In search of a High Resolution Full-frame Camera

I recently sold my Canon 5d Mark III because I don’t a big difference in terms of resolution and image quality with my Fujifilm X-T1.  To be honest, 16 Megapixel is more than enough for any commercial work; however there are clients that requires a high megapixel image.  I recently lost 4 projects because of this.  Now that got me thinking, shall I go for a medium format camera? After checking the prices of medium format cameras, I completely lost my appetite and needless to say  I changed my mind completely…

Luckily there are 35mm full-frame out there that can resolve a lot of resolution and they are the following:

Sony A7R II
Nikon D810
Canon 5DS / 5DSR

I did a lot some research and to be honest, any of these 3 cameras will solve my problem. Keeping in mind that  I won’t be shooting videos (or have any plans as of now ) so my focus is purely on the photography side.

Sony A7R II

Probably the best everyday camera in terms of size and features.  On features alone, the A7R II can beat both Canon and Nikon; at least on paper.  I haven’t personally used the A7R II but after watching a lot of reviews, It is a technological marvel of a camera; boasting a 42.4 megapixel with its small mirrorless body.  In terms of size and weight, it should be close to my Fuji X-T1’s.  The AF system is good, especially on native lenses.  Dynamic range and ISO performance is pretty good too, very comparable and even beating the Nikon and Canon on some of the test.

The cons?  First, the availability of native lenses.  Granted that there are plenty of 3rd party and converters, it is still nowhere near Canon and Nikon’s lens lineup.  Second, Sony releases new cameras every year, that means it will lose value quickly.  Third, battery consumption and lastly, durability.  I know they are very well made but because they are new, nobody knows how durable the Sony’s are.

Nikon D810

I am convinced that this is probably the best camera in terms of price to features ratio.  Right now, you can get a D810 in Dubai for around 8,000 AED if you search hard enough.  It comes with a 36 megapixel sensor which is more than double the resolution of my Fuji’s.  Among the 3 cameras, the D810 as per the reviews out there have the best dynamic range and high ISO performance.

For the cons; it doesn’t have the same details and resolution of the 5DSR and it is also an older camera compared to the 5DSR.  Apart from that, I don’t see any other problem that I could face with the D810.  Besides, of course familiarizing my self with the Nikon system since I am a Canon user ever since.

Canon 5DSR

This is where my dilemma is.  This camera is actually not bad at all.  As per the reviews, the 5DSR is a step-up in terms of dynamic range and high ISO to the 5D Mark III; the body is also the same as the 5D Mark III so using this camera would feel like home.  No learning curve required.  Most importantly, the amount of details being captured on this 50.6 megapixel monster is crazy good.

On the flip side; the dynamic range and high ISO is not as good as the Nikon’s, at least that’s the consensus on most of the reviews.  Although, to be honest, dynamic range on my 5D Mark III was never an issue. So, I don’t really know why a lot of reviewers mentions poor dynamic range on Canon cameras.

In commercial and advertising photography, having a high resolution camera is a good advantage.  Is it a must?  Probably not, but as of now, I lost 4 clients in one month because they require a high megapixel image.  To be honest, I don’t think they actually need a 50 megapixel image but since that is what their mind is set, convincing them otherwise is a waste of time.

If anyone is willing to let me borrow any of these cameras for a week, to do some real-world test, please contact me.

For now, I’m still undecided.