Best dslr camera 2020: 11 great cameras to suit all budgets

Open Camera

Open Camera includes all the manual camera controls. It is an open source app where you get all the features for free. There are no in-app purchases or ads.

Open Camera offers almost all the Camera FV-5 Lite features. You get the basic controls like white balance, ISO, exposure compensation/lock, scene modes etc. Interestingly, you also get face detection.

Further, the app offers cool ways to capture photos such as by a voice command or some other sound such as a whistle. Similar to the FV-5 Lite app, you get configurable volume keys and the ability to choose where to save the images.

You can also add other things to your images like date, timestamp, and location coordinates. The app also supports timer, burst mode, HDR, and a widget that lets you take a photo with a single tap.

What should you look for when buying a new DSLR?

A DSLR remains the cheapest way to get a camera with interchangeable lenses and a viewfinder (you’ll find many entry-level mirrorless cameras don’t have viewfinders). But what else should you consider when choosing one?

The main differences between an entry-level DSLR and a more advanced one are usually in the camera’s design, sensor and shooting features. Beginner DSLRs like the Nikon D3500 are often smaller than their more premium equivalents, which might be important to you, though this usually means a lack of weather-proofing and fewer manual controls.

The size difference is often also related to sensor size. More affordable DSLRs tend to have APS-C size sensors, while pro-friendly ones like the Nikon D850 are full-frame cameras. There is no outright ‘better’ sensor size, with each having their own advantages and drawbacks. To find out more about these, check out our Full-frame cameras: do you really need one? feature.

Not sure how to decide between a beginner DSLR and a mid-range model? Paying a bit more for the latter will usually get you increased shooting flexibility, which could see you keep the camera for longer and save you money in the long run. The extra features you tend to get are improved continuous shooting speeds (handy for shooting sport or wildlife), superior high ISO performance (useful in lower light), and sometimes an extra memory card slot.

If you’re just looking to step up from your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera, though, then an entry-level DSLR will give you the image quality boost and manual controls you need to grow into your new hobby. Finally, a quick word of advice if you don’t have any lenses – buy your new DSLR with a kit lens, as it’s cheaper to do this than buy them separately.

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(Image credit: Nikon)

Nikon D5300

A brilliant entry-level option with plenty of growing space

Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Megapixels: 24.1MP | Lens mount: Nikon DX | Screen: 3.2-inch articulating, 1,037,000 dots | Continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Max video resolution: 1080p | User level: Beginner

3.2in flip-out LCD 
Excellent image quality
No 4K video recording
Screen isn’t sensitive to touch

It’s been on the market for some time but we still have a soft spot for the D5300 – and the fact that it can still be bought brand new is testament to just how relevant it continues to be. It provides first-time DSLR users with a stronger set of specs than the average entry-level DSLR, with a 3.2in LCD that flips all the way out to face the front, together with a 39-point AF system, Full HD video recording to 60p and 5fps burst shooting. Of course, none of that would matter if the image quality wasn’t up to scratch, but fortunately it is; the 24.1MP APS-C sensor has been designed without the optical low-pass filter to help as much detail to get into images as possible, and results at high ISO settings remain strong.

Camera FV-5 Lite

If you are familiar with the DSLR settings, the Camera FV-5 Lite app provides a similar user interface (UI). You get all the necessary options on the first screen itself. Nothing is buried down in the settings.

With this app, you can control ISO, light metering mode, focus mode, and white balance. You can also create time lapses and time-controlled picture series. In addition to program and speed-priority modes, you can also set manual shutter speed and view live histogram.

The app also supports EXIF and XMP metadata. Further, you also get multiple focus modes like Autofocus, macro, touch-to-focus, and infinity focus modes. When it comes to quality, you can change the JPG compression quality and also save lossless PNG images.

If you want to assign camera functions to volume keys, the app also lets you do the same. When it comes to organization, the app makes sure you get all the things such as customizable file names, storage locations, file format etc.

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Although you get all these features in the free app, the Lite version limits the resolution to 3.1MP. To unlock all the device resolutions and to enable RAW capture, you need to buy the premium variant that costs $3.

Manual Camera

Another paid app that provides superb manual control goes by the name Manual Camera (how convenient). It supports shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, and focus distance.

Not all devices support manual controls. Since it is a paid app, the developer wants you to run a compatibility test. You can download the app to check compatibility here.

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To make changes, the app provides a rotating wheel, where you can adjust various settings. Like most of the other manual camera apps, it also supports the RAW format. You can even adjust grids, sounds, and timer.

Camera360: Selfie Photo Editor with Funny Sticker

If you are looking for a manual camera for your front camera or for taking cool selfies, then Camera360 is the answer. You can apply live filters and effects to your photos using this app. Trust me, the Camera360 app contains a wide variety of effects and filters.

With this app, you can basically create a new person, thanks to the cool editing. You can change your eye size, whiten the teeth, and enhance your lips with this app. And once you are done, you can even add stickers.

Some of the other apps that you can use for awesome selfies are Retrica — Discover Yourself, BeautyPlus — Easy Photo Editor & Selfie Camera, and YouCam Perfect — Selfie Photo Editor.