How to choose a semi-professional camera, rating the best

Who most often wonders how to choose a semi-professional camera? First of all, those who decided to take filming seriously. There is still a small segment of outright perfectionists who, even in the format of “photos for a family album,” do not want to tolerate the slightest shortcomings.

What is interesting, first of all, is the main sector of buyers. These are relatively former “dummies” who already know enough about the process, have a little knowledge of indicators, technical parameters, and brands on the market.

Compacts

The “compact” version is, first of all, a clearly defined limitation. The camera has its own fixed lens. It will not be possible to exceed the capabilities provided by the device developer. However, no one is saying that the DSLR compact is bad. In the right hands, a good camera can work wonders, because in the end everything depends on the skill of the photographer. Compacts are widely represented on the market, have excellent characteristics and often rank high in the personal preferences of buyers. The good thing is that their price is very affordable compared to other camera options.

Execution of “body”

The “body” version of the camera is recommended for people with above average experience. This package means that only the body and electronic components are purchased. The lens is not included in the delivery. The “body” design, as a rule, wins the selection competition if it is clearly known under what conditions the pictures will be taken, the brand of a suitable lens has been determined, and other features of the process have been taken into account. By purchasing a “body” SLR camera, you can immediately complete the system and start creating. However, the total amount of costs tends to a maximum.

Equipment “kit”

Kit is translated from English as “set”, and this says everything about the configuration of cameras. Inside the box there is a camera with a lens that perfectly matches the parameters of the mechanical and electronic parts. This purchase has the highest rating among beginners. The Kit DSLR is immediately capable of taking high-quality photographs, the settings options are wide, but most importantly, there are no surprises. Everything works exactly as stated in the documentation or reference materials for photographers. There are no subtleties that often arise when combining matrices and lenses with different indicators.

Myths and some conventional divisions

The technical equipment of modern cameras is so great that it is often impossible to draw a line and separate the concepts of “point-and-shoot”, “entry-level”, “semi-professional”, “professional”. On specialized forums, battles are in full swing, participants with a high reputation express terribly smart, ponderous opinions, often sprinkling everyone with dust and mothballs. But no one can give a clear answer. In fact, it is possible to draw a tangible boundary.

Firstly, no one expects anything special from soap dishes. There are minimal settings, it’s easy to shoot, the quality is sometimes pleasing, sometimes not, there are conditions under which the image turns out simply beautiful.
Secondly, a camera for beginners allows you to set parameters that directly affect the quality of shooting. For example, shutter speed, aperture, photosensitivity. With some experience, you can set the desired values in a matter of seconds and get high-quality images in specific conditions.
Thirdly, semi-professional devices do not necessarily imply the use of removable lenses. Compacts with a wide range of settings and excellent hardware parameters are, without any pretense, gaining popularity and are used by very experienced photographers. A distinctive feature of a semi-professional camera is the presence of great freedom in adapting to shooting conditions. This is the ability to configure many parameters, carry out continuous shooting, mount it on a tripod, autofocus at dozens of points, and tracking.

Opinion (according to users’ statements) what distinguishes a professional camera from a semi-professional one is the presence of automated systems for pairing with additional equipment. It’s easy to go on a forum and get into a discussion about specific brands and preferences.

According to some participants, the best semi-professional cameras can literally grab stars from the sky and tug the owner’s hand, recognizing a successful shot. And at the same time, a good camera, the performance of which is impressive, but not maximum, is considered professional if it has the functionality of remote control, forced triggering and synchronization of connected flashes via wireless protocols. As we can see, the divisions are relatively far-fetched.

How to choose a semi-professional camera?

Choosing a good semi-professional camera should take into account such parameters as:

total number of megapixels. Too many megapixels can degrade the results, so it's important to find a middle ground. Otherwise, the photographer will see the image in shadows - they will be perfectly visible in poor lighting;
matrix sensitivity. Professionals especially appreciate the high sensitivity of the device, because with the help of such a device you can get beautiful photos in low light conditions. The value varies in the range of 50-25600 units, but it is better to purchase equipment with an average value;
equipment. There are three options here: Body, Kit and DoubleKit. In the first case, the device comes without a lens in the kit and will have to be purchased separately. In the second version, the gadget comes complete with one lens. By choosing the third option, the user will immediately receive two lenses and a telephoto camera necessary for shooting distant elements;
additional functions. They require careful study, but significantly expand the capabilities of technology. The continuous shooting mode, the ability to connect multiple flashes and several connectors for third-party devices will be useful.

What's on the market

If we look at the market and look for the best semi-professional camera, we can roughly divide it into three key segments. It is very difficult to clearly and unambiguously determine the rating of manufacturers, but it is easy to determine the key characteristics:

Nikon. The brand positions itself as the very best. The equipment is reliable, the quality of the images is at a very high level, and the functionality is flawless. The price is not a record, but it hurts;
Canon. Reliable, responsive technology. High-quality sensors, relatively inexpensive lenses, an extensive warranty and service network. The policy of using a single standard for photocell dimensions within wide model series looks very attractive. The matrices are low noise and sensitive. In terms of pricing policy, the brand’s products are extremely popular among consumers;
Sony. A brand for connoisseurs. What cannot be taken away is the presence of incredibly high-quality, literally unsurpassed optics and high computing power of the hardware. A distinctive feature of the brand is not only the presence of very high-quality offers, but also the presence of lines of cameras with small sizes, as well as a narrow range of applications.

Buying a semi-professional class SLR camera based on the “the newer the better” assessment is definitely not worth it, and it doesn’t matter what brand we are talking about. According to users, cameras manufactured in 2014 and 2015 often not only look better in terms of cost and capabilities, but also outperform new products in terms of image quality. Therefore, before going to the store, you should still look through specialized forums in search of recommendations.

The best semi-professional SLR cameras with good image quality

Canon EOS 250D Kit

The semi-professional SLR camera Canon EOS 250D Kit is suitable for any type of shooting. The optical viewfinder with 9 focusing points shows the composition of the frame without distortion and is economical on battery power. Thanks to the Dual Pixel feature, the camera quickly focuses on the eyes, even if the model is in motion. The shooting speed is 5 frames per second. The rotating screen will help you experiment with unusual angles or take selfies with the camera.

The sensitive sensor allows you to set focus anywhere in the frame. The EOS 250D DSLR camera comes in three colors: grey, black and white. Its lightweight body is comfortable for long periods of shooting. The built-in flash is useful in low light, and the E-TTL II hot shoe is suitable for attaching external equipment. The combination of a compact body, a powerful processor and 4K video shooting makes it ideal for bloggers.

Canon EOS 77D Kit

When it comes to the Canon brand, there is no doubt that you will find the right equipment in the online electronics store. The best semi-professional SLR camera with good image quality, the EOS 77D Kit is controlled by two dials, allowing you to simultaneously adjust the shutter speed and aperture settings. Photographers will be able to share the footage they just shot by syncing the camera and smartphone via Bluetooth. Thanks to the wide ISO range, high-quality, bright images will be obtained even in low light conditions.

Advanced photographers will appreciate the small screen on top of the body, which displays the current settings of the device. A mirror viewfinder and 45 cross-type AF points make composition easy. The Canon EOS 77D shoots Full HD video at 1920x1080 resolution, and the image stabilization system will help avoid blur. The camera takes photos at 6 frames per second in burst mode.

Canon EOS 6D Body

The semi-professional Canon EOS 6D Body SLR camera leaves only good impressions. The pictures are of high quality, the controls are easy, the settings can be changed with the thumb of your right hand. This is one of the most affordable and popular models with a 20 MP full-frame sensor. The model does not have a built-in flash, but professional photographers practically do not use it, preferring external equipment.

A big advantage of the Canon EOS 6D is the presence of a 3.5 mm jack for connecting an external microphone and the ability to connect a remote control. The bright 3:2 screen gives you clear images, and the small monochrome display at the top lets you keep track of your current settings. The Canon EF camera mount supports a large number of interchangeable lenses, which will definitely be needed to realize the creative ideas of the photographer.

Nikon D750 Body

A full-frame sensor, wide ISO coverage and strong dynamic range make the Nikon D750 Body one of the best semi-professional DSLR cameras. Many camera users note fast and accurate focusing, as well as good image quality and color rendition. Autofocus consists of 51 points, 15 of which are cross-type. For better video recording, the D750 has a microphone and headphone jack.

Nikon lovers will be pleased with the classic body design and control menu. The wheel contains popular modes that can be changed with a quick movement of your finger while shooting. The retractable screen allows photographers to shoot above or below eye level, but there is no rotating mechanism, which has been a drawback for some buyers. The body is protected from rain and dust, the battery ensures autonomous operation of the camera for more than 1000 frames.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II Body

A good semi-professional camera, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II Body, is popular among photographers. The mirror viewfinder with 45 autofocus cross points allows you to quickly find the desired composition, depth and background blur. The model has a high-quality rotating screen from which you can fully control the menu. To install a third-party flash, the EOS 6D Mark II has a hot shoe and E-TTL II metering. Thanks to synchronization with a smartphone via Bluetooth, materials can be shared immediately after shooting at a corporate event or photo shoot.

A full-frame Canon SLR camera produces rich colors, good contrast and high-quality frame detail. The enlarged battery is designed for 1200 photos, but buyers note that this characteristic is underestimated and the battery life is much longer. The shooting speed is 6.5 frames per second. The ergonomic and lightweight body of the semi-professional camera fits well in the hand and does not take long to get used to.

What's worth buying

Here is a short list of cameras that are popular and almost guaranteed to please the owner. Taking into account the brands listed above, we will indicate several models specifically linked to the names mentioned.

Canon

The EOS 6D model is extremely popular. In terms of price-quality ratio, it is the undoubted leader. Among the characteristics:

full-size matrix;
adaptive intelligent focus, tracking, including face tracking;
2 million effective pixels;
wide ranges of parameter changes;
ability to save in RAW format;
Frame coverage in the pentoprism viewfinder is 97%.

There is remote control, wireless connectivity, evaluation systems (measuring white balance, for example), focusing is done using 11 points. If you have money, you can buy a Canon EOS 5D Mark III model, which has lower autofocus capabilities, but it is better and faster, covers 61 points, the camera has 22.3 million active pixels, and wider ranges of parameters. But the price is one and a half to two times higher than its popular brother.

Nikon

A notable star of the brand is the D7000. The camera won the title of best product and topped the famous EISA “Advanced SLR camera” rating. The characteristics of the device are as follows:

2 million effective pixels;
there is recording in RAW format;
the matrix is not full-size, crop factor 1.5;
39-point focusing.

It makes no sense to list all the parameters and features. The camera is very decent, but inferior to the Canon EOS 6D in most respects, and costs only 20-25% less. This is the already mentioned feature of the positioning of Nikon products on the market and the result of a well-thought-out marketing policy.

Sony

Among Sony products, the Sony A77 II model is the leader in terms of price-quality ratio. She has:

excellent CMOS sensor with control built on the BionsZ X processor;
3 million effective pixels;
autofocus has record characteristics - 79 points;
electronic image stabilization.

The camera specs are impressive. It is always included in the rating when choosing a specific purchase, directly competing with the Canon EOS 6D in terms of price tag. The model loses to its competitor by the matrix. Canon has a full-size one for the same money, while Sony offers an APS-C crop format.

The assessment of semi-professional cameras also includes the amount of finance that the potential owner is willing to spend. The price of models can differ significantly, even if we are talking about a simple increase in autofocus class or a relatively small increase in the number of effective megapixels. Therefore, let us remind you once again: before going to the store, you should carefully study the recommendations of experienced photographers.

Best Cheap DSLR Cameras for Beginners 2021

Canon EOS 2000D Kit

The Canon EOS 2000D Kit is one of the best options in the rating of cameras for beginners, which is perfect for practicing skills or starting a course. By purchasing such a camera, you can be sure of the quality of the pictures and ease of operation. Canon comes with a simple lens included, so you can start working with it right out of the box.

The automatic shooting function makes it easy to take good shots even with minimal photography knowledge. Turn on intelligent settings and the device will select the necessary parameters by analyzing the objects in the frame and the light. The camera is small, the hand will not get tired of holding it suspended for a long time and costs up to 30,000 rubles. The grip area is rubberized, and the design is thought out so that the thumb can reach all the buttons and levers.

Some buyers note that the EOS 2000D Kit does not have a touch screen, but we must not forget that this is a budget model. The battery capacity is enough for 500 shots without recharging. Thanks to the optical viewfinder, the battery is consumed more slowly, because you can adjust the frame even when the device is turned off.

Nikon D3400 Kit

Looking for an inexpensive beginner's DSLR with a good zoom? Then consider purchasing the Japanese brand Nikon. The D3400 Kit features wide dynamic range, hybrid autofocus and manual focus. The photos come out in pleasant colors, and the high resolution of the matrix (24.7 MP) gives plenty of scope for processing frames on a computer. Focus points make it much easier for novice photographers to take a photo.

The modern three-inch display is great for video shooting. The LCD display gives a clear image, even with a quick glance you can evaluate the quality of the frame. According to some users, the screen lacks an auto-rotate function. This makes it difficult to shoot from non-standard angles. The D3400 Kit can shoot video; the camera has a built-in microphone. For better sound recording, professionals advise purchasing an additional external microphone.

Canon EOS 4000D Kit

The affordable Canon EOS 4000D Kit DSLR has the features that beginner photographers need. The kit includes a universal lens with a convenient focal length. For shooting at night and experimenting with shadows, the EOS 4000D has a built-in flash. An 860 mA/h battery will allow you to take more than 500 shots with auto focus and flash. Interchangeable lens support is provided by a Canon EF/EF-S mount connection.

The mirror viewfinder is battery efficient and works well in very bright light. The Canon EOS 4000D has several focusing methods for sharpening the frame (manual, face, automatic). 9 focusing points make shooting much easier. The camera supports external memory cards SDHC, Secure Digital, SDXC. You can purchase several cards and not worry about the safety of your frames during the photo shoot. The SLR camera took third place in the ranking of the best cameras for beginners costing up to 20,000 rubles.

Nikon D5600 Kit

Nikon D5600 Kit is a good DSLR for entry-level photographers. The rotating screen will be convenient when shooting from a non-standard angle. The included 18-55mm lens is suitable for developing skills and understanding different focal lengths. With interchangeable lens support, you can use different optics and lenses for creative photography. You can record video with the D5600, and for higher quality sound you can purchase an external microphone for the existing 3.5 mm jack.

Sensitivity up to ISO 25600 allows you to take clear photos in low light. Automatic mode will set the settings for optimal exposure on its own. The maximum photo resolution is 6000 x 4000, the device shoots in JPEG and RAW formats. Nikon SnapBridge technology allows you to transfer pictures or videos from your camera to your smartphone.

Nikon D3500 Kit

The affordable Nikon D3500 Kit DSLR has a learning feature that will delight novice photographers. The prepared series of slides will help you understand the camera modes and settings and experiment on your own. The D3500 is one of the most affordable cameras with an interchangeable lens option. The body is quite light to hold it for a long time without fatigue in your hands during a photo shoot for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or corporate event. The buttons are placed so that you can control the settings with your thumb.

The Nikon camera reproduces colors well, focusing is fast, and the built-in stabilizer helps eliminate blur in the frame. The D3500 can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth and transferred pictures taken. The shutter speed range of 30 - 1/4000 seconds will allow you to take beautiful night photographs. Beginners will appreciate the built-in filters and many automatic modes. The Nikon D3500 DSLR camera is at the top of the list of good cameras for beginners.