The Best Affordable Full Frame Cameras

The Nikon Z5 brings the full frame concept to the masses. It's an entry-level mirrorless camera equipped with a full frame sensor.

At the heart of the camera is a 24-megapixel matrix without backlighting, supported by the EXPEED 6 image processing processor. ISO values up to 6400 units are quite workable for it. In addition, the sensor is mounted on a movable stabilizing platform that compensates for displacements along 5 axes. The matrix stabilizer provides a gain of up to 5 stops of shutter speed or frame exposure.

The camera uses 273 phase focusing sensors on the matrix to focus. At the same time, tracking of objects in the frame by eyes and faces, and pets' faces is supported. The frame is supposed to be composed through the "eye" of the electronic viewfinder or according to the data on the rotating screen with touch control. The footage can be saved to two SD UHS-II cards - either sequentially on each of the flash drives, or in parallel (simultaneously on both).

The basic background of the model is given away by the modest speed of continuous photography at up to 4.5 fps - the Nikon Z5 is not the best fit for the reportage genre of photography. Also, the camera's video recording capabilities in 4K resolution have been slightly cut - videos in this format are recorded with a crop factor of 1.75x and a frame rate of 30 fps. In Full HD, data is read from the entire plane of the matrix and with a frame rate of 60 fps. But what they did not skimp on for a mirrorless camera is dust and moisture protection of the body - you can safely shoot in adverse weather conditions.

Canon EOS R8 is a full-frame mirrorless camera of advanced amateur level. The model is positioned as a simplified version of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II camera.

The camera borrowed a 24-megapixel matrix and DIGIX X image processor from its older brother. At the same time , the model received an advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II phase autofocus system with object recognition functions in the frame based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The only “but” is that the mirrorless camera has lost its in-camera stabilizer. When shooting, you will have to rely on electronic stabilization or stabilized optics.

The mirrorless camera has a mechanical shutter, allowing continuous shooting at a speed of up to 6 fps. The user can also switch to an electronic shutter - it provides a shooting speed of up to 40 fps, but the memory buffer quickly runs out of free space. The camera saves photos to a UHS-II SD card. One slot is provided for this.

The model is capable of shooting video in frame resolutions up to 4K at 60 fps. It is performed from the entire matrix plane without significant limitations on duration. Additionally, support for gamma curve profiles is implemented: 10-bit C-Log3 and HDR PQ. A separate line notes the compact size of the mirrorless camera and its light weight, as well as its dust- and moisture-proof design.

The successor to the "people's" full-frame DSLR Nikon D750 was expected for five years and a bit. And it arrived at the beginning of 2020, when the D780 model was "rolled out" to replace the camera - an analogue of the Nikon Z6 camera in a DSLR guise.

The camera's waterproof magnesium alloy body houses a 24.5 MP full-frame image sensor with back-illuminated pixels. Its native sensitivity range is measured within 50-51200 ISO(with the possibility of software expansion to ISO 204800). The most powerful of the current generation of image processors, Expeed 6, is responsible for processing information. It is this that ensures excellent camera performance at high ISO and a full-frame shooting rate of 7 fps (or up to 12 fps in LiveView mode when recording 12-bit RAW files).

The key differences between the Nikon D780 and its mirrorless counterpart are: on the one hand, the lack of a built-in matrix stabilizer, and on the other, a dual slot for UHS-II memory cards and significantly increased battery life (up to 2260 shots on a single charge of the standard battery). The list of other positive qualities of the model can be supplemented by the presence of a rotating 3.2-inch diagonal touch screen and the ability of the camera to record video in 4K resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps. No less important features for videographers are pixel reading from the entire matrix area along with support for 10-bit N-Log and HLG output.

The full-frame was one of the first among DSLRs to be trained to track eyes in real time. Speaking about the focusing system as a whole, it is necessary to note its flawless operation both when sighting through the optical viewfinder and when aiming at a target in LiveView mode. To complete the picture, the camera only lacks a built-in flash. However, an advanced photo enthusiast or professional photographer will not even notice its absence, since in serious shooting it is customary to rely on external light sources or a separate on-camera light.

The second edition of the full-frame mirrorless Panasonic DC-S5 is a versatile tool for photo and video shooting. The model belongs to the solid mid-range segment of full-frame cameras for enthusiastic photographers and videographers.

The long-awaited innovation in the camera was the phase autofocus with sensors for focusing directly on the matrix. There are 779 of them in total. The camera's autofocus recognizes the eyes and faces of people, animals, and various vehicles in the frame. Its ability to track objects and performance in low light have improved dramatically.

The mirrorless camera uses a 24-megapixel matrix, supplemented by the Active IS in-camera stabilization system. With stabilized optics, the matrix stabilizer helps to gain up to 6.5 stops of shutter speed or exposure, with conventional lenses - it compensates up to 5 stops. For storing the footage, the camera provides two slots for UHS-II SD cards. The model also received dust and moisture protection for the body.

Panasonic cameras always focus on advanced video shooting capabilities. The model in question is no exception to the rule — video is recorded in 6K OpenGate 3:2 from the entire matrix plane (4:2:0, 10 bit). In 4K, recording is performed from the entire sensor at a frame rate of up to 30 fps and with an APS-C crop factor when increasing the frame rate to 60 fps. At the same time, 4:2:2 subsampling, 10-bit color, V Log/V Gamut and HLG are available. Even more extensive video capabilities are implemented in the related Panasonic DC-S5 IIX model, which is capable of outputting RAW video in ProRes. To avoid overheating during video shooting, the mirrorless camera has a built-in active cooling fan.

The compact mirrorless Sony a7C II in the form and likeness of a rangefinder camera is suitable for shooting at an advanced amateur and semi-professional level.

The second generation of the model received a 33-megapixel BSI sensor, borrowed from the flagship Sony A7 IV camera. Image processing is handled by a powerful Bionz XR processor, supplemented by a neural block AI Processing Unit, which is responsible for fast hybrid autofocus with object recognition in the frame. The mirrorless camera can focus on eyes, faces, animals, birds, insects and vehicles.

The camera has a built-in matrix stabilization system with a declared efficiency of up to 7 stops of shutter speed or exposure. Video footage is recorded in 4K at 30 fps (with oversampling from 7K resolution), 4K at 60 fps with a crop factor of 1.5x, and Full HD at 120 fps. The operator is kindly provided with 10-bit color representation, 4:2:2 subsampling, and proprietary S-Log3 and S-Cinetone profiles.

To get the title of a true professional tool, the model lacks a second slot for a memory card and a larger memory buffer. All other attributes of a serious camera in a mirrorless camera are in place - an OLED viewfinder, a touch screen on a swivel hinge, and a moisture-proof design. The camera is suitable for any genre of photo and video shooting, with the exception of perhaps reportages.