For many photographers, the experience of using a top notch DSLR camera is simply unbeatable. Even though mirrorless cameras have made quite an impact in the professional world, there are still plenty of devoted DSLR fans who cherish their optical viewfinders, sturdy handgrips, and the vast array of lenses available. Every day, countless photographers capture stunning images with their DSLRs, and there’s no reason you can’t join them, too.
Go through this blog, and you will get to know about the best DSLR camera you can buy in 2025. Keep reading.
Nikon D850 (Best DSLR Overall)
2017 marks Nikon’s 100th anniversary, a significant milestone for a company that has thrived amid the digital photography revolution. The Nikon D850 is Nikon’s true centennial camera, designed to be straightforward while innovating for photographers.
With 45.7MP resolution, 7fps burst shooting, full-width 4K video, and a focusing system from the D5, Nikon has packed substantial features into the D850 at a competitive price. Although rivals like the Sony a7R II and Canon EOS 5Ds R may offer lower prices now, they lack certain features that could influence your shooting experience.
Product Highlights
- 45.7MP BSI-CMOS sensor excels in low and high ISO performance.
- Native ISO 64 ensures leading dynamic range, rivalling medium formats.
- 153-pt autofocus system from flagship D5.
- New mirror and shutter minimize blur.
- Excellent grip, ergonomics, and controls.
- Rugged, weather-sealed design.
- Dual slots with fast XQD read/write speeds.
- Largest optical viewfinder on a Nikon DSLR.
- Multiple 4K and 1080p video modes.
- Enhanced JPEG noise reduction and sharpening.
- Great JPEG color output.
- Tilting high-resolution touchscreen.
- Long battery life.
- Automatic AF fine-tuning maximizes lens performance.
- Snapbridge provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Timelapse and focus stacking features.
Features
The Nikon D850 features an all-new 45.7-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter. It includes gapless micro-lenses and a backside-illuminated design for enhanced light-gathering. While the D810 shoots natively at ISO 64-12,800 (expandable to ISO 32-51,200), the D850 has a range of ISO 64-25,600, expandable to ISO 32-102,400.
New Sensor
Nikon pairs its new sensor with the Expeed 5 image processor from the D5, enabling continuous shooting at 7fps, which can be boosted to 9fps with the MB-D18 grip and EN-EL18 battery. At 7fps, it has a 51-frame raw buffer and includes an XQD and UHS-II compatible SD card slot, ideal for sports and action photographers needing fast read/write speeds.
Although the XQD format is short-lived, it is identical to the newer CFexpress Type B format, and a firmware update has made it CFexpress-compatible.
Best DSLR Autofocus System
The D850 inherits Nikon’s top DSLR autofocus system from the D5, featuring 153 focus points (55 user-selectable), including 99 accurate cross-type points and 15 compatible with f/8 lens and teleconverter combinations. The centre point is sensitive to -4EV, while the others are -3EV, enabling quick focusing on low light.
AF Modes
Autofocus modes include auto area, 3D color tracking, single point AF, and a choice of 9, 25, 72, or 153 AF-C focus points. In Live View, a new pinpoint AF mode facilitates precise focusing on more minor subjects. However, without on-chip phase detection, Nikon relies entirely on contrast detection for autofocus. DSLRs utilize two AF systems: one for viewfinder shooting and another for Live View.
The 180,000-pixel RGB sensor from the D5 manages metering. This metering sensor is used for subject recognition, including face detection, to provide accurate subject tracking for the AF system.
Image Size Options
If you’re worried about the D850 clogging storage with its large 8256 x 5504-pixel files, don’t be. Nikon offers two smaller image size options for Raw or JPEG formats. Switching to medium records 25.6-megapixel files (6192 x 4128 pixels), and small reduces it to 11.4-megapixel files (4128 x 2752 pixels).
Manual Controls
Videographers benefit from aids like focus peaking for precise manual focus and zebra patterns to prevent overexposure. Microphone and headphone sockets are built in above the USB and Type-C HDMI interfaces. While its video specifications are standard by current mirrorless standards, the D850 remains effective for thoughtful filming setups (not for vlogging) and should not be undervalued.
Image Quality
The D850 faces high expectations from the successful D810. The D850 often matches the image quality of larger-sensor competitors. Mirror/shutter shock issues in the D810 are resolved mainly in the D850.
With long lenses and around 1/125 sec shutter speed, slight sharpness reduction may occur, but switching to any Q mode and using an electronic front curtain with a 0.2s delay fixes this. Overall, Nikon has excelled with the new mechanism in the D850.
Speaking of the D850, if you are surprised by its specs and features, then you can get the Nikon D850 body from our website. Go through it and add it to your cart now.
Nikon D3500 (Best Beginner DSLR)
The Nikon D3500 is the best beginner’s DSLR. It combines portability and usability while producing excellent quality images, making it ideal for new photographers and popular among students. With the Nikon-F lens mount, you have plenty of lenses for a lifetime of shooting.
However, with the rise of mirrorless cameras and new technologies, it’s likely Nikon’s best beginner’s DSLR will be its last. Is it worth buying in 2025? The D3500 remains in demand, maintaining its place in the beginner camera guide for its good value.
Product Highlights
- 24.2-million-pixel APS-C sensor
- 11-point AF system
- Nikon DX lens mount
- Wireless functionality
- ISO 100-25,600
- Full HD (1080p) video at 60fps
Are you excited about grabbing this beginner camera? You’re in luck. We’ve got everything you need. You can pick up a Nikon D3500 with an 18-55mm kit lens from Golden Camera. Don’t miss your chance; go ahead and place your order today.
Features
The D3500 features a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and Nikon’s EXPEED 4 processor, which has proven effective in other Nikon DSLRs. While it shares effective resolution with the D3400 and D5600, Nikon claims it has an updated sensor. For JPEG shooters, the D3500 includes handy processing tools like Nikon’s Active D-Lighting, vignette control, distortion control, and noise reduction.
Users can choose from seven Picture Controls, Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape, and Flat, to adjust contrast, saturation, and sharpness for specific image styles. On top of that, if you are most likely to travel here and there, then this is the best DSLR for travel that you can get for your use.
Focal points
Even though it’s considered entry-level, the D3500 is packed with a great variety of handy features.
Active D-Lighting
This handy processing tool is here to brighten up shadowy areas while keeping those highlight details shining through, especially in high-contrast scenes. You can easily choose to set Active D-Lighting to either ‘on’ or ‘off’ according to your needs.
Rear display/viewfinder
The D3500 features a bright and clear 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD screen, which really brings your images to life. Although it doesn’t have touchscreen capabilities like the display on D5600, it still provides a great viewing experience. Plus, the pentamirror-type viewfinder offers 95% frame coverage, helping you capture your perfect shot with confidence.
Built-in flash
While the built-in flash may not be powerful, it works wonderfully to brighten up close-up subjects. Plus, it’s fully compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, allowing you to use the pop-up flash to activate compatible flashguns easily.
Quick Menu
When you press the ‘i’ button located on the back of the D3500, a handy Quick Menu pops up on the rear display, giving you instant access to all the essential camera settings. This way, you can quickly check how your camera is set up and make quick tweaks whenever you need to.
Retouch Menu
Just like the previous version, the D3500 offers a fantastic Retouch menu. Users can convert raw files into JPEGs and make a variety of delightful adjustments to the images you’ve captured.
Just like this camera, there’s a fantastic Canon option that could really enhance your photography and videography journey, especially if you’re just starting. You can find the Canon 250D paired with an 18-55mm STM lens available on our website.
Canon 5D Mark IV (Best Full-Frame DSLR)
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, out for several years, is the best DSLR for enthusiasts worldwide. Canon’s EOS 5D lineage started back in 2005 and has become a favorite among photographers thanks to its outstanding DSLRs. Sitting just below the flagship EOS-1 family, the full-frame EOS 5D series shares many wonderful features and technologies.
With its compact yet sturdy design, the EOS 5D series really shines in prioritizing image quality, giving a perfect balance for those who appreciate detailed photography. At the same time, the EOS-1 models focus more on speed.
Product Highlights
- 30.4-million-pixel full-frame CMOS sensor
- Dual DIGIC 6 & DIGIC 6+ processors
- ISO 100-32,000 (expandable to ISO 50-102,400)
- 7fps continuous shooting
- 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type
- 3.2in, 1,620k-dot touchscreen
- DCI 4K 30fps video recording
- Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS
Features
Since the EOS 5D Mark III made its debut in 2012, Canon has been busy innovating with exciting new technologies in its DSLRs. Each iteration of the 5D series proudly showcases a new sensor, and this model shines with a remarkable 30.4-million-pixel CMOS sensor; what a fantastic leap from the 22.3MP in the EOS 5D Mark III.
Its ISO sensitivity impressively ranges from 100-32,000 (and can be expanded to 50-102,400), complemented by improvements in noise processing that enhance performance in low-light situations.
Sensor
The EOS 5D Mark IV has the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, marking it as Canon’s impressive second full-frame DSLR to incorporate this fantastic technology. This phase-detection AF system improves slow focusing speeds in live view by splitting effective pixels into two photodiodes, allowing faster autofocus during image capture. Additionally, it supports Servo AF in live view, enabling precise subject tracking as it moves while the shutter button is half depressed.
Dual Pixel Raw
Canon engineers have developed Dual Pixel Raw, which creates files with two images taken from slightly different angles. Using Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, users can make unique adjustments, like fine-tuning the position of maximum sharpness.
AF System
The EOS 5D Mark IV shares its advanced autofocus system with the impressive Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. It features a generous 61 AF points that cover a broader area, offering an 8% vertical expansion centrally and an even more remarkable 24% peripherally. This gives you wonderful flexibility when composing your shots.
Plus, in low light conditions, it impressively focuses down to -3EV through the viewfinder and -4EV in live view. All 61 AF points are compatible with f/8, while five dual cross-type points are sensitive to f/2.8, and 21 cross-type points can be selected at f/8, giving you plenty of creative options and precision.
DIGIC 6 Processor
The EOS 5D series features dual DIGIC 6 processors for metering and high-speed image processing. This upgrade enables shooting at 1fps faster than its predecessor. The Mark IV achieves 7fps in continuous high and 4.3fps in live view with AF tracking, while silent continuous shooting is 3fps, the same as the Mark III.
Canon’s 5D series excels in video, with the EOS 5D Mark IV capturing DCI 4K (4096×2160) at 30/25/24fps and extracting 8.8MP JPEGs from 4K footage. It records Full HD up to 60fps and 720p at 120/100fps. It features microphone and headphone inputs and an HDMI connection for uncompressed HD audio output.
Dynamic range
The EOS 5D Mark IV’s dynamic range improves by 1.6EV from the 5D Mark III, reaching 13.7EV, the highest for an EOS DSLR. It remains above 10EV up to ISO 1,600, then decreases to 8.5EV, 7.4EV, and 6.5EV at ISO 3,200, 6,400, and 12,800, respectively. At ISO 51,200, it falls below 6EV, delivering excellent detail retrieval in shadows with minimal noise.
The EOS 5D Mark IV is truly an incredible choice. If you’re considering it, you won’t be disappointed. For those looking to be budget-friendly, the Canon 90D DSLR Camera is a fantastic option as well. You can easily find it at Golden Camera, making it a convenient pick.
Final Thoughts
With 2025 just around the corner, it’s exciting to think about all the shoots and adventures waiting for you. If you’re ready to capture these moments, a DSLR camera could be just what you need. You deserve to enjoy all the amazing features a DSLR offers and take stunning shots. Choose the one that speaks to you.
For those just starting and want the best lightweight DSLR, the D3500 is a fantastic choice. If you’re somewhere between a beginner and an intermediate photographer, then the D850 will be perfect for you. And if you’re eager to explore the benefits of a full-frame DSLR, definitely consider the Canon 5D Mark IV, it’s a remarkable option.