Tag: Sensor

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

Posted on September 24, 2022 by Sabina Sister

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!

Finding the Goldilocks Zone of Megapixel Count

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Nathaniel Eames

This one’s too big. This one’s too small. This one’s just right. Photographers constantly make compromises in everything we do. Whether it’s choosing an ISO that will allow fast enough shutter speeds without introducing unpleasant noise; setting sharpness to give clarity without a fake look; or simply setting the size of your JPEGs, there’s something gained and something lost in each decision.

Deciding how many megapixels you need is no different. While most of the choices above can be made by simply looking at your image, megapixel counts take a bit of technical knowledge and foresight. Ultimately, your ideal sensor resolution is a matter of choice like any other, but knowing what’s at stake and what options are available can make this important decision much easier. Before we begin, you may find it helpful to read our article on choosing the sensor size that’s right for you, which is a separate issue to consider altogether.

3 Bears — Momma Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear

The name of the game is image size versus file size. While there are many other consequences to consider, this balance is the heart of what’s at stake when choosing a megapixel count. More megapixels means higher resolution, but much larger files. But what exactly is necessary when it comes to resolution and what is superfluous? The answer to that question depends on your needs. For example, a good quality physical print is usually 300 dpi (dots per inch), meaning if you wanted to print an image 8 inches wide and 6 inches high, you would need a resolution of 2,400 x 1,800 pixels or 4.32 megapixels. So if you use every pixel of a camera, you only need a 4.32-megapixel camera to make a good quality image of this size. However, if you know your photo will be viewed on the web, where resolution is locked at 72 PPI (pixels per inch), then the same 4.32mp camera could be viewed on a screen that’s 33.3 inches wide by 25 inches high. That’s a pretty big computer screen.

But some high-end cameras have resolutions of 50mp or higher. While this seems completely ridiculous at first, it’s not as crazy as you’d think. Because the number of pixels needed to make a larger print increases exponentially, a 50.3mp image is actually a resolution of 8,688 x 5,792 pixels. That yields a 300 dpi print of 29 inches wide and 19.3 inches high, a lovely size to the frame on a wall. But with an increased print size comes and exponentially increased files size as well. If you’re taking photos in high-quality RAW format (which you usually should), each of these 50.3mp files is up to a whopping 75.5 MB (megabytes) as compared to the 6.5 MB of the 4.32mp camera. To put the high-res file size into perspective, if you spent an afternoon shooting 200 photos, you’d have 15.1 GB (gigabytes) of images. That kind of data builds up fast. Most people never consider the cost and difficulty of storing large files when buying a camera, but it’s definitely important to keep in mind. If you’d like to see what file, print, and web size results from different image resolutions, I’d suggest using this megapixel calculator tool.

Some other considerations to make when picking a resolution size is how this impacts the camera overall. A camera’s megapixel count interacts with its sensor size. More megapixels in a smaller sensor means each individual pixel is smaller and therefore absorbs less light for any given photo. This tradeoff will typically result in a noisier image, though modern camera software goes a long way to resolving this. So if low light performance is important to you, you may want to stick with not only a larger sensor size, but also a lower megapixel count. It may be counterintuitive, but in many cases having fewer megapixels creates better images. There are of course other factors that relate to a camera’s mp stat, such as battery life, price, and ISO range, but the print/web dimensions, file sizes, and low light performance are the most direct results of any given megapixel count.

To wrap things up, we’ll briefly look at three major megapixel groups, discuss their capabilities and limitations, and give some example cameras.

1. Low-Res (Less than 16mp)

Typically, cameras in this range are 12mp, which not too long ago was very impressive. If your photos are only ever going to be seen online, then this is plenty big enough. However, if you want to have decent sized, decent quality prints then you’ll want more than this, but honestly, this is more than enough resolution for most people. Cameras in this category include the full-frame Canon 5D Mark I, the full-frame, mirrorless Sony a7s II, and the iPhone 6s.

12mp camera yields:

300 dpi prints of 13.3 x 10 inches
RAW files up to 18 MB
JPEGs up to 2.5 MB

Nikon D3200, 24.2mp2. Medium-Res (16-30mp)

While there are many excellent Micro Four Thirds cameras that have 16mp sensors, the staple size in this segment is 24mp, though 20mp is also common. These offer plenty of detail to meet almost anyone’s needs without going overboard or being too expensive, which is probably why it’s such a popular resolution. Some medium-res cameras include the Sony Alpha a6300, the Canon Rebel T6i, and the Olympus EM-5.

24mp camera yields:

300 dpi prints of 20 x 13.3 inches
RAW files up to 36 MB
JPEGs up to 3.6 MB

Sony a7R II

, 42mp © Dongheon Shin

3. High-Res (30-50mp)

These are professional grade. There aren’t too many different cameras sold at this level of resolution, though the ones that offer it are extremely popular. This amount of detail is only necessary for pros who need to make large prints (or sometimes just impress clients) and who have the equipment and know-how to manage large files. Cameras like this include the Canon 5D SR, the Sony a7R II, and the Pentax K-1.

42mp camera yields:

300 dpi prints of 26.5 x 17.7 inches
Raw files up to 63.3 MB
JPEGs up to 4.4 MB

Anything above high-res is considered ultra-high-res and is only available in medium format cameras. That kind of resolving power is only necessary for the rarest of occasions, but it can certainly make for some amazing shots. While these cameras can easily make prints over 3 feet wide, they can also take raw photos over 150 MB in size. Like every other camera decision, the megapixel count you choose is a matter of taste and should be decided based on your individual needs. But if you keep in mind the tradeoffs between maximum image dimensions, files sizes, and the rest of the camera’s performance, you’ll be able to find the resolution that’s just right.

Choosing the Sensor Size that’s Right for You: Bigger isn’t Always Better

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Nathaniel Eames

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an aspiring amateur, your choice of the camera goes a long way to defining and reflect who you are as a photographer. While a sports photographer will likely lust at the low-light, quick shooting behemoths, a street photographer will want a quiet, compact, one-handed companion. There are a ton of factors that go into choosing the camera that best fits your needs and style, and one of the first decisions that should be made is what sensor size to go for.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of sensor size, it is literally the physical dimension of the electronic sensor that records the light and thereby makes the image. The sensor size is not only built into the camera but has a direct effect on the lenses and image characteristics as well. From the days of film, when the sensor size was simply the type of film the camera accepted (35mm, 120mm 4×5, etc.), this has been a key factor in choosing a camera and ultimately a shooting style that fits the photographer’s needs. Today, most camera companies offer at least two options through different camera lines, with some offering even more. It’s important to note that when choosing a camera and the sensor that’s in it, you’re also choosing what lenses and accessories that will be available to you, so do your research on the entire system that surrounds the camera as well.

1234526868_02ef3f04e7_o — A CCD sensor (© Matt Laskowski)

Before we dive in, a basic explanation of how sensor sizes relate to the actual photo is in order. It’s helpful to think of an image sensor as a water bucket and light as rain. A larger sensor (larger bucket) can collect more light (more rain) than a smaller sensor in the same situation. So a camera with a larger sensor will perform better than a camera with a smaller sensor in a low-light scenario because it can collect more of the light that’s available. This means faster shutter speeds, lower ISO, and overall nicer images. Another major factor of having a large sensor is the shallower depth-of-field (more background blurriness) it creates. Because of optical math, we needn’t worry about, a larger sensor produces a shallower depth-of-field than a smaller one shooting the exact same image. The last important element of a larger sensor is simply the advanced technology it requires. Because larger sensors are simply harder to make, they often come in overall better (and more expensive) cameras. Because companies put their best tech in their most expensive cameras, larger sensor sizes nearly always come with better and more recent technology. These three factors— low-light performance, shallow depth-of-field, and cutting-edge technology— are why most people assume bigger sensors are always better. However, amazing images can be made with any sensor size out there, it just depends on what you’re shooting and how you shoot it.

Here, we’ll go through the pros and cons of the four major size options available for interchangeable lens cameras, with some examples for each size mentioned.

1. Medium Format (~44x33mm to ~54x40mm)

These are super expensive, high-end studio cameras from companies most people have never even heard of such as Phase One, Mamiya, and Hasselblad. While they’re unwieldy, slow shooting, and a rental-only option for most people, they also produce the highest quality images available. With amazing dynamic range (range of brightness to the darkness that can be recorded in the same image), extremely fine detail (up to 100mp), and great bokeh (quality of the out-of-focus area), these cameras are perfect for many types of art, fashion, and archival photography. However, they are difficult and unnecessary for most other types of shooting and serve as a specialty option.

Pros:
- Best Image quality available in favorable situations
- Instantly gives any image a high-end look
- The shooting experience is unlike anything else
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
- So difficult to manufacture that high ISO and other recent technology isn’t available
- Large and clunky
Examples:
- Pentax 645Z ($4,000, one of the best cameras ever made)
- Hasselblad H5D series ($7,500-$45,000)
- Phase One XF series (Up to 100mp for up to $55,000)

Taken with a Full Frame camera

2. Full Frame (~36x24mm)

While in the days of film, this size was thought of as too small for any self-respecting professional photographer, digital cameras make this the go-to size for most professionals today. This is what the flagship cameras for many companies utilize, as it offers a great balance between superb performance and acceptable price. Many people believe that a 10-year-old camera with this sensor format (such as the Canon 5D Mark I) is still better than any new camera with a smaller sensor inside. However, with the improved high-ISO performance of modern cameras and tons of great lenses available for almost any mount, there’s not much supporting this way of thinking.

Pros:
- Often sports the best technology available
- Amazing low light performance and high-quality look
- Best lenses and accessories available are for these professional-grade cameras
Cons:
- Still pretty expensive
- Fairly large bodies and lenses
- The industry may start to favor smaller formats soon
Examples:
- Canon 5DSR ($3,600, 50mp of raw power)
- Sony a7R II ($3,200, mirrorless that’s fairly compact and critically acclaimed)
- Pentax K-1 ($1,800, amazing quality for half the price of its competition)

Taken with an APS-C camera

3. APS-C (~23x15mm)

This is what you’ll find in most cameras that aren’t point-and-shoots, and for good reason. While for a long time this format has been aimed at amateurs, more and more pro-quality cameras are coming out with this size thanks in large part to the introduction of mirrorless cameras. If you’re not already invested in a camera system, you should strongly consider getting an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera and going from there. While Canon and Nikon have been sticking with the same DSLR formula for over a decade, companies like Sony and Fujifilm have bet big on mirrorless APS-C cameras and it looks like it will pay off. The absolute best cameras that won’t break the bank are of this variety. Because recent technological advancements allow them to accommodate high-res sensors with clean images at high ISO— and there are now many amazing lenses built for this format— some APS-C cameras can go head-to-head with all but the best full-frame competition.

Pros:
- Much more affordable options available
- Some are both compact and still high-quality
- Next generation of popular cameras will be APS-C Mirrorless
Cons:
- Still, can’t match the performance of the best full-frame cameras in demanding situations
- Some of the amateur options aren’t worth buying (looking at you Nikon and Canon)
- Still thought of as unprofessional in some circles
Examples:
- Canon Rebel series ($400+, better options available for similar prices)
- Sony Alpha a6000 ($600, very compact with great image quality)
- Fuji film X-Pro2 ($1,700, unique design with professional image and build quality)

Taken with a Micro Four Thirds camera

4. Micro Four Thirds (17x13mm)

This is a very interesting option that deserves serious consideration from almost any photographer. About five years ago, many people believed this format to be the future of all photography. While it hasn’t yet lived up to that hype, it has quietly grown into a robust segment that can offer superb image quality for very low prices, but definitely, sacrifices some flexibility. Unlike all other image sensors, Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras are standardized across manufacturers. So a lens that fits a Panasonic MFT camera will also fit an Olympus MFT camera, which can be very helpful. Also unlike all other image sensors, this option is mirrorless only, no DSLRs here. But even the cheapest MFT cameras can offer image quality that often out-performs popular, entry-level DSLRs. While this sensor size is a little too small to work well in low-light settings, the bodies are so compact that it might be worth the sacrifice. One thing to note is that most if not all MFT cameras lack the premium build quality available in other formats.

Pros:
- Cheapest option available
- More nice lenses than you’d expect thanks to universal standards
- Some extremely small options out there
Cons:
- Poor low-light performance
- Generally not acceptable for professionals
- Not many studio accessories available
Examples:
- Olympus PEN EPL7 ($450, extremely compact but toy-like body)
- Panasonic GH4 ($1,300, professional-ish option with great 4K video)
- Olympus EM-5 ($480, worth every penny)

There are amazing cameras made using every sensor-size, so choosing a size is really just a matter of taste. If you want to be able to take incredibly detailed images for large prints that are dripping with quality, then a Medium Format or Full Frame camera is probably your best bet. If you want a decent shooter that won’t be noticed when you’re taking close-up street portraits (or if you just want to save your wallet), then an MFT camera may be right for you. And if you’re looking for a jack of all trades that can create amazing images in favorable light and perfectly acceptable images in almost any situation, then maybe go for an APS-C sensor. Before deciding on a specific camera or even one brand, it’s best to weigh your options and consider what your expectations are, then you can find the camera best suited to capture the images you want.