In this video I break down why DSLRs are weirdly having a comeback in 2025, even though mirrorless has basically “won” on paper. If I could go back to when I bought my first camera, I’d actually start on a DSLR—not just because they’re insanely affordable right now, but because the limitations force you to get it right in-camera. When you can’t lean on massive dynamic range recovery (and that HDR-ish look that kills natural contrast falloff in the blacks and whites), you start paying attention to exposure, composition, and what your scene is actually doing. I also talk about the real-world skill side: understanding depth of field, when not to shoot wide open, and why hyperfocal distance matters (yes, I still regret shooting Mount Fuji at f/2.8 instead of f/8 or f/11). I’ll show why 12–20MP is more than enough for most work, why older sensors can have a film-like roll-off, and how you can still get great color by tweaking calibration and vibrance. I chat with my mate Matt Ruderman about why he’s collecting DSLRs again, then I’m honest about the downsides: bulky bodies, mirror slap, weak ISO, no IBIS, limited live view, and autofocus that can’t touch modern subject tracking. But if you want to improve fast—and have fun doing it—DSLRs are a steal.