The first DSLR: the best models to buy

Canon EOS 1200D kit 18-55

Being one of the most affordable in the Japanese manufacturer's DSLR line, the camera, nevertheless, allows you to get great pictures when shooting various scenes. This is largely facilitated by a good multi-pixel matrix. And although the number of pixels is not a guarantee of excellent shots, in fairness, we note that it is this factor that affects the transmission of the tiniest details of the image.

A set of preset scene programs (sports, landscape, sunny day, etc.) allows a beginner to quickly master the camera and get high-quality pictures almost from the very first frame. For the more thoughtful and advanced, there is a full range of semi-automatic modes, including the "M" mode, in which the camera's automation is completely disabled.

One of the main differences between SLR cameras is the presence of a contrast focus system that allows to achieve almost instantaneous focus. This is especially important when shooting moving objects. But the number of focus points in this camera is somewhat disappointing — there are only 9 of them, which is not enough against the background of competitors. For a practicing photographer, this can be a very big minus.

The built-in flash can help out in low light, but, in fairness, we note that it is applicable only as a “melee weapon”. A photographer involved in reportage shooting (especially indoors) will definitely be puzzled by the purchase of an on -camera flash, which will allow you to shoot even in the complete absence of lighting.

The speed of serial shooting is low, but this indicator is in demand among professional reporters and photo hunting enthusiasts. In other cases, they can be safely neglected. Otherwise, the set of functions is standard, as for cameras in this price range.

The lens included in the kit should be considered as a “training lens”, however, it allows you to get very decent shots. No less relevant for modern cameras is the video mode. The camera confidently handles with this, and with the on-camera LED light, it allows you to work even in low light conditions.

The camera is very small, it can “sit” not too confidently in a large male palm, so it makes sense to hold it in your hands before buying.

Sony A58 kit 18-55

One of the most famous manufacturers of consumer electronics has always been synonymous with new and out of the box solutions. This camera is no exception. The model is equipped with an electronic viewfinder — a very exotic solution, as for this class of devices. It is very clear, and even with 100% frame coverage, which, with the traditional solution with a pentaprism, is found only in the Pro-camera segment. However, with fast reframing, the refresh rate leaves much to be desired.

The matrix has over 20 MP, which allows us to talk about good detail. Alas, the lens included in the kit will not allow you to fully experience this. Also, a large noise level is not in favor of detailing. According to these indicators, the main competitors are far ahead. The swivel display is convenient, but again inferior in quality to solutions from Nikon and Canon.

But what she does not occupy is “brains”. The software is simply amazing : a huge number of preset programs, the ability to programme various user scenes (presets), chromatic aberration suppression, vignette removal, distortion correction when shooting at a wide angle, etc. The noise reduction algorithm is very interesting: the camera automatically makes 8 (eight !) Frames in a row, and then she automatically "glues" them together, applying a different degree of noise reduction to each.

The claimed “rate of fire” of 8 frames / sec is nothing more than a marketing ploy. In reality, the camera is capable of accelerating up to 5 frames / sec, but this figure is very high for a solution of this class. Also, the model can be extremely interesting for fans of panoramas. Their creation is pure pleasure. As well as the creation of HDR images in automatic mode. The camera itself will shoot and collect such a picture for you.

Ergonomics are quite unusual. This is the only model in which the control dial is not on the right, but on the left. Unfortunately, the free space to the right of the viewfinder is not filled with useful buttons, but with banal advertising ... The buttons on the rear panel are also not very convenient. But in the hand the camera lies very well, even in a large male palm it will not be lost.

Shooting video has always been Sony's forte. And the SLT-A58 is no exception. Confidently working in video mode, it has tracking autofocus, a huge number of shooting modes, an image stabilizer and a built-in stereo microphone.

Pentax K-500 kit

The cameras of this company are less known and popular than the products of the giants of the photo industry. But in vain! The K-500 model is a vivid confirmation of this.

The classic layout, stainless steel chassis, matrix, autofocus system and processor are borrowed from the older model Pentax K-5 kit . The differences are not so great and have almost no effect on the quality of the picture.

A matrix with 16 MP is rather weak by modern standards, but this is more than enough to get excellent detail. At the same time, it is less sensitive to hand tremors, which causes “micro-smearing” (blurring) in cameras with a very high pixel density. And if in general, then you should not turn the number of pixels into a fetish. Most practicing photographers will confirm that it is by no means “not in photographic happiness!”

But the sensitivity of the matrix is beyond praise! It allows you to shoot with decent quality even at values above ISO 3200. And this is with very natural colour reproduction. The quality of the picture should be especially noted — a very high level, as for an amateur-class camera.

But the autofocus system is simplified. There are 11 points in total, and there is no highlight selected, which makes it very difficult to work in reportage mode. There is no focus confirmation signal in the viewfinder, which greatly complicates the use of manual, there is no autofocus optics. But the viewfinder itself is a real bright glass pentaprism with almost 100% frame coverage. Such a solution is the lot of expensive professional full-frame cameras.

The set of preset scene programs is standard. Semi-automatic modes are very interesting, in which the camera itself selects the ISO sensitivity value depending on the set aperture and exposure. In terms of ergonomics, the presence (pay attention!) of two wheels for controlling the main parameters is pleasantly surprising. An excellent solution that is practically not found in the segment of low-cost amateur cameras. This makes it very easy to set up in situations where you have to shoot shots with different scenes and lighting conditions.

Equally amazing is the camera's ability to remotely control an external flash. For admirers of portrait shooting — a must have! But about filming a video, suffice it to say that it is present. Definitely a secondary feature for this camera.

Nikon D5200 kit 18-55 Price from 25 000 up to 31 942 ₴ →

Even a cursory acquaintance with the set of functions of this "baby" can shock the owner of an expensive professional "SLR". Nikon engineers managed to combine the huge functionality of the famous camera Nikon D7000 kit 18-55 with a small case of the previous model Nikon D5100 kit 18-55 Price from 21 000 ₴, while not forgetting to add a superb matrix with a fantastic 24 MP.

A characteristic feature of all Nikon cameras of the D5XXX line is the presence of a rotary VGA display, which is extremely convenient when shooting from “non-standard” positions, and especially when shooting video. At the same time, the design allows you to lay it in such a way that the dimensions of the camera do not increase, and this is very important for a practicing photographer.

In addition to the chic ultra-modern sensor, the camera received the same excellent autofocus module as in the older D7100 crop model : 39 focus points are able to satisfy the needs of any pro shooting in the reportage genre. At the same time, the speed is excellent. The presence of the dynamic autofocus mode turns the camera into an excellent "photo gun" and allows you to achieve excellent shots when shooting moving objects. The ability to shoot in RAW with 14-bit colour, adjusting autoISO depending on the focal length of the lens — this is already from the category of fantasy in this class of cameras, but it is there!

A huge number of pre-installed scene programs allows you to get a very decent quality from the first frames. High speed continuous shooting, auto bracketing, two high-speed shooting modes, the ability to use a remote control — the number of functions can satisfy the most demanding user.

The camera performs well at high sensitivity values (ISO), which allows you to shoot in a situation where using a flash is not possible or simply useless. The noise level even at ISO1600 remains within acceptable limits. But the lens included in the kit is frankly weak for a camera with such capabilities and should be replaced as soon as possible. As an option — Nikon 16-85 AF-S. The presence of a swivel screen forced the developers to group the control buttons along the right edge of the rear panel, which is not very convenient.

The quality of the video, although not of a professional level, allows you to shoot good amateur clips with stereo sound.