The professional SLR category is designed for one person in mind: the serious photographer. If you want uncompromising image quality and control this is the class for you. Heavy well-built bodies, weatherproofing, full frame sensors, full external manual control, very high true resolution, fantastic high ISO performance, blazingly fast auto focus and rock solid reliability. These are the tools pros rely on to earn a living in the photography trade and the equipment has to stand up to long-term day to day use. These cameras are capable of producing images that grace the world finest magazines and photography galleries - they are the best digital cameras you can buy. When you're investing in a pro DSLR body you are wasting your money if you don't invest in great lenses to match the bodies capabilities, for that reason a professional DSLR setup can easily exceed $10,000 when you're all said and done including lenses. Those who need a pro DSLR know who they are and most everyone else is likely better served in other areas. That being said if you can afford the best and are one of many serious hobbyists these cameras will get you performance unavailable anywhere else

Snapsort categorizes SLRs as Pro (vs entry level) if they have full-frame sensors and/or large bodies, it also looks at viewfinder size and support for compact-flash as signals.

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Recent Pro DSLRs by manufacturer

Here is an overview of the manufacturers of pro DSLRs, the most popular shown first.

Canon

Snapsort has found 5 recent pro DSLRs from Canon.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
from $3,499
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,293 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
81.0
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"

Learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 60D
Canon EOS 60D
from $848
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
1,040k dots
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available Help
162 lenses
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies

Learn more about the Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EOS 1D X
from $6,799
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
51,200 ISO
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.76x

Learn more about the Canon EOS 1D X

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon EOS-1D EOS-1D C
from $16,068
Movie format High resolution movies Help
4096 x 2160 @ 24fps
Light sensitivity High ISO Help
51,200 ISO
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"

Learn more about the Canon EOS-1D C

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Nikon

Snapsort has found 3 recent pro DSLRs from Nikon.

Nikon D800
Nikon D800
from $2,999
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,853 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
95.0
True resolution High true resolution Help
36.2 MP

Learn more about the Nikon D800

Nikon D4
Nikon D4
from $5,999
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
2,965 ISO
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
89.0
Color depth Great color depth Help
24.7 bits

Learn more about the Nikon D4

Nikon D600
Nikon D600
Screen size Large screen Help
3.2"
Sensor size Large sensor Help
APS-H 35.0x24.0mm
True resolution High true resolution Help
24.4 MP

Learn more about the Nikon D600

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Sony

Snapsort has found 1 recent pro DSLR from Sony.

Sony SLT-A77
Sony SLT SLT A77
from $1,398
Color depth Great color depth Help
24 bits
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
13.2 EV
Overall image quality Great image quality Help
78.0

Learn more about the Sony SLT-A77

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