If it’s a full-frame mirrorless camera you need, these are the best options right now – whether entry-level or advanced.
Looking for the best full-frame mirrorless camera you can buy right now? What was once a simple task now requires some consideration, because there are many models in what was once a pretty niche market. Full-frame cameras are renowned for their large sensors, and the superior image quality – particularly for those shot at high ISOs – that usually results. Traditionally, full-frame sensors were found only in the heftier shells of DSLR cameras, until Sony launched the first mirrorless full-frame model, the Alpha A7, back in 2013. Only in 2018 did the big players decide to enter the fray, as Canon, Nikon and Panasonic all announced mirrorless cameras with full-frame sensors. Now buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to both bodies and lenses. Which is good news, because mirrorless full-frame cameras combine the fabled quality of those larger sensors with the advanced shooting features associated with modern mirrorless cameras. So, which full-framer is the best? At the moment, we reckon the Sony Alpha A7 III (the successor to the model that started it all) is the best full-frame mirrorless camera you can buy. Despite being part of the so-called ‚basic range‘, it’s anything but basic, offering features to rival most competitors. And it’s relatively affordable, too. Then again, with such a growing crop of capable cameras to choose from, there’s every chance you’ll find something more suitable for your shooting preferences in the list below. The Canon EOS RP, for example, is a great all-rounder at a sensible price, while the Canon EOS R5 is a trailblazing, if pricey, all-rounder that’s changing the game again. Still, right now, here are the best full-frame mirrorless cameras you can buy. Although it may not be the newest camera on this list – far from it – the Sony A7 III remains very much the „Goldilocks“ option right now. It offers just the right balance of features and performance at a good value price point. You can expect masses of detail from the 24MP sensor, while low-light performance is also great. The more modest resolution also pays dividends in producing smaller, less data-hungry files, too. Other specifications worth your attention are five-axis image stabilization, and high-quality video recording. You can pick up the Sony A7 III at a fantastic price – it’s dropped significantly since its launch, especially with more competition now in the marketplace. Finally, the exhaustive array of Sony lenses available for the E mount should mean that you never struggle to find the right glass for your favorite subjects. We love it. Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A7 III review Canon created headlines with its first ever consumer-facing 8K full-framer, but that feature quickly became controversial due to the recording limitations. However, for a pro-level stills camera with some top-class video perks, the EOS R5 is a winner. With a 45MP sensor under the hood of this flagship, you’re going to get impeccable image quality, and its class-leading autofocus – with a whopping 5,940 AF points – is one of the best in the business. It will also capture images at a blistering 20fps with its electronic shutter, with full AF/AE in play. So whether it’s sports, wildlife, landscape or studio work, you can’t go wrong with this snapper. There’s also a high-resolution EVF to match, an intuitive control panel on the body and an easy-to-understand menu system that Canon is known for. And match it with any of Canon’s new RF lenses and that’s one of the best combinations a photographer might need – albeit a pricey one. Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 review The original Nikon Z6 was our top pick for the best full-frame mirrorless camera ever since its launch in 2018. And while it’s tempting to keep the second-gen model in top spot as well, it’s only a minor upgrade. The Z6 II is physically identical to the older body, but the little changes made on the inside make the Z6 II a better camera. To start off with, there’s now a pair of Expeed engines under the hood, giving the Z6 II a performance boost by bumping up burst rate to 14fps (from 12fps) and providing enough processing power for eye-AF for both humans and animals. In addition to the existing XQD/CFexpress card slot, you also get a SD UHS-II slot as well, and a firmware update has brought 4K/60p video recording capabilities to the camera. It’s only because its AF capabilities aren’t as competitive as that from Canon and Sony that we’ve dropped the Z6 II a little lower in our list, but it’s still a solid performer and an excellent alternative to rivals like the Canon EOS R6. Read our in-depth Nikon Z6 II review We had to wait five years between the A7S II and the A7S III but, as they say, good things come to those who wait. The third-gen video-centric full-framer from Sony is arguably the best option for enthusiast and professional video makers.
