DxOMark is a website that you can take advantage of to find a good camera. This website consistently tests the quality of every new camera released on the market. The aspect it tests is the camera sensor. DxOMark has a huge database although not all cameras are covered.
You can find cameras from all grades. From entry levels like Nikon D3400 to a professional-grade cameras like Nikon D850. In case you are in the pursuit of an entry level DSLR camera, I have put together the top 10 entry level DSLR cameras based on the DxOMark scores which you can check below.
On the entry level segment, Nikon is still better than its competitor Canon. At least that is what DxOMark said. Out of ten, none of Canon entry level DSLRs gets the score of above 80. The maximum score a Canon entry level DSLR gets is 79 (200D).
Following is the 10 best entry level DSLR cameras based on the DxOMark scores. From lowest to highest.
1. Canon 100D
DxOMark score: 63
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In 2013, Canon released a new model of entry level DSLR camera with it called 100D. This camera has been described as the smallest DSLR camera on the planet. Also lightest with the weight is only 407g. Canon uses a 18-megapixel APS-C sensor for this camera with the crop factor of 1.6. Canon 100D itself is known as Rebel SL1 in the US market. The features offered by this camera itself are similar enough to 700D which has the larger body. But, 100D has an improved focus tracking system in live view mode called Hybrid CMOS AF II with 80% frame coverage.
2. Canon 1200D
DxOMark score: 63
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1200D (known as Rebel T5 in the US market) was announced by Canon in February 2014. This camera replaces 1100D and has been replaced by 1300D in 2016. The overall specs and features offered by Rebel T5 are not much different to 100D. This camera also features a 18-megapixel camera. The maximum image resolution this camera can produce is 5202 x 3465. There is no special features offered by 1200D. DxOMark gives the score of 63 for this camera.
3. Canon 760D
DxOMark score: 70
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Canon released two entry level DSLR cameras in 2015 with a larger sensor than two models above. Those two cameras were announced at the same time. One of those cameras was 760D. Canon 760D has a larger sensor than two first mentioned Canon cameras above. Instead of 18-megapixel, this camera features a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. As a result, 760D is capable of generating photos with a higher resolution. This camera is also better for taking pictures of moving objects since it comes with 19 autofocus points. 760D is a special enough DSLR camera from Canon as it has a LCD information display on the top of the body. None of Canon entry level DSLR had this sort of feature before. Also, 760D has a quick control dial on the rear of the body.
4. Canon 750D
DxOMark score: 71
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750D is the entry level DSLR camera from Canon that was announced at the same time as 760D above. The core specs and features of this camera are not much different that 76D. It’s just, 750D has no two features available on the 760D like mentioned above (LCD information display on top of the body and quick control dial). The sensor of 750D has the same size as 760D, but 750D’s sensor gets a slightly higher score on DxOMark.
5. Canon 77D
DxOMark scor: 78
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If you need an entry level DSLR with a more advanced specs, Canon 77D is one of the camera you can consider. This camera is a step above the Rebel series, but still under the professional-grade Canon DSLR series. Probably, it would be a proper idea to mention it as a mid-range DSLR. However, there some reviewers considering 77D being a part of the Rebel line for all practical purposes.
Canon 77D itself features a 25-megapixel sensor. A feature that makes it standout than other entry level DSLRs from Canon is that 77D has 45 autofocus points which will ease your job in taking pictures of moving objects. Canon 77D was announced in February 2017 as the replacement of Canon 760D.
6. Canon 200D
DxOMark score: 79
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If you get disappointed by 100D, Canon has provided a new version to cure your disappointment. It is 200D. Unlike its predecessor that has a 18-megapixel sensor, 200D features a larger sensor, 25-megapixel. Unfortunately, there is no improvement on the autofocus number section. Canon retains the same number of autofocus points, 9. Canon 200D is the entry level DSLR camera from Canon that has the highest score on DxOMark. It gets the score of 79. Canon 200D was announced in June 2017. This camera is also known as Rebel SL2 in the US market. Same as 100D, 200D also has a smaller body than other DLSR cameras from Canon.
7. Nikon D3300
DxOMark score: 82
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Many stats show that Canon has more market share than Nikon. However, when it comes to quality, Nikon seems is the winner. At least if you use DxOMark as the parameter as the majority of Nikon cameras have a higher scores than Canon cameras. Like this one, Nikon D3300.
Nikon D3300 was announced by Nikon in 2014 as the replacement of D3200. One of the evidences D3300 is better than any Canon cameras is that this camera earned a Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award in the category “Best Digital SLR Entry Level”. Nikon D3300 itself is an entry level that has a 24-megapixel sensor, while the autofocus point offered by this camera is 11. Slightly above its closest competitor Canon 1200D which has 9 autofocus points.
8. Nikon D5500
DxOMark score: 84
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D5500 is an entry level DSLR camera from Nikon that is a step above the D3300 and D3400. The sensor size of this camera is actually the same, but it has several advanced features. One of which if Wi-Fi and touch screen display. Speaking of this touch screen, D5500 is the first Nikon DSLR camera to have this feature. Another advantage of Nikon D5500 is that it has more autofocus points, 39. Camera with more autofocus points is better for taking pictures of moving objects.
9. Nikon D5600
DxOMark score: 84
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As you can guess, Nikon D5600 is the successor of D5500. This camera was announced by Nikon in November 2016. Nikon didn’t add much changes to this camera. The only new feature added to this camera is Bluetooth although this camera basically already has Wi-Fi to allow you transfer photos from camera to smartphone wirelessly via SnapBridge app. On DxOmark, Nikon D5600 gets the score of 84, same as its predecessor above. This camera also has a 24-megapixel sensor and 39 autofocus points. The touch screen display is handy enough to take a picture from a low angle without needing to get on your knee thanks to the live autofocus feature.
10. Nikon D3400
DxOMark score: 86
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Nikon D3400 is the updated version of D3300 and was announced by Nikon in August 2016. One of the improvements added to this camera is the battery life. Nikon made this camera capable of taking more pictures, up to 1200 photos in a single charge. Another features added by Nikon is Bluetooth which you can use to share the photos you took to smartphone/tablet via SnapBridge app. In the market, Nikon D3400 is the closest competitor of Canon 1300D. On DxOMark, Nikon D3400 gets a slightly higher score than its predecessor.