LocalNavy433 Photography

Hello, and how the hell are you? If this is your first time here, thanks for stopping by. In this blog, we are going to talk about what makes the DSLR still a valid camera choice in 2025 and beyond. There are so many reasons to choose this type of camera in 2025. There are also so many reasons why you should not get one as well. The main reason comes down to what you prefer to shoot with. I have found that it really only matters to you and what you want to use it for. With all that being said, let’s get into it, and I will tell you why I choose to shoot with a DSLR for all aspects of my photography.

Why I Still Shoot with a DSLR in 2025

To start this off right, I am going to dive into the most interesting aspect for me. The main reason that I shoot with a DSLR is affordability and value for photographers. Let’s face it—in today’s world, the cost of getting started in photography is either too expensive or the items are just crap on the other end. The entry point for pro-level DSLR gear has never been better than right now.

The fact that, for $1000 USD, you can get a professional DSLR body and lenses that will get you all the images you could want—that is the key to building a great base for your photography. To put this in perspective: you can get a Canon 5D Mark III, the Canon 24-105mm f/4L, and the Canon 17-40mm f/4L lenses for under $1000. This setup will get you started and make that money back in a few short months of hard work.

Budget-Friendly Gear That’s Built to Last

After looking at the cost of buying a DSLR, you have to look at what it takes to replace it when it breaks. This is going to happen, so you have to plan for it. I have a set price of $300 for all my gear. This price point is easy enough to reach on a single paycheck. The reason is simple: replacement cost for DSLR gear. I’ve been there—unable to replace an expensive mirrorless body. You have to have a backup photography plan to keep shooting. Again, the value of older DSLR gear is real for price-conscious people.

DSLR Color Science and Vintage Vibes

The next reason? It’s as simple as the colors that older DSLRs produce. The Canon 5D Mark II has a filmic look from the early 2000s you just can’t touch. The Canon 1DX paired with vintage L-series lenses gives you those magazine-style colors from the late ’90s and early 2000s you can’t replicate with a filter. The vintage DSLR look makes your images stand out against all the modern mirrorless stuff out there. I love that look—it’s what I remember from childhood. The fact you can get that in-camera is what makes those images pop.

Battery Life That Still Beats Mirrorless Cameras

Another reason that will always be there: DSLR battery life. It’s just amazing, no matter which one you shoot with. I get about a month of weekend shooting on my Nikon D5300—an entry-level DSLR from 12 years ago. The Canon 1DX, which I use for portraits and sports, gets me about 3,000 shots per charge—and I have three batteries. The long battery life in DSLRs is something I don’t think mirrorless cameras will ever match.

The Optical Viewfinder: See the World As It Is

This last reason is personal—and it’s all about the optical viewfinder (OVF). That’s a choice only you can make. The ability to see light as it truly is is priceless to me. It helps me recall the light naturally and get a more authentic edit. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) shows you the final exposure, which helps if you struggle with settings—but you lose that IRL feel.

With the OVF, you get a meter on the bottom or side of the viewfinder—that’s how you get your exposure. Seeing the light in real-time gives your photos a more artistic, emotional edge. The real-world experience of using an OVF is something no EVF will ever replace.

DSLRs Have Soul—and Still Make Sense in 2025

That’s why in 2025 and beyond, DSLR photography is something people will start coming back to. Making a mistake, learning from it, and nailing exposure—that’s part of the journey. Mirrorless systems are better in every way on paper—but they lack that DSLR soul. They’re computers. You’re seeing the world through a screen. It’s too easy. You don’t have to think anymore. That’s not who I am as a photographer.

Shoot with what makes your heart feel full when you’re out on location.

Find the Joy in Imperfection

I can’t tell you what camera to shoot with. You’ve got to experience the joy of making mistakes and learning how to work your gear. If you want to feel what photography really is—pick up an entry-level DSLR in 2025, limit yourself, and you’ll hear that inner photographer scream: “I’m here. I never left.” Let them out to play, and your images will be amazing, my friends.