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Welcome to the full frame vs crop sensor debate! It’s important to remember how many different ways we can shoot nowadays, and that one format is not better than the other—just simply better suited for certain styles!

Let’s first start with some background.

What is a Full Frame Camera?

So, what is a full frame camera? We need to know what this camera is if we are to understand what crop camera is. The term full frame camera has its origin from the days when they used to shoot film. The 35mm film was typically used, so Canon was the first manufacturer to come out with a digital camera sensor that was the size of 35mm film. This was considered a full frame camera back then. So, when you think of a full frame camera, you can think of the 35mm equivalent of film. That’s what the term full frame stands for.

What is a Crop Sensor Camera?

On the other hand, a crop sensor camera is a variation of crop size inside a camera. What this does is that it makes the sensor smaller so it can fit on a smaller body, giving you a smaller, more compact version of a full frame. There are advantages and disadvantages to this, which we will dive into later.

Normally, if you are Canon user, the crop factor ranges between 1.3 and 1.6, depending on the make and the model. If you are a Nikon user, it is easy to figure out because it is usually around 1.5.

This should give you a basic understanding of how small the sensor is if you think on the inside of the camera. The full frame sensor or camera has the size of the big box, while the crop sensor has the size of the smaller box, so to say.

However, “full frame” is not really full. It is just the equivalent of the previous sensor standard. So, hypothetically a bigger sensor could be implemented. This would call for a new name for sensors.

If we’re being technical, a full frame sensor should really be called 35mm equivalent sensor and the crop frame should be referred to as an APS C sensor.

So what are the advantages of using this kind of image sensor?

Full Frame Camera Benefits

Full frame cameras perform better in low-light situations. The reason behind this logic relies on the fact that they actually have more photosites, which allows them to capture more light and perform with less noise at high ISO values than a compact camera’s sensors. To think of working at ISO values nearing 12,000 on nonfull-frame cameras is insane, whereas for full frame models it’s actually a fairly common adjustment for night photography. Hence the reason why full frame bodies are known for their ISO performance.

If you are doing a lot of landscape photography and want to take a lot of wide angle shots, you can get a full frame camera and a regular 24mm and you will likely have the same 18mm or a little bit less of what crop frame sensor would shoot. So, you get a wider angle used. A full frame camera is really useful f0r real estate photography, where you need to get an entire room in the shot. If you don’t have a 10mm lens or something like that, you can shoot with a 16mm or 17mm lens and get the same effect.

In general, full frame cameras much more expensive than cropped frame ones, along with their accessories. For example, Nikon FX cameras are valued around 1.8x the value of DX cameras; the same comparison can be applied to a Canon DSLR camera. Lenses and other accessories are more expensive because they are considered professional cameras, not for hobbyists and amateurs.

Another good reason to pick a full frame vs a crop sensor is the opportunity to experience (and fall in love with) the 35mm film of a 35mm lens. One of the biggest aspects of digital photography that is lost is the possibility of creating background blur with ease. Putting aside depth of field technique discussions, 35mm lenses on full frame body makes it much easier. Shooting with film is a special experience in and of itself, but for photography these days, working with a quality 35mm lens paired with a full frame DSLR body is a blessing (especially if we compare it with the APS C camera counterpart).

Full Frame Camera Drawbacks

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of using a full frame camera, let’s dive into some of their drawbacks.

While there are a lot of benefits to having a full frame sensor, they don’t come cheap. If you’re looking to buy a Full Frame camera, be prepared to put a dent in your pocket. Fortunately for you, I’ve done some research and testing on just a few full frame Nikons and Canons.

When it comes to the Nikon D600 it’s the most affordable I’ve seen so far in the Nikon category. With its 24.3 megapixel CMOS FX- Format sensor and high-speed continuous shooting capturing up to 5.5 frames per second with a price tag of $832.40 on Amazon. However after taking a look and researching a few full frame Canon models. It’s safe to say that Canon Full frame models are a bit more pricey than Nikon—even its cheapest (from what I’ve seen) is a whopping $1,399. That would be the Canon 6D carrying a 20.2 megapixel CMOS Full Frame Sensor and up to 6 or more frames per second in continuous shooting.

The second drawback is lens availability. Most cropped sensor cameras will take a full frame lens, but it doesn’t work vice versa. This means that inventory for full frame lenses isn’t as large as you’d expect it to be. Therefore, you need to take this into consideration, especially if you want to jump from an entry level DSLR to a full frame camera body.

Because the full frame sensor is bigger than the cropped frame, it affects the field of view. For photographers that need more zoom, the smaller sensor is the more compatible option.

The depth of the field is kind of a negative when it comes to full frame sensors. Usually, depending on the make and model, the full frame cameras are capable of giving you as much depth of field as you want. So, even if you shoot at f/22 on full frame, the image may not be as sharp as you like, and you may have to do some focus stacking. But on a crop sensor camera, you will be able to get a lot of depth of field because the size of the sensor is so small. Everything from front to back on f/22 and sometimes even at f/32 will be extremely sharp.

Crop Sensor Camera (APS C sensor) Benefits

Crop sensors have a much larger variety of lenses that are often times smaller, making them more portable and ideal for certain types of shooting. If you’re a videographer, crop sensor sizes are the way to go, as they are much more conducive to moving images and rich videos.

Imagine that you are a travel photographer—how pricey is it going to be to be using a full frame DSLR or mirrorless camera + telephoto lens combo instead of just working with a crop-based camera and a good, professional telephoto lens?. If you are on a budget for your photography work, the answer is pretty obvious.

A lot of people want to shoot sports using crop sensor DSLR cameras (APS C sensor) because they offer more crop factor, so you get a better zoomed-in look for your image. Let’s say for instance I want to shoot a football game, and I am all the way across the field with a full frame camera and I don’t have an 800mm, $6,000 lens—it will be a lot harder to get that reach. However, on a crop sensor camera, you get more reach with half the sensor, even with a less desirable telephoto lens for your photos. The main drawback is that you will sacrifice ISO performance in the process.

Full Frame vs Crop: Which One Should I Buy?

For the average consumer with a kit lens and a consumer grade body, stick to the crop sensor cameras. They’re light and are great for capturing simple portrait photography and events. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you need a full frame camera to capture great images. The art of photography is one of skill, and cannot be purchased. Therefore If you can only afford a crop sensor. then you should purchase a crop sensor camera, as you’ll still be able to take amazing photos.

For working photographers and those entering the professional arena, I encourage you to invest in a full frame camera. The image quality and wide angle options are necessary to take professional quality photos. If you like shooting with natural light and low light settings—again, a full frame camera is better because it has more photosites and noise reduction capabilities. A lot of it depends on the camera settings, but it definitely makes an impact on low-light and night photography work.

Once you’ve chosen your camera, though, move on! Focus on mastering lighting, composition, and white balance—all of which will lead to better photos regardless of your sensor size! Remember, gear is supposed to help us, not condition the way we perform our job.

If you feel ready to take the leap towards a full frame body, then congrats as you are taking the first step into becoming a professional photographer. If not, that’s okay as well—no gear can outperform a talented photographer that knows the ins and outs of their camera well.

I hope this article has assisted you in making a choice on a camera to match your needs. Until next time, Thank you for reading!

For the past several years Sony has been the only player in the Full Frame Mirrorless market. But as 2018 begins to draw to a close, we now have Canon and Nikon joining the fray as well. Leica also offers a Full Frame Mirrorless option. And let’s not forget about the rumors of Pentax and Panasonic releasing their own Full Frame Mirrorless option in 2019. As the Full Frame Mirrorless war begins to heat up, which do you think will come out on top? In this article, I am going to highlight the current state of the Full Frame Mirrorless battleground along with the current models that are making war against each other.

Full Frame Mirrorless – The Story So Far

Sony has been the king of the Full Frame Mirrorless world for the past few years. The introduction of the Sony a7 series was groundbreaking. However, the position of “king” came somewhat easy for them though. Seeing as they were pretty much the only player in the market for the past few years. Outside of the Sony a7 series of cameras, the Leica SL TYP601 was the only other model available. The other Full Frame sensor big hitters, Canon and Nikon, clearly absent. While it is true that Canon was playing around with their APS-C Mirrorless range, the EOS-M. It is also true that the EOS-M was never going to compete with the Full Frame Sony a7 series.

Full Frame Mirrorless Contender 1 – Sony

Since the initial launch of the Sony a7, new iterations have come along. The a7 series is now in its third iteration. One interesting thing to note is how Sony have chosen to keep all three iterations available on the market at the same time. Other companies tend to discontinue the older iterations once the new models become established in the market. I think this played well in Sony’s favor. The cheaper price points of the older models can be more appealing to certain people. The newer models come with improvements and new features but also a higher price tag. Sony also released the a9 model which boasts a faster frame rate aimed at sports and fast action photography.

The Sony Full Frame Mirrorless models currently available are:

Sony a7
Sony a7R
Sony a7S
Sony a7II
Sony a7RII
Sony a7SII
Sony a7III
Sony a7RIII
Sony a9

While the Sony a9 is easy to identify with respect to what type of photography/photographer it is intended for, the same cannot be said for the a7 series. If you were just to look at the above list, then how would you know what a7 model to go for? Well, we need to disregard the iteration numbers for the time being. We can see the models are differentiated by the presence of either an “R” or an “S”. The “R” models boast a higher megapixel resolution and a slower frame rate than the other models. The “S” models boast features that make it more suitable for video recording. The “a7” model lacking either the “R” or the “S” is more of an all-rounder camera. This model provides a moderate megapixel count, a decent frame rate and a better price tag!

Each iteration of the a7 series comes with some new updates and features. Before you invest in a particular model, explore the specifications of each online and see which fits your needs best.

Full Frame Mirrorless Contender 2 – Leica

Leica, the camera brand that incites both excitement and fear in the minds of photographers. With its long history in the photographic community, excitement at just the mention of the name is to be expected. However, it is the price tag associated with the Leica name that brings fear. Leica has long produced great camera optics. Their lenses are some of the best available. And while we would all love to have one in our bag, their high price tags frighten so many of us away.

Leica was second to the Full Frame Mirrorless market with the introduction of the SL TYP601. This model boasted a moderate 24 megapixel sensor, 11 frames per second continuous shooting, 4K video, 2 card slots and an ISO range of 50-50,000. Not bad specifications at all. However, when you look at its hefty price tag, you would have to concede that it is not yielding the best bang for your buck. Especially when you can get one of the Sony a7 series models for a fraction of the cost.

Like all Leica cameras, this model will certainly appeal to a niche bunch of photographers, The ones with big bank accounts! However, it has not offered any real competition to Sony thus far. But who knows what the future holds. There have been announcements as of late indicating that Leica, Sigma and Panasonic are working together with new Full Frame Mirrorless offerings. Stay tuned for what unfolds during 2019.

Full Frame Mirrorless Contender 3 – Nikon

Earlier this year, Nikon beat Canon to the punch with respect to announcing and launching their Full Frame Mirrorless offering. Like Sony, Nikon opted to release a standard resolution and a higher resolution model. The Z6 provides a moderate 24.5 megapixel sensor, up to 12 frames per second burst rate and an ISO range of 100 – 51200. The Z7 model provides the higher 45.7 megapixel sensor, 9 frames per second burst rate and an ISO range of 64 – 25600. Both models provide 4K video and only 1 XQD card slot. Some professional Wedding Photographers would cry at the prospect of having no backup card slots during the wedding shoot.

The Z series models also boast a new lens mount and some new lenses to go with it. Nikon also introduced the FTZ Mount Adapter which allows for the use of F-mount Nikkor lenses. This certainly appeals to the Nikon users who may have a large lens collection already built up.

Although they beat rivals Canon with their Full Frame Mirrorless announcement, time will tell if their offering triumphs over Canon as well as Sony.

Full Frame Mirrorless Contender 4 – Canon

Last, to enter the Full Frame Mirrorless battleground in 2018 we have Canon and their Canon EOS R model. Like Nikon, Canon also has introduced a new RF mount. Similarly, they also released a mount adapter to accommodate existing Canon lenses. In fact, Canon went ahead and released three different mount adapter options. The EF-EOS R mount adapters enable the user to attach Canon EF and EF-S lenses to the new EOS R body. This is very much welcomed by the Canon faithful who have collected various EF and EF-S lenses over the years.

The EOS R boasts a nice 30.3 megapixel sensor, a DIGIC 8 processor, 8 frames per second burst rate and an ISO range of 100 – 40000. Like the Nikon offerings, this model also features only one memory card slot but of the SD variety instead of an XQD.

Canon also announced some new RF mount lenses. Like Nikon, the range is limited right now, but this will grow over time. The same was true of the Sony a7 series when that first launched.

As a Canon user, the Canon EOS R tempts me and appeals more than that of the other brand offerings. But truth be told, I will probably invest in a Canon 5D Mark IV before I start investing in a Full Frame Mirrorless model. I must be one of the few people on the planet who prefers the bigger and heavier DSLR models.

Stay tuned to see how the Full Frame Mirrorless war heats up further and evolves during 2019.

Tag: full frame

Full Frame vs Crop Sensor–Which Camera Sensor Should I Buy?