Guide to the Top Nikon Cameras by Upsie

In the age of the smartphone, owning a standalone camera isn't as common as it used to be. There are plenty of people who consider their smartphone cameras good enough for their limited photography interest or skills. And that’s OK. But chances are if you’re reading this today, you’re not one of these people.

Standalone cameras, like many from Nikon and Canon, can drastically outperform even the best smartphones. They will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, too. Sensor and lens sizes can’t get much bigger in a smartphone and certainly can’t compete with full-frame mirrorless or DSLR Nikon cameras.

If you’re interested in upping your photography game, a Nikon camera could be just the solution you’re looking for. However, the company has a wide array of offerings so it can be tough to know which to pick.

With this in mind, here are some of the top Nikon Mirrorless and DSLR cameras you can get right now. (And if you’re getting one, don’t forget to pick up an extended camera warranty to protect it.)

Nikon’s Z7 II mirrorless camera sits at a mid-range price point of $2,599.95 - perfect for serious amateurs. Its image sensor is FX, meaning it's a full-frame camera. (Not sure what APS-C vs. full-frame is all about? Zeiss has a handy guide.)

This camera has an enhanced AF-Area Mode to help detect and focus on a a variety of different moving subjects. You can also better select your focus point with the AF system's edge-to-edge coverage. Furthermore, users love the clarity that the extra megapixels brings.

Just one caveat here: the battery life isn't as good as  some other competitors on the market.

This camera is priced at $999.99, making it a great option for amateurs. It features a full frame CMOS sensor and you can transfer your images directly to a Mac or PC over Wi-Fi.* In addition, it has a 3.2-inch monitor with a tilting touchscreen.

The Z5 can produce 4K video at 30fps and Full HD at up to 60fps. On the photo side, continuous shooting at 4.5 frames per second is perfect for new photogs experimenting with action photography.

There’s a debate in photography circles between DSLR and mirrorless camera technologies. It’s too long and technical to get into here, but if you want to learn all about it, here you go. If nothing else, DSLR technology has been around longer and is more robustly developed, and the optical viewfinder is a big draw.

If you’re looking for a solid entry-level DSLR, it’s hard to go wrong with the Nikon D3500. Priced right around $650, it’s a relatively easy entry into the DSLR world. You’ll get fantastic image quality thanks to the 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, and it comes in a relatively compact package.

More experienced photographers may wish for more features and a full frame sensor. But for the beginner, Guide Mode helps make sense of all the manual adjustments DSLR cameras are known for.

Make sure you get the version with the VR kit lens, as that added stabilization will help immensely.

The Nikon D850 is pricey, sitting north of $2500. It’s clearly a pro model, not for beginners. The heavy, rugged body is “weather-sealed” and while we don’t recommend dropping it in the lake, it should survive the elements quite well. Great battery life, insane resolution and fast burst shooting round out the feature set, while the pentaprism viewfinder and 3.2-inch touchscreen with tilt function make using the camera a pleasure.

Nikon is undoubtedly one of the biggest players in the DSLR camera space. As a result, there’s one thing many of their cameras aren’t: cheap. Whichever Nikon camera you pick up in their DSLR or mirrorless categories, expect to invest a decent chunk of change into it.

As with any expensive piece of electronics - especially as a portable device - it’s always a good idea to protect that investment with an extended warranty. Upsie offers digital camera and lens extended warranties that are easy to understand and easy to use. Accidental damage protection and liquid damage protection are included, as well as warranty coverage for all sorts of defects and part failures.

Whether you’re looking for two or three years of coverage, Upsie has an affordable plan that’s right for you. And if you need to make a repair under your extended warranty coverage, Upsie has a network of trusted independent repair shops!

Life’s too short to worry about a broken camera or lens. Get an Upsie extended camera warranty today so you can keep living life and taking great photos.