2019.07.24 06:00

On July 17, 2019, Sony announced the release of its new full-size mirrorless SLR, the α7R IV, which boasts the world's highest pixel count (61 MP) for a digital camera with a full-size sensor, on September 6. The α7R IV is the successor to the α7R III (42MP), which was released on November 25, 2017.

Prior to the release of the α7R IV, of the four strongest full-frame mirrorless cameras (Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Panasonic), the Panasonic Lumix S1R (50 MP), released on March 23, 2019, had the highest pixel count.

It also surpassed the Canon EOS5Ds (53 MP, released on June 18, 2015), which had the highest pixel count among full-frame SLRs, making it the world's highest pixel count for a digital camera with a full-frame image sensor by a long shot.

The pixel count of digital cameras with full-frame image sensors is generally in the 24MP class, and it would not be wrong to assume that high-resolution models are between 30MP and 50MP. For these reasons, I believe that a 50MP sensor is the best choice.

For these reasons, when asked what model of ultra-high pixel camera over 50MP I would recommend the Fujifilm GFX50S (51MP, released on February 28, 2017), a medium format mirrorless SLR with a sensor larger than a full frame (about 1.7 times larger), after confirming whether 50MP pixels are really necessary. It is a medium-format mirrorless SLR with a larger sensor than the full-frame (about 1.7 times larger). In the world of medium-format digital cameras, Pentax has a single-lens reflex camera called the "645Z" (51MP, released in June 2014), but in the case of ultra-high pixel models, mirrorless cameras are clearly better suited for taking photos that take advantage of the high pixel count, with very little shock during shooting than single-lens reflex cameras, so the 2017 Since 2006, the GFX50S has been recommended.

The area of a full-frame sensor is only less than 60% of that of a medium-format sensor. A medium-format sensor is like five people living in a 100-square-meter one-story house. On the other hand, a full-frame sensor is like five people living in a one-story house with a floor space of 60 tsubo. If there is enough space between pixels, it can take in a lot of light, so it can take pictures with little noise even in dark places.

Normally, it would be "crazy" to plan a full-frame digital camera packed with more than 60 MP pixels. The fact that Sony, a leading company in the image sensor industry, was able to achieve this can only be described as a testament to the fact that they succeeded in bringing out the benefits of the 61MP image sensor while keeping the negatives as low as possible, allowing the user to relax and take normal pictures (with the added benefit of being able to use a (Of course, memory cards and PCs are required to have extremely high specifications, so good girls and girls, please do not touch ultra-high pixel cameras.)

The pixel competition among full-frame cameras was sparked by Nikon's 2012 launch of the D800 SLR (36 MP); in 2013, Sony followed suit with the α7R (36 MP), a higher-pixel version of its first full-frame mirrorless camera.

In 2015, Canon achieved an unprecedented 53 MP with its EOS5Ds SLR. However, the 53MP ultra-high pixel image sensor seems to have been too much for SLRs, where mirror shock occurs during shooting. Unless the user used the very special and troublesome mirror-up method, it was impossible to take advantage of the 53MP sensor's performance, making it a flawed machine that was a complete disaster. It has been passed down as Canon's "black history" of spec-oriented development that went out of control and was a huge failure.

In the summer of 2019, the two-top (Nikon and Canon) have added to their agenda not only to produce a full-frame mirrorless camera flagship model equivalent or superior to the α9 (24MP, 20fps), which is the go-to model for sports photographers at the Olympics and other events, but also an ultra-high-pixel model equivalent or superior to the α7R IV (61MP, 10fps) (61MP, 10fps) was added to the list. The "α7R IV" is a monster of a camera, with ultra-high pixel counts, but it also secures high-speed continuous shooting performance of 10 fps (a camera with continuous shooting performance of 10 fps or higher can be considered to have sufficient performance for shooting sports and other intensely moving subjects).

By the way, I was born and raised in the former Gunma 3rd district of the House of Representatives (fixed number 4). It was the scene of the "Jyoshu War," in which Takeo Fukuda, Yasuhiro Nakasone, Keizo Obuchi, and Tsuruo Yamaguchi fought to the death. My grandfather (1918-2010), who lived with him, was a close friend of the "Supreme Commander" who was also born in Takasaki in 1918, and the "Supreme Commander" always came to greet my grandfather before the Lower House election.

I was often treated well by his secretary, Mr. Yoshihiko Kamiwada (deceased), who was called "Nakasone's safekeeper. His home was within walking distance of my parents' house, so from the time I was about five years old until I was in the upper grades of elementary school, I frequently visited him and my grandparents. I was able to acquire knowledge of politics and economics at an early age that was not found in textbooks.

Seeing the spectacle of Sony, which inherited the camera division of Minolta, which had been the third-ranked manufacturer for many years, and which was now surpassing the two top manufacturers of the century, reminded me of the events of 1998, when Keizo Obuchi, who had ridiculed himself as "a ramen shop in the valley of Bill (Takeo Fukuda and Yasuhiro Nakasone)," won the position of Prime Minister.

Just as an ordinary person would never aspire to be a Prime Minister, it would be reckless for an ordinary photographer to seek an ultra-high pixel camera. The cost is too great. Considering your primary subject, shooting style, etc., the best camera for you may not be the camera that is currently selling or the camera that is currently attracting attention.

A good friend of mine, who spent his childhood in West Germany and graduated from high school and college in North America, once asked me for my honest opinion on an APS-C digital SLR camera that he was considering purchasing from a certain company. I recommended that a Fujifilm APS-C mirrorless camera would be the best for my best friend after he answered several questions about his existing lens assets, intended use, and shooting style. Shortly thereafter, my best friend purchased the camera I recommended. He has been using it for almost a year now and loves it very much. He is a camera sommelier at heart.

The most expensive full frame mirrorless camera costs more than 800,000 yen for the body alone. There are many unethical writers out there who write articles about specific models in exchange for money. Some camera stores sell expensive models with features that are not necessary in order to achieve their sales goals. As a result, there is no end to the number of people who waste money on cameras (in particular, many men buy more expensive cameras than necessary to commemorate their retirement from large companies).

Therefore, we have begun accepting consultations on camera selection from a neutral standpoint and without conflict of interest, albeit for a fee (10,800 yen/hour including consumption tax). Interested readers should feel free to send inquiries to the following e-mail address (toshihisa.nagai.photo.office@gmail.com).

first appearance : AGORA