DSLRs have gained massive popularity, not only professionals but also everyday photography enthusiasts have started using them. An entry-level or mid-range DSLR offers performance which many of us might find adequate. However, if you are a professional who cannot compromise on quality, full-frame DSLRs are your next natural upgrade. These models while expensive, come with larger sensors, and are capable of capturing more light.
This allows the camera to focus faster and better, even in darker environments. The larger sensor size also helps the camera to capture photos with little to no digital noise, delivering higher ISO performance which can be great while shooting low-light shots. The other key benefit of a full-frame DSLR is its wide dynamic range. The larger sensor size helps the camera capture more detail, which makes photos look sharp and colour-accurate, when you compare them to everyday DLSRs. A full-frame DSLR can offer greater flexibility when it comes to depth of field too. It is much easier to achieve that professional, shallow depth-of-field with a full-frame sensor as compared to traditional cropped sensor cameras. This means portrait photographers can isolate their subjects from their backgrounds better, while wildlife photographers can do the same with animals in the distance.
Full-frame cameras may have large sensors as their unique selling point, however they offer other enhancements, one of which is stronger build quality. Traditional cameras are usually made-up of polycarbonate, however a full-frame cameras are often constructed from stronger, magnesium bodies with weather-proof designs, making them rugged for outdoor use. Full-frame DSLR bodies comes with much advanced AF systems as well as accurate metering and white balance. Most of them also have secondary LCD screens on the top, which display key shooting and exposure information.
Choosing a good professional DSLR can be difficult at times, especially when there are a number of options to choose from. Each of the models has its own set of features, and understanding all of them can be time consuming. We have compiled a list of recommendations for you, which will help you decide you next professional camera.
Nikon D750
The Nikon D750 comes with an excellent 24 MP full-frame sensor which offers superior image and video quality. It offers an ISO range of 100 to 12,800, with a feature of noise reduction that can be toggled. The D750 has an advanced 51-point AF system for speedy and accurate focusing. The D750 video recording is limited up to 1080p at 60 fps which some users may find lacking for those looking for a video-shooting DSLR, however it comes with stereo microphone and headphone ports with the ability to fine-tune the audio levels which many videographers will appreciate. The D750 has a 3.2 inch tilt-angle display which can be very useful while taking low angle shots. It also supports 2 memory card slots both having supports for SD/SDHC/SDHX. It also has built-in Wi-Fi which enables fast data transfer using the Nikon mobile utility app. The Nikon D750 is available with option of a 24-120 mm lens (roughly 5X optical zoom), having f/4 aperture along with Nikon’s VR II image stabilization.
Canon 6D Mark II
The Canon 6D Mark II is slightly heavier than the Canon 5D Mark IV, however Canon claims with its strong weatherproof design it can easily take on the rough weather conditions. The 6D comes with a 24MP full-frame sensor with dual-pixel technology both for images and video recording. ISO range for the 6D is 100 to 40,000 and it has a 45-point, all-cross-type AF system. Video recording on the 6D is limited to 1080P at 60fps, however there is a 4K timelapse option, which stiches images together into a 4K resolution video. The 6D comes with 3.0-inch variable-angle touchscreen which can be useful. It also has an inbuilt 5-axis handheld stabilizer which enables smooth video recordings. The 6D has a single SD card slot, while some premium models may come with dual SD card slots option. The Canon 6D mark II is available with 24-70mm and 24-105mm lens options.
Canon 5D Mark IV
The Canon 5D Mark IV comes with a 30.4MP full-frame sensor along with an advanced 61-point AF system. The 5D Mark IV has Canon’s 252-zone, RGB+IR metering system with intelligent scene analysis which can be found on much expensive Canon model like the 5DS.The 5D Mark IV features DCI 4K video recording at 4019 x 2190 pixels with 30/25/24fps options. With the motion JPEG file format, 8.8MP images can be extracted from the 4K video as needed. The 5D Mark IV also comes with 1080P recording at 120fps which can be great for recording slow-motion videos. The 5D Mark IV has dual SD and CompactFlash cards support. It also has an inbuilt Wi-Fi, NFC connectivity to transfer data wirelessly. The Canon 5D Mark IV is available with 24-105mm lens option, but also on request, you can choose to purchase only the body.
Nikon D850
The search for uncompromising DSLR performance can be brought to an end with the Nikon D850. The D850 has a 45.7MP full-frame sensor, supporting 153-points AF system which is the best of the lot. The D850 also has an inbuilt auto-picture control system that adjusts the colour and tonal response by understanding the subject matter. The Nikon D850 supports UHD 4K recordings at 30 fps using the full width of the sensor.it also supports 1080P at 120 fps which can be great for recording slow-motion videos. The 850 has a tilting touchscreen for easy focus and navigation. It supports an upcoming memory card technology, QXD and UHS card II. The absence of the inbuilt flash has brought in more room for the view-finder, making it larger than any other Nikon DSLR. Like the competition, it also has support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Nikon D850 is available with a kit lens option of 24-120mm but you can purchase it with an body-only option.
Sony ILCE-7RM3
While we had a look at traditional full-frame DSLR cameras, this one is a slightly different and is interesting if you are looking for a compact solution, with uncompromising performance. The Sony ILCE-7RM3 is a full-frame mirrorless camera having a 42MP sensor, with ISO ranging from 100 to 32,000. It also supports UHD 4K video recordings at 30fps, also supporting 1080p at 120 fps. It also has a 5-axis, inbuilt stabilizer for making handheld videos smoother. The Sony ILCE-7RM3 has a 3.69M (1280×960) pixel OLED viewfinder. The ILCE-7RM3 offers customizable controls which can be set according to user preferences. A standard sync terminal is also provided for convenient synchronisation with studio flash units. It has twin SD card slots both of which are UHS-I and UHS-II compatible. The Sony ILCE-7RM3 is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC enabled for wireless data transfer. The Sony ILCE-7RM3 is available in only body option model and comes with number of lenses option to choose from, according to users needs.
Many of these models are available on our web site and can be purchased directly. If you’re looking for something a DSLR and don’t know how to, don’t forget to read our DSLR buying guide. We also have a bunch of affordable, value-for-money offerings at different price ranges to choose from. If you have recommendations for other models, don’t forget to drop us a line in the comments section below.
