Nikon D5600

A brilliant 24.2MP sensor trapped in a camera body with an autofocus system from the Stone Age. Buy it for stunning stills, but run away if you need to shoot anything that moves.

What surprised us most is how well that sensor holds up. In our database, it sits in the 91st percentile, and you can see why. Images are sharp, colors are lovely, and you can pull a ton of detail out of the shadows. But then you try to track a kid running in the backyard with the 39-point AF system, which lands in the bottom 3% of all cameras we've tested, and the illusion shatters. It's a real Jekyll and Hyde act: a brilliant sensor paired with an autofocus system that feels like it's from a different decade.

The D5600's biggest problem isn't itself, it's the competition. A used Sony a7 III will give you full-frame image quality and vastly superior autofocus for similar money. If you want to stay with a DSLR feel, a used Nikon D500 is the action-shooting beast the D5600 wishes it could be, with a pro-level AF system. And if you're open to mirrorless, a used Fujifilm X-T3 will run circles around the D5600 for both stills and video, offering a more modern experience in every way.

With prices scattered from $960 to $1310 across vendors, you have to shop smart. The best deal we're seeing is on Newegg for a bundle that includes the 18-55mm kit lens. At that lower end, you're getting a fantastic sensor for the money. But if you're creeping toward the $1300 mark, stop. You're in used full-frame territory, and that's a much better place to spend your cash.

The Nikon D5600 is the camera equivalent of a trusty old hatchback. It won't turn heads at the track, but it'll get you where you need to go with a smile on your face. The one thing to know is that its 24.2MP sensor is still a little gem, punching well above its weight for image quality, but the autofocus system is a fossil that will frustrate anyone trying to capture a moving subject. If your world is mostly still, you'll love it. If it moves, you'll curse it.

If you're looking to photograph your kid's soccer game, a fluttering bird, or even a briskly walking dog, this isn't it. The autofocus will miss more than it hits. Go get a used Nikon D500 or a Sony a6400 instead. They're built for speed and will save you a ton of frustration.

Buy the Nikon D5600 for the sensor, not the speed. It's a wonderful learning tool for portrait, landscape, and product photographers on a strict budget who prioritize image quality over everything else. The touchscreen interface is genuinely one of the best for beginners. But for anyone who photographs people, pets, or anything with a pulse, this camera's sluggish autofocus is a dealbreaker. It's a niche gem, not an all-rounder.