The overwhelming takeaway from this review round table
is that every model examined here is a wonderful camera.
They are all well built, capture magnificent images, and
cleverly take advantage of the technological advantages
of the mirrorless format. Nobody is going to pick up any
of these cameras and walk away disappointed. The real
deciding factor ought to be your intended use.
Canon’s first foray into the full-frame mirrorless world
is a tidy, efficient model that is a breeze to use. As the
manufacturer has stepped into the arena so late, the
EOS R does have room to improve (its video capabilities
lag behind the others and the price point skews a bit high)
but being able to use it with EF and EF-S lenses is a massive
bonus. If you’re already invested in the Canon ecosystem,
the EOS R is the full-frame mirrorless for you.
Nikon jumped into the full-frame mirrorless game at the
same time as Canon, and both the Z6 and more expensive
Z7 models have made a good impression. If your shooting
style requires maximum resolution and speed isn’t an
issue, the more costly Z7 will be appealing, but, for
everyone else, the Z6 is a great bet: fast burst shooting;
great, high ISO performance; and stunning oversampled
UHD 4K video at a nice price.
Although no stranger to the mirrorless game, Panasonic
is new to the full-frame variety, and the manufacturer has
come out strong with the Lumix S1. The most pro-focused
camera of the bunch, it’s a little bulkier than the other models
reviewed, but it’s also the sturdiest as a result. Amazing high-
resolution stills, a beautifully sharp viewfinder, and stunning
video quality make for an extraordinary camera.
Full-frame mirrorless cameras have been Sony territory
for the longest time, and the a7 III benefits hugely from all
that experience. The camera is a terrific all-rounder, with
excellent low-light performance, reliable AF, speedy burst
shooting, and high-quality video output — all packed into
an impressively slim build.
So, which one takes the trophy? It’s almost too close to call
across most categories. If you’re already committed to one
of these brands in particular, it doesn’t make any sense to
cross the aisle at this point. That said, for anyone coming
in without allegiance, the wisdom of experience gives the
Sony a7 III the slightest edge.
Of course, Sony has had more time than the other
manufacturers to hustle for that advantage, and we should
be watching with great expectation to see what all four of
these brands do next with this exciting category.VERDICT
Sony a7 III sample images(^)
GEAR
SHOWDOWN
WINNER