Today I’d like to discuss what is a full-frame mirrorless camera!
But first, a disclaimer…
Four major producers of mirrorless cameras have ventured into full-frame systems led by Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Panasonic!
Although there may be other players in the full-frame system such as Leica — who is known to have had collaboration with Panasonic!
But I will only be focusing on those top four manufacturers of mirrorless cameras mentioned.
So, join me as we discover more about full-frame mirrorless cameras!
What is a Full-frame Mirrorless Camera?
A Full-frame Mirrorless Camera is an interchangeable-lens system digital camera. It utilizes a 35mm format with an image (sensor) size of 36mm x 24mm. Generally, full-frame mirrorless cameras have a higher quality image output due to their bigger sensor size compared to APS-C and Micro-Four Thirds sensor formats.
Types of Full-frame Mirrorless Camera
As mentioned earlier, I will only highlight the four popular brands of full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Let’s find out when Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Panasonic started to produce full-frame mirrorless cameras.
And where are they now in their development?
Sony Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras
Did you know that the first full-frame mirrorless camera was introduced by Sony back in October 2013?
Yes, that’s right… Sony successfully launched two full-frame models!
The ILCE-7 featuring 24.3MP and ILCE-7R with a 36.4MP CMOS image sensor — was the very first full-frame mirrorless camera to hit the market.
Below is the list of existing full-frame models for Sony E mount interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras.
Sony Alpha α7
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α7 | Oct. 2013 | Dec. 2013 | 24.3MP | No in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7 II | Nov. 2014 | Dec. 2014 | 24.3MP | 5-axis in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7 III | Feb. 2018 | Apr. 2018 | 24.2MP | New Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor |
| Sony α7 IV | Oct. 2021 | Dec. 2021 | 33.0MP | Using α1 flagship BIONZ XR engine |
Sony Alpha α7R
“R” stands for Resolution, emphasizing higher resolution for better image quality.
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α7R | Oct. 2013 | Dec. 2013 | 36.4MP | No in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7R II | Jun. 2015 | Aug. 2015 | 42.4MP | 5-axis in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7R III | Oct. 2017 | Nov. 2017 | 42.4MP | LCD resolution- 1,440,000 dots |
| Sony α7R IIIA | Apr. 2021 | Jun. 2021 | 42.4MP | LCD resolution- 2,359,296 dots |
| Sony α7R IV | Jul. 2019 | Sep. 2019 | 61.0MP | LCD resolution- 1,440,000 dots |
| Sony α7R IVA | Apr. 2021 | Jun. 2021 | 61.0MP | LCD resolution- 2,359,296 dots |
| Sony α7R V | Oct. 2022 | Dec. 2022 | 61.0MP | AI-based autofocus system |
Sony Alpha α7S
“S” stands for Sensitivity and emphasizes high ISO to perform better in low light conditions.
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α7S | Apr. 2014 | Jul. 2014 | 12.2MP | No in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7S II | Sep. 2015 | Oct. 2015 | 12.2MP | 5-axis in-body stabilization |
| Sony α7S III | Jul. 2020 | Sep. 2020 | 12.1MP | New BSI-CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR engine |
Sony Alpha α7C
“C” stands for Compact, by far this is the smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera of Sony.
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α7C | Sep. 2020 | Oct. 2020 | 24.2MP | Smallest Full-frame MILC |
| Sony α7C II | 2023 | – | 33.0MP | *Rumored same sensor as α7IV |
| Sony α7C R | 2023 | – | 61.0MP | *Rumored same sensor as α7RV |
https://www.sony-rumors.com/sony-a7c-ii-and-a7c-r-to-be-announced-within-2-months/
Sony Alpha α9
This was Sony’s full-frame flagship mirrorless camera in 2017, targeted for fast action settings like sports, weddings, etc.
Sony α9 boasts continuous shooting mode up to 20fps.
Also, it comes with a full-frame stacked CMOS sensor design — for a fast readout and better overall performance!
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α9 | Apr. 2017 | May 2017 | 24.2MP | Stacked CMOS image sensor, BIONZ X engine |
| Sony α9 II | Oct. 2019 | Nov. 2019 | 24.2MP | Exmor RS BSI stacked CMOS sensor, updated BIONZ X image processor |
| Sony α9 III | 2023 | – | – | *Rumored as world’s fastest camera |
https://www.sony-rumors.com/rumors-sony-a9-iii-will-be-the-fastest-camera-ever/
Sony Alpha α1
The Sony α1 is the new flagship model targeted at Professionals!
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony α1 | Jan. 2021 | Mar. 2021 | 50.1MP | Exmor RS CMOS sensor, Advanced BIONZ XR engine |
Nikon Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras
Nikon announced two mirrorless full-frame cameras under the Z mount system in Aug. 2018.
The Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6 hit the shelves together in Nov. 2018.
It’s quite unusual to note that the entry-level version of Nikon Z5 was announced more than a year later in Jul. 2020 after the more expensive Z7 and Z6 were released in Nov. 2018.
Here is the list of the existing full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless cameras!
Nikon Z6
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z6 | Aug. 2018 | Nov. 2018 | 24.5MP | BSI-CMOS sensor, EXPEED 6 engine |
| Nikon Z6 II | Oct. 2020 | Nov. 2020 | 24.5MP | BSI-CMOS sensor, Dual EXPEED 6 processor |
Nikon Z7
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z7 | Aug. 2018 | Nov. 2018 | 45.7MP | BSI-CMOS sensor, EXPEED 6 engine |
| Nikon Z7 II | Oct. 2020 | Dec. 2020 | 45.7MP | BSI-CMOS sensor, Dual EXPEED 6 processor |
Nikon Z5
This is Nikon’s entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera targeted for amateurs and beginners!
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z5 | Jul. 2020 | Aug. 2020 | 24.3MP | CMOS sensor, EXPEED 6 engine |
Nikon Z9
This is Nikon’s new flagship model with a PRO body stacked with high-end specs!
Billed as “UNSTOPPABLE” with the BEST, FAST and FIRST in the world features!
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z9 | Mar. 2021 | Dec. 2021 | 45.7MP | Stacked CMOS sensor, EXPEED 7 engine |
Nikon Z8
It is referred to by many as the baby Z9 because it carries most of the Nikon Z9’s flagship features!
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z8 | May 2023 | May 2023 | 45.7MP | Stacked CMOS sensor, EXPEED 7 engine |
Canon Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras
Canon’s flagship and first full-frame mirrorless camera Canon EOS R was released in Oct. 2018.
The “R” in the Canon EOS R system is the first letter from Canon’s tagline Reimagine optical excellence!
Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras are compatible with RF mount!
Canon EOS R
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R | Sep. 2018 | Oct. 2018 | 30.3MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC8 image processor, no in-body stabilization |
Canon EOS RP
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS RP | Feb. 2019 | Mar. 2019 | 26.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC8 image processor, no in-body stabilization |
Canon EOS R5
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R5 | Jul. 2020 | Jul. 2020 | 45.0MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC X image processor |
| Canon EOS R5 C | Jan. 2022 | Mar. 2022 | 45.0MP | Cinema EOS and EOS Technology |
Canon EOS R6
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R6 | Jul. 2020 | Aug. 2020 | 20.1MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC X image processor |
| Canon EOS R6 II | Nov. 2022 | Nov. 2022 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC X image processor |
Canon EOS R3
This is Canon’s new flagship model for a full-frame mirrorless camera with a PRO body.
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R3 | Sep. 2021 | Nov. 2021 | 24.1MP | Stacked CMOS sensor, DIGIC X image processor |
Panasonic (Lumix) Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras
Panasonic launched its first full-frame mirrorless camera Lumix S1 and S1R in Feb. 2019!
Outlined and built around L-mount designed by Leica.
And it can now also be developed by Sigma and Panasonic — as licensing members of the L-mount alliance formed by Leica in 2018!
Below is the list of existing Panasonic (Lumix) S series full-frame mirrorless cameras for L-mount system!
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumix DC-S1 | Feb. 2019 | Mar. 2019 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, Venus Engine |
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumix DC-S1R | Feb. 2019 | Mar. 2019 | 47.3MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, Venus Engine |
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumix DC-S1H | Aug. 2019 | Sep. 2019 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, Venus Engine, Cinema-Quality Video |
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
| Family/Series | Announced Date | Released Date | Effective Pixel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumix DC-S5 | Sep. 2020 | Sep. 2020 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, Venus Engine, Smaller body |
| *Lumix DC-S5 II | Jan. 2023 | Jan. 2023 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, New active I.S. Technology, Updated video capabilities |
| *Lumix DC-S5 IIX | Jan. 2023 | May 2023 | 24.2MP | Full-frame CMOS sensor, Updated Engine with L2 technology, New Active I.S. |
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/live/a-new-panasonic-camera-could-be-coming-tomorrow-heres-what-we-know
Are Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras worth it?
I can say from my personal experience, YES… Full-frame mirrorless cameras are worth it!
I own both Micro-Four Thirds (Panasonic Lumix GF-2) and APS-C (Canon EOS M5) mirrorless cameras (click here)!
Then I purchased a full-frame mirrorless camera (Sony Alpha A7 III) in 2022!
Of the three-mirrorless cameras I owned — I liked Sony α7 III the most!
Aside from having a much higher resolution and better performance, the A7 III also fits nicely with my hand.
It is bigger compared to the other two mirrorless cameras but the build, especially the handle grip is exactly what I want — it perfectly fits in my hand!
I can even take a nice shot with one hand (literally I’ve done it many times now).
That’s just how comfortable the Sony A7III full-frame mirrorless camera feels and fits in my hand!
And it is now my go to mirrorless camera…
and I will be investing in some lenses to fully enjoy its capabilities!
Final Thoughts
We have defined and now know what is a full-frame mirrorless camera!
Also, we have identified the types of full-frame mirrorless cameras from the four top brands: Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Panasonic!
So, there you have it…
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can leave a comment below and I will try to answer them as soon as I can and to the best of my understanding.
Lastly, I will update the above lists when a new model is released!
About Rowe Medialdea:
Hi, I’m Rowe, a mirrorless camera and photography enthusiast. We have created this site to be of help (especially to beginners) by producing easy-to-understand content about mirrorless cameras! Welcome to our website!