Best Mid-Range DSLR Cameras (2011)
The difficulty for many people is in knowing when it is the right time to purchase a mid range DSLR. In many cases, it seems like a subjective aspect of timing more dependent upon the intuition of the photographer rather than some standard set by others. However, there are some things that many would consider just reasons for deciding to upgrade from an entry level DSLR to a mid range one.
For most people, purchasing a mid range DSLR is simply an issue of transition. No longer does the entry-level camera have the ability to meet the needs of the photographer. In essence, he or she has outgrown their original camera. They want to and are able to do more than their entry-level model will allow them to do. In some cases, it is a matter of necessity. The older camera is beginning to wear and is causing more problems. This could be problems with shutters or dead pixels in the final image.
In these cases, many photographers decide it is time to shell out a bit more money and upgrade to a newer model. When they find the amount of competition for this level of DSLR in the market, they tend to be a bit confused. Some are not quite sure what constitutes a mid range camera and what separates them from pro level cameras.
Professional photographers often purchase and use mid range DSLRs as secondary or backup cameras. They take them along on longer shoots to serve as a secondary unit when needed or to replace their main pro level camera if something happens, like a mechanical or electrical failure. Many times, these professionals simply do not want to shell out the money to have two high-end DSLR cameras for a shoot. They try to stay within the same brand of camera so that lenses and accessories remain interchangeable and the mid range DSLR cost is typically much lower than the high-end pro level cameras.
This is not to say that all professionals opt for mid range DSLRs only as backups. In fact, many pros use mid range DSLRs as their primary shooting cameras. With all of the technological advancements in digital photography, it has become easier for many pros to use some mid range models as their pro units. The abilities and features on some of the mid range DSLRs is high enough quality for many pros.
While there is no tried and true test that one can guarantee will fit all of the cameras into one nice and tidy cubbyhole, some basics will help determine a mid range DSLR from a pro level DSLR. One of those basics is price range. For the feature sets and capabilities that go along with most mid range DSLRs, you will see a wide range of prices as high as $5,000 in some cases but probably not lower than $1,000. You may find sales prices that will offer a mid range DSLR for less than a grand, but typically, the thousand-dollar mark is the price floor.
Here are some things that should be able to help you differentiate a mid range DSLR from entry level DSLRs.
- When compared to an entry level DSLR, a mid range will offer overall better feature sets and it will be physically larger.
- A mid range will have higher resolution LCD screen and possible physically larger dimensions that entry level DSLRs.
- Some mid range DSLRs will have a secondary smaller LCD allowing the user to change settings on this screen and preview shots on the larger higher resolution screen.
- Faster continuous shooting capabilities for longer periods of time.
- More durable body construction, typically mostly metal with some plastic.
- Along with added durability, it will be able to withstand larger accessories, like lenses, diffusers, vertical grips, external flash units, and extra batteries.
- The larger body will also make it easier to change the custom settings without needing to navigate menu settings on the LCD. Instead mid range DSLRs will have dials and buttons on the camera body itself allowing for easy and quick changes for the most used customization features.
- The optical viewfinder will be larger, accommodate more of the finished crop instead of a reduced percentage and will be of a better quality. If you see that the viewfinder is a pentaprism as opposed to a pentamirror, you will likely be reading about a mid range DSLR or higher.
- More controls and wider ranges of controls like white balance, ISO, color depth, multiple exposures, bracketing, EV stops, and similar features.
- Better and more sophisticated metering capabilities
- The ability to record video, especially HD video
- More accurate color rendering
- Longer lasting internal components. i.e. shutters rated for more exposures than entry level models.
After having said all of this there are some things to take into consideration when choosing your new mid range DSLR from the many offered. One of the most important things to be considered is current and future accessories for your photography endeavors. Purchasing a mid range DSLR is a commitment to a brand to some degree. Chances are that you will be paying more than $1,000 for the camera alone. However, a camera body alone will not take any pictures at all; you will need a lens as well.
Choosing a brand that also provides high quality lenses as well as other accessories is an important decision. Many photographers end up with tens of thousands of dollars in photography equipment, some of which requires a certain make of camera. Considering the options in all areas is an important and often overlooked step in purchasing a mid level DSLR.
While it is true that there are plenty of third party manufacturers that produce very high quality lenses and accessories that will function properly with multiple brands of cameras, you should make sure you know what you are getting into prior to committing thousands of dollars in your initial investment.
Realizing that many people already have a camera brand they like and are simply looking to move up to a mid range model, it is impossible to guess at which ones are the most popular. Therefore, the following list will include a bit about each camera and (hopefully) enough information to allow you to make an informed decision. While there are many great cameras on the market in this range, this list is intended to be a starting point from which each person can continue his or her own investigation for the particulars that they deem most important. If the camera you are considering is not on the list, it does not necessarily indicate that it is not a good camera. Without any further ado, here is our list of the Best Mid Range DSLR Cameras of 2011.
The price of the D7000 places it firmly in the category of a mid range DSLR, but that is where the comparison should stop. The D7000 is for all intents and purposes a pro-level DSLR. Costing about $1200 for a body only model, the Nikon D7000 is a technological wonder and a lot of camera for the money. Never before has Nikon offered a DSLR with this many features and this level of quality for the price point they have set.
If you were looking to by another camera with the same specs as the D7000, then you should expect to spend an additional $3,800 or more to get something that has the same build quality and features as the Nikon D7000. In fact, many pros are using the D7000 as their primary camera. In many cases, they buy more than one in order to have a backup for those just in case situations.
This camera is a 16.2 mega pixel camera with dual card slots that allow for user customization on how images and video are stored. For those who shoot RAW+Jpeg, they can choose RAW on card 1 and Jpeg on card two. Card two can be use for overflow when card one is filled, or card two can be designated as video only, and the list of combinations continues.
You will have noticed that video was mentioned. The D7000 can shoot full HD video in 1080p or 720p, as well as standard definition video all with multiple options of frame rates. The back of the camera boasts a large 3 inch LCD to preview images and video and can be used to frame shots for video or stills in Live View mode.
The optical viewfinder is a pentaprism viewfinder allowing for 100% of the image to be displayed to your eye. Continuous shooting speeds of up to 6fps (frames per second) in RAW is also available and will continue until the card is full. The body of the camera is mainly metal construction to make it durable and sturdy and has been designed to be weather tolerant to keep moisture and dust out of the inner workings should the elements not cooperate during a shoot.
The control layout of the camera is very easy to use, especially for those who might have had an entry level Nikon. In addition to the standard layout, the D7000 makes more control easier with dual layer command dials. These dials control shooting modes that include priority, shutter, aperture, auto, no flash auto, scene, and full manual as well as continuous shooting modes, remote triggers, and timer modes.
Nikon has a multitude of accessories and lenses that can easily be attached to the D7000 without worry of breaking the frame or putting it under too much stress. This robust platform for Nikon’s (and third parties) can be used for almost any application you may desire. Menu options are easy to find and use when making pre and post exposure changes.
With all of the options and features on this camera body, it is easy to see why it could and should be fairly placed into the pro level DSLR category, but with the price as low as it is, it is without question the best ‘mid range’ DSLR on the market.
In the introduction of the 60D, Canon has (without shame) moved the X0D cameras out of the arena of semi-pro cameras, and solidly into the pro-sumer or enthusiast bracket. The 60D is not the logical continuation from the 30D, 40D, & 50D pattern that one might think based upon its naming. Instead it sits solidly in the market demographic of hobbyist photographers who want to upgrade to a better camera but not go pro-series.
The primarily magnesium alloy make up of its predecessors has vanished and been replaced with a light weight plastic composite shell. It has gained some key features from the Rebel line of cameras such as a high burst rate for continuous shooting of 5fps, a rear control panel and even a video shooter’s friend in an articulated 3:2 ratio LCD. The full HD video and the 18 mega pixel sensor are trickle down upgrades from the EOS 7D that help place the 60D solidly in the mid range category.
The 60D also has a few upgrades unique to itself, including some scene mode variations for color skew that Canon calls Ambiences. These Ambiences can be pre-visualized in real time when using the Live View LCD. Another innovation for this model is the ability to convert RAW files to Jpeg in camera as well as some other useful in camera editing features. Things like correcting for lens distorting, and color aberration can now be corrected before exporting from the camera. There are a few filters in camera that can also be applied to images already shot to achieve some more ‘creative’ looks if so desired.
Some of the other basics on the 60D are a wide ISO range. Starting from ISO 100 up to ISO 6400 and then one big jump up to ISO 12,800 (high setting) it can properly expose images in low light situations as well as brightly lit ones. Boasting Canon’s 63 zone metering sensor and a 9-point auto-focus sensor, sharp crisp pictures are easily attained by almost anyone. The durability of the shutter is rated at 100,000 cycles for a shutter that can shoot from 30 seconds up to 1/8000th of a second. Also included in the 60D is a virtual horizon to help shoot shots from a level position.
Many of the controls are a bit pared down over the 50D and most buttons have only a single purpose (depending upon the mode). Whereas in previous models the top four buttons controlled 2 functions through the main dial and the quick control dial on the rear of the body are dedicated to only one function each. This makes the 60D a bit more like one of the hobbyist Rebel series cameras with an added LCD display on top, than a logical progression of the X0D line. The dumbing down of the controls had many Canon 40D/50D lovers enraged, but Canon's decision to blent the Rebel with the EOSXXD models forces people to choose the "pro" 7D if they want a pro body.
Canon is host to many accessories that can be paired with the 60D. This model can actuate an external Canon wireless EX flash via the built-in flash on the 60D. You can purchase the Canon 60D as a kit with the EFS18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens for around $1,400 or a body only unit for near $950. This camera holds its own as one of the best mid range DSLRs on the market in 2011.
First showing its face in 2008, this Nikon workhorse has a great reputation in pro-sumer and professional circles alike. For many people the D90 is the go to Nikon body of choice in the DX format cameras. The next step up in the line, and by many considered ‘inferior’ is the D300. The interesting thing is that the D90 produces images that are 100% as good as and in some cases better than, the D300. It has an ISO range up to 6400 and a 3 inch LCD monitor with Live View.
Considering this camera came out new in 2008, that is impressive indeed. Finally, after a few years on the market, the prices for this camera have fallen to more manageable levels, and it can be easily fit into the mid range consumer budget where as in 2008, this camera would have fallen under the "Pro" level with the features and the price. The D90 was innovative in its use of contrast based auto focus, which has come to be used in all subsequent models. Having the unique ability to boast itself as the world’s first DSLR HD video camera, the D90 set itself apart early on. It records at 720p quality and has an HDMI output port.
Some of the other ‘high end’ and entry level Nikons have lent some of their talents to the D90’s line up. The D90 is a very user friendly camera, gaining these features from the highly acclaimed and popular D60 as well as some of the retouching options that can be found in the D90. At the time of its release, Nikon intended the D90 to be appeal to the largest demographic of DSLR photographers Nikon had ever tried to court. This was to include those first time photographers looking for more than a point and shoot but lacking the expert knowledge needed to run a camera on full manual modes as well as those skilled amateurs who want as much control as possible without the high dollar cost that goes along with the pro series options offered by Nikon.
One of the best ways to describe the D90 in a short and sweet way is to say that the D90 is a less expensive version of the D300. Of course, that would be a bit inaccurate, but it stands very true. There are some differences to be sure. The D90 has a better sense of ergonomics when it comes to the controls, thus allowing for quicker handling when changes need to be made. This ability to make changes quicker means that you will be more likely to capture those special moments with the D90 than you will with the heavier and harder to manipulate D300.
While the D90 is not a sturdy and well built in its frame as the D300, it is still a doughty piece of equipment, albeit lighter. This does not mean that the D90 is weak, the metal lens mount ring will be more than sufficient to support very large lenses with ease. Other features include things like the multiple shot self times, calendar display to help you organize older shots still on the card, one hand operation for most functions, control modes from scene, priority, shutter, aperture, automatic, and manual.
Prices for the D90 vary because of its slightly older age, but one can get a new in the box body only model for around $950 or add a kit lens and the cost will be around $1200. If you are among the frugal crowd and do not mind purchasing a used model, you might be able to find one in the $700-$800 range with a kit lens and a factory refurbished model should run around $800 for body only.
Whatever you choose, the Nikon D90 is one of the best mid range DSLR cameras for 2011 that can outperform some aspects of pro level cameras and certainly many of the "entry level" DSLR's you find.. A great buy for a great DSLR.
In effect, the E-30 by Olympus is the mid range equivalent of their pro series E-3. While the E-30 does not have the weather sealing aspects nor the magnesium alloy frame construction it is still a great mid range camera. In almost every other aspect, the E-30 is a bit of an improvement over the E-3. It offers a higher mega pixel count by increasing the E-30 to 12 mega pixels and offers a larger 3 inch LCD screen as well. Another added bonus is the improved contrast detecting auto focus feature used in the E-30.
The E-30 can do multiple exposures, has aspect ratio options, and a few image effects built into the camera, Olympus likes to call these image effects “Art Filters”. While many critics of Olympus have derided them for taking so long to produce a mid range DSLR with the capabilities of the E-30, they finally trucked it out in 2009 and true to form, Olympus tried to avoid the copy cat syndrome that has begun to be par for the course in the manufacture of DSLR cameras of all levels and ranges.
This mid range DSLR has more scene modes or used selected preferences than most other DSLRs of different manufacturers. This was an intentional decision made by Olympus intended to target part of the market that wanted to be able to be creative with their photography without having to learn many of the technicalities that make good exposures and photographs. While some might argue that this only helps to degrade the art of photography, the market will bear it out in the end.
Despite what digital photographic artists protest, there is a large market demographic that will fit nicely into this category and as such, they will likely find the Olympus E-30 as a perfect fit for their needs and their budget. One of the interior technological changes in the E-30 is that it is the first DSLR in the Olympus line to get outfitted with their Live MOS sensor at 12.3 mega pixels. Live MOS is a CMOS sensor based on the Four Thirds format imager and relies upon the TruePic III + image processor. Without getting into the specifics of the technology, it boils down to another type of sensor and processor allowing for clear and crisp shots full of vibrant colors and hues.
The LCD screen is articulated allowing the shooter to use it to frame shots that he or she might not otherwise be able to do when using the optical viewfinder. This articulated LCD and Live View mode continue to play a large role in all of the Olympus line of DSLR cameras allowing low and high angle composition without the need to physically place yourself in those positions.
Autofocus on the E-30 uses and 11-point detection based on contrast phase detection allowing the shooter to use auto focus in Live View mode without a period of screen black out, something that Olympus fans will be glad to hear. This in combination with the 14-54mm F/2.8-3.5 II, allows for greatly improved speed and accuracy attainments during Live View shooting.
Pricing for this model of DSLR is reasonable and fits right into the mid range DSLR category. You can easily find the body with a kit lens at a price point on the web for around $1,150. While some photographer out there are not fans of the Olympus way of doing things, there is no doubt that they have produced a valuable and high quality piece of photographic equipment that will last for many years to come.
While on paper, the 50D was "replaced" by the 60D, may canon users will tell you that the 60D was in some ways a downgrade, removing many of the "pro" or "midrange" features present in the EOS X0D line.
Released in 2009, the Canon 50D can be seen as a companion model to the 40D instead of a replacement. In essence, the 50D is the 40D in a different body and upgraded to a 15 mega pixel sensor with some upgraded manufacturing processes and components that keep the digital noise to a minimum.
The new LCD screen on the back of the 50D has a resolution of 920k meaning it is effectively a VGA standard resolution monitor with a great deal of anti-reflective layers built in to help with viewing under bright conditions, something that any DSLR owner can tell you is a very sought after addition to any DSLR.
The change in sensor manufacture and parts has helped Canon to allow a wide range of ISO settings as well. The ISO range starts at ISO 100 and goes up to ISO 3,200 with two hi settings with an equivalent of ISO 6,400 and ISO 12,800 respectively. The DIGIC 4 processor made famous by Canon allows the 50D to shoot at a rapid 6 frames per second in continuous shooting mode while keeping the full 14-bit data in RAW images necessary to complete high quality images.
The 50D also sports a quick control system allowing for quick changes to settings in menu mode with things like vignette correction, lighting optimization, adjustable noise reduction, and face detection. Along with all of these the 50D includes micro adjustments for lenses, auto focus in Live View and a creative auto mode, much like scene modes in other models.
Of course the standard settings of priority, shutter, aperture, automatic, and manual are present allowing a full range of control for users who desire more control over specifics of their shots.
Canon also has included the EOS Integrated Cleaning System on the 50D along with the self cleaning sensor sporting a fluorine coating to help protect image quality as well as repel and reduce dust from the sensor. If that is not enough, then Canon’s included software allows for its removal as well as a function known as Dust Delete Data.
The continuous shooting provided by the 50D as mentioned above is just a hair of 6 fps with bursts of up to 90 Jpegs. This along with the 9 cross type sensors and Canon’s wide area automatic focusing makes the 50D a great choice for shooting faced paced action like sporting events and wildlife shots as well.
The 50D lacks video capabilities, and while that is a bit of a smear on the camera for this category, the rest of the features and quality of the model help to keep this camera in the running as one of the best mid range DSLRs for 2011. One can purchase the 50D online with a kit lens (EF 28-135mm IS) for around $1,100 and a factory refurbished model should only run about $1,000.
Conclusion
While the list for the Best Mid Range DSLRs for 2011 is rather short, it does not necessarily mean that other cameras will not fit the bill or make the short list. Other cameras will easily fit into this category, new and old alike. By keeping up on all the advances in cameras and doing an in depth comparison between the likely candidates, you will be able to find the best mid range DSLR that fits you budget and needs. We at bestdigitalcameras.org will keep adding to this list several times a year!
Good shooting!