A good, large megapixel camera is what every photographer dreams of. While there is a plethora of options today, ranging from 20MP to 100MP, we decided to peek at the wider end of the pool: 50MP. While this category is niche on its own, with very few companies launching dedicated 50MP cameras or more, here is a look at the best that does offer. At the same time, we are also letting you know which camera you must definitely not carry with you if you want to work with a powerhouse.
Canon 5Ds
The Canon 5Ds may be ancient, but it is one of the workhorse cameras you can carry even today. It has a 35mm 50.6MP CMOS sensor, 252-zone TTL metering, 61-point high density reticular AF, and flash sync 1/200 sec. In addition, you get a 1,040k dot LCD monitor, bulb timer, 5fps of burst rate, and up to 1.6x crop options. Some of the things the camera excels at are the build quality, but it can be a bit heavy for users who have worked with mirrorless cameras. But don’t let that stop you from picking this up, as you get a lovely viewfinder, lots of resolution packed in an image, great color versatility, and some of the best autofocus on a Canon DSLR. So, if you work with portraits, landscapes, or architecture, this is your go-to device. And it is far cost-effective than the other offerings on this list.
Sony a1 II
The Sony a1 II is an upgrade of the a1, a powerful device from the company. The company uses the same 50MP sensor as the original camera, but adds the latest version of the BOINZ XR processor. There is also an AI chip, which offers better autofocus and image processing abilities. Other features include 15-stop dynamic range, 8K/30 fps video recording capability, Pre-Capture, and burst shooting of up to 30 fps with full AF/AE tracking. Although pricey, the camera excels at excellent autofocus, including on people of color in low light. There is also great weather resistance, incredible battery life, and excellent ergonomics. If you photograph people, then this is a camera you must think of purchasing.
Fujifilm GFX 50R
The Fujifilm GFX 50R is one of the best medium-format cameras available. It has a 51MP sensor, an ISO up to 102,400, a burst rate of 3.0fps, and a 3.69 million-dot OLED viewfinder. There is also a 2,360k-dot LCD, 1080p/30 video recording ability, 17 film simulation modes, and it measures 43.8×32.9mm. The camera has many pros, including great image quality, high ISO output, autofocus, weather sealing, and excellent ergonomics. As we said in our review, “The Fujifilm GFX 50R is almost a perfect camera. This is truly the first viable medium format camera designed to not be used in the studio. The Fujifilm GFX 50R is a camera that is meant to be out there with you.”
The One To Leave Behind: Fujifilm GFX50s II
The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is the second edition in the series. The device does not have massive innovations, as it offers the same sensor as the original camera. There is also the same burst rate, AF sensitivity up to -3.5EV, and a 3.9M-dot EVF. The only thing the camera does better is the newer X-processor 4, in-camera skin-softening, and image stabilisation of 6.5 stops. While the camera produces beautiful images, it has sluggish autofocus, face detection that could have been better, and the quick AF mode drains the battery. As we said, “In the future, we might rate the GFX50s II higher. But the camera needs firmware updates to make that happen.”
Overall, the list has some great options for anyone looking for a new, higher megapixel camera. There are diverse choices, and you can pick any based on your needs and affordability.