When people think about professional sports photography, they usually imagine cameras firing at ridiculous speeds, enormous telephoto lenses lining the edge of the field and photographers transmitting images to waiting news desks before the action has even finished.

For a long time I bought into that philosophy as well, because speed was everything – or at least, that was what sports photographers were constantly told.

The more frames your camera could capture, the greater your chances of recording the decisive moment. Miss the shot and somebody sitting three feet away from you would almost certainly have it – which meant fast frame rates, deep buffers and responsive autofocus were considered the defining qualities of any serious professional sports camera.

At the time I was using the Nikon D3, a camera that deserved every bit of praise it received. Its 12MP sensor might sound rather modest by modern standards, but it delivered excellent images, dependable autofocus and the sort of speed that pro sports photographers required.

It was a proper working camera, built to survive difficult conditions, constant travelling and thousands upon thousands of shutter actuations.

Then Nikon announced the Nikon D800, and suddenly my understanding of what a professional sports camera could be changed completely.

I was fortunate enough to see an early preview through Nikon Professional Services and, the moment I learned what the camera could do, I knew it was going to become my game-changer both on and off the sports field.

This was a 36.3MP full-frame DSLR arriving at a time when most sports photographers were still concentrating almost entirely on frame rates, buffer depths and how quickly they could fire another burst.

The Nikon D800 was not designed as an obvious replacement for the D3, and its 4fps continuous shooting speed at full resolution looked positively pedestrian beside Nikon’s flagship sports cameras.

However, I could see something in the D800 that went far beyond the numbers on a specification sheet.

I ordered two bodies almost immediately and was fortunate enough to be among the first group of photographers to receive them, before taking both cameras to one of the most demanding assignments of my professional career.

One of their first major outings was the Badminton Horse Trials, one of the biggest equestrian events in the world, where I was photographing athletes competing at the highest level of the sport for the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale).

Taking a pair of Nikon D800 bodies into that environment might have seemed like a strange decision, because high-resolution cameras were still widely considered tools for studio, landscape and commercial photographers rather than fast-moving sporting events.

My work, however, was already beginning to sit between those different worlds. I was not only photographing riders for editorial coverage; many of my clients were brands that wanted images showing their products being used by leading equestrian and human athletes in the field.

These clients needed photographs for advertising campaigns, promotional displays, websites, brochures and sometimes enormous exhibition stands. That was where the Nikon D800 gave me an advantage, because its 36.3MP files captured a level of detail that was remarkable at the time.

Logos on clothing, saddlecloths, riding boots, protective equipment and horse rugs were clearer and more usable than they had been in my 12MP files. Clients could crop a photograph while still retaining sufficient resolution for professional advertising work, and I could offer them considerably more flexibility with every image I delivered.

That cropping freedom was particularly valuable in equestrian sport, where a horse and rider can change position incredibly quickly.

There are times when the perfect expression, stride or product placement occurs slightly outside your intended composition, and the D800 gave me room to straighten, reframe and crop without immediately degrading the quality of the final photograph.

It did not mean that composition suddenly stopped mattering. In fact, the additional demand for images made me think more carefully than ever about where I positioned myself, which backgrounds I used and how many different angles I could capture during a single competition.

At some events, I had a roster of around 20 clients requiring photographs – and they were not always interested in just one rider. On occasion, I needed to cover more than half of the competitors in the field, all while keeping track of which athlete was using which client’s product.

That meant planning my positions carefully and understanding exactly how the competition was likely to unfold.

I could not simply stand in one place, point a long lens towards the action and hope everything worked itself out; I had to know the course, understand the sport and anticipate where each photograph was most likely to happen.

The Nikon D800’s comparatively modest frame rate also forced me to trust my timing.

I could not rely on holding down the shutter button and returning home with dozens of almost identical frames from every moment, so I had to understand the rhythm of a horse approaching a fence, anticipate the point of take-off and press the shutter when the image was actually there.

Its autofocus was more than capable of keeping pace and, when everything came together, the resulting files were extraordinary. The photographs had the resolution that my commercial clients wanted while retaining the responsiveness, durability and familiar handling I needed from a professional DSLR.

As brands and advertising agencies began asking for increasingly detailed files, my decision to adopt the Nikon D800 put me ahead of the curve.

I could provide editorial photographs when required, but I could also deliver files capable of being cropped, enlarged and adapted across multiple advertising formats without compromising the fine detail that clients expected.

That combination helped me build long-term relationships and eventually maintain a substantial roster of brands at major events. The camera did not do the job for me, because no camera ever will, but it gave me a tool that perfectly matched the direction in which my professional work was moving.

Those two Nikon D800 bodies went on to capture hundreds of thousands of photographs during my ownership. They endured demanding equestrian events, unpredictable weather, long days beside competition arenas and the constant pressure of delivering images to multiple clients, earning their place in my camera bags many times over.

They remained an important part of my working setup until I retired from professional sports photography – and they proved that outright frame rate was not the only specification that mattered at the highest level.

A camera capable of producing detailed, flexible and commercially valuable files could be every bit as useful as one designed simply to fire as many frames as possible.

The funny thing is that high-resolution cameras at major sporting events no longer look unusual. Modern photographers routinely use cameras with 40, 50 or even 60MP sensors, often combined with burst rates that would have seemed unbelievable when the D800 first appeared.

Resolution and speed are no longer treated as opposing choices, but the Nikon D800 helped demonstrate that high-megapixel cameras belonged in professional sport.

It showed that the value of a sports image was not determined solely by how quickly the camera could capture it, but also by how much detail, flexibility and commercial potential that photograph could offer afterwards.

Today, the Nikon D800 has naturally found its way onto the second-hand market, with used examples often available for very reasonable prices through retailers such as MPB and marketplaces like eBay.

It may no longer represent cutting-edge technology, but its 36.3MP files remain extremely capable, particularly for photographers who do not require the fastest burst rates or the latest mirrorless autofocus systems.

For me, though, the Nikon D800 will always represent something far more important than its current used price or its place in camera history.

It was the camera that encouraged me to look beyond the accepted rules of sports photography, recognize what my clients actually needed and build my professional approach around resolution as well as speed.

The Nikon D3 might have been the conventional sports camera, but the D800 became the camera that changed my professional career. It gave me an advantage when other photographers were still concentrating entirely on speed, and it proved that sometimes the best tool for the job is not necessarily the most obvious one.

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Looking for that classic DSLR mirror flip?

The Nikon D850 + AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is now just £2,499 at Park Cameras – you save £600 off its original £3,099 price.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is now just £2,389 at Jessops – you save £400 off its original £2,789 price.

Nikon D850

Best for megapixels

The Nikon D850 was a flagship DSLR for a reason. In 2025, it still impresses with its incredible 45.7MP resolution, weather-sealed durability, and class-leading image quality.

While its live view autofocus is outpaced by newer mirrorless rivals, for traditional stills shooting, it remains one of the finest tools around. Its uncropped 4K video and robust build make it a reliable all-rounder for pros.

Now available at a significantly lower price than at launch (approximately £3,499), the D850 offers elite-level performance without a premium price tag.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Best all-rounder

With a 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, 61-point AF system, and Dual Pixel CMOS AF for precise live view and video focusing, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV remains a versatile tool for professionals.

Its 7fps burst rate, ISO 100-32,000 range (expandable to 102,400), and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body make it well-suited for demanding shoots.

While the 1.64x 4K crop and UHS-I SD slot feel a bit outdated, the 5D Mark IV delivers excellent dynamic range, color depth, and reliability – especially for stills-focused workflows.

Once a DSLR costing around £3,629, the EOS 5D Mark IV is now a far more affordable way to access full-frame photography.

Browse the best DSLRs, the best full-frame DSLRs, and the best DSLRs for video. You might also be interested in the best Nikon lenses for DSLRs and the best Canon lenses for DSLRs.

In 2014, everyone wanted a Canon EOS 7D Mark II. In many people's minds, it was the very best camera for wildlife photography.

While many people are in a tizzy over camera rumors about its great-grandson, the EOS R7 Mark II, I think it's worth bearing in mind that the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is still a ridiculously capable camera – even in 2026.

Admittedly, the 7D Mark II won't be a patch on the R7 Mark II – or even the original EOS R7. But the last time I took this camera out for a spin, I was amazed at how potent it remains.

Yes, I missed the mirrorless bells and whistles, but I can still happily take the Canon EOS 7D Mark II out on a sports or wildlife shoot and get great results. And if you're looking for the best bang for buck, your dollar will go much further – right now you can get one for for $309 at MPB in the US or just £254 in the UK!

Sure, its 20.2MP resolution isn't going to blow anyone away in 2026. But the secret sauce here is the APS-C sensor with its 1.6x crop factor – a secret weapon for sports and wildlife!

Mount a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 and it becomes a 112-320mm equivalent – and you can let rip with its 10fps continuous shooting to capture some incredible images. Canon's sensors age very well, and the shots that come out of this old workhorse still look as good as they ever did.

I love that the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is weather sealed and has twin SD card slots, but my absolute favorite thing is that this is a camera with GPS – giving you geodata for all your images. You don't get that in 2026 unless you buy a flagship, which adds an extra zero to the price tag!

And the truth is, while it's outperformed by the likes of the EOS R7 (and the Canon EOS 90D, its de facto replacement DSLR), the fact that modern cameras can do more doesn't make the Canon 7D Mark II any less. Well, except when it comes to the asking price.

If you're on a budget, or a beginner, or you've never tried sports and wildlife photography and you want to give it a go without breaking the bank, picking up a Canon EOS 7D Mark II is a great value way to get into action shooting.

You might be interested in the best Canon cameras on the market today, or you could double down and check out the best cameras for sports photography and the best cameras for wildlife photography.

The DSLR market has lost another of its remaining beginner-friendly options. The Pentax KF is now listed as "Discontinued" by major US camera retailer B&H, following earlier reports that Japanese retailers had also marked the camera as discontinued.

The latest development does not come with an official announcement from Ricoh Imaging, but the retailer listing states that the Pentax KF reached the end of its availability.

Launched in November 2022, the Pentax KF was one of the few modern entry-level DSLRs still available to buy new. While most camera manufacturers have moved almost entirely to mirrorless systems, Ricoh remains the last major company continuing to support the DSLR format, making the KF one of the most accessible ways for beginners and enthusiasts to enter the Pentax system.

Pentax availability continues to decline

The latest B&H listing follows earlier warning signs from Japan, where retailers including Map Camera classified the Pentax KF as a discontinued product.

At the time, availability across other markets had already become inconsistent, with some stores showing limited stock, backorders or removed listings.

Retailer changes often provide early clues about a camera's lifecycle before a manufacturer makes an official announcement. That follows several other signs for Pentax users in recent months.

In January 2026, production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III ended, while retailers also listed the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued in February. More recently, signs emerged that the Pentax K-1 Mark II could be nearing the end of its lifecycle after one of its kit bundles disappeared from retailers.

Why photographers like the Pentax KF

For beginners and enthusiasts, the Pentax KF offered something increasingly rare in the modern camera market: a rugged, affordable DSLR designed for real-world photography.

The camera features a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 4.5-stop in-body stabilization, a vari-angle LCD screen, built-in flash, and weather sealing.

It is also designed to operate in cold conditions down to 14°F (-10°C), making it particularly appealing for outdoor photographers.

In DCW's guide to the best Pentax cameras, we ranked the KF as the best Pentax DSLR for beginners thanks to its balance of price, durability and enthusiast-friendly features.

Although it does not compete directly with the latest mirrorless cameras for autofocus speed or video technology, the KF offers a shooting experience many photographers still value: an optical viewfinder, excellent handling, dependable construction and the tactile controls that DSLRs are known for.

Pentax KF availability

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Since the point at which most manufacturers conspired to get us to re-buy all our interchangeable lens camera equipment in more compact mirrorless form, DSLRs have been portrayed as bulky, lumpen and very much yesterday’s news.

That perception persists, underscored by the fact that former DSLR stalwarts Canon and Nikon have stopped releasing anything new with a mirror box. Along with everyone else, except possibly Pentax.

While I’ve shared prior opinions on why I feel that’s short-sighted and a shame, any connection of mine to DSLRs isn’t nostalgic, emotion-based or a kneejerk reaction to manufactured hype.

There are tangible, practical reasons for choosing a DSLR in 2026. Yes, still. And, if choosing a DSLR, for choosing a Canon DSLR above all others.

Why? Well, for starters, the golden rule of buying an interchangeable lens camera still holds – namely, I shouldn’t just consider the specific body I have my eye on, but the whole system that surrounds it, including all lenses and accessories.

Even before DSLRs were no longer cool, Canon still enjoyed the most far-reaching and comprehensive support out of any camera brand.

And still, if buying a Canon DSLR today, users not only have access to lenses produced since the first digital EOS, but also film-era lenses stretching back decades (if, in some cases requiring an adaptor).

Buying a Canon DSLR therefore becomes the most cost-effective, value-added solution, as I explore the wealth of compatible Canon EF and EF-S lenses for DSLRs – numbering over 200 since 1987 – available on both the new and second-hand market.

Last year Canon claimed it had manufactured 170 million EF and EF-S lenses in total. So, tracking down a perfect match for both intended subject and DSLR in use won’t be an issue.

Couple this with over 110 million Canon EOS cameras produced – with the caveat that this figure does include some mirrorless – and it shouldn’t be a stretch to find either a mint unboxed DSLR or a good quality used option.

At the time of writing, I can still buy a flagship EOS-1D X Mark III or EOS 5D Mark IV camera body direct from Canon’s online store. Or, at the other end of the price scale, snap up an EOS 2000D DSLR plus standard zoom for less than is currently being asked for most compact travel zooms.

So yes, as well as a DSLR’s imaging performance, functionality, battery life, optical viewfinder and durable build, sheer stock numbers work in Canon’s favor. As they do for anyone considering one of its DSLRs in 2026.

DSLRs might not be the cool kids anymore, but sometimes sensible is the smarter option.

Check out our full guide to the best DSLRs you can still buy today. If you want to follow in Gav's footsteps with one of the best Canon cameras, check out the best Canon lenses for DSLRs to go with them.

Japanese online outlet Asobinet has reported that the Nikon AF‑P DX 10‑20mm f/4.5‑5.6G VR has been discontinued in Japan. This may surprise US and UK readers given that the lens has already been discontinued. But Nikon tends to axe aging products quietly and even once the decision has been made, it can take a while for stocks to diminish noticeably.

I’ve checked B&H Photo and Adorama in the US, as well as Wex Photo Video, London Camera exchange, and Jessops in the UK, and cannot find any new stock. The lens can be found at Amazon.com, but prospective buyers must do their due diligence, looking out for possible grey imports on Amazon Marketplace.

However, the Nikon AF‑P DX 10‑20mm f/4.5‑5.6G VR has been easier to find in Japan, but it would appear that supplies are running low. According to Asobinet, the lens can be found at Camera Kitamura, Map Camera, Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, and Nikon Direct, but in some of these outlets, stock is limited.

You could of course go the used route, via retailers such as MPB or KEH Cameras. At MPB right now, prices start at $164 / £142. If you’re an APS-C (DX) Nikon user and budget isn’t an issue, you could also opt for the Nikon AF‑S DX 10‑24mm f/3.5‑4.5G ED. It’s currently available to buy via Nikon USA and while it’s not in stock on the Nikon UK website, it does appear to be available at some UK retailers.

Why would you want an old DSLR lens?

There is a strong contingent of Digital Camera World readers who still actively use DSLR cameras. I recently claimed that “DSLR cameras are picture-making machines; mirrorless cameras are picture-making computers.” Not only did I receive lots of responses, but an embedded poll revealed that lots of readers are still regularly using DSLR kit.

It’s likely that the number one reason why people are still using DSLR cameras is that they simply don’t feel the need to justify the expenditure of moving to mirrorless. If that’s the case for you, I would personally recommend buying DSLR lenses from a reputable used reseller as opposed to brand new, simply because of the price disparity. A lot of new Nikon lenses hold their price, but the used DSLR market has fallen dramatically in the past few years. It’s also quite easy to find modern DSLR lenses that haven’t been discontinued for long, like the Nikon AF‑P DX 10‑20mm f/4.5‑5.6G VR, in extremely good condition.

The Nikon AF‑P DX 10‑20mm f/4.5‑5.6G VR got four stars in the Digital Camera World review, where it was praised for its compact design, light weight and affordability, as well as its optical image stabilization and generous maximum viewing angle. That last point is an important one. Due to the 1.5x crop factor of an APS-C Nikon sensor, it’s a lot harder to achieve ultra-wide fields of view than on a full-frame camera. But this 10mm lens produces an equivalent focal length of 15mm, which is still very wide.

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Tamron has axed a long-standing tradition with a new lightweight 12-20mm f/2.8 for E-Mount and Z-Mount – and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Retro Nikon Zf mirrorless camera tops used sales charts for the first time in over a year, beating out trendy Fujifilm. I’m a landscape photographer and the last-gen, full-frame Nikon Z7 II is still a tour de force camera. Why pay more?

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is currently available at B&H for $1,799, reduced from $2,498.01 and offering a substantial saving of $699.01.

That is a serious discount on one of Canon’s most respected full-frame DSLRs. While mirrorless cameras may dominate the conversation today, the 5D Mark IV still has plenty to offer photographers looking for a tough, reliable, and professional camera.

Some cameras simply refuse to go quietly, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is very much one of them. It was once the go-to body for wedding photographers, press shooters, portrait photographers, landscape specialists, and working professionals around the world, and even now it carries that same reassuring sense of dependability.

What makes the 5D Mark IV so appealing is that it was built as a proper workhorse. It features a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 7fps continuous shooting, 4K video, Wi-Fi, GPS and Canon’s familiar DSLR handling. Even by modern standards, this is a camera that still feels highly capable rather than outdated.

Of course, newer mirrorless cameras offer faster subject-tracking autofocus, lighter bodies, and more advanced video features. But that is not really the point of the 5D Mark IV. This is a camera for photographers who still enjoy using an optical viewfinder, value excellent battery life, and want a rugged body capable of handling demanding shoots.

It also provides access to Canon’s enormous EF lens system, which remains one of the strongest reasons to consider the camera. There is a vast selection of new and used lenses available, covering everything from affordable everyday zooms to professional telephotos and fast primes.

There is also something rather charming about seeing the 5D Mark IV remain available from a major retailer such as B&H. It belongs to the final golden generation of professional DSLRs, before the industry shifted almost entirely towards mirrorless cameras.

This is therefore more than simply an opportunity to buy an older camera at a lower price. It is a chance to invest in one of Canon’s most important full-frame systems and a camera that has already proved itself in the hands of countless professionals.

At $1,799, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV feels like a very clever buy for anyone who wants full-frame image quality without immediately committing to the cost of a modern mirrorless system. For photographers who already own EF lenses, or anyone looking for a dependable DSLR that continues to produce beautiful files, this is well worth considering.

Check out our pick of the best lenses for the Canon EOS 5D IV

We all know that DSLR sales have declined, but they have far from flatlined. In fact, Canon still sells up to 620,000 of them each year – which is an astonishing number, when you consider the current market in terms of both trends and overall sales figures.

Moreover, Canon – one of the last three brands still making these cameras – has no plans to abandon them, telling me that it will support DSLR customers as long as they are out there.

I was fortunate to talk to Canon's senior management earlier this year at CP+ 2026, where we discussed some of the more traditional segments of the camera industry – including the fact that Canon is the only company still supporting beginner photographers with a true entry-level body.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to ask the Canon brass about the tenacious nature of the DSLR market – which still makes up a significant amount of the company's business.

As Go Tokura, executive vice president and head of Imaging Group at Canon, explained to me, "90% of the market is dominated by mirrorless cameras; DSLR cameras only account for 10% of the market, and currently it is about 700,000 unit shipments."

That figure is the total number of DSLRs shipped in 2025, which according to market overseer CIPA was 690,911 – of which Canon sold between 600,000 and 620,000 units.

Which means, despite it 'only' accounting for 10% of the market, 700,000 sales is still a considerable figure – meaning that there is a considerable user base still buying and using this kind of camera.

"In other words, we have that many customers still there!" smiled Tokura. "So as long as there are still customers for DSLRs, we would like to continue to offer our products."

Currently, the company still sells three DSLR models: the flagship Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, the workhorse Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the entry-level Canon EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D. And there are still 27 current Canon DSLR lenses listed on the Canon USA store.

The company said in 2020 that it had officially shifted its focus to RF-mount development, while also noting that "should the market demand it, we are ready to create new EF lenses."

While that seems implausibly unlikely in 2026, it's reassuring to know – and speaks very highly of the company – that Canon is still supporting both its existing DSLR customers, as well as newcomers who are still buying into the EF-mount system.

But how long will DSLRs keep selling? Before I could get the words out of my mouth, Tokura added: "Now, your question is until when? We cannot even imagine that!"

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The Nikon D810 is trending on Google, which is slightly surprising in that it’s usually the Nikon D800 or Nikon D850 that gets all the attention. And I’m partially guilty in that I’ve written loads about those DSLR camera classics, but comparatively little about the Nikon D810. The problem is that it was a rather unremarkable entry into the D8XX series because it was essentially the Nikon D800 2.0.

It fixed a major problem and added a few small but decent upgrades, but the D800 (however flawed) remains the ground-breaking camera. The Nikon D850, then, was the proper follow-up and is considered by many, myself included, the greatest DSLR of all time. So, the poor old D810 is often forgotten about, but the thing is, it was actually an incredible camera. Let's explore why...

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Let’s start with what the Nikon D810 fixed. The D800 / D800E was marred by a pretty catastrophic problem that reminds me a little of the high-profile ‘Red Ring of Death’ that plagued Microsoft’s Xbox 360 games console. Some early units featured an autofocus bug that affected left-sided AF points, reducing their accuracy. Nikon was able to fix the offending cameras, as well as the production line, but the problem stuck with the D800 and is still talked about regarding used models today.

And while the D810 wasn’t a huge advancement from the D800, Nikon did imbue it with a few spec upgrades. You might assume that both cameras’ 36.3-MP sensors are identical, but the D810 actually featured a new sensor with no anti-aliasing filter. It also had an upgraded EXPEED 4 image processor and a lower base ISO of ISO64 instead of the D800’s ISO100. This included a wider native ISO range of 64-12,800 as opposed to the D800’s 100-6,400 and a broader expanded ISO range of ISO32-51,200, up from ISO50-25,600.

The Nikon D810 also received a boost in burst speeds, delivering up to 5fps (up from 4fps) and maxing out at 7fps (up from 6fps) with the MB-D12 battery grip. It also introduced Group-Area AF to the series and provided marginally better video, thanks to its ability to shoot full HD up to 60p instead of 30p. There were other marginal upgrades, including an increased rear LCD resolution, but those are the main differences.

I myself still use my Nikon D800 on occasions, and I’ve never had any problems with it. However, I am guilty of often overlooking the Nikon D810, and while it doesn't occupy the same ground-breaking place in Nikon’s history as the Nikon D800, it is the better camera. You can pick used Nikon D810s up from as little as $449 / £384 from MPB at the time of writing and while it’s over a decade old, there’s still a little life in this old DSLR yet.

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This 18-year-old DSLR is trending: Can the Nikon D700 really be a feasible buy for budget photographers in 2026? DSLR cameras are picture-making machines; mirrorless cameras are picture-making computers. Sometimes I just want to go back. Nikon F100: If you’re serious about film photography but light on budget, this is as close as you’ll get to an F6 without the mammoth price tag.

**UPDATE** In the poll so far (bottom of page) a whopping 65% of you have said that you own a DSLR camera and use it regularly, while just 7% have said you’ve never owned one. Evidently, there’s a healthy dose of nostalgia at play here, but look no further than the best retro cameras to know that nostalgia is a huge deal in photography. It’s easy to forget that film photographers were very skeptical of the DSLR when it was first introduced. It wasn’t until the Nikon D1 launched in 1999 that the tide started to turn and professional photographers began to adopt the new system.

... ... ...

I miss my DSLR camera. But before you assume it’s purely sentimental, I actually started to learn photography using SLR film cameras. I still own a film camera, but I don’t miss film like I miss DSLRs. In fact, I miss my DSLR camera so much, I’ve actually considered selling my mirrorless kit and going back to the Nikon D850, a ‘holy trinity’ of F-mount glass, a couple of choice primes and a supertelephoto, and never worrying about upgrading my setup ever again. Of course, I’m not going to do that (I don’t think…), but that’s how much I MISS MY DSLR!

I miss my DSLR like a ghost misses being opaque. And it gets worse. I swear I took my best photos ever on my DSLR cameras. I understand how ridiculous that sounds, given the insane specs of almost any enthusiast-level mirrorless camera nowadays. I’ve thought about this a lot and the conclusion I’ve come to is that I was less precious as a DSLR user. Let me explain.

My DSLR camera made me a better photographer?

When you shoot with an optical viewfinder, you’re less bothered about getting the perfect exposure. You understand the limitations of your camera’s light meter, and you deal with it. It’s kind of freeing. When I use mirrorless cameras, I’m almost constantly fiddling with the settings, hyper aware of the preview on the EVF.

I find myself retaking the same photos over and over again, ad nauseam, striving for perfect exposure and absolute sharpness. With a DSLR camera, I’d take a few shots, glance at the rear screen and move on. There’s also this expectation with modern cameras that they’re so good, anything other than sheer perfection isn’t good enough. As such, I think my DSLR shots were more characterful and featured more variation.

I miss the more tactile experience of using a DSLR camera, too. Mirrorless cameras are silent, free from vibrations, and to this day that bothers the heck out of me. I miss the reassuring vibration that AF was engaged and that visceral clunk of the reflex mirror and shutter dancing in tandem. I could operate my DSLR with my eyes closed. Mirrorless? No such luck.

Perhaps the best way I can describe it is that mirrorless cameras feel like picture-making computers, whereas DSLR cameras feel like picture-making machines. I’m a bit of a romantic at heart; I’ll be gushing about my Nikon Z8 again next week, but I can’t be the only one to feel this way. I’m sure a lot of photographers won’t get it, and that’s totally fine. But man, you cannot put a price tag on the bond I built with my Nikon D800 and Nikon D850.

Do you agree? Do you long for the DSLR camera's heyday? Do you still shoot on a DSLR camera? Let me know in the comments below, and fill in the poll below!

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The Nikon D700 is trending, and while it might not be the first budget camera I’d stick on my recommendations list, you cannot argue with the image quality or price. At the time of writing, a working Nikon D700 can be picked up from used camera retailer MPB for as little as $249 / £149. Evidently, photographers are buying up DSLRs, and when you consider what you get for your money, it’s not hard to understand why.

Nikon announced the Nikon D700 in July 2008. Its biggest selling point was its heavy infusion of Nikon’s flagship D3 tech, and that’s still appealing today. You see, the D700 might be an aging piece of kit, but it still feels like a high-end product. After all, it’s a pro-grade, weather-sealed Nikon, made in Japan. It’s got that reassuring, high-end Nikon DSLR feel in that it’s like holding a miniature tank.

Nikon D700: Aging specs, premium build

The Nikon D700 is built around a 12.1-MP full-frame sensor, which in and of itself is reason enough as to why photographers on a budget may be interested in an aging DSLR like this. Full-frame cameras aren’t cheap and while 12.1MP isn’t up to today’s standards, the D700 is still capable of capturing gorgeous imagery. You just have to be much more regimented about getting it right in-camera.

And that’s another reason why a DSLR can prove to be a great buy. It’s a harder tool to learn than a modern mirrorless camera; it will force you to become a better photographer. Despite the D700 having impressive specs for its time, you’ll need to consider your ISO carefully to avoid noticeable noise; you won’t be able to fire off super-quick bursts because it’s capped at 5fps (without the MB-D10 battery pack), and you’ll have to wrestle with a robust but technically dated AF system. And all that’s before you consider the lack of an EVF.

But the good news is, if you learn on a cheap but capable DSLR like the D700, you’ll find the transition to mirrorless much easier. This old camera has another cool feature (or lack thereof) up its sleeve: it doesn’t do video. Now, that might seem like a shortcoming in 2026, but if the D700 did have video capabilities, they’d be undesirable anyway.

What you’re left with is a rarity in the modern world of photography: a stills camera that’s a stills camera only. If you’re determined to become a true student of stills photography, the D700 is an all-out photography machine. No video-centric distractions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s easy to ignore a camera’s video features, but there’s something pure and characterful about the D700’s limited featureset that’s a rarity in modern photography.

Nikon D700 as a cheap lens platform

And finally, perhaps the best reason to pick up a D700 or any DSLR for that matter is that you can take advantage of cut-price DSLR glass. My number one tip for new photographers or photographers getting into an interchangeable-lens system for the first time is to avoid spending all of your budget on a fancy camera and have nothing left over for lenses.

If your budget is really tight, a cheap DSLR can be used as a lens platform to start with, and then in the future you can always upgrade the camera. In the case of Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, you can pick up official adapters so you can even end up with a new mirrorless camera and still make use of your lens collection.

So there you have it; the D700 still isn’t the first camera I’d recommend for photographers on a budget, but this exceedingly cheap DSLR could still prove a great entry point into the world of serious photography for the right photographer.

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If you’re a fan of the ‘Big N’ then you’ll want to pick up one of the best Nikon cameras. The Nikon Df is the DSLR I'd buy today – and reminds me that photography isn't always about cutting-edge perfection. Has the compact camera trend already stalled? Camera numbers are down across every major category in the latest data from Japan.

I think older DSLR models are excellent choices for beginner photographers on a budget, and Nikon certainly has some of the best, especially as it practically dominated the entry-level end of the market for years.

In fact, the Nikon D600, with its 24MP sensor, continuous shooting of up to 5.5 frames per second and Full HD (1080p) recording is seemingly a solid choice, even more so now that you can find the 2012 camera for as low as around $300 /£275 (approximately AU$430) on sites like MPB.

However, if you’re eyeing up a Nikon D600, you should know that this camera has a history of oil spots building up on the sensor, causing unwanted marks in images.

Essentially, during operation, the shutter blades and their internal components would release micro-droplets of lubricant (oil) onto the sensor. This is a well-documented issue in the D600 and one that's tricky to sort as the oil tends to smear when wiped with a sensor cleaning kit.

I’m not saying that the D600 you may buy will definitely be affected by this, especially as Nikon addressed the issue in many cameras with service advisories offering free shutter system replacements.

This came following a class action lawsuit filed collectively by users in 2014 who had faced ongoing issues, despite, in some cases, having already sent their cameras in to Nikon for cleaning multiple times.

Some users also reported the leaking oil problem to seemingly fix itself after using the camera for some time. Nikon says the D600 was tested for up to 150,000 shutter cycles or actuations, so my educated guess is that picking up a camera with a low five-figure count may reduce the chances of an issue.

But, basically, what I’m saying is, be aware of this particular issue and investigate if the camera you’re keen on has been affected by it before deciding whether or not to buy. It could be that your contender has had absolutely no issues whatsoever, or it could be that the camera has a history of leaking oil onto the sensor.

Do your due diligence, and you’ll increase the chances of picking up a good Nikon D600 at a decent price, or you’ll know to opt for another camera altogether. In fact, my first camera was a Nikon D3500. This is a model I highly rate and one that’s never faced serious manufacturing defects like the D600.

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Discover our expert pick of the best cheap cameras featuring solid specs that won't break the bank.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is now $1,799, down from $2,498.01, saving you a cool $699.01 in this Prime Day sale deal. T

hat is a serious saving on one of Canon’s most respected full-frame DSLRs, and while mirrorless cameras may dominate the conversation today, the 5D Mark IV still has plenty to offer photographers who want a tough, reliable, professional camera.

There are some cameras that simply refuse to go quietly, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is very much one of them. It was once the go-to body for wedding photographers, press shooters, portrait photographers, landscape lovers, and working professionals across the world, and even now it still carries that same sense of dependability.

What makes the 5D Mark IV so appealing is that it was built as a proper workhorse. With a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 7fps continuous shooting, 4K video, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Canon’s familiar DSLR handling, this is a camera that still feels capable rather than outdated.

Of course, newer mirrorless cameras will give you faster subject-tracking autofocus, lighter bodies, and more advanced video features. But that is not really the point of the 5D Mark IV. This is a camera for photographers who still enjoy an optical viewfinder, proper battery life, a rugged body, and access to Canon’s huge EF lens system.

I also think there is something quite charming about seeing a camera like this still appear in a major sale. The 5D Mark IV belongs to that final golden generation of professional DSLRs, before the entire industry turned its attention to mirrorless. It is not just another camera deal; it is a chance to buy into one of Canon’s most important full-frame systems.

At $1,799, this Prime Day camera deal makes the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV feel like a very clever buy for anyone who wants full-frame image quality without jumping straight into the cost of a modern mirrorless setup. If you already own EF glass, or simply want a dependable DSLR that still delivers beautiful files, this is exactly the kind of deal worth paying attention to.

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read in a press release for a new camera that a new or updated feature is the result of user requests. They most likely are – given how vocal users can be on social media if they’re disappointed about something – and it gives the impression that consumer demand has a lot of influence in product design.

It makes us feel like we’re all part of the family. In reality, though, I’m not so sure – and what fuels this doubt is the demise of the DSLR camera. I recently noted that we’re now down to a handful of models that you can buy new, so I decided to do a bit more investigation.

Out and about – especially at any public event – I started to check out what anybody who was taking photographs was using. Lots of camera phones, of course, and a few compact cameras plus more film cameras than I was expecting – including, on one occasion, a Pentax 6x7. I commended the user on his courage and tenacity.

However, overall, there were quite a lot more DSLRs in evidence than mirrorless cameras. We’re talking mostly amateur photographers here, shooting for fun.

Then, low and behold, we find out that the crew of the recent Artemis II Moon flyby mission took a pair of 10-year-old Nikon D5 DSLRs along with a Z9 and a bunch of GoPros (incidentally, even older Hero4 Black models).

So, D5s being used as the main cameras – not even the later Nikon D6 – which means that so-called ‘old’ camera tech was being relied on to record some of the most important pictures taken in recent times.

Specifically, NASA decided to go with the D5 because it had already been extensively tested for reliability issues such as exposure to radiation and vibration as well as operation in zero gravity.

NASA also noted that familiar physical controls and the D5’s exceptional low-noise performance were also factors, the latter obviously being important for space-related applications.

Notably, though, the many thousands of spectacular images shot during the mission – including a reprise of the famous Earthrise shot from 1968, but redone as Earthset – proved that the decade-old D5 is still up to the biggest of assignments.

It needs to be pointed out that the Z9 was being evaluated with a view to being used on future Artemis missions, but the point here is that the D5 is actually still a better camera – most notably its high ISO image quality (with the D6 even better again here) – and this convinced NASA to live with the extra weight when every gram counts.

In reality, this is true of a number of the last-of-the-line full-frame DSLRs including Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III and the EOS 5D Mark IV.

However, the starker reality is that if you want a new DSLR – at least one badged either Canon or Nikon – you’re nearly all out of choices, especially in terms of higher-end models. And, while Ricoh says it’s committed to Pentax DSLRs, a brand new model has been a long time coming.

So, my question is, have DSLR sales declined because users have been totally wowed by the mirrorless camera – or have they declined because you haven’t been able to buy what you want (and, remember, DSLR lenses have also been rapidly disappearing)?

I don’t know the answer to this question, but I suspect that the “DSLR is dead” messaging that really gathered strength after the intro of the Canon R and Nikon Z systems would definitely put you off considering another reflex camera.

I also think it’s telling that there’s a growing market for second-hand and refurbished DSLRs. I counted 24 models – from entry-level to pro – for sale online recently from one of Australia’s leading camera retailers, and there were plenty of others to be had from elsewhere.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to conclude that this suggests there’s still some demand – and that’s likely to increase, now that the rocket scientists at NASA have given the veteran Nikon D5 a red-hot endorsement.

Of course, it’s unlikely that there will be any going back – because the priority for both Nikon and Canon is to remain as leading interchangeable lens camera brands, which now means putting all their resources into their mirrorless systems.

The big positive, though, is that thanks to NASA and the Artemis II mission, we now know that a ten-year-old DSLR can still cut the mustard. And, more than likely, your camera is younger and of a later generation. For now, then, let’s consider the DSLR to be very much alive as an option on Earth as well as in space.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is now $1,799, down from $2,498.01, saving you a cool $699.01 in this early Prime Day sale deal. That is a serious saving on one of Canon’s most respected full-frame DSLRs, and while mirrorless cameras may dominate the conversation today, the 5D Mark IV still has plenty to offer photographers who want a tough, reliable, professional camera.

There are some cameras that simply refuse to go quietly, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is very much one of them. It was once the go-to body for wedding photographers, press shooters, portrait photographers, landscape lovers, and working professionals across the world, and even now it still carries that same sense of dependability.

What makes the 5D Mark IV so appealing is that it was built as a proper workhorse. With a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 7fps continuous shooting, 4K video, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Canon’s familiar DSLR handling, this is a camera that still feels capable rather than outdated.

Of course, newer mirrorless cameras will give you faster subject-tracking autofocus, lighter bodies, and more advanced video features. But that is not really the point of the 5D Mark IV. This is a camera for photographers who still enjoy an optical viewfinder, proper battery life, a rugged body, and access to Canon’s huge EF lens system.

I also think there is something quite charming about seeing a camera like this still appear in a major sale. The 5D Mark IV belongs to that final golden generation of professional DSLRs, before the entire industry turned its attention to mirrorless. It is not just another camera deal; it is a chance to buy into one of Canon’s most important full-frame systems.

At $1,799, this early Prime Day camera deal makes the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV feel like a very clever buy for anyone who wants full-frame image quality without jumping straight into the cost of a modern mirrorless setup. If you already own EF glass, or simply want a dependable DSLR that still delivers beautiful files, this is exactly the kind of deal worth paying attention to.

Right now you can save hundreds on what is arguably Canon's best DSLR – and the best Amazon Prime Day camera deals aren't even here yet.

The powerhouse Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is currently available for just $1,999 with a free battery, memory card and copy of Capture One Pro in the US, while it's priced even better at just £1,399 in the UK!

🇺🇸 US deal

🇬🇧 UK deal

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (review) has cultivated a place as a workhorse camera used and trusted by pros all over the world.

Even today in this mirrorless world, it remains a full-frame powerhouse – and a camera that's more physically robust than pretty much any mirrorless body you put it against.

At its heart is a 30.4MP CMOS sensor packed with Canon's beloved color science, delivering natural hues and accurate skin tones straight out of camera.

It's bolstered by dual memory card slots, one CompactFlash and one SD, to give you peace of mind that you won't lose your shots even if you suffer a card failure.

While it's not a sports camera, its 7fps continuous shooting speed is enough to capture most action – and combined with the sensor and memory cards, has made the 5D Mark IV a staple of working pros' and wedding photographers' kit bags for years.

On top of that, you've got excellent robustness and weather sealing. With this camera, you don't need to stop shooting when the temperature drops, the rain starts or the dust kicks up – it just keeps on shooting.

Video was never the 5D Mark IV's strongest suit, as 4K suffers a 1.64x crop – not the end of the world, but certainly a consideration (especially if you shoot wide). But if you can work with that, it still delivers crisp 4K video – and of course, the FullHD is uncropped.

All in all, there's a reason this camera has been a favorite of pros around the world for years – and a reason why you'll still find it in studios and on the sidelines to this day!

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Take a look at the best lenses for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the best Canon lenses for DSLRs to see what glass you need to pick up.

The Sony Alpha name has officially been around for more than two decades. On June 5, 2006, Sony announced its first DSLR, the Sony Alpha A100. Twenty years later, Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras still carry the Alpha name, but the imaging giant’s latest models are a far cry from Sony’s first.

The Sony Alpha A100’s 10.2MP APS-C DSLR, which shot at just 2.49fps, shows just how far imaging technology has come in the last twenty years – after all, Sony’s most recent announcement, the A7R VI shoots 66.8MP images at 30 fps.

But, the A100 did have a feature that Sony’s modern E-Mount cameras do not. The Sony Alpha A100 had a feature called “eye-start autofocus” – while the name sounds a little like Sony’s modern eye detection autofocus, the older tech had an entirely different purpose.

Eye-start autofocus used a sensor placed near the DSLR's optical viewfinder. Whenever this sensor detected something within about an inch of the camera, the DSLR would start autofocusing. That meant the camera would start focusing as soon as photographers pulled it up to their face, starting to focus before photographers even pressed any buttons on the camera.

The feature could help boost the camera’s autofocusing speed by starting the focus before the photographer pressed the shutter release halfway. But the eye-start autofocus never made it out of the A-mount DLSRs and into the E-Mount. A likely culprit? The eye sensor drained a lot of power, reducing the battery life. Other objects coming within an inch of the back of the camera, like a camera strap or having the camera bounce around a neck, would also trigger the camera to begin focusing.

The feature also illustrates how Sony Alpha cameras got their start, despite being a little late to the DSLR game: from Konica Minolta. Some Minolta film SLRs had eye-start autofocus in the 1990s.

The Sony Alpha A100 arrived in part from Sony’s purchase of the Konica Minolta camera division, and along with the eye-start AF, the Minolta heritage also brought in-body stabilization. While the stabilization is common in the mirrorless era, the feature wasn’t as easy to find at the time.

The A100’s stabilization was rated to somewhere between 2 and 3.5 stops – another key example of how far Sony has come, as cameras like the A7R VI have stabilization systems rated up to eight stops.

Other features that speak to the DSLR’s early 2000s age? The native ISO topped out at ISO 1600, and low-light autofocus was only rated to +1 EV.

While Sony celebrated 80 years in May, the Sony Alpha series has just passed its 20th anniversary. Happy 20th birthday, Sony Alpha series!

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Take a look at the best Sony cameras, or the best Sony E-Mount lenses.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is back in the spotlight with a very tempting deal at B&H, where Canon’s much-loved full-frame DSLR is now just $1,999, down from $2,499, saving you a very welcome $500.

There is something rather brilliant about seeing the 5D Mark IV still going strong. In a world now dominated by mirrorless cameras, this DSLR remains one of Canon’s most respected workhorses, loved by professionals, enthusiasts, wedding photographers, landscape shooters and anyone who wants a camera that simply gets on with the job.

At the heart of the 5D Mark IV is a 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, paired with Canon’s DIGIC 6+ processor, giving you detailed stills, strong low-light performance and the kind of color science Canon shooters have long trusted. It can also shoot at up to 7fps, which may not sound wild by today’s mirrorless standards, but is still perfectly usable for a huge range of photographic work.

The 5D Mark IV also brings DCI 4K video at 30fps, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Wi-Fi, GPS and the tough, weather-sealed build quality that made the 5D series such a staple in professional camera bags. This was never a camera built to follow trends; it was built to work, and that is exactly why so many photographers still love it.

Of course, if you want the very latest autofocus tracking, eye detection, silent shooting or cutting-edge video specs, Canon’s EOS R mirrorless bodies are now the direction of travel. But if you already own EF lenses, prefer an optical viewfinder, or simply want one of the finest DSLRs Canon has ever made, the 5D Mark IV still makes a huge amount of sense.

At $1,999, this $500 saving at B&H makes the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV feel like a deal worth paying attention to. It may no longer be the newest camera on the shelf, but for many photographers, this full-frame DSLR remains an absolute classic.

If you love shooting the DSLR way, the Nikon D850 is a full-frame camera that truly delivers – combining high resolution, impressive speed, and incredible value.

And right now, the Nikon D850 + free accessories is available for just $2,016.90 at Adorama. With this, you save a massive $600 off its regular $2,616.90 price.

On top, you get a free 64GB memory card and bag. (The Nikon D850 body alone is $2,616.90 on offer!)

You can even go further and save – again – up to $600 by choosing a different bundle including a flash, software, and more.

This full-frame DSLR powerhouse offers 45.7MP resolution and up to 9 fps – ideal if you are a pro or serious amateur. With its versatility and speed, the D850 is perfect for a wide range of photography styles...

Now, let's talk about why the Nikon D850 is such a big deal. Beyond this great price, it's a versatile powerhouse made for all kinds of photography and videography – nature, landscapes, weddings, fashion, sports – you name it.

The camera's performance is so broad that it can easily handle nearly any shoot you throw at it. The only thing holding it back from being a top-tier 4K filmmaking tool is its contrast-based autofocus in live view mode.

Designed with professionals in mind, the 45.7MP D850 also has a strong following among serious amateurs. With this deal, it's a chance to get a professional-grade Nikon DSLR without breaking the bank.

Speed-wise, it's impressive too. The D850 shoots at up to 6fps (frames per second) at full resolution, buffering up to 51 compressed 14-bit RAW files. To hit that top speed, you'll want the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack and EN-EL18B battery (the same used in Nikon D5). It's an investment of approx. $446.95, but worth it if you need that extra burst of speed.

Its closest rival from Canon, the EOS 5D Mark IV, is solid – but the D850 beats it in resolution, shooting speed, and full-frame 4K video. And with this deal, you're getting a pro-level camera for a fraction of the list price.

Ricoh remains the last major manufacturer still supporting traditional mirror-based DSLR cameras. But new signs suggest another popular Pentax DSLR could soon disappear from the market – just three and a half years after its launch in November 2022 – and this would be a loss for beginners and enthusiast photographers.

Major Japanese retailers, including Map Camera, have marked the Pentax KF as a "discontinued product", raising concerns that Ricoh may be quietly winding down another DSLR model from its shrinking lineup. The KF is one of the only and most accessible beginner-friendly models available new in 2026.

That follows several other signs for Pentax users in recent months. The Pentax K-3 Mark III production ended in January, while retailers listed the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued in February. In April, signs also emerged that the Pentax K-1 Mark II could be nearing the end of its lifecycle after one of its kit bundles disappeared from retailers.

Pentax KF: discontinuation hints

For many photographers, the Pentax KF represents something rare in the modern mirrorless world: an affordable, weather-sealed DSLR designed for people who start or simply enjoy photography.

In our guide to the best Pentax cameras, we ranked the KF as the best Pentax DSLR for beginners thanks to its balance of price, ruggedness and enthusiast-friendly features.

The camera combines hybrid AF (autofocus) in Live View with 4.5-stop IBIS (in-body image stabilization), a vari-angle screen and built in flash.

While it doesn't dramatically outperform rivals on paper, the KF delivers the classic Pentax experience many photographers value: durable construction, tactile controls, and dependable cold-proof performance down to 14°F (-10°C).

It's also one of the last affordable APS-C DSLRs that is available brand-new in stores or online – a category that has rapidly disappeared as the camera industry continues shifting toward mirrorless systems.

Although Ricoh has not officially announced the KF's discontinuation, retailer availability is becoming increasingly inconsistent across major markets.

Current availability & prices of the Pentax KF body

Several US and UK stores now list the camera as backordered, limited stock, special order or awaiting stock, while some retailers have removed listings entirely.

A combination like this often signals the final stage of a camera's retail lifecycle before an official discontinuation is confirmed by the manufacturer.

For photographers who still prefer the DSLR shooting experience – particulary optical viewfinders, longer battery life and traditional handling – the Pentax KF may soon become harder to buy new.

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Browse the best Pentax cameras and the best Pentax lenses. Also, take a look at the best DSLRs and the best full-frame DSLRs.

The internet is buzzing with large-format-related searches today. Full-frame DSLR is currently trending, as well as the Nikon Z5, which I’ve just written about. If you haven’t got the time to check that article out, I’ll give you the gist: the Nikon Z5 is an older camera – six years old in fact – but it's still a viable option in 2026 because it’s such a fantastic deal for a full-frame camera.

It’s currently available for $1,146.95 at B&H Photo and £789 at Wex Photo Video. But that’s still a lot of money to justify for some photographers, which I can only assume is why people are searching for full-frame DSLR cameras. It is important to note that full-frame shouldn’t be considered an entirely superior option to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds.

We all have different budgets and priorities when it comes to buying cameras and for some, the smaller form factor and advanced features of a modern crop-sensor camera, compared to an older full-frame camera, will win outright. But if image quality is your main concern, it's a different story. A larger sensor allows for bigger photo sites, which makes each photo site more effective at gathering light. This is why full-frame cameras generally boast better low-light capabilities and higher dynamic range.

So, while the Nikon Z5 doesn’t boast the mod cons of some newer APS-C mirrorless cameras, it does boast better image quality. If you're a landscape photographer, for example, the Z5's shortcomings of slow burst rates, unpredictable last-gen autofocus and 4K / 30p video probably won't matter to you. However, the same can be said about full-frame DSLR cameras. And they can be found on the used market for a lot cheaper.

Full-frame DSLRs deals on the used market

You can pick up some scintillating full-frame DSLR deals on the used market. I’m talking a Nikon D800 for under $600 / £500 or a Canon EOS 5D Mark III for around the same price range. Heck, one of my colleagues has just bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark I for next to nothing. He’s never used a full-frame camera and wanted to see what all the fuss was about without spending a fortune.

Ultimately, picking up a used full-frame DSLR is a great choice for stills photographers who want a cheap lens platform, the ability to experience a full-frame system without investing too much money, or somebody who just wants a camera with decent image quality to capture landscapes and architecture, who doesn’t need the latest-and-greatest mod cons.

And of course, if you simply love the DSLR system and don’t mind spending more, some of the greatest stills cameras ever created are DSLRs. I personally still stand by the Nikon D850 as one of the greatest stills cameras ever made and many would say the same thing about the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

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Take a look at the best Canon cameras and the best Nikon cameras. Want to go back even further to the real age of full-frame? Here are the best film cameras.

Looking for that classic DSLR mirror flip? With these three top full-frame DSLR deals, you save up to $600 and get free accessories!

The Nikon D850 Bundle is now just $2,016.90 at Adorama – you save $600 off its original $2,616.90 price.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Bundle is now just $1,999 at Adorama – you save $500 off its original $2,499 price.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II Bundle is now just $1,796.95 at Adorama – you save $284.78 off its original $2,081.73 price.

The camera body by itself is priced the same as the full bundle...

Nikon D850: Best for megapixels
The Nikon D850 was a flagship DSLR for a reason. In 2025, it still impresses with its incredible 45.7MP resolution, weather-sealed durability, and class-leading image quality. While its live view autofocus is outpaced by newer mirrorless rivals, for traditional stills shooting, it remains one of the finest tools around. Its uncropped 4K video and robust build make it a reliable all-rounder for pros. Now available at a significantly lower price than at launch (approximately $3,300), the D850 offers elite-level performance without a premium price tag.
Read more: Nikon D850 review.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: Best all-rounder
With a 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, 61-point AF system, and Dual Pixel CMOS AF for precise live view and video focusing, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV remains a versatile tool for professionals. Its 7fps burst rate, ISO 100-32,000 range (expandable to 102,400), and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body make it well-suited for demanding shoots. While the 1.64x 4K crop and UHS-I SD slot feel a bit outdated, the 5D Mark IV delivers excellent dynamic range, color depth, and reliability – especially for stills-focused workflows.
Read more: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV review.

Pentax K-1 Mark II: Best for astrophotography
The Pentax K-1 Mark II is especially popular among astro and landscape shooters. Its 36MP full-frame sensor offers beautiful detail, and the in-body 5-axis stabilization works with any lens, unlocking standout features like Pixel Shift and Astrotracer mode. Though its autofocus system is slightly dated, the K-1 II shines in scenarios where detail, stability, and weather resistance matter. Paired with the essential accessories, you get a complete pro-ready package straight out of the box – at that for a very competitive price.
Read more Pentax K-1 Mark II review.

Browse the best DSLRs, the best full-frame DSLRs, and the best DSLRs for video. You might also be interested in the best Nikon lenses for DSLRs and the best Canon lenses for DSLRs.

The humble Canon EOS 1100D (aka the Rebel T3 in North America and the Kiss X50 in Asia) was hardly a technical marvel even when it launched 15 years ago.

With a 12.2MP APS-C sensor, it won't even give 2026's beginner cameras a run in the specs stakes. But one area in which it gives today's cameras a run for their money, quite literally, is price.

The Canon EOS 1100D is available used for just $70 at MPB in the US and just £60 at MPB UK. Yes, a Canon DSLR for $70 / £60 – all of a sudden, the 1100D becomes very interesting!

As the summer season approaches, the cameras on my shelf are getting nervous at the knockabout adventures that await them. Being jostled at festivals, braving the elements (and thieves) on vacations, getting thrown in the back of the car on spontaneous outings… 

Honestly, I'm not sure that I want to put my EOS R5 through any of that. But the Canon EOS 1100D as a "burner camera" means I can take a proper camera with me without having to worry.

Sure, I'll lose the crazy-good autofocus and lightning-fast burst speed – and obviously the resolution is going to take a hit. But I'm planning to use the Canon EOS 1100D as a glorified stunt camera for the summer – I can live without all those things.

The 12.2MP sensor only has 9 points (with a single cross-type in the middle) and a maximum sensitivity of ISO6400. But that's perfectly fine for me, plus I still get Canon's brilliant color science – and 12.2MP is more than enough for social media anyway.

And the thing is, even though it's from 2015, the Canon EOS 1100D still takes a great photograph. I would challenge anyone to pick it out of a lineup without pixel peeping.

The APS-C sensor enables you to achieve beautifully shallow depth of field, especially with an ideal companion lens like the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 – which is available for $82 in the US or just £52 in the UK.

In fact, even if you're not looking for a knockabout camera, the Canon EOS 1100D is still a very appealing first camera for anyone on a budget – it's got everything you need to learn photography, but without the price tag of today's mirrorless marvels.

For £112, this is an absolute no-brainer purchase for me this summer – no more having to worry about my expensive camera getting smashed in a mosh pit or stolen on a city break!

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Take a look at the best cheap cameras and the best DSLRs you can still buy today, which includes some of the best Canon cameras.

The full-frame DSLR is still an extremely capable option in 2026. But with every passing year, more photographers make the jump to mirrorless. And once you head down that road, you’re probably not coming back. Like-for-like mirrorless cameras are technically superior to their DSLR counterparts. I’m talking faster and more intelligent AF, faster burst speeds, access to more advanced optics, and of course, much better video capabilities.

So why would I recommend a full-frame DSLR ‘dinosaur’ to anyone? Performance and price. Performance? But you just said mirrorless cameras are technically superior… That’s true, but image quality is the great equalizer. While mirrorless sensors have advanced in terms of readout speed and in-body image stabilization, raw imaging power hasn’t changed all that much.

The biggest visible difference will be the optics used, but in real-world use cases, most people are not going to notice the difference between an image captured on a pro-grade DSLR and the same image captured on a pro-grade mirrorless.

For example, you can wield the 45.7-MP Nikon D850, safe in the knowledge that the 45.7-MP Nikon Z8 isn’t going to capture noticeably better images. The trade-off is that you have to work a little harder when shooting on a DSLR. Think about it like this. The Ferrari F40 is one of the most desirable classic cars in the world. It looks just as good today as it ever did. Just don’t expect it to have power-assisted steering, traction control and ABS.

A top-of-the-range DSLR like the Nikon D850, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or Pentax K-3 Mark III will deliver gorgeous imagery, but you’re not going to be able to rely on an electronic viewfinder to set your exposure or AF subject detection that’s stickier than a puddle of cherry cola.

This leads me onto my next big reason why a full-frame DSLR might be the right choice for some photographers and that’s price. With mirrorless now well established, DSLR prices have plummeted on the used market and crucially, so have DSLR lenses. My old favorite camera is the Nikon D800 and it’s a fantastic example of how a DSLR with a high-resolution sensor can be purchased for less than even entry-level mirrorless cameras.

At the time of writing, the Nikon D800 can be purchased for as little as US$319 / £224 over at MPB. That is simply astounding for a camera with a gorgeous 36.3-MP, full-frame sensor. If you’re a landscape or architecture photographer, for example, you don’t need fast burst speeds and advanced AF algorithms. You could quite happily carve out a career with a Nikon D800.

Don’t get me wrong. I use a mirrorless camera myself – although I still dig out my old D800 from time to time – and there’s absolutely no doubt that mirrorless is the future (or rather present) of photography. But if I were starting out as a serious photographer all over again and I only had, say, $1,500 to spend on a setup that could take me to the moon and back. I wouldn’t be spending it on a Fujifilm X-T30 III or a Nikon Z50 II and a kit lens; I’d be picking up a pro-grade DSLR on the used market with plenty to spend on lenses.

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Are you happy to stick with your DSLR? In a mirrorless world, I still love my DSLR and see no need to upgrade. For a deeper dive on the Nikon D800, it's old, cheap and still takes gorgeous photos – I think it’s a great lens platform. And for those who want cutting-edge camera tech (nothing wrong with that at all!) here are the best professional cameras on the market.

DSLRs are not dead – and if you're craving that classic shooting experience, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is now just £1,449 at Jessops.

This is the lowest-ever price the popular full-frame camera has hit, and you save £450 off the regular price tag – on top of that, the deal gets you a free 512GB SD memory card, worth £159.99.

If you feel the magic in a mirror slap and optical viewfinder, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is made with you in mind.

It delivers a true full-frame DSLR shooting experience with a rugged, weather-sealed body, classic design charm, and some clever innovations – like a scissor-action articulating rear screen and extended exposure modes for creative long-exposure photography.

Originally launched as the first full-frame Pentax DSLR in February 2016, the K-1 was already a standout. Two years later, Ricoh Imaging introduced the K-1 Mark II, upgrading it with a new accelerator unit for better high ISO performance, a Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode, and refined autofocus algorithms.

The K-1 Mark II stands strong against more well-known full-frame revivals, thanks to its 36.5MP sensor, advanced Shake Reduction II in-body stabilization, and its robust build quality. It's a DSLR that truly respects the hands-on, and for this model, you will find a big range of Pentax lenses.

Whether you choose the body-only option or the all-in-one kit with the versatile 18-135mm zoom lens, both deals make it easy to step into full-frame DSLR photography with everything you need from day one.

The SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC memory card offers fast, reliable storage for your high-resolution images. The D-BG6 battery grip gets you extra power and improved handling, while the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7m shoulder bag lets you carry your new gear in a stylish, protective way – that means less time researching accessories, and more time out shooting.

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Here is our guide to the best Pentax cameras, and if you want to read more about Pentax, here are our News and reviews on the latest from Pentax.

I’ve written opinion pieces on this platform recently about why digital SLRs might be due a comeback – and what still appeals to many photographers about the format. 

Even so, you’d expect a multi-billion-dollar fly-by of the Moon to be using the very latest in cutting-edge technology.

So, I was as surprised – and intrigued – as anyone, to discover NASA’s recent Artemis II mission was using the decade-old Nikon D5 as a primary image capture device. 

Yes, there were multiple GoPros used both inside and outside the capsule, plus selfies taken with the latest iPhone 17 Pro – while the flagship mirrorless Nikon Z9 also squeezed onto the mission at the last minute. 

But the most amazing shots I’ve seen from the trip – of the Moon’s crater-scarred surface and those showing its proximity to, and distance from, Earth – were taken on a DSLR, as widely reported.

Does that now mean we can stop declaring mirrorless better in all respects, and that DSLRs should remain in the past? Even if that’s the stance most camera manufacturers have taken in their desire to get us all to replace and upgrade existing kit?

While some keyboard warriors / worriers might automatically assume NASA’s deployment of the Nikon D5 sheer lunar lunacy, there was method in the astronauts’ madness. 

Mission insiders suggested that the D5’s low light performance when it came to deep shadow detail was still peerless, even when pitted against its much newer Z9.

However, while the D5 offers a stratospheric maximum sensitivity setting of ISO3,280,000 compared with the Z9’s top whack ISO102,400, a look at the EXIF data accessible on NASA’s official Flickr page – where it’s posted the now most widely publicised images – reveals that, whichever camera was used, ISO400 was uniformly selected.

Now, I don’t know whether the cameras were not taken off this baseline because that provided consistency, whatever they were being pointed at, or if the desire for maximum clarity, high dynamic range and the lowest possible noise in challenging conditions was of paramount concern. 

Yet the quality from both the D5 and Z9 when used in space is so very impressive that I couldn’t slip a slice of dehydrated cheese between them when comparing performance.

To paraphrase the tagline for the original Alien movie: in space no one can hear you scream about whether mirrorless or DSLR is better! 

Simply put, now that Artemis II has been around the Moon and back with a DSLR on board, I believe there’s no longer any reason on Earth to have that debate.

It's been six years since Canon and Nikon launched their last DSLRs; the EOS 1D X Mark III, and the D6, respectively. That now leaves only one DSLR brand left in the game: Pentax. But although it does still produce DSLRs, it's not like we're being flooded with new hardware. Just two Pentax DSLR models are still officially current. There's the full-frame K-1 II, now 8 years old, and the APS-C KF, which though launched more recently in 2022, was little more than a re-badged K-70; a camera that dates back to 2016.

This begs the question: is Pentax really committed to DSLRs? Well, in a recent interview with Spanish-language photography website Photolari, executives from Ricoh/Pentax explicitly confirmed that Pentax will not abandon DSLRs and will continue to develop the camera format as long as there is demand for better, more up-to-date DSLR cameras - “We will never give up if there are customers”.

The same execs go on to state that they're committed to serving loyal Pentax shooters and giving them meaningful upgrades. To that end, they go on to say that a new Pentax DSLR is currently in development. No specific details are given, but a full-frame model is hinted at, potentially a K-1 III.

With the K-1 II closing in on its 10th birthday, its successor would need to be a considerable leap forward in terms of tech. However, with Pentax restricting itself to serving quite a small niche of die-hard fans, will it have sufficient development budget to produce and all-new camera that's meaningfully better than what's gone before? Another re-badging exercise like the KF really wouldn't do justice to the claim that Pentax wants to give its users "meaningful upgrades".

I'd genuinely love to see Pentax not just keep the DSLR on life support, but develop it into a strong alternative to mirrorless rivals. Even the best electronic viewfinders just can't match the analog immediacy of a true optical SLR viewfinder, and this helps make the entire DSLR shooting experience feel more engaging and satisfying, for me at least.

DSLRs are steadily disappearing from the modern camera market – and now there are growing signs that this full-frame flagship could be next.

Ricoh remains the only major manufacturer still committed to mirror-based cameras, but recent developments suggest its lineup may be shrinking – again. Following a series of discontinuities, new clues point to the K-1 Mark II potentially being on the way out.

The popular DSLR kit with the 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is now listed as 'discontinued' at major Japanese retailers, including Bic Camera, and marked as 'completed product' at Kitamura. Could the K-1 Mark II body-only version soon follow?

Discontinuation hints

Last year, the production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III ended, followed in March 2026 by the Monochrome version – a niche model that had only been on the market for around three years.

Now that the K-1 Mark II lens bundle has left the market in Japan, it's fueling speculation that the full-frame DSLR could be next.

It's important to note, however, that a bundle being discontinued doesn't automatically mean the camera body will follow – factors like new lens versions, updated bundles, or changes in retail strategy can also play a role.

That said, this pattern is common in the camera industry – and it could fuel even more rumors for a successor. Combined with mixed signals from retailers in the US and UK – some showing 'limited stock' or 'special order' – it suggests that overall K-1 Mark II availability is gradually shrinking.

Current availability & prices

So, for anyone considering a K-1 Mark II, now is a good time to buy a sealed DSLR rather than relying on the second-hand market, which could become the only option if global stock continues to shrink.

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Browse the best Pentax cameras and the best Pentax lenses. Also, take a look at the best DSLRs and the best full-frame DSLRs.

Much has been made of the incredible images coming from the Artemis II spacecraft, but what about the camera tech that has been deemed worthy of making it aboard this momentous mission? Maybe some exotic specialist photographic hardware has been developed especially for NASA, or failing that, then surely the astronauts must be using the very latest and best equipment that the mainstream camera industry has to offer?

There are plenty of premium cameras that could potentially work well for such a special task, but NASA has a long history of trusting Nikon for its photographic requirements, so it's of little surprise NASA has again picked Nikon for Artemis II. What's more surprising is the particular Nikon camera bodies you'll find on board. Though Nikon's current flagship camera, the Z9, is present, it was apparently not NASA's primary choice, and it isn't the main camera being used for the mission. That honor goes to the D5 DSLR.

Yes, while DSLRs are almost extinct in the consumer camera market (Nikon won't be making any more, and it’s now into its third generation of mirrorless Z cameras) NASA continues to favor the classic single lens reflex camera design. This is surprising given that DSLRs are usually heavier than their mirrorless alternatives, and for a space launch every gram really does matter. What's more, NASA didn't even choose Nikon's most recent flagship DSLR, the D6 - it instead went with the preceding D5.

This will likely be due the D5 already being a known quantity for NASA, having been extensively tested for its ability to survive the rigors of space travel and the unique demands of photography in zero gravity. But the D5 also makes a solid case for itself when it comes to image quality. The D5 was launched in early 2016, so you'd be entirely forgiven for thinking that a 10-year old camera would now be trounced by something like the Z9 in terms of stills quality, but that's simply not the case. In the depths of space, ambient light isn't always plentiful, so high ISO image quality is especially important. And in this area the D5 doesn't just hold up against current Nikon Z cameras, it actually BEATS them!

We've lab tested the image noise levels from every full-frame Nikon camera released over the last 15+ years, so can compare the D5 with the Z9 directly in the graph below, and the results may surprise you:

So how has a decade gone by with no improvement in high ISO image quality? Well, Nikon has prioritized increased resolution for its flagship mirrorless body, and unfortunately you just can't have extra resolution and maintain the same low noise levels. Squeezing more pixels onto a full-frame sensor means each individual pixel has to be made smaller, which in turn reduces the amount of light it can capture over a set shutter speed. The end result is more image noise, and even modern advances in signal processing haven't managed to compensate for this. Quite simply, if you need to shoot at high ISO sensitivities in space and want the lowest possible noise levels, you need a camera with a large sensor and a low megapixel count.

The 20.8MP full-frame Nikon D5 fits this profile very well, though it's not the only camera that scores well for high ISO image quality. The newer D6 actually generates slightly less noise at very high ISOs than the D5, and Canon's final flagship DSLR, the EOS 1D X Mark III, outperforms the D5 up to ISO 6400. NASA could also have selected the mirrorless EOS R1 and been rewarded with slightly better low light image quality than the D5 delivers. This is thanks to Canon opting for a more conservative 24.2MP resolution for its flagship mirrorless camera, which gives it a significant low light advantage over the 45.7MP Nikon Z9.

So what have we learned here? Though cameras have improved in many ways over the last 10 years, high ISO noise levels have barely reduced. The major camera brands may not be making DSLRs any more, but that certainly doesn't mean more recent DSLRs won’t still hold up very well against current mirrorless cameras for still image quality. And finally, if you're a NASA astronaut and want to take a camera into space, then it'd better be a Nikon!

If you spend any time with photographers these days they'll tell you about the greatest DSLRs. And if you spend any time with someone who's best friend was a photography enthusiast twenty years ago, they'll tell you about how DSLRs are the top of the tree – the "proper camera" that everyone aspires to.

Have none of these people grown up and looked at the world around them in all that time? Or are they not prepared to accept that things might have changed in two decades?

My first digital camera, on which I could change the lens, was the Canon EOS Rebel XT (the Canon EOS 350D), and it was a brilliant camera, but that incredibly successful line of cameras was first launched in 2003.

I have long since left not only the technology behind – when another was shown to be better – but even the brand. I now shoot with the Sony A7 series of full-frame cameras.

These cameras also boast interchangeable lenses, so I don't miss out on any of the possibilities afforded by my Canon in that regard. But they are "mirrorless," which, I suspect, as a current technology, just doesn't quite have the ring to it as the now past-it mirrored DSLR.

Crucially, one of the flaws that the mirrorless design 'solves' is that it gets rid of the large prism in the center of the camera, simply using the camera's imaging sensor to see the light directly.

As a result there are no moving parts to get out of the way of the part that is sensitive to light. And that movement – much more than the shutter – is what elicited the volume of the famous click noise.

Noastalgia enthusiasts then immediately miss most of the noise that a DSLR (and a film-based SLR before that) made before the wake of the mirrorless.

I think that makes people feel like the newer mirrorless camera is somehow weaker because it's smaller. Sure it's newer, and can certainly offer a silent shutter mode and, likely, better focus tracking in video mode.

It's also physically smaller and perhaps even lighter because it doesn't fill internal space with unnecessary optics. But does being smaller make it look even weaker? Are people just expecting the strongest to 'bulk up'?

Time has progressed and camera companies have all-but abandoned their DSLRs in favor of mirrorless designs, yet there is always immense excitement at the thought of SLRs – or at least digital SLRs – returning.

The other day it was the possibility of a Pentax K-3 Mark IV. The brand name Pentax itself is a reference to penta-prism, so you can see why they'd prefer the tech to be back.

But enlighten me? I don't understand.

Why buy a bigger, heavier camera because it's also an inferior technology with fewer options?

One Reddit user backed me up: "I would not start out with a DSLR unless you have significant budgetary constraints. There is no real upgrade path and all the innovation is going into mirrorless."

Another, though, argued: "I happen to prefer the way an image looks in a pentaprism rather than a digital screen. I have a friend that loves a TLR viewfinder."

I'd say the latter was a spurious argument – the final image will have to be recorded digitally and re-produced, as happens live on the mirrorless preview; the prism view on the DSLR side-steps that only for the viewfinder, and not for the final photo. So what's the point?

Ultimately, I find myself asking: "Is it that important to you to carry something that looks big and professional to the inexperienced?"

And yes, I am aware that there are circumstances this is useful – but not that many!

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Check our guide to the best camera for beginners, and the best mirrorless camera.

I am never surprised to see the Nikon D850 trending online. In my mind, it is without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest DSLR camera ever made. And you can bet it’s right up there with the best cameras ever made, too. It was released in 2017, at the peak of the DSLR’s power. But little did the industry know that the writing was already on the wall for the DSLR camera technology that the ‘Big N’ had popularized way back in 1999 with the release of the Nikon D1.

By the time the Nikon D850 launched, Sony was already a few years into its Alpha full-frame mirrorless system, and the following year, both Canon and Nikon would go toe-to-toe with the consumer tech giant by releasing their own full-frame mirrorless systems.

But in many ways, the Nikon D850’s timing couldn’t have been better. Rather than being seen as outdated tech just months after its release, it was very much the professional photographer’s camera. A bastion of image quality and a resolute workhorse that could be relied upon time and again.

You see, the mirrorless landscape wasn’t what it is today. High-end DSLR cameras tended to feature more reliable autofocus and much better battery life. And while both Canon and Nikon launched their full-frame mirrorless systems alongside their proprietary DSLR adapters, it took years for their mirrorless lens line-ups to reach maturity.

And then you had some inherent design teething problems. The Canon EOS R’s multi-function touch bar was so poorly received that it never appeared again, while the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7’s single card slots and lack of a native battery grip drew the ire of working professionals.

The only thing that dated the Nikon D850 was the bulky form factor that accommodated its reflex mirror and the lack of an electronic viewfinder. Otherwise, its 45.7-MP sensor was capable of delivering gorgeous high-resolution files, it had a very reliable 153-point AF system, could shoot 4K / 30p (uncropped), boasted a base ISO of 64, and featured a dual XQD (later CFExpress) / SD card slot.

Such is the Nikon D850’s enduring popularity that it remains in Nikon’s ever-dwindling line-up of DSLR cameras today. If you’re interested in making the move to full-frame, but aren’t bothered by mirrorless, or simply want an upgrade where you can still natively attach your F-mount lenses, I still highly recommend the Nikon D850 for stills photography.

Personally, I’d save a packet on the RRP and buy it used, but it’s still as capable as it ever was. I myself used to own a D850 before I traded it in to buy its spiritual successor, the Nikon Z8, and while I love the Z8’s mod cons and its ability to take Z-mount glass, I can tell you that the image quality is no better than that of the Nikon D850. As far as DSLR cameras go, it’s the absolute GOAT.

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Let me take you on a journey back even further and tell you why the Nikon D800 is still a beast! If you're interested in the Nikon Z8, I can see it staying in my kit bag for a decade – at least! And for a real trip down Nikon memory lane, here's why the Nikon FM is the only film camera I'll ever need.

Usually, I report on DSLRs reaching the end of their life – when manufacturers stop production, end support, and discontinue beloved mirror-based models.

But here's a rare bit of news in today's digital camera world: Pentax may be launching a new DSLR in 2026!

For some time, rumors have suggested that Ricoh could be preparing a new DSLR, possibly a Pentax K-3 Mark IV. Here's what we know so far...

The rumors

Rumors of a new Pentax DSLR are heating up in the photography community – particularly on forums like DP Review.

While Ricoh has yet to make an official announcement, one well-known source Asahi man, responded confidently to a forum question: "In short, yes, the new one is coming in 26, no speculation."

Even in a mirrorless-dominated world, a new DSLR from Pentax wouldn't exactly shock anyone.

After discontinuing both the original flagship APS-C K-3 Mark III and its Monochrome variant, the K-1 Mark II full-frame DSLR remains available – but the gap in Pentax's lineup leaves plenty of room for a new model...

The K-3 Mark III was an interesting hybrid – combining DSLR handling with some mirrorless-style innovation.

So, could the upcoming model carry forward that DNA? Many photographers hope so.

While some voices are skeptical, forum discussions are full of speculation: "Hopefully it comes with some new fast focusing PLM, DC, and/or modern SDM lenses," said one user. "Full frame? If so, sign me up for at least one," added another. "Most likely a warmed-over KF upgrading to the 26MP sensor as the 24MP one I think is out of production," speculated a third.

Pentax is known as the brand for photographers who refuse to give up on DSLRs.

And for shooters who still love the familiar mirror slap, robust handling, and Pentax ecosystem, a new DSLR would be a welcome breath of fresh air in a mirrorless-dominated market...

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Browse the best DSLRs, the best full-frame DSLRs, and the best Pentax cameras.

I wrote recently about why digital SLRs could be due a comeback, if indeed they ever conclusively went away. 

Reader replies were divided between those in agreement and those calling the idea idiotic. DSLRs clearly remains a topic – and format – in which folks are deeply invested.

That didn’t surprise me, as millions were sold to photographers over the past 25 years. In fact, it’s more than you might think. Official CIPA figures put global DSLR sales at around 100 million – and a good number of these are still being used by their owners.

Ironically, at the peak of DSLR popularity – the early 2010s – the camera industry was already introducing mirrorless cameras. In hindsight, then, it isn’t all that surprising that there was some initial resistance to mirrorless. Especially from professionals who had invested thousands into DSLR camera systems.

Pros typically voiced concern about how smaller camera bodies and lenses might make them appear amateurish when they rocked up to photograph paying clients. The image of a working photographer back then was someone who turned up with big, expensive-looking gear and glass. Some of that mindset still exists today.

The counter argument has always been that clients are paying for the photographer’s expertise – and shouldn’t concern themselves with whatever kit is in use.

So, if gear comes second to ideas and personal vision,why is there still a lot of residual love for the DSLR?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that when, starting in 2008, Panasonic, Olympus, and then Sony began to introduce mirrorless models, the ‘big two’ of Canon and Nikon clung onto the DSLR for the longest time, seemingly waiting to see if mirrorless caught on.

A tipping point was reached when Nikon introduced the consumer-targeted Nikon 1 system in 2011, subsequently replaced in 2018 by Nikon Z, with Canon introducing the short-lived EOS M in 2012 before getting serious with EOS R in 2018. Appearing to have since put all their eggs in the basket marked ‘mirrorless’, neither has announced a new DSLR since 2020.

That leaves Pentax, hardly the format’s biggest player, as the current last man standing when it comes to developing new DSLRs. Even then, its own K-Mount full frame and APS-C releases have slowed of late.

A format once so big and popular doesn’t just go away overnight, however. There’s still a big market for DSLRs, particularly among students learning the basics of photography – albeit one increasingly catered to via second-hand.

The truth is, some of us just love a ruggedly built camera, with a decent-sized grip, impressive battery life, the ‘purity’ of an optical viewfinder rather than mirrorless’ EVF, plus a system supported by thousands of existing vintage lenses and accessories that can now be snapped up for a bargain.

After all, it doesn’t need to be a something akin to a divisive Beatles vs Stones, Oasis vs Blur, or Remainers vs Brexiteers debate when it comes to DSLR vs Mirrorless. 

There’s nothing to say we can’t use and enjoy shooting with both. Which is exactly what I do.

You decide - check out our guides to the best DSLRs you can still buy, and to the best mirrorless cameras in 2026

Pentax remains the only major camera brand still focusing on DSLRs – but now the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome is no longer available. Not even three years after launch, the dedicated camera for black-and-white photography is marked as discontinued at major retailers, leaving photographers with fewer options than ever.

First, Ricoh ended the production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III in January 2025; now, its monochrome sibling has followed suit – a dedicated mono DSLR designed for photographers craving pixel-level detail without post-processing color conversions.

With kit lens bundles already disappearing weeks ago, the body-only version quickly sold out as well – leaving photographers wondering: is this the end of Pentax monochrome DSLRs – or is a new model on the horizon?

A dedicated niche DSLR leaves the market

Dedicated black-and-white DSLRs are increasingly rare. The K-3 Mark III Monochrome catered to a very specific audience: photographers longing for the precision and handling of a DSLR, paired with the aesthetic and immediacy of film-style black-and-white capture.

It's not for everyone – if you want full editing flexibility with color files, or rely heavily on highlight recovery, this isn't the camera for you.

But for black-and-white enthusiasts it delivers exceptional detail, strong image quality at high ISO performances up to 25,600, and the classic DSLR experience – without a premium Leica price tag.

Availability of Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome

Alternatives for dedicated B&W shooters

Options are limited. Leica's Q2 Monochrom, Q3 Monochrom and M11 Monochrom exist – but both are extremely expensive, and the Q2 is reportedly in its final production stages.

Ricoh's GR IV Monochrome offers a more budget-friendly option with a true monochrome sensor – but with compact handling, not DSLR ergonomics.

For traditional DSLR fans, these options may feel like compromises – either in cost or in shooting experience.

But camera rumors suggest that Ricoh may be preparing a new DSLR – a Pentax K-3 Mark IV. If so, a monochrome variant could make a comeback. Gain more insights here.

For now, though, photographers are left with few choices.

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Browse the best DSLRs, the best full-frame DSLRs and the best camera for black and white photography.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV was one of the last great survivors of the DSLR era – but before it can celebrate its 10th birthday in August 2026, the iconic camera has now been added to Canon Japan's discontinuation list.

Canon's step to end the production of this full-frame DSLR may feel like a natural step in today's mirrorless-dominated camera market – but the disappearance of the 5D Mark IV will still sting for many photographers.

Even years after launch, the 5D Mark IV is known as one of Canon's most dependable pro DSLR workhorses, and remains widely used. However, with the discontinuation now official, photographers should expect no further official support from Canon, including firmware updates.

A milestone full-frame DSLR

Canon returned to its all-rounder roots with the 5D Mark IV when it was announced in August 2016.

At the time, it introduced several important upgrades, including a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, 7fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording, Dual Pixel CMOS AF (autofocus), and built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

The camera also introduced Dual Pixel RAW, a unique feature that allowed photographers to make small focus adjustments and refinements during post-processing.

Even today, the 5D Mark IV offers some features that many photographers prefer over modern mirrorless cameras. For example, it provides a large full-screen digital level on the rear LCD, which many find easier to work with than smaller electronic level displays on cameras like the EOS R5.

Availability

Although the 5D Mark IV is now officially discontinued, it is still available to purchase – at least for now.

Retailers will continue selling the camera until the remaining stock runs out, meaning photographers may still find good deals in the upcoming weeks/months (if stock lasts).

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Browse the best lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV, the best full-frame DSLRs, the best DSLRs, and the best Canon cameras

Dare I call the Nikon D750 the Big N’s first modern full-frame DSLR? Released the same year that Gangnam Style reached two billion views on YouTube and that infamous World Cup bite. Nearly a decade on from its launch in September 2014, the Nikon D750 is still a very capable camera that’ll handle pretty much any photography application you can throw at it.

Nikon launched this much-loved DSLR as the debutant in a range of compact and lightweight full-frame bodies. And while such a statement might garner a wry smile in today’s mirrorless market, stacked up against the Nikon D810 and Nikon D4, the Nikon D750 was notably smaller and lighter. But what was perhaps most interesting was Nikon’s claim of “full-scale specifications that pursue those of professional models”.

That’s because the Nikon D750 brought with it a new FX-format sensor and the then-top-notch Expeed 4 image processor. According to Nikon, this delivered superior image quality to the D810 at high ISO sensitivities. In fact, the Nikon D750’s impressive low-light capabilities still very much hold up today.

Add to that a respectable 6.5fps max burst speed, a new AF sensor module, top LCD screen and dual SD card slots, and it’s not surprising that the D750 was adopted by enthusiast and professional photographers alike.

It even presided over a few Nikon firsts; it was the first FX body to sport a tilting rear LCD, feature built-in Wi-Fi and have seven special effects modes (accessed via the mode dial).

In January 2020, the Nikon D750 would be succeeded by the Nikon D780 – and although the latter is arguably an underrated gem, the Nikon D750 had successfully cemented its place in the pantheon of legendary Nikons.

If you’re an enthusiast stills photographer on a budget, you could do a lot worse than a used Nikon D750. And with used examples going for as little as $300 / £300, it’s still an awful lot of camera for the money, even in 2026.

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If you're a Nikon fan like me, check out the best Nikon cameras. For more of my camera retrospectives: The forgotten Fujifilm X-T200 is still a great entry-level choice and is pretty cheap for a retro-themed mirrorless camera. And, why the Nikon Df is the DSLR I'd buy today.

I was in my 20s before digital photography became a mass market concern and the seismic shift condemned my family’s film cameras – 35mm and APS – to the bottom drawer or, worse still, the dustbin.

Now, in middle age, it feels like the past has come back to haunt me.

Nostalgia is a powerful drug. So, as someone who grew up with film cameras and fiddly rewind levers, buttons and dials, I certainly get the appeal of a modern digital equivalent of a 35mm rangefinder that’s equally tactile, solid and ‘classic’ looking (even if I never previously owned one – in fact my first gifted camera was a 110-film compact).

And I acknowledge that, because there’s so much about today’s fast-paced consumer-driven society that’s disposable, constructing a camera built to last ‘just like in the old days’ suggests we are getting something worthy of the sizeable price tag the manufacturers want to charge.

But there’s not only the aspect of longevity; some designs are just timelessly cool.

Although it wasn’t the reason I chose it, I often get asked ‘is that an old camera?’ when carrying around my digital Olympus PEN E-PL7. As it had a 2014 release, it is officially now an ‘old’ camera, but it’s not the film camera casual observers think it might be from its throwback design.

But lately, as much as I admire classic aesthetics and value the tactile user experience of thumbing levers and dials, I’ve begun to worry the penchant for ‘old school’ styled mirrorless cameras and compacts is stifling innovation. My suspicion is engineers are being led by the algorithm and social media trends, rather than their own blue sky thinking. It sometimes feels like retro cameras are ALL we’re seeing these days.

The cine camera-inspired Fuji Instax Mini Evo Cinema and to a lesser extent the same manufacturer’s X half compact may be recent cases in point, yet I feel can be partly excused for genuinely giving us industry observers a couple of ‘WTF?’ moments.

Also getting a pass from me is the Sigma BF, magically milled from a solid block of aluminum, because it falls into the section where the circles in an imaginary Venn diagram marked ‘innovative’ and ‘retro’ overlap – to the satisfaction of both camps. Minimal and futuristic in design with pressure-sensitive haptic buttons, its handling might divide opinion, but it remains worthy of applause for simply daring to be different.

So, the manufacturers can still innovate if they try – and not just trade on past glories.

It’s now up to us photographers and image-makers to vote with our wallets to encourage them to do it a little more often.

If you're craving that classic DSLR shooting experience, this deal is for you – and its value is unbeatable.

This Pentax K-1 Mark II Bundle is now just $1,796.95 at Adorama, including free accessories. That's a $276.78 saving off the regular $2,073.73 price tag.

Accessories included in the offer are: 32GB SDHC memory card, camera case, cleaning kit, memory wallet, card reader, and a PC software package.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II is a true full-frame DSLR shooting experience with a rugged, weather-sealed body, classic design charm, and some clever innovations – like a scissor-action articulating rear screen and extended exposure modes for creative long-exposure photography.

Originally launched as the first full-frame Pentax DSLR in February 2016, the K-1 was already a standout. Two years later, Ricoh Imaging introduced the K-1 Mark II, upgrading it with a new accelerator unit for better high ISO performance, a Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode, and refined autofocus algorithms.

The K-1 Mark II stands strong against more well-known full-frame revivals, thanks to its 36.5MP sensor, advanced Shake Reduction II in-body stabilization, and its robust build quality. It's a DSLR that truly respects the hands-on, and for this model, you will find a big range of Pentax lenses.

So, if you feel the magic in a mirror slap and optical viewfinder, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is made with you in mind.

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While Artemis II astronauts will rely on the latest spaceflight technology, they won’t rely on the latest camera technology. The first crewed mission around the moon since 1972 is set to launch no earlier than April of this year, and will be armed, not with a state-of-the-art mirrorless camera, but an aging DSLR. The news was revealed by mission commander, Reid Wiseman, during a Facebook post that the crew would be relying upon the Nikon D5.

Nikon announced in 2024 that it had entered into a Space Act agreement with NASA for Artemis mission support, but that was for its flagship mirrorless, the Nikon Z9. And indeed, the Nikon Z9 has since proven its worth on the International Space Station. So why is the Nikon D5 the preferred option for a trip around the moon?

Nasa told PetaPixel: “future Artemis missions will incorporate next-generation camera systems currently undergoing spaceflight qualifications.”

I can only assume that means the Nikon Z9 simply hasn’t been cleared for extended space flight and therefore won’t be available in time for the fast-approaching Artemis II window, which was supposed to be no earlier than March 6.

However, as I write this article, the Artemis II moon rocket is in the process of being removed from its launch complex at the Kennedy Space Center and returned to its hangar, following a helium-system issue that has delayed its launch.

Sending a camera into space isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and with the Artemis mission’s ultimate goal of landing on the moon no sooner than 2028 (via Artemis III), Nikon will be working with NASA to ensure that its cameras can withstand the ride. According to Nikon, cameras on the moon have to weather vast temperature changes and cosmic radiation, requiring component redesigns. This isn’t a trip to the ISS, cameras have to remain operational an incredible 238,000 miles away from Earth, requiring a plethora of tests and simulations.

It’s hard to believe that the D5 was launched a decade ago, in 2016. It’s a pro-grade, full-frame DSLR that’s built around a 20.8-MP CMOS sensor and runs via Nikon’s Expeed 5 image processor. The D5’s most notable spec is its huge ISO range 100 to 102,400, which can be expanded to an equivalent ISO3,280,000.

As such, it was known as a low-light monster and is still an incredible low-light camera. It also boasts exceedingly good autofocus for a DSLR, thanks to its, then, all-new 153-point AF system. As with any older DSLR, it’s not a great video camera, but can still capture 4K / 30p (1.5x crop).

But perhaps the Nikon D5’s biggest attribute, especially for space flight, is that it’s an absolute tank. It’s an absolute hunk of camera that’s as rugged as they come, and also boasts a formidable battery life that’s officially rated for 3,780 shots.

Nikon has enjoyed a long history working with NASA. The Nikon Photomic FTN was the first Nikon to go into space, as part of 1971’s Apollo 15. Since then, various Nikon cameras have accompanied astronauts, largely on the ISS, from the Nikon D1 to the Nikon D850.

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Into space photography? Here are the best cameras for astrophotography. If you're starting out in the world of astro, here's how to photograph the moon. And for more NASA-related news, NASA satellite data and aerial imagery played a huge role in reintroducing descendants of extinct species of giant tortoise back to Galápagos Islands.

One of the only major brands still focused on DSLRs is the subject of new rumors after a DSLR was marked as discontinued at one retailer.

US retailer B&H has labeled the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued.

Importantly, one retailer's discontinuation doesn’t always mean the camera will be unavailable everywhere. Case in point? B&H also has the discontinued label on the color K-3 Mark III, but the DSLR is still available to order directly from Pentax in the US.

The K-3 Mark III Monochrome hasn’t moved to the brand’s list of discontinued products on parent company Ricoh’s US website either. However, the black-and-white camera doesn’t appear to be available to order directly from the manufacturer, nor is it available at competing retailer Adorama.

In Europe, Pentax’s website lists the K-3 Mark III as out of stock in the color and Monochrome models. However, in Japan, the K-3 Mark III is listed among the discontinued DSLRs, while the Monochrome is still among the available models.

While the reports of the discontinuation of the Pentax K-3 Mark III in both the original and Monochrome are conflicting, if the K-3 series exits the lineup, that leaves Pentax with two DSLRs: The full-frame Pentax K-1 Mark II released in 2018, and the crop-sensor Pentax KF announced in 2022.

Discontinuing the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, if the change extends beyond one retailer, is also notable because cameras with a black-and-white sensor are harder to come by than their color counterparts. Along with the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, other colorless cameras include the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, the Leica M11 Monochrom, and the Leica Q3 Monochrom.

While Pentax experimented with mirrorless back when the format first came out with the Pentax Q lineup, the company has since declared a focus on DSLRs. As the text on the Pentax K-3 III page reads, “Pentax believes in the future of SLR photography.”

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In a recent YouTube video discussing DSLRs’ apparent return to popularity, a UK photographer said that these cameras enable you to learn photography better than mirrorless cameras do.

More specifically, photographer and YouTuber Lee Iveson said: “You’re in control, and it’s up to you to learn what your camera and your gear is capable of.” You can watch his full video below.

Iveson may not be a household name in the UK photography scene but I think his photos are high-class, giving his opinion merit.

However, with all due respect, I disagree with his point about DSLRs being the better system for learning the craft – and think the nostalgic feeling he has for the older camera technology is blurring his vision.

Iveson’s point is that mirrorless cameras now pack so much technology that they do the heavy lifting instead of the photographer, whereas a DSLR, with its more limited specs, “forces” you to make more considered decisions.

In terms of technology, you can’t disagree with this. Autofocusing on a mirrorless camera is comparatively a breeze, as is ensuring correct exposure thanks to the preview available in the electronic viewfinder.

However, to me, Iveson is misconstruing knowing how to use your camera with being a good photographer. While a good photographer needs to know their equipment, they’re also the one who best captures the scene as they envisioned it. And, if anything, a mirrorless system better enables this than a DSLR.

We’ve now got the luxury of features like AI-powered autofocus that rarely misses the mark and electronic shutters with blazing fast fps capturing moments that otherwise would’ve flown by a DSLR. Mirrorless systems put all these technical advancements in the palm of our hand without taking the creative reins.

And you still need to learn how to use all these functionalities, just as you would the settings of a DSLR, so I don’t see Iveson’s point in this respect either. In fact, there are arguably even more features to master on a mirrorless camera…

But I understand why Iveson might feel this way, as the feeling of picking up a DSLR again after years is akin to rediscovering old clothes when clearing out your wardrobe. There was a time when you loved these garments, but it’s only because you haven't seen them in years that you now want to wear them again.

And there is something special about the experience of using a DSLR that makes it seem like the better system for learning photography.

I particularly like knowing that, when I look through the optical viewfinder of a DSLR, I’m seeing real light bounced up through the camera. I also love how DSLRs feel in hand, and I’m yet to hold a mirrorless camera that feels as snug and, of course, light.

However, none of this changes my opinion that DSLR cameras are not the better choice for learning photography. Right now, I think mirrorless cameras optimally balance high-end specs with requiring user input, empowering you to hone the ability that truly matters – creativity, to a greater extent.

Later in his video, Iveson says he isn’t getting into a DSLR vs mirrorless camera debate – and neither am I with this article.

After all, I completely agree with the YouTuber when he says, “There is no right or wrong when it comes to photography… The right camera is the one that gets you out of the house, taking pictures.”

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The best DSLR cameras are still going very strong indeed, according to a Digital Camera World poll, in which nearly 1,200 of you had your say, and the results were very interesting. You were asked to divulge your main camera by choosing one of five categories: mirrorless, DSLR, compact, film camera, or mobile phone. Most of you – nearly 40% – are still using a DSLR camera as your main body.

This surprising figure, which totalled 458 votes, led the next most popular option, camera phones, by nearly 100 votes. But perhaps the most surprising figure was that only 20% of voters are using a mirrorless camera as their main body.

And despite a surge in compact camera sales, this in vogue class could only garner 6% of the votes, almost equalling the film camera category.

Now, this information certainly shouldn’t be applied industry wide. For starters, Digital Camera World’s target demographic will have, of course, skew the results. I dare say a similar poll from a more casual Gen Z TikToker would place compact cameras higher. But I do know one thing for certain, there is still an exceedingly loyal DSLR contingent out there.

Whenever I write an article about DSLR cameras, it tends to do relatively well. And whenever DSLRs are mentioned, across the Internet, I’ve noticed that a vocal support tends to follow, with plenty of positive DSLR chatter in comment sections, on social media, and in forums.

In fact, such is the enduring legacy of the DSLR, the latest Digital Camera World podcast episode centered around rising DSLR lens sales. And I myself am still a strong proponent of both DSLR cameras and DSLR lenses.

If you’re primarily a photographer and have little to no interest in video, it's my opinion that a quality DSLR will not put you at a disadvantage. In some cases, it may even put you at an advantage. I’ve talked extensively about the value of DSLR kit on the used market and if you’re looking to get into photography, or upgrade your gear on a very tight budget, you can buy DSLR camera kit, used, for a fraction of the price of mirrorless camera kit.

While a brand-new full-frame mirrorless camera with a ‘holy trinity’ of f/2.8 zooms might be way out of your budget, you may find that a secondhand full-frame DSLR with a ‘holy trinity’ of f/2.8 zooms is, for example. What I’m not trying to do, though, is dissuade anyone from buying a mirrorless camera.

I have upgraded to a mirrorless camera and I certainly don’t regret it. When compared like for like, mirrorless cameras tend to be smaller and lighter, boast faster autofocus, better video features, and open you up to the practicality of having an EVF (although I still love optical viewfinders). Lenses also tend to be smaller, lighter, sharper, and more detail rich.

But the key takeaway here is ‘like for like’. In a straight head-to-head bout, most mirrorless cameras would beat a comparable DSLR, but the difference in price means that those on a budget can often afford a more premium camera if they opt to go down the DSLR route, without spending any more money. Such premium features could include a full-frame sensor, higher resolution, or weather sealing.

And while there will come a time when DSLR cameras may start to become reliably dubious, due to their age, DSLR optics will enjoy a much longer lifespan. And, with Canon and Nikon allowing for mirrorless users to adapt DSLR lenses, if you decide to go the DSLR route now, your collection of DSLR glass won’t necessarily become redundant if you make the move to mirrorless later down the line.

The question on my mind now, is how long do we have to wait before DSLR cameras inevitably make a comeback like film and compact cameras? Pentax aside, surely we’ll see a new DSLR released by one of the big camera companies within the next 10 years, it’s a matter of when, not if.

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In the 2000s, digital SLRs – DSLRs – were the big beasts of the digital photography world – and if you were a serious photographer, then you needed to own one.

Since the 2010s, however, mirrorless cameras have stealthily replaced them. We’ve already reached the point where there’s a mere handful of choices should we want to buy a DSLR new. As sales have flatlined for several years, most manufacturers with the notable exception of Pentax, have simply stopped making them.

I think that’s a great shame. And rather short sighted.

Why? Well, there’s still stuff that DSLRs are great at.

Large, obvious tactile controls for one. A handgrip of sufficient size to be practically useful for another. A large, bright optical viewfinder as opposed to an electronic one. A more robust, ‘built to last’ feel. A longer battery life, typically, than their mirrorless camera equivalents. A better body/lens balance too, especially if attaching longer optics.

Plus, particularly if buying second-hand, better value with it. And that money-saving goes for the lenses and accessories to use with DSLRs too.

Just as we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in compact snapshot cameras and, to a lesser degree, big zoom all-in-ones, for all the reasons listed it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the digital SLR was the next format to enjoy a resurgence of interest and reappraisal.

It’s often only when something appears it’s about to disappear completely that folks, by which I mean us photographers, sit up and take note. Just look at the white rhino.

With camera manufacturers increasingly taking a content creator-centric ‘video first’ policy when it comes to releasing new, mirrorless kit, at the time of writing the DSLR does also feel like the last preserve of those who’d rather the focus was ‘photography first’. Those who want to freeze an idea and present it as a definitive moment, with video a secondary concern, if a concern at all.

All this said, I haven’t ditched mirrorless entirely. The portability of the cameras still appeals when I want an image capture device I can slip into my bag to take along to a press event or use for fly-on-the-wall street photography; a scenario for which a traditional DSLR would feel too obvious and intrusive. Or to use when I don’t want to be distracted from picture taking by the apps and notifications on my smartphone.

But I reckon there is lots of life in the DSLR yet, and certainly creatively the two camera types can continue to happily co-exist.

The history of technology often records what’s newest replacing whatever’s current. But as regards the DSLR, I feel there’s still another chapter to be written.

We all know: DSLRs aren't dead. And this one continues to prove that traditional cameras still have a market.

On Amazon US and UK, this single model dominates the DSLR charts, taking nearly every top 10 spot with body and kit bundles (new or refurbished) offered by different sellers and multiple bundle variations, with different accessories included that a shooter would need.

The Canon Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D shows that entry-level DSLRs are still high in demand – and on Amazon, you can get the body + 18-55mm kit lens new from just $529 or £285.50.

Amazon best-selling DSLRS (January 28, 2026)

The Canon Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D

Launched in 2018, the Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D is Canon's most affordable DSLR. It offers a 24MP APS-C sensor, EF-lens compatibility, built-in Wi-Fi, and NFC. Its multiple kit options and affordability keep it at the top of Amazon's DSLR charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

While its AF (autofocus) and 1080p video are basic by today's standards, it remains a reliable DSLR, especially for still photography. Its ongoing popularity reflects its balance of affordability, ease of use, and trusted Canon quality.

For market context: Canon shipped nearly 800,00 DSLRs worldwide in 2024, proving that the format still has a market despite mirrorless camera growth. The Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D's dominance on Amazon highlights that budget-friendly DSLRs still have life, particularly for beginners and students.

Regional availability and status

With Canon focusing on mirrorless systems like the EOS R line, the Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D is nearing the end of its lifecycle and is in its final production stages.

UK
The EOS 2000D body is £479.99, and refurbished body £259, with more kit options available. The 18-55mm IS II lens kit is available for £589.99, while the EF-S 18-135mm, is marked as "discontinued."

However, through retailers such as Amazon, the camera is still widely available in kits with lenses, memory cards, and accessories, making it a viable option for now.

US
On the Canon US store, all options are currently available and not listed as "discontinued." While the single body option isn't offered, the Rebel T7 can be purchased as the EF-S 18-55mm IS II kit for $529.99 (was $579.99), or the Double Zoom Lens Kit for $639.99 (was $699.99).

Refurbished options are $249 (was $463.99) for the EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit, and $319 (was $559.99) for the Double Zoom Kit.

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If your heart still beats for DSLR (like mine) and you're looking for a top professional camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV might already be sitting on your wishlist.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is now £1,789 – down from £2,489 – saving you £700 on what we rated as one of the very best DSLRs for stills and video in existence. 

We saw this price from Wex during Black Friday week, but the huge reduction is back again for 2026 - and I fear we may not see this camera even on sale come next year.

With no one knowing how long Canon will continue supporting its DSLR lineup, this deal is hard to ignore. Canon hasn't released a new DSLR since 2020, despite being the top-selling DSLR manufacturer over recent years.

With overall DSLR shipments declining, Canon still rules 90% of the global DSLR market. However, success is likely driven by entry-level bundles – that's everything else than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV!

It boasts a solid and weather-sealed body with a comfortable grip at just 890g. The 30.4MP full-frame sensor delivers high-detail images and excellent ISO performance up to 102,400, while the 61-point AF system with Dual Pixel technology ensures fast, accurate focus even in near-dark conditions.

And the 5D Mark IV delivers the classic DSLR experience – from the mirror slap and long battery life to compatibility with Canon's EF lens ecosystem.

Is this our 'last' chance?

At this shockingly low price, I can't get off the feeling that the time to buy the Canon 5D Mark IV might be over soon, at least brand-new and sealed. After all, Canon has largely shifted to mirrorless cameras, the 5D line is reportedly discontinued, and remaining stock may be limited.

On the other hand, official support hasn't ended, DSLRs still have a loyal following, and "new old stock" could continue to surface, so it's not guaranteed the camera will vanish overnight.

That said, industry trends and clearance-style discounts suggest that availability of brand-new, sealed units is shrinking, making this deal a rare chance to get the 5D Mark IV at such a low price.

Either way, at a price this low, it's hard to pass up the chance to get one while you still can.

I enjoy using both Canon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. But one of the reasons I still enjoy using DSLRs like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the lovely noise it makes when taking a photo. I don't mean using Live View without the mirror, I mean taking a photo the "proper way" via the viewfinder.

That press of the trigger and rapid-fire double "clack". It’s like the reassuring "clunk" of the heavier doors of better cars. Cheaper, lighter cars have crap doors that sound plasticky when they close with a lightweight "click".

Modern mirrorless cameras don’t produce that reassuring click or clack of the curtains (or blinds) moving out of the way of the shutter during an exposure.

For example, there’s a weird "digital squelching" noise that my Canon EOS R5 Mark II makes when you press the shutter button. This noise makes sense when you’re in high-speed burst mode, but not in day-to-day normal photography with single shooting drive mode.

Thankfully on my R5 Mark II, there’s a quick fix: simply switch the shutter mode from electronic shutter to mechanical shutter!

To do this, go into the red Shooting menu and find the Shutter mode page, then select the louder, more satisfying Mechanical option. Bingo! Press the shutter button now and you get that instantaneous "clack clack"!

Mirrorless mechanical shutters sound like a pistol with a silencer, compared to DSLRs' louder mechanical shutters, but they still sound more soothing to my ears!

On the R5 Mark II, you have two other shutter modes: there's Electronic 1st-curtain or the near-silent crunchy-beeping Electronic Shutter (ES) if you prefer, or if you need to be quiet.

What about other brands? Nikon gives you more choice of shutter sounds on top-of-the-range Nikon Z series cameras like the Z8 and Z9 – perhaps too much choice.

With sounds such as DSLR, Digital and Film, that might sound (literally and figuratively) all good. But there’s even a customizable shutter sound on the Z9 that mimics a cat’s meow. To this I say, woof woof!

The Nikon D3000 was launched back in 2009, which makes this DSLR camera for beginners an astonishing 17 years old. And yet, in 2026, it remains a surprisingly relevant camera for new photographers.

In fact, if your goal is to learn photography properly without breaking the bank, the Nikon D3000 might be one of the smartest and most low-risk second-hand camera purchases you can make. The cheapest offers that I found on second-hand retailer KEH in the US is $65, while in the UK it's just £41 at MPB.com.

In a modern mirrorless world obsessed with specs, AI autofocus (AF) and video features, the Nikon D3000 is often forgotten. But it focuses on what truly matters in photography: exposure, control and storytelling.

Why the Nikon D3000 from 2009 still makes sense for

At first glance, recommending a 17-year-old DSLR camera as a beginner tool might sound absurd. But the Nikon D3000 offers everything a photography beginner actually needs – and very little that they don't.

For anyone upgrading from a camera phone, compact camera or point-and-shoot camera, the Nikon D3000 is a perfect step towards a more advanced photography system. It strips shooting down to the essentials and encourages learning rather than automation.

I've been there myself. Today's camera market is intimidating. And once you commit to a system, you're often looking at thousands of dollars in lenses and accessories – before you even know what kind of photography you actually enjoy. Investing heavily at that stage often leads to regret.

Before spending big money, the most important skill to learn is manual exposure. The first, real photographic control comes from understanding aperture, shutter speed and ISO (also referred to as the exposure triangle). And that's where the Nikon D3000 truly shines.

The perfect learning tool

One standout feature makes the Nikon D3000 exceptional for beginners: Guide Mode.

Guide Mode actively teaches photography while you shoot. It explains camera functions, suggests settings for different scenarios, and walks beginners through common shooting situations like portraits, landscapes and motion.

Instead of guessing, you learn why certain settings work – building a real photographic understanding rather than reliance on auto modes.

Also, the ergonomics and menu systems of the Nikon D3000 are refreshingly simple. There's no feature overload, no endless menus and no intimidation factor.

Too many modern cameras overwhelm beginners with options that they don't yet understand – which often leads to frustration. The Nikon D3000 avoids this trap by keeping things focused and approachable.

Cheap second-hand prices = low-risk learning

For minimal investment, you get a capable DSLR, interchangeable lenses, full manual controls and access to affordable older Nikon DSLR lenses.

Its compatibility with manual-focused Nikon lenses is also valuable. Learning manual focus is an underrated skill – and one that strengthens your understanding of composition and depth of field.

So, before you spend thousands on a brand-new US$6,000+ full-frame mirrorless camera, it's best to learn the craft first. Because photography isn't about specs. It's about storytelling, light and exposure.

And that's something that the Nikon D3000 still teaches better than many modern cameras.

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I’ve always had an interest in photography, and from an early age I became the designated photographer at family events and holidays, often handed a cheap disposable camera and set loose photographing friends and family. Of course, waiting for the film to come back had a certain magic to it, but predictably this became replaced by a digital compact camera in my teens as they became affordable.

My first ‘proper’ camera, however, was a Sigma SD14 – at the time I thought this was a perfectly normal choice, though looking back on it now I now know it was a rather quirky camera. Sigma carved a name for itself as a manufacturer of reliable and solid third-party options over the years, though in recent times has stepped into a higher gear with more premium optics, seen in its Art and Sports lenses. When it came to cameras however, Sigma has a tendency to be the outlier, and straying far from the norm. This was seen most recently seen with the company’s full-frame mirrorless Sigma BF.

I was a photography student when I bought my Sigma SD14. I had owned a Sigma DP1 compact camera previously, and the lenses available in Sigma mount were at the time cheaper than the same optics for Canon and Nikon – as a student every little helped! Some of my bargain buys included a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM and 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro.

Rather naively, at the time I don’t think I fully understood its unique digital sensor technology. Though of course being a camera journalist I now know all about them. Sigma cameras, like my SD14, use a Foveon chip. Modern digital sensors typically use the ‘Bayer’ array filter pattern (though there are exceptions such as Fujifilm’s X-Trans pattern).

With CMOS sensors that use the Bayer array there is a grid of red, green and blue filters placed over individual pixels, with half of this being dedicated to green as the human eye is more sensitive to this colour. The camera also uses a process called demosaicing to interpolate – effectively this is where your camera takes its best guess as to what the missing colours should be.

Foveon sensors are special because they use three layers of stacked photodiodes, each sensitive to its own blue, red or green color channel. One of the greatest injustices with Sigma’s Foveon technology (in my humble opinion) was perhaps a lack of marketing… Foveon cameras were usually billed as having a very high number of megapixels. While this is technically true, with each red, green and blue layer containing its own set of pixels, this usually got mixed up with total image resolution and often came across a bit misleading. My Sigma SD14 for example, had 14MP of color data split over three color layers, but the actual resolution of each of these was 4.7MP so the total resolution for how large you could blow up the image or crop in was limited to quite a meager amount.

I love many of the images I took with my Foveon cameras over the years and the colours always looked particularly vivid. The black and white photos also really popped as the internal IR filter could simply be popped off the camera allowing infrared photos to be taken with ease. However, I think it was a bit too ahead of its time as the processors evidently struggled to handle the vast amounts of data from three colour layers – I remember all too well regularly waiting up to 30 seconds for the memory buffer to clear. It also had no live view or video function, and it really struggled to produce clean images at higher ISO values meaning the CMOS camera I upgraded to after owning my SD14, was a much better all-rounder.

I am, however, more optimistic than ever for the future of Foveon. We now have powerful processors capable of recording vast amounts of data such as Canon’s EOS R5 Mark II with its 45MP RAW files, pre-capture and 8K video and suitably fast CFexpress cards now, too.

I’m still holding out hope for the long-awaited full-frame Foveon from Sigma, and with some clearer marketing that leans more into color quality than a misleading large number of megapixels, would give it every chance of success.

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Take a look at the best DSLR cameras as well as our Sigma BF review. For more info on Sigma's ground-breaking sensor tech be sure to read our article: Will Foveon sensors will ever return?

It might be ten years old in 2026, but the pro Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is still a fantastic full-frame camera, with an impressive set of specs and tons of top features that makes it one of the strongest survivors from the DSLR era.

Celebrating its 10th birthday in August 2026, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is still on sale and available as a new camera at many online dealers and direct from Canon, it’s still used by many professional photographers, and it offers more than enough for most people’s photographic needs. I still use mine regulary today 

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV offers great image quality whatever you’re shooting, and it has that reassuring sturdy body that you can rely on, and you know is built to last. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also has a huge range of excellent Canon EF lenses to capture every type of genre, as well as top third-party lenses from Sigma and others.

Personally I still love my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, and it’s a camera I still use regularly for all types of photography – alongside my newer EOS R5 Mark II. From landscape photography for editorial content, headshot photography, or client’s products in my home studio. It’s still a highly versatile camera today.

It has a ‘mummy bear’ sensor size with its ideal 30MP CMOS sensor; bigger than the general baby 24MP sensor, but not-too-large daddy 45MP sensor. Other specs include Dual Pixel RAW and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, it can fire in bursts of 7 frames per second for 21 RAWs, it has GPS / Wi-Fi / NFC, plus EOS Movie 4K + Full HD.

Even better - the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a bit of a bargain now, even new, making it a tempting choice for those looking for a professional camera body (see below). 

While via used dealers like MPB you can pick up a real bargain with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a lower shutter count for just over $1000 in the US, or just over £800 in the UK.

It’s time for my anual reminder to everyone that the Nikon D800 still exists and is still a very good camera indeed.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve waxed lyrical about the D800 over the years, but even as it approaches its fourteenth birthday, I stand by my view that it’s one of the most overlooked cameras on the market for those who want to start taking their photography seriously. And best of all, with each passing year, the price plummets farther and farther.

At the time of writing, MPB is selling used D800 cameras from $304 to $519 / £224 to £309. Sure, the Expeed 3 is getting very long in the tooth, the 51-point AF system is sluggish by today’s standards, and the 4fps max burst speed is laughable.

But the D800 is a premium camera that cost around $3,000 / £2,600 upon its release back in 2012. While the majority of its specs place it way behind the pack now, it’s still got it where it really counts. To this day, the Nikon D800 still churns out gorgeous 36.3MP RAWs and boasts a bulletproof Japanese build.

Its autofocus shortcomings won’t make it overly appealing for action photographers – not that it ever was – and if you shoot video, forget it. But if you’re a landscape photographer, an architectural photographer, or a portrait photographer on a very tight budget, it could still offer you the foundation in which to build a career.

Heck, I cut my motorsport photography teeth using the Nikon D800, and there are images I captured on that camera that remain in my portfolio today. I’ve said it many times before, but you’re far better off compromising on the camera body – if it means you can spend more money on quality lenses – than you are investing everything into an expensive body and having to make do with a kit lens.

Casual photographers and enthusiasts can get by with a standard kit lens, but if you want to take your photography more seriously, specialize, become a student of the medium, or take on work, you’ll need to invest in lenses. And that’s the Nikon D800’s secret weapon. It’s a Nikon DSLR, and that means it’s built around the company’s long-standing F-mount.

Now that Nikon Z lenses and cameras have come of age, F-mount glass has plummeted in price. You can pick up professional-grade ‘trinity’ glass for hundreds rather than thousands of bucks. And I can promise you that a ‘holy trinity’ of f/2.8 DSLR zoom lenses will stand you in much better stead than a tip-top, all-singing, all-dancing mirrorless camera and a kit lens.

If you can find one on the cheap, the Nikon D800 is still a great camera. I know. I still use one!

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Want more D800 ramblings? I bought a used Nikon D800, and it made me laugh… but in a good way. Perhaps you're set on buying a mirrorless camera with D800 DNA? The Nikon Z8 is two years old, but I reckon it could remain in my kit bag for a decade AT LEAST. And if you want a really old camera, I bought the only film camera I’ll ever need: the Nikon FM is an SLR in its purest form.