If you are a enthusiast and often can be found wandering about your city with your smartphone clicking photos, then it’s time that you give yourself the upgrade of a DSLR camera. There are a lot of cameras in the current market, but what you need is the best DSLR camera under $2000.
A DSLR camera is much better than a smartphone camera. They use larger sensors, so it captures more light, offering high-quality photos even in low-light scenarios. It also provides you with a lot of manual control over your images.
This article presents you with a list of cameras that are indeed the best in photography and will give you the much-needed quality overhaul of your photos. So keep reading to learn about the best DSLR cameras under $2000 for enthusiasts like you.
5 Best DSLR Cameras Under $2000 For Enthusiasts in 2022
1. Canon EOS 6D Mark II
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR ships with a 26.2 MP full-frame sensor. The full-frame sensor captures more light data than APS-C sensors because it is bigger than standard APS-C cameras. Thus, the low light performance on this is outstanding.
The camera comes with a tilting LCD touchscreen. It makes navigating through the camera settings really easy. It gives you more control over your photos and how they look. It also features WiFi and NFC capability, so you can easily share photos between your phone and camera.
Canon cameras are known for their excellent autofocus and tracking system. They are on par with Sony in this aspect. The camera comes with 45 focus points and dual pixel focus technology. You can easily capture moving objects with this camera while keeping them focused.
The camera has built-in stabilization for super stable in-hand video capture. The video quality available is only 1080p, though. There is no 4K video option in this camera. The camera is rugged and well built, priced at around $1400 on Amazon.
Features-
- 2 MP full-frame sensor.
- Tilting LCD touchscreen.
- WiFi, NFC, and GPS connectivity.
- 45 AF points.
- Built-in stabilization.
- 5 frames per second fast shooting capability.
- ISO range of 100-40000 natively.
- Weather and dust resistant.
2. Nikon D3500
Nikon D3500 features a 24 MP CMOS sensor and shoots in 12-bit RAW format. The image output is very neutral without any post-processing. So, you get complete freedom of playing with the colors and tweaking them in Photoshop. Nikon is known for producing cameras that give the user total control over the images.
The low-light performance in this camera is not that great, but you can’t complain as it is an entry-level DSLR. The daylight performance, however, is outstanding. The camera comes with 1080p video resolution and no support for 4K. The video quality is very good with decent autofocus.
The camera has a very robust build quality and good ergonomics. It is capable of shooting at a fast 5 images per second. The camera is priced at around $644.
Features-
- 24 MP CMOS sensor
- 12-bit RAW output
- Excellent quality 1080p video
- Decent low-light photography
- Rugged build quality
- Bluetooth connectivity
3. Canon EOS 90D
Canon EOS 90D is one of the best DSLRs for enthusiasts, featuring a 32.5 MP resolution APS-C sensor. The large resolution means higher quality photos with a lot more color information. The dynamic range that the camera captures is genuinely impressive.
Canon improved the battery on the 90D a lot, providing a better battery backup than its predecessor, Canon 80D. You can take up to 1300 shots using the OVF and about 450 photos using the back LCD.
The camera offers exceptional low-light performance. The software processing of Canon is on point. It offers 4K video capabilities at 30 fps. The camera also features an excellent autofocus system. When using the eye-tracking feature, the screen rarely fails to focus, delivering sharp-quality photos of fast-moving subjects.
The camera can shoot at a speed of about 10 frames per second with a 45-point autofocus system. The body of the camera adds a grippy and rugged feel to it. The Canon EOS 90D is available at $1199 on Amazon.
Features-
- 5 MP APS-C sensor
- Excellent battery capacity
- One SD card slot
- 4K video at 30 fps
- Dual pixel autofocus system with 45-point AF
- Hybrid shutter system
4. Nikon D7500
The Nikon D7500 uses a 20.9 MP sensor. The sensor is quite capable and puts out brilliantly balanced photos all around. It weighs less compared to the other cameras in the same price range.
The camera is very fast, taking 8 frames per second up to 50 frames. This makes it fantastic for fast-paced photography like sports events and fashion shows. The photos from this camera have perfect colors and saturation.
The camera offers low light performance with clean images even at 6400 ISO. The photos come out in the Nikon RAW codec, giving you flexibility when editing. The camera features 3D tracking in autofocus which is very reliable.
The video capabilities of this camera are superb with an external recorder, allowing up to 8-bit 4K video recording and 10-bit 1080p recording. It also features a 4K timelapse. However, the video quality from this camera is pretty standard.
The camera is weather-resistant and so can be used during any adverse situations. The camera is currently selling at $998.
Features-
- 9 MP sensor
- Single SD card slot
- 10-bit 1080p and 8-bit 4K video capabilities
- 3D tracking AF technology with 51 AF points
- 1900 mAh battery
- Weather-resistant
- Touchscreen controls at the back
- WiFi and Bluetooth capability
5. Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Canon EOS Rebel T8i is a good starter all-rounder camera with a premium feel. The camera has a 24.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor. It is a great camera for photography at the enthusiast level, putting out pictures that can compete with even the professional camera.
The camera has 4K recording capability at 23.9 fps which is not very impressive, and 60 fps 1080p. The video quality is usable but not up to the mark. If your primary purpose is videography, you should focus more on mirrorless cameras than DSLRs.
The camera comes with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. WiFi feature can be used to share the photos from the camera to your mobile phone. It can also be use remotely control the camera from your phone. This comes very handy when taking group photos together.
The battery lets you take 350 shots, which is standard but quite good. The camera is capable of capturing 7 frames per second. The camera is weather-resistant and can be used during any kind of weather. It is available for purchase on Amazon at $899.
Features-
- 1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- 4K video at 23.9 fps and 1080p at 60 fps
- ISO range of 100-25600
- Eye-tracking AF technology with 45 points
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- The touchscreen control system at the back
Buying Guide
This guide divides the categories you need to look for before buying a camera. This guide will give you an idea of what you need in a camera when buying one for yourself.
1. Lens
Lenses are critical regarding the output quality of the photo. A good quality lens can improve the quality of your image drastically. Never buy the kit lens when buying a camera; choose a separate lens that suits your needs. Some cameras also come with fixed lenses. Therefore, if you want to click photos in different scenarios, you might need a camera with an interchangeable lens. It is always recommended to spend more on lenses if you are on a budget. A cheap body and expensive lens will produce far better quality photos than the opposite.
2. Sensor Size
Cameras come in different sizes of sensors. You should know that the bigger the sensor, the higher its low light photography capability. So, choose a camera with a big sensor if you want to shoot many black and white photographs at night or concerts. But suppose you just want a camera for regular daylight photography or in-studio. In that case, you are better off with a camera that has a standard sensor size.
3. Budget
Being an enthusiast, you might not have the budget to spend too much on a high-quality professional camera. So, first, just go for the entry-level cameras. If you feel ready to invest more, go for the more professional ones.
4. Purpose
If your buying the camera is photography, then you are good going for DSLRs. However, going for a mirrorless camera would be a better option if you plan on taking professional-quality videos using that camera. They are a newer technology and much better than traditional DSLRs.
5. Build Quality
If you travel a lot and need a camera, you should use the more robust and weather-resistant cameras. Because you are more likely to drop the camera accidentally or get splashed with water during rain. However, if you want this camera for your studio, just go for a normal one, as it will probably be on a tripod all day.
6. Battery Life
If you do a lot of event photography, a camera with amazing battery life is what you need. Choosing a camera with an excellent battery life will work for you in these scenarios. But if it is just for regular clicking, you won’t need that much battery.
7. Autofocus
If you are going to use your camera for captuying fast-paced action, then you will need a camera with a fast autofocus and high frames per second capability. In sports like cycling, football or track events, the subject moves very fast. And using a budget camera will not work here. The image will come out with a warping effect. Sony and Canon cameras are best in the market in regards of autofocus and shooting speeds.
Conclusion
You should now have a pretty good idea of what to look for in a camera. You can always rent the camera before buying, and multiple websites offer camera equipment for rent. Use the camera first. If you like it, then go for buying it. Remember to always choose a camera that’s very flexible in regards of lenses, else you might have to spend a lot over them. Going for a standard camera that’s going to last you 3-4 years and expensive lenses is the safest combination. Hope this article helped you choose the right camera for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DSLRs good for videography?
DSLRs are generally not suitable for videography, and they are miles behind the mirrorless cameras in the department of videos. But some DSLRs are pretty good both at photos and videos. So if you want a DSLR that is good for pictures and videos, go for the Canon 90D. It is one of the best DSLR cameras.
Which camera brand is used by professionals?
Professionals usually use Canon or Sony cameras. Both brands are class-leading in the market with great features.
Which camera to go for, DSLR or Mirrorless?
In recent dates, there is no reason to go for DSLR cameras. Mirrorless cameras are better, lighter, and faster. They come with EVF, which helps while capturing photos at night. The video capabilities of a mirrorless camera are far better than that of a DSLR. So, always go for mirrorless.
How to always keep clicking good-quality photos from your camera?
Always clean your camera regularly. Buy a cleaning kit from Amazon, and don’t use any wet cloth. The camera equipment is susceptible. A little bit of dust or smudge in front of the sensor can produce disastrous results in quality. The sensor won’t receive adequate light, making the image blurry.
Do more megapixels mean better photo quality?
High megapixel count in a camera means the camera produces high resolution photos. In order to capture high resolution photos, the camera allows more light to enter the sensor. As a result, the picture comes out very detailed and sharp. However, in the absence of ample light when clicking a photo, the picture comes out with a lot of noise.
