Today we go over the best full frame cameras. A full frame camera has what is known as a 35mm equivalent sensor, which is 36 × 24 mm. This is based on film photography as it is the size of a 35mm frame. Any sensor smaller than that is called a crop sensor. Full frame means higher resolution and more details in your images.
If you’re looking for the best, we suggest the super-powerful Nikon D850. It has a high resolution, great autofocus, and a beautiful ergonomic design. You won’t find any better full frame camera for less! For other best full frame camera options, keep reading.
The Best Full Frame Cameras (Top 8 Picks)
A lot depends on what you would like to photograph. We’ve collected eight of the best full frame camera options. But there are also others available. So take a look. But keep in mind what kind of photographer you are and what you would use these cameras for!
- Fantastic overall image quality
- Excellent 3D continuous AF tracking
- Long, 1,840-shot battery life
- Durable, weather-sealed construction
- Sharp 4K/30p Ultra HD video
- Excellent low-light capabilities
- Dual Pixel AF and AI detection
- Fantastic buffer for continuous shots
- High frame rate for video recording
- Great battery life
- Long-exposure presets
- Plenty of autofocus (AF) points
- Nice, uncropped 4K video capabilities
- Dual memory card slots (UHS-II)
- Fantastic image quality
- Impressive 45-point AF system
- Built well and nice to handle
- Handy built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- Super high-resolution sensor
- Stunningly sharp image quality
- Excellent face and eye detection AF
- Large, high-resolution EVF
- Sharp 4K Ultra HD video
- Weather sealing to protect from elements
- Excellent low-light focusing
- Lightweight and portable
- Superb low-light dynamic range
- Dual memory card slots
- Excellent image quality
- Super responsive autofocus
- 5.5 stops of image stabilization
- Fully articulating rear screen
- Powerful video capabilities (4K / 60p, 10-bit video) and live streaming
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent in-body image stabilization
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Fantastic expandable ISO range
- Rapid burst speeds
1. Nikon D850
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon F FX
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
45.7 MP
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Optical (pentaprism)
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
153
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
25600
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
7 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3.2
|
The Nikon D850 is a full frame camera comes with a resolution of almost 46 MP. But it is the sensor that is the most impressive. The technology used allows the sensor to receive more light. This is great for narrower apertures and slower shutter speeds.
The high-resolution sensor allows you to keep a very high image quality from any scene you capture… especially in low-light conditions! This is handy for event photography and capturing dark home interiors!
If you’re looking for a system with excellent video quality, you’ll get it from the Nikon D850. It has 4K video recording. It also has Wi-Fi. But the Wi-Fi is only usable via Nikon’s Bluetooth Snaprbridge app.
The most significant advantage of this camera is its incredibly low ISO of 64. This retains an outstanding amount of detail and quality in each image. Also, the dynamic range at ISO 64 is fantastic.
2. Canon 1D X III
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon EF
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20.1 MP
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Optical (pentaprism)
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
191
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
102400
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
20 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3.2
|
There is no limit to your creativity with the Canon EOS 1D X Mark III. It has superb low-light performance due to the sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 819,200. Also, it can make 5.5K RAW and 4K 60p videos, which is outstanding.
Although image quality depends not only on the number of pixels, the 20.1 MP is relatively low. So if you are a professional who likes to have images printed, this camera might not be the best choice.
Otherwise, it’s a great camera when you need a fast burst rate, like in action photography. The 20 fps (frames per second) continuous shooting speed is impressive. You are definitely going to catch that decisive moment with it.
Also, it has a 191-point autofocus (AF) system. So you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect focus.
3. Nikon D780
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon F
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
25 MP
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Optical (pentaprism)
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
51
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
51200
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
12 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3.2
|
For a mid-range full frame camera, you cannot go wrong with the Nikon D780. For a good price, it has excellent resolution and built-in Wi-Fi. And if you are looking for video capabilities, this machine can offer you great 4K Ultra HD (UHD) videos.
One of the most significant benefits of this camera is its “highlight-weighted” metering. This allows the camera to meter light differently by looking at the highlights in the scene.
This gives you more control over the brightest areas. So it reduces the chance of overexposure and blown-out areas. This makes it great for really well-lit scenes, such as interior scenes and daytime events.
4. Canon 6D II
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon EF
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
26.2 MP
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Optical (pentaprism)
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
45
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
40000
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
6.5 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3
|
With the Canon 6D Mark II, you get an impressive 26.2 MP resolution. This is a decent resolution if you wish to have your images printed. With this resolution, you can get great-quality prints up to 11 x 14 inches.
Both the 6.5 fps (frames per second) and the 45-point AF system are relatively low. They are not the best numbers compared to other full frame DSLRs on the market.
The ISO range runs from 100 to 40,000 but is expandable to 102,400. As a result, this camera performs great in low-light conditions. Overall, the Canon 6D Mark II is a professional camera with an expensive price tag. Still, it’s one of the best cameras in the DSLR world.
5. Sony a7R IV
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Sony FE
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
61.2 MP
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
425
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
32000
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
10 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3
|
First, the images come from a 61.2 MP full frame CMOS sensor. So expect an outstanding amount of detail and quality from the Sony a7R IV. You can use this digital camera for all kinds of photography.
For focusing, the 425-point autofocus is a fantastic gift from the Gods. It is fun and fast, which works well alongside the in-camera image stabilizer. So it’s great for action photography too.
It’s perfect for making videos as well because it’s a 4K camera. And the camera body is also much lighter than most full frame DSLRs. So it’s a great portable camera body for a DSLR.
6. Nikon Z6 II
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
24.5 MP
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
273
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
51200
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
14 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3.2
|
Among the Z series of Nikon, we recommend the Z6 II. It is particularly good for making videos. For photography, you can use the Nikon Z6 II in any field. Moreover, due to its size, it’s portable.
The autofocus system is speedy, and its image resolution is perfect. It also performs great in bad lighting conditions. This is due to the sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 51,200. And it reduces noise effectively.
So it provides every advantage a full frame mirrorless camera could provide.
7. Sony a7 IV
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Sony E
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
33 MP
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
759
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
51200
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
10 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3
|
The Sony Alpha a7 IV is simply one of the best full frame cameras on the market. Moreover, as one of the best digital cameras, it has the power to beat DSLRs at their own game.
This monster comes with a 24 MP resolution and a hybrid AF system. The latter has a whopping 399 phase-detection points and 425 contrast focal points.
You get 10 fps, even when shooting silently. That’s the benefit of mirrorless cameras—no sound, as it has no moving parts. It’s around the same cost as the Canon 5D Mark III—for only the body. But it’s lighter, making it perfect for event and travel photography.
8. Canon R6
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon RF
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20.1 MP
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Viewfinder Type |
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
1053
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
102400
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
20 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3
|
The Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera is perfect for beautifully capturing what you see. It gives great freedom for creativity. You can shoot in low light due to the sensitivity range of ISO 100 to102,400.
It’s a superb digital camera for taking photos. It’s fast, and you can shoot many images in a row, which makes it great for catching the decisive moment. But it’s perfect for shooting video too.
There is no limit to what you can capture. This camera allows you to have full control over your settings. It’s a very capable camera. And the technical details won’t stand in your way.
Conclusion
While a full frame camera is nice, it is not always necessary. Full frame sensor cameras have higher resolutions. But this only matters if you blow up your images to a large print format. Examples would be billboards or murals for advertising or commercial projects.
The cost between the high-end and low-end full frame DSLRs or mirrorless systems is around $2,000. This cost might not be worth it if you only blog and share your images online. You don’t need the extra megapixels. You could look at a cheaper full frame camera instead.
Perhaps you have the money. And maybe your field or style demands such high-quality resolution. If so, go for one of these best full frame cameras. We recommend the Nikon D850 if you want the best full frame camera on the market today!
