If you're shopping for a high-end professional or semi-pro camera, you've come to the right place! At Camera Labs I write in-depth reviews of cameras but understand you're busy people who sometimes just want recommendations of the most outstanding products. So here I'll cut to the chase and list the best professional DSLRs and mirrorless Compact System Cameras around right now.
On this page you'll find the best semi-pro and professional models. These are aimed at demanding enthusiasts or people for whom photography is a part or full-time profession. Typically these models will feature tough build often with some degree of weather sealing, fast handling and continuous shooting speeds, the best viewfinders and screens and a high degree of control and customization. They'll also be larger, heavier and more expensive than a mid-range model, and often lack the guidance and help of cheaper cameras, but if you take your photography very seriously or make your living from it, these are the models you should be looking at.
If you find my reviews useful and would like to support Camera Labs, please click and shop from the stores below or from my partner stores page. Alternatively why not buy me a coffee at my favourite cafe?! Just click the coffee cup on the right to buy me a treat via Paypal, and be sure to tell me what you'd like me to order! I really do appreciate your support! |
| Canon EOS 6D review |
|
|
|
Canon's EOS 6D is the company's 'affordable' full-frame DSLR aimed at those upgrading from a mid-range camera, or looking for a backup for a pricier model. It features a new 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor packed into what Canon describes as the smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR to date - indeed it's roughly similar in size to the EOS 60D and only 15g heavier. The EOS 6D is equipped with the same movie modes as the EOS 5D Mark III, and also offers 4.5fps continuous shooting and an 11-point AF system which can operate in very low light levels. Most uniquely it becomes the first Canon DSLR to boast both GPS and Wifi built into the body, the former allowing location tagging and the latter offering wireless remote control with compatible smartphones and direct uploading of images to the internet. The AF and continuous shooting may not be ideally suited for action photography, but Canon's aiming the EOS 6D at landscape, travel and portrait photographers who'll appreciate its quality, size and connectivity. A great option for those upgrading to full-frame, but also consider the Nikon D600 below.
Pros: Great quality; AF in very low light; built-in Wifi and GPS; tough body.
Cons: Single SD slot; no built-in flash; limited number of AF points; not 100% v/f.
Overall: Canon's most affordable full-frame DSLR is its first with Wifi and GPS. |
| Nikon D600 review |
|
|
|
The Nikon D600 is a 'budget' full-frame DSLR aimed at enthusiasts upgrading from mid-range models or pros looking for an affordable backup for a higher-end body. It's positioned roughly between the full-frame D800 (below) and the crop-format D7000 and combines many aspects of both. Along with a new 24 Megapixel full-frame FX-format sensor, you get the 100% viewfinder coverage and 3.2in screen of the D800 in addition to most of its movie features including microphone and headphone jacks and uncompressed HDMI output; you also get the build and twin SD card slots of the D7000. The D600 also features a new 39-point AF system, 5.5fps continuous shooting and a built-in flash, and supports the optional WU-1b for wireless remote control with compatible smartphones. Most important is the price: with the EOS 6D, it's the joint-cheapest new full-frame DSLR and brings this cropless factor to a wider audience than before. Great quality, features and value. What more could you want from a DSLR at this price-point? Do compare closely with the Canon 6D above though.
Pros: Superb quality, only out-resolved by the D800. Great movie options.
Cons: Basic 3-frame bracketing. Lacks built-in Wifi and GPS of EOS 6D.
Overall: A more affordable version of the D800 with few compromises. A great DSLR. |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark III review |
|
|
|
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a highly satisfying all-round full-frame DSLR. It feels tough, handles quickly and delivers great-looking 22 Mpixel photos and 1080p video. Canon has pretty much addressed all the complaints of the Mark II and also included all the nice extras commonly offered by Nikon, like 100% viewfinder coverage, twin card slots, deep bracketing and an AF system packed with points. This is a camera which out-performs the Mark II on everything other than photo resolution, and in use feels a world-apart from its predecessor. It is the camera the Mark II always wanted to be - or arguably should have been. But it's also a lot more expensive and potential buyers should also consider the D800 or indeed the Mark II.
Pros: Great photo and video quality; powerful AF; 6fps
Cons: No built-in flash, wifi, GPS, movie AF or flip-out screen.
Overall: A superb all-rounder, but detail fans may prefer D800. |
| Nikon D800 review |
|
|
|
Nikon's D800 is the highest resolution DSLR to date, boasting a 36 Megapixel full-frame sensor which delivers images jam-packed with fine detail. The D800 is about more than just resolution though: it'll also do 1080p video with mic and headphone jacks and clean HDMI output, it sports a 51-point AF system, 3.2in screen, 4fps shooting and unlike the Canon 5D Mark III, sports a popup flash which can also act as a wireless controller. And the icing on the cake? It's cheaper than the Mark III and there's even a D800E version for those who prefer to manage moire themselves. The Mark III is quicker and delivers better quality video, but the D800's detail is very seductive. Like the Mark III it's highly recommended, but if you don't need 36 Megapixels, also consider the more affordable D600 above.
Pros: Incredible detail. Superb ergonomics and handling.
Cons: 'Only' 4fps in FX mode. Some moire in video.
Overall: Top-end photos, but video fans may prefer 5D3. D600 is also tempting. |
| Canon EOS 7D review |
|
|
|
Canon's EOS 7D is an 18 Megapixel cropped-frame DSLR. It's positioned and priced below the full-frame 5D Mark II, but actually out-performs it in almost every respect other than sensor size and ultimate image quality. The 7D boasts a viewfinder with 100% coverage and LCD graphics, 8fps continuous shooting, a fast 19-point AF system with zoning, built-in wireless flash control and a new metering system which takes colour information into account. The body is also a little tougher, which all adds up to one of the most confident DSLRs on the market at this price. It may be a few years old, but remains a fantastic and quick DSLR for those who don't need or can't afford either a full-frame or pro sports model.
Pros: Tough build, big viewfinder, HD video, zonable 19-point AF.
Cons: Needs a good lens to exploit resolution. Basic 3-frame AEB.
Overall: Pro sports performance at a lower-semi-pro price. |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark II review |
|
|
|
Canon's EOS 5D Mark II is the predecessor to the Mark III above. It may be out-featured by the latest model, but still features a full-frame sensor with virtually the same resolution, along with 1080p video, all for a considerably lower price tag. If you don't need more than 3.9fps shooting and are happy with a basic 9-point AF system, the Mark II actually represents a bit of a bargain which is why Canon is keeping it in the range. It's also very well-supported in terms of accessories to enhance the movie mode. This makes it equally good for photographers who desire full-frame coverage as well as independent film makers who can't stretch to the Mark III.
Pros: Full-frame body; HD movies; VGA screen.
Cons: No popup flash; only 3.9fps; basic 9-point AF.
Overall: A relative bargain now the Mark III has arrived. |
| Sony NEX-7 review |
|
|
|
The NEX-7 is Sony's flagship compact system camera. Like all NEX cameras it employs an APS-C sized sensor, this time with 24 Megapixels. It's also the first NEX to sport a built-in electronic viewfinder (one of the best around) along with a popup flash, hotshoe and microphone input. Sony's also addressed previous concerns over control with three customizable dials. In addition you get 10fps shooting, 1080p video at 50/60p and a tilting screen, all packed into a body that's smaller than a traditional DSLR. It all adds up to one of the best overall CSCs to date, although compare closely with the Olympus E-M5 which currently enjoys a much broader native lens selection, weatherproofing and built-in IS.
Pros: Superb EVF. Great movie options. Custom dials.
Cons: Limited native lens selection. Basic bracketing.
Overall: One of the best higher-end CSCs. |
| Sony SLT A77 review |
|
|
|
The A77 sits near the top of Sony's innovative SLT range, second only to the full-frame A99. Unlike traditional DSLRs, Sony's SLTs employ a fixed semi-reflective mirror which allow them to exploit the quick and confident phase-change AF system of a DSLR with the full-time Live View operation of a CSC. The result is true continuous autofocus for video and fast continuous shooting with autofocus making it a great choice for movie and action shooters alike. The A77 also boasts a 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor, 12fps shooting, 1080/50/60p video, a superb EVF, tilting screen, durable build and built-in GPS receiver. Traditionalists or low light shooters may still prefer an optical viewfinder, but the A77 out-features traditional DSLRs at this price point and redefines what a semi-pro camera could be. Anyone wishing for a similar feature-set but with a full-frame sensor should consider the top-end SLT A99.
Pros: Superb EVF. 12fps. Movie AF.
Cons: Limited exposure control at 12fps
Overall: Fast, feature-packed modern camera. |
| Olympus OMD EM5 review |
|
|
|
The OMD E-M5 is the first mirrorless compact system camera from Olympus with a built-in EVF and weatherproof construction. It's styled like the hugely popular OM series of 35mm SLRs in the Seventies, but inside is a thoroughly modern camera based on the Micro Four Thirds standard. It features 16 Mpixels, 9fps shooting, 1080p video, a vertically-tilting 3in OLED touch-screen, built-in 5-axis stabilisation which works with any lens and what Olympus claims is the World's fastest AF. Some may find the clip-on flash inconvenient and wish Olympus had equipped the E-M5 with a mic input and interval shooting, but overall it's one of the most satisfying compact system cameras to date.
Compare closely with the NEX-7.
Pros: Weatherproof, great EVF and screen, built-in IS.
Cons: Flash not built-in, no mic input, screen tilts not flips.
Overall: A truly satisfying CSC for demanding owners. |
| Panasonic Lumix GH3 review |
|
|
|
Panasonic's Lumix GH3 is the company's flagship mirrorless camera and the most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera to date. The GH3 builds on its predecessor's prowess in video with high bit rates, Intra-frame encoding and unlimited recording times to satisfy broadcast professionals along with both headphone and microphone jacks. The photo resolution remains 16 Megapixels, but the viewfinder and fully-articulated screen have both been improved with OLED technology and arguably most exciting of all it becomes the first Lumix G model to boast splash and dust-proof construction; this makes it the second weatherproof Micro Four Thirds camera after the Olympus EM5. In addition the Lumix GH3 features quicker AF, slightly faster continuous 6fps shooting and built-in Wifi, allowing the camera to upload images to cloud or sharing services and exploit compatible smartphones as advanced wireless remote controls. It all adds up to the most professional Micro Four Thirds camera to date and the preferred choice for video shooters, although still photographers should compare closely with the Olympus EM5.
Pros: Broadcast quality video; OLED viewfinder and touch-screen; weather-sealed; Wifi.
Cons: More expensive than Olympus EM5 and lacks its built-in stabilization.
Overall: A truly high-end mirrorless camera that competes with the big boys for video. |
| Fujifilm XPro1 review |
|
|
|
Fujifilm's X-Pro1 is a mirrorless camera unashamedly aimed at high-end enthusiasts. It's a retro-styled rangefinder design with an innovative hybrid viewfinder which offers either an optical view with digital overlays, or a pure EVF. The 16 Megapixel X-Trans sensor is APS-C sized, but eschews the traditional bayer colour filter pattern for one which delivers sharper results. There's also traditional analogue controls. And rather than launching with the usual kit zoom, the X-Pro1 arrived with three high quality primes to choose from. The AF and movie modes may be unremarkable and there's no stabilized options at launch, making the E-M5 or NEX-7 systems more flexible overall, but the quality, style and control of the X-Pro1 will delight still shooters. And while it's pricier than most CSCs, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a Leica M9.
Pros: Superb image quality, innovative viewfinder.
Cons: Basic AF and movie modes. No stabilized options at launch.
Overall: Excellent choice if movies and quick AF aren't critical. |
|
