{"id":11340,"date":"2019-03-07T01:58:47","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T01:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/?p=11340"},"modified":"2019-03-07T18:42:29","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T18:42:29","slug":"best-full-frame-camera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/best-full-frame-camera\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Best Full-Frame Camera"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bestToday, the best full-frame camera combines excellent image quality with impressive speed, durable build, and user-friendly controls. While many full-frame models still sit at the top-end of the market, the price of an entry-level full-frame camera has noticeably dropped in recent years, opening up full-frame photography to a greater number of enthusiasts than ever before.<\/span><\/p>\n

It seems to be part of a photographer\u2019s nature to endlessly fuss over minor technical details in the hope that we\u2019ll somehow make dramatic improvements to the quality of our images. For sure, things like anti-reflective lens coatings or ever-faster ISOs no doubt play some part in making photos look a little nicer. But, realistically, if you\u2019re still struggling with a consumer-level camera that uses a cropped APS-C sensor, such minor trifles are of little genuine concern. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here nothing would improve your photography more than simply moving up to a full-frame model. But which is the best full-frame camera to go for? And what practical differences will it make to your photos? Read our guide to the best full-frame camera to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Go Full-Frame?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Full-frame refers to a sensor size that is equivalent to the surface area of a negative in the old 35mm analog film format. This is more than two and a half times bigger than the APS-C sensors commonly used in entry-level DSLRs and other consumer cameras. That\u2019s quite a significant jump in size, but what practical benefits does a camera with a full-frame sensor offer over a cropped-sensor model?<\/span><\/p>\n

Improved Image Quality<\/b><\/h3>\n

The first, and probably the most important, reason to go full-frame, is simply that a camera with a bigger image sensor will in practice produce higher resolution images. This means greater detail and less pixelation. Making files better suited for viewing big on a screen, or printing as enlargements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shallower Depth of Field<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another very good reason to go full-frame is that the larger sensor will permit you to achieve a shallower depth of field. So if you\u2019ve been struggling to emulate those beautiful portraits with the focus only on the eye and all else fading off into a background of soft and swirling bokeh, lack of success in this department may simply be down to using a small sensor. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even if image quality were not markedly superior when using a larger image sensor, many photographers would nonetheless choose a full-frame camera purely to achieve this kind of selective-focus effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improved Dynamic Range<\/b><\/h3>\n

Dynamic range refers to a camera\u2019s ability to represent the extremes of light and dark within a scene. A full-frame sensor is capable of capturing a wider gamut of tones, ranging from deeper shadows to brighter highlight areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improved Low Light Performance<\/b><\/h3>\n

With a larger surface area available for capturing light, full-frame sensors perform much better in low lighting conditions than those of a smaller format such as APS-C. This means that you\u2019ll be able to shoot at higher ISOs before digital noise becomes noticeable in your images.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Notes<\/h3>\n

One other point to consider is that up until now at least, full-frame sensors have only really featured in professional level cameras. As pro-photographers tend to subject their equipment to a greater degree of stress and strain than casual enthusiasts, this means that full-frame sensors tend to come in better-built cameras. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not only in cameras that are more strongly made, but also ones offering a greater number of pro-level features: such as a high resolution (megapixels), weather sealing, faster and more accurate autofocus, higher burst shooting rates, a superior RAW buffer, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n

So although a step up to a full-frame camera likely entails considerable extra expense when compared with a consumer level model, you will generally get a whole lot more for your money in other areas too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you convinced? Let\u2019s take a look at some of the best full-frame cameras currently on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6 of the Best Full-Frame Cameras<\/b><\/h2>\n

1 – Sony Alpha 7 III<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Sony<\/a><\/p>\n

Pros:<\/h4>\n

+ 24 MP image sensor<\/span><\/p>\n

+ 4K video<\/span><\/p>\n

+ Good low light performance<\/span><\/p>\n

+ Fast AF<\/span><\/p>\n

+ 10 fps burst rate<\/span><\/p>\n

+ Long battery life<\/span><\/p>\n

+ Dual HD card slots <\/span><\/p>\n

+ High-resolution touch screen and EVF<\/span><\/p>\n

+ Completely silent when used in Silent Mode<\/span><\/p>\n

Cons:<\/h4>\n

– LCD is tilt only, not fully articulating<\/span><\/p>\n

– No built-in flash<\/span><\/p>\n

When Sony released the Alpha 7 III<\/a> earlier this year, it was introduced as the manufacturer\u2019s basic camera. If only everything marketed as \u201cbasic\u201d could be so wonderful. Indeed, as far as value for money and features go, it doesn\u2019t get much better than this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, at \u201conly\u201d 24 MP, the a7 III\u2019s image sensor doesn\u2019t produce the absolute highest resolution images of all full-frame cameras on the market; but it nonetheless produces <\/span>great <\/span><\/i>quality images. An at \u201cmerely\u201d 10 fps, the a7 III\u2019s burst shooting rate is by no means the fastest out there today; yet it\u2019s still <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> fast. <\/span><\/p>\n

On top of which you get zippy AF, full-frame 4K video, space for two SD cards, a superb touch screen, silent shooting mode, fantastic dynamic range, noise-free low light performance, and good battery life. What more could anyone want?<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about you, dear reader, but when I go on vacation, I just book a regularly scheduled flight with a commercial airline. The plane is invariably an Airbus, Boeing, or similar. <\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t confess to loving air travel, but the commercial airline is comfortable enough and gets me to the other side of the world in just a few hours: something that was unthinkable only a century ago. I\u2019m pretty happy with this arrangement, as it means I\u2019ve been able to travel to all manner of distant destinations without the journey itself ever being a major hassle.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what\u2019s that you say? Some planes will make the trip in half the time? Flying faster than the speed of sound? Undetected by radar? Capable of vertical take off and landing?<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s nice. But even if you fly by stealth-jet, we\u2019re still going to be sitting under the same sun when we get to the other end; our toes dipped in the same ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are other full-frame cameras that are higher specced, faster, more powerful, and produce higher resolution images than the Sony Alpha 7 III. However, whether you genuinely need the \u201csuperior\u201d features such cameras have to offer is something you\u2019ll need to decide for yourself. But you can be sure that you\u2019ll pay dearly for them if you do.<\/span><\/p>\n

For most people, though, the Sony Alpha 7 III offers everything they will need. And at a great price. For this reason, we recommend the Sony Alpha 7 III as the best full-frame camera on the market today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arguably, the one \u201ccatch\u201d with the Alpha 7 III<\/a> is the high cost of certain lenses beyond the standard kit options: some of the longer zooms can easily set you back as much as the camera body itself. But this is equally true of most of the cameras we look at here. In short, it\u2019s something to be aware of, but is certainly not a valid reason for avoiding the a7 III altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\n \n \n
\n\n Sale<\/span>\n
\n \n \"Sony\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black (ILCE7M3\/B) <\/a>\n
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