pentax KF packs DSLR reliability and up-to-date tech into a robust package. And robust is absolutely the word: If you like to venture out into the great outdoors, or in less-than-clement conditions, this could be a literally solid choice — not only hardy but also weatherproof and dustproof.

Adding to the outdoorsy appeal are built-in “shake reduction” stabilisation and night vision. You won’t find stabilisation in other DSLRs, so that’s actually a nice touch that could make the difference for some users. And crucially, the images captured by this camera are very good. They're bolstered by a 24MP resolution, a hybrid autofocus system, and a shooting speed of 6fps.

While it doesn’t shoot 4K video, it does shoot Full HD 1080p. Hey, remember when Full HD 1080p was an eye-popping revelation? Well, it still looks good if you’re not too fussy. While we're on the subject of outdated features, the flip-out LCD monitor isn’t touchscreen, which might be a deal breaker for some.

The quality of the screen, however, has been well rated by reviewers, along with the optical viewfinder, which offers more than competing cameras.

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If you’re looking for an all-rounder with a fair price tag, you’ll be impressed with the Nikon D7500, a reliable option that covers pretty much everything, even if some of the spec isn’t at quite the level of more advanced cameras.

That's not to say the Nikon D7500 isn't well equipped: It boasts a 20.9MP sensor, a 51-point autofocus system, 8fps continuous shooting, 4K video capabilities, an EXPEED 5 processing engine, and a tilting touchscreen on the camera rear. Another nice feature is an LCD screen on the top, which makes it easy to monitor the settings when you're using a low tripod.

The Nikon D7500 is also a solid choice for keen night-time photographers, with an ISO range of 100-51,200. This is the sensitivity of the sensor, which determines the camera’s ability to capture images in low light. There are a few niggles — such as a less-impressive autofocus than you'll find on other Nikon models and just one SD card slot instead of the preferred two. But these details won’t be a problem for every DSLR beginner.

It’s worth noting that this is just the body of the camera, though there is an option to buy a version with an 18-140 mm lens — for an extra few hundred pounds. Though if you are in the market to spend more, you could always upgrade to the more advanced Nikon D500.

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The Canon EOS 4000D makes this roundup for one key reason: Its price. Indeed, this camera is designed to give beginners and general enthusiasts something decent for their cash. And that’s exactly what you’ll get, as long as you don’t mind losing the some of the high-end features from pricier models.

It's plasticky but handles nicely, matching the tactile pleasure of other DSLRs, and captures very nice images. These come via an 18MP sensor, a nine-point autofocus system, and 3fps continuous shooting. It's worth noting that the autofocus isn’t as intuitive or easy to use as you'll get with premium cameras.

Reviewers have also marked down the lens, but the great thing about buying a Canon is that there’s no shortage of lenses available. It's easy to upgrade.

The camera also captures HD video and has a live view monitor on the rear. If you’re looking to try DSLRs for the first time, or you’re unfussy about features, the Canon EOS 4000D represents great value for money. Otherwise, you can try the slightly higher-spec Canon EOS 2000D.

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