Best beginner DSLR cameras 2022: top entry-level choices for new photographers

If you're looking for the best beginner DSLRs you can buy, you've come to the right place. DSLR cameras may have now been succeeded by newer mirrorless models, but they're still fantastic ways to learn your photographic craft – and are frequently the cheapest way to buy a camera with a built-in viewfinder. (Searching for a more general guide to the best beginner cameras? Check out our separate buying guide on that).

The DSLRs in our guide below are all fairly well-established models, because it's pretty rare to see new DSLRs hit the market in 2022. Camera manufacturers are now focusing their attention on mirrorless cameras, as larger DSLRs (which have optical viewfinders, rather than electronic ones) have somewhat fallen out of fashion. That doesn't mean they aren't worth considering, though. In fact, there are still some increasingly affordable classics available from Canon, Nikon and Pentax – and the benefit of their age is a wide selection of lenses.

What's the best beginner DSLR you can buy right now? We think that title goes to the Nikon D3500. It has everything a learner photographer needs: a handy 'Guide Mode' to explain key settings, plus great handling, a huge selection of lenses, and excellent image quality. A great alternative, though, is the similarly-priced Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D / 200D Mark II or, for those with a larger budget, the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / Canon EOS 850D, which arrived in 2020.

You may also be wondering why you should buy a DSLR over a mirrorless camera. Despite their age, DSLRs continue to offer some advantages over their mirrorless counterparts, including superior handling and battery lives, plus huge lens libraries. They're also the only digital cameras to feature true optical viewfinders (ones that displays the actual scene as viewed through a lens, rather than a digital recreation). If those features are more important to you than the latest autofocus or compact form factors, then an entry-level DSLR is likely the way to go. 

It's worth noting that manufacturers have practically stopped making new DSLRs now – Sony has pretty much phased out its A-mount DSLRs, while Canon has discontinued its 7D line – but that doesn't mean the DSLR format is dead. Both Canon and Nikon continue to offer a wide range of entry-level DSLR models, with extensive lens catalogues to match. 

With fewer fresh models hitting the shelves, beginners will usually find the best value in slightly older options like the Nikon D5600 and Canon EOS 80D. These might not offer cutting-edge technology, but they tick most of the important boxes for beginners, without breaking the bank. For this reason, we've included both current and older models in our guide below.