The choice between crop sensor and full frame depends on your needs and shooting style, making it essential to grasp how each one works.
Coming to you from Rocky Mountain School of Photography, this informative video dives into the key differences between crop sensor and full frame cameras. The primary distinction lies in the sensor size. Full frame sensors measure 24mm by 36mm, the same size as 35mm film. In contrast, crop sensors are smaller. This size difference affects the field of view, which is how much of the scene the sensor captures. With a crop sensor, you get a narrower field of view compared to a full frame sensor using the same lens.
The video further explains how using a crop sensor camera with a full frame lens can result in higher image sharpness. This is because crop sensors only use the center part of the lens's light circle, which is typically the sharpest area. This setup can be beneficial for achieving crisp photos, especially if you are using professional full frame lenses on a crop sensor camera. It also discusses the field of view and focal length differences, emphasizing that while the focal length remains the same, the effective focal length changes due to the crop factor.
Another significant aspect covered is the depth of field. Full frame cameras generally provide a shallower depth of field compared to crop sensor cameras. This is due to the larger sensor size, which allows for more background blur and better separation of the subject from the background. If you prefer those creamy, blurred backgrounds in your portraits, a full frame camera might be more suitable for you.
Weight and size are practical considerations. Full frame cameras and lenses are typically larger and heavier than their crop sensor counterparts. If you travel frequently or prefer a lighter kit, crop sensor cameras can be advantageous. They offer a balance between quality and portability, making them a popular choice among travel and street photographers.
Check out the video above for the full rundown.
Please quit perpetuating the biased "crop vs. full" language that was misappropriated by camera makers' marketing departments to upsell consumers. There's nothing "cropped" about ANY sensor format, as cropping involves REMOVING some of what was previously an integral part. I mean, if I'm full-height at 5'10", is anyone shorter a cropped human? And, what about all those taller folks? Are they "medium format" or what? There's nothing "fuller" about an uncropped image from a 35mm-format sensor than one from any other-format sensor.
The appropriate question to title this article is, "Which format is right for you?" Alternatively, sticking with historical tradition, we could ask, "Small format or smaller format, which is right for you?"