Best Full Frame DSLR System

EOS 5D mark II, A900, D700 … which one is the best full frame camera for you? We prepared a comparison chart for you. You may have a clear picture of the pros and cons of each offering.

Full Frame D-SLRs comparison chart

	α900 (Sony)	D700 (Nikon)	EOS 5D MarkII	EOS 5D
Image sensor	Full-size 2460 effective megapixel CMOS sensor	Full-size 1210 effective megapixel CMOS sensor	Full-size 2110 effective megapixel CMOS sensor	Full-size 1280 effective megapixel CMOS sensor
Image-processing engine	BIONZ × 2	EXPEED	DIGIC 4	DIGIC II
ISO sensitivity	ISO200-3200 (Extended by ISO100 ~ 6400) With ISO Auto	ISO200-6400 (Extended by ISO100 ~ 25600)	ISO100-6400 (Extended by the ISO50 ~ 25600) With ISO Auto	ISO100-1600 (Extended by the ISO50 ~ 3200)
Movie shooting function	None	None	Yes (1920 × 1080 dots, H.264 format)	None
Auto focus	• 9-points TTL CCD line sensors • center dual cross types + 10 assist sensors • EV 0 to 18 (ISO 100) detection range • Predictive focus control for moving subjects	• 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • AF fine tuning possible • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode	• 9-point TTL CMOS sensor • 6 “Invisible Assist AF points” • Centre point cross type F5.6 or faster • Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster • AF working range: -0.5 – 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)	• 9-point TTL • 6 “Invisible Assist AF points” • CMOS sensor • AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 20°C, ISO 100)
LCD monitor	3 inches (921,000 dot)	3 inches (920,000 dot)	3 inches (920,000 dot)	2.5-inch (230,000 dot)
Built-in flash	None	Yes	None	None
Dust reduction	CCD-shift dust reduction mechanism	’sensor shake’ dust reduction	Ultrasonic vibration self-cleaning	None
Viewfinder	100%, about 0.74 times magnification	95% of view, about 0.72 times magnification	98% of view, about 0.71 times magnification	96% of view, about 0.71 times magnification
Live View	None	Yes (By the phase difference AF, Contrast AF)	Yes (By the phase difference AF, Contrast AF)	None
Continuous shooting speed	About 5 frames / sec.	About 5 frames / second (MB-D10 mounting frame at about 8 f/s)	About 3.9 frames / sec.	About 3 frames / sec.
Maximum burst for continuous shooting	105 (JPEG, FINE) 12 (RAW) 10 (RAW + JPEG)	100 (JPEG, L / Fine) 17 (RAW)	78 (JPEG, L / Fine) 13 (RAW) 8 (RAW + JPEG L / Fine)	60 (JPEG, L / Fine) 17 (RAW) 12 (RAW + JPEG L / Fine)
Recording media	Compact Flash (UDMA) + Memory Stick Duo	Compact Flash (UDMA)	Compact Flash (UDMA)	Compact Flash (UDMA-compatible)
Video output terminal	HDMI, video output	HDMI, video output	HDMI, video output	Video output
The number of shoots per battery charge	880 pictures (at the time of shooting the viewfinder)	1000 (when shooting the viewfinder)	850 pictures (at the time of shooting the viewfinder), 200 (Live View shooting)	800 pictures (at the time of shooting the viewfinder)
Body size, weight	156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9mm, 850g	147 × 123 × 77mm, 995g	152 × 113.5 × 75mm, 810g	152 × 113 × 75mm, 810g
Release date	October 23, 2008	July 25, 2008	November 2008	October 2005
Actual selling price at the time of release	US$2999.99	US$2,999	US$2,699	US$3,299

Best Full Frame D-SLR

From the above comparison chart, you can see that each D-SLR has some Pros and Cons. We can highlight some important points.

Sony A900 Pros

Highest pixel CMOS sensor
Biggest and clearest optical viewfinder (100%, about 0.74 times magnification)

Sony A900 Cons

Lowest ISO range
Missing Live View feature
Biggest body size

Nikon D700 Pros

Best ISO range
Best auto focus
Built-in flash
Best battery life

Nikon D700 Cons

Smallest view % viewfinder (95%)
Heaviest body

Canon EOS 5D mark II Pros

Best ISO range
Full HD movie capture
Smallest and lightest body
Lowest price

Canon EOS 5D mark II Cons

Worst auto focus
Lowest magnification viewfinder (0.71 times)
Slowest continuous shooting speed
Worst battery life

Choosing the best Full Frame D-SLR

It depends on what types of photo you are going to take with the full frame D-SLR.

For all purpose general use, pixel count is not so important, Nikon D700 would be the clear winner because of its pros: best ISO range, best auto focus, built-in flash and best battery life. Meanwhile, a lot of people would choose EOS 5D mark II over D700 because of Full HD movie capture and higher pixel count.

For taking picture of birds, you would need very good auto focus, fast continuous shooting and high pixel count; and you don’t need Live View for taking birds photos. Sony A900’s good auto focus, fast continuous shooting rate and highest pixel sensor best fit to this job.

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Posted in Canon, Nikon, Sony | No Comments » September 28th, 2008