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Best High Megapixel Camera to Buy (13 Picks in 2024)

When it comes to photography, there are a few key specs that you’ll want to look for when purchasing a new camera. One of the most important is megapixels.

Product specifications and highlights restored from our saved catalogue records. The original article date and recommendations are unchanged.

But do you really need a camera with high megapixels? Most people think that the higher the number of megapixels, the better the camera is. If that’s still on your mind I recommend you check out this post before you continue.

FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Fujifilm GFX100S
Fujifilm
Fujifilm GFX100S
80
SCORE
View →

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 13 of the best high-megapixel cameras available in 2022 to help you decide which is the right one for you. So whether you’re looking for a professional-grade camera or something more affordable, we’ve got you covered!

In order of the cameras which scored highest on our site, here are the best megapixel cameras rated by CameraReviews:

13 Best Rated Cameras with High Megapixel Count:

Fujifilm GFX100S

Fujifilm GFX100S
Resolution
102 MP
Sensor
Medium Format
Video
4K
Weight
900 g

Trade-Offs

  • Low-resolution viewfinder
  • Autofocus performance varies depending on the lens
  • Poor AF tracking and not available when shooting video
  • Unreliable face and eye detection
  • Short battery life

Sony a7R IV

Sony a7R IV
Resolution
61.2 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
665 g

Trade-Offs

  • Long write times
  • Poor AF at high frame rates
  • No pixel-shift motion compensation
  • Complicated menus
  • Limited, laggy touchscreen functionality

Pentax 645Z

Pentax 645Z
Resolution
51.4 MP
Sensor
Medium Format
Video
Full HD
Weight
1550 g

Trade-Offs

  • Autofocus (AF) can be slow
  • AF points are only found around the center of the frame
  • Slow burst mode
  • Bulky and heavy body
  • Lacks decent video features

Fujifilm GFX 50S II

Fujifilm GFX 50S II
Resolution
51 MP
Sensor
Medium Format
Video
Full HD
Weight
900 g

Highlights

  • Fantastic Fujifilm image quality
  • 6.5 stops of in-body image stabilization
  • Small and relatively light
  • Dual-tilt screen for portrait and landscape formats
  • Artistic Film Simulation modes

Trade-Offs

  • Unreliable face and eye detection, unavailable in Continuous AF
  • Slow contrast-detect autofocus
  • Slow 3 fps continuous shooting rate
  • No 4K Ultra HD video
  • 16-shot stitching only works with a tripod and static subjects

Canon EOS 5DS R

Canon EOS 5DS R
Resolution
50.6 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
Full HD
Weight
930 g

Highlights

  • Fabulous sensor and image quality
  • Excellent AF system with face detection and tracking
  • Hot shoe connector and mic jack
  • A webcam when paired with the app
  • Long-lasting battery life

Trade-Offs

  • Limited ISO range and max of 12,800
  • Slow 5 fps continuous shooting speed
  • Lacks sensor-shift image stabilization
  • No wireless connectivity
  • No 4K video recording, only Full HD

Sony a1

Sony a1
Resolution
50.1 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
8K
Weight
737 g

Highlights

  • Large sensor captures tons of detail
  • High frame rate of 30 fps
  • Eye tracking (human, animal, and bird)
  • Easy customization
  • Silent shooting for quiet situations
  • Incredible 8K/30p Ultra HD video

Trade-Offs

  • Expensive
  • Highest frame rates only for JPEG, HEIF, and lossy compressed RAW files
  • Eye tracking only selected manually
  • Small rear LCD screen
  • No GPS

Hasselblad X1D 50c

Hasselblad X1D 50c
Resolution
50 MP
Sensor
Medium Format
Video
Full HD
Weight
725 g

Trade-Offs

  • AF system has no face-detection capabilities
  • Slow 2.7 fps burst speed
  • No image stabilization
  • No articulating screen
  • Slow start-up time

Leica Q2

Leica Q2
Resolution
47.3 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
734 g

Trade-Offs

  • It's a big-budget camera
  • Max ISO setting of 50,000
  • No built-in flash
  • No articulating screen
  • Battery life isn't great

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
Resolution
47.3 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
1020 g

Trade-Offs

  • Pricey compared to competitors
  • Heavy camera body
  • Disappointing battery life
  • 4K video is cropped

Nikon Z9

Nikon Z9
Resolution
46 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
8K
Weight
1340 g

Highlights

  • Ultra-fast image processor
  • High, 120 fps compressed frame rate
  • No visible rolling shutter
  • Excellent battery life
  • 8K/60p Ultra HD video
  • Unlimited low-resolution recording

Trade-Offs

  • Only 11 MP files at the highest frame
  • You can only shoot RAW files at 20 fps
  • Tracking can fail with erratic movement
  • IBIS not as good as Canon R3
  • Autofocus isn't as good for video
  • The screen doesn't fully articulate

Nikon Z7 II

Nikon Z7 II
Resolution
45.75 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
705 g

Trade-Offs

  • Disappointing battery life of 420 shots
  • Tilt screen has limited flexibility
  • Limited lens range
  • Slow frame rate of 10 fps in continuous shooting speed

Nikon Z7

Nikon Z7
Resolution
45.7 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
675 g

Trade-Offs

  • Slow 9 fps max continuous shooting speed
  • Unreliable battery life
  • Single XDQ card slot
  • Limited Nikon Z-mount lenses

Nikon D850

Nikon D850
Resolution
45.7 MP
Sensor
Full Frame
Video
4K
Weight
1005 g

Highlights

  • Fantastic overall image quality
  • Excellent 3D continuous AF tracking
  • Long, 1,840-shot battery life
  • Durable, weather-sealed construction
  • Sharp 4K/30p Ultra HD video

Trade-Offs

  • No customizable shooting presets
  • Slow autofocus in Live View
  • Needs an expensive XQD card
  • Rolling shutter noticeable in 4K video
  • Slow 7 fps or 9 fps with an expensive battery grip

Our Verdict

So there you have it, our top 9 picks for the best high megapixel cameras on the market right now. Keep in mind that resolution is not everything; a camera with great features and optics will take much better photos than a camera with more pixels but inferior specs.

Make sure to consider other factors such as price, features and portability when making your decision. And be sure to check out our camera comparison tool to find the perfect model for your needs.

With that said, if you are looking for a camera that can capture extremely high-resolution images, any of these models would be a great choice. And if you do invest, don’t forget to take advantage of those extra pixels – crop in close on your subject for an amazing level of detail!

FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Fujifilm GFX100S
Fujifilm
Fujifilm GFX100S
80
SCORE
View →

Do you have a favorite high-megapixel camera? Maybe you can suggest a better option than on our list. Let us know in the comments below!

Written by CameraReviews for CameraReview. Updated January 2024.
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