Full-Frame vs Crop Sensor

Have you ever wondered which is better; full-frame or crop sensor cameras? Full-frame vs crop sensor is a common debate.

There’s quite a bit of (mis)information out there; full-frame being ‘better’, for one.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩

Why do we use the terms full-frame vs crop?

Well, full-frame harks back to the days of film. Specifically, 35mm film photography, which–funnily enough–is also a crop format. It is crop because above that you have medium and large format cameras.

When digital sensors came out, the term full-frame helped distinguish the sensors from APS-C, which are considered a crop format.

Full-frame sensors were not the largest digital sensors at the time; the term helped film photographers transitioning to digital understand that equivalency in field of view and depth of field wouldn’t be a factor with a full-frame sensor.

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞

There are a number of advantages to full-frame sensors, including:

More Megapixels;

A better dynamic range;

Better light detection;

Low light performance; and

Beautiful bokeh.

So let’s take a look at the key advantages of full-frame sensors in the full-frame vs crop debate.

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫

Unfortunately, full-frame vs crop conversations usually result in vicious online debates swirling around image quality. However, as we’ve seen above, that’s only partially true.

Crop sensor cameras have quite a bit to offer and are even better, in some circumstances, than full-frame cameras. Advantages include:

Crop factor reach;

Compatible with vintage lenses;

More affordable;

Lightweight; and

Faster processing speeds.

So let’s take a closer look at the advantages of crop sensor cameras.

𝟏. 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐚 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩?

Sensor size is pretty irrelevant for a beginner photographer.

You’ll want a body that you take out and use regularly. The best way to determine this is to go to the store and start handling different bodies and models.

See which menu systems and button layouts seem to be the most intuitive; which color profiles you enjoy; which camera fits your needs in terms of weight, price, and so on. From there decide which system you’re most likely to invest in.

𝟐. 𝐈𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩?

Full-frame has advantages over a crop sensor if maximum image quality (low-light performance, shallow depth of field, bokeh generation, dynamic range) is your main consideration.

However, if size, weight, price, reach, lens ecosystem, and handling are factors for you, then the answer is crop.

It ultimately depends on what you value as a photographer.

𝟑. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞?

Absolutely, depending on the genre of photography you shoot.

Portrait, event, and wedding photographers love full-frame bodies for great low-light performance and shallow depth of field.