The body of the camera itself is typical Canon style, black and textured with no real special features that help make it stand out from the crowd. That said, it offers fantastic ergonomics in the hand while shooting and a weather-sealed body protects it against the elements. The 3.2 fixed-position LCD pairs with a 100 percent coverage viewfinder that offers .71x magnification, which is excellent. To aid with shooting, Canon added a whopping 61-point autofocus that is among the highest precision of any DSLR on the market today. If a staggering amount of detail is what your photography needs are all about, this is the one to buy. Resolution: 50.5MP | Sensor Type: Full-frame | Max ISO: 50-12800 | Optical Zoom: 1x | Connectivity: Wi-Fi The inclusion of 4K video is notable since it’s not generally offered with full-frame high-resolution cameras where the focus is very much on still photo results. Capturing 4K in full-frame or Super 35 format with a full spread of manual controls provides compelling results that help make the Sony an incredible feature-to-price purchase. Whether it’s video or images, the five-axis in-body image stabilization adds accurate compensation for blur by offsetting camera shaking by moving vertically, horizontally, pitching, yawing or rolling to ensure stable image and video capture. And the three-inch Xtra Fine LCD display is offered in tandem with a Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder to make sure you see everything in frame before snapping away. Resolution: 42.3MP | Sensor Type: Full-frame | Max ISO: 102,400 | Optical Zoom: 1x | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC One area where the Olympus does fall with its budget listing is battery life. At 310 photos, it’s short, but the partnership of image quality and budget pricing means a (separately purchased) secondary battery isn’t out of the question. Beyond battery, the Olympus helps view captured photos and peruse the menu on a three-inch LCD display that flips out to the side and rotates 270 degrees in total. The interactive electronic viewfinder offers complete control at eye level for capturing day or night shots whether you’re in the studio or on a mountaintop. Throw in Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a smartphone or computer and the result is a fantastic budget-friendly shooter that makes an excellent camera, especially if you’re into landscape and portrait image capture. Resolution: 16.1MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: 100-25,600 | Optical Zoom: N/A | Connectivity: Wi-Fi The Nikon D850 is designed with a backside touchscreen illuminated full-frame image sensor with no optical low-pass filter. The heavyweight camera uses 45.7 megapixels for extreme resolution quality and superior dynamic range for far distance shots, never skipping on quality. It’s able to capture nine frames per second with full resolution without any decline in image resolutions either. You’ll be able to record 4K Ultra HD videos, as well as an 8K time lapse using an interval timer. There’s also a slow motion capture up to 120 FPS at a full 1080p resolution. Resolution: 45.7MP | Sensor Type: full-frame BSI | Max ISO: 32-102,400 | Optical Zoom: 1x | Connectivity: Wi-Fi. NFC, Bluetooth 4.1 LE Canon designed the Mark IV to be tough and, while it’s ergonomically comfortable and lightweight for a full-frame camera at 1.8 pounds, the addition of weather sealing makes it suitable for the elements. Additionally, Canon added 4K video resolution at 30 fps with a super easy-to-use interface and a quick method for grabbing 8.8-megapixel single images from your video footage. Throw in ISO range from 100-32000 with 50-102400 expansion and it’s easy to see why the Mark IV is a full-frame photographers dream. Rounding out the feature set is a 3.2-inch fixed-position LCD touchscreen that allows you to thumb through the menus and select options, as well as swipe through images and pinch-to-zoom, which feels right at home due to the smartphone world. Resolution: 30.4MP | Sensor Type: full-frame | Max ISO: 50-102,400 | Optical Zoom: N/A | Connectivity: Wi-Fi. NFC, Bluetooth 4.1 LE There’s a little bit of a learning curve with the Pentax, but once you get a hold of the camera’s feature set, it’s a dream come true for landscape shots. It might be easy to sum up the Pentax as an oversized DSLR with a larger sensor, but at 3.42 pounds you’re going to know when you’re holding the Pentax. But despite its hefty weight, it’s ergonomically designed to be both comfortable and at the ready on a moment’s notice. The tiltable 3.2-inch LCD monitor is perfect to preview images right after capture. There are 27 autofocus points to help track a subject with manual focus equally as viable with the bright viewfinder. Ultimately, the Pentax comes down to image quality and it is incredible. Photography is colorful and full of life, with dynamic range (up to ISO 204,800) that can be stretched to the limit. Full HD video capture at up to 60fps is outstanding and as vibrant as one could imagine with such a high-resolution shooter. So if you’re looking to capture and print at the highest detail, the 645Z is calling your name (and wallet). Resolution: 51.4MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: 50-204,800 | Optical Zoom: 1x | Connectivity: N/A The big selling point here is the 45.7-megapixel sensor. Performance is impressive, matching the Nikon D850, if not surpassing it. It excels at color, detail capture, and ISO performance. Video quality is solid with the Z7 being capable of capturing 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. There’s an in-body image stabilization system that makes it easier to shoot handheld in stationary settings. The continuous autofocus performance stands out as a particular bright spot in its ability to keep a moving subject in focus. All of this adds up to a fantastic camera that can take beautiful photos. It’s expensive, but it’s buoyed by its many features and capabilities in a relatively compact body. Resolution: 45.7MP | Sensor Type: full-frame mirrorless | Max ISO: 64-25,600 | Optical Zoom: N/A | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Jonno Hill is a professional photographer and videographer who studied design, motion graphics, and video production in college. He’s previously been published in PCMag.com.
What to Look for in a Large Resolution Camera
Compatibility
When you buy an interchangeable lens camera, the manufacturer is essentially locking you into its hardware ecosystem—so don’t take this decision lightly. For example, Nikon lenses can’t be used on Canon cameras and vice versa. If you already own an array of hardware from one brand, your best bet may be sticking to it.
Design
While most DSLR cameras look largely the same, there are small nuances in their shape and button layout that can make or break your shooting experience. If possible, hold the camera in your hands and play around with different settings to make sure it’s comfortable to shoot with. Generally, if you’re looking for a portable body you don’t want to get a camera that’s much heavier than three pounds. You also need to consider the weight of lenses and accessories since all of those things can add to bulk. A mirrorless camera is a nice option since they tend ot be less bulky than DSLRs.
Price
Any photographer knows that between the cameras, lenses, and peripherals, photography can be an expensive hobby. Luckily, there are still plenty of reasonably priced camera options on the market. However, a cheaper price tag often comes with compromises, like a smaller image sensor or lack of 4K video. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to prioritize which features are important to you as you’ll likely need to make some sacrifices. High-end cameras will run you upwards of $2,000, while more budget options can be found for under $1,000, though there’s significant compromises in quality the lower you go.
