Has the DSLR gone the way of the Dodo?

By Mike O'Connor | 28 January 2026

Remember when DSLRs were everywhere? Well, those days are fading fast. In 2026, DSLRs are becoming the rare birds of the camera world.

In fact, the last newly announced DSLR we saw was five years ago - that was the Pentax K-3 Mark III released in 2021. Canon have confirmed they won't release any more DSLRs, and Nikon shuttered production of theirs too.

Beyond Pentax, who at last check confirmed they were still stubbornly hanging onto the format, there's really nobody else investing in the technology anymore.

DSLRs used to be everywhere - but in 2026, not so much. Image: AP

Of course, there has always been (and still are) plenty of benefits to the humble old DSLR - the OVF still works perfectly fine for many subjects, professional level ones can take a beating, and every man and his dog seems to be selling one on Facebook marketplace making them cheap to buy.

But it got us thinking—what if you wanted a new DSLR in 2026? Can you still get one?

The answer is yes, but the range is definitely shrinking. By our back-of-the-ciggy packet maths, there's just eight models you can still buy new from a major retailer in Australia.

And if you're thinking eight may seem like a lot, that compares to literally dozens of mirrorless camera models.

Anyway, if you were wondering, the last survivors (as far as we can tell at the time of this article), are:

Canon - 2 models

Canon EOS 1500D – entry-level DSLR often stocked with an 18-55mm kit lens
Canon EOS 850D – more advanced APS-C DSLR.

There's also the Canon 5D Mark IV, but its stock levels are pretty hard to ascertain - we'll reach out to Canon to confirm.

Nikon - 3 models

Nikon D850 – full-frame professional DSLR
Nikon D7500 – mid-range APS-C DSLR
Nikon D6 – high-end pro DSLR

The Nikon D6 is Nikon's flagship professional DSLR. — The Nikon D6 from 2020 remains Nikon's flagship professional DSLR.

Pentax / Ricoh - also 3 models

Pentax K-3 Mark III – APS-C DSLR (also comes in a Monochrome version)
Pentax KF – APS-C DSLR in kit and body options.
Pentax K-1 Mark II – full-frame DSLR.

Pentax's K-3 Mark III is the latest DSLR on the block.

Of course the used market is likely to be home to many DSLR bargains for years to come, so not all hope is lost. But it's probably fair to say that if you want the latest tech, DSLRs are not where you'll find it.

So there you have it. But what do you think - does the DSLR have a place in 2026? Let us know.