Comparison of DSLR Cameras

We carried out a large survey between 19th and 24th April 2023, amongst 1,212 people who had gone on a long trip. We asked them many questions about the devices they used to take their photos. Learn more about our methodology

16% of long-term travellers took a DSLR camera.

Most used brands

The most used DSLR camera brands by RTW travellers are:

• Canon: 49 %
• Nikon: 47 %
• Pentax: 4 %

From $1,200 to $2,800

We compared all the full-frame DSLR models on the market.

	Canon 6D Mark II	Nikon D780	Canon 5D Mark IV	Nikon D850	Pentax K-1 Mark II
	BUY
Price (body only)	$1,200	$2,200	$2,700	$2,800	$1,800
Buy	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon
	OUR SURVEY
Number of respondents who bought this series (including older models)	5	5	3	2	0
Average rating on the following websites: Amateur Photographer, Camera Jabber, Camera Labs, Camera Race, Digital Camera World, Cnet, DP Review, Les Numériques, PCMag, Photography Blog, Tech Radar, UFC Que Choisir and Versus. These ratings are based on the evaluation at the time of the camera’s release. For older devices, the score may be slightly inflated due to the technological advancements of competing devices. Average rating from 13 specialised websites (out of 10) See all ratings
Release Year	2017	2020	2016	2017	2018
	SENSOR
Sensor size (mm)	36 x 24 mm	35.9 x 23.9 mm	36 x 24 mm	35.9 x 23.9 mm	35.9 x 24 mm
Number of megapixels	26 Mpx	25 Mpx	30 Mpx	45 Mpx	36 Mpx
Sensitivity : native ISO range	100 – 40,000	100 – 51,200	100 – 32,000	64 – 25,600	100 – 819,200
Sensitivity : extended ISO range	50 – 102,400	50 – 204,800	50 – 102,400	32 – 102,400	100 – 819,200
	AUTOFOCUS
Contrast detection
Phase detection
Number of focus points	45	51	61	151	33
	SHUTTER SPEED
Mechanical shutter speed	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 900 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s
Maximum mechanical burst speed at full resolution	6.5 fps	12 fps	7 fps	7 fps	4.4 fps
	VIDEO
Video size	Full HD	4K	4K	4K	Full HD
Video: maximum size (pixels) and frame rate (fps)	1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 120 fps	4,096×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps 1,280×720 / 120 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 120 fps	1,920×1,080 / 60 fps
	VIEWFINDER
Type	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical
	SCREEN
Size	7.6 cm	8.1 cm	8.1 cm	8.1 cm	8.1 cm
Number of dots	1,040,000	2,359,000	1,620,000	2,359,000	1,037,000
Touch screen
Screen type	Fully articulated	Tilting	Fixed	Tilting	Tilting
	CONNECTIVITY
WiFi
NFC
Bluetooth
GPS
Microphone input
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/s)	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/s)	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/s)	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/s)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/s)
	STABILISATION
Sensor stabilisation
Stabilisation rating (CIPA)	–	–	–	–	5 stops
	OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Built-in flash
Battery life (CIPA)	1,200 frames	2,260 frames	900 frames	1,840 frames	670 frames
	PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight of the camera body with battery and memory card (CIPA)	765 g	840 g	890 g	1005 g	1010 g
Body dimensions	144x111x75 mm	144x116x76 mm	151x116x76 mm	146x124x79 mm	137x110x86 mm
Weather sealing
	BUY
Buy	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon

From $270 to $1,700

We compared all the APS-C DSLR models on the market.

	Nikon D5600	Canon Rebel T8i	Canon 90D	Nikon D3500	Canon Rebel SL3	Nikon D7500	Canon Rebel T7	Nikon D500	Pentax K-70	Pentax K-3 Mark III	Pentax KF	Canon Rebel T100
	BUY
Price (body only)	$530	$900	$1,100	$500	$650	$1,000	$400	$900	$650	$1,700	$850	$270
Buy	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon
ENQUÊTE
Number of respondents who bought this series (including older models)	21	15	14	14	11	11	4	3	3	0	0	0
Average rating on the following websites: Amateur Photographer, Camera Jabber, Camera Labs, Camera Race, Digital Camera World, Cnet, DP Review, Les Numériques, PCMag, Photography Blog, Tech Radar, UFC Que Choisir and Versus. These ratings are based on the evaluation at the time of the camera’s release. For older devices, the score may be slightly inflated due to the technological advancements of competing devices. Average rating from 13 specialised websites (out of 10) See all ratings
Release Year	2016	2020	2019	2018	2019	2017	2018	2016	2016	2021	2022	2018
SENSOR
Sensor size (mm)	23.5 x 15.6 mm	22.3 x 14.9 mm	22.3 x 14.9 mm	23.5 x 15.6 mm	22.3 x 14.9 mm	23.5 x 15.6 mm	22.3 x 14.9 mm	23.5 x 15.6 mm	23.5 x 15.7 mm	23 x 15.5 mm	23.5 x 15.6 mm	22.3 x 14.9 mm
Number of megapixels	24 Mpx	24 Mpx	33 Mpx	24 Mpx	24 Mpx	21 Mpx	24 Mpx	21 Mpx	24 Mpx	26 Mpx	24 Mpx	18 Mpx
Sensitivity : native ISO range	100 – 25,600	100 – 25,600	99 – 25,600	100 – 25,600	100 – 25,600	100 – 51,200	100 – 6,400	100 – 51,200	100 – 51,200	100 – 1,600,000	100-102,400	100 – 6,400
Sensitivity : extended ISO range	100 – 25,600	100 – 51,200	99 – 51,200	100 – 25,600	100 – 51,200	50 – 1,640,000	100 – 12,800	50 – 1,640,000	50 – 1,640,000	100 – 1,600,000	100 – 102,400	100 – 12,800
AUTOFOCUS
Contrast detection
Phase detection
Number of focus points	39	45	45	11	9	51	9	153	51	101	11	9
SHUTTER SPEED
Mechanical shutter speed	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/4,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/8,000 – 30 s	1/6,000 – 30 s	1/4,000 – 30 s
Maximum mechanical burst speed at full resolution	5 fps	7.5 fps	11 fps	5 fps	5 fps	8 fps	3 fps	10 fps	8 fps	12 fps	6 fps	3 fps
VIDEO
Video size	Full HD	4K	4K	Full HD	4K	4K	Full HD	4K	4K	4K	Full HD	Full HD
Video: maximum size (pixels) and frame rate (fps)	1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 25 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 120 fps	1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 25 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	1,920×1,080 / 30 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	3,840×2,160 / 30 fps 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	1,920×1,080 / 60 fps	1,920×1,080 / 30 fps
VIEWFINDER
Type	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optical	Optique	Optique	Optique
SCREEN
Size	8.1 cm	7.6 cm	7.6 cm	7.6 cm	7.6 cm	8.1 cm	7.6 cm	8.1 cm	8.1 cm	8.1 cm	7.6 cm	6.9 cm
Number of dots	1,037,000	1,040,000	1,040,000	921,000	1,040,000	922,000	920,000	2,359,000	922,000	1,620,000	1,037,000	230,000
Touch screen
Screen type	Fully articulated	Fully articulated	Fully articulated	Fixed	Fully articulated	Tilting	Fixed	Tilting	Tilting	Fixed	Fully articulated	Fixed
CONNECTIVITY
WiFi
NFC
Bluetooth
GPS
Microphone input
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
STABILISATION
Sensor stabilisation
Stabilisation rating (CIPA)	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	4.5 stops	5.5 stops	4.5 stops	–
OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Built-in flash
Battery life (CIPA)	970 frames	800 frames	1,300 frames	1,550 frames	1,070 frames	950 frames	500 frames	1,240 frames	410 frames	800 frames	410 frames	500 frames
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight of the camera body with battery and memory card (CIPA)	465 g	515 g	701 g	365 g	449 g	720 g	475 g	860 g	688 g	820 g	688 g	436 g
Body dimensions	124x97x70 mm	131x103x76 mm	141x105x77 mm	124x97x70 mm	122x93x70 mm	136x104x73 mm	129x101x78 mm	147x115x81 mm	126x93x74 mm	135x104x74 mm	126x93x74 mm	129x102x77 mm
Weather sealing
BUY
Buy	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon

We aggregated the ratings given to DSLR cameras from 13 specialised websites. We converted them to a scale of 10 to calculate the average score. These ratings were given at the time of the camera’s release. For older cameras, the average score may be slightly inflated due to technological advancements

Sensor

The sensor is one of the most important parts of a camera. It’s used to convert light rays into electrical signals. A large sensor makes it possible to have a shallow depth of field (which in turn makes it possible to have a subject in focus and a blurred background) and offers better rendering in low or contrasting light.

The number of megapixels isn’t a determining factor when choosing a camera. All cameras sold today have enough megapixels to make satisfactory enlargements.

The higher the maximum ISO sensitivity, the more light the sensor can store and therefore take indoor photos without flash or photos of moving subjects.

Lenses

If you’re buying your first DSLR camera, there are kits that consist of a body and a lens. The focal length of the lens determines how much your subject will be magnified.

Its maximum aperture is stated in this way: f/number(s). The smaller the f, the larger the aperture, allowing you to take photos in low light, without needing to increase the ISO sensitivity or use your flash.

The lenses that come in the kits are great for getting started, but as you get better, you’ll probably need to buy more. Lenses aren’t compatible from one brand to another. Therefore, remember to take the lens brand into account when buying your device. Canon and Nikon offer more lenses than Pentax, but they’re also more expensive.

Size and weight

DSLR cameras are much bigger and heavier than mirrorless and compact cameras. With the lens, they weigh between 21.2 oz and 3.7 lbs (600 g and 1.7 kg). The bigger your camera, the more it’ll weigh down your bag and attract unwanted attention, and the harder it’ll be to get out to capture scenes from everyday life.

Video

Some models shoot in 4K resolution (or UHD) which offers more detail, precision and clarity than shooting in Full HD. 4K also has the advantage of allowing you to crop. This is particularly useful for stabilising your image in the post-production editing process, since the software doesn’t need to insert pixels. But, be careful, as 4K requires a lot of storage space, as well as a high-performance computer if you plan on video editing.

Screen

The larger the rear screen and the number of megapixels, the easier it is to view photos and navigate. A rotatable screen also makes framing easier. A touch screen simplifies menu navigation and lets you scroll through photos, just like on a smartphone.

Speed

The higher the maximum shutter speed, the more blur-free photos you can take of moving subjects. Burst mode allows you to take several images in a row automatically. The higher the maximum burst speed, the more likely you are to get a good shot.

Connectivity

• WiFi: this is the most common connection on cameras. It’s high-speed and is used for downloading your photos or displaying the viewfinder on a smartphone or tablet when controlling the device remotely. However, it’s energy-consuming and requires you to disconnect your phone from the Internet.
• NFC: this is a limited-range and low-speed connection. It’s used to directly pair two devices without a password. With the arrival of Bluetooth Low Energy, the usefulness of NFC has become questionable.
• Bluetooth: this connection consumes very little power and doesn’t require you to disconnect your phone from the Internet. It maintains a constant connection with a smartphone to synchronise the camera clock, automatically retrieve GPS coordinates to add to photos and continuously upload photos to your phone.
• Built-in GPS: this lets you add GPS coordinates to photos. It’s not essential when the device has a Bluetooth connection (see above).
• Mic input: this allows you to connect a better quality microphone than the one already built into the camera.
• Flash bracket: this lets you attach an external flash or other accessories.
• USB: a USB 3.0 connection is ten times faster than a USB 2.0 connection.

Stabilisation

On all Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, it’s the lens that’s stabilised. On Pentax DSLRs, it’s rather the body that’s stabilised. Therefore, Pentax lenses are a little cheaper.

Battery life

The battery life dramatically varies from one model to another. You could carry an extra battery and a portable charger to avoid running out of power. However, that’ll increase the weight of your gear.

Weather resistance

“Weather-sealed” devices have several rubber seals that prevent water and dust from getting inside. DSLR lenses, grips and flashes can also be weather-sealed. But this name is more of a marketing term than an actual standard. It covers different situations from one brand to another. So it’s actually quite hard to know exactly what one camera can endure.

Canon’s DSLR product range

Nikon’s DSLR product range