📸 Best DSLR Cameras of 2024: Still Going Strong

While mirrorless cameras dominate headlines, 2024 still saw strong DSLR options favored by many filmmakers for their robust build, dependable battery life, and broad lens ecosystems.

🔝 1. 

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

A legend among DSLRs, the 5D Mark IV continued to shine in 2024 for documentary filmmakers, commercial videographers, and even YouTubers wanting crisp 4K image quality with great skin tones.

• Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
• Video: 4K DCI (1.74x crop), Full HD 60p
• Strength: Color science, build quality
• Used by: Videographers looking for dependable B-cam or narrative-friendly options

🔝 2. 

Nikon D850

Nikon’s flagship DSLR remained a favorite for cinematic shooters thanks to its 45.7MP sensor and sharp 1080p video with minimal rolling shutter.

• Video: 4K UHD, 1080p slow motion
• Stabilization: None in-body – requires rigging or gimbals
• Ideal for: High-detail environments, stills-to-video crossover creators

🔝 3. 

Canon EOS 90D

On the crop-sensor side, the 90D punched above its weight in 2024. With uncropped 4K and Dual Pixel AF, it was widely used by budget-conscious videographers and content creators.

• Sensor: APS-C, 32.5MP
• Video: 4K UHD 30p
• Pros: Affordable, lightweight, excellent autofocus

🚨 What’s Coming in 2025?

As Canon, Nikon, and Pentax continue to evolve their DSLR lines despite the industry’s mirrorless shift, 2025 brings a handful of updates worth watching.

📷 Canon EOS 7D Mark III (Rumored)

Expected to focus on video functionality and sports photography, this APS-C DSLR may come with:

• 4K 60p without crop
• Advanced in-body stabilization (IBIS)
• Expanded codec options

📷 Nikon D880 (Successor to the D850)

Whispers from industry insiders suggest a new pro-level DSLR with:

• Improved autofocus tracking for video
• IBIS (a first for Nikon DSLRs)
• Enhanced low-light video performance

📷 Pentax K-3 Mark IV

Pentax is doubling down on DSLR purism. Rumored updates:

• Improved color science
• Video features catching up to 2020s standards
• Niche but potentially powerful for indie shooters

🎥 Rigging Your DSLR: What’s the Ideal Setup?

Ask any experienced cameraman or videographer, and they’ll tell you—a DSLR is only as good as its rig.

Here’s a preferred rig setup that balances mobility, cinematic control, and professionalism:

✅ Essential Rig Components:

• Cage system (SmallRig, Tilta): Protects the camera and adds mounting options
• Top handle: Crucial for low-angle tracking shots and handheld stability
• 15mm rod system: Supports follow focus and matte box
• External monitor (Atomos Ninja V or Feelworld): More on this below
• V-mount battery (optional): Extends runtime and powers accessories
• Shoulder rig or monopod: Ideal for documentary or run-and-gun work

This type of rig transforms a humble DSLR into a production-ready machine capable of cinematic storytelling.

🖥️ Do You Need a Separate Monitor? Absolutely.

One of the most underrated investments for DSLR filmmaking is an external monitor. It’s not optional—it’s essential.

DSLRs typically offer limited screen articulation and no waveform monitoring, false color, or focus peaking—tools that are non-negotiable for professional video work.

Why it matters:

• Color and exposure accuracy: Built-in screens often misrepresent color
• Framing: Easier composition, especially when on gimbals or jibs
• Focus confidence: On-camera screens make critical focus guesswork

Pair your DSLR with a monitor like the Atomos Shinobi, Blackmagic Video Assist, or Portkeys BM5, and you’ll unlock tools that are standard in high-end cinema rigs.

🎯 How Important Is Stabilization?

In a word: critical.

Even the best DSLRs rarely come with built-in IBIS (in-body image stabilization), making external stabilization strategies essential for smooth, cinematic movement.

What to use:

• Shoulder rigs: Ideal for controlled handheld shots
• Tripods/monopods: Perfect for interviews and locked-off B-roll
• Steadicams or gimbals: Great for dynamic motion or tracking subjects
• Slider or dolly: Adds high-production-value camera motion

For directors focused on cinematic design, the stabilization choice becomes a storytelling tool. Should the camera float, glide, or remain static and composed? Each decision influences tone and emotion.

🌀 When Should You Use a Gimbal?

Gimbals like the DJI Ronin-S, Zhiyun Crane 3S, or Moza AirCross are fantastic tools—but they’re often overused.

Yes, gimbals deliver buttery-smooth movement. But too often, videographers fall into the trap of “floating camera syndrome”, where everything glides but nothing tells a story.

When a gimbal 

makes sense :

• Moving through a crowd or venue
• Following a subject dynamically
• Simulating POV or immersive tracking shots
• Creating a sense of fluid continuity

When to rethink it:

• Dialogue scenes (stick to tripod/dolly)
• Interviews (locked-off is better)
• Moments needing visual stillness or tension

Over-gimbalizing often results in action coverage rather than cinematic framing. Smart directors and cameramen know when to move—and when to stay still.

🧠 Cinematic Creativity vs. Gear Obsession

In the rush to spec-out the best camera, rig, or gimbal, it’s easy to forget what matters most: intentional, story-driven visual design.

A great videographer doesn’t just roll on whatever’s happening. They:

• Scout compositions
• Use negative space
• Choose lens focal lengths based on emotion
• Consider light, shadow, and perspective

Creative shot design separates a filmmaker from a content creator. And that’s where the collaboration between director, cameraman, and videographer becomes essential. It’s not just about covering an event—it’s about crafting a visual experience.

🧰 Final Takeaways: The DSLR is Still Alive and Kicking

While the mirrorless revolution charges ahead, DSLR cameras remain deeply embedded in the world of cinematic videography for their reliability, familiar ergonomics, and cost-effectiveness.

Key tips to remember:

• DSLR video is still highly viable in 2024—and strong contenders are coming in 2025
• Rig your DSLR properly with a monitor, cage, and support system
• Stabilization is essential, but not always via gimbals—know when to use what
• Don’t let gear choices override shot design, framing, and storytelling
• Collaborate like a filmmaker—not just a shooter

And finally, remember: the most impressive camera move is useless without intention. The most expensive lens won’t help if the framing is bland. Being a great videographer means merging gear, vision, and execution seamlessly.

So whether you’re a seasoned director, a rising cameraman, or a self-taught videographer, always balance the tech with the art. That’s where cinematic magic happens.