Whether you’re a professional photographer or a picture taking enthusiast, you’ll want a camera that can consistently capture high-quality images without any hassle. Full-frame DSLR cameras are the perfect cameras to satisfy the needs of many such photography experts.
Full-frame DSLR cameras offer sensors that are larger than those of traditional DSLRs – 36 x 24mm compared to 22 x 15mm. Thus, the sensors in full-frame cameras are about 2.5 times larger than traditional ones, allowing the camera to capture more light. As a result, these cameras offer better low light performance, have a larger dynamic range, and can capture much more detail.
However, finding a full-frame DSLR camera that suits your taste can be a difficult task. There’s a wide range of full-frame DSLR cameras available in the market today, each of them offering their own unique quirks and features. If you’re struggling to choose a camera, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a list of cameras that we think are among some of the best ones available today.
1. Nikon D850
The Nikon D850 is a beast when it comes to photography. The 45.7-megapixel camera does a great job at capturing sharp images, and its ability to take seven pictures in one second is undoubtedly impressive. This camera is excellent for filmmaking as it can record 4K video in great detail, mostly because of the 153 point auto-focus system that can easily keep track of moving subjects.
This sturdily built device is dust and moisture resistant, making it quite versatile and easy to use it in different environments. The device has a highly responsive 3.2 inch LCD screen that is quite large and allows the user to easily navigate through the various modes and settings to create their desired effects.
Read the full Nikon D850 review to get all the details and see how the camera performs.
2. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
If you’re looking for a well-balanced camera that can offer a large number of features without sacrificing on performance, then look no further. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a 30.4-megapixel sharpshooter that can capture images with ISO ranges of 50 to 102400. The 61 point autofocus may not be the best in the business, but it’s still good enough to boast impressive images.
It can shoot 4K video, and burst captures images at 7fps. The device is comfortable to handle for extended periods, and the availability of built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS makes it easier to communicate with other devices and seamlessly transfer images when required.
See the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV review to get even more insight into how the camera performs.
3. Pentax K-1 Mark II
Many photographers venture far and wide through rugged terrains for the sole purpose of capturing views that no one has ever seen before. If you’re one of these photographers, you’ll need a portable camera that can withstand harsh conditions and offers features that will help you get a good shot.
The Pentax K-1 II is a camera that checks all these boxes and then some. Its lightweight magnesium alloy body gives it a robust feeling, and its impressive weather resistance allows it to be used in various climates.
Although it shoots a maximum video resolution of 1080p, the K-1 II more than makes up for it with its incredible stills, the camera is able to take high-resolution photographs by capturing four images with different exposures and combining them together almost instantaneously using to its powerful processors. Furthermore, the ‘5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization’ removes any camera shake, preventing the image from getting blurred.
Find out more about this camera in the complete Pentax K-1 Mark II review.
4. Panasonic LUMIX S1R
The Panasonic LUMIX S1R has a very impressive suite of features – including a 47.3-megapixel sensor, the ability to shoot 4K videos, an incredible 225 point autofocus system, a maximum burst shooting speed of nine frames per second, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, and a well-built body.
This camera takes things a step further by offering a mind-boggling 187-megapixel high-resolution mode. This mode can only be used when the camera is mounted on a tripod, but once enabled, it can take images with amazing detail. Not to mention, the tri-axial tilt monitor allows you to easily preview your photographs while holding the camera at any angle.
To get all the details and decide if this is the one for you, check out the full Panasonic LUMIX S1R review.
5. Nikon D5
The Nikon D5 is an extremely powerful camera that has been designed specifically for professionals. This camera is heavy on both the pocket and the hand, weighing in at a substantial 1.4 kilograms – but is a powerhouse in terms of the features it offers. Its ability to shoot 3780 images will allow the camera will go a long time without needing to be recharged, giving you a certain peace of mind when you’re out on a long trip.
The sturdy and durable magnesium alloy body of the D5 lets it withstand a lot of wear and tear without getting damaged. It can also take photographs in various lighting conditions due to its native ISO range of 100 to 102,400, and can also record video at 4K. This powerhouse is equipped with processors that let it take pictures at a burst rate of 12fps, making sure to maintain both the focus and the quality of the image.
Read the in-depth review of the Nikon D5 to see all specs, available features, and pros and cons.
6. Canon EOS 5DS R
The Canon EOS 5DS R is a more modest camera that does not contain any flashy new gimmick solely for the purpose of grabbing people’s attention. This camera focuses on being reliable and simply meets all the requirements that a professional camera should have. It has an impressive 50.6-megapixel sensor with a maximum burst speed of 5 fps and a fixed 3.2 inch LCD monitor for viewing your images and adjusting your settings.
This full-frame DSLR can record full HD 1080p video at 30fps, and it has a 61 point autofocus system. Like all the other cameras, it only has a black color model. However, unlike conventional DLSRs, this camera has a native ISO range of 100 to 6400. Thus, you’ll be able to take excellent pictures in low-light situations.
Our comprehensive review of the Canon EOS 5DS R goes even deeper into camera performance and benefits.
7. Sony a99 II
A full-frame DSLR that is definitely worth looking at is the Sony a99 II. This is a well-rounded device that offers great features that many enthusiasts desire, as well as some extra features that make it a worthy investment. Its sensor can shoot up to 12 photographs in one second, all of them at 42.4 megapixels – an impressive feat for a device of its caliber.
It has an operating temperature range of 0 – 40 degrees Celsius, and a dust/moisture resistant body due to which it can run in various climates. The OLED electronic viewfinder is a rarity on devices like these, and its ’79 hybrid autofocus cross-point array’ is one of a kind. The 5-axis in-body image stabilization keeps the sensor steady and removes camera shake, thus preventing the images from getting blurred.
Get all the details in our Sony a99 II review.
8. Nikon D610 (Budget Winner)
If you want to begin a career in photography or want to upgrade from your current simple point-and-shoot cameras but are discouraged by the high prices of modern DSLR cameras, we recommend the Nikon D610. Although this camera is one of the cheapest full-frame DSLRs, it does not cut any corners and delivers an amazing all-around experience.
The device has a 24.3-megapixel sensor that can capture crisp and clear images with a max burst speed of 6fps. Furthermore, it has two SD card slots that allow you to store and transfer large video files easily. The D610 also has a lightweight body with a 3.2 inch fixed LCD screen and an optical viewfinder.
Find out how the D610 has made serious improvements over the D600 in our Nikon D610 review.
Choosing a Full-Frame DSLR
It’s important that you do your research and decide what kind of DSLR camera you want before you buy one. Your needs and budget will be two major factors that’ll influence your decision. Different kinds of photography will require different kinds of cameras, so do your research before you decide on a camera.
It’s also important to remember that a big price tag does not always mean better performance or, more accurately, a performance that you’ll like. While it’s true that good cameras are not cheap, you should still make sure that you do not overpay for a certain product. A good way to decide which camera to buy is by comparing different models to each other to see which one offers the most value for money.
Each camera also has its own image processing software that includes different ways of capturing, altering, and storing images. So, make sure to try out different full-frame DSLR cameras before you buy them to make sure that they’re satisfactory.
