But, once you seriously start considering the options, it can get hugely confusing. It is not just the number of brands that can confuse you, you also need to know the types of cameras that are available so that you can buy one which suits your needs the most. This year will witness the launch of some the best cameras ever with improvised cutting-edge technology. If you are reading this, it is likely that you are looking to invest in a good camera for yourself. So, what exactly should you be looking while buying a camera? In addition to the budget, there are numerous other factors which should be taken into consideration to decide which camera is best suited for your needs. Will you be capturing beautiful wildlife or shooting videos of people? Do you plan to travel a lot with your camera? Phew, you really do have to think about what you are putting your hard earned money into. Today, we will talk about the best mirrorless, half frame and full frame cameras available in the market and we hope that you it will help to choose just the right camera for you.
Mirrorless cameras
What is a mirrorless camera?
As the name suggest, mirrorless cameras neither have a mirror nor an optical viewfinder. The images can be previewed on the Electronic View Finder or the rear LCD screen. The word ‘mirrorless’ could be confusing for many. Mirrorless cameras are interchangeable lens cameras.
Why is a mirrorless camera better than a DSLR?
One of the biggest advantages of mirrorless cameras are that they are compact in comparison to DSLRs. But, at the same time, mirrorless cameras have a smaller selection of lenses that they can be used with. But they are better for capturing videos. They can easily rival DSLRs as far as their image quality is concerned. They are more versatile and a better option to carry while travelling.
To understand mirrorless cameras better, lets have a look at their pros and cons.
What are the pros of a mirrorless camera?
Mirrorless cameras are portable and lightThey have electronic viewfindersThe size of a mirrorless camera is smaller compared to DSLRs
What are the cons of a mirrorless camera?
Limited to brand specific lenses In conditions where the camera needs to focus on a fast moving object, mirrorless cameras do not match DSLRs
What are the top three mirrorless cameras available in the market?
1. Fujifilm X-T4
This camera has some of the best modern features with an integration of classic design as well. It has complete articulating monitor and it is great for click pictures and capturing videos as well. It is great for clicking pictures and shooting videos. It has got 4th Gen X-Trans CMOS 4sensor. It also has IBIS which is In-Built Image Stabilisation system. It also has ETERNA bleach bypass mode which basically creates the effect of the traditional bleach bypass processing technique of the film. This camera boasts of the shortest time for autofocus which is .02 seconds. It also has mechanical shutter which can click up to 15fps. The performance of autofocus is best on the market. It does have some interesting features.
2. Sony A7R IV
This camera could be great buy for both hobbyists and professionals. It lets you crop pictures without compromising on the picture quality. The body is quite similar to the rest of Sony mirrorless cameras. Some of the high end impressive features of this camera include a 61 MP FULL frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor. It also has a 567 point phase detection AF system UHD 4K 30p video.
3. Sony Alpha a7S
Considered the answer to any upgraded camera, the Sony Alpha a7S works great in low light conditions and is powered by BIONZ X sensor. It has a 12.2 megapixels full frame Exmor CMOS sensor and a 5 axis image stabilisation feature. The camera has an enhanced high speed AF. Its phenomenal high sensitivity of ISO 409,6002 makes it an exceptional choice for low light and low noise operations. You can shoot 4K in the 35mm format.
Also Read: 5 CAMERA PHONES FOR NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Half-frame cameras
What is a half-frame camera?
As the name suggests, half frame cameras utilise partial exposure format of a film. The size of the sensor in a half frame camera is also the half size of full frame camera. They are also called split frame or single frame cameras.
What are the pros and cons of half-frame cameras?
Pros:
They can produce double the images than a full frame camera.Since the pictures come out in portrait format, there is not need to turn the camera sideways.Because of the format of the film, the proportion sizes are easily managed as compared to full frame cameras.
Cons:
Printing the half frame prints can be a challenge as most people do not have the right equipment to process half frame prints.
What are the top three half frame cameras available in the market today?
Canon Demi EE17: This camera has a 30mm lens. The ISO is 25-400 and it weighs around 440g.Fujica Half: Its lens is 28mm. The ISO is 12-200 and the weight of this half frame camera is 440g.Olympus Pen EE-3 35 mm camera with a F/3.5 lens.
Full-frame cameras
What is a full-frame camera?
A full-frame digital camera gets the name from the fact that it uses a sensor equal to the size of a 36x 24 mm film. Such full frame sensors are now found in the professional DSLRs as well. Full-frame cameras also offer lens interchangeability, which entices professionals and amateurs alike. Full frame cameras offer high resolution and because of a large sized sensor, they have great light capturing capabilities. Before you think about upgrading to a full frame, you may want to analyse various factors like the price point of the camera as well as the lenses that you may have to invest in and also if your photography style demands a full frame camera. If you want to create beautiful imagery, a full frame camera might be just what you are looking for. Full frame cameras give the photographer excellent shallow depth field control.
What are the pros and cons of full-frame cameras?
Pros:
One of the biggest advantages of full frame cameras is that the image quality is not compromised due to the crop. They give better control of field depth.
Cons:
They are definitely more expensive.Since they are more bulky, they are hard to carry around.They are not designed to fully use lenses meant for cropped sensors.
What are the top three full-frame cameras available in the market?
1. Nikon Z6
The body of this camera is lightweight and it is mirrorless. It comes with 273-point AF autofocus. The screen size is 3 inches. Read more about this camera here.
2. Sony Alpha A7 III
The screen size is 3 inch and the autofocus is 693-point. It’s maximum continuous shooting speed is 10fps. It has got a full frame CMOS sensor. It comes with 710 shot battery life. In case you want to check out this camera, here is the link:- Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera (with 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens).
3. Canon EOS 80D
This camera performs exceptionally well in low light. It has 4 AF area selection modes. This camera possesses an intelligent viewfinder which displays all the settings together. The dual pixel CMOS AF makes video shooting easy and natural. The movements of the subject are easily tracked. It also comes with a Variety-angle touchscreen LCD. The LCD can be rotate for 270 degrees vertically and 175 degrees horizontally.
Read a review: SONY ALPHA 7R II FEATURES MIRROR-LESS CAMERA AND INTERCHANGABLE LENS
It is safe to say that cameras have been and will be instrumental in keeping our memories with us. As more and more pictures are getting clicked by the second, people now want to explore better options with which they can click their pictures and create memories to be cherished forever. Now, up until like a few decades ago, we no longer have to wait for our pictures. Everything is instantaneous. So, whether you are just a beginner or a pro, the right camera can do wonders for your craft. Choose your type and make magic with your pictures!
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