Which Canon DSLR should you buy in 2020: From Beginner to Potential Pro
Hey!
There’s a good chance you’re into photography already, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this now, right?
If you’re a beginner, and you’re looking to upgrade what you have to newer tech, or an advanced shooter who’s going for a tasty upgrade, then our quick Canon DSLR buyers guide should help point you in the right direction.
The current line-up of Canon DSLRs are packed with features for everyone, at every stage of their photography journey. Tilting screens for those looking to start vlogging, GPS for automatic location tagging, bluetooth, wifi and NFC for those that like to edit on the move from their tablet and a massive range of lenses to cater for every use!
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Why Canon? Well, that answer is simple - we haven’t had any other brand of camera in our arsenal since the late 1990’s! As an iPhone user since 2007, you wouldn’t want me recommending Android phones, right?
I’m also not going to out-and-out tell you what the best Canon camera is - because that’s a question that can’t be answered. It’s totally subjective - what’s the best for me might be completely pointless for others. So, lets give you a Canon camera for every usage level!
YOU: The eager beginner.
Upgrading from a top smartphone or compact camera; you’re looking for a cheap, but good DSLR to help you be more creative and have more control over what’s going on in your images.
THE CAMERA: Canon EOS 250 D - £487.00
Canon EOS 250D
The 250D isn’t Canon’s cheapest DSLR, but for a little extra money over the entry-level models, you’re getting so much more in terms of video resolution and burst rate.
QUICK SPECS:
APS-C Sensor / 24 Megapixels/ 3 inch tilting touchscreen / 4k Video
The EOS 250D is a fantastic camera for beginners! And it’s packing features that until of late were only available on much more expensive models. 4K video, a tilting touchscreen and dual-pixel autofocus to name but a few. 5 frames per second continuous shooting isn’t exactly sluggish in this price category either.
The tilting screen in this model really is a bonus - not just for vloggers! The fact that it also focuses and takes an image at a tap of the screen, means you can get the camera in to all kind of unconventional positions and angles and still fire off a great shot!
✅ Really easy to use
✅ Lens supplied - you’re ready to rock!
✅ The tilting touchscreen really is fantastic to have on a model at this price-point
❌ It’s a fair bit bigger than simply priced cameras in Canon’s M range
Check out the Canon 250D here.
YOU: The advancing snapper.
You’re becoming a bit of an expert now, and need bigger and better features and performance. You’re looking for a entrance in to full frame photography but don’t want to shell out the life savings on a Canon 1DXii.
THE CAMERA: Canon 6D Mark ii - £1,649.00
Canon 6D Mark ii
Don’t let the price put you off - this is currently Canon’s cheapest full frame DSLR that comes with a lens included. It’s a very capable piece of kit. The 6Dii makes leaps over it’s predecessor.
QUICK SPECS:
Full Frame Sensor / 26 Megapixels / 3 inch tilting touchscreen/ 6.5 fps
The 6D Mark ii when compared to it’s predecessor, really makes some serious advancements. The tilting touchscreen being one of them. Those upgrading from the original 6D will also be pleased to hear that it’s basic focusing system (bettered by even the 7D at the time) has given way to a plethora of focusing points and modes.
Due to Canon making so much fuss over the last two years about it’s mirrorless systems, the 6Dii has kind of gone under the radar, and experienced steady and frequent drops in price. Good news for those of us not wanting to jump into the R range just yet.
The supplied 24-106mm STM lens should be enough to cater for most needs with f3.5 available at it’s widest end.
The only serious drawback we’ve found when using the 6Dii, is that when shooting in bursts, the buffer (the ‘in-between’ memory the camera uses to stack images whilst writing them to the memory card) fills up just as quick as on the original 6D - and the wait for the buffer to clear - allowing you to continue shooting is also as painfully long as with the previous model. You will definitely need to choose the right memory card for this camera if you’re going to be using burst mode regularly.
✅ Tilty Twisty Touchscreen
✅ Full-Frame sensor
❌ No 4K video
❌ The buffer could be bigger / faster
Check out the Canon 6D Mark ii HERE
YOU: Going pro.
You’re shooting all the time, in all weathers. You’ve taken on paid work, or wanting to take on paid work on a regular basis. Now you need a camera that gives you all the control you’ll ever need, and won’t let you down - whatever the situation.
THE CAMERA: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - £2,235.00
Canon 5D Mark iv Body
Well, there isn’t much to say about the 5D iv. It’s an amazing piece of kit, and a real workhorse! We’ve used the 5D Mark iii for many years, and ours have been beaten, dropped, thrown, landed in a river, and after one particularly muddy shoot - washed down with a garden hosepipe! There isn’t a great deal you can do to break one of these cameras - so if you’re a really frequent shooter, working in all kinds of situations and environments, then this is the camera for you.
It’s had to believe this camera has been around for as long as it has already. Back in 2016 it debuted Canon’s Dual Pixel AF system, which has now become a standard thing across Canon’s new cameras. We always swore by our Mark iii’s, and the Mark iv simply builds on what was an amazing and still very capable predecessor.
I’ve even visited some of Europe's top fashion studios to find them using the Mark ii still - testament to how good the 5D is, was and will continue to be.
QUICK SPECS:
30 Megapixels / 3.2 inch touchscreen / 61 Point Autofocus System / 4k Video
More buttons than a Playstation controller
Whether you’re shooting people, product, street, landscapes…you’re simply not going to go wrong with the 5D Mark iv. When it’s complimented with one of Canon’s superb L series lenses, you’ll be treated to amazing results from the mighty 30 megapixel sensor.
✅ Superb Autofocus system
✅ Very responsive touchscreen
✅ Fantastic full frame sensor
❌ No tilting screen
Check out the Canon 5D Mark iv HERE
As a footnote, those upgrading to a full frame sensor camera should be aware that some of your lenses may not be compatible with your new full frame camera. In Canon’s case, lenses with the prefix ‘EF-S’ are designed for cameras with an APS-C sensor on board. ‘EF’ lenses from Canon will fit any model of Canon DSLR. A similar system applies to Nikon cameras too.
In the case of third-party lenses, it’s also worth noting that both Sigma and Tamron make lenses specifically for APS-C format cameras too! So please, check before hand! The worst thing would be to get a new full frame camera body then to discover you have no compatible lenses!
If you’re not sure whether your currently lenses would be compatible with a full frame camera; drop me a comment and i’ll do my best to help you out!