An upgrade to the beloved original K-1, it brings updates like an increased ISO sensitivity to an already amazing camera.
Pros
Hardy, weather-sealed body
Great image quality with excellent dynamic range
Increased ISO sensitivity
Pixel Shift Resolution System II
Cons
Limited to 1080p, with no 4K capability
Updates are incremental
Continuous shooting is relatively slow for action
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
36 MP full-frame sensor
Lens mount
Pentax K-mount
ISO sensitivity
100-819,200
Weight
925g
Price
from $1799.95/£1,699
For those decided on a DSLR rather than a mirrorless camera, it’s worth considering DSLR-specialists Pentax. The venerable camera manufacturer has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the DSLR format at a time when other manufacturers are uniformly jumping (or, to be honest, have long since jumped) to mirrorless.
The 36.4MP full-frame sensor produces top-quality images. Detail and dynamic range are consistently excellent, and this performance is well-maintained as you move up through the sensitivities – which reaches even further than the K-1 right up to 819,200. The Shake Reduction image stabilisation is also very good, delivering up to five stops of effective compensation.
The hardy, weather-sealed body feels safe to use outdoors, with a well-sculpted grip that provides a secure hold. Add a built-in GPS/AstroTracer and you’ve got a fairly decent astrophotography camera.
The K-1 Mark II doesn’t shoot in 4K, it’s a photographer’s camera first and foremost – video shooters can get better value for money elsewhere. The Pentax K-1, the first full-frame mirrorless DSLR the firm released, is still available second-hand if you’re looking to go even cheaper.
Best camera for still-life photography: Sony A7C II
Sony Alpha A7C II with Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G lens. Credit: Andy Westlake
Amateur Photographer verdict
This compact full-frame mirrorless camera produces high image quality with great autofocus capability and modern features but has some drawbacks that will not be worth it to everybody.
Pros
Compact and light weight
Excellent subject-detection autofocus
Highly effective image stabilisation
Useful reduced-resolution raw options
Cons
No dedicated AF point controller / joystick
Only a single SD card slot
Small, low-res viewfinder and screen for the price
4K 60p video requires 1.5x crop
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
33MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, 36 x 24mm
Lens mount
Sony E-mount
ISO sensitivity
100-51,200 (standard), ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
Weight
524g
Price
$1,200 – $1,800 body only / from £664 body only (used)
The Sony Alpha AC II gains all of the new technologies Sony has introduced in the intervening two years, including its latest subject detection autofocus system that’s powered by its own AI processor. However, the smaller body imposes a step back in certain other areas like the camera narrowing things down to a relatively small viewfinder, single card slot, and simplified shutter
With a high resolution sensor and excellent value for money, this would be an great choice as one of the best cameras for still life photography.
There’s also an autofocus system with 759 phase-detection points covering practically the entire frame, which means that you can target the subject precisely. However, the A7R II is more likely to appeal to landscape photographers than avid sport-shooters.
Some photographers will find that A7C II to be a very agreeable companion as opposed to the A7R II, and value its more portable form factor.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II with a 24-70mm zoom lens. Photo credit: AP
Amateur Photographer verdict
This DSLR was a notable improvement on the original EOS 6D. While it does lack a few features, its price makes this easy to forgive, and the EF lens selection is brilliantly expansive.
Pros
Responsive autofocus
Loads of EF lenses
Handy vari-angle screen
Cons
AF points quite centrally clustered
No 4K video recording
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
Lens mount
Canon EF
ISO sensitivity
ISO 100-40,000
Weight
765g
Price
from $1,199 (body only) / £1,289 (body only)
Although it’s a DSLR, the 26.2MP 6D Mark II has a Dual Pixel CMOS AF design sensor, which means that it uses phase detection autofocusing in Live View mode as well as when the viewfinder is used to compose images. Consequently it focuses quickly and accurately, however you decide to compose your shots. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that the 63 AF points available in the viewfinder are grouped quite close around the centre of the frame.
The snappy focusing in Live View mode is especially useful on the 6D Mark II because it has a vari-angle screen that can be angled for viewing from any angle; whether shooting landscape or portrait format images. Canon has also done a great job of implementing touch control so you adjust settings and set the active AF point by tapping on the screen.
That screen is also of use when you’re shooting video, which tops out at Full HD (1920×1080) at 59.94fps. Further good news is that the 6D II maintains its good detail resolution up to around ISO 6,400, making it a versatile all-rounder.
As the Canon EOS 6D Mark II uses the Canon EF lens mount, there are a wide range of Canon EF lenses available, as well as a wide range of lenses from other manufacturers, giving you a great choice of both new and used lenses to look at.
The EOS 6D Mark II is a stepping stone for existing Canon users to get into full-frame photography and is a viable alternative to the more advanced EOS 5D Mark IV. Those thinking about a move away from a Canon APS-C format DSLR will need to factor in the extra expense of upgrading a few EF-S lenses to a new collection of EF lenses. But when size and weight are critical – for example, when travelling or on location – the EOS 6D Mark II really comes into its own.
Cheapest full-frame Canon mirrorless: Canon EOS RP
The Canon EOS RP is an early entry to the RF-mount range.
Amateur Photographer verdict
While the EOS R8 has stolen some of its thunder, the EOS RP still offers full-frame image quality in a small, lightweight package that’s generally very pleasant to shoot with.
Pros
Very good high-ISO performance
Comprehensive autofocus system
EF-lens compatibility
Cons
No in-body stabilisation
Viewfinder hard to see in poor light
No AF joystick
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
26.2MP full-frame dual-pixel CMOS
Lens mount
Canon RF
ISO sensitivity
100-40,00 (extendable to ISO 50-102,400)
Weight
Weight: 485g (with battery and card)
Price
Price: $800 (body only) / £950 (body only)
The Canon EOS RP was the second full-frame mirrorless camera in Canon’s line-up, and is compact and affordable. Like the Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR, the EOS RP has a Dual Pixel CMOS AF design sensor; yet it has a remarkable 4779 selectable AF points. Also, as the RP is a mirrorless camera, those points ara accessible for use whether the image is composed in the electronic viewfinder or on the 3-inch 1.04-million-dot, vari-angle touchscreen.
In a step-up from the 6D Mark II, the RP is capable of shooting 4K UHD (3840×2160) video at up to 25fps. And, of course, you get to use the excellent AF system for shooting video as well as stills. While Canon has since introduced two EOS R cameras that are designed for entry-level and budget users – the EOS R7 and EOS R10 – both of these are APS-C models, not full-frame.
Existing Canon DSLR photographers who are looking to switch to a mirrorless camera will appreciate the familiar handling of the RP and can use the existing EF-mount lenses via an adapter. Indeed, we found the EOS RP worked seamlessly with EF-mount lenses, so EOS DSLR users would only need to acquire an RP body to start shooting straight away.
They won’t be disappointed by the images which have excellent levels of detail up to around ISO 12,800. There is a range of RF-mount lenses, but as with any relatively new camera system, it would be wise to have a look at what lenses are available, and how much they cost before investing in a new system.
With the EOS RP Canon revealed its initial vision for what an entry-level, full-frame mirrorless model should look. It got a lot right, with a body design that handles much better than its odd-looking profile might suggest. Rather than simply porting across the existing EOS DSLR interface, it employed some clever new ideas, such as the Dial Function setting and Fv exposure mode. There’s plenty to like about this camera!
A reliable full-frame camera that has a quality feel, solid set of specifications and a price point that adds further to its appeal. We wouldn’t mind an updated version though, Nikon!
Pros
Dual card slots
Excellent build quality
F-mount lens compatible (with adapter)
Cons
Vicious 1.7x crop on 4K
Only 4.5fps burst
Specifications at a glance:
Sensor
24.3MP CMOS sensor
Lens mount
Nikon Z mount
ISO sensitivity
160-51200 (50-102400 extended)
Weight
675g (with battery and card)
Price
from $800 body only / £950 body only
Announced in July 2020, the Nikon Z5 was introduced as the ‘catalyst’ camera, intended to push DSLR or APS-C format photographers to invest in a full-frame mirrorless model.
It’s also Nikon’s most affordable full-frame mirrorless camera, which means there are a few compromises in comparison with the 24.5MP Z6 II that sits above it in Nikon’s mirrorless camera range, but it still has plenty to appeal to experienced photographers.
For example, while the Z5’s 24.3MP sensor has standard design and isn’t backside illuminated, it has a 273-point hybrid AF system with Eye-detection for humans and animals in stills mode. There’s also the same 0.39-inch 3,690,000-dot OLED electronic viewfinder as Nikon’s other full-framers, a responsive 3.2-inch 1,040,000-dot tilting touchscreen and dual SD card ports plus 4K video capability.
With detail maintained well up to around ISO 12,800 and good dynamic range, the Z5 is a strong contender. The Nikon Z series has also a growing range of Z-mount lenses. However, as they’re all new and mostly premium optics, you may want to have a look through your options. They can be quite pricey.
Originally touted as an ‘entry-level’ model the Z5 is much more advanced than this basic classification suggests. It’s alike to the original Z6 in terms of its build quality and handling but, by making a few spec alterations, Nikon was able to make it cheaper. The Z5 is sometimes available as part of a bundle with a 24-50mm kit lens – something that might appeal to photographers who feel like they’re ready to advance to full-frame.
We’ve since seen the arrival of the Nikon Z5 II, a long-awaited update to this camera that adds improved subject-detection autofocus and improved high-ISO performance thanks to the backside-illuminated sensor. This has meant that prices on the original Z5 have continued to come down, especially on the used market, and these days we’re seeing good-condition models at the $730 / £730 mark, rather than $850 / £900 as we were seeing previously.
What to look for in the best cheap full-frame cameras
In brief, here are the key specs and features you should be mindful of when shopping around for the best cheap full-frame cameras.
DSLR or mirrorless? You’re going to be choosing one or the other in the question of DSLR vs mirrorless. Mirrorless cameras tend to be smaller, with more sophisticated autofocus and video systems. DSLRs are generally more rugged and weatherproof, with better battery life, and the immediacy of an optical viewfinder (mirrorless systems use electronic ones).
The best DSLR systems also tend to have more lens options, simply because they’ve been around longer. However, the best mirrorless cameras very much represent the future of imaging, with manufacturers like Canon and Nikon betting big on their mirrorless line-ups, so these can be the more forward-thinking buy.
Lens mount. Look at the lenses available for a system, particularly with regard to what you want to shoot. A full-frame sensor is only as good as the lens attached to it.
Continuous shooting speed. If you’re capturing fast action, then a camera’s burst speed could mean the difference between nailing and missing the shot. While the older cameras on this list won’t be matching the blistering burst speeds of the likes of the Nikon Z9, you can still get respectable frames per second (fps) rates on a cheap full-frame camera.
ISO range. The higher an ISO ceiling a camera can reach, the better its performance in low light, generally speaking. However, some cameras do better at high ISOs than others, so it’s always worth doing some research rather than just relying on numbers.
What is a full-frame camera?
‘Full-frame’ is description of the size of a camera’s imaging sensor. In a full-frame camera, the sensor measures 36x24mm, which is roughly the size of a single frame of 35mm film – hence the name. A full-frame sensor is physically larger than many you’ll find in other cameras (APS-C, Four Thirds, 1-inch, etc) and larger sensors confer all sorts of advantages, such as greater dynamic range. Those who want to know more about sensor sizes can check out our extensive piece on APS-C vs Full-Frame.
Is it worth getting a full-frame camera?
If you care about great image quality then yes, it is definitely worth at least considering getting a full-frame camera. The physically larger sensor size of full-frame allows for the creation of images with superior dynamic range compared to smaller-sensor cameras. Full-frame cameras will perform better in low light, and are also better for cleanly separating subject and background to produce images with an aesthetically shallow depth of field. While they can be expensive, as we’ve seen in this guide, full-frame cameras can also be picked up for tempting prices if you don’t feel you have to have the newest model.
What are the disadvantages of full-frame cameras?
Setting aside the cost, one of the main disadvantages of full-frame cameras is the fact that they are physically bigger and heavier than their crop-sensor counterparts. This can make them difficult to use for extended periods, especially when shooting on location. Also, something worth noting is that the cost and weight disadvantages of full-frame cameras also apply equally to full-frame lenses – they, too, are big, heavy and expensive.
How we test cameras
We test cameras primarily by using them to take photographs and video in a wide range of real-world situations, including shooting in low-light, as well as bright conditions with harsh lighting to test dynamic range. We evaluate their control layouts and handling, and the usability of their viewfinders and screens. We assess their autofocus across a range of different subjects and shooting scenarios and check their continuous shooting capabilities. For example, to see how versatile the Canon EOS R8 is, we tested this with both RF-mount lenses, as well as older DSLR lenses with Canon’s EF to RF adapter.
We also examine the effectiveness of their image stabilisation systems. Last but by no means least, we critically evaluate the image quality, in both JPEG and raw, to assess colour reproduction, white balance performance, resolution, high-ISO noise, dynamic range, and more. We then take all these factors into account, along with such things as portability and lens systems, when giving our final conclusion and score. You’ll find the full breakdown of how each camera has performed in our full reviews.
October 2025: Prices updated, Nikon Z5II added as best cheap full-frame camera overall, Nikon D4 no longer available to buy and removed from list. How we test cameras section expanded to add clarity and additional information.
I am the deputy editor of Amateur Photographer, working closely with the team to make the website and magazine as good as possible. I've been working on magazines since 1995 and am also a keen travel and portrait photographer when time allows, reaching the finals of the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year contest in 2015 and achieving my Licentiate from the Royal Photographic Society the year before. I also keep my wedding-photography hand in by shooting a few ceremonies a year. I am particularly interested in how photography can help people express their creativity more effectively, or deal with mental health issues and other challenges.
