Best Nikon DSLR Cameras for Photographers in 2023

What is the Best Nikon DSLR Cameras model?

Nikon cameras for beginners, enthusiasts and professionals. We help you choose the Best Nikon DSLR Cameras for beginners, family snappers, experts, and professionals.

We’ve picked the ten best Nikon cameras you can buy right now, and we’re not just going for features, price, and performance but also for the affordability, ease of use, and quality of these cameras for different users and shooting Photographs situations.

At a Glance

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Nikon makes three main types of camera. It’s probably best known for its interchangeable-lens DSLRs, like the entry-level Nikon D3500 or the high-end Nikon D850, as they come at prices that cater to beginners all the way up to full-time professional photographers and are among the best cameras around. DSLR you can buy.

But recently two new mirrorless Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6 have been added that have really caught everyone’s attention, and they also feature in our guide to the best mirrorless cameras .

So we’ll start our list with the best Nikon cameras you can buy right now based on features, capabilities, and price, and look at the best Nikons for more specialized types of photography. Clever? Let’s go!

Our Recommendation For Best Nikon DSLR Cameras

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Best Nikon DSLR Cameras in 2023

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1. Nikon D3500

Best Nikon DSLR Camera Overall

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Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3-inch fixed, 921K dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p | User level: beginner / enthusiast

• Great image quality
• Lens retraction kit neat
• beginner-friendly
• Fixed non-touch screen

It’s the entry-level model in Nikon’s DSLR range, and on paper it doesn’t look much different than the previous Nikon D3400 (which is still on sale).

But subtle design tweaks have improved the winning formula to produce a camera that’s small and light, yet comfortable to hold. It’s an entry-level model, but it has a 24.2MP sensor as good as cameras twice the price, and it offers a very good 5fps continuous shooting speed for a beginner camera.

Guide mode will help beginners get started and understand the basics, and the D3500 has all the manual controls you need to learn photography as your skills improve. Sometimes it is sold a little cheaper with a kit lens without VR (not stabilized),

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2. Nikon Z6

Best Mirrorless Nikon Camera

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Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Full Frame CMOS | Megapixels: 24.5MP | Monitor: EVF, 3,690k dots, 100% coverage | Continuous shooting speed: 12fps | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p | User level: enthusiast / professional

• Well-designed body and controls.
• Excellent high ISO image quality
• 4K full-frame video
• A weak battery of 310 shots

This is the cheaper of Nikon’s two new Z-series mirrorless cameras, but it’s the one we think has the more all-around appeal.

Yes, it’s expensive compared to the D3500, but that’s because it has a much larger full-frame sensor, more powerful image processing, faster continuous shooting speed, 4K video, and a host of other features that set it apart. as an excellent camera for advanced enthusiasts and professionals.

On paper, the 24.5-megapixel sensor doesn’t seem to offer any advantage over smaller, cheaper APS-C cameras, but the extra size of the sensor means your images are much sharper and clearer, especially at higher ISO settings.

Right now, Nikon has only released three native Z-mount lenses (we recommend the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 as the perfect kit), but more are on the way, and if you get this camera with Nikon.

3. Nikon D850

Best Nikon Camera For Professionals

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Type: DSLR | Sensor: Full Frame | Megapixels: 45.7MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Screen type: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2,360,000 dots | Viewfinder: pentaprism | Max Burst Rate: 7fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K UHD | User level: Professional

• High MP and quick shots.
• Solid-body, weather-sealed
• Longer battery life than mirrorless models.
• Expensive

There are plenty of people who will tell you that DSLRs are dead and mirrorless cameras are the future but don’t believe a word of it! The Nikon D850 is a big bruise of a camera compared to the newer Nikon Z models, but it works in your favor if you’re shooting with big, heavy lenses.

Being a DSLR, it has a bright and clear optical viewfinder that many photographers still prefer over a digital screen, no matter how good.

The D850’s 45.7-megapixel sensor produces fairly excellent image quality, but it can still maintain a shooting speed of 7 or 9 frames per second with the optional battery grip.

Even without the grip, the D850 has an incredible 1840 shots of battery life – far longer than any mirrorless rival – and comes with two memory card slots; one for the new XQD card format and one for regular SD/SDHC/SDXC.

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4. Nikon D7200

Best Nikon DSLR Camera for Students

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Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3.2in fixed, 1,229,000 dots | Viewfinder: pentaprism | Max Burst Rate: 6fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p | User level: enthusiast

• More MP than the D500 and D7500
• 1.3x crop mode allows 7fps
• power and value
• no 4K video

It’s been around for a while, but the D7200 ‘s combination of image quality, features and performance has proven to be an evergreen formula, and falling prices make it as desirable as ever.

It doesn’t excel in any particular area, but it’s strong in all of them, making it the perfect choice for photography students or one of the best cameras for enthusiasts.

Anyone looking to move up to a more serious camera. Interestingly, the D7200 has a 4-megapixel resolution advantage over the newer, more expensive Nikon D7500 and D500.

Newer cameras are optimized for speed and low-light shooting, but the D7200 still has the fine detail advantage. It comes with Nikon’s long-lasting and highly-reputed 51-point autofocus system, and while it doesn’t have the tough magnesium-alloy construction of more expensive Nikon DSLRs, it’s still tough enough.

The only thing that reveals its age is the lack of 4K video, but not everyone needs that. Image 1 of 6.

5. Nikon Z7

Best High Resolution Nikon DSLR Camera

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Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Full Frame CMOS | Megapixels: 45.7MP | Monitor: EVF, 3,690k dots, 100% coverage | Continuous shooting speed: 9fps | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p | User level: Professional

• Great handling
• Excellent electronic viewfinder
• There are not many Z-mount lenses yet
• Single XQD card slot

The Z7 is Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera, but it’s an instant classic. It combines a 45.7-megapixel ultra-high-resolution sensor with a 493-point hybrid autofocus system and the ability to capture images at up to 9 frames per second (without the need for a battery grip).

In many ways it beats our top Nikon pro camera, the D850, although its use of a single XQD card slot has proven controversial and it has a much shorter battery life.

In many ways, the Nikon Z7 competes for the title of best Nikon pro alongside the D850, but we think it’s particularly well-suited for landscape photography, where its smaller body and lighter weight will be most welcome when needed. Walk long distances (just be sure to bring a couple of spare batteries).

6. Nikon D5600

Best Nikon DSLR Camera For Travelers

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Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3.2 in pivoting touch screen, 1,037,000 points | Viewfinder: Pentamirror | Max Burst Rate: 5fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p | User level: beginner / intermediate

• Fully articulating touch screen
• 39-point AF system
• Clean and light AF-P kit lens
• D3500 guide mode missing

Nikon’s D3000-series cameras (like the D3500 before it) are entry-level cameras designed for beginners, while the D5000-series cameras are a step up, offering more features and a more adaptable design, with a rear screen foldable that can be tilted in any direction for low-level shots or any other kind of awkward angle.

The D5600 uses Nikon’s proven 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, which is capable of super-sharp results, and comes with the same cleanly retracting 18-55mm AF-P lens as the D3500.

The ‘P’ in the lens name refers to Nikon’s stepper motor autofocus technology, and Nikon lenses with this not only offer fast and quiet autofocus but also seem to speed up display autofocus by live, where DSLRs aren’t very good. If you are going to travel, we recommend getting Nikon’s Image 1 of 5.

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7. Nikon D500

Best Nikon DSLR Camera for Sport

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Type ::DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 20.9MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2,359,000 dots | Viewfinder: pentaprism | Max Burst Rate: 10fps | Maximum video resolution: 4K | User level: enthusiast / professional

• Great build quality and handling.
• Continuous shooting at 10fps
• Excellent autofocus system
• Expensive for an APS-C camera

If you’re interested in action photography, you need four things: very fast continuous shooting speeds, a large buffer capacity so you can capture many shots in a burst, a fast and powerful autofocus system, and a good viewfinder. The D500 ticks all the boxes.

Being an APS-C format camera, it’s much (much) cheaper than the full-frame Nikon D5, but it comes close for robust build and performance, and the smaller sensor adds a handy 1.5 focal length magnification. x which effectively increases the “reach” of telephoto lenses.

The D500 uses Nikon’s new 153-point autofocus system, and the optical viewfinder offers the lag-free viewing you need to track fast-moving subjects. You’re paying a bit more for a tough, fast, sports-oriented camera. Image 1 of 5.

8. Nikon Coolpix A10

Best Budget Nikon DSLR Camera

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Type: Compact | Sensor: 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 16.1MP | Screen: 2.7-inch 230k | Viewfinder: None | Lens: 5x zoom, 26-130mm equiv. | Max Burst Rate: 1.2fps | Maximum video resolution: 720p | User level: beginner

• Stabilization for photos and movies.
• Takes AA batteries
• Simple and intuitive design.
• Maximum movie resolution of 720p

Can you really get a decent digital camera for so little money? If you can! Obviously, the budget price comes with compromises in sensor size and image quality, but you still get 5x optical zoom, a decent 2.7-inch screen, and a simple control layout that means anyone can just pick it up and use it.

We love the fact that it also runs on a couple of regular AA batteries, so if it runs out of power, you can just grab a couple of replacement batteries at any store near you.

Its continuous shooting mode is a bit too slow to be very useful, and it can only capture 720p video, but at this price you have to accept a couple of compromises, and the A10 ticks all the boxes for a budget family camera.

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9. Nikon Coolpix W300

Best Affordable Nikon Camera

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Type: Waterproof Compact | Sensor: 1/2.3in | Megapixels: 16MP | Lens: 24-120mm f/2.8-4.9 | LCD: 3 inches, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Maximum Continuous Shooting Speed: Not Listed | Maximum video resolution: 4K | User level: beginner

The best for adventure: the Nikon W300 can survive anything you can throw at it!

Big, heavy cameras don’t work well in extreme environments. Whether you’re skydiving, surfing, or launching off watery cliffs in a kayak, you need a camera that’s small, light, and tough.

There are plenty of GoPro-style action cameras out there to fit the bill, but the Nikon Coolpix W300 is a ‘proper’ camera with 5x zoom, a 3-inch screen, and camera control that an action camera simply doesn’t have.

Its 1/2.3-inch sensor can capture 16-megapixel still images and 4K video, and it’s incredibly tough. It’s waterproof to a depth of 30m, which is pretty impressive, but it’s also shock resistant, as it’s designed to withstand being dropped from a height of 2.4m.

It doesn’t shoot raw files, which is a shame, but that’s not very common in this class of camera, and hardly a deal-breaker.

10. Nikon Coolpix P900

Best Ultra Zoom Nikon

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Type: Compact Superzoom | Sensor: 1/2.3in | Megapixels: 16MP | Lens: 24-2000mm (equiv.) F/2.8-6.5 | LCD: 3-inch articulating, 921k dots | Viewfinder: EVF, 921k dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 7fps | Movies: Full HD (1080p) | User level: beginner

• 5 stop VR system
• Mammoth zoom range
• Value for money
• No raw shot option

Sometimes last year’s technology offers the best value for money, and that’s certainly true of the P900.

When it launched, its 83x zoom lens made headlines, but Nikon’s newer (and much more expensive) P1000 goes much further with its trillion times zoom, or whatever.

The fact is, though, that 83x zoom is a LOT and you may not find many situations where you really need that kind of magnification. In fact, we think the P900 hits a sweet spot of zoom range and price that the P1000 currently misses by a mile.

You get a 24-2000mm equivalent zoom range, a five-stop Vibration Reduction system to control inevitable camera shake at great distances, and it even has built-in GPS. The P900 does not capture raw files,