It feels like, with every Sony release, the competition is just playing catch-up. The new Canon EOS R5 C was the answer to the FX3, while the Nikon Z 9 was an answer to the A7 lineup. But there are cheaper alternatives that still pack a punch.
So what are they? I'm glad you asked.
Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless Camera
Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless Camera
- 45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- Dual EXPEED 6 Image Processors
- UHD 4K60 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 10 fps Cont. Shooting, ISO 64-25600
- 493-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- 3.6m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction
Nikon has a pedigree that makes you stop and listen. With the new Z line of cameras, the Japanese company made a big push into the mirrorless world.
With the Nikon Z7 II, everything that was great about the original is made even more capable. Sporting a high-resolution 45.7MP FX-format BSI CMOS sensor and dual EXPEED 6 image processors, the Z7 II is clearly aimed at the detail-obsessed image-maker. The sensor's design omits the optical low-pass filter for greater detail recording capability and the sensor supports a native sensitivity range down to ISO 64 for lush, rich capture. Eligible for an optional ProRes RAW upgrade, the camera can output ProRes RAW footage to a compatible Atomos external recorder and provides greater color grading flexibility with the ability to output uncompressed 12-bit raw footage over HDMI.
Support for HDR (HLG) mode when recording externally also gives instant HDR-suitable video files for immediate playback while N-Log is also available for enhanced control during post-production and grading.
Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera
- 30.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 8 Image Processor
- UHD 4K30 Video; C-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 5655 AF Points
- 3.69m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.15" 2.1m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD
- Expanded ISO 50-102400, 8 fps Shooting
The first step in Canon's mirrorless evolution, the EOS R pairs a redeveloped lens mount and updated full-frame image sensor for a unique and sophisticated multimedia camera system. EOS R features a high-resolution 30.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor along with a DIGIC 8 image processor.
Designed for a multimedia creator, the EOS R supports UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution recording at up to 30 fps at 480 Mb/s, along with Full HD 1080p shooting at 60 fps and HD 720p at 120 fps for slow-motion playback. When recording in-camera, 4K video has 4:2:2 sampling and 8-bit color depth, and a 4:2:2 10-bit clean output in ITU-R CT.2020 is possible when using an external recorder.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix S5 Mirrorless Camera
- 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- UHD 4K60 Video,10-Bit Internal Recording
- V-Log, HDR, and Dual Native ISO
- 2.36m-Dot 0.74x-Magnification OLED LVF
- 3.0" 1.84m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
- Contrast-Detect 225-Area DFD AF System
- 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
- ISO 100-51200, up to 7 fps Shooting
The Panasonic Lumix S5 meshes capable video and photo capabilities with a portable body design. Featuring a full-frame 24.2MP CMOS sensor, the S5 is distinguished by its UHD 4K60 10-bit internal recording, Dual Native ISO, and wide 14+-stop dynamic range. Optimizing your recording for post-production color adjustment, the S5 also features a pair of gamma settings suited to capturing a wide dynamic range. V-Log has been pre-installed on this camera and is used to capture a flat, neutral gamma curve and an equivalent 14+ stops of dynamic range, making it well-suited for grading.
Additionally, a High Dynamic Range mode, and Hybrid Log Gamma, can be used to record greater detail in both the shadow and highlight regions of a scene.
