Do you want to know the difference between full frame vs APS-C cameras? Are you struggling to decide which type of camera to buy?
You’re not alone. Full Frame vs APS-C is a topic that’s been debated for years – with neither option coming out on top.
Because here’s the truth:
While beginners often think they need a full-frame camera to succeed, APS-C cameras can perform better in a number of scenarios. And whether you’ll do better with an APS-C camera or a full frame camera has nothing to do with your level of professionalism. It has to do with your photography needs.
And in this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about two types of cameras APS-C and full frame. You’ll ultimately come away knowing the perfect camera type for you.
What is the difference between Full Frame and APS-C sensors?
Full-frame and APS-C formats indicate the sensor’s physical dimensions, which is different from pixel count. A full-frame sensor has 36mm by 24mm size based on the traditional 35mm film format. An APS-C sensor is 1.5 times smaller, 25.1mm by 16.7mm, and named after Advanced Photo System type-C film format.
What is the Origin of Full Frame vs APS-C Cameras?
Back when film was popular, there were a
number of well-known film formats: 35mm format, medium format, large format,
and more. These could only be used by corresponding cameras. A medium format
camera used medium format film, a 35mm camera used 35mm film, and so on.
These different film formats could be distinguished by their physical size; for instance, 35mm film was 36mm by 24mm.
Origin of Full Frame Sensors
35mm film was by far the most popular format, primarily because of its perfect size. It was small enough for easier to carry around a 35mm camera than medium or large format bodies. And, it was large enough to produce high-quality photos. This made 35mm cameras into highly desirable pieces of kit for professional and amateur photographers alike.
In fact, the 35mm format was popular enough and so perfectly sized that many of the first digital cameras were 35mm, which was known as full frame. The sensors on these full-frame cameras offered dimensions of 36mm by 24mm.
Origin of APS-C Sensors
This term – full frame – was defined in contrast to smaller, or APS-C, camera sensors. APS-C stands for Advanced Photo System type-C. It is equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System film negative in its “Classic” format, of 25.1×16.7 mm, an aspect ratio of 3:2.
Related: What Camera Should I Buy?
These cameras featured sensors with a range of dimensions, often around 24mm by 16mm. Many digital cameras these days sport APS-C sensors because smaller sensors are cheaper to produce. Smaller sensors also require smaller camera bodies and smaller lenses, which results in more compact camera setups.
Confusion Surrounding Crop Factor
APS-C cameras include something called the “crop factor.” This simply refers to a “crop” effect created by the smaller sensor. When you shoot with an APS-C camera, the field of view is changed, creating the impression of a cropped photo.
Related: Full Frame Lens on APS-C Camera
For instance, if you shoot a bird at 100mm on a full frame vs crop (APS-C) camera, the APS-C photo will look tighter. This is because the smaller sensor captures a smaller portion of the scene.
Note that the focal length of your lens doesn’t experience any real shift. Nor does the depth of field or the lens speed change. The only real change is a field of view, which makes your lenses appear longer.
That said, having a smaller sensor can make a
big difference to your photography:
Advantages of Full Frame vs APS-C
Full frame cameras, while more expensive than their APS-C counterparts, are known for their quality.
This is for a few reasons.
1. Better Low Light Performance
First, full frame cameras have more sensor
space, so they offer larger pixels. Larger pixels means that each pixel can
take in more light, which results in decreased noise (and better low light
performance). Therefore, a full frame camera at 24 megapixels will outperform a
crop sensor camera at 24 megapixels; the ISO performance will be better.
2. Wider Dynamic Range
Second, full frame cameras offer a greater dynamic range than APS-C cameras. While dynamic range is often hard to perceive, it manifests as the difference between the detailed whites and the detailed blacks in your photos. Full frame cameras are better able to render extreme tones in a scene.
3. Higher Resolution
Third, full frame cameras often have higher
resolution than APS-C cameras. The larger the sensor, the more pixels that fit!
4. No Crop Factor
Fourth, full frame cameras don’t force you to deal with annoying crop factors. A crop factor makes your wide angle lenses less wide and makes your standard lens into telephotos. For some, it’s important to be able to shoot with the lens field of view that you initially purchased.
Related: Best Cameras for Low Light Photography
And speaking of wide-angle lenses, full frame
cameras allow you to shoot wide angle lenses as true wide angle lenses. That
way, you can capture sweeping landscapes without missing a beat.
5. Better Lens Selection
Finally, the full frame lens selection is much broader than the APS-C lens selection. While you can use full frame lenses on APS-C bodies, camera manufacturers also offer APS-C lenses, such as Canon’s EF-S lens series.
Disadvantages of Full Frame vs APS-C Cameras
Full frame cameras are often great, but they
sometimes fall short.
Why?
1. Higher Cost
First, full frame cameras and lenses tend to
be hugely expensive. While there are some budget full frame cameras and lenses,
they’re hardly cheap. Most beginner photographers just can’t justify the cost
of a full frame option.
2. Bigger Size and Weight
And second, full frame cameras and lenses tend
to be larger and heavier. This isn’t ideal for photography on the move: outdoor
photography, travel photography, etc.
Advantages of APS-C vs Full Frame Cameras
Depending on your needs, there are plenty of
reasons why you should go for an APS-C camera:
1. Size and Weight
First, if size and weight are important characteristics to you, then I recommend going with an APS-C setup. Both the cameras and the lenses are smaller than their full frame counterparts, and therefore much more manageable. APS-C cameras are perfect for travel, hiking, and backpacking.
2. More Attractive Cost
Second, APS-C cameras (and lenses) tend to be
far cheaper than full frame gear. So if you’re on a budget, APS-C may be the
way to go.
3. Longer Reach
Third, if you’re looking to shoot birds or wildlife, you’re going to need a lot of reach. Because of the crop factor, an APS-C camera will give you a 1.5x or 1.6x extension on your lens focal lengths. This can be invaluable for getting the close-up shots that bird and wildlife photographers love.
4. Larger Depth of Field
Finally, because of the way the crop factor works, it’s easier to achieve a deeper depth of field with APS-C cameras. If you want to get the entire scene sharp, you won’t have to stop down as much–which is fantastic for shooting in low light scenarios.
Disadvantages of APS-C vs Full Frame Cameras
What are the downsides to APS-C cameras?
A few things:
1. Poorer Lens Selection
First, APS-C lenses just aren’t as plentiful
as full frame lenses. There aren’t many high-quality APS-C lenses, though there
are plenty of great full frame options.
2. Crop Factor Issue
Second, there’s no way of turning the crop
factor off. When you shoot wildlife, the crop factor may be useful. But if
you’re trying to photograph a beach sunset, the crop factor can be thoroughly
annoying.
3. Lower High ISO Performance
Third, the low light performance of APS-C
cameras just doesn’t match up with the low light performance of full frame
cameras. So if you want to shoot genres such as astrophotography, a full frame
camera is a better choice.
Full Frame vs APS-C Cameras: Conclusion
This article described the difference between
full frame and APS-C cameras, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of
each.
As you should now realize, neither camera
format is more valuable than the other. Deciding whether to go with a full
frame or an APS-C camera should be based on your current needs as a
photographer.
So think about what you want to photograph.
Think about what you’d like to see in a camera.
And then choose a camera body and start
photographing!
