Digital Photography Review

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RTINGS

Like Olympus, Fujifilm, and others, the PENTAX brand name has a long history. It was first used by Asahi Optical in the middle of the twentieth century, with the release of the influential Asahi Pentax camera. It was so popular that it propelled Asahi to the global stage and prompted them to rename the company to simply 'Pentax'. Similar to Olympus, Pentax cameras were often innovative and well-regarded throughout the development of SLRs. In the digital age, the company was eventually acquired by RICOH and renamed RICOH Imaging Company, though it still releases DSLRs and medium format cameras under the PENTAX brand, as well as compact cameras under its own name, like the RICOH GR III. The brand is one of the few that doesn't make any mirrorless models and remains committed to releasing high-quality DSLRs and lenses.

The best PENTAX camera that we've tested is the PENTAX K-3 Mark III. It's their flagship APS-C DSLR and, though it comes at a steep price for an APS-C camera, it has a sturdy weather-sealed construction and delivers low-light performance that rivals some full-frame models. It can reach an incredibly high ISO of 1,600,000 and has outstanding RAW noise handling capability. The camera also has in-body image stabilization, which does a fantastic job reducing camera shake when shooting handheld. Its battery life is excellent, advertised to last for approximately 495 photos on a full charge, depending on how you use it. That said, this camera isn't meant for advanced video recording, so its 4k video features are somewhat limited, and it has a fixed screen. On the upside, Pentax has a long line of compatible K-mount lenses to suit whatever style of photography you prefer.

Like Olympus, Fujifilm, and others, the PENTAX brand name has a long history. It was first used by Asahi Optical in the middle of the twentieth century with the release of the influential Asahi Pentax camera. It was so popular that it propelled Asahi to the global stage and prompted them to rename the company to simply 'PENTAX'. Like Olympus, PENTAX cameras were often innovative and well-regarded throughout the development of SLRs. In the digital age, the company was eventually acquired by RICOH and renamed RICOH Imaging Company, though it still releases DSLRs and medium format cameras under the PENTAX brand, as well as compact cameras under its own name, like the RICOH GR III. The brand is one of the few that doesn't offer mirrorless models and remains committed to producing high-quality DSLRs.

Of those DSLRs, the best we've tested is the PENTAX K-3 Mark III. It's their flagship APS-C camera and, though it comes at a steep price for an APS-C model, it has an incredibly sturdy weather-sealed construction and delivers low-light performance that rivals some full-frame cameras. In addition, it's got a fantastic IBIS system and excellent battery life, although it's not intended for those who care about video features. Still, if you're looking for an excellent DSLR for photography, it's one of the best you can get&mdash;that is, if it's within your budget.

Consumer Reports

Like the models above, this entry-level digital SLR delivers very good images and video, and it offers a viewfinder, a hot-shoe mount, a pop-up flash, and a very good, nonswiveling LCD.  Bundled with a variable aperture 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, it can capture super-wide landscapes and intimate portraits. And our testers found that photos created in low light displayed little visual noise. At 26 ounces, the camera is lighter and more compact than many models in its class, too.  To get even more value out of the Rebel T6, consider adding the 50mm f/1.8 lens, $110. (Read more about lenses.) That gives you one of the most popular focal lengths for pro photographers. With the ability to stop all the way down to f/1.8, you can let in plenty of light when shooting in dark situations. And that allows you to blur the background, crisply isolating a portrait subject in what photographers—and now smartphone manufacturers—trumpet as the bokeh effect.

If you're looking for a simpler point-and-shoot camera, the best budget camera that we've tested in the compact category is the Canon PowerShot SX740. It's incredibly compact and portable, and while it may not be the most comfortable to use for people with larger hands, it has a small textured bump on the front of its body and back thumb rest to help you maintain a secure hold. Its screen can also tilt out to help you shoot at lower angles or take selfies.

Its built-in lens has a 40x zoom range (960mm full-frame equivalent focal length), so you can zoom in on far-away subjects. It takes decent-quality photos with a ton of dynamic range, although sharpness declines significantly as you raise the ISO due in part to its small 1/2.3-inch sensor, so it's not well-suited to low light conditions. Its lens also has optical image stabilization and does a great job of steady handheld shots.

Unfortunately, its autofocus system is inconsistent. It does a superb job tracking moving objects in photos, but it struggles to track moving faces. Its battery life is also disappointing, though this can vary with settings and usage habits. It can shoot 4k video at 30 fps with a minor crop, which is good for a camera in this price range, but its overall video quality is poor. Still, this is an ultra-compact camera that offers good value for its price.

For those who prefer Nikon's ergonomics and menu system or who already have some Nikon lenses, consider the Nikon D5600. It doesn't support 4k video like the Canon EOS Rebel T8i does. However, if you're mainly interested in photography, this is a great alternative with an even better battery life and a slightly more lightweight construction. It has a fully-articulated touchscreen to help you shoot from different angles, although it's not as bright and may struggle to overcome glare in very sunny conditions. Still, the camera takes impressively sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors. Its optically stabilized kit lens also does a fantastic job of reducing camera shake. That said, its autofocus system is a little bit less effective.

Get the Canon if you want 4k video capability and prefer Canon's ergonomics and control layout. However, if you prefer the ergonomics and controls of Nikon cameras and don't mind losing out on 4k, the Nikon is a solid alternative.

While they're bulkier and heavier than mirrorless alternatives, DSLR cameras offer one big advantage when it comes to travel: battery life. So if you don't want to deal with switching out batteries or rechargeable battery packs, the Nikon D5600 is one of the best DSLRs we've tested for travel, thanks in part to its incredible battery life, which is advertised to last for about 970 photos. In real-world usage, you can easily make a full charge last across multiple days, depending on how frequently you use it.

It's also one of the more portable DSLRs we've tested. Though it takes up some space and you'll likely need a dedicated camera bag, especially if you're bringing more lenses, it doesn't weigh a ton and is pretty easy to carry around your neck or across your shoulder. It also feels comfortable to shoot with and has a highly intuitive menu system. The optical viewfinder gives you a lag-free view of your subject through the lens, and its high-resolution APS-C sensor delivers impressive image quality out of the box.

That said, if you're looking for an all-in-one photo and video camera, you should look elsewhere. It isn't meant for videographers or travel vloggers, and it can't compete with current mirrorless offerings in this respect since it's limited to 1080p video recording with disappointing video quality and autofocus performance. Still, it's a great beginner DSLR that's well-suited to travel photography if you don't mind putting up with a little more bulk.

The Nikon D5600 is the best beginner DSLR camera for travel photography that we've tested. It's one of the more portable DSLRs we've tested, with a relatively small and lightweight body. Though it doesn't support USB charging, it also has an exceptional battery life that's advertised to last for approximately 970 photos depending on your shooting habits, so it's a great choice for traveling or long days on the go.

This camera uses a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, yielding great overall image quality. Photos have excellent dynamic range to bring out more details in highlights and shadows, great for landscape shots and high-contrast scenes. It also feels comfortable to shoot with, and its simple control scheme and easy-to-use menu system are great for beginner photographers. On top of that, it has a fully articulated screen that makes it easier to shoot from unconventional angles, take selfies, or film travel vlogs.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have 4k video capability for those interested in taking high-resolution travel videos. That said, it can still record high-quality 1080p video. Overall, if you want a capable DSLR that's fairly portable, takes great images, and has a ton of lens options, this is a solid choice.

Moving up the entry-level ladder brings you to the Nikon D5600, which uses the same excellent sensor as the Nikon D3500 and adds some quality-of-life features like a fully articulated screen and a more advanced autofocus system. That said, it doesn't have the 'Guide' mode of the D3500, so you're on your own to figure out all the different camera settings and features.

It still has a simple control scheme and the same easy-to-use menu system, so it's still accessible to newcomers. Plus, it has the same lens mount, so you'll have access to the same lenses as you would with the D3500. It still doesn't shoot 4k video, but it's a great option for photography. Bottom line: if you don't mind losing out on the guide mode&mdash;maybe you already know a thing or two about cameras&mdash;and you're willing to stretch your budget a little bit, get the D5600.

If you're on a tight budget or are just getting started in portrait photography, the Nikon D5600 is one of the best entry-level DSLRs for portraits, though any entry-level model will serve you well if you're just starting. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles you'd get with higher-end models like the Canon EOS 90D, like weather-sealing and more physical controls, the D5600 can take great photos, with an excellent APS-C sensor and colors that pop straight out of the camera.

Since DSLRs have been around longer, there are also more lenses to choose from than with a budget mirrorless camera like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. While you can learn to get the most out of the kit lens, you can also upgrade to higher-end lenses as your skills grow, from budget options like the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G to high-end third-party options like the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM.

If you've never used a camera before, consider the Nikon D3500, which sits just below the D5600 and offers a built-in 'Guide' shooting mode to walk you through the basics. If you don't need a built-in learning tool, however, the D5600 isn't too much more expensive and has a better autofocus system.

If you're on a tighter budget or are just starting out, an entry-level camera like the Nikon D5600 is a great way to go. This DSLR is built around a great APS-C sensor with impressive dynamic range for those trickier high-contrast scenes. It's also got an excellent battery life and great ergonomics, along with simple, intuitive controls that make it a great choice for beginners.

A budget mirrorless option like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II can also be a good choice if you're just starting out, and while it's more portable, it has a significantly shorter battery life, and lens options are more limited. The D5600, on the other hand, has a long line of DSLR lens options to choose from, so you can easily step up your landscape game as your skill level increases.

This SLR model gets a Best Buy rating from Consumer Reports for packing a whole lot of camera into a very affordable package. Our testers rate the image quality as Very Good, with the D 3500 performing well in both daylight and dim-light settings.
While the included kit lens has a fixed focal length—meaning no zoom capabilities—it’s also a 50mm lens, the most popular option for professional photographers. (You can always pick up more lenses; here’s a good selection—all priced under $400.)
And at just 16 ounces, the D 3500 is lightweight for an SLR, making it easier to port around with you. Overall, our testers found its ease of use to be Very Good.
One potential downside: If you plan to use this camera for shooting video, it doesn’t do 4K—just 1080p. That said, our testers found the video quality to be Very Good.

This SLR model gets a Best Buy rating from Consumer Reports for packing a whole lot of camera into a very affordable package. Our testers rate the image quality as Very Good, with the D 3500 performing well in both daylight and dim-light settings.While the included kit lens has a fixed focal length—meaning no zoom capabilities—it’s also a 50mm lens, the most popular option for professional photographers. (You can always pick up more lenses; here’s a good selection—all priced under $400.)And at just 16 ounces, the D 3500 is lightweight for an SLR, making it easier to port around with you. Overall, our testers found its ease of use to be Very Good.One potential downside: If you plan to use this camera for shooting video, it doesn’t do 4K—just 1080p. That said, our testers found the video quality to be Very Good.

When it comes to sports shooting, the D5 is virtually peerless. First and foremost, it offers class-leading autofocus and subject tracking performance, even at its max burst of 12 fps. Oh, and the buffer is nearly unlimited - seriously, it just keeps shooting and shooting, maintaining focus the entire time.
Of all the cameras in this guide, only the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and Olympus E-M1X can match the D5's insanely robust build quality and weather-sealing. The same goes for ergonomics: only these cameras offer built-in vertical grips and secondary shutter releases. This added grip also offers the advantage of making room for a substantially higher capacity battery. The D5 is also one of the most customizable cameras we've ever tested.
If you are a sports shooter who sticks to JPEG for maximum card space and/or edit/transfer time, you're covered: JPEG color and quality are quite good, and the same is true of Raw files (though their dynamic range is a tad limited compared to other full-frame Nikon DSLRs). Finally, the camera can even shoot decent-looking 4K video, albeit with a crop factor.

DSLR Camera Comparison