When it comes to picking the best Nikon camera, the sheer number of models under the camera giant's belt can make it feel like a formidable task. There's an incredible stable of cameras in all different categories – DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and compacts – and which is right for you depends on your experience level, your budget, and what you plan to shoot. We’ve taken this into account and come up with a broad list of the best Nikon cameras on the market in 2021.
You might be looking to shoot high-resolution stills, pristine 4K video, or both! You may prefer the rugged build and handling of a DSLR, or the cutting-edge tech of mirrorless cameras. Wherever you’re at, this guide should have a camera that’s right for you.
Nikon represents an exciting world of imaging. With some of the best lens ranges in the business, Nikon is an ideal brand to invest in and develop your own photography or videography setup. If you’re still feeling undecided between brands though, remember you can always check out our guide to the best cameras overall. But for now, let’s get to the best Nikon cameras you can buy right now!
The best Nikon cameras available now
We’ve picked the Nikon Z 6II as the best overall Nikon camera for most users. While there are cameras on this list with better specs and higher resolutions, the Nikon Z 6II provides an unbeatable balance of performance and price for the majority of users. It can shoot stills and video in superb quality, and boasts such high-end features as 5-stop in-body image stabilisation (IBIS).
Then there’s also the 14fps burst shooting, the gorgeous UHD 4K 30p video, the excellent handling. The Nikon Z 7II is a flashier camera with more megapixels, but if you don’t need all that resolution (and unless you’re a very specific kind of photographer, you probably don’t), then the Z 6II will do everything you need it to. For what you get, this is amazing value.
If you're not limited by budget, then Nikon’s flagship full-frame DSLR is hard to beat. The Nikon D6 (opens in new tab) is the best Nikon camera in terms of specs and meets the needs of professional photographers who need a device they can depend on in any situation.
Its robust, durable frame and superb weather sealing allow it to stand up to extreme shooting conditions. The 20.8MP resolution might not seem the most impressive, but the D6 can shoot RAW images at up to 14 bit, allowing outstanding tonal detail to be captured. It can also keep up with even the fastest-moving subjects thanks to its 14FPS continuous shoot speed, which can capture up to 200 RAW files before it shows signs of slowing.
If you're not ready to invest in a device like the D6 or DZ II, then the Nikon D3500 (opens in new tab) is the best entry-level Nikon camera for those on a budget. It's a versatile, all-round device that serves as a good introduction for beginner photographers, capturing high-resolution stills at 24.2MP with its DX image sensor while also recording Full HD video.
It can run on Auto and also boasts a Guide Mode, which can help novice photographers learn how to adjust the camera settings to obtain the kind of images they're after until they feel ready to take greater control themselves. This makes it a strong choice for those starting out who want to take a deeper dive into photography and shoot with an interchangeable lens system.
When the Nikon Z mirrorless series began, it seemed like it would be the preserve of professional and serious enthusiast photographers only. But the Nikon Z50 (opens in new tab) brought it to a wider user base by being the first Z-mount camera with a smaller APS-C sensor. So while it doesn’t quite have that professional sheen of the Z6 II and Z7 II, it is much more affordable and lightweight.
The Z50 is still a camera that’ll suit enthusiasts, and boasts plenty of impressive specs. Being able to burst-shoot at 11fps is handy no matter what level you’re at, and the 4K UHD video from the camera looks pretty amazing. We’re also big fans of the comprehensive autofocus system, which provides a beefy spread of 209 autofocus points.
Even a couple of years down the line, we still rate this as the best Z-mount APS-C camera. The newer Nikon Z fc (opens in new tab) is very flashy and tempting, with its gorgeous retro looks. However, the Z50 is both significantly cheaper, and has a few practical features the Z fc lacks, like a built-in flash.
The Nikon D850 (opens in new tab) is another good Nikon device for those who want to switch between shooting both stills and video, this time in the form of a DSLR. The D850's 45.7MP image sensor captures stills with plenty of detail, and the capture size can be reduced for those that require it. For filmmakers, the camera can shoot 4K UHD footage, making this a professional-level camera for hybrid shooting.
The fast and reliable autofocus works even in low light thanks to the camera's dedicated AF processor, while a handy touchscreen allows rapid navigation through hundreds of images, making this a real workhorse of a DSLR.
The Nikon D5600 (opens in new tab) is the best Nikon camera for beginner photographers who perhaps already have some familiarity with DSLRs and want to take things up a step. This camera boasts the same frame-advance bar seen in superior professional models like the D5 and D500 professional-level cameras. It also has a variable-angle touchscreen, which allows the camera to be operated from any position without photographers needing to contort themselves to use the viewfinder. The screen also responds to gestures with options such as pinching to zoom and to trim images.
The D5600 has a deep grip that's comfortable to hold. Its monocoque carbon-reinforced shell gives it a solid but lightweight build, which makes it a good choice for intermediate users who want to start taking photographs out on the road.
While the Nikon D850 is still the king Nikon DSLR for resolution and high performance, the Nikon D780 (opens in new tab) is ideal for those looking for a strong all-rounder. This full-frame shooter boasts that satisfying DSLR-style handling that’s impossible to replicate – the chunky handgrip gives you a real sense that you’re holding a powerful machine in your hands.
Under the hood, the D780 is equally impressive. The 12fps burst speed meets the quality of a full-frame sensor, and the autofocus is lightning-fast. That weather-sealed body will keep on shooting in the vast majority of conditions, and while its resolution pales in comparison to the mighty D850, we should once again point out that most all-purpose shooters simply do not need 45 megapixels.
It’s uncertain how many DSLRs Nikon will make in the future, with the company’s focus increasingly dedicated to its mirrorless Z series. If the D780 is the swansong of the Nikon DSLR, then it’s a hell of a way to go out.
We've already mentioned several strong hybrid cameras, but if video's your main thing, the Nikon D7 II (opens in new tab) is likely to be the best Nikon camera for you. The 5-stops of in-body image stabilisation smooth out video, giving it a gimbal-like quality, which is excellent for handheld shooting. Its 4K UHD 60p video footage is superbly detailed with an outstanding dynamic range thanks to the N-log movie options and HDR (HLG) output.
With 493 AF points, the hybrid AF system offers pin-sharp focus across approximately 90% of the image sensor, allowing users to easily focus almost up to the edges of the frame. It also boasts Eye-Detection AF, which automatically tracks subjects, and even Animal-Detection AF to capture wildlife.
Check out our roundups of the best cameras for vlogging and the best cameras for YouTube for more video capture options.
The Nikon Z 5 is a dream for shooting portraits thanks to its full-frame sensor and detailed EVF. Its Eye-Detection AF is precise and tracks movement across the frame on a range of subjects, from humans to dogs and cats. Another plus for portrait photographers is the lightweight magnesium alloy body, which makes the camera comfortable to work during long sessions of shooting.
The Z 5 has a wide ISO range for low-light shooting, and the camera can be charged by USB, which means you can grab one of the best power banks and shoot all day long. The UHS-II SD compatible dual card slots mean portraits can be backed up on the spot.
For beginners who aren't interested in using interchangeable lenses, the P1000 is Nikon's best compact bridge camera. Its lens offers incredible zoom capability for a compact camera, with 125x optical zoom. That means photographers can zoom in on even the most distant subjects, from wildlife to craters on the moon.
The P1000 also boasts a host of built-in shooting modes that are useful for beginners who want to experiment without delving into the technical nitty-gritty. The camera can synchronise with Nikon's SnapBridge app via Bluetooth to share images and trigger the camera remotely.
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