Best mid-range DSLR 2015

A mid-range DSLR is most people's first 'serious' camera. It's the logical next step for photographers who've outgrown an entry-level DSLR and need a camera with more power, more robustness and more hands-on control.

They're not just for second-time buyers, though. Mid-range DSLRs have a foot in both camps – they can all be used in a full-auto mode where the camera takes care of every setting. Novices could use any of these cameras perfectly easily – it's just that they have a little more power than most novices would need.

Indeed, mid-range DSLRs have many of the options of full-on professional cameras, so they're the ideal tool for starting a career in photography, and they make a perfect second or backup camera for those who already earn their living from photography – or who just need a lighter, less valuable camera for casual outings.

All the cameras in our list use APS-C sensors. Canon, Nikon, Sony and (soon) Pentax make both APS-C and full-frame DSLRs. APS-C cameras are lighter and a lot cheaper, and sometimes approach the full-frame models for image quality. This makes them ideal for advanced amateurs.

There are some entry-level full-frame cameras that could appeal to the same audience, such as the Canon 6D or Nikon D610, but for the sake of simplicity we'll keep those for our Best full-frame DSLR list.

What to look for in a mid-range DSLR

Megapixels: Surprisingly, perhaps, there's often no difference in resolution between entry-level DSLRs and more advanced models like these. The Nikon D3300, for example, has a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor with the anti-aliasing filter removed for extra sharpness, and this is as good as it gets for an APS-C DSLR. 20 megapixels is probably a working minimum in this category, and all of the cameras in this list match or exceed that.

Autofocus: You will see a difference in autofocus capabilities between these cameras and entry-level model, though. The number of AF points affects the camera's ability to track moving subjects and is also a good general indicator of the system's speed and sophistication. And look out for hybrid AF systems which have phase-detection pixels on the sensor itself. This means much faster autofocus in live view and movie modes, and Canon has a clear lead here with the Dual-pixel CMOS AF in the EOS 70D and 7D Mark II.

Continuous shooting: Mid-range DSLRs are much better at sports and action photography, and not just because of the better autofocus systems. Most can shoot at 6 frames per second – a practical minimum for this kind of photography – and some a lot faster.

Construction: Mid-range DSLRs are built tougher than entry-level models. Some have metal panels fixed to a plastic chassis, but it's even better to have a metal chassis. Look out for weatherproofing too – the makers add seals around key seams and buttons to stop the ingress of water or dust.

Controls: Entry-level DSLRs are designed to be easy and unintimidating, which means that although manual controls are available, they're often buried in menus or an interactive display. More advanced mid-range DSLRs use external buttons and dials, so that when you know the settings you want to use, it's much easier to apply them. In particularly, look for twin control dials (entry-level DSLRs usually have just one), because this makes shutter speed and aperture control much simpler.