The best full-frame mirrorless camera in 2026: The biggest sensors and best tech that Canon, Sony, Nikon and Panasonic have to offer!

Canon EOS R5 Mark II being held out in front of a photographer's face, outdoors
(Image credit: James Artaius)

Choosing the best full-frame mirrorless camera is a really tough job. As someone who has tested and reviewed the latest full-frame cameras from all the major brands, I can safely say that the field has never been more competitive. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic – all of them are duking it out and producing cameras that truly feel like the tech of the future.

All of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras from all the brands are built around the same thing – a 35mm sensor at their heart. Nowadays, they also all pack the core features you'll want, such as subject-detection autofocus and video that's at least 4K resolution, often considerably more. So how on earth do you choose the right one?

Here, I've broken them down by category, to help you find the full-frame camera for your specific needs. There are options for beginners, options for travel, options for wildlife – I think this is a comprehensive overview of the absolute best of the full-frame mirrorless market right now. Which one's right for you? There's only one way to find out – read on!

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James Artaius using Canon R6 Mark II
James Artaius

I've been using mirrorless cameras since 2014, and I've used the best (and worst!) full frame bodies from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Leica and Panasonic over the years, both for personal projects and professional commissions. So my recommendations come from extensive field testing – and customer satisfaction!

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Best full-frame mirrorless cameras

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Best full-frame mirrorless for beginners

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan)
The best full frame mirrorless camera for beginners

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 24.2MP
Lens mount: Canon RF
Screen: 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,620k dots
Viewfinder: 0.39-inch OLED EVF, 2,360k dots, 120fps
Continuous shooting speed: 6fps mechanical shutter, 40fps electronic shutter
Max video resolution: 4K 60p (6K oversampled)
Dimensions: 133 x 86 x 70mm
Weight: 461g

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic autofocus
+
Blistering 40fps burst shooting

Reasons to avoid

-
No stabilization
-
No joystick or scroll wheel
Buy it if:

✅ You're new to photography: Its value to performance is unquestionable, and perfect for beginners just starting out.

✅ You want fast FPS: Taking images at 40 frames per second is incredibly fast for an entry-level camera.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want IBIS: Entry-level cameras are built to a cost and the R8's cost is the omission of stabilization – so make sure you hold your camera and lens steady!

❌ You’re on a tight budget: Considering it's over a grand it's still quite a push for those new to photography to stomach

I still can't believe the incredible value presented by the EOS R8. Moreover, I can't believe the performance offered by this entry-level full-frame camera – it's essentially a baby R6 Mark II without the IBIS, second card slot, and ergonomics.

You get a lot of bang for your buck here. The 24.2MP sensor delivers great image quality, with Canon's celebrated color science. It's powered by the flagship-grade Dual Pixel AF II, which is the best autofocus system I've ever used. Between this, and the unbelievable 40fps continuous shooting, the R8 can be used for sports and wildlife – not something that many beginner cameras can boast!

It's a beast for video, too, with 4K 60p that's oversampled from 6K, along with FullHD at up to 180p, with options including 10-bit 4:2:2 and Log mode, and your video will benefit from the fully articulating touchscreen (again, not offered by many full frame cameras – let alone beginner bodies!).

It's got everything someone starting out could ask for with the exception of in-body image stabilization – something that I personally miss when using this camera, but there are a bunch of stabilized Canon RF lenses (ditto EF lenses, which are more affordable and can be used with an adapter). And the teacher in me might actually advise beginners not to use stabilization, to teach better camera craft!

Read more: Canon EOS R8 review

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Features

Very well-specced for an entry-level camera – though lacks IBIS.

★★★★

Design

Superb Canon ergonomics and design, albeit missing a second card slot.

★★★★

Performance

Superb images, excellent autofocus, 40fps burst and no slouch for video!

★★★★½

Value

You get a lot of high-level features at an entry-level price.

★★★★½

Best full-frame mirrorless for video

(Image credit: Jon Devo)
The best full frame mirrorless camera for video

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 24.2MP
Lens mount: L-Mount
Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84m dots
Viewfinder: EVF, 3.68m dots
Continuous shooting speed: 30fps (electronic shutter)
Max video resolution: 6K (Full-sensor readout)/29.97/25/24/23.98p
Dimensions: 134 x 102 x 90mm
Weight: 740g

Reasons to buy

+
Truly superb video performance
+
Records to an external SSD

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks a tally light
-
No 8K video
Buy it if:

✅ You shoot video: With open-gate 6K 30p, ProRes RAW and B-RAW, 4:2:2 10-bit, LongGOP, SSD recording and more, this is a videographer's dream.

✅ You rely on stabilization: When you don't have a gimbal, the incredible in-body image stabilization (up to 6.5 stops) outperforms even higher-specced competition.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You shoot a lot of texture: The camera omits a low-pass filter, which is great for fine detail – but can invite the moiré effect sometimes caused by patterns such as fabric.

❌ You rely on a tally light: A rare miss for the otherwise excellent video features is the lack of a tally light, to indicate when the camera is recording.

Let me get this out of the way first: the Lumix S1RII (which is my pick for best hybrid camera) is technically better for video. But unless you genuinely need 8K and internal ProRes 5.8K RAW HQ, you get just about everything else on the S5IIX – and unlike the S1RII, you don't have to worry about overheating.

HDMI RAW output, Apple ProRes RAW, Blackmagic B-RAW, 10-bit 4:2:2, All-I, LongGOP, live streaming, open gate video, SSD recording, 6.5 stops of in-body image stabilization… this is simply a videographer's dream, whether you're a serious content creator or a dedicated filmmaker.

Aside from 8K video, which I still don't think most people really need, the only thing that's really missing here is a tally light. Otherwise, the the S5IIX has everything you could ask for when it comes to video.

It wouldn't be my first choice as a stills camera, but I do love that it offers a 30fps electronic shutter (with a healthy 200-frame RAW+JPEG buffer) and a 96MP High Resolution Mode, to capture supersize photos via pixel-shift.

Read more: Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX review

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Features

Stuffed with video options, and benefiting from excellent stabilization.

★★★★½

Design

Great handling and ergonomics – though I question the lack of a tally light.

★★★★

Performance

Delivers excellent video in a range of situations – and you likely won't miss 8K.

★★★★★

Value

Was good value on release, and the price has come down since.

★★★★½

Best full-frame mirrorless all-rounder

Canon EOS R6 Mark III on a wooden surface

(Image credit: James Artaius)
The best full-frame mirrorless all-rounder

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 32.5MP
Lens mount: Canon RF
Screen: 3-inch, 1.62m dot, vari-angle touchscreen
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 3.69m dots
Continuous shooting speed: 40fps (electronic shutter)
Max video resolution: Open-gate 7K 30p
Dimensions: 138.4 x 98.4 x 88.4mm
Weight: 699g

Reasons to buy

+
7K 30p open gate
+
40fps stills with pre-capture
+
8.5 stops image stabilization

Reasons to avoid

-
No active cooling system
-
ISO ceiling lower than Mark II
Buy it if:

✅ You need a camera that's a high-end Swiss Army knife: The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is a fast, high-quality and versatile camera that can meet basically any shooting scenario, in photography or video.

You want to capture ultra-fast action: With 40fps burst mode via the electronic shutter, a big buffer and 20 frames of pre-continuous shooting, this camera meets the standard of action specialists.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want a true video specialist: The Canon EOS C50 bears a lot of similarity to the EOS R6 Mark III, and includes video-centric features such as dual-base ISO and active cooling.

You want extreme high ISO performance: The EOS R6 Mark III's native range tops out at 64,000, expandable to 102,400 – and there are other cameras that shoot cleaner images at high sensitivities.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is one of the most impressive full-frame mirrorless cameras I've ever used. Not because it's the best at any one thing – it's not – but because it's so good at everything, it's essentially a camera with no weaknesses. If you're someone who needs to execute photos and videos to an extremely high standard in a multitude of different shooting situations, the EOS R6 Mark III might just be the camera you've been asking for.

Equipped with a 32.5MP sensor, the EOS R6 Mark III hits a sweet spot of resolution that gives you plenty of detail without producing huge unwieldy files. Benefiting from Canon's latest hybrid autofocus, including intelligent subject recognition, it also has some really impressive speed-shooting skills. Its top burst rate with the electronic shutter is 40fps – much more than basically anyone realistically needs, in my view, but useful for specialists. And this combines with a deep shot buffer and a generous pre-capture mode to ensure you don't miss the crucial moment.

Video-wise, the EOS R6 Mark III offers a suite of options, including 7K 30p open-gate and 7K 60p internal RAW. It's a bit of a powerhouse – but it's worth being aware that dedicated video specialists like Canon's own EOS C50 offer features like dual-base ISO and active internal cooling, making them the better choice for those who are video first, stills second.

Otherwise, the Canon EOS R6 Mark III is a superb achievement – a camera that I think will have rival manufacturers scrambling to catch up. There's really not much it can't do.

Read more: Canon EOS R6 Mark III review

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Features

7K open-gate video, 40fps burst, subject-detection autofocus – it's PACKED with features.

★★★★★

Design

The excellent ergonomics will be familiar to anyone who has used Canon cameras before.

★★★★★

Performance

It's a camera that's great at everything – though video shooters may miss active cooling.

★★★★★

Value

Not quite pro-price, but much more expensive than beginner full-frame cameras.

★★★★½

Best full-frame mirrorless for landscape

(Image credit: Future)
The best full frame mirrorless camera for landscapes

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 66.8MP
Lens mount: Sony E
Screen: 3.2-inch, 3:2, 2.1-million-dot, four-axis LCD
Viewfinder: Electronic, 9.44m dots
Continuous shooting speed: 30fps electronic shutter
Max video resolution: 8K 30p
Dimensions: 132.7 x 96.9 x 82.9 mm
Weight: 713g

Reasons to buy

+
66.8MP resolution
+
270MP high-resolution mode!
+
30fps 14-bit RAW shooting

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
No open gate video
Buy it if:

✅ You need the highest resolution for professional work: This is the full-frame camera with the highest native resolution on the market, and if you need ultimate quality in your work, this is a must-have.

You want a professional hybrid camera: 8K 30p and other strong video features make this a serious option for hybrid content creators.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You won't use all those megapixels: The massive resolution is only really useful if you plan to print your work or display it on very large screens. If you just publish online, much lower resolutions will do just fine.

You are on a budget: The A7R VI is very expensive, and most creatives don't need all its powers. The A7 IV, A7 III, or A7C might be better choices.

Landscape photographers love resolution, and the 66.8MP Sony A7R VI offers the most native resolution you can get on a full-frame system – for more pixels than this, you'll have to start looking at a medium format camera. And if this somehow isn't enough for you, the resolution can be boosted to a mind-boggling 270MP, via the magic of pixel shift, to eke out even more detail in your shots. Just be aware that this isn't suitable if there's any movement in your scene, such as water or foliage.

Images produced with the A7R VI are simply exquisite – I was honestly blown away by the test shots. Not only do you get all that detail, but it also captures 16 stops of dynamic range, bolstered by Sony’s dynamic range optimizer which maximizes retained detail in highlights and shadows.

Should you want to move beyond tripods and resolution, the A7R V also offers a great autofocus system and impressive 30fps burst shooting with up-to-date subject-recognition autofocus. Video-wise, it can shoot 8K 30p, and the addition of video-centric features like dual-gain ISO make this a much more realistic option for video-first shooters than the A7R V was.

My only criticism, really, is that this is so, so much camera – and it accordingly costs so, so much. How many users out there actually need ultra-high resolution AND super-fast speeds? Some, for sure – but many can get by with one or the other. If the stratospheric price of the A7R VI is beyond your means, consider earlier entries in the A7R series, which can be picked up new or second-hand.

Read more: Sony A7R VI review

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Features

It might be the 'resolution specialist' but this camera has everything with 8K video, 30fps, and AI-powered autofocus

★★★★★

Design

Usual great Sony body design, with a deeper grip, illuminated buttons and an upgraded EVF.

★★★★★

Performance

Stills, video, sports, it does it all in astounding quality, producing enormous files.

★★★★★

Value

All this power does not come cheap, and the A7RVI is priced right up in the dedicated pro bracket

★★★★

Best full-frame mirrorless for travel

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
The best full frame mirrorless camera for travel

Specifications

Sensor: Exmor R full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 33MP
Lens mount: Sony E
Screen: 3-inch articulating touchscreen, 1,030k dots
Viewfinder: Electronic, 2.36m dots
Continuous shooting speed: 10fps
Max video resolution: 4K 60p (Super35), 4K 30p
Dimensions: 124 x 71 x 63mm
Weight: 514g

Reasons to buy

+
Advanced autofocus system
+
33MP image sensor

Reasons to avoid

-
Too small for some lenses 
-
Single memory card slot
Buy it if:

✅ You want all the power of an A7 in a compact form: If you want a big full-frame sensor, IBIS, AI AF, and all the goodies from the A7IV but in a camera that travels well, then you've found it.

You are a keen hybrid content creator: All of Sony's cameras are great hybrid cameras, and the A7C II is a great compact video camera that offers great video specs and pairs well with gimbals.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You aren't really interested in photography: If you are just a video shooter, the Sony ZV-E1 is fundamentally the same camera with some extra video features, like a built-in mic.

You want to use big lenses: You can use big lenses on the A7C II, but I wouldn't recommend it as the small body and grip is not comfortable to hold, and the balance is way off.

Other people thought it was crazy, but I loved the idea of the A7C line: to stuff a full frame camera into an APS-C chassis. That's the formula for a fantastic travel camera! And what you get with the A7C II is effectively a Sony A7 IV squished into the body of an A6XX – with all the same specs, and even a few more advanced features.

On top of the familiar tech – the 33MP sensor, 10fps shooting, (cropped) 4K 60p – you also get a dedicated AI processor that packs the latest subject-tracking autofocus modes, Auto Framing for video (which follows human subjects and crops in, like a virtual cameraman), as well as features like timelapse and focus bracketing (something I always appreciate).

However, the compromise for the smaller form factor is a smaller viewfinder with less resolution, a single memory card slot (with reduced buffer) and a slightly reduced flash sync speed. Are any of these dealbreakers for a travel camera? For me personally, no.

Without a lens, the A7C II is pocket-sized. And it's so light that it's not going to cause neckache or overload the weight of your luggage. The proviso is that I recommend using it with smaller lenses, both for the practicalities of travel and because the body is so small that bigger lenses don't handle very well.

Read more: Sony A7C II review

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Features

A bigger 33MP sensor, oversampled 4K video, IBIS and the latest AI autofocus makes this a compact powerhouse

★★★★★

Design

Very compact, but the full-frame sensor is begging to be used with big lenses which is an ergonomically poor experience

★★★

Performance

Excellent performance in photo and video, Sony's autofocus is the star of the show

★★★★★

Value

Priced below the rest of the A7 range, this is Sony's latest tech at the best value

★★★★★

Best hybrid full-frame mirrorless

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
The best hybrid full frame mirrorless camera

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
Megapixels: 44.3MP
Screen: 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 1,840k dots
Viewfinder: OLED EVF, 5,760k dots, 100% coverage
Continuous shooting speed: 9fps mechanical shutter, 40fps electronic shutter
Max video resolution: 8.1K 30p, 6.4K 30p, 4K 120p
Dimensions: 134.3 x 102.3 x 91.8mm
Weight: 795g

Reasons to buy

+
44.3MP / 8K open gate
+
Phenomenal value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Overheating / recording limits
-
Big and bulky
Buy it if:

✅ You want the best of both worlds: With 44.3MP resolution and 40fps bursts, plus up to 8K open gate video, this camera can do everything.

✅ Versatile high-res video is key: Loads of stills cameras offer 4K, some even 6K, but very few offer 8K resolution – or open gate capture.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want unlimited recording: The S1RII does have limits for video capture – for unlimited video, check out the Lumix S5IIX.

❌ Size is important: Lumix cameras are extremely capable, but they're also quite bulky.

Hybrid cameras have become huge in recent years, both for the burgeoning content creation market and for one-person crews and wedding shooters who need to capture photos and video in equal measure.

Panasonic really came out of the blue with the Lumix S1RII – a camera that offers an alternative to Canon's all-powerful EOS R5 Mark II and Sony's flagship A1 II at a fraction of the price.

Usually hybrid cameras offer a resolution compromise in order to achieve peak performance; you're usually looking at 20-something megapixels and 4K 60p video. Maybe 6K if you're lucky. But what you're getting here is a 44.3MP beast with up to 40fps burst shooting, combined with up to 8K 30p open gate video and 8 stops of image stabilization.

That's a truly awesome spec sheet, especially with a price tag that's thousands less than Canon or Sony. Those cameras are stronger in certain areas – namely autofocus performance, and the R5 Mark II has awesome in-camera computational features – but that doesn't take away from the S1RII.

As noted above, while the Lumix S5IIX is arguably a superior dedicated video camera due to its unlimited recording, this body ups the ante to 8K open gate for ultimate versatility – and also offers internal ProRes 5.8K RAW HQ. So if resolution is your top priority, this is the obvious choice.

My only criticism of this camera (in fact, all Lumix cameras) is that it's bulky and boxy compared to its rivals, though the size does make it comfortable to hold and use.

Read more: Panasonic Lumix S1RII review

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Features

A true photo/video hybrid in every sense, great across the board.

★★★★★

Design

Lumix S cameras aren't my faves, design-wise, but the Lumix S1R II is ergonomically sound.

★★★★

Performance

Stunning photos, reliable autofocus, speedy burst modes, excellent video.

★★★★★

Value

Very competitively priced – other brands are on notice!

★★★★★

Best-value full-frame mirrorless

(Image credit: Nikon)
The best value full frame mirrorless camera

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS BSI
Megapixels: 24.5MP
Lens mount: Nikon Z
Screen: 3.2in vari-angle touchscreen, 2.1m dots
Viewfinder: Electronic 0.5-in, 3.69m dots
Continuous shooting speed: 30fps (JPEG), 14fps (RAW), 11fps (14-bit RAW)
Max video resolution: 4K 60p (1.5x crop), 4K 30p
Dimensions: 134 x 100.5 x 72mm
Weight: 700g

Reasons to buy

+
Fast burst and pre-release shooting
+
Flagship autofocus performance

Reasons to avoid

-
4K 60p is cropped
-
No top-plate LCD screen
Buy it if:

✅ Full-frame at APS-C price: This price point isn't just good for a full-frame camera – it's cheaper than many APS-C options, too.

Low price, high performance: The Z5 II is incredibly capable, both in specs (30fps stills, 4K 60p video) and features (dual card slots, articulating screen, IBIS).

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want full-fat imaging: There are some sacrifices, such as 30fps being JPEG-only (RAWs are 14fps) and 4K 60p is cropped.

You rely on top-plate exposure info: The Z5 II doesn't have an LCD screen on top of the camera, which might be jarring to DSLR users.

I used to recommend the Sony A7 III when people asked me for the best-value full-frame camera, simply because its age made it a good price. However, the Nikon Z5 II offers almost impossibly good value for a brand-new camera!

First of all, the usual corners that are cut in order to get a camera's price down – no weather sealing, tilt-only screen, single card slot, no stabilization – haven't been cut here. This camera is fully sealed, has a fully-articulating screen, with twin memory card slots and IBIS – and that's not all.

The Z5 II also has unreasonably good performance for an affordable camera. It inherits flagship-level autofocus from Nikon's higher-end cameras, it hits up to 7.5 stops of in-body image stabilization, it has pre-capture (the camera starts recording frames when you half-press the shutter, so you never miss a shot) which is a feature from pro sports cameras…

In short, this isn't just a good value camera; it's a very capable one. Yes, there are some compromises; the 4K 60p video is cropped (4K 30p is full readout) and the impressive 30fps burst speed is JPEG-only (though it's still an impressive 11fps for RAW).

If you're looking to upgrade from a smaller sensor, or you want a full-frame camera with more firepower for less money, the Z5 II is a fantastic choice.

Read more: Nikon Z5 II review

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Features

Despite being so affordable, there's not a single feature lacking here – it puts higher priced cameras to shame!

★★★★★

Design

Its compactness may not suit bigger hands, but the screen articulates, there's a joystick and dual card slots.

★★★★½

Performance

There are some compromises to the burst shooting and 4K 60p video, but this is a very capable camera.

★★★★½

Value

A perfect way to get into full frame photography with a lot of killer features for incredible value.

★★★★★

Best full-frame mirrorless for wildlife

(Image credit: James Artaius)
The best full frame mirrorless camera for wildlife

Specifications

Sensor: Full-frame stacked CMOS BSI
Megapixels: 45MP
Screen: 3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen, 2,100k dots
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch OLED EVF, 5,76k dots, Eye Control AF
Continuous shooting speed: 12fps mechanical shutter, 30fps electronic shutter
Max video resolution: 8K 60p, 4K 120p, 2k 240p
Dimensions: 138.5 x 101.2 x 93.5mm
Weight: 746g

Reasons to buy

+
45MP / 30fps stills, 8K 60p video
+
180MP in-camera upscaling

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive!
-
Computational features can be fiddly
Buy it if:

✅ You need the best autofocus: I've used every wildlife camera out there, and nothing is more accurate than the algorithmic AF here!

✅ You want top resolution: The R5 Mark II natively shoots 45MP stills, but can upscale them in-camera to 180MP. And of course it shoots 8K video, too.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need top speed: The Sony A9 III maxes out at 120fps bursts, as does the Nikon Z8 / Z9 if you shoot low-res JPEGs.

You want the best lens selection: The RF mount is strictly locked down, so there are no third-party full-frame autofocus lenses.

The R5 Mark II isn't just Canon's most powerful camera, it's also the best camera for wildlife photography. I say this as someone who's used every brand's top camera in this category to photograph animals – and Canon's is the only one that has yet to let me down.

First of all, its autofocus system is second only to the flagship EOS R1 (and even that is just a matter of inches). It possesses Canon's latest tech, built around a dedicated Digic Accelerator chip – a secondary processor that works in tandem with the primary Digic X processor – to deliver the evolved Dual Pixel Intelligent Autofocus system, which delivers computational AF and tracking at up to 60fps with the electronic shutter.

The upshot is an AF system that has never failed me – and, unlike Sony and Nikon's AF, has never been tricked into tracking leaves when subjects are hiding in foliage, or thinking that an animal's fur pattern is its face.

Combine that with an incredible 8.5 stops of maximum image stabilization for rock-solid sturdiness when following your subject, and lightning-fast 30fps bursts along with pre-capture so you never miss a shot.

The 45MP sensor gives you plenty of native resolution to blow up your prints or crop into your shots if your subject doesn't fill the frame. But you can also upscale your images to 180MP – in-camera, with no loss of quality – to get even higher quality or compensate for pixel loss when cropping into a frame. It's absolutely brilliant.

The neural network image processing extends to image cleanup, too, as you can denoise your images by up to two stops – which is incredible when you're shooting at higher ISOs, or even to get ultra-clean shots when working with lower sensitivities.

Canon's camera is also a video monster, too, capable of up to 8K 60p video with C-Log 2 and 3, proxy recording and a full-size HDMI port. And the OG R5's overheating issues have been addressed, too, with unlimited 4K 60p video and much-improved 8K 30p limits (read more about that here).

Read more: Canon EOS R5 Mark II review

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Features

This is a very advanced camera, with features like predictive AI tracking, in-camera upscaling and denoising.

★★★★★

Design

Excellent Canon ergonomics – I'd have expected nothing less.

★★★★★

Performance

Stunning quality meets next-generation computational functionality.

★★★★★

Value

It's very pricey but, for the unbelievable feature set, it's actually good value.

★★★★½

How to choose a full-frame mirrorless camera

Choosing the perfect full-frame mirrorless camera involves juggling various essential factors. First up, establish a budget that suits your use-case and photography level. The cameras in this guide span a broad price range, from more affordable entry-level options to premium professional models.

Resolution is a crucial aspect. Determine the sensor resolution that aligns with what you will be shooting. Higher megapixels mean sharper images but also result in larger file sizes for storage and editing. Also evaluate autofocus capabilities, low-light performance, video quality, weather-sealing, and any other functionalities that matter most to your photography style.

Where are you taking your cameras? Assess its size, weight, and ergonomics to make sure it is right for your needs. Heavy cameras are no fun to travel with, but small cameras are awkward to use for long periods or with big lenses.

Speaking of lenses – each brand offers its set of lenses and accessories, so take a look and make sure that the camera has the right lenses in the right price range for your needs.

Lastly, check out the reviews and advice in this guide. We test all the cameras we feature here and offer our first-hand and unbiased opinion on everything that is good and bad about each option.

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)

Is mirrorless better than DSLR?

Both mirrorless and DSLRs have strengths and weaknesses, but it is generally accepted that mirrorless technology has surpassed what DLSRs are capable of, especially when it comes to focusing, shooting speeds, and size. Although DSLRs are still favored by many for their optical viewfinder experience.

What full frame mirrorless camera has the best image quality?

Image quality is subjective and depends on where the image will be used. All the cameras on this list have exceptional baseline image quality. The highest resolution full frame mirrorless camera is the Sony A7R V with a 60MP sensor, allowing images to be cropped or enlarged further without dipping in overall quality.

Lab test results

You can see the lab data below for each mirrorless camera we test as part of Digital Camera World's review process. You can find out more about what each score means at the bottom of the graph.

Full-frame mirrorless camera lab test data

See the Signal-to-Noise ratio, Dynamic range, and Resolution for the eight cameras in the guide.

Resolution
ISO
Resolution Data
Timestamp (ISO)Canon EOS R8 ()Panasonic S5 II ()Canon EOS R6 III ()Sony A7R VI ()Sony A7C II ()Nikon Z5 II ()Canon EOS R5 II ()
126243245302839
226243245302839
326243245302839
426243245302839
526243245302839
626243245302638
726243244302638
826243241282635
924243038262432
Dynamic Range
ISO
Dynamic Range Data
Timestamp (ISO)Canon EOS R8 ()Panasonic S5 II ()Canon EOS R6 III ()Sony A7R VI ()Sony A7C II ()Nikon Z5 II ()Canon EOS R5 II ()
112.4912.4912.2912.3812.2112.5212.3
212.3712.412.4612.3712.6212.5212.31
312.3312.2312.3412.3712.5112.2712.01
412.2912.2912.6212.3612.5212.3712.12
512.211.8811.5811.8512.4511.9911.16
611.0611.2310.8710.7111.8811.599.95
710.0110.749.939.8510.910.268.95
89.2310.089.14910.029.357.98
98.239.068.128.219.268.597.01
Signal to Noise Ratio
ISO
Signal to Noise Ratio Data
Timestamp (ISO)Canon EOS R8 ()Panasonic S5 II ()Canon EOS R6 III ()Sony A7R VI ()Sony A7C II ()Nikon Z5 II ()Canon EOS R5 II ()
141.0942.0542.0240.5441.4446.1641.46
239.2240.4840.0537.839.2743.4238.03
335.8337.1637.3334.8936.4440.5136.5
434.6235.1935.3631.8634.0437.3134.29
532.1932.7432.2929.5632.3533.9931.05
629.630.329.2126.3629.3130.6527.51
726.4627.7525.7523.2925.9527.2324.01
823.9725.5823.2620.123.1424.4421.39
921.1123.2420.0118.5820.4621.7817.89

How we test cameras

Our testing procedure for full-frame mirrorless cameras involves putting cameras through their paces both in real-world shooting scenarios and in the lab. With full-frame mirrorless cameras, we focus more on the specific use cases of each camera, for example, we will test high-speed sports cameras with fast-moving subjects, or high-resolution cameras on subjects with lots of intricate details.

We've put every one of these full-frame mirrorless cameras to the test to get a feel for how they handle in day-to-day use, as well as our opinion on the design, ergonomics and build quality.

As well as practical tests, we also employ carefully controlled lab tests to measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. We use ISO resolution charts to measure resolution, and DxO Analyzer test equipment for dynamic range and noise analysis. With these extensive testing procedures, we build up a clear, objective picture of how the camera performs.

We combine both practical and lab data when finalizing both the in-depth review of each full-frame mirrorless camera and the recommendations in this guide.

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

James Artaius
Editor in Chief

James has 25 years experience as a journalist, serving as the head of Digital Camera World for 7 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.