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Full Frame Sony A7II vs. Crop Sony A6000, which is better for portraits?

Jul 21, 2016 by John Aldred 22 Comments

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sony_full_frame_vs_crop

When you’re looking to pick up your first portrait camera, the whole full frame vs crop thing can be confusing. Technical explanations can be difficult for new users to wrap their head around.

In this video, Chicago based photographer Manny Ortiz shows us the differences side-by-side. Using the Sony A7II and A6000 side by side, we get a real world comparison of how the two compare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_tU-sl-7G0

Comparisons like these are often interesting and an image really does speak a thousand words. They quickly illustrate the point between crop sensor and full frame cameras.

To give the comparison some consistency, Manny chose lenses that would give a similar field of view on each systems.

  • Sony A7II – Sony FE 85mm f/1.4GM
  • Sony A6000 – Sony 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar T* FE ZA

As the 85mm opens up wider than the 55mm, Manny shot it at f/1.7 to keep things as fair as possible.

Shot with the full frame Sony A7II

Shot with the full frame Sony A7II & 85mm

Shot with the crop sensor Sony A6000

Shot with the crop sensor Sony A6000 & 55mm

The difference between the two is immediately apparent. The full frame is noticeably softer in the out of focus areas. This softness is one of the main reasons photographers choose to go full frame.

On other shots, the difference isn’t quite so obvious as you start to move away from your subject. It’s still there, but you don’t notice it as much unless you zoom in or print big.

a7ii_2

a6000_2

Getting in close again, they pop right back up. Throwing the background out of focus removes distractions and draws attention to your subject.

Of course, you can still do it with crop sensor bodies and super fast glass, but it’s easier with a full frame.

a7ii_3

a6000_3

It’s one of those debates that’s never going to go away. It’s not a question of one being “better” than the other, though, they’re just different.

In short, it doesn’t matter. It’s all just personal preference, so study images and see which you prefer the look of. If you like the full frame look and frequently like to shoot with a shallow depth of field, then get full frame. If you don’t, then don’t.

Generally speaking, the glass you use is often far more important than the size of the sensor.

Personally, I don’t do the shallow depth of field thing. People like Manny and others make it look amazing, but it’s not for me. Whether I shoot crop, full frame or medium format, I usually want more depth of field, not less.

Which do you shoot, and why? Are you shooting work where it doesn’t make a difference which you have? Do you find the advantages of crop more useful to you than those of full frame? Or is even full frame too small for you? Let us know in the comments.

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Related posts:

Full frame vs. crop sensor: is it really worth switching to full frame? What is the best full frame camera under $2,000? 5DIII vs 6DII vs A7II Sony and Olympus Release Firmware Updates for a6000, a7, a7R, a7S, E-M1 and E-M5 Mark II Why are Full Frame cameras called “Full Frame”? The history behind the terminology

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: a6000, A7II, crop sensor, full frame, Manuel Ortiz, sony

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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