Are you looking for DSLR Cameras with Built-In HDR function? You have landed in the right place if your answer is “Yes!”
But before we dig into the devices, what exactly is HDR? See the illustration below:
In this article, however, we will be reviewing some of the best DSLR cameras available with built-in HDR. As you might know, HDR denotes the high dynamic range. Of course, it is designed to make your clicks look better than average, depending on how you use it and in what conditions. It means, there are certain conditions where it is excellent to use HDR, and in some, it is not. Let’s take a glance at the functionality of HDR before jumping to the list.
In simple words, it adds high “Dynamic Range” to your photographs. Here, Dynamic Range is nothing more than the darkness ratio of the light. In HDR mode, your camera captures three images with different exposure and combines it into a single picture. It is the reason your camera will take more time to obtain an HDR image since it is taking three or more photos.
When to use HDR:
When your frame has a lot of contrast between objects, your camera cannot deal with it in a single picture. Thus, HDR is a great option here. Landscapes are a great example of such a situation. It would save you from losing details of any of the object. While taking portraits in a sunny location, HDR can be used to avoid bright glare, dark shadows, etc. without losing details. It is also ideal for low light and backlit scenes where one part has proper lighting, and other doesn’t.
When not to use HDR:
There are many situations where HDR should be avoided. For example, since your camera is taking multiple images, you should avoid capturing moving objects in HDR mode. If you are planning to capture contrast details such as shadows, be careful since HDR can wash it out.
Now without any delay, let us continue to the list of top DSLRs having built-in HDR mode. Here we go:
DSLR Cameras with Built-In HDR
First, we are going to list out Canon DSLR Cameras with Built-In HDR function. Here is our list below:
1. Canon 5D Mark III:
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In HDR mode, Mark II takes three photos in quick succession and combines them immediately into a single JPEG picture. You can tweak the mode manually, or rely on various presets available. There are 15 different presets available in HDR mode, categorized in 5 different categories including “Natural,” “Art” “Standard,” “Art” “Vivid,” “Art Bold” and “Art Embossed.” Each preset is ideal for a unique light-exposure condition, making HDR photography much handier.
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| Sensor | 22.3 Megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | Dual Digic 5+ Processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-12800, ISO 102400, ISO 16000, ISO 20000, ISO 25600, ISO 50, ISO 51200, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Canon lenses supporting Canon EF mount |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to 4.3x |
| Video Format | H.234, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution: | Supports up to “1920×1080” of video resolution |
| Dimension | 8.11 x 14.41 x 23.31 inches |
| Weight | 14.7 pounds |
2. Canon 6D DSLR:
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The Canon 6D can be a great option when it comes to contrast photography in tough light conditions, as it has a variety of exposure modes and inbuilt HDR function that combines multiple images with different exposure to produce a single JPEG image. In HDR mode, you are not restricted from controlling anything unlike some other models with built-in HDR. However, it produces HDR images in JPEG format only.
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| Sensor | 20.2 Megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | Digic 5+ image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-25600, ISO 102400, ISO 50, ISO 51200, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Canon lenses supporting Canon EF lens mount |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to 4.3x |
| Video Format | H.264 |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Supports FHD video recording at 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Dimension | 11.1 x 8.9 x 7.4 inches |
| Weight | 1 pounds |
3. Canon 650D / EOS Rebel T4i
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The HDR mode on Canon T4i/650D is fully automatic. It does not provide you control over focus point, exposure or anything else. The camera itself handles everything. However, you can choose between a single frame, continuous and self-timer. Since the processor is not that powerful, you need to make sure there is not much movement in your frame, when in HDR mode, as it will cause ghosting in the resulting image. An IS on the lens, or a tripod is great in HDR mode.
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| Sensor | 18.0 megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | Digic 5 image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-12800, ISO 25600, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | II Canon EF-S lens series |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to 3x |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, JPEG + RAW |
| Max. Video Resolution | Supports FHD video recording at 1920 x 1080 |
| Dimension | 3.94 x 3.11 x 5.24 inches |
| Weight | 1.27 pounds |
4. Canon EOS 77D
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Equipped with a 24MP APS-C sensor and faster DIGIC 7 processor, it is one of the top end entry level DSLR. The image quality is quite excellent and offers better image clarity. Dynamic range a the lower end of the ISO range stands improved. An upgraded 45 point autofocus functionality will make it an excellent option for enhanced performance.
The camera comes with an exceptional RAW buffer functionality. The DSLR is focussed at the advanced users and step up creators. If you are a professional videographer and photographer, the Canon EOS 77D should be a good choice. While it offers you a 1080p video shooting features, it may appear to miss a few features worthy of attention.
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| Sensor | 24.20 Megapixels APS -C sensor |
| Processor | DIGIC 7 processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-25600 |
| Lens Compatibility | II Canon EF-S lens series |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, JPEG + RAW |
| Max. Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (59.954, 29.97, 25, 23.98 fps) 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50, 29.97 fps) 640 x 480 (29.97, 25 fps) |
| Dimension | 5.16 x 3.93 x 3.00″ (131.0 x 99.9 x 76.2mm) |
| Weight | 540 grams |
Nikon DSLR Cameras with Built In HDR:
1. Nikon D5:
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Like most of the Nikon DSLRs with the built-in HDR mode, D5 also captures two images only, when in HDR mode. There are three differentials available including 1, 2 and 3 EV. It does not support RAW images in HDR mode. There is also an Auto mode to make things easier for you. Since HDR makes the image objects sharper than they are, there is a smoothening option that can be set to low, normal or high for varying effects.
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| Sensor | 20.8 megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | EXPEED 5 image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-102400, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Expected to support any Nikon lens supporting the classic Nikon F mount |
| Zoom | Up to 1x optical zoom |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, NEF/RAW, RAW + JPEG, TIFF |
| Max. Video Resolution | Capable of recording videos of 3840 x 2160 resolution max |
| Dimension | 3.7 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches |
| Weight | 3.1 pounds |
2. Nikon D800:
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With impressive overall functionality, it is quite shocking that the camera possesses quite limited HDR mode. It combines two pictures into a final JPEG-HDR image with +-1, 2 or 3EV separation. The BKT button can be set to activate the HDR mode directly without accessing the shooting menu. This feature is convenient when you need the HDR mode too often. Following are some other facts n’ features about the camera that you might need to consider:
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| Sensor | 36.3 megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | EXPEED 3 image processor |
| ISO | ISO: 100-6400, ISO 50-100, ISO 6400-25600, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | All lenses supporting F mount by Nikon |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to x1 |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, NEF / RAW, RAW + JPEG, TIFF |
| Max. Video Resolution | Full HD 1080p [1920 x 1080] high definition video support |
| Dimension | 5.8 x 3.2 x 4.8 inches |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
3. Nikon D600 / D610:
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Nikon has many models like D5100, D800, D4 and D610 / 600 that offer in-built HDR mode, which is quite trendy in leading camera manufacturers nowadays. Unlike most of the HDR DSLRs, D600 clicks only two images instead of three, when in HDR mode. The first image is underexposed while the second one is the overexposed one. It is capable of handling minimal to no movements so make sure to take shots from tripod/stand as far as possible, when in HDR mode.
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| Sensor | 24.3 megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | EXPEED 3 Image Processor |
| ISO | ISO: 100-6400, ISO 12800, ISO 25600, ISO 50, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | All Nikon lenses compatible with F mount |
| Zoom | Optical Zoom up to 3.5x |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, NEF/RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Capable of recording full HD videos with 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Dimension | 5.5 x 3.2 x 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.9 pounds |
4. Nikon D7100:
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In Nikon D7000, one can take up to three images at a time with automatic exposure bracketing, which means that camera will be automatically adjusting the exposure by two stops or more in each picture, specified by the user. However, in D7100, this manual feature is replaced with a fully automatic HDR mode that comes handy when you are planning to take some contrast HDR shots. The mode is semi-automatic and works as it should be.
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| Sensor | 24.2 megapixel optical CMOS sensor |
| Processor | EXPEED 4 image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-25600, ISO 102400, ISO auto |
| Lens Compatibility | All Nikon lenses supporting Nikon-F mount system |
| Zoom | Optical Zoom up to 4x |
| Video Format | H.264, RAW |
| Image Format | JPEG, NEF(RAW), RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Records FHD videos up to 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Dimension | 135.5 x 106.5 x 76 inches |
| Weight | 1 lb |
5. Nikon D5300:
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The HDR mode in D5300 features four manual exposure levels an auto settings/mode. Like D600, this Nikon camera also captures two shots in one click, when in “HDR” mode. One of them is overexposed, and the other one is underexposed, which are later combined into an HDR JPEG image. Compared to D600, this one is little least sensitive to movements so you can use HDR mode with or without a tripod. However, it is still impossible to capture objects with too much movement.
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| Sensor | 24.2 megapixel CMOS optical sensor |
| Processor | EXPEED 4 image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-12800, ISO 25600, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Expected to supports all Nikon lenses supporting Nikon F mount |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to 3x |
| Video Format | H.264, MOV |
| Image Format | JPEG, NEF/RAW, JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Captures full HD video clips of 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Dimension | 4.9 x 3 x 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
Sony DSLR Cameras with Built-In HDR:
1. Sony SLT A99:
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This one features the HDR with known DSO technology. It helps the camera to read and brighten darker areas in your frame to even the overall contrast of the image. It can be used in five different manual modes or an auto mode that would allow the camera to tweak various options on its own. It also features a multi-shot HDR mode. This function is accessible both in manual and auto mode.
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| Sensor | 24.3 megapixel optical Exmor CMOS sensor |
| Processor | BIONZ image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-25600, ISO 100-6400, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | All Sony lenses supporting Sony Alpha SLR/SLT-A mount |
| Zoom | Up to 1x optical zoom Up to 4x Digital Zoom |
| Video Format | AVCHD, H.264 |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Supports up to 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution while recording videos |
| Dimension | 6.8 x 5.9 x 10.7 inches |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds |
2. Sony SLT A77II:
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Three images in rapid succession are taken in HDR mode of A77 Mark II, one with normal exposure, second with increased exposure and third with overexposure. Finally, a final JPEG image is produced. However, the RAW format is not supported in HDR mode, which is quite common. Two images are saved in the storage, a non-HDR, and an HDR image. There is also a manual HDR mode that lets you tweak differences in exposure ranging between 1EV to 6EV.
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| Sensor | 24.3 megapixel optical Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor |
| Processor | BIONZ X image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-25600, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Expected to support all Sony lenses supporting SLR/SLT-A mount |
| Zoom | Up to 1x optical zoom Up to 2x digital zoom |
| Video Format | AVCHD, H.264 |
| Image Format | JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Supports full HD 1080p video recording resolution |
| Dimension | 5.6 x 3.2 x 4.1 inches |
| Weight | 1.4 pounds |
3. Sony SLT A57:
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| Sensor | 16.1-Megapixel Optical Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor |
| Processor | BIONZ image processor |
| ISO | ISO 100-16000, ISO 25600, ISO 100-3200, ISO Auto |
| Lens Compatibility | Expected to support all Sony lenses supporting SLR/SLT-A mount |
| Zoom | Optical zoom up to 3x Digital zoom up to 2x |
| Video Format | AVCHD, H.264 |
| Image Format | JPEG, MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Max. Video Resolution | Supports FHD video recording with 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Dimension | 5.2 x 3.2 x 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.4 pounds |
Conclusion
Going forward, not only HDR photography, but native HDR (HDR10 & Dolby Vision) videos are going to become mainstream. Currently, the industry is flooded with HDR gaming monitors, TV. Even streaming services like Netflix support HDR content over the internet.
We hope you like our article on DSLR Cameras with Built-In HDR. For any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a comment below to let us know. Cheers!