SLR camera full frame. Why is a full-frame camera so highly regarded among professionals? Do I want to change it to something

If Canon EOS While the 5D Mark III looks better than the D800 for video recording, the capabilities of the EOS 6D and Nikon D600 are exactly the same. It is not entirely clear what the bitrate of the six will be, but so far there are no differences, except for the ability to connect headphones to a Nikon camera.

The price of the cameras coincides with an accuracy of one dollar, which looks a little strange, because before that the cost of similar models fluctuated a little. For example, Canon's budget cameras are cheaper, while current full-frame models (EOS 5D Mark III and D800), on the contrary, are more expensive. Recommended cost for Russian market- a separate topic, we will talk about this at the very end.

Here it is also worth noting the fact that the D600 has two expansion slots. The competing camera boasts only one. From an amateur point of view, this is not at all critical, but if we consider the camera as a tool for work, then the presence of a second slot for an SD card is a significant plus.

The Nikon D600 came to us for testing only with a belt, plugs and a bayonet cover. However, it is known that the MH-25 charger, UC-E15 USB cable, rubber eyecup (marked DK-21) and a special plug for the viewfinder eye, which will be needed when shooting with remote shutter, will also be sold with it.

Design, ergonomics

Perhaps, in a preliminary review of the Nikon D600, the impressions were overly enthusiastic. After working with the D800 and D800E for a long time, six hundred seems not so convenient. However, this is logical - you quickly get used to the good. It is worth at least a day to work on a 27-inch monitor with an IPS-matrix to understand that you don’t want to return to the “seed” with TN + Fillm at all. I believe that the owners of the Nikon D3 are unlikely to be interested in the D600. Users of DSLRs with APS-C matrices (D300, D90, D7000), as well as photographers migrating from other systems, will rather look at the new camera. Still, no one has such an affordable full-frame camera yet. The Canon EOS 6D isn't out yet, and the Sony SLT-A99 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III are significantly more expensive. The easiest way is for those who have dealt with the D7000 - this camera is very similar to the D600.

If the Canon EOS 5D Mark III looks more attractive than the D800 for video recording, then the capabilities of the EOS 6D and Nikon D600 are exactly the same. It is not entirely clear what the bitrate of the six will be, but so far there are no differences, except for the ability to connect headphones to a Nikon camera.

The price of the cameras coincides with an accuracy of one dollar, which looks a little strange, because before that the cost of similar models fluctuated a little. For example, Canon's budget cameras are cheaper, while current full-frame models (EOS 5D Mark III and D800), on the contrary, are more expensive. The recommended price for the Russian market is a separate issue, we'll talk about it at the very end.

Here it is also worth noting the fact that the D600 has two expansion slots. The competing camera boasts only one. From an amateur point of view, this is not at all critical, but if we consider the camera as a tool for work, then the presence of a second slot for an SD card is a significant plus.

The Nikon D600 came to us for testing only with a belt, plugs and a bayonet cover. However, it is known that the MH-25 charger, UC-E15 USB cable, rubber eyecup (marked DK-21) and a special plug for the viewfinder eye, which will be needed when shooting with remote shutter, will also be sold with it.

Design, ergonomics

Perhaps, in a preliminary review of the Nikon D600, the impressions were overly enthusiastic. After working with the D800 and D800E for a long time, six hundred seems not so convenient. However, this is logical - you quickly get used to the good. It is worth at least a day to work on a 27-inch monitor with an IPS-matrix to understand that you don’t want to return to the “seed” with TN + Fillm at all. I believe that the owners of the Nikon D3 are unlikely to be interested in the D600. Users of DSLRs with APS-C matrices (D300, D90, D7000), as well as photographers migrating from other systems, will rather look at the new camera. Still, no one has such an affordable full-frame camera yet. The Canon EOS 6D isn't out yet, and the Sony SLT-A99 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III are significantly more expensive. The easiest way is for those who have dealt with the D7000 - this camera is very similar to the D600.

As you can see, only two cameras - Nikon D610 and Nikon DF were created this year. In addition, all the cameras presented in the article are full-frame models. When talking about high-end cameras, we are talking only about full-frame cameras, and such models can only be compared with each other.

Of course, enthusiasts can be satisfied with the quality of photos from cameras equipped with non-full-frame sensors, but, say, APS-C sensors. These sensors are equipped Nikon cameras D300S and Canon 7D. In addition, there are great cameras such as the Nikon D7100 and Canon 70D, which also do not have full-frame sensors, but take good pictures. However, our today's comparison is dedicated to real professional models.

It was decided not to include such flagship models as Nikon D4 and Canon EOS 1D in the review. This is because the pros who buy these cameras know exactly what they want.

Camera size

The thinnest flagship full-frame camera is the Nikon DF. In general, the same camera is also the smallest. The most massive cameras are Nikon D800 and Canon 5D III. The Nikon D610 and Canon EOS 6D aren't very compact either, but if you've started using the two after shooting with the expensive APS-C options, you won't notice much of a difference.

Weight

The Canon 6D and Nikon DF are the lightest cameras, weighing 755g and 765g with battery and memory card but no lens. However, it's still far less than the weight of some of the DSLRs we're reviewing. The heaviest camera in comparison is Nikon D800, it weighs 1000g.

Matrix size

All cameras have a large full-frame sensor. The large sensor is a testament to the excellent quality of your photos, whether you're shooting in bright daylight or low light.

Matrix Resolution

The range of resolutions among matrices is from 16 to 34 megapixels. The Nikon DF matrix has the smallest resolution - 16.2 megapixels. However, this should not be judged as a negative feature of the camera. In fact, this is the same sensor that is used in the flagship Nikon camera D4, which many professional photographers happily use.

Nikon's D800 sensor has the highest resolution, with a resolution of 36 megapixels. This will be an important advantage if you decide to print your images in large format, but it will require additional power for the computers that will process these images. Canon 6D, Nikon D610, Sony A99 and Canon 5D III are equipped with sensors with a resolution ranging from 20 to 24 megapixels.

Autofocus

Canon 5D III and Nikon D800 are equipped with the best autofocus systems. Canon has 61 focus points, of which 41 are cross type, while Nikon has 51 focus points, of which 15 are cross type.

Nikon Df and D610 focus system has 39 focus points (9 cross type), Sony A99 has 19 focus points with 11 cross type. Notably behind its competitors, the Canon 6D, which boasts only 11 focus points, of which only one is of the cross type.

Burst speed

There is no main leader in terms of continuous shooting speed, the maximum speed is 6 frames per second. Nikon D4 and Canon 1D X cameras have high continuous shooting speed, but they are not in our comparison. At six frames per second, you can shoot with the Sony A99 and Canon 5D III. The updated Nikon D610 is now also capable of shooting at 6 frames per second, compared to the D600, which shoots at 5.5 frames per second. The slowest is the Nikon D800, which, for obvious reasons, cannot handle huge files on high speed, which is why the camera only shoots 4 frames per second. The camera will be able to shoot 6 frames per second if you use an optional battery pack with the model.

ISO range

The sensitivity range of Nikon cameras is not very impressive, while other models have an upper limit of 25,600 ISO. Cameras with large full-frame sensors are capable of producing excellent images in low light, but still, Nikon cameras do not have a wide ISO range. If you're going to be photographing often at night or in low light, consider purchasing other users' cameras that have a sensitivity range of 100 - 25600 ISO.

Viewfinder

All cameras except the Sony A99 are equipped with an optical viewfinder. Almost all viewfinders, except for the one used by Canon's 6D, have 100% frame coverage. Viewfinder coverage of 97% means that in fact, the photos will be wider than what was seen in the viewfinder.

The Sony A99 has an electronic viewfinder. Nevertheless, this is a very high quality viewfinder, its resolution is 2,359,000 dots.

Display

In terms of display quality, the Sony A99 stands out again. In addition to having the highest resolution, the display is fully tilt-and-turn and can be used from any angle, creating incredible and original photographs.

All other displays have a diagonal of 3 or 3.2 inches, and the resolution is 921,000 or 1,040,000 dots.

Memory cards

Many SLRs, and in recent times, and many mirrorless models often use a dual memory card slot. Cameras such as the Canon 5D III and Nikon D800 have one Compact Flash card slot in addition to the SD slot.

The Nikon D610 and Sony A99 have the ability to connect two memory cards, which allows you to instantly backup images. Canon 6D and Nikon Df only support one SD memory card.

File type

As you would expect, all professional cameras with full-frame sensors support JPEG and RAW file formats.

Build quality

High build quality is the most important criterion for cameras that you pay over $2,000 for. All cameras, in whole or in part, are made of magnesium alloy. The Nikon D800 and Canon 5D III are the most impressive as they are made entirely of magnesium alloy.

The Nikon Df boasts magnesium alloy on the top, bottom and back. The Canon 6D and Nikon D610 are part magnesium alloy and part plastic.

Video modes

When it comes to comparing video modes in these cameras, the Nikon Df is sure to grab your attention. This camera does not support video recording. Of the remaining cameras, the Sony A99 is the only one capable of shooting Full HD 1080p video at 60 and 50 fps, other models can record video at 30, 25 and 24 fps.

Audio

If you're going to shoot video with your DSLR, you'll most likely decide to use an external microphone. The good news is that all cameras that support video recording are equipped with an audio input jack. All cameras except the Canon 6D also have an audio output for connecting headphones.

Wireless Connectivity

High-end DSLRs rarely have built-in wireless capability. This is due to the fact that full-frame cameras are designed for professionals whose opinions about the need for Wi-Fi and GPS often differ. Only the Canon EOS 6D has built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. For users with cameras such as Canon 5D III and Nikon D800 wireless connection won't be cheap. Nikon Df and D610 are compatible with more common and affordable wireless adapters.

Lens included

Some of the presented DSLRs are sold without lenses. This is due to the fact that most often users who buy such models already have some optics at their disposal. However, the lenses that come with full-frame cameras are better than those sold with cheaper cameras.

The Nikon Df comes with a retro style 50mm F1.8G lens. Canon 6D and Nikon D610 are equipped with versatile lenses that cover the range from wide-angle to telescopic. Besides, Nikon lens has a variable maximum aperture of F3.5-4.5, Canon optics offers a constant aperture of F4. Both models have image stabilization.

Full frame DSLRs are at the peak of their popularity right now. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, traditional reflex cameras format APS-C appeared strong competitor- mirrorless cameras, which, in terms of the combination of such characteristics as price and compactness, are superior to SLR cameras.

On the other hand, more and more SLR camera models are moving towards the professional segment, getting the stuffing of older models, including a full-frame matrix, getting cheaper and moving from the category of purely professional cameras to the more massive category of advanced cameras for amateur photographers.
The synonym for the top camera is the presence in it full-frame full-frame-matrix (FF), about which many people only know that FF is good.

Today we will try to answer popular questions from amateur photographers about full-frame cameras and help you navigate the current models.

The matrix in the camera is the case when size matters. The smallest matrices are usually used in mobile phones, a little more (1 / 2.3) - in "soap dishes" and camera phones, even more (Micro 4/3, 1, APS-C) - in mirrorless cameras, APS-C (25.1x16.7 mm) - in ordinary SLR cameras , full-frame (36x24 mm) - in older models of SLR cameras. The full-frame sensor got its name because of the same dimensions as a full-frame 35 mm film. Therefore, the focal length on the lenses is usually indicated "in 35 mm equivalent."

Low noise at high ISO, shallow depth of field, wide dynamic range, smooth transitions in halftones - this is what (and, in general, everything) how the transition to the FF camera will affect the quality of the photo. Strictly speaking, a camera with a full-frame sensor is needed for those who want to make better use of professional fast lenses and shoot at high ISO values. The full-frame sensor is not one big plus.

For cameras with APS-C sensors, FF cameras are much inferior in shooting speed. Also sensors with crop factor more than one will be more convenient for working with telephoto lenses.

In addition to size, the difference between full-frame and crop sensors lies in the increased frame space. The crop sensor increases the focal length in proportion to its crop factor. Shooting on an APS-C camera (crop factor - 1.5) with a 50mm lens, we get photos taken as if taken on a 75mm lens. On the other hand, a full-frame sensor does not crop the shot, which means that with the same 50mm lens it will be possible to shoot landscapes and fit a much larger lens into the frame without using wide-angle lenses.

Before buying an FF camera, you should carefully study the list of compatible lenses, their prices, and remember that a full-frame camera is very demanding on the quality of optics. Paired with a medium lens price category, blurring or darkening the image at the edges, it will not be able to reveal even part of the potential of a large matrix. And good optics cost a lot of money, from $400 to several thousand.

On full-frame cameras, fast prime lenses, including wide-angle ones, work great. Alternatively, you can start by buying a budget 50mm f/1.8 FF camera mount. But the available zooms will have to be abandoned, as well as a number of wide-angle lenses - 10-22, 10-20, 11-16, 10-24.

In the history of digital full-frame cameras, only a few dozen models have gone on sale. Moreover, only three companies produce such equipment for the mass buyer - Canon, Nikon, Sony. The last full-frame Kodak camera was released in 2004, and the Pentax model shown in 2001 never went on sale, and not everyone can afford Leica cameras: the average price for a Leica M9 without a lens is 140 thousand rubles.

current models

Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon 6D

Average price without lens: 100k and 60k

2012 brought an update to all existing full-frame cameras, including the legendary Canon 5D series.

Manufacturing companies

Canon EOS 5D Mark III received important updates in all respects: a new sensor, processor, display, autofocus system and two memory card slots, as well as enhanced video recording capabilities. The new 3.2-inch screen has a resolution of 1.04 million dots, an anti-reflective transparent layer and protective glass with additional anti-reflective coating. The camera can shoot in multiple exposure mode with various overlay methods and independently create HDR in four styles.

The DIGIC 5+ processor is 17 times faster than the processor in the Mark II, which in practice gives an increase in signal output speed from the sensor and almost doubled the shooting speed, from 3.9 to 6 frames per second. Paired with Canon lenses, the camera itself corrects vignetting and removes chromatic aberration. For the first time implemented in the DSLRs of this manufacturer, the Rate function allows you to compare fixed and automatic exposures on the camera screen. Accurate autofocus is provided by a 61-point focusing system (instead of 9-point in the 5D Mark II), which migrated from the older 1Dx. An important update also affected video recording: the length of the video has been increased from 12 minutes to 30.

One more canon camera occupied a niche between crop 7D and full-frame 5D, and the appearance in model range The affordable FF model allowed Canon to position the 5D as a more professional camera. Full frame, budget ( keyword), light by the standards of FF-DSLRs (only 770 g), the 6D became a direct competitor to the Nikon D600.

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When comparing the specifications of the 6D and the Mark III, there aren't that many differences that catch the eye, although the price difference between the cameras is $1,500. The resolution of the 6D matrix is ​​\u200b\u200bless (20.2 million pixels versus 22.3 for Mark 3), lower rate of fire (4.5 fps versus 6 fps), no second slot for a memory card, 11-point focusing system instead of 61- point. Strictly speaking, Canon introduced a slightly modernized version of the Mark II in a compact body.

In terms of dimensions, the 6D is comparable to the Canon 60D and is the most compact SLR FF camera. From older cameras, 6D received a fast DIGIC 5+ processor and a 3.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1.04 million dots. The second slot for a memory card is unlikely to be of interest to the potential audience of this camera (SD is used), but the built-in GPS and Wi-Fi modules will be very useful. Images can be transferred via Wi-Fi to smartphones and tablets (free applications for Android or iOS are available). Unfortunately, the camera can only work with EF optics - you will have to forget about the EF-S and EF-M mounts.

Nikon D600 and Nikon D800

Average price without lens: 56k and 90k

The Nikon D700, released five years ago, was naturally opposed to the Canon 5D Mark 2, respectively, after upgrading to Mark 3, the appearance of the D800 was quite expected. This time, Nikon has released a full-frame camera with incredible high resolution(36 megapixels, image resolution is 7360 x 4912 pixels) and in two versions - with and without a low-pass filter (D800E). Modification with antialiasing went on sale for $300 more. Curiously, the D800 is no longer a stripped-down version of one of the company's older cameras, as was the case with the D700 and D3. However, the design and layout of the elements on the case remained similar to the D700.

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In addition to a stunning 36-megapixel CMOS sensor, the camera has a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 921,000 dots and a viewing angle of 170 degrees - the same screen is installed in the older Nikon D4. The screen is protected by durable Hardlex glass. Interesting fact: Hardlex is used in the cockpits of Boeing aircraft.

Rate of fire is not the strong point of full-frame cameras. The D800 shoots at 4.6 frames per second, which is sufficient for many situations besides sports and reportage shooting. But the new processor allows you to fully unlock the potential of the 51-point focusing system, including 15 cross-type sensors.

Finally, compared to the D700, the camera received a refinement in video recording. The length of a single video is still limited to 30 minutes, but when shooting, you can use the DX mode (simulated APS-C) and shoot with lenses that simulate 1.5x magnification. You can connect an external microphone to the camera to record stereo sound or be content with mono on the built-in microphone. A nice option is that the volume of the sound during shooting is adjustable.

The Nikon D600 uses a viewfinder with 100% frame coverage. Professional cameras are released without a built-in flash, but realizing that the user does not always want to spend money on accessories, Nikon added a built-in flash to the D600.

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It is useful to break shadows when shooting in backlight, or can serve as an impulse when shooting in the studio. Another important plus of the camera is the focusing system, and here Nikon really has something to oppose to the Canon 6D's 11-point focusing system: backlight, 39 points, 9 of which are cross-shaped. Also, the D600 has an interesting function of switching to DX mode, in which the camera simulates working with an APS-C sensor: the equivalent focal length of the lenses increases by 1.5 times, and the length of the burst of shots increases to 100 frames in JPEG and up to 30 in RAW versus 30 in JPEG and 15 in RAW in normal mode. DX mode allows you to connect lenses from ASC cameras, which will be relevant if you switch from crop to full frame, but you can't afford to upgrade all the lenses you need yet. The built-in drive is useful for working with lenses without a built-in motor. Wi-Fi and GPS modules for the D600 will need to be purchased separately.

Sony Alpha a7 and Sony Alpha a99

Average price without lens: 60k and 95k

Sony was the last to take on full-frame cameras, but approached this issue in its own style: the company's first experiments touched on FF cameras with a translucent mirror, in which autofocus worked when recording video. The second major claim to success was the release of the full-frame compact RX1, which shook general idea about what a FF camera might look like. Next is an external full-frame QX10 camera lens attached to a smartphone. The icing on the cake is the announcement of two full-frame mirrorless cameras at once.

Sony Alpha a7 also marked the end of the history of NEX cameras, from now on the Japanese plan to release mirrorless cameras in the Alpha series. Sony also refuses to use the word “mirror”, replacing it with the general wording “camera with interchangeable lenses”.

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The Sony Alpha a7 interchangeable lens camera is a tiny camera with a full frame sensor, Wi-Fi modules and NFC, 117-point focus and high-quality flip-out display. The OLED electronic viewfinder has 100% frame coverage and 0.71x magnification. Alpha a7 can operate in automatic and semi-automatic modes, with shutter priority, aperture priority or full manual settings. The mode dial includes video recording, automatic panorama shooting and scene mode selection. Two variations of the camera are available for sale - with a low-pass filter (a7) and without it (a7r). The a7 uses a 24-megapixel sensor, while the a7r uses a 36-megapixel one. Main question when using the Sony Alpha a7, this is optics. Formally, the a7 is compatible with the E-mount (NEX lenses), but they are not well suited for a full-frame sensor. So far, only 5 compatible lenses have been presented, and by the end of 2015, Sony plans to increase the fleet of FE optics to 16 models. You can use lenses from SLT-alpha through adapters LA-EA3 and LA-AE4.

To compete with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800, Sony has the Alpha a99. Lightweight (only 733g), with a quality 2,300,000-dot OLED flip-out and swivel screen, the a99 is aimed largely at videographers.

Manufacturing companies

Professional photographers in it can be scared away by an electronic viewfinder and far from the most capacious battery. Another weak point of the Alpha a99 was the focusing system (19 points in total, 11 cross-shaped), which the manufacturer compensates for with the manual focus range control function.

The full-frame sensor, combined with proprietary translucent mirror technology, allows you to record videos with auto focus and Full HD resolution at 24/50/60 frames per second. Information about sound recording on both channels is displayed, professional sound settings are available through the XLR adapter.

From a99 professional camcorders, a controller for quickly changing shooting parameters for video recording - other camera manufacturers are not yet able to offer anything like this.

Results

Full-frame cameras for the mass buyer are an ambiguous phenomenon. On the one hand, the above advantages over cameras with an APS-C sensor are obvious.

On the other hand, without high-quality optics, buying an FF model may not meet expectations, and good lenses will require additional expenses. The lack of a built-in flash, considerable dimensions, weight - all these are also arguments against buying a full-frame camera for personal use, without the purpose of making money. The exception is the compact full-frame Sony a7, but given its high price for a mirrorless camera and a small set of compatible lenses, it can be recommended for purchase only to those who clearly understand why they need this particular camera.

The SLR Sony Alpha 99 II received a full-frame 42-megapixel CMOS sensor with a five-axis optical stabilization system, an electronic viewfinder, and a hybrid phase autofocus system. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that 79 focus sensors are located on a separate module, and 399 are located directly on the matrix. In terms of performance, the Alpha 99 II is also good. Despite the heavy weight of the final photos, the burst rate is 12 frames per second.

Another feature of the camera is support for video recording in 4K resolution. And given that the headphone and microphone jacks are located on the side, the conclusion is that the Sony Alpha 99 II will appeal to videographers who want to get videos of excellent quality. What's more, the micro-HDMI port allows you to connect an external monitor to the camera.

Note that the Sony Alpha 99 II is very easy to use, and the location of the controls indicates the manufacturer's thoughtful approach to the ergonomics of its product. By the way, the camera settings, which can be accessed through the on-screen menu, are also structured as meaningfully as possible.

Sony Alpha 7: The first mass "mirrorless"

The Sony Alpha A7 is arguably the first mass-produced mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor. Resolution of 24 megapixels, low-pass filter, hybrid autofocus, high build quality - the list of advantages of this camera can be continued for a long time. We note right away that this model costs almost the same as semi-professional “DSLRs”. But what is the advantage then?

First and foremost, it is almost half the size and weight, which is very critical for most photographers today. The second is support for all modern wireless interfaces and the ability to connect directly to gadgets via Wi-Fi. Of course, the Sony Alpha A7 also has disadvantages compared to DSLRs: for example, less battery life, a relatively low burst speed, and not such a rich choice of optics. However, once you try shooting with the Sony Alpha A7, you won't want to go back to the big camera.

With the use of good lenses, the images taken with this camera will satisfy the requirements of professional photographers. Top quality pictures both in daylight and in the dark are provided to you.

Rating of full-frame SLR and mirrorless cameras

PHOTO: manufacturing companies