In 2025, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are regaining popularity despite nearly a decade in the shadow of mirrorless technology. For anyone serious about improving their photography skills, this comeback matters because working with a DSLR pushes you to master essential techniques rather than relying on technology alone—plus they're cheap!
Coming to you from Gerard Needham, this insightful video explains why older DSLR models are still worth your attention and how they can significantly boost your photography skills. Needham emphasizes that DSLRs compel you to perfect your exposure and composition in-camera, rather than relying on extensive editing later. Modern mirrorless cameras offer impressive dynamic range, letting you recover a vast amount of detail in post-production, but Needham argues this can lead to unnatural-looking images. With a DSLR, you're forced to get it right at the moment of capture, which sharpens your eye for detail and composition. Moreover, understanding concepts like hyperfocal distance becomes essential with DSLRs because the autofocus systems, while reliable, are not as forgiving as those in contemporary mirrorless cameras.
Needham also highlights affordability as a key advantage of choosing a DSLR in 2025. High-quality full-frame DSLR systems, such as the Canon 5D Mark II or Nikon D700, including lenses, can be purchased for under $1,000, significantly cheaper than comparable mirrorless setups. This lower barrier to entry makes professional-level photography accessible even if you’re working on a tight budget. The video further explains that these cameras deliver impressive image quality despite being older models. For instance, the Nikon D700, despite having only 12 megapixels, captures detailed, high-quality images suitable for professional use and online publication. Needham demonstrates this by showing how even images from his older Canon 5D classic retain impressive details and tonal range, reminiscent of film photography.
Further expanding on why photographers should reconsider DSLRs, Needham acknowledges some drawbacks like limited ISO performance, the absence of in-body stabilization, and bulkier builds. However, these limitations can paradoxically help refine your skills. By restricting automatic features, you're encouraged to manually control your settings and improve your fundamental understanding of photography. Needham also points out that older lenses remain abundant, inexpensive, and capable of producing outstanding results, often outperforming expectations given their modest price tags. This access to quality lenses further enhances the appeal of DSLR systems today.
The resurgence of DSLR is more than nostalgia or a trend; it is a practical choice that can enhance your abilities as a photographer. Needham's personal experiences with these cameras illustrate their potential to enrich your photographic approach, whether you're starting fresh or a seasoned professional revisiting foundational techniques. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Needham.
None of image quality "limitations" described in that video are due to the DSLR format. The limitations are due to the age of the sensors in the cameras being compared. At the time of their respective releases, each camera was the pinnacle of tech for its time. A camera is just a box that hold the light sensitive recording medium, be it a glass plate, film or sensor.
The video seems to say that an older DSLR needs to get exposure correct in the camera with no room for error. Quoting from the video: "DSLRs force you to nail exposure and composition." I don't believe that's necessarily true, depending on which DSLR you're using for comparison. Other than the fact that you have more cropping options from a larger megapixel camera, composition is composition. And as he also said, the older Nikon D700 could extract a ton of detail out of shadows. In fact, the dynamic range on my D800 is nearly identical to the Nikon Z8 or Z9. So why is "nailing" exposure any more critical on my DSLR than on a new mirrorless? Granted there are a hundred other reasons one might choose a new mirrorless camera, but I doubt that image quality is one of them. What really gets me is that back in 2013, the D800 was heralded as a revolutionary new camera for professional photographers. But professionals nowadays wouldn't be caught dead with anything less than a new mirrorless. I guess professionals back then weren't as professional as we thought.
I agree.. Describing the Canon as old or outdated is totally ridiculous... these people obviously were not around when film was all there was or when a 1 megapixel camera was like wow! I realize that cameras today have capabilities that were basically unheard of 10 years ago. But like you said , to claim you were forced to get the shot right in camera in a 10 year old DSLR is simply nonsense. From my 600 x 480 pixel IXLA camera to my 20 MP Pentax released in 2015 I have always been able to make adjustments in the computer that simply could not be done with film outside of an elaborate darkroom. My guess is people who believe 2015 DSLRs are quaint relics never drove a car with hand crank windows.
The Canon 5DII absolutely is outdated technology. The noise levels are precisely the result of outdated technology: Canon sensors were all analog. So the analog signal path ran across the circuit board to ADC in the image signal processor, limiting the camera to under 12-bits of dynamic range. This didn't prevent the 5DII from revolutionizing video shooting, but it was a fact. Canon made slight improvements to noise in the 5DIII and 6D, but they still had the analog signal path and, compared to today, relatively low resolution at 22 and 20 megapixels, respectively. I owned a 6D when I found another camera I had recently purchased, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, was generally outperforming the larger sensor 6D.
It's of course quite possible to shoot pro level photos on you 5DII or E-M5II or on film, but it does take more care. When I shoot M43, I have to think about dynamic range far more than on the latest 14- or 16- bit cameras... can I get this on 1 or do I need to bracket? I use the realtime histogram. I shoot longer exposures at lower ISO. I watch my composition because I'm not getting a 50 megapixel image to crop (unless I can shoot in hires mode). I sold off my Canon gear, leaving me with my Dad's old Nikon D70 as my lone DSLR.
The gulf between DSLRs and MILCs will grow as long as DSLRs remain fixed in time and MILCs continue to evolve. They don't get any worse, but they require more knowledge to use.
I often shoot for my company events, but over the last few years event organizers brought pros in twice. First time was an "all hands" event in which the pro was taking portraits of everyone. He brought his Nikon D850 and his shiny new Fujifilm GFX100, studio lights, backdrops, etc. Harry, he sucked. Next guy shot with an old Nikon D750 on a monopod. I shot a few shots at the same event. This Pro was very good. Your tech can band-aid some things, as every smartphone camera shows, but it doesn't replace knowledge and talent.
BTW, my current 2006 Toyota Tacoma has manual crank windows... And a stick-shift. Far less outdated than some DSLRs.
Yea but none of that actually matters with the software we have today. Noise is a non-issue. I literally just bought a used 6D funny enough. There's literally nothing the software in a camera or smartphone can do that you also can't do on a desktop computer. With the AI image generation technology out there, it's mind boggling. It isn't even the same image technically. It merely uses the original image as guidance.
Man I just wanted to say I LOVE my D800e. I still use it even though I have a Nikon Zf. This is the first photo I ever took with my D800e using the very not fancy 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 G . I had two of these cameras at one point. The first one I bought I paid $800 for and I thought that was a steal. Now you can find them at around $500-$600 which is just bonkers. The only reason I moved to Mirrorless is for the auto focus improvements and quality of life features (especially for macro work) but at the end of the day that's all fluff and My D800e still does every thing i need it to. It still kicks ass.
I had the job of shooting a panorama twilight shot of Snowmass Village in Colorado, but after my first attempt with an Olympus E-3, the noise in my shadows was horrible. And I was having a hard time enlarging the picture with good quality to the size they wanted. Having drooled over the D800 for some time, I finally had the excuse to buy one. It's been my faithful companion for 12 years now and I still love the camera.
I watched the video. Lots of curmudgeony comments on YouTube, unfortunately, distracting from the topic of the video. But sure, cameras of that era (be they whatever focusing mechanism) have certain characteristics that affect or shape the outcome of the shots. Coincidentally, OneDrive showed me a timeline of photos taken on this day over the years. This included photos taken on my Lumia 1520 back some years ago. That phone took excellent photos, high resolution and high dynamic range for its time. And the photos had certain characteristics distinct from those taken today on my S24 or Pixel, both of which employ computational algorithms and HDR. I expect that in another decade forward we will be reminiscing about these characteristics, and young people will be snapping up old devices from the 2020s to get that certain look.
I have owned the Canon 5D MkIII and a few others. Personally, I do not think the cameras are all that "cheap" considering the unit may have 100k clicks in some cases. For $1000 I have quite a few options in the used gear market that would also provide better AF and video features. Anyone who wants to revisit classic photography can just set their current camera to manual mode and download some free LUT's.
Funny article since I literally just got back into photography after a 10 year break. I decided to get back into it with film too. It's been 20+ years since I shot film. My sons are interested so I'm teaching them.
Gave my son my old 7D. Then the other wanted one. Great I thought. Well, found one online locally for $100. Less than 3,000 shutter count. Wow! I thought. Let's see what a 6D goes for. Done. Have one of those on the way.
This old Fujica ST801 I have has been a great teaching aid for my kids though. One sunny day I challenged him to shoot wide open, pushing his creativity a bit. I had to explain to him why I couldn't get the same shot on the ST801. It only goes to 2000th of a second I said. I have iso 400 film I said. Then I explained what a neutral density filter was (didn't have one on me at the time, didn't have one that fit the smaller lens even).
Do people really replace learning the basics with technology??
As a cave dweller emerging from the cave, here's my thoughts. First, we could always get good images years ago that were plenty fine for large prints. Still, if needed, you can use the wonderful upscaling (and denoising) software. It's insanely good these days. Second, why fill your hard drive or worry about your computer speed and how fast it is to work with large files? You can upscale the ones you want to print IF you even need to.
I'm super excited to stick with SLR. Though I did also pick up a Canon model 7. I think it's missing a few megapixels though lol.
Interesting choice of words in this video/article:
"DSLR Cameras Are Back"
"In 2025, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are regaining popularity despite nearly a decade in the shadow of mirrorless technology."
The headline seems to make you think that major camera manufacturers like Canon and Nikon are hurrying to expand development of the DSLR line of cameras. The second sentence appears to soften expectations in that regard. Regaining popularity is different than a commitment from manufacturers to develop an old camera system. I've had my eye on a Nikon D850 for a couple years, and would probably buy that if my D800E were to go kaput. You can still buy a new one. The shortened battery life and need for adapters to fit older lenses would discourage buying a new mirrorless. And the focusing technology or video improvements don't mean a thing for me.
But it's hard to imagine a huge new market of first-time camera buyers choosing a DSLR camera, or anyone who has already made the switch to mirrorless for that matter. There are too many mirrorless features for most of those photographers to go back. So I won't get excited about any sort of upgrade from Nikon for the D850. Honestly though, for the difference in price and at my stage in life, I'd probably just get another D800E for about $500. Nobody has convinced me yet that I'd make a better picture with a newer camera.
The D810 is also a great choice.
Pentax has always used IBIS in its DSLRs, so you can have image stabilization with any lens you use, even vintage screw mounts.
That's great if you shoot mostly at shorter focal lengths where IBIS is most effective. The problem is, stabilization is needed a lot less at wider angles of view than at narrower angles of view, where IBIS is much less effective. Lens based IS/OS systems, on the other hand, can be optimized for each lens' focal length(s) and provide far more stabilization than IBIS can for long focal length lenses.
My Pentax's IBIS sets for the focal length on dedicated lenses, while I can dial it in manually for longer lenses, and I've never had a problem even with a 500mm.
Sure, but you're only getting a fraction of the amount of movement it can counteract compared to a lens based system for a 500mm lens. If your shooting technique is good enough, then you've no need for any kind of stabilization. But pretending that you can get 6-8 stops of stabilization with a 500mm non-stabilized lens using camera based IBIS is ignoring reality.
Give me back my Pentax Spotmatic for 35mm and my TLR Rollieflex for 6x6 work........ 🤣🤣
First, the title is incorrect. DSLRs never went away; many photographers are still using it for both professional and hobbyist work.
Strictly for photography, image quality never depended on technology. Many users are still creating outstanding photos with Nikon D40 or Canon 350D. Composition, farming, timing, shot selection etc. are solely attributable to the photographers’ skill, talent and mindset. There’s no denying that DSLRs produce images that look like photographs. On the other hand due to excessive obsession with clarity, sharpness and dynamic range; many mirrorless camera generated images look clinical or synthetic confusing the viewer to suspect AI involvement. Absence of the organic feel and vibe is detectable even to common fans.
I'm not into videos so, no comments on that. To me cameras are photography tools while camcorders or dedicated video cameras are movie making instruments.
Bottomline, DSLRs live in the hands of artists and will continue to thrive for the foreseeable future or as long as the art of photography lives.
I have gone back to using a DSLR, a Pentax K5ii with a DA* 16-50mm f2.8. The quality is more than enough for my needs and using a camera with a OVF is just so much better.
Having to "nail the exposure" depends on the DSLR camera. Older DSLR cameras this is often the case, but the later DSLR cameras, not so much. The dynamic range on my Nikon D850 is nearly identical to the Nikon Z8 or Z9. This also goes for the D800 and D810. So why is "nailing the exposure" any more critical on my DSLR than on a new mirrorless?
This is my first time commenting on an article about a video, without first watching the video. Why? Because if what Alex wrote about the video is true, then the video is not worth watching.
Thanks Alex, for saving…. How long is that video? Whatever. …That much time of my life which I would not have been able to get back.
P.s., I have a 2013 DSLR with IBIS, 24MPx,14-bit sensor, accurate autofocus, —which may not be the fastest autofocus in bright light, but certainly fast enough— with the best in class lowlight autofocus speed, 100% OVF frame coverage, DoF preview, PDAF & CDAF (when in live view mode), etc., etc., etc.
I did not see the need to upgrade to the 2015 Mk II, but am thinking about the 2021 Mk III.
Serious question: anyone here thinks that I am wrong, and need to actually watch the video???