Diwali buying guide: Canon EOS 750D, Nikon D5300 and more DSLRs to consider this festive season

When it comes to tech purchases, buying a digital camera to capture all your memories is a big decision for many. With so many cameras available out there, across budgets, across segments, it can get daunting for many to pick the right camera.

Agreed, a lot of smartphones are positioning themselves as DSLR replacements, but we all know that it is far from the truth. Sure, the smartphone cameras have matured over the years, but the kind of control you have with a DSLR just cannot be matched by a smartphone. So if you are up for moving beyond the Auto settings and planning buy a camera this Diwali, here are some of the DSLRs you should consider investing in.

Canon EOS 1200D

This is Canon’s entry level DSLR sporting an 18MP APS-C sensor with a DIGIC 4 image processor. It has 9 AF points along with 1 cross-type AF point in the centre. The overall performance of the EOS 1200D is good for an entry level DSLR. Canon does deliver good image quality, good build and a good AF performance in daylight. Sure, it does have its shortcomings when it comes to shooting and focussing in low light, prominent noise beyond ISO 1600 and below average video quality when panning.

Even though this is a year old model, it still makes for a value for money purchase, specially now that you can get a kit lens and kit zoom lens combination for less than the 1200D’s launch price. For around Rs 26,000 you can get the EOS 1200D + 18-55mm kit lens + 55-250mm IS II zoom lens and an 8GB SD card.

Nikon D5300

Nikon D5300 is an upgrade over Nikon’s entry level D3300. The camera packs a 24.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor, EXPEED 4 image processing and a built in Wi-Fi capability which lets you transfer images to your smartphone after you have clicked them, using an app. There are 39 AF points and it supports 3D tracking feature which lets you track your subject while shooting a video. It comes with a fully articulated display as well.

The Nikon D5300’s 24.2MP CMOS sensor drops the optical low pass filter (OLPF) in order to add sharpness to the images. It has some easy, intuitive features that let you take detailed images. The camera covers a wide ISO range of 100-12,800 and is expandable to ISO 25,600 in the Hi1 mode.

It is currently selling for Rs 35,000 on Amazon and around Rs 36,500 on Flipkart, along with an 18-55mm kit lens.

Canon EOS 750D

This is Canon’s midrange offering priced around Rs 52,000 along with the 18-55mm kit lens. It houses a 24.2MP sensor and comes with Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor. As compared to the Canon 700D, it is a significant leap in terms of sensor and image processor combination.

It has a hybrid CMOS AF III system which uses phase detect AF and contrast detect AF in tandem to give you a faster focussing speed. There are 19 auto-focus points, and all of them are cross-type AF points. It offers a 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen. You will also get Wi-fi connectivity features along with the 750D.

Canon 70D

Canon 70D is definitely not for the first time DSLR buyer as it is a slightly advanced camera. Sporting a 20.2MP sensor along with the DIGIC 5+ image processor, the 70D also has 19 AF points and all are cross-type AF points. It is capable of shooting at a burst rate of 7 frames per second. Just like the 750D, it also has a 3-inch touchscreen LCD.

The main USP of this camera is the dual-pixel CMOS autofocus which takes live-view shooting to a new level. The twitching that is generally associated when video shooting in the auto focus mode is kept to the minimum due to the dual pixel CMOS AF. So if you are into short film making and cannot afford the 5D Mark series cameras, the Canon 70D is a good alternative. And considering it is a generation old now, it is now available for Rs 68,000 along with an 18-55mm kit lens, which is almost Rs 20,000 below its launch price.

Nikon D7100

This is another camera that can be considered by those who are looking at upgrading their current Nikon camera. The Nikon D7100 although released in 2013, is still quite a good camera and that’s a reason why Nikon hasn’t discontinued it despite having its upgrade in the form of the D7200. The D7100 comes with a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and does not have an optical low pass filter, to improve image sharpness.

The Nikon D7100 comes with 51 AF points with around 15 cross-type sensors. That is a lot of AF points and puts it right in the league of the D800 - its full frame elder sibling. It comes with a spot white balance feature which lets you set a custom white balance from the display quickly. It can go up to 6 frames per second in the burst mode. There are dual SD card slots as well.

Right now you can get the body only for around Rs 62,000 or you can get the D7100 along with an 18-140mm lens at under Rs 80,000.