The Best Full-Frame Cameras for 2024

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

If you want a digital camera that's capable of professional results, go for a full-frame model. These cameras use image sensors that are as big as a 35mm film frame for pictures with wider dynamic range, lower noise, and blurrier backgrounds than you can get from cams with smaller sensors. Full-frame cameras run the gamut on features and pricing, however, so you may have a hard time picking between a quality entry-level option like the Canon EOS R8 or a more feature-rich model like the Nikon Z6III. Our reviews are here to help you choose, and you can trust our expertise as we've been covering full-frame cameras for more than a decade. Whether you're shopping for a basic or advanced camera or one that's best suited for stills, video, or a mix of both, we've got you covered with our expert buying advice.

Should You Get a Mirrorless Body, an SLR, or Something Else?

Choosing the right full-frame model for you isn't the easiest prospect. You need to decide if you want to go with an SLR or mirrorless model—or to buck expectations and opt for a rangefinder or fixed-lens camera instead.

We recommend mirrorless cameras most strongly since they've long overtaken SLRs in autofocus performance and provide access to the latest lenses. You can enjoy wider autofocus coverage, faster burst rates, and much better video than with a traditional optical viewfinder model. If you're not ready to move on, you can still get an excellent SLR from Canon, Nikon, or Pentax, though you miss out on the latest focus and video features and might have to turn to the used market for lenses.

If you're thinking about moving to mirrorless from an SLR, look to an adapter to take your existing lenses. Canon and Nikon both offer adapters for their respective systems, while other accessories, such as flashes, often work without add-ons.

The advantages of mirrorless systems are numerous. They use fewer moving parts, for instance, and engineers can put the autofocus system directly on the sensor. As a result, you never need to make focus calibration adjustments, and focus points can extend to the edge of the frame. Photographers used to optical viewfinders might require an adjustment period, but an electronic viewfinder (EVF) makes it easier to judge exposure settings than ever before.

Video is the other arena in which mirrorless cameras outpace most competing SLRs. On-sensor focus systems mean that cameras can keep up with moving subjects when you record movies. Recent models even support intelligent subject recognition so they can focus perfectly on eyes for portraits or keep track of a bird hopping from branch to branch. Most full-frame cameras include in-body image stabilization (IBIS), so you can get steady handheld video and use longer exposure times for photos without packing a tripod.

It's still easy to take great photos with SLRs, even if they don't offer as many advanced features as mirrorless rivals. Professionals with years of muscle memory might find that familiar ergonomics trump technical advantages. Others might simply prefer an old-school optical viewfinder.

And there's the road less traveled. There are cameras with full-frame sensors, like the Leica M11 rangefinder, which is a purely manual focus camera with an optical viewfinder and absolutely no video support.

There are even a few cameras available with 24-by-36mm sensors and fixed lenses. The Leica Q3 and Q2 Monochrom, along with the Sony RX1R II, represent the current crop.

What Are Your Full-Frame System Options?

Fixed-lens outliers aside, most photographers who buy a full-frame camera will end up with an interchangeable-lens model. And before you settle in on a particular camera, you should make sure it's part of a system that meets all of the challenges you face as a photographer.

Canon has two full-frame systems available. Its well-established SLR series uses the EF lens mount and offers cameras ranging from entry-level to professional. In 2018, it added the EOS R mirrorless family, which uses the RF mount but can also use EF lenses via an inexpensive adapter. All of Canon's development efforts are now behind RF and we don't expect any more EF lens or camera releases going forward.

In addition to its iconic M rangefinder series, Leica launched a mirrorless system in 2015 with the SL camera. It lived in its niche for a few years, but that changed at the 2018 Photokina conference. Leica announced that Panasonic and Sigma were joining it to form the L-Mount Alliance. The trio has put together an interesting mix of cameras. Panasonic has video-tuned options with consumer-friendly prices, Leica makes luxury-priced options, and Sigma covers the quirky side of the market with its fp line.

Like Canon, Nikon has two full-frame systems. You can opt for an SLR, which uses the F-mount, and the mirrorless Z-mount system, which launched in 2018. Nikon has been concentrating on making new Z cameras and lenses since the introduction of the line. Its last SLR of note was 2020's D780, and we don't expect to see any more Nikon SLRs going forward. The Z camera line is the future and includes models like the entry-level Z 5, retro Z f, high-resolution Z 7 II, and high-end Z 8 and Z 9.

Pentax is an iconic SLR brand but doesn't give owners much choice when it comes to full-frame cameras. It has released two—the K-1 and K-1 Mark II—and the Mark II's upgrades are minimal. Both use a 36MP sensor, include weather protection, and offer in-body stabilization.

Sony cameras are all mirrorless these days. Its full-frame and APS-C lines share the same E lens system and work with A-mount lenses from its retired SLR system via an adapter. The mirrorless system is one of the most popular and fully developed. After more than a decade in the market, the company has delivered models tuned for high-speed action, high-resolution capture, and high-quality video. There are loads of lenses available, both first- and third-party, and Sony continues to sell older models at lower prices, thus broadening the appeal for entry-level buyers.

Get the Right Camera

It's easy to buy a full-frame camera—you just need a credit card. It's getting the right one that can be tricky. Once you've settled on the right system, make sure the model you choose meets your needs. Photographers interested in action should look for one with great autofocus and a fast burst rate, while fine art and landscape specialists should seek out a high-resolution model with extreme dynamic range.

You can take a look at our latest reviews to see what's just come to market. We also have some tips for enthusiasts who want to get more out of their cameras and guides with instructions on getting great shots of fireworks and lightning.