The Best Full-Frame Cameras for 2024

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II gets plenty of mileage from its 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor. Picture quality is excellent, even at higher ISOs, and the autofocus system rarely misses its target thanks to smart subject detection for people, animals, and vehicles. For video, 4K60 recording is available using the full width of the sensor and 10-bit color sampling. As you might expect from an enthusiast model, the R6 Mark II uses tough magnesium alloy components and can survive both dust and splashes.

Canon's EOS R mirrorless system is one of our favorites, and the midrange EOS R6 Mark II is an appropriate model for both stills and video. It's an especially good pick if you're a wildlife or sports photographer who wants quick bursts—the mechanical shutter does 12fps and the e-shutter manages 40fps—but doesn't have the funds for an R3. Meanwhile, if you care more about video, the 10-bit C-Log3 option is a treat.

The Nikon Z 8 is a do-it-all mirrorless camera that focuses and fires with incredible speed (20fps for Raw, 30fps for JPG). Its 45MP Stacked CMOS sensor reads out quickly enough to freeze motion and supports interruption-free capture thanks to the fully electronic shutter and large, quality EVF. 3D Tracking autofocus is on board from the Z 9, as are plenty of high-end video capabilities, such as 8K Raw and 4K ProRes recording to CFe memory.

The Z 8 is a worthy choice for pros and hobbyists across every discipline. Its high-pixel sensor has the resolution and dynamic range necessary for landscape and architecture, its autofocus system and burst speed are suitable for sports and wildlife, and its full-frame format can blur out backgrounds for portraits. Excellent video format support and effective, 5-axis stabilization should also please video creators.

If you're shopping for a full-frame value, it's tough to argue against the Panasonic Lumix S5. The camera doesn't have the most earth-shattering spec list, but a stabilized 24MP sensor with 96MP multi-shot, 10-bit 4K60 video, and smart ergonomics and controls make the S5 a compelling starter camera. It's backed by a growing library of L-mount lenses from Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma, so you've got options for glass. The downside is autofocus—the S5 tops out at 7fps tracking. As such, the Canon R6 Mark II and Sony a7 IV are better options for action photography.

Creators who snap both pictures and record video, vloggers who need a dual-purpose camera body, and family photogs who want a better-than-smartphone experience to fill out photo albums and carry on vacation should all look at the S5. We especially like its bundled 20-60mm zoom for beginners; its extra-wide 20mm starting angle offers an advantage for landscapes and interiors compared with typical kit zooms that start at 24mm or 28mm.

The Sony a7R V features a 60MP full-frame sensor that should appeal to photographers who love pixel-rich files. The sensor is the same as in the previous-generation a7R IV, but faster processors and an all-new autofocus system offer considerable improvements in speed and subject recognition. For video, you can pick between 8K30 or 4K60 recording. As a pro camera, the a7R V has a magnesium frame and weather protection, so it's just as usable in the field as it is in the studio.

We recommend the a7R V for people who care most about pixel count. It's a versatile camera that's good for everything from archival work (it has a 240MP multi-shot mode) to wildlife and action photography (it offers a 10fps drive and AI-trained subject recognition). It's not as strong a contender for video, however; lower-pixel cameras like the a7 IV or Panasonic S5 II are better choices for that pursuit.

You can use almost any camera (or a decent smartphone) to record video for your vlog channel, but production values suffer if you stick to in-camera audio and don't have a camera operator to change angles during takes. The ZV-E1 solves both those problems for solo creators thanks to its crisp, three-capsule stereo mic and various AI-powered pan and zoom assists. A front-facing screen and 5-axis sensor stabilization round out the package.

The ZV-E1 should appeal to vloggers and other videomakers who work without the benefit of a film crew. It's loaded with features for expert-level creators but also makes it easy for beginners to get dynamic video. A Background Defocus button that swaps to a shallow look and a Product Showcase focus mode that's ideal for product reviews are both invaluable for the latter group.

The Nikon Z 9 is one of the biggest mirrorless cameras around, but that's part of its appeal. As the spiritual successor to the D6 SLR, it targets photographers who prefer a body style with an integrated grip; this makes the camera more comfortable in a vertical orientation and provides space for an extra-large battery. Among its impressive tech features are a Stacked BSI CMOS sensor with 45MP resolution, 30fps focus with 3D Tracking and subject recognition, and up to 8K video with N-Raw encoding.

The Z 9 is a speed demon for working photographers. It offers 5-axis IBIS, a fully electronic shutter with flash support, and best-in-class durability. Event pros should appreciate its extensive battery life and reliable autofocus, while wildlife specialists who rely on large telephoto lenses can get a secure grasp thanks to the oversized body style.

There's no other camera quite like the Leica M11 Monochrom. For one, the German-made full-framer is a rangefinder. It uses an optical viewfinder and requires manual focus. And then there's the sensor: The 60MP BSI CMOS imager sees the world in black and white, not color. We love that the M series aesthetics haven't changed dramatically since the 1950s, as well. We just wish it didn't cost so much.

The M11 Monochrom is a splurge for sure. But if you can manage it and have ever enjoyed debating the merits of Kodak Tri-X versus Ilford HP5, this is the camera for you. If you prefer a rangefinder that snaps color photos, Leica's M11 is available for a few dollars less, at $8,995.

The EOS R8 is the next step up from Canon's lowest-priced full-frame camera, the EOS RP, but it's worth the extra money. The R8's autofocus system is smarter with subject recognition for people, pets, wildlife, and vehicles, and its video toolkit is more capable. Automatic operation is available for beginners, while manual modes should appeal to those with more experience. The RP is also compatible with some of the same accessories and lenses (via an adapter) from Canon SLRs, too. It's a capable camera for its reasonable price.

The EOS R8 is a good choice for photographers who want to get a full-frame camera, but don't mind missing out on some high-end features such as a focus joystick control and sensor stabilization. It's therefore less appealing as a dedicated sports and wildlife camera than the R6 Mark II, but it's perfectly suitable for snapshots, travel photography, portraits, and landscapes. If you're on the Nikon side of the fence, the Z 5 targets a similar audience.

The Sony a7C II mirrorless camera isn't any bigger than the APS-C a6700 but includes a 35mm format sensor with stabilization. It uses the same 33MP BSI CMOS chip in the a7 IV, just with a newer autofocus system that recognizes all types of subjects, including birds, cars, insects, and people. Lens selection is a positive, too: The 28-60mm kit lens is small and Sony sells a series of tiny f/2.5 primes as well as a few svelte f/2.8 zooms to round out your options.

If you want to pack light without sacrificing picture quality, autofocus acumen, or battery life, the a7C II is an obvious choice. It works well for travel, has dust and splash protection for hikes and other outdoor activities, and even manages to work a small, but capable, electronic viewfinder into its design.

The Sony a9 III features a groundbreaking 24MP Stacked BSI CMOS sensor with a global readout that exposes every pixel at once, rather than sequentially. As such, the a9 III is one of the best cameras you can get for freezing action. Sports and wildlife specialists can freeze motion more nimbly than with other electronic-shutter cameras, while 120fps Raw capture with bulletproof autofocus tracking means the camera doesn't miss many shots. Simply, it's one of the fastest, most responsive cameras we've ever tested.

The a9 III is just for the pros. If you make your living capturing images of competitive sports or spend all of your weekends chasing down photos of wildlife, this one is for you. The a9 III loses some points on versatility, since its relatively high starting ISO limits dynamic range compared with competitors. It's not a perfect camera for every application, but it's a top choice for any sort of action.