Best Full-Frame DSLRs of 2016

Full-frame DSLRs offer the very best in image quality, but which one is best suited to you? We've pick a selection of the best full-frame DSLRs of 2016 to help you decide

The term ‘full frame’ refers to a full-frame sensor that’s the same size as an individual frame of traditional 35mm film.
The advantages of full-frame sensors over smaller digital camera sensors, such as APS-C or Micro Four Thirds, are numerous.
For starters, the larger surface area of a full-frame chip means that the individual light-capturing photodiodes (pixels) can be larger, which in turn improves performance in low light.
Creatively speaking, another advantage of full-frame sensors is that it’s possible to attain a shallower depth of field compared to their smaller-sensor comrades.
As a result, full-frame sensors are considered to deliver the very best in image quality; although they do feature high price tags, so you’ll want to be sure you’re picking the right full-frame camera.

Key points of a full-frame camera

Sensor

Full-frame cameras are well known for producing the best performance in low light, thanks to their large photodiodes (pixels)

Pop-up flash

Not all full-frame cameras feature a pop-up flash, so for extra illumination you’ll require a hotshoemounted flashgun

Lenses

Full-frame cameras can only be used with full-frame lenses. Canon EF-S lenses, for example, are not compatible with Canon fullframe DSLRs

Build quality

Expect a full-frame camera to be robustly made with weather seals for maximum protection

Best full-frame DSLRs

Read more at http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/camera-roundups/best-full-frame-dslrs-2016-9263#3Gbzoz0uIO5evCHu.99

Canon EOS 6D

 

Best for:

• Enthusiasts wanting to upgrade from a DSLR to full-frame
• Travel photography because of the inbuilt GPS and Wi-fi
• Shooting in low light

Key specs:
Price: £1140
Sensor: 20.2MP full-frame CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Fixed 3in, 1,040k dots
ISO range: 100-25,600 (exp. to 100-102,400)
Exposure modes: PASM, Scene Intelligent Auto, Scene
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Self-timer, Silent
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 30/25/24fps
Dimensions: 144.5 x 110.5 x 71.2mm
Weight: 755g with battery and card
Pros

• Image quality
• ISO performance
• Inclusion of both Wi-fi and GPS
• AF performance in low light

Cons

• One cross-type AF point
• JPEG sharpness
• Playback zoom control
• 97% viewfinder

Cheaper, smaller and lighter than any existing Canon full-frame DSLR, the EOS 6D is equipped with a 20.2MP sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 5+ image processor – the same processor used inside the 5D Mark III. This combination provides a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600,which can be extended to a base ISO 50 and upwards to an equivalent of ISO 102,400. As for the speed it shoots at, the 6D offers a maximum continuous burst of 4.5fps.
The EOS 6D’s 11-point focusing system features a single cross-type sensor in the middle, with ten additional points scattered around the perimeter. The optical viewfinder provides 97% frame coverage and 0.71x magnification, while the 3in rear display boasts a 1,040k-dot resolution.
The 6D offers Wi-fi connectivity, and complements this with a built-in GPS system – a rarity among DSLRs. In terms of design and build, the 6D shares characteristics with the 5D Mk III, minus a few subtle differences. The rubberised handgrip isn’t as chunky and it’s also noticeably lighter in the hand. The layout of the top-plate is clear, with independent buttons to control AF mode, drive mode, metering modes and ISO. The EOS 6D excels in terms of its low-light AF performance. The central cross-type AF point can lock onto subjects right down to -3EV, which enables the 6D to find focus even in extremely dark situations. That said, it can’t quite match the Nikon D610 for advanced AF tracking. The 63-zone metering system can be relied on to attain accurate exposures. The 6D’s sensor is capable of resolving finely spaced horizontal lines right down to 32 lines per mm (lpmm), which is equal to its main rival – the Nikon D600 – at the same ISO sensitivity. Up to ISO 3200, you’ll get clean, noise-free images.

Verdict

It’s great to see an affordable full-frame body in Canon’s line-up for under £1,200, and for APS-C DSLR users considering the jump up to full-frame, it’s a logical option. The addition of Wi-fi is excellent, and though it’s no 5D Mark III, it goes above and beyond what most enthusiasts are calling out for. To sum up, the 6D offers superb image quality to more consumers at a price that’s realistic.
Scores:
Features: 18/20
Performance: 18/20
Design: 18/20
Image quality: 18/20
Value: 18/20
Overall score: 4 1/2 out of 5

Nikon D750

Best for

• Excellent all-round performance
• Those after their first full-frame DSLR
• Users not needing to record the same level of detail as the D810

Key specs
Price: £1750
Sensor: 24.3MP full-frame CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Tilt-angle 3.2in, 1,229k dots
ISO range:100-12,800 (exp. to ISO 50-51,200)
Exposure modes: PASM, Auto, Scene
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Quiet
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 60/50/30/25/24p
Dimensions: 140.5 x 113 x 78mm
Weight: 840g body only
Pros

• High-resolution sensor
• Vari-angle LCD screen
• Inclusion of Wi-fi as standard

Cons

• Maximum shutter speed of 1/4000sec might be restrictive for some
• Lack of GPS

Tailored for enthusiasts, while catering for both the hobbyist and the aspiring pro, the D750 features a redesigned version of the 24.3MP sensor found in the D610. The presence of an optical low pass filter distinguishes it from the D810 and helps to prevent moiré patterning, although it does so at the expense of finer detail reproduction. With a maximum shooting speed of 6.5fps and a native ISO range of 100-12,800 (extendable to 51,100) it shoots faster and a stop higher than the D610. It’s also Nikon’s first DSLR to feature a 3.2in, 1,299k-dot screen with variangle functionality and introduces built-in Wi-fi connectivity to boot.
The body is a monocoque design, constructed with a mix of materials including thermoplastic and carbon fibre. Magnesium alloy is used on the top and bottom to add strength and though by no means light, it’s smaller than the D610. It feels well balanced and well matched with heavy telephoto lenses, while its control layout is more akin to Nikon’s enthusiast models – the mode dial is on the left of the top-plate, with a selection of controls beside the screen. One slight disappointment is the lack of an AF-ON button.
Equipped with a new Multi-Cam 3500FX Mark II autofocus module that sports 51 AF points with 15 cross-type sensors, the D750 is quick to focus. It can lock on in dark conditions down to -3EV and there are 1.2x (16.7MP) and 1.5x (10.3MP) crop modes if you’d like a bit more reach from your Nikon lenses.
Colour rendition is much the same as the D810 and it can now perform spot white balance in live view. Images are noise-free up to ISO 1600, while JPEG files do a great job of managing fine detail through noise reduction at higher ISOs.
With a tilting LCD and featuring Wi-fi , the D750 is a full-frame DSLR that breaks new ground and, thanks to a modified grip, it handles exceptionally. Though the resolution isn’t as good as some of Nikon’s full-frame cameras lacking anti-alias filters, it’s good enough for most. It’s one of the best all-round DSLRs currently available and has dropped by more than £50 from its launch price.
Scores:
Features: 19/20
Performance: 18/20
Design: 19/20
Image quality: 19/20
Value: 18/20
Overall score: 5 out of 5

 

Sony Alpha A7R II

Best for

• Those looking for the best detail possible in a small and lightweight body
• Wi-fi and NFC
• DSLR-like handling

Key specs

Price: £2,500
Sensor: 42.4MP full-frame Exmor CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Tiltable 3in, 1228k dots
ISO range: 100-25,600 (expandable)
Exposure modes: PASM, iAuto, Superior Auto, Scene, Panorama
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Self-timer
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 60/25fps
Dimensions: 126.9 x 95.7 x 60.3mm
Weight: 584g body only

Pros

• Fantastic resolution
• Excellent high ISO performance
• High performing OIS

Cons

• Limited battery life
• No flash unit

Sony’s A7 range was originally designed to compete closely with some of the world’s best DSLRs, such as the traditional offerings from Nikon and Canon.

The A7R II aims to fix all the niggles of the original A7R, which it does through improving low-light performance and handling. Also newly added is Sony’s 5-axis optical image stabilisation system. 4K video capture is also included.

The body of the camera uses magnesium-alloy plates on its top, front and back, which feels extremely well made. The grip is also nice and deep to feel comfortable in the hand. Seals across the body of the A7R II keep out dust and water, which should mean you can carry on shooting if the heavens open – if you use a weather-sealed lens.

As it stands, Sony offers 20 lenses in its range for full-frame mirrorless cameras, which although not quite as extensive as those from older camera manufacturers, should supply something for most situations. There are also mounts which enable the use of Canon and Nikon lenses.

Sony has done some redesign work for the A7R II, giving you a pair of manual control dials and a moved shutter button which sits more naturally, and intuitively, under your finger. The EVF’s eyecup is also softer. A 2.46 million-dot EVF is great, and joins a high resolution screen. The screen also tilts to help you when you’re shooting at some awkward angles.

There’s both an electronic and physical shutter, which both go up to 1/8000, which is very fast and ideal for shooting in bright conditions with wide apertures, or freezing action. The A7R II doesn’t have an integrated flash, but there is a hot-shoe if you want to add your own (a separate flash unit is not included).

One of the biggest compromises of a small camera body is battery life. The Sony A7R II’s battery lasts for 300 shots, or 270 using the EVF. This isn’t terrible, but it is significantly fewer (in the hundreds) than a high-end DSLR can offer. On the plus side, the A7R II comes with two batteries in the box, which gives you extra flexibility.

The 5-axis in-body OIS provides 4.5 stops of stabilisation, giving you the option to shoot at lower ISOs without your shots being ruined by blur. With this camera, you can shoot at speeds such as 1/20 second and still achieve sharp images. That’s particularly impressive when you consider how unforgiving a high resolution sensor can often be.

Action photographers would do better to look at other cameras. Although the burst mode is 5fps and matches the Nikon D810’s offering, it’s at the lower end of what other cameras can offer.

Verdict

The A7R II is a superb full-frame CSC with a host of improvements which make it much more versatile than the original A7R. There’s better ergonomics and control layout, 4K video, great in-body image stabilisation, a silent shutter mode and a significant jump in resolution. It’s worth considering this over a high-end DSLR if you don’t already have a hefty set of lenses for another system.

Scores:
Features: 18/20
Performance: 17/20
Design: 18/20
Image quality: 18/20
Value: 17/20

Overall score: 4 1/2 out of 5

Sony Alpha A7S II

 

 

Best for:

• Those looking for the best detail possible in a small and lightweight body
• Wi-fi and NFC
• DSLR-like handling

Key specs

Price: £2,500
Sensor: 12MP full-frame Exmor CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Tiltable 3in, 1228k dots
ISO range: 50-409,600 (expandable)
Exposure modes: PASM, iAuto, Superior Auto, Scene, Panorama
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Self-timer
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 60/25fps
Dimensions: 126.9 x 95.7 x 60.3mm
Weight: 584g body only

Pros

• Fantastic low-light performance
• Excellent for video
• Great ergonomics

Cons

• Limited detail capture among full-frame cameras
• Currently a limited native lens line-up
• Unimpressive burst performance

If low-light shooting is your main concern, then the designers at Sony have basically come up with a camera especially for you. While it’s partner camera, the A7R II, has a 42- million pixel sensor, the A7S has just a 12 million pixel.

You may be wondering why there’s such a low count, when most manufacturers are keen to shout about ever bigger numbers. The A7S is designed especially with low-light in mind. With just 12 million pixels to cram onto the sensor, they can all be bigger, and in turn, better able to capture available light. What’s more, the A7S II has an incredible ISO range of 50-409,600. Basically, the A7S II can see things that you can’t.

The design and style of the camera are very similar to other Sony Alpha full-frame models, but controls have been redesigned since the first wave of the cameras to result in better ergonomics all-round. For starters, there’s a nice deep grip, to make it feel better in the hand.

Like the first A7S, the Mark II has a very high resolution viewfinder. At 2.36 million dots, it’s one of the highest resolutions available on the market, and it has a magnification of 0.78x, to make the image appear larger than the previous version (which was 0.71x). The rear screen has also seen a bump in resolution.

Instead of using Sony’s hybrid focus system, the A7S II uses only contrast detection AF and has 169 focus points. Each of the nine central points is divided into 16 segments which makes for a higher concentration of AF points in the centre. If you attach a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2, Sony says that the A7S II can focus in light levels as low as -4EV.

Our testing indicates that focusing speeds are not quite as quick as the hybrid system of the A7R II, but they are still very good. This isn’t a camera for action photographers, but neither is it designed to be.

One of the most important factors of the A7S II is the 5-axis image stabilisation, which compensates for any movement you might make while the shutter os open. With this, you can get sharp shots when you’re shooting as slow as 1/10 second when using the camera freehand, or 1/5 second if using the viewfinder and stabilising the camera against your face.

As we’ve come to expect from Sony Alpha cameras, image quality is superb. Dynamic range is excellent, and low light performance really is incredible. You’ll do well to spot luminance noise at ISO 6400, while up to 25600 you can continue to get fantastic results.

Verdict

If you’re a photographer who likes to shoot consistently in low light and want something which is dedicated to that function, this is a good camera for you. Yes, it’s quite a niche offering, but it’s very, very good at what it does. If you’re after something which reproduces tonnes of detail, look instead at the A7R II.

Scores:

Features: 17/20
Performance: 17/20
Design: 18/20
Image quality: 18/20
Value: 17/20

Overall score: 4 out of 5

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

 

Best for

• Those seeking a well-rounded, advanced DSLR
• Shooting everything from detailed landscapes to portraits or action
• High ISO shooting

Key specs
Price: £2250
Sensor: 22.3MP full-frame CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Fixed 3.2in, 1,040k dots
ISO range: 100-25,600 (exp. to ISO 50-102,400)
Exposure modes: PASM, Auto+
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Self-timer
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 30/25/24fps
Dimensions: 152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
Weight: 950g body only
Pros

• Excellent set of features
• Build quality is much better than Mk II
• Great AF system
• Video performance

Cons

• Expensive compared to some rivals
• Very occasional underexposure
• No built-in flash

While resolution remains similar to that of the EOS 5D Mk II, the 22.3MP CMOS sensor inside the 5D Mk III has a different design that employs gapless microlenses for improved light-gathering. This is paired with Canon’s DIGIC 5+ image processor – the same processor used inside Canon’s flagship EOS 1D-X. The 5D Mk III offers a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600 which can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 102,400. Continuous shooting, meanwhile, maxes out at 6fps.
The optical viewfinder is large and bright and offers a 100% fi eld-of-view, while the back of the camera is adorned with a 3.2in, 1,040k-dot LCD display, though it’s not a touchscreen.
The body is constructed from high-grade magnesium alloy, and further benefits from weather-sealing to keep dust and moisture out. In Single One-Shot AF, focus locks on very quickly. You can use all 61 AF points if you wish, using the joypad on the back of the camera, or a combination of the rear and front command dials. If you don’t need to use all 61 AF points, then the number of active AF points can be reduced to the 41 cross-type points, along with 15 points or nine points. The 5D Mk III’s metering system copes well under a range of lighting conditions, though it can be guilty of underexposure at times, which requires a touch of exposure compensation (typically +0.3EV or +0.7EV) in order to get more balanced results. Images generally display a pleasing and smooth tonal range. The camera’s built-in Highlight Tone Priority feature can be used to further improve gradation in brighter areas. Raw and JPEG images look similar at low sensitivities and image noise is very well controlled in general, with images up to ISO 1600 relatively noise-free.
Verdict
While the Mk II was more suited to specific photographic disciplines, the Mk III is a much more well-rounded, versatile DSLR, thanks to boosts in many aspects of its performance. The autofocus and low-light improvements make it one of the best cameras around for shooting at high sensitivities. The more you shoot with it, the more you realise what a capable camera it is.
Scores:
Features: 19/20
Performance: 19/20
Desgin: 17/20
Image quality: 19/20
Value: 18/20
Overall score: 5 out of 5

Canon 5DS R

Best for

• High-resolution shooting
• Detailed shooting
• Studio and landscape photography

Key specs

Price: £2390
Sensor: 50.6MP full-frame CMOS
File formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Fixed 3.2in, 1,040k dots
ISO range: 100-6400 (expandable to 50-12800)
Exposure modes: PASM, Auto+
Drive mode: Single, Continuous, Self-timer
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 30/25/24fps
Dimensions: 152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
Weight: 845g body only

Pros

• Super high resolution
• Robust, weather-sealed body
• Excellent autofocus

Cons

• Relatively limited ISO range
• Enormous, difficult to handle raw files,
• Fixed LCD screen

Canon’s EOS 5DS and 5DSR are currently the highest resolution full-frame DSLRs on the market, both sharing the same 50.6-million pixel sensor. Both of the cameras are relatively identical, but the effect of the optical low pass filter on the latter has been “cancelled”. This mans you end up with something with a high resolution, but there’s a possibility of introducing aliasing and moire.

In terms of physicality, the body of the camera is pretty much identical to the EOS 5D Mark III. However, internally, there’s a new shutter and mirror assembly which is designed to minimise vibrations – particularly important for a sensor with such a high resolution. In-camera sharpening algorithms have also been updated to get the most detail out of the cameras’ image files.

While the 5D Mark III is a great all-rounder, essentially the 5DSR has been optimised for studio photography – or for those that need to get the most detail possible.

The 5DSR has been robustly constructed and features a magnesium alloy shell. It’s also dust and weather proof, which is useful for outdoor work. The dials and buttons place every key control at your fingertips.

A large and clear viewfinder has an LCD overlay on it to give lots of useful information. Although there’s no articulating or tilting screen, the fixed one is great for live view shooting. Autofocus uses the same 61-area sensor as the 5D Mark III, but can now work in conjunction with the colour-sensitive 150,000-pixel metering sensor to detect faces and focus specifically on your subjects’ eyes. In practical use the AF system works exceptionally well, even when shooting with fast primes and off-centre subjects.

Image quality is superb, although to get the most from the sensor, you’ll want to pair the camera with high quality lenses (and excellent technique). You’ll need to use fast shutter speeds to avoid blur, but under the optimum conditions, the amount of detail the camera can capture is extraordinary.

At low ISOs, noise is all but invisible. It’s only from ISO 1600 that noise starts to become apparent. Even at ISO 6400, images are perfectly usable, especially when processed from raw. Colours are punchy and well saturated, while the auto white balance system is accurate.

Verdict

The 5DS is an extremely accomplished DSLR which offers fantastic image quality inside an already well-loved design. The 50.6MP is the highest resolution (for now) of any full-frame camera. Dynamic range is very respectable, although images are perhaps not quite as noise-free in very deep shadows as the Nikon D810’s 36 million pixel sensor.

Scores:

Features: 18/20
Performance: 19/20
Design: 19/20
Image quality: 19/20
Value: 17/20
Overall score: 5 out of 5

Nikon D810

 

Best for

• Photographers wanting to resolve the highest level of detail possible from a full-frame DSLR
• Those after an ‘S Raw’ format
• Users looking for a solid workhorse of a camera

Key specs
Price: £2350
Sensor: 36.3MP full-frame
CMOS file formats: JPEG, Raw, Raw+JPEG
Display: Fixed 3.2in LCD, 1,229k dots
ISO range: 64-12,800 (exp. to ISO 32-51,200)
Exposre modes: PASM, Programmed Auto
Drive modes: 5fps (6fps in DX-crop mode)
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080p Full HD at 60/50/30/25/24fps
Dimensions: 146 x 123 x 81.5mm
Weight: 880g body only
Pros

• High resolution
• Stunning detail capture
• Superb LCD screen
• Extensive ISO range
• Robust build quality
• Varying file sizes
• Refined button placement

Cons

• Bulky
• Heavy (880g body only)
• Lacks Wi-fi or GPS
• No 4K video
• High price
• Buying the battery grip adds £285 to the price

What makes the D810 notable is that it’s the first full-frame DSLR to be completely lacking in an optical low-pass filter and this, combined with the 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor that boasts a resolution of 36.3MP, makes it stand out as one of the best cameras currently out there for recording the finest levels of detail.
Nikon has given it a wider range of image capture formats, too, including a new ‘S Raw’ format, which captures uncompressed files at 9MP. Despite the hefty file sizes it churns out, it shoots continuously at up to 5fps, or 6fps in DX crop mode. A 3.2in, 1.23m-dot LCD screen and Full HD video are present, too, and there’s a small pop-up fl ash which can be used to illuminate scenes as well as trigger off-camera flash. If you’re interested in video capture, the good news is that the D810 caters well for those needs as well.
Although it doesn’t offer the new ultra-HD 4K video capture, it does still capture at 1920 x 1080p Full HD. The video capture capabilities are also fairly comprehensive in terms of frame rate, with 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p all on offer, as well as 60 and 50p at the slightly lower resolution 1280 x 720 setting.
The D810 features several button placement refinements: the fiddly metering mode button has been replaced by a dedicated button taking the place of the bracketing button, which is now housed on the side of the camera. The grip also has a larger indentation for the middle finger and there’s a larger thumb rest, too, adding up to give it a more secure feel in the hand. The body is comprised of magnesium alloy and although that makes the camera heavy – at a touch under 1kg in weight – the improved weather-sealing means it’s built to survive the toughest tests and it’s a solid workhorse of a camera. Autofocus is lightning-fast, as you’d expect, and although the 51 focus points are concentrated towards the middle, they can be altered between focus modes. Not only is the LCD screen one of the best specified in the market in terms of size and resolution, but it also benefits from the addition of a fourth white dot per pixel. In real terms, this means the screen offers better visibility in bright conditions and reduces power consumption in lower light. The screen also adjusts brightness to suit the conditions you’re shooting in, and on the whole it’s a screen that impresses and certainly feels like an improvement.
The 9,100-pixel RGB metering sensor delivers well-balanced exposures, and a new ‘highlight’ mode specifically looks to preserve more highlight detail in high-contrast conditions. At its base ISO, it almost out-resolves test charts and the detail the camera captures really has to be seen to be believed.
Noise is handled very well up to ISO 3200, although ISO 25,600 and 51,200 are best reserved for low-light emergencies.
Verdict
The D810 isn’t a complete overhaul in comparison to its predecessors, but the improvements that have been made are certainly welcome. The LCD screen is superb and helps to enhance the image review process no end. It’s also welcome to have the varying file size options so you don’t always have to shoot at 36MP. The level of detail resolved by the sensor is truly stunning, and overall it’s a great upgrade to one of the best DSLRs going.
Scores:
Features: 19/20
Performance: 18/20
Design: 19/20
Image quality: 19/20
Value: 18/20
Overall score: 5 out of 5