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Top 13 Best APS-C Digital SLRs

At ePHOTOzine, we've reviewed every Digital SLR available so far, so here are the Top 13 Best APS-C Digital SLRs.

28 Nov 2017 8:30AM by ePHOTOzine | Pentax KP in Digital SLRs

The Digital SLR or DSLR lets you change your lens, making it a versatile option for those that also want an optical viewfinder. Some of the things to look for on more advanced Digital SLRs is a top LCD screen, which you will find on some models, making it easier to see what the camera settings are. Many of the latest DSLRs also feature built-in Wi-Fi making it easy to transfer photos to your smartphone or tablet.

These cameras all feature an APS-C sized sensor, also known as crop sensor. Make sure you click the name to read the full reviews to find out the pros and cons of each model shown below, and how we score the cameras.

1 - Pentax K-3 II

The 24 megapixel Pentax K-3 II offers a pixel shift resolution mode for improved image quality, built-in GPS (instead of a flash), 8.3fps continuous shooting, weather-sealed body, top LCD screen, but does not offer built-in Wi-Fi. The Pentax K-3 II is available for around £749 body only.

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2 - Nikon D7500

The Nikon D7500 features a 20 megapixel CMOS sensor (the same sensor as the more expensive Nikon D500), 8fps continuous shooting, 4K UHD video recording, and a wide ISO range of ISO50-1640000 making it great for low-light conditions. The camera body is weather-sealed and features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control. The Nikon D7500 is available for £1199 body only.

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3 - Pentax KP

The 24 megapixel Pentax KP offers pixel shift resolution for improved image quality, built-in flash, a changeable grip, a weather-sealed body, and a number of customisable controls. There's a tilting 3inch screen and built-in Wi-Fi. The Pentax KP is available for around £1099 body only.

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4 - Pentax K-S2

The 20 megapixel Pentax K-S2 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, as well as a weather-sealed body, 5.7fps continuous shooting, vari-angle screen, and is one of the smaller DSLRs available, thanks to the K-S2 being available with a collapsing 18-50mm kit lens for around £499.

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5 - Nikon D7200

The 24 megapixel Nikon D7200 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, a weather sealed body with a top LCD screen, 51 focus points, 6fps continuous shooting, and ISO up to a whopping ISO1024000 (in black and white). The Nikon D7200 is available for around £739 body only.

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6 - Nikon D500

The Nikon D500 is Nikon's top of the range APS-C (DX) sensor camera and features a 20 megapixel CMOS sensor, high speed 10fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording, and a wide ISO range of ISO50-1640000 making it great for low-light conditions. The camera body is weather-sealed and features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control. The Nikon D500 is available for £1729 body only.

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7 - Canon EOS 80D

The Canon EOS 80D features a 24-megapixel sensor, a new 45-point cross-type AF system, 7fps continuous shooting, and an ISO range of ISO100 to ISO25600. The camera features a large 100% optical viewfinder, a vari-angle touch-screen, fullHD video recording and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easier connection to smartphones. The Canon EOS 80D is available for £875 body only.

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8 - Nikon D5500

The 24 megapixel Nikon D5500 is another small Digital SLR and offers a larger than normal 3.2inch vari-angle touch-screen, built-in Wi-Fi, 5fps continuous shooting, and mic socket. The D5500 is available with a collapsing 18-55mm kit lens for around £549.

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9 - Sony Alpha A77-II

The 24 megapixel Sony Alpha A77 Mark II offers 12fps continuous shooting, built-in Wi-Fi, weather-sealed body, top LCD screen, tilting screen. Instead of a traditional optical viewfinder, the A77-II features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) instead of an optical viewfinder and is available for around £699 body only.

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10 - Nikon D3300

The 24 megapixel Nikon D3300 offers 5fps continuous shooting, a microphone socket, and is designed to be easy to use with a user-friendly graphic user interface, but does not feature Wi-Fi. The Nikon D3300 is available with a collapsing 18-55mm kit lens for £299, making it one of the cheapest 24 megapixel DSLRs available.

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11 - Canon EOS 760D

The 24 megapixel Canon EOS 760D features a top LCD screen and additional controls making it easier to change settings, including a locking mode dial. Other features include Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, a vari-angle touch screen, and 5fps continuous shooting. The Canon EOS 760D is available for around £649 body only, or you could look at the Canon EOS 750D if you were on a tighter budget.

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12 - Pentax K-70

The 24 megapixel Pentax K-70 offers a large 100% optical viewfinder, 6fps continuous shooting, built-in Wi-Fi, and a tilting vari-angle screen. The camera also features built-in shake reduction by moving the sensor on the camera. Pixel shift resolution improved image quality, and the camera is weather sealed with a wide ISO range from ISO100 to ISO102400. The Pentax K-70 is available for around £559 body only.

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13 - Canon EOS 200D (Rebel SL2)

The Canon EOS 200D is Canon's smallest DSLR currently available and features a 24-megapixel sensor, 5fps continuous shooting, and an ISO range of ISO100 to ISO25600/51200. The camera features 650 shot battery life, a vari-angle touch-screen, full HD video recording and built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for easier connection to smartphones. The Canon EOS 200D is available for £509 body only.

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Have a look at our Top 10 Best Full-Frame Digital SLRs.

Once you've found the perfect Digital SLR, you'll need to find the right camera bag, and memory card for your camera. You can find the latest Digital SLR reviews here, or find a new lens for your camera in our lens reviews.

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Photographs taken using the Pentax KP

When are you going to come down to Earth? Harden & Murrumburrah, New South Wales, Australia

The Southern Sky over Currawong, New South Wales, Australia

I'd Go Anywhere with You, Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

Old Friends, Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

Stay awhile soft mist, Tuggeranong, Canberra

Armillary Sphere, National Arboretum, Canberra

Comments

PentaxMac 5 5

23 Nov 2015 7:18PM

Like 4

Pentax. The Jeremy Corbyn of cameras. Loved by those who know, loathed or unknown to the masses.

NeilSchofield Plus

12 1.4k

18 Jun 2016 11:21AM

Like 0

The body in number four position is in the wrong position surely, as it was only marked down on value for money, I don't believe any of the others can touch it as far as THE best ASPC 2016 body is concerned

PentaxBro 2 43 2

24 Mar 2017 2:45PM

Like 1

PENTAX K-70 definitely should be higher than the Pentax KS-2! Its an vastly improoved KS-2 ,
with better image quality than K-3II ,
second only to KP..
Simply the Best Value for money here.
But of course both Nikon d7200 & Canon 80D have better focusing systems if you are not just a static shooter.

mannypr 8 9

25 Mar 2017 5:52AM

Like 0

Curious that Pentax should have the top positions .

owen_john 12 29

25 Mar 2017 10:59AM

Like 0

Why is it curious that Pentax should have the top positions?, Look past the name and look at the specs and image quality Pentax can Produce. Seriously they are great cameras and better value for money!, come on is the Nikon D500 really worth £1700 just for the Body?

PentaxBro 2 43 2

25 Mar 2017 2:24PM

Like 1

If you need absolutely the best and quick and wide coverage focusing Nikon D500 is worth it.Its mostly for people which make money with it on action photos anyway.
But alternatively you may consider Sony 77ii (best value for sports/action portraits etc) or Canon 80D if you are on the tighter budget and need something more sporty with more af. pnts.Pentax K-3ii/KP is quite speedy but it has just too narrow coverage for some.Nikon D7200 is also better in this regard.But the Nikon D500 just feels great in hands too Wink

ChrisV Plus

12 2.3k 26

3 Apr 2017 4:27PM

Like 0

I can understand the position of the Pentax cameras on the 'bang for buck' criteria - all that is except the new KP coming in at number 2. Not great value measured against the other Pentaxes, so that choice just mystifies me. I'd agree the 'money no object' choice would surely have to be the D500.

No axe to grind on this as I won't be buying an APSc format camera in any hurry.

Last modified by ChrisV on 3 Apr 2017 4:28PM

mannypr 8 9

1 Dec 2017 5:28AM

Like 0

As the title says , The Best APS C DSLR and not the best buy . Being that as it is it has always made me wonder the consistency in which lately ephotozine put Pentax cameras in the top positions . Is the Pentax better then the Nikon D500 ? I doubt it and am not alone on this . On one thing I concur with ephotozine , the list of cameras are all great cameras and in that I think we all concur .

Offertonhatter 9 9

7 Dec 2017 6:45PM

Like 0

I am not surprised that the K-3II is top. It may be the oldest when it comes to release date, but it still proves that as an APS-C camera, it not only provides the best bang for the buck, but it can still match the best from CaNikon such as the D500 and 7D mk2.

Surprises? Well I would have put the D500 at second, just behind the K-3II, being a fantastic Nikon body, and the K-70 being below the KS-2. The K-70 is so much better than the former.

As for those who dismiss the AF speed of Pentax bodies in general, the K-3II is right up there with the top APS-C bodies from the big two now, and you can shoot well in AF-C with it. I certainly have.