6 best DSLR cameras..
1. Pentax K-1
The Pentax K-1 doesn’t have the highest resolution of all the cameras in our round-up, but is an excellent all-rounder and very competitively priced for a full-frame camera.
The sensor offers a 36.4MP resolution, which is easily big enough to create A2-sized prints, as well as enjoying the other benefits of cameras with high pixel counts. And, like most of the other contenders here, the K-1 is free from an optical low-pass filter to maintain maximum image clarity and sharpness. If you want to capture smaller resolution files to save space on your memory cards, you can set the K-1 to shoot in the 15MP APS-C Crop Mode. Built into the sensor is Pentax’s 5-axis Shake Reduction II mechanism, so you can shoot up to 5 stops slower without encountering camera shake.
ISO & autofocus
Partnering the sensor is a PRIME IV processor, and this lets the K-1 shoot up to 4.4fps for 70 JPEGs or 17 RAW files. This burst rate is only fractionally behind the pace of the Canon, Nikon and Sony offerings. The processor also allows for an ISO range of 100-204,800, which matches the one medium-format camera in our round-up, the Pentax 645Z. To set the focus, the K-1 employs the SAFOX 12 AF system, which uses 33 points, 25 of them being the superior cross-type AF sensors.
Partnering the sensor is a PRIME IV processor, and this lets the K-1 shoot up to 4.4fps for 70 JPEGs or 17 RAW files. This burst rate is only fractionally behind the pace of the Canon, Nikon and Sony offerings. The processor also allows for an ISO range of 100-204,800, which matches the one medium-format camera in our round-up, the Pentax 645Z. To set the focus, the K-1 employs the SAFOX 12 AF system, which uses 33 points, 25 of them being the superior cross-type AF sensors.
The K-1 also lets you shoot movies, and you can record Full HD (1080p at 60fps), but there’s no 4K video capability. There is Wi-Fi though, so you can connect with your smartphone or tablet for remote operation or easy transfer of images. The built-in GPS isn’t just for location data, but works with the sensor’s stabilisation unit to follow the movements of the stars in the sky, allowing for longer and more detailed exposures of the heavens.
Additional features
The body is comfortable in the hand, rugged and weatherproof, making it ideal for all types of environment. On the rear there’s a 3.2in 1037k-dot LCD which tilts away from the body, to help with more challenging compositions. All this is available for just £1599, making it a very tempting option for anyone that’s not already invested in a rival system.
Additional features
The body is comfortable in the hand, rugged and weatherproof, making it ideal for all types of environment. On the rear there’s a 3.2in 1037k-dot LCD which tilts away from the body, to help with more challenging compositions. All this is available for just £1599, making it a very tempting option for anyone that’s not already invested in a rival system.
Pros
36.4MP full-frame sensor
Impressive native ISO range
Attractive price
36.4MP full-frame sensor
Impressive native ISO range
Attractive price
Cons
Slower frame rate than rivals
No 4K video functionality
Slower frame rate than rivals
No 4K video functionality
2. Sony Alpha 7R II
If you want a big resolution, but are put off by a heavy and bulky DSLR, then you should certainly consider the Sony Alpha 7R II. It’s a CSC so is slim by nature, with a profile measuring 127x96x60mm and weighs just 582g.
If you want a big resolution, but are put off by a heavy and bulky DSLR, then you should certainly consider the Sony Alpha 7R II. It’s a CSC so is slim by nature, with a profile measuring 127x96x60mm and weighs just 582g.
ISO & autofocus
The imaging chip is supported by the BIONZ X image processor, and this gives the Alpha 7R II a native ISO range of 100-25,600, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102,400. The processor also provides the speed, and like both the Nikon and Canon contenders the top shooting rate is capped to a respectable 5fps.
The imaging chip is supported by the BIONZ X image processor, and this gives the Alpha 7R II a native ISO range of 100-25,600, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102,400. The processor also provides the speed, and like both the Nikon and Canon contenders the top shooting rate is capped to a respectable 5fps.
Additional features
As the Alpha 7R II uses either the EVF or Live View to frame up it’s fairly power hungry, so you may need a spare battery, as it’s only set to last for 290 shots from a single charge.
Despite being reasonably petite, the Alpha 7R II is extremely solid, and has a rugged feel thanks to the magnesium alloy design. It offers some unique features and is competitively priced at £2599. While there are comparatively few lenses available for Sony full-frame CSCs, it is possible to use Canon or Nikon lenses with the aid of a converter.
As the Alpha 7R II uses either the EVF or Live View to frame up it’s fairly power hungry, so you may need a spare battery, as it’s only set to last for 290 shots from a single charge.
Despite being reasonably petite, the Alpha 7R II is extremely solid, and has a rugged feel thanks to the magnesium alloy design. It offers some unique features and is competitively priced at £2599. While there are comparatively few lenses available for Sony full-frame CSCs, it is possible to use Canon or Nikon lenses with the aid of a converter.
Pros
42.4MP full-frame sensor
5-axis image stabilisation
4K video
Cons
Poor battery performance
No tilt or touchscreen
42.4MP full-frame sensor
5-axis image stabilisation
4K video
Cons
Poor battery performance
No tilt or touchscreen
3 Canon EOS-1DX Mark II
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is a professional 20.2 Mega Pixel DSLR camera with CMOS Sensor and Canon's Dual DIGIC 6 image processor. It is light and durable and is made of a magnesium alloy with sealed flaps, making it dust and water resistant. The Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus system unique to EOS allows AF to be carried out quickly and smoothly during Live View shooting and is further enhanced by the ability to control AF using the touch panel LCD screen. The greatly expanded Auto Focus detection area—up to 61 points at f/8 — promises high AF performance that will please photographers who hope to get even closer to their subjects with the use of extenders. The camera supports 4K movie shooting up to 60p/50p and the footage produced is of extreme smoothness and high definition. Option for shooting for a 120fps video mode for slow-motion video is also available.
The Frame Grab function in Canon EOS-1D X Mark II allows a single frame of approximately 8.8 megapixels to be extracted during playback of a 4K movie and saved as a JPEG image. The mirror in the camera gets a new drive mechanism which enables 14fps burst mode with AF tracking and 16fps in Live View. It also has abundant writing speed to support the large amount of data generated, thanks to the Dual DIGIC 6+ processors and compatibility with CFast 2.0. It features a 3.2 inch LCD touchscreen display and has a built-in monaural microphone. It sports a USB 3.0 digital terminal for fast transfer to PCs and printers and has a built-in GPS with the option for adding a Wi-Fi transmitter.
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II Specification
CONNECTIVITY
USB
HDMI
SENSOR
Effective pixels
Sensor size
Processor
Sensor type
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES
Minimum shutter speed
Maximum shutter speed
Metering modes
Exposure compensation
VIDEOGRAPHY FEATURES
Format
Resolutions
IMAGE
OPTICS & FOCUS
Number of focus points
Autofocus
Manual focus
Lens mount
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER
Screen size
Screen dots
Screen type
Viewfinder type
Viewfinder coverage
Viewfinder magnification
Touch screen
PHYSICAL
Battery description
Weight (inc. batteries)
Dimensions
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