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The Best DSLR Cameras under $1200

★ Top Choice

Olympus

OM-D E-M5 Mark III

BUY NOW

From $999

More info
♥ Runner Up
Best Value

Sony

a6500 Mirrorless

BUY NOW

From $1198

More info
Best for Optical Viewfinder Devotees

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

★ Top Choice
BUY NOW From $999

Features

  • Lens Type: Macro.
  • 20MP live MOS sensor.
  • 121-Point all-cross-type on-chip Phase detection AF.
  • 50MP tripod High-Res shot.
  • Portable, weather sealed design.
  • Compact, In-body 5-axis image stabilization (up to approx. 5. 5 EV steps of compensation).
  • Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift.

Pros

  • ⊕ Incredible image stabilisation.

Cons

  • ⊖ No headphone jack.
  • ⊖ Hand grip could be bigger.

Specs

  • Effective focal length: N/A.
  • Resolution: 20.4MP.
  • Max movie resolution: 4K 30p.
  • Type: Mirrorless.
  • Sensor size: Four Thirds:.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
  • Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36 million dots.
  • Size, weight: 125.3 x 85.2 x 49.7mm, 414g.
  • Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04 million dots.

Canon EOS 80D

♥ Runner Up
BUY NOW From $999

Features

  • For next level AF operation, the EOS 80D camera has a wide area, 45 point, all cross type AF system with low luminance performance to EV 3 and 4 types of AF area selection modes.
  • The Intelligent Viewfinder displays AF points and AF mode, has a grid display, a horizontal electronic level, plus numerous other points of information.
  • Canon’s remarkable shutter combined with ability to shoot up to 7.0 fps during continuous shooting ensures quick performance.Dioptric Adjustment: 3.0 to +1.0 m 1 (diopter).
  • The 24.2 Megapixel (APS C) CMOS sensor captures high resolution images and has refined individual pixels that enable high ISO speeds (16000 for still photographs, 12800 for movies).
  • The EOS 80D camera’s Intelligent Viewfinder helps bring the thrill of SLR photography with each use.

Pros

  • ⊕ Wi-Fi with NFC.
  • ⊕ Pentaprism viewfinder.
  • ⊕ Smooth video autofocus.
  • ⊕ 45-point autofocus system.

Cons

  • ⊖ No 4K video support.
  • ⊖ Single SD card slot.
  • ⊖ Omits PC sync connection.

Sony a6500 Mirrorless

Best Prosumer Model
BUY NOW From $1198

Features

  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization steadies every lens. Silent Shooting. Noise Reduction :Long exposure NR: On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec., High ISO NR: Normal/Low/Off.
  • Wide 425 phase detection AF points, Fast 0.05 sec. AF acquisition.
  • 4K movie w/ 2.4x oversampling4, full pixel readout, no pixel binning.
  • 11fps continuous shooting to 269 frames at 24.2MP w/ AE/AF tracking.
  • 24.2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ advanced processing up to ISO 51.200.

Pros

  • ⊕ Compact body.
  • ⊕ Large buffer.
  • ⊕ Wi-Fi with NFC.
  • ⊕ Crisp 120fps EVF.
  • ⊕ Integrated flash.

Cons

  • ⊖ High price point.
  • ⊖ Dense menu system.
  • ⊖ No grip available.
  • ⊖ Only one memory card slot.
  • ⊖ No external charger included.

Canon EOS 90D

Best Crop Sensor DSLR
BUY NOW From $1199

Features

  • 4K UHD 30P/ Full HD 120P video.
  • High-speed continuous shooting of up to 10 fps with no time Lag during ovf shooting.
  • Equipped with an approx. 220, 000 Pixel new AE sensor and EOS iTR AF (face detection).
  • 45-Point All Cross-type AF System* supports up to 27 points with an F/8 metering.
  • High image quality with 32.5 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor.

Pros

  • ⊕ Great for video.
  • ⊕ Vari-angle LCD.
  • ⊕ 4K video at 30fps.
  • ⊕ Uncropped 4K video.
  • ⊕ Optical viewfinder.

Cons

  • ⊖ Dual Pixel CMOS AF.
  • ⊖ Cramped rear dial.
  • ⊖ Omits sync socket.
  • ⊖ No image stabilization.
  • ⊖ No image stabilisation.

Specs

  • Maximum continuous shooting speed: 11fps.
  • Megapixels: 32.5MP.
  • Movies: 4K/30p.
  • Sensor: APS-C CMOS.
  • User level: Enthusiast.
  • Autofocus: 45-point AF.
  • Screen type: 3.0-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,040K dots.