In this Professional DSLR Camera review we will be looking at some of the top DSLR cameras and their specifications available to the seasoned professional photographer. Professional DSLR’s have top of the line specs than are better than any entry level DSLR or any enthusiast level DSLR cameras. They have more functions and functionality, have a much sturdier build and have more settings and features than entry other DSLR camera on the market. Allowing the professional photographer to take their skills to the next level.
Being a professional level camera, most photographers will never outgrow these cameras and their functions even as their skills improve. Photographers will usually just upgrade photography lenses and photography accessories around their photographic requirements.
Choose your quick section of our 6 Best Professional DSLR Cameras below.
Our 6 Best Handpicked Professional DSLR Cameras Revealed:
- ✔️Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR
- ✔️Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR
- ✔️Nikon D500 DSLR
- Nikon D6 DSLR
- Nikon D780 DSLR
- Nikon D850 DSLR
- Pros and Cons of Enthusiast DSLR cameras
Suppliers of enthusiast level DSLR cameras cater for the professional in two ways by making these cameras available in camera kits, where not only do photographers get the camera but additional photography accessories such as lenses. Suppliers also supply these professional DSLR cameras in body-only form for photographers that already have photographic lenses and accessories.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR is a professional full frame, midsize DSLR camera, with a 30 MP CMOS sensor. It offers an ISO range from 100 – 32000 which is expands to ISO 50 – 102400. It has a burst rate of 7 fps and 61 focus points.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 3.2 inch wide 1.62M pixel fixed LCD screen. The camera supports 4k DCI 4K video at 30p/24p. Users have the ability to extract still from clips. Connectivity via USB 3.0, Wi-Fi with NFC and GPS.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV specifications at a glance
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Max resolution | 6720 x 4480 |
| Effective pixels | 30 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| ISO | Auto, 100-32000 (expands to 50-102400) |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 1,620,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Format | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
| Storage types | CompactFlash + SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I enabled) |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) |
| Dimensions | 151 x 116 x 76 mm (5.94 x 4.57 x 2.99″) |
| GPS | Built-in |
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR
The Canon EOS1D X Mark III DSLR is a professional full frame, large frame DSLR camera with 20 MP full-frame CMOS sensor. It offers an ISO range of 100 – 102400 which expands to 50 – 81900. It has a continuous burst rate of 20 fps in live view and 16 fps using the viewfinder., the cameras buffer can hold 1000 images.
The Canon EOS-1D Mark III can capture raw video at 5.5K/60p, UHD and DCI4k video at 60p. Using Canon log it has the ability to record 10-bit 4:2:2 video. Microphone and headphone jacks are built-in.
The camera body is very rugged and is fully weather sealed. The 3.2 inch LCD screen with 2.1M dots is touch screen.
Connectivity via USB 3.0, built in WI-FI, Bluetooth, GPS and has a pair of CFxpress slots. An optional wireless transmitter will allow for additional features as well as for faster speeds.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III specifications at a glance
| Body type | Large SLR |
| Max resolution | 5472 x 3648 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| ISO | Auto, 100-102400 (expands to 50-819200) |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,100,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Storage types | Dual CFexpress type B |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1440 g (3.17 lb / 50.79 oz) |
| Dimensions | 158 x 168 x 83 mm (6.22 x 6.61 x 3.27″) |
| GPS | Built-in |
Nikon D500 DSLR
The Nikon D500 DSLR is a professional full frame, mid-size frame DSLR camera with 21 MP full-frame sensor. It offers an ISO range of 100 – 51200 which expands to 50 – 1640000. It has a continuous burst rate of 10 fps, cameras buffer can hold 200 RAW images.
The Nikon D500 has 153 focus points and can capture 4K/UHD video. Connectivity via USB 3.0 and SnapBridge allowing connectivity to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
Nikon D500 specifications at a glance
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Max resolution | 5568 x 3712 |
| Effective pixels | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| ISO | ISO 100 – 51200 (expandable to 50 – 1640000) |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,359,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) + XQD |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz) |
| Dimensions | 147 x 115 x 81 mm (5.79 x 4.53 x 3.19″) |
| GPS | Optional |
Nikon D6 DSLR
The Nikon D6 DSLR is a professional full frame, large frame DSLR camera with 20 MP full-frame sensor. It offers an ISO range of 100 – 102400 which expands to 50 – 3280000. It has a continuous burst rate of 14 fps and 105 focus points.
The Nikon D6 has a weather sealed body. Connectivity via USB 32, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and uses two XQD/CFexpress card slots.
Nikon D6 DSLR specifications at a glance
| Body type | Large SLR |
| Max resolution | 5568 x 3712 |
| Effective pixels | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| ISO | Auto, 100-102400 (expands to 50-3280000) |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,359,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Storage types | Dual XQD/CFexpress slots |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1270 g (2.80 lb / 44.80 oz) |
| Dimensions | 160 x 163 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.42 x 3.62″) |
| GPS | Built-in |
Nikon D780 DSLR
The Nikon D780 DSLR is a professional mid-size frame, DSLR camera with 24 MP full-frame sensor. It offers an ISO range of 100 – 51200 which expands to 50 – 204800. It has a continuous burst rate of 7 fps and 51 focus points.
The Nikon D780 has solid build quality, with a 3.2 inch LCD tilting view screen. The Nikon D780 can capture UHD 4K video at 30p as well as Full HD video at 120p.
Connectivity via USB 3.2 Gen 1, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Nikon D780 DSLR specifications at a glance
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Max resolution | 6048 x 4024 |
| Effective pixels | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| ISO | Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800) |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,359,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 840 g (1.85 lb / 29.63 oz) |
| Dimensions | 144 x 116 x 76 mm (5.67 x 4.57 x 2.99″) |
| GPS | None |
Nikon D850 DSLR
The Nikon D850 DSLR is a professional mid-size frame, DSLR camera with 45 MP full-frame sensor. It offers an ISO range of 64-256000 which expands to 32-102400. It has a continuous burst rate of 7 fps or 9 fps with the battery grip. The camera has 153 focus points.
The Nikon D850 is lightweight, has illuminated buttons for shooting under low light conditions and is sealed against moisture and dust. The 3.2-inch LCD tilting touchscreen display has 2.4M dots. The Nikon D850 can capture UHD 4K video, 4K/8K time lapse and slow motion, incorporating Dual memory card slots for XQD media and UHS-II.
Connectivity via USB 3.0, SnapBridge, Built in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Nikon D850 DSLR specifications at a glance
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Max resolution | 8256 x 5504 |
| Effective pixels | 45 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| ISO | Auto, 64-25600 (expands to 32-102400) |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length mult. | 1× |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 2,359,000 |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Format | MPEG-4 |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz) |
| Dimensions | 146 x 124 x 79 mm (5.75 x 4.88 x 3.11″) |
| GPS | None |
Pros and Cons of Enthusiast DSLR cameras
Here are some of the pros and cons of enthusiast level DSLR cameras
Pros of Professional level DSLR cameras
- Very good build quality.
- Supplied with various additional photography accessories or supplied as body only for photographers who already have photography lenses and photography accessories.
- More functionality than entry level DSLR cameras and enthusiast DSLR cameras.
Cons of Professional level DSLR cameras
- Being professional level DSLR cameras they are more expensive than entry level DSLR cameras or enthusiast level DSLR cameras.
Conclusion
Photographers who upgrade to professional level DSLR camera will never outgrow their camera. The cameras have more functionality, are built sturdy and are investments which will last a long time, if not a lifetime if looked after correctly by professional photographers who use them.
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