Top 9 Best Nikon Cameras for Beginners & Professionals 2021 Reviews

Top 9 Best Nikon Camera for Beginners & Professionals 2021 Reviews

For cameras, Nikon is the most popular brand that has written the history of photography. There are many reasons for choosing the Nikon brand.

The company’s primary focus is on the design and production of DSLR and mirrorless cameras for an enthusiastic and professional photographic public. Within the huge Nikon catalog, we find cameras for all needs, reflex cameras (professional, intermediate, and entry-level), full-frame mirrorless cameras, bridge cameras, and a good range of compacts.

For photographers starting, Nikon offers a clear and outlined path. You can start with an entry-level camera, then buy higher quality compatible lenses and integrate your set with flashes and other compatible accessories.

Let’s see which is the best Nikon camera for your needs.

Top 9 Best Nikon Cameras 2021 Reviews

#1 Best Nikon Camera for Beginners: Nikon Z7 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera

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The best Nikon camera that we recommend to beginners who prefer a mirrorless camera is the Nikon Z7. It comes with a 45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor for high-resolution photographs.

In the world of professional photography, this product could amaze all novices as it represents an excellent solution to combine the best of traditional DSLRs. The portability and performance are amazing.

The slim and light body offers an excellent compromise between grip, size, and lightness. One of the enviable features of this machine is the quality of the OLED electronic viewfinder. It comes with a 3,686,400-dot resolution and 100% frame coverage. At the moment, it is one of the best EVF on the market. The 3.2-inch articulated touch screen display has excellent quality with a large 2.1 million dot resolution. The only flaw is the inability to orient the screen in selfie mode.

Pros

  • Full frame BSI-CMOS sensor
  • High resolution
  • Outstanding functions
  • Slim design

Cons

  • Low-quality selfie mode

The controls are like the components found in the D850. We say that the Z7 is the mirrorless version of the D850, with the advantage of being lighter and with faster continuous shooting performance.

#2 Best Nikon Camera for Professional Photography: Nikon D6 DSLR Camera

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For professional sporting events and high-end wildlife photographers, the Nikon D6 is the best professional camera on the market. This SLR is the most expensive Nikon model. It comes with a sealed body that is ready to face the most adverse situations. There is also a fast focusing system and lightning-fast burst shooting.

Built around the same 20.8MP full-frame sensor as the previous version, the Nikon D6 is now capable of 14 photos per second in a continuous burst. It offers a 105-point cross-type AF focusing reticle. There is a comfortable large optical viewfinder and a clearly defined 3.2-inch screen with touch screen technology. The dual grip with dual controls is ideal for the action photographer who needs to find the right settings. Image quality, especially in low light, is exceptional.

Pros

  • Sealed body
  • Fast-focusing system
  • Lightning-fast burst shooting
  • Full-frame sensor

Cons

  • Expensive

This camera can handle digital noise incredibly, even when lighting conditions are critical. Even for focusing when the light is dim, the camera can lock onto the subject down to 4.5EV.

#3 Best Nikon Camera for Video: Nikon D850 FX-Format Digital SLR Camera

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In the market of professional cameras for events, weddings, sports, and action, the best Nikon SLR is the D850. It combines excellent image quality with impeccable focusing speed, an excellent viewfinder, and a friendly user interface.

With this DSLR camera, you have a 45MP BSI-CMOS full-frame sensor that can take photographs with a resolution of 8256 x 5504 pixels. You can also print in large formats and for professional publications.

There is a second slot for SD memory cards that is useful for professional photographers for backups and shooting repeatedly. The continuous shooting speed is 7 fps that is not a high number but can easily satisfy the needs of sports and wildlife photographers.

Pros

  • Ideal for events, weddings, and sports
  • Excellent image quality
  • Excellent viewfinder
  • High resolution

Cons

  • Expensive

In this camera. The viewfinder (optical type) is of excellent workmanship, with 100% frame coverage and 0.75x magnification.

#4 Best Nikon Camera for Photography: Nikon Z6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

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Among the best Nikon is the mirrorless Z6. It is the least expensive camera of the new Z series and the most suitable choice for the semi-pro public and enthusiasts. The camera body is like that of the big sister Z7. It features a 24.5MP full-frame CMOS sensor and is portable. The unit offers a quality EVF, excellent video capabilities, and is weatherproof at a competitive price.

Nikon has done a superb job of designing a product that competes well with Sony in the mirrorless market. The Z6 is A Camera that can easily be compared with the hugely popular Sony A7 III.

It is a full-frame mirrorless camera that accepts Z-type lenses, used with F-bayonet lenses via an adapter. The resolution of the sensor is equal to 24.5 megapixels. The EVF is the same as that mounted on the Z7, which is one of the best cameras in the world.

Pros

  • Portable
  • Quality EVF
  • Large video capacities
  • Weatherproof
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Low shooting speed

One feature that videographers will find interesting is the ability to record 4K video over the entire surface of the sensor.

#5 Best Nikon Camera for Portraits: Nikon D500 Digital SLR Camera

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With a continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second and an impressive AF system capacity, the Nikon D500 is one of the best Nikon SLRs ever. It is great for portraits and all other types of photography.

The sensor is a 20.9MP APS-C CMOS. One characteristic that makes it very competitive in action photography cameras is the file writing speed and the amount of buffer available. It makes a burst shooting long before the camera stops to clear the memory.

There are 153 AF points available with 99 of them cross-type for good frame coverage. You can choose the focus point with precision. The optical viewfinder offers an excellent view of the scene without delay to follow fast-moving objects and shoot accordingly.

Pros

  • Impressive AF system capacity
  • APS-C CMOS sensor
  • File writing speed
  • The high amount of buffer

Cons

  • Low-quality videos

Even for high-quality video recording, this APS-C camera offers interesting features. It can record 4K video at 30p with a reliable and fast AF system.

#6 Best Nikon Camera for Wildlife Photography: Nikon D780 Camera

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This reflex released in 2020 is one of the best cameras for those looking for a first semi-professional full frame. It replaces the D750 and ranks among Nikon’s best cameras for both photo and video capabilities.

With a generous amount of buttons and dials, this Nikon SLR is pleasant to use and ergonomic. The viewfinder is comfortable to wear to the eye throughout the day. The LCD screen offers a detailed image, both in the shooting phase and in the verification phase.

Battery life is impressive with 2260 shots of autonomy when using the viewfinder. The more we use the display, the more this figure decreases. As for file management, the camera body offers a double SD memory card slot.

Inside, we find a 24MP FX sensor and a 51-point AF system with a viewfinder. Continuous shooting speed is 7fps at full-frame 14-bit or 12fps at 12-bit with the electronic shutter. When used via the display, the AF system becomes that of the Nikon Z6 with 273 focusing points.

Pros

  • The high amount of buttons and dials
  • Premium images
  • 24MP FX sensor
  • AF system with the viewfinder

Cons

  • Expensive

Nikon D780 camera is excellent for any type of photography. We recommend it for portraiture and wildlife photography.

#7 Best Nikon Camera for Vlogging: Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera

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If you are considering purchasing a Nikon D7000 series SLR camera, the D7500 is the best purchase you can make. This 20.9MP APS-C CMOS sensor camera includes the most important innovations of the D7000 series. It takes some features from its big brother, D500.

The most intriguing features of this model include a sensor that comes directly from the professional Nikon D500. The unit offers a 180,000-pixel metering sensor, 8fps continuous shooting speed, 4K video capability, and a completely weather-sealed camera body.

Pros

  • Premium sensor
  • Continuous shooting speed
  • 4K quality
  • Weather-resistant

Cons

  • Fewer AF points than other models

This camera is ideal for semi-professional use, shooting sports, and vlogging. The only weak point is fewer AF points than professional SLRs.

#8 Best Point and Shoot Nikon Camera: Nikon D5600 DSLR Camera

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The D5600 is Nikon’s reflex camera and is ideal for a category of photographers who want more than just an entry-level. The 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor used in this camera body can produce highly detailed photographs. It comes with excellent performance, even when the light is not optimal.

The optical viewfinder has good coverage of 95% of the frame. We can rotate the touch screen in all positions, even for selfie photographs and vlogs. The resolution of the display is 1,036,800 pixels.

As you would expect from an entry-level DSLR camera, performing the 39-point AF system and continuous shooting is lower than professional cameras. The D5600 can still focus fast enough and shoots a burst of 4 frames per second.

We do not recommend the D5600 to anyone looking for a video camera. It is fine for casual amateur footage. But for YouTube video production or vlog footage, it is not suitable for cameras.

Pros

  • Premium photographs
  • High efficiency
  • 95% coverage of the frame
  • High resolutions

Cons

  • Not suitable for video shooting

The image quality is above Nikon’s D3000 series, with better results in the dark and less noise. If you buy a quality lens, you can truly take great quality photographs.

#9 Best Affordable Nikon Camera: Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Digital Camera

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The Nikon P1000 is the longest zoom bridge camera with a fully extended telephoto lens reaching an unprecedented distance of 3000mm. It is our recommendation for anyone looking for an amateur camera for bird watching, wildlife, and moon photography.

The downside is that the weight and dimensions of this bridge are higher than other cameras in the same class. So, it is not ideal for people who prefer portability.

Inside we find a 16MP 1/2.3 BSI-CMOS sensor, while the integrated 24-3000mm lens offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8-8.

To capture images at long distances or in less favorable lighting conditions, we find a Dual Detect VR stabilization system. It reduces vibrations up to 5 stops.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • The longest zoom bridge
  • Dual Detect VR stabilization system

Cons

  • Low portability

For those who are also interested in capturing home movies, we also find the 4k functionality and the microphone input.

FAQs

What is the best Nikon camera for professional photography?

Nikon D6 DSLR Camera can handle digital noise incredibly. It gives impressive results, even when lighting conditions are critical. Even for focusing when the light is dim, the camera can lock the subject down.

What is the best affordable Nikon camera?

The Nikon P1000 is the most affordable camera. There is support for RAW files and decent image quality as long as the lighting conditions are good.

Which one is better: Canon or Nikon?

As for the lenses, the Canon proves to be the best in focal lengths from 200 upwards. It is the favorite brand of many wildlife photographers and beyond. The Nikon is more appreciated for the possibility of adding several features to your SLR camera.

What is the latest Nikon professional camera?

Nikon D850 is the latest model. The 151 AF points (contrast-detection) on the sensor allow you to capture subjects with high precision of the desired focus point. There are also touch to focus and face recognition functions.

Final Words

Nikon system offers top-of-the-range performance and for all levels of photography. The best Nikon camera offers reliability at all levels. The ease of use is also excellent. Nikon is obsessive in designing cameras that are easy to operate with simple controls. Typically, Nikon Z7 and D6 models favor the artistic aspect over the technical one.

One of Nikon’s weaknesses is the lack of attention it has in the past devoted to the video department and while there are good Nikon SLRs for film production. Nikon is not a brand that resonates among the top for YouTube video production or video making in general.

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