Best Nikon Cameras for Beginners

An unaccommodating tool can bring down the efficiency of even the most skilled of professionals. It thus becomes very important to choose the equipment with preciseness. Especially beginners, who are still honing the nuts and bolts of their craftsmanship, find good assistance beneficial in their endeavors.

For beginner photographers, selecting the right camera that suits their needs is the most important task. With the plethora of options available in the market, deciding that one ‘perfect-for-you DSLR' can be as daunting as exhausting. There are so many features to consider, so many factors to compare. 

The price of the camera is one factor that beginners always look for before making a purchase. It is not feasible to splurge a large sum of money over a new interest, nor is it convenient to compromise with standard features. Then comes the interchangeable lenses. The kit lens is not enough, and photographers have to purchase lenses individually, which are extra hidden expenses differing from camera to camera.  

Next comes the camera type that would be right to use. There are four types of cameras – the Point-and-shoot cameras, the Bridge cameras, DSLRs, and Mirrorless cameras. Each has a different purpose to serve in different situations.

An amateur photographer is still at the learning stage, and something they would least want to deal with is the tassel of figuring complicated controls. A suitable DSLR will have simple, easy-to-understand controls. Megapixels are another feature to look out for in a suitable camera. 

Therefore, a required camera is easy to get to grips with that most users can learn and understand without encountering too high a bar for entry, all the while having features enough to learn and grow. Nikon provides some top alternatives that fulfill all the aforementioned criteria. So, if you are a beginner searching for a perfect camera, take a look at what Nikon has to offer.

Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 starts from INR 42,999/- in India.

Hands-down the best all-around camera for beginners in 2021, Nikon D3500 is the latest launch in Nikon’s beginner-series DSLRs and has quickly become a favorite among photography students. Although DSLRs are labeled as tools of the past by some photographers (replaced by modern mirrorless), D3500 is a sophisticated device that promises satisfactory results for many years. Not to add, the Nikon F lens system is not going away anytime soon.

Specifications:

Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS

Viewfinder: Pentamirror

Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)

Screen: 3.0-inch fixed display, 921,000 dots

Burst shooting: 5fps

Focal Length: 18-55 mm

Autofocus: 11-point AF

Video Resolution: 1080p (Full HD)

Connectivity: Bluetooth

Battery life: 1,550 shots

Size: 12.4 x 9.7 x 6.95 cm

Weight: 415g (with battery and card)

D3500 provides a combination of two things – an APS-C sensor with 24.2MP of the resolution, and the Nikon F lens mount. The former allows users to produce images full of depth, detail, and dynamic range, far more than what is allowed by a small smartphone sensor. The latter gives an incredible stable of lenses. Nikon D3500 also has a brilliant ‘Guide’ shooting mode that acts as a fully interactive guide to photography and camera settings. Not to mention, its control features are straightforward to get to grips with.

It doesn't have a touchscreen display, and there is no Custom Settings menu for tailoring camera functions as per preferences. Also, the autofocus in Live View and movie capture mode is somewhat sluggish, though the Nikon AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens speeds it up and is the best kit lens to go for.

Reasons to buy

• Great image quality
• Guide mode
• Remarkable battery life
• Compact and easy to use

Reasons to avoid

• No touchscreen
• No built-in Wi-Fi
• Lacks 4K video

Some other Nikon Cameras that are a good choice for beginners are:

Nikon Z FC

Nikon Z50

Nikon D5600

Nikon Z FC

The starting price for Nikon Z FC in India is INR 84,995/-.

Nikon's Z FC is an APS-C mirrorless camera that combines Nikon's new Z lens mount with looks and controls that recall the company's classic FM and FE-series film SLRs. Internally, it's the same deal as the Nikon Z50, with a few added features. It is not the cheapest camera for beginners, but there are several features for the money, and its looks alone are gorgeously aesthetic.

Classic design meets modern engineering in the Nikon Z FC, which is an ode to Nikon’s rich history and heritage. But despite the classic looks, the Z FC is a modern camera at heart.

Specifications:

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C CMOS

Megapixels: 20.9MP

Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting, 1.04m dots

Continuous shooting speed: 11fps

Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36m dots

Max video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p

User level: Beginner/enthusiast

Nikon Z50

The starting price for Nikon Z50 in India is INR 72,995/-.

The Z 50 is a compact, lightweight, and powerful mirror-less camera, designed for no-frills practicality. It is a much smaller camera (a solid one-handed grip) than other Nikon full-frames but has a good grip and good external controls, and the retracting 16-50mm kit lens. Additionally, it costs less than its rivals for almost all similar features.

Specifications:

Type: Mirrorless

Sensor: APS-C CMOS

Megapixels: 20.9MP

Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting, 1.04m dots

Continuous shooting speed: 11fps

Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36m dots

Max video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p

User level: Beginner/enthusiast

Nikon D5600

The starting price for Nikon D5600 in India is INR 42,999/-.

The D5600 is a very capable advanced entry-level DSLR launched by Nikon. There's a high-resolution 24.2MP sensor that produces very detailed images, an articulating touchscreen, a decent 39-point AF system, and polished. The D5600 allows one to bring out their creativity to life with an EXPEED 4 image-processing engine, and an ISO range of 100-25600 that captures beautiful and vibrant imagery. It is one of the best-rounded entry-level DSLRs available.

Specifications:

Sensor: APS-C CMOS

Megapixels: 24.2MP

Lens mount: Nikon DX

Screen: 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots

Continuous shooting speed: 5fps

Max video resolution: 1080p

User level: Beginner/enthusiast

Nikon has some of the best beginner-level purchases, and their DSLRs never disappoint.

Happy Buying!