The Best Nikon DSLR Cameras of 2021

Name: Nikon D500
Brand: Nikon

Written by Reviewed Staff

Updated April 2, 2021

There are two big players in the DSLR market: Canon and Nikon. These two titans compete for the hearts and minds of pros and amateurs alike, and each company puts out excellent cameras year after year. While it has frequently played second fiddle in sales, Nikon has always impressed us with its broad range of DSLRs—from the mighty D4S to the lowly D3300.

Our camera experts have spent countless hours in the lab, poring over images and test data to determine which Nikon DSLRs offer the best value proposition for the most shooters. Our top pick is the Nikon D500 (available at Amazon) but we have a whole list of Nikon recommendations here. So if you're looking for gorgeous images and high-quality video, take a look at our breakdown.

These are the best Nikon DSLR cameras we tested, ranked in order:

Nikon D500
Nikon D810
Nikon D45
Nikon D7200

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Nikon D500
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Best Overall Nikon D500
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The Nikon D500 is the best Nikon DSLR camera — The Nikon D500 is the best Nikon DLSR we tested.

Best Overall

Nikon D500

Nikon's best-ever APS-C DSLR might be the best crop-sensor camera we've ever tested. With 4K video shooting, plenty of advanced features, and 10 FPS continuous bursts, Nikon's pulled out the stops in the D500, making this an exceptional pro DSLR. If you need speed (whether that's AF or burst speed), the D500 delivers for less than a third the price of the flagship D5. Read our full review of the Nikon D500.

Buy now at Amazon
$1,499.99 from Best Buy
$1,399.95 from Walmart
$1,796.95 from Adorama

Other Nikon DSLR Cameras We Tested

Nikon D810

For stills photographers who want a dependable, powerful, flexible camera, it's difficult to beat the D810. It takes incredible shots, works with almost any Nikon lens from the past 50 years, and is fast enough for all but the most demanding news and sports work. It's a superb camera in every way, and one of the best Nikon DSLRs we've tested. If you're looking to step up your skills, the D810 should be on your radar. Read our full review of the Nikon D810.

Buy now at Amazon
$2,796.95 from Adorama
$1,869.97 from Walmart

Nikon D4S

The Nikon D4, launched back in 2012, was a revolutionary camera that combined fast burst shooting, superb ergonomics and control, and professional video options. As it has done with previous generations of pro DSLRs, Nikon followed it up with a subtle refresh, this time touting greater dynamic range, improved continuous shooting speed with autofocus, and a ludicrous top ISO of 409,600. Read our full review of the Nikon D4S..

Buy now at Amazon
$5,699.99 from Walmart

Nikon D7200

With weather sealing, a built-in autofocus motor, and some nifty video and timelapse features, the D7200 is built with sports, wildlife, and even amateur prosumer photographers in mind. It may sit in a weird middle spot in Nikon's lineup, since it's around the same price as the full-frame D610, but for sports and wildlife photographers who don't need full-frame and want weather-sealing, the D7200 is a great choice. Read our full review of the Nikon D7200.

Buy now at Amazon
Buy now at Walmart
$696.95 from Adorama

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