What is the Best Cheap Full Frame Camera?
- Best Cheap Mirrorless Full Frame Camera Challenge
- Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Sony Alpha A7R
- Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Nikon Z6
- Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Canon EOS R
- Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
- Don’t Forget Lenses!
- Everyone likes saving money.
- Full Frame mirrorless cameras are versatile.
- Full Frame is a great format.
Are you looking for an inexpensive Full Frame format camera? Whether you want a second body to complement your existing gear or move into Full Frame format for the first time, the prices of some cameras can be a little concerning.
And yet, we want a good camera. So, what do we do? The answer is used camera gear. The best place to get used cameras and lenses is the online platform MPB.
You can find the best cheap Full Frame camera at MPB because they are experts in used photography equipment. Not only can you buy with confidence because of their attention to detail, great customer service, and protection policies, but you can also sell or trade in the gear you no longer want or use to offset the cost of your new-to-you Full Frame camera.
I use MPB all the time for cameras, lenses, and other accessories, and they have saved me a lot of money. Based on their descriptions and condition ratings, I know exactly what I’m getting, and I have yet to use their generous 6-month warranty and 7-day return/exchange window.
Follow along as I show what can be found at MPB as the best cheap Full Frame camera. Instead of my regular Good-Better-Best format, I’ll list several bodies that qualify as the best mirrorless Full Frame Camera.
Table of Contents:
Best Cheap Mirrorless Full Frame Camera Challenge
I decided to give myself the Best Cheap Mirrorless Full Frame Camera Challenge for a few reasons.
Let me take these one by one.
Saving Money
Used, or if you prefer pre-owned, cameras and lenses are a time-tested way to get great equipment for lower costs. Some people think "used" is only dusty, marginally working, ancient gear, which I have found at many stores and even buried under lace doilies at a yard sale.
The used gear I like for actual use is still relatively new, in great condition, and possibly even still on the market as brand new. Just as I can find a used car from the current model year for far less than a dealer showroom new car, I routinely find great examples of current or recently replaced cameras and lenses on the used market. And just like the vehicles, the pricing is always favorable.
Mirrorless Versatility
I decided to transition to mirrorless for my own personal gear because of its versatility. I can still use virtually any lens I’ve ever owned with the proper adapter. Mirrorless cameras are rugged. Most have superb video modes.
Full Frame Quality
All else being equal, capturing on a larger format produces better images and video. Obviously, things are rarely equal, so there is much room for different formats. I own and use several smaller format cameras, and I love the professional results.
But (here’s my big but), Full Frame format has a larger area, so images need less enlargement, often resulting in incredibly sharp images when printed as very large prints or shown on widescreen monitors. And larger formats have better low-light performance due to physically larger pixel sizes.
So, I wanted to see what’s available as usable, pro-capable, fun, and, above all, cheap camera options. I’ve listed these best cheap Full Frame camera bodies pretty much from lowest to highest prices, though prices can vary a lot on the used market.
Availability fluctuates quite a bit as well, so if there isn’t any camera in stock as you first look, MPB will take you to a place marker page for that camera model. Used gear comes and goes rapidly and constantly, so just come back in a day or two to find the one you want.
Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Sony Alpha A7R
The Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Sony Alpha A7R is the first up for discussion. Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras set an early and very high bar for professional-level, Full Frame format mirrorless cameras and haven't slowed down since.
Sony Alpha A7R was released in 2014 and boasts a 36.3MP sensor that is still on the higher end side of sensor resolution. The only thing that’s noticeably less than newer cameras is the lack of 4K video, though it does offer great quality Full HD video recording at 1080/60p and 24p.
Prices are fantastic for this heavy-duty camera, currently ranging at MPB from Good at $504 to Excellent at $559.
The Sony Alpha A7C is another good choice if you want an FE-mount camera that is smaller and lower in weight. Introduced in 2020, this camera is smaller and lighter than many crop sensor cameras. It will run in a higher price range, a little more than double what the A7R costs.
Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Nikon Z6
The Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Nikon Z6 is one of two mirrorless bodies with a new lens mount Nikon introduced in 2018. Nikon went all-in with the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras and numerous professional-level lenses.
It’s a fantastic camera that is fully professional but with ease-of-use features that appeal to more intermediate or even entry-level users. There was some noise about the new memory card format (and only having one card slot), but it has proven to be a great move.
The Nikon Z6 has a 24.5MP sensor and can record 4K video. The low light performance of this camera is outstanding, and it is also a favorite camera for videographers moving up to Full Frame format 4K recording. You can find this on MPB, ranging from $774 for Good condition up to $839 for Excellent.
Nikon announced a true entry-level Full Frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z5, in 2020 that is in the running for the best cheap Full Frame camera, too. I found it at around $919 for a Like New condition camera body.
Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Canon EOS R
The Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H deserves some love here as an awesome contender for the best cheap Full Frame camera title.
A joint project for a new mirrorless Full Frame format camera and lens mount system was announced in 2018, with Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma combining forces. The resulting cameras and lenses have been spectacular examples of high-quality equipment at surprisingly reasonable prices, even for showroom-new gear.
The Panasonic Lumix S1H was brought to market in 2020 and still looks good. It definitely belongs on this list of the best cheap Full Frame camera models. This camera uses a 24MP sensor to deliver superb low-light performance and jaw-dropping 6K video quality.
You read that right, 6K, not 4K. This camera is a favorite among advanced hybrid (dual videography/photography) shooters. It’s a wonderful pro-level camera for general use as well. I found it at MPB for $2049 in Like New condition.
With a huge selection of native lenses and virtually unlimited access to vintage lenses with the proper adapter, L-Mount cameras deserve a look.
Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
The Best Cheap Full Frame Camera - Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H deserves some love here as an awesome contender for the best cheap Full Frame camera title.
A joint project for a new mirrorless Full Frame format camera and lens mount system was announced in 2018 with Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma combining forces. The resulting cameras and lenses have been spectacular examples of high-quality equipment at surprisingly reasonable prices, even for showroom-new gear.
The Panasonic Lumix S1H was brought to market in 2020 and still looks good. It definitely belongs on this list of best cheap Full Frame camera models. Using a 24MP sensor, this camera delivers superb low light performance and jaw-dropping 6K video quality.
You read that right, 6K, not 4K. That makes this camera a favorite among advanced hybrid (dual videography/photography) shooters. It’s a wonderful pro-level camera for general use as well. I found it at MPB for $2049 in Like New condition.
With a huge selection of native lenses along with virtually unlimited access to vintage lenses with the proper adapter, L-Mount cameras deserve a look.
Don’t Forget Lenses!
That’s just a short rundown of the best cheap Full Frame cameras I found on MPB. You will also want to check out all of the fine lenses for these Full Frame mirrorless cameras to get yourself outfitted with a truly excellent Full Frame camera setup!
