Comparing the Dynamic Range of the Sony A7 III, Canon EOS R, Fujifilm XT-3, and Nkon Z7

Let’s see how the current flagship mirrorless cameras stack up against one another in terms of dynamic range.

In the future, when we look back on 2018, we will remember it as the year the photography industry moved full steam into the mirrorless world. Never before have so many compelling mirrorless camera options been available on the market at the same time. The Sony A7III was the first, announced back in February of this year at WPPI, and it was followed by the Nikon Z7, Canon EOS R, and the Fujifilm XT-3 being announced within days of each other that summer. Photographer Michael Andrew recently did a comparison of the dynamic range between these four mirrorless cameras in his latest video, which you can view after the jump.

Andrew’s dynamic range comparison examined the noise artifacts from each camera system by capturing images fired from a strobe at each system through a Stouffer Industries Transmission Step Wedge strip containing 41 minuscule ND filters. These filters gradually increase at 1/3 f stop increments, and subsequently review the images in Adobe Camera Raw to determine the point at which you can no longer differentiate between adjacent ND filers on the Stouffer strip.

At base ISO, Andrew’s comparison found the Sony A7III to have demonstrated a slight dynamic range advantage over the Canon EOS R, Fujifilm XT-3, as well as the Nikon Z7. The Sony A7III, Canon EOS R, and Nikon Z7 were at ISO 100 while the Fujifilm XT-3 was at ISO 80. At ISO 1600, the Sony A7III continued to lead the pack in terms of dynamic range, with the full frame Canon EOS R and the Nikon Z7 falling slighting behind but performing better than the crop sensor Fujifilm XT-3, which began to show considerable noise.

Have you made the jump into any of these mirrorless systems already? Did this comparison test match your expectations of how each camera system would perform? Let us know in the comments below.

Pauleth Ip

Paul is a New York City based photographer, creative, and writer. His body of work includes headshots and commercial editorials for professionals, in-demand actors/performers, high net worth individuals, and corporate clients, as well as intimate lifestyle/boudoir photography with an emphasis on body positivity and empowerment. Paul also has a background in technology and higher education, and regularly teaches private photography seminars. When not working on reviews and features for The Phoblographer or shooting client work, Paul can be seen photographing personal projects around NYC, or traveling the world with his cameras in tow. You can find Paul’s latest work on his Instagram over at @thepicreative.