Best Mid-Price DSLRs 2012: our pick of the best mid-price DSLRs currently on the market...
- Mon, 8 Oct 2012
Best Mid-Price DSLRs 2012
Best for the more demanding and experienced photographer
Looking for the best mid-price DSLR money can presently buy? Then you've come to the right place. While there are only a limited number of cameras to choose from at this level, the good news is that they're generally very good. Indeed, it's not unusual for the best mid-priced DSLRs to ‘borrow' some technology and features from more expensive models higher up the range. Of course, in order to keep costs down they will also take some features and components from cheaper entry-level models too.
Mid-price DSLRs are ideal for DSLR newcomers with a bit more to spend, families and those simply looking for a camera that offers a richer feature set. And the really good news concerning mid-price DSLRs is that while their launch prices can often be a bit on the high side this usually falls quite quickly, which in turn makes the best mid-price DSLRs exceptionally good value for money. With all that in mind, here's out pick of the best mid-price DSLRs currently on the market.
1. Nikon D5100
£450 with 18-55mm kit lens
Built around the same 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor that's used inside the more advanced (and significantly more expensive) D7000, the D5100 is a great mid-range DSLR with plenty to offer. In addition to 1080p Full HD movies and a range of built-in digital filter effects the D5100 also benefits from a 3in, 921k-dot vari-angle screen that can be tilted and swivelled to make light work of shooting from extreme angles.
Click to read our full Nikon D5100 review...
2. Pentax K-r 
£500 with 18-55mm kit lens
Despite being listed as a ‘current' model on Pentax's website, the K-r is in fact discontinued. Still, look around and you can still find it online. Built around a 12.4MP CMOS sensor, the K-r is probably the most generously featured model of all the mid-range DSLRs listed here, coming with a wealth of in-camera image processing options and creative digital features, along with the ability to shoot at 6fps - the fastest in this class. In fact, the K-r's only real weak spot is that it can't shoot 1080p Full HD videos - although it can shoot 720p HD.
Click to read our full Pentax K-r review...
3. Canon EOS 650D
£615 with 18-55mm kit lens
The 650D builds on the strengths of the already very good 600D, bringing with it a 3in / 1040k-dot vari-angle screen that doubles up with touch-screen control over the camera - the first time such technology has been made available on a DSLR. Elsewhere the 650D packs an 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor and Canon's latest DIGIC 5 image processor, a 9-point AF system, 3.7fps continuous shooting and 1080p Full HD movie capture. As with the 600D you can also use the built-in flash commander mode to control compatible flashguns mounted off-camera with. Overall, the 650D is a very well specified camera indeed.
Click to read our full Canon EOS 650D review...
4. Sony Alpha SLT-A65
£700 with 18-55mm kit lens
Launched at the same time as the high-end A77, the A65 shares much of the same technology. Built around a 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor, the A65 further benefits from a broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000. The A65's Smart Teleconverter technology also means it's possible to extend the reach of your lenses to either 1.4x or 2.0x their stated focal length, with resultant images of 12MP and 6MP respectively. Better still, thanks to its translucent mirror technology the A55 is also capable of shooting at 10fps with continuous autofocus, making it an ideal camera for anyone who regularly shoot fast-moving action.
Click to read our full Sony Alpha A65 review...
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Latest comments
January 28 22:22
Victor
What about the Pentax K7 which has a magnesium alloy weatherproof body, probably the most rugged camera on the market at this price point with an extreemly good (weath/proof) kit lense. And while everyone is talking about the Sony A55, it seems to have avoided most reviewers attention that Sony also released the A580 at the same time which shares 95% of the same features of A55 but is a conventional and extreemly high performance SLR.
October 14 22:59
bigdaveg40
The A55 is available with kit lens from Jessops etc for less than £530, there is also a £50 cashback on until x-mas, so it is now possible to buy an A55 with lens for £480. Ref the A580, it is still just about available and with it's class leading sensor, is probably the best Dslr Sony has produced,it's iq is close to the D7000 (same sensor),has the best live view system on the market & shoots at 7fps, and yet isn't even considered, it's dxo mark is the same as the D5100. When all things are considered, any chance of a group test:600d, d5100, A55 & A580 ;-) Would this "best of" also highlight something about your scoring system given that the A55 actually received a higher mark; A55=91%, 600d=88%, d5100=89% & kr=87% ?. So a Nikon, Canon one two it is then.
December 15 17:14
nat
what about the canon 60d nearlly at the same price as the 600d but much better