Full frame vs. crop sensor: is it really worth switching to full frame?
Mar 30, 2018
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Full frame vs. crop: which one should you buy? Whether you’re getting your first camera or want to upgrade from the one you already own, this is one of the decisions you need to make. Photographer Sheldon Evans shares his experience with both types of DSLRs. He switched from full frame to APS-C, now he’s going back to full-frame, and he’ll give you some reasons why you should choose one over the other.
Sheldon says that the majority of his work was shot on a Canon 6D, a full frame camera. But when the time came to buy a new one, he chose a Canon 80D. The main reason for this was to get a camera with good AF for video. But also, he needed a lightweight camera for long wedding shoots because he didn’t want to carry too much extra weight all day.
“Why didn’t he just buy a mirrorless if he wanted a lightweight camera?” I can almost hear you asking. Well, he actually did. He bought a Sony a6500, but after using it for a while, he realized he simply didn’t enjoy working with it and he got back to Canon.
After using both full-frame and crop cameras, Sheldon got himself a Canon 6D Mark II. He says it has everything he needs, but he says that having a full-frame sensor doesn’t necessarily make it better than some APS-C cameras. He gives a couple of differences between the two, and hopefully, they’ll help you make a decision when buying your first (or next) camera.
Range or wide angle
When using a camera with APS-C sensor, you need to count in the crop factor. For example, a 50mm lens will be 50mm on a full frame camera. On a crop body, you need to multiply this with the camera’s crop factor. For Canon, it’s 1.6, so a 50mm’s lens effective focal length is 80mm.
The choice between full frame and crop sensor depends on what you want to shoot. If you’re looking for an extended range and shoot events, sports or wildlife, Sheldon suggests going with an APS-C camera. But if you prefer shooting architecture, landscapes, interiors and using wide angle lenses, then a full frame camera is a better choice in order to avoid too much distortion.
Image quality and low light performance
Full frame cameras used to provide significantly better image quality and low light performance. Nowadays, as technology advances, these differences aren’t that big anymore. With full frame cameras, you generally get more dynamic range, which makes the post-production easier as you can preserve more details.
Preference and limiting factors
Basically, when choosing between a full frame and a crop sensor camera, it all comes down to this: preferences and limiting factors. You should choose the camera based on your preferences and think about why you need it for. Personally, I’ve only used crop bodies, because a full frame camera would be an overkill for my needs and also too heavy on my budget. But if you want to go pro, keep in mind that a full frame camera doesn’t make you a professional photographer: it’s your skill and knowledge that do. So, make a decision based on your needs, plans, and preferences, and I hope Sheldon’s remarks will make it easier for you to decide.
[I ABANDONED FULL FRAME for crop sensor cameras… but I’M BACK! (M43 APSC and Crop Factors) via SLR Lounge]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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16 responses to “Full frame vs. crop sensor: is it really worth switching to full frame?”
You can have both : )
A good comparison for this argument is the Nikon D750 full frame vs D500 crop frame. Both awesome cameras and the d500 is actually more expensive, plenty of videos on you tube comparing the two but it comes to the same conclusion ….it’s horses for courses they both have superb performance but your needs would dictate which you would buy.
endless conversations…
Current sensors have such a great image quality. The only reason for me to switch to full frame is if I need that extra shallow depth of field.
I bought a 5DmkIII but still use my 70D more often. Depends on what I am shooting.
My XT2 performed better in all aspects compared to my 6D. So i said bye bye
Fujifilm is totally different. its a superior category by its own. i still have my Xt-1 and it has awesome awesome results! But give a bit of credit to fuji Lenses. they are doing amazing work!
Crop frame and crappy zoom for work, full frame and medium format for pleasure. :)
Some full frames have a crop mode don’t they?
YES.
Dont forget crop sensors are not only cheaper (most cases) but glass is considerably less. So if your on a budget you can get multiple lenses and a body for the same price as a body and kit lens. I’m a perfect example of this as I just picked up the A6500 vs the new A7 RIII. I was switching over from Canon and since most of my shooting is travel based I chose the A6500 as I got a wider range of lenses and carry less weight, all without giving up too much.
But you will need a lot of space for the 10 batteries you are gonna use!
Let Zack answer this… https://youtu.be/PHYidejT3KY
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“Full frame vs. crop sensor: is it really worth having this discussion… AGAIN?”
Same topic like film or digital? ?